Warr Acres Addition

Our First Meeting

Aug 14, 2008

Warr Acres Library-The Warr Acres Addition Neighborhood Association held its first meeting tonight, Aug 14. Attendance was fantastic-over 40! We've already outgrown our chosen meeting place, and as such our next meeting, Aug 28 at 7pm, will be at a larger location to be announced.

The majority of the discussion centered around our residents' concerns about crime in the area, with many reporting incidents that they or their immediate neighbors had suffered, including breakins, car thefts, graffiti, and vandalism. Many neighbors urge all of us to immediately contact the police should anything suspicious or unnerving occur. As the moderator and originator of the meeting, I, James England, chose to encourage this discussion instead of a detailed agenda, so that everyone felt free to air their concerns. We will endeavor to more precisely define an agenda for future meetings as we all learn more how to do this and as concerns and interests of our neighbors become apparent.
Some also expressed concerns that the police didn't perhaps do all they could do when called, and want this addressed both with the police department and our City Council representatives, Nancy Olson and Stewart Shapiro. Several of us have volunteered to contact them as well as the Mayor and urge them to attend our next meeting.

There is an organization called Neighborhood Alliance which helps neighborhood associations get off the ground, and we will attempt to have one of their representatives at the next meeting as well. Their guidance will be very helpful and ensure that things get off the ground well.

I want to thank all of you who were able to come to the meeting. It was good to get acquainted with you and hear your opinions and concerns. I also want to thank those of you who called but weren't able to come; we look forward to all getting together at future meetings.

James England