Classism and Division
Ours is a very diverse neighborhood, and one of the best things about our neighborhood association is that it is supposed to represent, according to our by-laws, all neighbors ''without favor or prejudice.'' Affluent, not affluent; living in the southern, northern, or middle of the neighborhood. The concerned residents who attended the meeting had as much right to do so as all of the residents of the more southern portion of the neighborhood who swelled meetings last year due to the CVS issue and disagreement with the NSNA leadership. Any resident--member of the association or not, committee-joiner or not--is entitled to come to the association with a concern. The same kind of resentful statements were made about residents who became more active members of the association as a result of the CVS issue, including about me. It seems to me to be pretty human to sometimes be most concerned about that which affects us closest to home. And, just as in the CVS fight, those most potentially affected by the group home will pursue what they think is in their best interests.
For those who may not understand the topic, Goodwill Industries Suncoast, Inc. is planning to open a group home for 6 developmentally disabled adults, male and female, at 806 18th Avenue N.E. This is a ''community residence'', according to a Fl. statute that supercedes any local ordinance or zoning so that any group home or assisted living facility for a group with special needs cannot be excluded from neighborhoods. These homes may not be located closer than 1000 ft. from each other in a neighborhood. In the portion of our neighborhood south of 13th Avenue, there are quite a few ALFs, some of whom have co-existed with us without difficulty and others that have been poor neighbors not unlike ''normal'' residences with owners who are poor neighbors.
The NSNA leadership is not opposing the group home or representing the group of neighbors who do not wish to see the group home open. We are attempting to promote dialogue among the neighborhood and between the neighborhood and Goodwill.
