Memorial Park Neighborhood Association

The Connector Oct 2006 Edition

Oct 08, 2006

Memorial Park Neighborhood Official Monthly Newsletter
The Connector
Your Neighborhood Guide to City/Community News
October 2006 Edition

2006/2007 Elected Officer?’s & Board Member
Dr. Saharra Bledsoe, President?…?…?….......312-4503 Attorney Thomas Essex Exe. Board Mbr.?…...424-4316
Ms. Michelle Boykin, Vice President?…?…..348-3187 Ms. Elinor Rose Exe Board Mbr?…?…..?…?…...704-1675
Ms. Delisa Kelsaw, Secretary?…?…?…?….?….422-3336 Mr. Kal Derkson Block Captain Chairman?….420-8534 Ms. Cassandra Woods, Treasurer?…?…?…?…420-8132 Block Captains
Mr. Robert Brown Sgt. at Arms?…?…?…?….. Ms. Alice Boykin?…?…?…?…?…?…?…?…?…?…?…422-9794
Officer Jason Anthony, Liaison Officer?…..427-1319 Ms. Ruthie Robinson?…?…?…?…?…?…?…?…?…422-7967
Memorial Park Association OnLine Web Address:
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/ftwayne/memorialpark/
Neighborhood Clarification-
Your voice and vote did/does matter!
In September of 2005 the neighborhood came together and voted to have only 1 neighborhood association and that association would be as it has always been the: ?“Memorial Park Neighborhood Association.?”
As a neighborhood we came together and thought that we had completely resolved this matter. However now it seems that our struggle for community unity continues on and our only recourse is to take legal. WHICH WE ARE NOT DOING!
So, while this ongoing situation seems to go on and on, we ask everyone to please be patient and know that we take your concerns seriously and we hope to have this entire matter resolved just as soon as possible.
Remember:
We will only get walked on and over if we allow ourselves to become a door mat!
&
Yes, the city is DEAD WRONG in not respecting the neighborhoods voice and vote, and once again, we only ask that you allow us time to resolve this entire matter.
We wonder how any other elected official would feel and what they would do if: Someone who was disgruntled with the voice and vote of the people decided to open an office next door to theirs and then proceeded to a try and handle the job that they were elected to do-
We bet they would NOT like it and would NOT stand by and just take it.
Neither, have or will we!
Everyone Needs to ask themselves-What is the City?’s Motive!
As the elected officer?’s of a neighborhood association that has a long history of pride and progress?…?…We will Not be moved or take this matter lying down.
That?’s our promise to you!

Monthly Motivational Thought:
Unity can build a bridge but Unification can change a Community and even better a World.


City News
VOTING LOCATION CHANGES
In 2002, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was passed in an attempt by the federal government to address some of the failings in the electoral systems in the 50 states. Some of the most significant changes that have come from HAVA deal with making the process more universally accessible to all people and especially those with disabilities. HAVA focuses on universal accessibility because people with disabilities have often been disenfranchised (kept from voting). The buildings used as polling locations were not accessible and people with disabilities sometimes need assistance using the voting machines.
Voters in Allen County have seen changes in both areas. There were new machines in all polling locations this spring. These machines have a feature that enables a voter who cannot see to vote. HAVA requires that all polling locations be universally accessible. This means more than having a ramp or elevator, and because of these new requirements the Allen County election Board (ACEB) had to abandon many of its old polling locations. Then another factor contribution to the changes in polling locations dealt with safety. Schools had long been a popular location for polling sites. However over the past decade, safety has been a growing concern for school administrators. Being a polling location requires that voters have free passage through the building to the room where voting is taking place. Standard safety precautions in schools today require that all visitors check-in at the office. Additionally, due to the expanded use of school buildings, the rooms available for polling locations often had become too small or located a long distance form the entrance through which voters traveled. This contributed to the decision of the ACEB to vacate most school buildings.
In an attempt to contact all voters regarding polling locations changes ACEB sent postcards to all voters whose polling locations changed. Unfortunately not all of the cards were delivered and, in some instances, some voters ignored the card or forgot about the change on Election Day. Making this situation even worse was the fact that the rooms in which some people were voting were not easy to find even if they building was easy to locate. ACEB is vowing to do better in the future and there are three ways to find out where you vote.
The first is to got to www.indianavoters.com and follow the directions on the screen. The second is to go to www.acimap.us and select ?“Public Access.?” This method is more complicated than using www.indianavoters.com, but it provides a broad range of data beyond election information. The third is to call Voter Registration at 449-7154 or the ACEB 449-7329.

UNDERSANDING THE KEY STEPS
TO STARTING A BUSINESS IN FORT WAYNE
Self Employment & Start Up Business Forum
Thursday, October 19th 2006
9:00 a.m. ?– Noon
2nd Floor ?– Omni Room
One Main Street, Fort Wayne, IN. 46802
City and County government officials will be available to discuss zoning regulations, economic development, neighborhood concerns, and Board of Health Issues. Representatives from local organizations will discuss developing business plans, business financing and concerns about marketing your business on a limited budget.
Contact City of Fort Wayne, Office of the Mayor, 427-1111, or email citizens@cityoffortwayne.org to sign up for this FREE forum or receive more information about future forums.
_______________________________________________________________________________

PREVENTION CLINIC
FREE OR LOW COST HEALTH SCREENING & EDUCATION
Hoosier Healthwise Insurance Enrollment for pregnant mothers & Children Case Management and Immediate Referrals to Medical Providers available
No appointment necessary for most screenings.
2006 Remaining Dates
Octover 18th November 15th and December 20th
From 5:00 p.m. ?– 7:00 p.m.
For More Information you may Call: 745-1600
Be sure to take your Insurance cards (Medicaid, Medicare & Private) with you as some screenings will be covered by your Insurance.
Exams Given for:
Blood Pressure
Lipid Profile
Colorectal Cancer
Weight
Clucose
PSA (Prostate Cancer)
Clinical Breast Exams
Cholesterol
Mental Health
Oral ( Dental) and Others



Leaf pickup season will begin on Monday, October 16, 2006.
?• Each fall, the City Street Department provides curbside leaf pickup for City residents.
?• Leaves should be raked to the parkstrip area or placed in brown biodegradeable yard waste
bags and set at the curb for collection. Please refrain from placing leaves in the ditch lines
and between parked cars.
?• During leaf season, call the Leaf Hotline at 427-2302 for locations of where crews will be
picking up leaves each day. Signs will also be posted at work locations.
?• If you use biodegradeable bags, call the Street Department at 427-1235 for pickup within
two business days.
?• Please have your leaves ready for pickup on the first day of your scheduled week. The
Street Department will be in your area sometime that week to collect your leaves, weather
permitting.
2006 Leaf Pickup Schedule
South Central North
Oct. 16-20 Oct. 23-27 30.-Nov. 3
Nov.6-10 Nov. 13-17 Nov. 27-Dec. 1
Dec. 4-8 Dec. 11-15 Dec. 18-22
Note: The posted schedule is subject to changes due to weather or equipment availability. Please check the website, www.cityoffortwayne.org. or call the Leaf Collection Hotline, 427-2303, to know when the crews will be in our neighborhood.
Just a Thought
When a city starts to ignore the voice, will, and vote of the people,
Then it ceases to be a city for all people!




Neighborhood News Updates and Reminders
Neighborhood Association Monthly Meetings are held Every-
1st Thursday of Each Month
Memorial Park ?“Maumee Way?” Planning Committee
&
3rd Thursday of Each Month
General Membership (Everyone Invited to Attend)
Time:
6:30 till 8:p.m.
Where:
IIT campus (building with the clock) Washington Street entrance-Please Note:
Both Monthly Meetings will be held at this location for the reminder of the year!


Yearly Dues
Yearly dues allow us to support and meet the monetary needs of the community.
If you?’d like to pay your dues for 2006 you can do so now by filling out the attached membership form and either send it back to us by regular mail using the address listed with the membership form or by giving us a call and one of the association officer?’s will gladly respond to your pick-up request. Or better yet why not pay your dues while attending monthly association meeting.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY
TO ALL
OCTOBER PEOPLE
We hope you have a very blessed and happy birthday!

A Special Thanks to IIT
For providing us with a consistently convenient and enjoyable monthly meeting location.

2006 Newsletter Door-to-Door Season
Runs from March to December(if weather permits)
Although the newsletter will not be delivered to your door during the winter months-
You will be able to access the newsletter online!
Simply go to memorial parks online web site(listed below) and click on the appropriate link
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/ftwayne/memorialpark/

We wish to thank those who deliver the newsletter-
The entire community sincerely appreciates your dedication!
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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(cut along dotted lines)
2006 Membership Dues:
$100.00 for business?’s $50.00 landlords/landowners $10.00 per household
Name:___________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________
Phone:_______________________
(check one) □Business □Landlord/landowner □Renter □Homeowner
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(cut along dotted lines)
I would like to serve on the 2006 Christmas Party Planning Committee

Name:___________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________
Phone:_______________________
Make a Donation □ Bring a Covered Dish □ Serve On Decorating/Entertainment Committee□
(check one)
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(cut along dotted lines)

I would like to serve on the Coop Food Mart Planning Committee

Name:___________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________
Phone:_______________________

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I am interested in: Research □ Fund Raising □ Marketing □ Accounting/Budget
(check one)
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I would like to serve on the Memorial Park Strategic Planning Committee
Name:___________________________________________
Address:_________________________________________
Phone:_______________________
(check one) □Business □Landlord/landowner □Renter □Homeowner
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Our 2006 Monthly Newsletter along with other informative community, city, state, and national links can be found at our web site
So, be sure to visit regularly!
http://www.neighborhoodlink.com/ftwayne/memorialpark/