Historical February–March 2004 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Meeting called to order by President Joe Keaveny at 7:03 PM.
In addition to being the regularly scheduled SDCC board meeting, the meeting also served as SDCC’s annual meeting and report to the neighborhood. Joe Keaveny proceeded to review several of the Council’s activities and accomplishments during 2003.
The treasurer’s report was deferred in the absence of Treasurer Peggy Droege.
The minutes of the October 2003 meeting were deferred at the request of Secretary Tim Schoemehl. Jim Moran, the new police Captain for the 7th District was introduced. Captain Moran introduced several 7th District police officers who patrol the Skinker De-Balivere neighborhood and said he would ask officers to attend meetings regularly so that residents and officers could get to know one another. Captain Moran said his main focus would be helping the neighborhood crack down on problem properties that are the source of criminal activity in the area. Captain Moran reported several recent robberies in the neighborhood.
He distributed a composite sketch of a suspect who is wanted in connection with a robbery near Clara and Pershing. Captain Moran noted that overall crimes against person are down 33% in the neighborhood compared to last year.
However, auto thefts are a huge problem. Captain Moran reported that this is a problem throughout the city, but Skinker De-Baliviere seems to be especially hard hit. Captain Moran noted that Chrysler products and Jeeps seem to be “vehicles of choice” among car thieves, because they can be stolen relatively easily.
The Captain encouraged residents to consider theft deterrent devices such as “The Club” a steering wheel collar, or a kill switch.
These can be obtained at a reduced cost through Operation Safe Street.
A number of residents had questions about auto tag theft and car theft, and a discussion about these topics followed. Several residents reported that because their license tags have been stolen so many times, they no longer place tags on their vehicles, and instead keep them in their glove box. Captain Moran stated that he would encourage his officers to “use reasonable judgement” if one of his officers pulled someone over who had the appropriate tags with the vehicle but had not displayed them due to concern over theft. Avis May of Hamilton School requested increased patrols around the school, particularly on Tuesday and Thursday nights when they have basketball games.
She noted that the police presence in and around the school is helpful in maintain a safe environment.
The board reviewed and approved the schedule of board meetings for 2004, eliminating the July meeting.
The board also approved holding a regularly scheduled meeting at the new RAC building on Delmar at a mutually convenient date. Andy Cross presented a report of the Beautification committee’s activities. Working with the Central West End Association, the Beutification Committee has received a grant from the regional arts commission to paint some of the electrical traffic signal boxes between Kingshighway and Skinker. Look for these improvements soon.
The Community Gardens are nearing the end of their growing season.
There is some concern around the City about development encroaching on various community gardens.
The PostDispatch published an article on this topic and listed the Block Unit 1035 Garden as a possible target for development. Apparently the garden was included because of development occurring in the area.
There has been no specific development proposal that would disturb the garden. Katrina Stierholz gave an update on the Lucier Park Committee.
The dedication ceremony for the playgroud was reasonaly successful.
There are still a number of issues that need to be dealt with to make the park attractive and safe.
The new playground seems to be attracting unsupervised young teens who are loitering, gambling and using illegal drugs.
The new playground equipment has been vandalized.
The committee has been in touch with Covenant House and is working with them to find positive alternative activities for these youth.
The committee continues to believe that developing new housing facing the park will be one of the best ways to address this problem. Neighbors reported that much of the loitering and illegal activity around Lucier Park and on DeGiverville appears to be related to a problem property in the 5800 Block of Pershing.
The Council will continue to work with the police and with the City to address these issues. JoAnn Vatcha provided a written update on the recent activities of the Commercial District Committee, focusing on recent developments on Delmar. Lana Stein of the Residential Committee provided a written update on the committee’s activity, focusing on the plan to convert the former convent at Rosedale and Waterman to six condominiums. Tim Schoemehl reported that the neighborhood Halloween Party at St. Roch was again a great success. Aproximately 50 children attending for storytelling and a costume contest, to be followed by trick-or-treating throughout the neighborhood. Many thanks to Art Santen for again organizing this event and to MaryAnn Rudloff for providing prizes for the costume winners and candy for all the children. Transportation Committee: Dan Schesch gave an update on the activities of the Transportation Committee over the past year, focusing on efforts to mitigate the impact of MetroLink construction on traffic in the neighborhood. Dan reported that the timing of the traffic signal at Waterman and Skinker continues to be inconsistent with the other signals on Skinker.
The Council agreed to send a letter to the Street Department asking them to address this issue. Executive Director’s Report: Laure Porterfield referred to the written report included in the Board Packets.
She also noted the upcoming Police and Firefighter appreciation luncheon scheduled for December 18th Social Service Committee: Shirley Polk reported that the 9th Annual Skinker DeBaliviere food drive was held on November ___.
The food drive collected many canned goods for the food pantries at the churches in the neighborhood (Grace and Peace, Grace Methodist, New Cote Brilliante, and St. Roch.) Thanks to Gwen LaZard, Andy Cross, and students from Hamilton school who helped collect canned goods. Laure Porterfield noted that Washington University students in the neighborhood were particularly generous with food contributions. Nominating Committee: Steve Givens will again serve as the nominating committee for the election of officers. Any names of candidates should be submitted to Steve and he will present a list of all nominees who have agreed to serve at the December meeting. Elections will follow in January. New Business: SDCC will again plan to sponsor a celebration in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Day. Laure Porterfield reported that she is organizing a committee to plan details of the event.
There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 9:05 PM.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February–March 2004.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Food-drive date is printed November___; no day inferred.
Original source: SD_Times2004_02.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
