Historical November 1995 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
It seems just a short time ago that I came on board as the Executive Director of Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council. Measured by the calendar, however, it is now well over three months. Measured in terms of the wonderful people with whom I have had the opportunity to meet, to become reacquainted with, or to grow closer in friendship, it has been a very long time indeed.
To those of you who have taken time to stop by the office, to phone to learn how things are going along, or to share your vision for the neighborhood, many thanks. You have willingly given of your time, wisdom, and energy to help me through so many ‘firsts” . . . the list is far too long to include on these pages, but you know who you are and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
The next three months will be the test for us; knowing that fundraising goals will be more challenging in 1996 (our funding sources are shrinking) and that the challenges we face are enormous, I call on each of you who has an interest in the neighborhood, in a particular activity or project, to speak up and to sign up to help make your dream a reality.
The fabric of a neighborhood is a delicate thing.
If one block of Skinker DeBaliviere suddenly finds itself fighting a battle against an absentee landlord, a property that is sheltering drug activity, or simply a group of youth who have no place to go after school and no adult helping them to find the right way, all of us are impacted.
Each block continues to need regular communication and constant vigilance. Veterans of Skinker DeBaliviere learned long ago that we are our brothers’ keepers; newcomers need to take heed. Even though MOST of our homes have been rehabilitated far past minimum standards, we must continue to maintain a watch that codes are enforced, appropriate permits are obtained, and that those who need help can be directed where to find it . . . or have it provided. Ultimately, we as homeowners or tenants have to walk past the weeds or trash or tree branches that we did not put there. Perhaps the best thing we can do for our neighborhood is PICK IT UP. Our extra effort to care for the neighborhood, to plant the flowers and tend the weeds in public areas, is the ‘added value,” the intangible difference, that makes Skinker DeBaliviere the special place that it has become . . . through the hard work of our neighbors and friends. Let’s not lose that.
The fabric of a neighborhood, the fabric of a community, is a delicate thing. Let’s not forget that we all have a share in maintaining Skinker DeBaliviere’s textures, its colors, its strengths.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November 1995.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1995_11.pdf, printed page(s) 4; PDF page(s) 4.
