Old West End Neighborhood Association

2004 Meeting Minutes - Board and General Meetings

December 5, 2004 - General Membership Meeting

The motion to change by-laws to expand the Board of Directors from five to seven members was decided. Kathy Scott made the motion to do so.

The Board of Directors was voted in unanimously as follows: Stefania Aegisdottir, Jim Gossett, Connie Higgins, Lezlie McCrory, David Sherrill, Ben Swartz and Jeff Weiss.

The Officers were voted in unanimously as President, Stephan Howick, Vice President, Joshua Williams, Secretary, Carrie Robinson and Treasurer, Doris Ressl.

General meeting was proposed for the first of the year.

Stefania Aegisdottir, Brian Fickle, Bella Harmon, Pat and Lezlie McCrory, Wally Higgins, Joan McKinley and Sherry Ann McNett volunteered to pass out flyers for up-coming meetings.

Dues were accepted from members.

December 14, 2004 - Board and Officers Meeting

Those in attendance were Stephan Howick, Carrie Robinson, China and Ben Swartz, Jeff Weiss, Stefania Aegisdottir, Josh Williams, Connie Higgins, Lezlie McCrory and David Sherrill.

In efforts to regain a unified voice, Stephan announced he has been in touch with Chet Taylor, Tonya Reed and Tom Guinup and they are all interested in being involved in the neighborhood association.

The Mayor of Muncie has recognized the reorganization of the Old West End Neighborhood Association and is looking forward to working with us.

Obstacles discussed were trash and litter in the neighborhood, the use and distribution of illegal drugs in the neighborhood, vacant and abandoned homes in the neighborhood and street/sidewalk cleaning. The opportunities discussed were Neighborhood Crime Watch and Events/Tours. The benefits of the neighborhood were discussed in regards to the history of the Old West End.

The group discussed the January 2005 CDBG Grant Application. The board is pursuing determination of our eligibility to receive these funds. If so, we will be working with the Urban Forester on hazardous tree removals and street tree plantings; working with Code Enforcement on the securing of abandoned homes; and pursuing funding for the future development of a Cop Shop in the neighborhood.

The secretary’s update included the new website for OWENA and encouragement of members to use the new services offered on the website.

The next meeting of the board will be December 21, 2004 at 6:00 PM at Stephan and Carrie’s house.

December 21, 2005 - Board and Officers Meeting

The Board Members and Officers met December 21, 2004. Those in attendance were Stephan Howick, Carrie Robinson, Jeff Weiss, Stef Aegisdottir, Ben Swartz and Josh Williams.

Stephan spoke of the CDBG Grant Application. Sue Pedan, of the Community Development Office, asked OWENA for proof that we are a non-profit organization. We will submit this with the application.

The group discussed the priorities of OWENA. They were trash in the neighborhood (streets and around houses), membership concerns and a Neighborhood Crime Watch.

Josh Williams showed pictures of abandoned houses and spoke of his research. The group also discussed street cleaning by the city.

The group decided to hold a general organization meeting tentatively set for January 16, 2005. We will be discussing OWENA Committees and having volunteers sign up for each committee at that meeting.

The next meeting of the board and officers will be January 11, 2005 at Jeff Weiss’ house at 6:00.

Email us
oldwestend@hotmail.com