Near East Neighborhood Association

Has anyone else heard ablout the Mayors plan to clean up neighborhoods in Columbus? There are suppose to be six neighborhoods including the Hilltop which will receive help from city services. The date for the Hilltop is May 22, 2000. I think this is great!

Mayor's Plan

You heard right. The Hilltop is involved in the clean up as part of "old Columbus."
From what I understand it will focus first north of Broad and gradually work it's way South. You can get more info on this by calling the action line at 645-7526 or see the web site
http://plan.td.ci.columbus.oh.us/

It will be good but will need teamwork by the residents as well. I hope the people get behind this and help and then take care of it once it's done.
I'm all for the plan but have some concern that there isn't much of a provision for educating the people and making sure they maintain a long term effect.
I have my fingers crossed for everyone involved.
Take care.

By Rachel Mathess

Response

If you want more information on the Mayor's Neighborhood Pride Project, you can also contact the Hilltop Resource Center at 308-0340.
Thanks for your comments.

By Michelle Sutton

This is what I would like to know- is there any provision for dealing with the quickly growing, large population of drug ( particularly heroin) addicts on the Hilltop? Because until you deal with the problems of the people, any kind of  revitalization program is going to be a failure. Without dealing with the problem of drug addiction there will still be theft, shootings,prostitution and a large homeless population on the Hilltop.

 

I am not sure if the city chooses to turn a blind eye to the situation, or if they are genuinely ignorant of the roots of the problem. These are human beings we are talking about. People who are desperate for a way out but have no resources to deal with their prolems. They turn to drugs, and then their problems multiply by leaps and bounds. There is no free mental health to someone who is not on welfare anymore. There is only one program available to help heroin addicts and that is Maryhaven. To get into Maryhaven you have to call at the same time each morning, and then wait for a return call. This is of course if they have a bed open  that is available to those without insurance. Then you have to be the lucky one chosen, you have to be able to get there by the allotted time, and of course, to start with, you have to have a phone available to you alll day while you await the call, and electricity to run or charge the phone. How many homeless heroin addicts do you suppose have access to a phone  to make calls and electricity to run or charge it?Let's get real. If you want to revitalize the Hilltop area ( fine idea) let's start by being honest and dealing with the real problems. Provide rehabilitation programs and mental health programs, for the people first. It will not work without it.