BELMONT-DEVILLIERS
NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 3,
2012 MEETING
The meeting was opened at 5:40
p.m. by President Dolores Curry. Attending were: Dolores Curry, Rosemary
Kirkland, Vivian Lamont, Rev. Carl Reeves, Dottie Dubuisson, Sheikh Yusef Aziz,
Pattie Krakowski, Ann Hill, Mary Cunningham, Joyce James, Eleanor Johnson,
Beverly Perry, Eddie Todd, Rose George, Dr. Alexa Canady Davis, Rev. Eugene
Franklin, Danny Lewis, Nielah Spears, Robin Reshard, Lloyd Reshard, Tony McCray
Jr., Diane Mack, Councilman-designate Charles Bare, Councilmen Brian Spencer
and Ronald Townsend, Sonja Griffin
Evans. Guest Sandra Ward of the Downtown Improvement Board. Minutes were read
and approved.
The Rev. Carl Reeves said the
increase in officers on patrol continues to protect the city and that there is
a distinct effort on the part of citizens to help law enforcement to combat
crime. Speeding along A Street has
resulted in the writing of more tickets with the goal of getting drivers to
slow down.
Vivian Lamont said the
Belmont Youth Band will be moving next week and that they have been getting
good press. The group performed at the Equinox Festival and will be playing at
the Oct. 13 Glass Pumpkin Patch event at Long Hollow. One of the BYB students
is now attending Pensacola State College on scholarship and the other is in 9th
grade with a scholarship when he graduates from high school.
Eddie Todd noted the
end-of-the-year fiscal pressure at NAS is over and he now plans to get back to
his activities with the group.
Tony McCray and Dottie
Dubuisson have been working on and turned in a number of applications for BP
grants. Ms. Dubuisson also noted that the new landlord of the four troubled
houses on Chase St. near A St. is moving forward on revitalizing those
properties. She has the attorney information on the Mattie Marchese house at
423 West Gregory St. if anyone is interested in purchasing that property.
Ms. Dubuisson also gave a
summary of upcoming meetings.
Diane Mack discussed the
Bloomberg invitation to mayors to submit grant proposals. She brought in a copy
of Mayor Ashton Hayward’s proposal for a Mobile Grocer, which would be a van
that travels to areas of the city that are not close to fresh food grocers.
Ms. Mack has also set up some
pointedly positive Facebook pages aptly named “Love Pensacola” and “Love
Notes”. She invited members to visit these sites and “like” the pages and
participate in writing 10 words or less on what they love about Pensacola or
short notes about people they admire.
Pattie Krakowski suggested
that people should use their Facebook to advertise for a lost dog, adding a
photo and pertinent info and asking friends to share the post. One lost dog was
recently found using Facebook within an hour. She said Emerald Coast Animal
Allies would be participating in Barktoberfest this weekend. This is the group
that received a $25,000 to offer for low-cost spay and neuter services. Info on
this is at www.spayyourpets.org or
850-780-3223, #3. They also have low-cost rabies shot into, too.
Ms. Krakowski also is helping
with a free Democratic Candidates meet and greet at 6:30 pm on Oct. 23 at the Belmont Building, 401 N.
Reus.
Rose George reported that Delta
Sigma Theta's nonprofit foundation applied for the PNJ's $5,000.00 Make a
Difference Day grant. The grant was awarded to the Ronald McDonald House for
family services. Delta's grant proposal was to do a series of parent/student
workshops on current hot topics such as healthy eating, anti-bullying, and how
parents can help students succeed in school. A book giveaway was also planned.
The Delta's will move forward with this project even though they did not
receive the grant.
Robin Reshard introduced her
husband Lloyd and said she is finishing up the Belmont-DeVilliers documentary.
Some invitations will be sent out for a private screening, but seating will
necessarily be limited. She will also have a DVD of the sound track for sale
soon – and states this would make an excellent gift for any and all occasions.
Dolores Curry thanked Sheikh
Aziz for the award presented to her at the September meeting.
Alexa Canady Davis said the
library board is considering reducing library hours and is trying to come up
with an equitable solution across the system. She noted that Sonja Griffin
Evans has donated artwork to the new library.
Councilman Ronald Townsend
received a card and commendation on his retirement from Pensacola City Council.
Sandra Ward greeted members
as the new temporary leader of the Downtown Improvement Board.
Ms. Curry gave an update on
the PCIP grant sign and said we would contribute $600 toward the sign and 1,000
community hours that must be recorded and signed by each volunteer. There was
some discussion of colors for the sign and the design.
Councilman Brian Spencer
discussed the need for a full-court press on the school board in order to turn
vacant school properties into affordable housing. Tony McCray, Dottie Dubuisson
and Eddie Todd were tapped to work on this issue.
Nielah Spears, who has toured
in the performing arts for the past 25 years, is now assisting Truth for Youth
in its push for a new roof. She has many
plans for fundraising presentations.
Ms. Curry adjourned the
meeting at 6:30 pm.
Joyce James of J&J Food
for the Soul Café on DeVilliers Street then provided the group with an
excellent buffet that included meatballs, chicken, fresh fruit, pasta and other
salads, plus a pumpkin pie and coconut cake that were quickly consumed.
With this wonderful repast
and great conversation, members departed just in time for the first
Presidential debate.
