Historical September 1995 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council has a new director, Laure Porterfield, who began work the second week in July.
She is no stranger to Skinker DeBaliviere.
Her in-laws live in the neighborhood and operate a business on Delmar.
Her daughter, Stephanie, whom she adores, attends St. Roch School.
She herself has lived in the city ever since arriving from Pittsburgh in the late 1970s.
She and husband Steve Schiller own a home in LaSalle Park and have lived there for 11 years.
She likes living in the city because “it is real.” People learn to live together and live with diversity in the city. Schiller grew up in our neighborhood, moving here when he was in the 3rd grade. Porterfield said that she was excited to be working in Skinker DeBaliviere, such a vibrant neighborhood.
She noted that there are many elements of strength here.
She feels that the Community Council can pull that strength together for the common good.
She will work on basic service delivery and safety issues but feels that the bigger challenge is to continue the good work that’s been done so far by finishing the edges.
The edges include Nina Pl. and the Delmar commercial area. Fixing these edges will enhance the safety and stability of the neighborhood.
Her 6 year old daughter has already enjoyed participating in neighborhood activities like National Night Out.
She was thrilled to meet the mayor.
She also likes the fact that her friend’s dad, artist Bill Christman, has his studio next door and Uncle Juan lives close by. Porterfield explained that she was really interested in the grassroots process.
She previously worked for the American Cancer Society and thinks that at nonprofits you can get closer to the people impacted by your activity.
She really likes a job with a lot of people contact and encourages neighbors to drop by the office. ‘The coffee pot is always on.
She wants to know what people are thinking. Although the future isn’t certain, Porterfield is enjoying the wonderful resources available to her: Officer Sam Zouglas, Stabilization Officer Jackie Wellington, Alderman McGuire, and many active residents.
Original photograph caption
Laure Porterfield. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September 1995.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1995_09.pdf, printed page(s) 1; PDF page(s) 1.
