MINUTES OF THE JUNE 1, 2011 MEETING OF THE BELMONT-DEVILLIERS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

BELMONT-DEVILLIERS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

MINUTES OF THE JUNE 1, 2011 MEETING

The meeting was opened at 5:40 p.m. by President Dolores Curry. Attending were: Dolores Curry, Rosemary Kirkland, Dottie Dubuisson, Vivian Lamont, Rev. Carl Reeves, Ann Hill, Reginald Dogan, Dr. Alexa Canady-Davis, Tony McCray, George Hawthorne, Trisha Hughes, Rose McPherson, Carol Ozburn, Trish Funk, Andrea Pankhurst, and Sonja Evans. Staff members from the meeting host Southern Oaks Rehabilitation and Nursing Center were introduced, as well as Eleanor Johnson of Dan’s Artery. Ms. Johnson works with children in arts education. Minutes of the last meeting were read and approved.

Rev. Carl Reeves noted that the reshaping of the Police Dept. is continuing and because of that, the presentation planned for the meeting was postponed. He noted that in the future, there will be three captains rather than four and that a uniformed officer may attend association meetings in the future. Two members, Dottie Dubuisson and Rosemary Kirkland, praised the quick police response time during recent incidents.

Vivian Lamont gave a roundup of recent activities of the Belmont Youth Band, including performances at Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, Bayview Park, the Broadview assisted living facility and an upcoming show for Juneteenth set for 11 am to 1:30 pm June 18 on the UWF Main Campus. According to the flyer emailed separately to members, Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the ending of slavery and continues to mark a day of freedom for people of all races, nationalities and religions. Other performers include The Ashanti Warrior, Naja Embre, Austin Paul Jr. and Dr. Breeze. More info: Alesia Y W Ross, 850-474-2423 or aross@uwf.edu.

Ms. Lamont noted that the free music lessons will continue through July, break for month of August and start back after Labor Day. She offered to add a performance for the residents of Southern Oaks.

Ms. Curry thanked George Hawthorne and Ann Hill on their work on the city PCIP grant application for a neighborhood sign. Mr. Hawthorne noted that this grant was recommended for approval by staff and that this will be voted on by City Council Committee of the Whole on June 20. The meeting starts around 3 pm, and Mr. Hawthorne encouraged members to attend the meeting with a show of support. Ann Hill suggested that if we do receive the grant, we should hold a groundbreaking ceremony when the sign is placed in the ground.

Mr. Hawthorne discussed the Tourism Development Commission funding discrimination complaints to be delivered at Thursday’s commissioners meetings. (Update: Pensacola News Journal reported that the proposed black music festival was turned down and quoted Mr. Hawthorne: “I think this is really an opportunity to change the perceptions here. We are missing opportunities with cultural diversity in this city.” He and about two dozen others who attended the meeting argued that the 11 events slated to get the money will not benefit minorities for the most part.)

Mr. Hawthorne invited members to take a tour of the newly landscaped Paradise Gardens, at

508 West Gregory St.

, which he and his wife Bonnie are now managing. He has offered to hold a Neighborhood Association fundraiser there and to open the nonprofit venue up for performances. Besides the gorgeous gardens inspired by visits to the Caribbean and the courtyards in New Orleans, there are a pool and pool bar, a meeting room, and soon a “Garden Café” that will be open to the public in several weeks. For details, visit their website at http://www.paradisepensacola.com . He also invited the Southern Oaks staffers at the meeting to contact him regarding pottery classes that may be available at Paradise Gardens.

Ms. Dubuisson reported on community meetings she has attended and asked all to attend as many as they can in order to provide elected and appointed officials with timely, needed input. She also noted that Tones and Bones open mic continues on Tuesday nights. Fall activities will include theatrical performances by Pensacola State College students.

Tony McCray reported on a recent Environmental Justice meeting and explained the need to be represented in meeting that address the impact of the BP oil spill on areas outside the beaches.

Mr. McCray expressed Jewel Cannada-Wynn’s apologies for being unable to attend the meeting. She urged the association to take control of neighborhood branding for Belmont-DeVilliers neighborhood, coming up with a logo to be used for tourism. Ms. Curry asked Mr. McCray and Mr. Hawthorne to head up this effort.

Mr. McCray reminded members that the REAP Summit will be held Aug. 19-20 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Pensacola, thanks in part to sponsorship by Hixardt Technologies telecommunications company.

Ms. Curry said her letter to the mayor requesting the re-establishment of a Neighborhood Associations Presidents Roundtable has gone unanswered, as has many inquiries from local leaders. Mr. Hawthorne suggested she talk with Elizabeth at the mayor’s office and gave this phone number: 850-435-1620.  

Ms. Curry noted that letters had been sent to

A Street

street addresses and to property owners of those properties alerting them to the parking changes as a result of the treescape beautification project. She received a call from one of the property owners who lives in California thanking her for her part in the tree project. She also noted that Cox Communications had sent the neighborhood association $300 as part of the recent Black Arts and History celebration.

Sonja Evans described the First Annual DeVilliers Cultural Heritage Festival set for 10 am to 5 pm on June 17-18. The main site will be the lot across from the Blue Dot restaurant. (A separate press release on this event was forwarded to the membership.) Ms. Evans also said that Belmont-DeVilliers is a model for this National Project and is being promoted nationally. Details are at www.nchtc.com .

Proceeds from this event will be used to acquire two pelicans for placement at the intersection of West Belmont and

De Villiers Street

. The pelicans will be named “Belmont” and “DeVilliers” and will signal the community’s connectivity to Downtown Pensacola in location, culture and history, Other Pelican Fund-Raising events are planned in support of the pelican drive are weekend Arts and Crafts Markets, various musical events and the Estevanico Art & Gospel Music Festival in October 2011. Interested artists may contact Ms. Evans for registration information and fees at 850-437-0025, or at the Gumbo Gallery 10 am to 4 pm Tuesday through Saturday.

The need for a Neighborhood calendar of events was discussed, and Ms. Hill mentioned that we have set up an online Google calendar at https://www.google.com/calendar/render?cid=belmontdevilliers@yahoo.com&gsessionid=vZwJm8e6me1I9Oed-jPNQw . The calendar can be merged with other calendars. Ms. Curry suggested that Ms. Hill be in charge of keeping the calendar up to date and encouraged members to email their information to her. Ms. Hill also asked the group about which emails to forward and it was generally agreed on that emails about events, etc., outside the neighborhood could be forwarded.

The emailed calendar listings gathered by Geraldine Vaurigaud were praised by several members, and it was suggested these be forwarded as well. One member suggested that Ms. Vaurigaud send out an invitation to our membership email list to be added to her email calendar listing. Members can send that request to gtv50@hotmail.com.

Treasurer Alexa Canady-Davis reported $2,336 in our account, with an outstanding check for $33 to cover postage for the recent

A Street

mailing.

Members continued to enjoy the sandwiches, snacks and drinks provided by Southern Oaks, and the staff members were thanked for their hospitality.

Ms. Curry reminded everyone that there will be no meeting in July and admourned the meeting at 6:30 pm.