Hartwell Improvement Association in Action

[Dawn Longworth]

Help is needed for Hartwells Athletic Assoc.  The board is all retiring this year and elections are Nov. 4.  We need anyone interested in any of the 10 positions to contact me for further information.  For the sake of all the children, please help if possible!  Thank you!

[Dawn Longworth]

Please see my post on Make a Difference Day for Hartwell.  We will be having a post-cleanup party at the Hartwell Rec Center from 12:30-1:30.  I ask that all participants of the party bring a covered dish to share.  I will be bringing the hot dogs and buns..

[Dawn Longworth]

I will ask Carol at the Rec Center if they have anything scheduled that day of our events.  We have thrown parties in the past afterwards and I have gotten away from that because of the other things I am now juggling.  I hoped someone would offer to help organize the events but noone wanted the position.  I will also mention that we will be doing this at the HIA meeting and try to get word to Tracy (does our newsletter), so she can get it in there before the next letter goes out.  HIA neighborhood activities is pretty much tapped out and we are already asking local business for donations for Halloween Candy that the HIA passes out on Trick or Treat night.  If everyone can just bring a covered dish and I can supply the dogs and buns, someone will probley volunteer to bring things at the HIA meeting.  If not...I am sure I can find a Dolar General store somewhere...HA!

[Valley Cat]

Dawn,

You can call me Mike if you want. I use Valley Cat because I like the moniker. Years ago, I had a Dobie Gillis type guy who wrote a weekly article for the paper. He used language that took me a while to grasp - He referred to Hartwell as Healthy Pumper, Lockland was Village of Keys, Reading was Writing, SB was the City of the Dogs, for instance. But Michael drew a real neat picture of a Hippie type cat. I still had it on the computer so I used it.

Okay, enough of a history lesson. Is it too late to let workers know food will be served afterward or to get a few more people involved in fixing some? What about plates and plasticware, as well as drinks? Does the HIA have any money or access to a business willing to donate stuff? Maybe someone has corn and tomatoes growing in their garden. Hotdogs, hamburgers, corn on the cob, green beans, pork and beans, maybe Edie or Gold Star has some chili to donate. Get Peggy Jones to bring a pie or two.

I'm ready to volunteer just so I can eat!

[Dawn Longworth]

Valley Cat,

A meeting will be set up with the landlords of the properties in question.  Residents that live in that area stay there for a reason.  They have easy access to drugs and hookers.  The police have a unit doing some work there now but I cannot really comment on it.  But actions are being taken by the Dist 4 police. 

About the Make a Difference Day event...if everyone who volunteers would like to bring a covered dish to share afterwards we can.  I could bring up my grill and supply hotdogs....

[Valley Cat]

Dawn,

Alas, that area is a pox on the neighborhood. I travel Anthony Wayne about 10 times a week, and it seems that I see a cop car(s) there at least twice. I know several pizza companies will not deliver to that area after dark. I wish I knew what might be done to improve the situation. Perhaps not allowing law breakers to get away with a slap on the wrist. Or maybe, just maybe, someone knocking on doors and inviting the residents to be part of Make a Difference Day?

I'll make a deal - you send me a pdf of a flyer and I'll deliver it to those apartment residents. My life insurance is paid up. 

Seriously, if I or nobody else asks people to help improve their community, how will they ever know they can make a difference?

Any chance of having a community picnic afterward? All the volunteers can meet and eat. Maybe the HIA, Scouting groups, Athletic Association and others can be there. I know, I'm a dreamer. But I'll supply Baked Beans and Pasta Salad.

[Dawn Longworth]

The neighborhood walk last week went well.  The area is not well but the people who came to help us improve it went well.  Anthony Wayne is turning into a very bad area.  It takes one street like this to run down property values and increase crime in a neighborhood.  Most of the issues are in rental properties and that will be addressed to the owners.  The police want to meet with them about increase in crime in that area and what they can do to help with that matter.  Being proactive will hopefully save Hartwell a lot of heartache.  Buildings & Inspections was there with the Health Dept and issues about the properties will be addressed by them.  Working WITH the city is a huge plus in this matter and we will do whatever it takes to get control back of that area and make it safe for all the residents of Hartwell.  Residents need to report any activity they see to the police immed., they do not know about it unless we report it.  If you have any problems reporting it, let me know.  I will take care of that.  Keep your eyes open and get invloved.  THANK YOU

[Dawn Longworth]

Valley Cat,

I dont want to upset anyone from St. Bernard again, but I do have to agree.  I read their forum comments and some are so negative I wonder "what have they done lately?"  I am a FIRM believer that I chose to move into this neighborhood.  THis is where I chose to raise my son.  This community is what I and others chose to make it.  Being on council is a very difficult thing but unless you have sat in one of those chairs, you really have no idea.  You can never make everyone happy.  You will always have 1 or 2 people throw out an uncalled for comment when the discussion is moving in a positive direction.  The best I can do it plow forward and work for the people who do chose to get involved in their community in a positive manner.  I think St. Bernard has a great way to make Make A Differnce Day really work for them.  They have high schools that require kids to have volunteer hours.  Go talk to the schools.  Like I have said before, my 1st Make a Difference Day had 3 volunteers.  One was myself and the other was my then 9 year old son.  Did I give up?  No.  My attitude is this, If you want something done right, do it yourself.  There are many wonderful people in Hartwell who have families and full time jobs, but they find a way to give back to their community.  Just because you pay taxes it doesnt mean that you are not to be held accountable for your lack of involvement. There are many of nights that I have to leave my family to attend meetings because no one else is available.  Yes, that upsets me sometimes but I get past it and make the best of it.  Most people who have never been on council before do not realize what personal sacrafices you make in that position.  My position as president is a volunteer position.  I was voted for but none of us get paid.  We dont get paid for attending meetings and we dont get paid for cleaning up our own streets.  For as much as some complain, they could be out picking up garbage from their streets or buying flowers themselves to plant in parks.  Volunteers are GREAT people.  Complainers are just that...complainers.

[Valley Cat]

Dawn,

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't this stuff the same almost any community could do if the people in the community really want to? People in other communities talk about how their council doesn't listen to them, and I don't think anyone would disagree that Cincinnati City Council meetings sometimes resemble a zoo.

My point is not to run down Hamilton County's largest city, but to say that if citizens start caring and instead or relying on elected reps to make a difference, decide to improve their own "neighborhood" they will accomplish something.

Yeah, I'm picking on some of the people who have posted in the St. Bernard section. "Let's have a 'Make a Difference Day.'" "It's been tried before and it didn't work because the same people show up."

This seems to somehow validate a reason not to participate. Hartwell didn't get to the position it is in because people said "It's always been like this and we cannot make a difference." No, the story Peggy reported is because some people said, "It's always been like this and I'm willing to start doing something to change it."

Individuals can make a difference but not just by complaining (are you listening St. Bernard posters?). They have to do more than type in a forum, show up at council meetings and read a speech, sit around in bars and make fun of people in power. A walk of a 1,000 miles starts with a single step - so does changing a community.

[Dawn Longworth]

Hot diggity dog!  That is a list and a half!  Good info to share!   I will be on the walk with our neighborhood officer tommorrow and will let everyone know what happened.  I thank you VC & our Recording Secty Peggy Jones for doing such a great job getting all this useful information together and posting it here! 

[Valley Cat]

News from the last meeting.

Wake up people - citizens who care can make a difference.

The Hartwell Improvement Association (HIA) met on Sept. 20. Here are some highlights: Officer Graves, who is our stand-in neighborhood officer until one is officially named, talked about various crime concerns in Hartwell. Wayne Ave. from the 8300 block northward is of particular concern to citizens and police. A walking tour of this area and its side streets is planned sometime soon, when police are going to walk with representation from the Building Inspections Dept., who will also take notes. Officer Graves said that if residents would like, the police can come to their homes and do a free safety check and give homeowners a print-out sheet on how to improve their security. Hartwell will be finding out in the next week or so if Officer Graves will be our permanent neighborhood officer. From the Seymour Ave. Fire Station, Lt. Duncan reported that carbon monoxide and smoke detectors are available. Call 352-2302 to reserve yours. You may also pick up batteries from the fire station. 
Lt. Duncan said that the fire dept. will be checking fire hydrants this time of year. He also reminded everyone that burning of leaves is not permitted in the city. Carol Hughes, who is the recreation director at the Community Building, asked people to call the police immediately if they see anyone defacing recreation property. Some graffiti was done to the building recently. New park rules were recently posted on the grounds. Carol also said that the "Before School Program" has been eliminated, but the "After School Program" is in full swing. Cost is $20 per week per child.
A representative from the Citizens On Patrol Program (COPP) reported that applications for the next COPP training are due Oct. 15, and that the next training session starts Oct. 27. The Neighborhood Business District Committee said that benches, planters and banners for Vine St. have been purchased, and we're waiting on delivery and installation. Next year's Business District budget was approved by those in attendance at the HIA meeting. More banners, planters and benches will be purchased. Jeff Berding, a candidate running for Cincinnati Council, introduced himself and asked for everyone's vote. A rep. from Chris Monzel's office was also there, giving out phone numbers of departments to call when residents have questions or problems. The Gateway Task Force reported that no money was available for Hartwell this time around. The committee will pursue other avenues of grant money for next year, to be used for making the northwest corner of Galbraith and Vine a real landmark area. The HIA is collecting candy and money for candy to be used for Trick-Or-Treaters on Oct. 31. There will be 3 or 4 candy stations around the neighborhood, with volunteers dispensing the goodies.
Make-A-Difference Day this year is Saturday, Oct. 22. Volunteers are needed to pick up trash that day from 9 AM till 12:30 PM. Matt Helmer, Neighborhood Support Program (NSP) manager, told everyone we will vote next month on the 2006 budget. He asked members for ideas on how to use the $7000 city grant. He also said that after this year, he is stepping down as Hartwell's NSP manager. Everyone thanked Matt for his great job the last few years.
HIA president Dawn Longworth received a letter from the city asking Hartwell if we want to lease the land that runs along Hartwell Ave. as a park. We will lease it for $1 a year. Cincinnati Recreation Commission may also get involved in the making of the park. Some commercial property along DeCamp is becoming available, and it may be purchased by an individual who wants to clean it up and get better tenants. There is also a restaurant interested in purchasing Hardee's old property on Vine. (The Dunkin' Donuts plan fell through). These were some highlights of the HIA meeting. The HIA is growing in membership, as people are finding out how they can have a voice in making Hartwell a better place!  You may join the HIA for $5 per year per family, receive newsletters each month, and vote on issues that affect the community. The next HIA meeting is October 18.
Residents of Hereford Ct. have formed a CPOP team and have been meeting weekly to discuss ways of keeping trespassers from going over railroad tracks at the end of their street. (CPOP stands for Community Problem Oriented Policing). Along with litter, there are questionable activities happening, and residents are most distressed that young people are putting themselves at risk with oncoming trains. Residents feel that putting up a fence would be the best option, and they're looking into exactly who owns the property where the fence would go. CSX Railroad isn't sure where its boundary ends and the city's begins. At last week's meeting, a CSX rep. was there and said that putting up "No Trespassing" signs would be a good start. CSX can also come and videotape activities, and show the tapes to officials at Hartwell School in order to identify some of the kids. One idea is to present a seminar on railroad safety at the school. Residents would like CSX to cut down shrubbery along the tracks. Councilman Chris Monzel's office has also agreed to get on board and help out the CPOP team. The team feels it is making headway on this problem. Because these residents are working together and are determined to stick with it, things will get done.
Curzon Avenue will be hosting a Block Party on Saturday, October 15! All other residents in Hartwell are also invited to the party, which happens from noon till 5 PM. Curzon from Sheehan to Millsdale will be blocked off and turned into a party zone. Bring some food, a family game and some lawn chairs and meet your neighbors. This is the 2nd annual Block Party sponsored by the HIA and the NSP. Last year's party was on Kearney Street, and was a successful way of promoting community pride and awareness. See you on Curzon on October 15!
The 2nd annual Historic House Tour is Saturday, October 8. Tickets are only $10 each, and admission helps to support the Hartwell Improvement Association. The tour will start at Hartwell School, where you can park your car and take a shuttle to the homes on display on Parkway Ave. and on Woodbine Ave. The school will also be open for touring.  This is a great way to learn some local history and meet your neighbors. Tickets may be purchased at the school the day of the tour, which happens from noon till 4 PM.