Memorial Park Neighborhood Association

Sept 2005 NewsLetter

Sep 11, 2005

Memorial Park Neighborhood Association/MPNA
A Place where People Live & Succeed through their Togetherness!

September 2005 Newsletter


Dr. Saharra Bledsoe, President?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­.........312-4503
Ms. Michelle Boykin, Vice President?¡?­?¡?­..348-3187
Ms. Delisa Kelsaw, Secretary?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­.?¡?­.422-3336
Ms. Cassandra Woods, Treasurer?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­420-8132
Mr. Robert Brown Sgt. at Arms?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­..
Officer Jason Anthony, Liaison Officer?¡?­..427-1319
Attorney Thomas Essex Exe. Board Mbr.?¡?­...424-4316
Ms. Elinor Rose Exe Board Mbr?¡?­?¡?­..?¡?­?¡?­...704-1675
Mr. Kal Derkson Block Captain Chairman?¡?­.420-8534
Block Captains
Ms. Alice Boykin?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­422-9794
Ms. Ruthie Robinson?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­.?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­.?¡?­?¡?­422-7967

Association Web Site:
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/ftwayne/memorialpark/

At a time when our entire country is experiencing a connected sense of disbelief and heartbreak over the sheer devastation cause by Hurricane Katrina.
Now is the time for every American to come to the aid and assistance
Of our fellow American?¡?¯s.
We had thought of beginning a neighborhood clothing drive, but so much by way of that kind of response is occurring that we are now just urging those who have rental and vacant properties to consider providing lodging for those in need. We have instead started a community victims relief fund and you can find further information concerning this endeavor at the web site or simply call one of the officer?¡?¯s listed above or mail your check to us and we?¡?¯ll be sure to send you your ?¡?°tax deductible receipt. All monies collected will go directly to the victims of Hurricane Katrina
So, Lets GIVE & KEEP ON GIVING!
Because, it just what we as American?¡?¯s do, do!
You may also call the numbers listed above if you?¡?¯d like to be apart of this volunteer effort and/or for any questions/ comments you may have.
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For several months we have tried in the delivery of the association?¡?¯s monthly newsletter to address certain issues with a substantial amount of restraint but due some recent developments we find that we must Now withdraw the constraints and truthfully express these issues for what they have been and where they now stand.
As we, the elected officers of the Association remain steadfast in our commitment to you and the enhancement of our entire community, we do understand how as a direct result of the lies being told, rumors being spread and other deceptive activities going on that many of you have questions, and are truly troubled by the negativity spreading throughout our community. And, as president I have encountered gossip, rumors, and straight out lies that are being distributed throughout our neighborhood one in fact which directly involves me is that ?¡?°I do not reside in the community?¡?± Let me say and state for the record that whomever is spreading this has and is telling and out right LIE! While, I do reside in the community I also have a business to run, and a life to live none of which has ever caused me to Lie upon another and/or neglect my duties as your president! However, it is now time to let the Truth speak for itself, Therefore, as it should be it shall be:

NEIGHBORHOOD ISSUE?¡?¯S UPDATE!
After months of meetings whereby every real effort was made, time and time again, to peacefully resolve whatever issues Mr. Robinson, Mr. and Mrs. Wireman, and Ms.Willa White seemed to be having with the present ?¡?°elected?¡?± officers of the Memorial Park Neighborhood Association, it was discovered that these individuals were simply making personal attacks that simply had nothing to do with the leadership ability and/or actions of the officer?¡?¯s as they relate to serving you, and the community, but instead, these disgruntled individuals were basically making viscous vindictive selfish acts geared to only cause personal pain and a major sense of discord within our community, and after much discussion a vote was taken and unanimously passed that the
Memorial Park Neighborhood would have only ONE association

And, that association would in fact remain as it has always been the:
Memorial Park Neighborhood Association.

Then, the disgruntled individuals request to hold a special election in order to remove the present officer?¡?¯s of the association was ?¡?°overwhelmingly rejected.?¡?±

And, the meeting came to a close, with what we thought was a true sense of community pride and respect, especially since the present officers of the association genuinely embraced and invited these disgruntled individuals to do as they were doing- putting the past behind and move forward on behalf of making the entire community stronger and using the entire experience to heighten unity and productivity within the community!
However, recently we have discovered that these same disgruntled individuals went to certain city officials
And once again told yet another UNTRUTH!

Now, you may be asking-how do we know that they lied: Not to worry, this and all other issues regarding this entire matter will be made addressed at our
September 20th meeting.

Nobody has the right to simply walk over our community and do with it or in it as they please, without any regard for truth. We are one of thee oldest association?¡?¯s in the city and we have by laws in place that were, for these many years, good enough for our community to adhere too, until Mr. Robinson was voted out of office and the new officers, after diligently reaching out to everyone in the community, increased the associations membership to its highest level in over 10 years.

Then, Mr. Robinson out of his own misguided actions went to work to tear down this new found sense of progressive community unity?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­?¡?­.BUT IT WILL NOT WORK!
We are a strong community on the verge of growth and positive change.

We are a community filled with people who love their community and want not just to see, but to actually be an active participate, in making sure that our community excels and actually reaches it highest abilities now and for generations to come!
We are a community that wants nice homes, beautiful yards, schools that our children can walk too, churches that we can worship in,
Jobs whereby one can earn more than just a decent living with,

Business?¡?¯s that both address the needs of the community and experience prosperity.
So, we are asking EVERYONE (including business owners and landlords)
to attend this meeting, because it is NOW time for us all to come together on behalf of each other to preserve our neighborhood and its awesomely magnificent promise of change and prosperity that rightfully so, belongs to every resident of the Memorial Park community! Some of you have said that you don?¡?¯t want to attend meetings until this matter is cleared up; however the association, the entire community needs us to be a unified community that can Now rise to preserve and enhance the unity and productivity within our neighborhood. We can?¡?¯t afford to just sit back and let injustice, deception and just plain spitefulness destroy all that we have dreamed of, worked for, and believe that we can accomplish! As the president of your association I am now asking you to simply stand with me and those that are working and have worked on your behalf! If you have no questions and/or complaints and just want to come and listen, then that?¡?¯s ok too!
You too are welcome to attend this meeting!

Resolution:
Even though there are issues to be addressed and problems we must resolve we do know how to agree to disagree. Therefore, regardless to whatever else, we are moving right along with our community economic development plan. We know that there are those who would just love for us to give in, but we are now resolved, more than ever, to embrace ALL of those things that we as a community must get done!
Meeting Update!

During our next monthly meeting scheduled for Tuesday September 21st we have asked representative from the city to join us as we work to resolve any and all issues within our community. We hope that you will attend this meeting because the only real way to combat lies, gossip and rumors is with the Truth and this is your time to hear, receive and be apart of the Truth process. Just think we now live in a time whereby we know that there are those who have lost everything, and here we are blessed to have a roof over our heads, food to eat, water to drink, and its just time for us to count our blessings and spread the blessings of goodness and truth while being about the business of being at unity and peace. So, instead of staying home and allowing someone to bring you their side of the story come and here it for yourself! Then and only then can you make a decision that?¡?¯s right and not one that?¡?¯s just right for you but for the entire community!
Mark your Calendars and attend the Tuesday September 21st Meeting.

Our Strategic Planning Process
We will also be proceeding ahead with our economic develop strategic planning process. We have received some updates from the city concerning the entire process. So, once again, you simply do not want to miss the monthly meetings!
It is never too late to become involved with this exciting, very informative, and uniquely beneficial process. This is your time to really make your voice count!

Please Take the Time to Make the Time to Attend the Monthly Meetings!
Next:
People often say that the City doesn?¡?¯t care about what we think, just does, or is going to do whatever it wants to do, and some even believe that we really can?¡?¯t change things-
THAT IS JUST NOT TRUE!

The city has made some remarkable changes to enhance and better, not just our community, but the entire city, and we Congratulate the Mayor for undertaking this initiative, because we now have an opportunity to really work with the city to ensure that our community develops a strategic plan for our entire community. But the city is NOT going to wait forever on us to put our plan together! And, if we do not work with them RIGHT NOW to complete our community economic development plan for the future, then believe me, either they will do it and if it does not include what we truly desire and/or envision for our community, then it will be no one?¡?¯s fault but our own!
Then, we will simply be left out of the entire planning process! And, our houses will continue to decay, lots will stay vacant and basically our community will continue to left out and void of a perceivable vision, and while every other community in the city will have an officially endorsed adopted strategic plan for its future, we will NOT! Just think many of you within the community are renters but through this planning process, you can assure that you will own your own affordable home! Just think for those of you who need improvements made to your home but can?¡?¯t afford to get them done, through this planning process you can really assure that the work will get done and done right and in a timely manner! Just think for those of you who would love to send your child to a neighborhood school, well guess what- Through this planning process you can work towards getting this done. Just think for those of you who would like to see new streets and street lights, beautiful yards and an overall flourishing neighborhood that not only looks good and inviting but also provides you with the type of services you so rightly deserve. Then, guess what- through this planning process
YOU CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN!
But only if you get involved and are willing to stay committed throughout the entire process!
Isn?¡?¯t it time for us, as a community, to stop letting others make the decisions that we have to live with, simply because we wouldn?¡?¯t engage ourselves in the decision making process? This is your time to make a difference, so, let?¡?¯s put our differences?¡?¯s aside and work as one!


So, we are asking everyone to attend our two monthly meetings!
Moving Right Along!
Happy Birthday to all September People!
AND, for any other joyous smiles of success that have occurred within our community that we didn?¡?¯t?¡?¯ mentioned-HURRRRRRRRRAY!
Up Coming Events!

Memorial Park & East Side Annual Summer Picnic
Please Note:
The date of the Annual Summer Picnic
Is-Saturday October 1st From 10 a.m. Until & Will be held at Memorial Park.
This promises to be a fun filled day with plenty of food and festivities for the
Entire family. Rather you are a homeowner, renter, landlord, landowner, employee or Business owner Everyone in the community is invited and welcome to Attend!

The 2005 Beautiful Yard Contest
Has ended! Winners will be announced and receive their awards during the season?¡?¯s end picnic next month!

Neighborhood Fund Raiser
Anyone wishing to have his or her lawn mowed or articles moved at a very reasonable price can contact any one of the association officer?¡?¯s at the numbers listed on the front of your Newsletter and we?¡?¯ll gladly schedule a time to get the job done.
Help Support your Neighborhood ?¨CGive us a Call Today!
About our news letter!
Having a way and a means to keep community residence informed of things that impact the community, needs your
impute, attention, or to simply spreads good news, is exactly apart of what makes a neighborhood Newsletter such an invaluable asset, which is Nothing, we might add- to be played with!
And, while we deeply regret the annoyance that many of you have expressed in receiving TWO NEWSLETTERS, it is very difficult for us to understand how and/or why there should be any question, after we have collected your association dues for a year, who you should now pay your yearly membership dues too! During our first year in office we expressed a mighty plea to every one in the community to please pay your membership dues and to attend the monthly association meetings and we received an unprecedented response. So, we are asking everyone to realize that while problems may rise and come our way it should not ever cause any of us to do anything but remain steadfast and dedicated to being a part of the solution.



Memorial Park Neighborhood Association Return Form Sheet
You can mail form to: MPNA 1304 S. Anthony Blvd. Ft. Wayne, In. 46803
Or Call:
422-9794 or 312-4503 for pick up
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2005 Membership Dues:
$100.00 for business?¡?¯s $50.00 landlords/landowners $10.00 per household
Name:___________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________
Phone:_______________________
(check one) ?¡?µBusiness ?¡?µLandlord/landowner ?¡?µRenter ?¡?µHomeowner
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Helping Hands Hurricane Relief Volunteer/Donation

Name:___________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________
Phone:_______________________
Resident ?¡?µ Business Owner?¡?µ Donating: Clothing?¡?µ Money?¡?µ Other?¡?µ (please specify)
(check one)
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I would like to serve on the 2005 Block Party Planning Committee

Name:___________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________
Phone:_______________________

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I would like to serve on the Memorial Park Strategic Planning Committee
Name:___________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________
Phone:_______________________
(check one) ?¡?µBusiness ?¡?µLandlord/landowner ?¡?µRenter ?¡?µHomeowner
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Our Monthly Newsletter along with other informative community, city, state, and national links can be found at our web site
So, be sure to visit it regularly!
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/ftwayne/memorialpark/