Historical February 1986 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
“The more things change, the more they remain the same,” the wise man said. Attending a SDCC meeting after several years hiatus was, for me, an affirmation of that statement. Still being discussed are crime, liquor licenses, beautification projects, house tours, summer employment for teens, methods for helping low-income neighbors maintain their homes, and funding for the always impoverished council itself. I suppose the sameness of the agenda reflects a continuation of the values of our neighborhood.
There is a certain security for an “Old Hand” to discover that urban gentrification has not totally destroyed our collective sense of self.
The director, Nancy Farmer, reported that Summer Youth Corps’ final evaluation was 107 points (possible 100 with a 10 point bonus).
The consensus of the Council was that SDCC should sponsor this program again next year if Grace Methodist is willing.
A contract was presented that would fund SDCC activities and offices with $5000.00 from Neighborhood Development Incentives Program (a CDA block grant) to serve as an operating agency to coordinate city services and programs within the Skinker-DeBaliviere area.
The representatives decided to sign.
The new curbs on Skinker were not completed to the satisfaction of many SDCC members and it was decided to communicate this dissatisfaction to the 28th ward alderman, Dan McGuire.
The director also read a letter she had written to Father Sal Polittzi stating her understanding of the relationship of the council director to the funding institutions when representing the opinions of the Council.
There were two committee reports.
The Safety committee has pledged to publish a list of precautions for neighbors to take to protect themselves and their property.
A regular column in The Times was proposed. Also discussed was an unsecured building in 60XX Waterman. Again the help of the alderman will be sought.
A committee reported over $5000.00 profit from the Carlin concert held in November.
This is ear-marked as seed money to begin a loan fund for home repairs. More fund raising is planned for 1986 to be done under the auspices of the Neighborhood Assistance Act.
The most controversial portion of the evening was the appearance of Mike Faille, owner of Talayna’s, who petitioned the Council to withdraw its opposition to his application for a full-service liquor license and simply remain neutral.
He stated that he needs this license to be competitive with other restaurants in this area.
He reminded those parents that he was a long-time neighborhood resident and businessman.
He promised to be responsible in his handling of inebriated customers and continue his policy of hiring a guard for his building and parking lot.
After his presentation several Council members expressed their views. Ginny Klevorn, formerly a resident of 61XX Pershing, stated that the Talayna building was an eyesore.
She recounted her experiences living in an apartment building adjacent to parking lot in question where she was frequently awakened by latenight noise.
She complained of a constant stream of water in the alley and, in her opinion, the guard did not seem interested in performing his duties.
She felt that permitting more consumption of alcohol on these premises would be very detrimental to the residential character of that block. Kathleen Hamilton recalled the opinion of a 7th District police officer who told the Council that much of our neighborhood crime is due to the attraction of the restaurant at Skinker and Forest Park. Karleen Hoerr, president, summed up the Council’s position in her statement: “The Council has discussed this issue for four months.
The representatives have attempted to speak to their groups to determine the will of the neighborhood.
No favorable opinions have surfaced but many negative ones have been expressed.
The bottom line is that SDCC remains on record as opposing the full-service liquor license for Talayna’s.
On a happier note, Neville Vatcha reminded the members that the 20th anniversary of SDCC would be March 20, 1986. Plans were discussed for a gala celebration to be held late in the spring.
One criterion was the involvement of as many people as possible.
A brain-storming session was scheduled among interested members.
And so this most recent Council meeting ended as so many before it—with the appointment of a committee.
As Yogi Berra once said, “It’s deja vu all over again.”
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February 1986.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1986_02.pdf, printed page(s) 5; PDF page(s) 5.
