Osage Neighbors Association

Osage Neighbors Association

WHEN AND WHY WE FORMED?

Although the Osage residential area was established in ~1950, the Osage Neighbors Association did not form until September 1999. You may wonder why after all these years we were prompted to come together as a community. The reason... a bright yellow school. Our local elementary school, known as Osage Avenue Elementary School and closed for student education for years, was re-opening as the Open Charter School. As part of the physical renovation, the school's administration chose to paint the school a bright color - what they termed a 'happy' color. The 'fire hydrant' yellow was a little too 'happy' for our neighbors and the local neighbors gathered to express this fact to the school. The Open Charter School and the Los Angeles Unified School District listened to us and agreed to change the color.

Proving that coming together in numbers can make a difference, one neighbor suggested that we form an association to act on neighborhood issues. With that idea proposed, a group of neighbors volunteered as the board and the Osage Neighbors Association was born.

OUR VISION, MISSION, & GOALS

Vision

Have an enhanced quality of life in the Osage neighborhood.

Mission

Identify needs, recommend solutions, and take action to maintain and improve the Osage area.

Goals

1. Have an atractive and safe environment.

2. Maintain an open communications philosophy. Be open to neighbors concerns and ideas, keep neighbors informed of issues, and encourage interaction within the Osage neighborhood and the Westchester community.

3. Schedule activities to ensure social and maintenance needs are met.

WAYS WE PLAN TO MEET OUR GOALS

Maintenance:

1. Ensure trees are planted & maintained by the City as needed.
2. Ensure city maintenance of perimeter streets (La Tijera, Airport, Manchester)
3. Encourage local businesses to maintain their property.
4. Request neighbors to remove outdated yard sale signs.
5. Neighborhood Clean-up (large trash items, overgrown grounds, graffiti).

Communication:

1. Osage Neighbors Association meetings - held first Monday in Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct. and Dec.
2. Osage Neighbors Association board meetings - held two weeks before each meeting.
3. E-Mail Network
4. ONA Website
5. Attend local organization meetings
6. Keep area calendars/newsletters informed re: ONA events.

Social:

1. Annual gathering