Edgewood Acres

ECO's reply to SSCAN's email

Sep 30, 2007

Debra,

We can all understand delays, however I do question you of who you are talking to? These "others" you are speaking about are they north or south of Thurman?

Additionally you still have failed to answer the previous question that I have asked of you and copied Mike Puckett on 9/21/07. "What are your topics that you wish to discuss, and what is your desired out come?" Your words and your actions are conveying two different messages. Think back to Neighborhood Pride.

The mentioning of a cleaner, safer and more responsible community is what we all want, always have and always will. We own property in this neighborhood, and we would have not purchased here if we did not feel it was worth our time and effort. We feel very fortunate to live in this neighborhood.

We have made many new friends and we could not have found better neighbors if we hand picked them ourselves. This is why I am proud to be elected (not self appointed) by my neighbors to represent them. Furthermore, if my neighbors did not want a civic organization, do you honestly think we would even be in the current situation that we are in.

Debra, you claim that South Side CAN is excited about others who want to work to create a better community, but I ask you what has South-Side CAN done to promote themselves. Why do residents on Studer have relatives north of Thurman have no clue about South-Side CAN? Why are friends of mine who live on Stewart asking Edgewood who to contact about starting block watch?

How many neighborhood picnics, yard sales, mobile speed signs, garden tours, (which I have heard was criticized the first year by certain South-Side CAN members) litter patrols, and crime patrols does South-Side sponsor? These things are what civic organizations do.

Where was South-Side CAN when Edgewood was fighting City Council about rezoning the property at #### Wilson Ave. That's right, SSCAN recommend that the property be rezoned commercial for a day care. Well that property is to my knowledge is currently under investigation by narcotics and has been raided twice to date. Where is South-Side CAN now?

You claim Debra, that SSCAN is very excited that others in the community want to work to create a better community for all. Well, in my opinion, the only time South-Side CAN treks south of Thurman is when the residents of the ECO area can benefit South-Side CAN. So at least from this point there is ZERO duplication of efforts between South-Side Can and Edgewood Civic Organization. Furthermore if this is your logic then why are there other civics in the near south area? Seriously, do you really wish to work together or are you concerned that ECO will disrupt the plans of the Area Commission?

Debra, I am extremely fortunate to have a very special person in my life who keeps me grounded and tries to make me see the other person perspective. David has told me that I can look at the mud, pick up the mud however don't throw any mud. Though out any prior correspondence between SSCAN and ECO I have never belittled you or questioned your integrity. How dare you question the integrity of any one who sits one the Executive Board of Edgewood Civic Organization?

We do not pick and choose any information or fail to communicate to our members. We provide information to all members that have shown interest in what we are trying to accomplish, and share the views and goals of what their neighborhood can be. To sit there and type that we the leaders of ECO funnel down information at our discretion is totally and completely inaccurate, and to make these false accusations is borderline slander.

The Executive Board of ECO has chosen not to share every little tid bit of the exchange of emails between ECO and SSCAN. The purpose of this decision was so that the general membership would not loose focus of what the entire group is trying to accomplish.

Since you have made this declaration that our leadership funnels information at our discretion causing confusion, your current email and my response will be posted on our website, Yahoo Group, Neighborhood Link web site, and emailed to every ECO member that we have email address for within the next 24 hours.

Thank you to all!







debera diggs wrote:
My apology for the delay in response. I was having conversations with others in the community before responding. This is a collective response from myself and others.

First, I would like to say thank you to all for the effort that has been made to schedule a meeting.

Second, it is important to note that SouthSide Community Action Network does not have issues with Edgewood Acres, but there are some concerns that need to be addressed.

SouthSide Community Action Network is very excited that others in the community want to work to create a better community for all. We are pleased that others want to be change agents for their community. As volunteers, we are all seeking the same goals. We all want the same thing for the community. In short, we are all headed in the same direction.
Since its inception in 1991, SouthSide Community Action Network has worked with and supported others in and across the city to address concerns that affect this area, of which Edgewood Acres is a part. The Edgewood Acres Block Watch Association, as well as the other Block Watch groups within the neighborhood, are a vital part of the network overall, and help format and bring to the forefront the issues that SouthSide CAN addresses.

What do residents want? It's simple: All residents want to live in a safe community. They want to be able to leave their homes and go to work or school without worrying about others breaking in or destroying their property. They want to have businesses that are community friendly (which means not selling alcohol or tobacco products to minors, not allowing people to loiter in front of their business, keeping their property clean of trash and graffiti, etc.). They want property owners who are responsible to the community - who maintain their property, who refuse to rent to persons who do not bring a sense of ownership and responsibility to anyone other than themselves. And they want that area to be free from abandoned/vacant/ burned out structures. Both organizations have a lot in common.

SouthSide CAN is concerned that Edgewood Acres appears to have no desire to want to work together. Information is funneled down to residents at their leadership?’s discretion, causing confusion. Residents need to be able to identify which organization is charged with helping to resolve problems, to avoid duplication of efforts and dilution of services and resources.

Thank you to all