Friday, March 26, 2010
Neighborhood Association Meeting
Highlights submitted by Brandy Davis, 3308 22nd
The next association meeting will be April 22nd at 5:30pm at JT Hutchinson Cafeteria.
Refreshments were generously provided by local business Angela's Cafe. If you haven't been there for lunch, well....you're missing out! They open at 11:00am and the daily specials are a favorite city-wide.
Approximately 195 people were in attendance. In addition to seasoned neighborhood volunteers, many new residents joined the association.
The meeting was called to order by President Michael Martin as a called meeting noting all executive officers in attendance.Mr. Martin polled the attendees and members to see if there were objections to Texas Tech journalism students filming the meeting. Hearing none, Mr. Martin approved Hailey Assiter and Ariadyn Hansen's use of film equipment.
Stuart Walker and Dian Taylor from Codes Enforcement were recognized for their hard work in our neighborhood and were on hand the full length of the two hour meeting to distribute fliers.
Cyd Seideman, Treasurer, provided a financial report with a copy to be passed around. Mrs. Seideman expressed support of making financials accessible and available via internet and explained the renewal on the association's unmanaged website lapsed.
Laura James, PTA President at JT Hutchinson Middle School, expressed gratitude to the association Advisory Board for supporting the improvement projects at the school, but formally withdrew the previous request for financial assistance. Instead, Mrs. James requested association and individual resident support of the LISD bond package to make overdue improvements to the Hutch campus. Additionally, she requested support of specific school fundraisers such as a Fall Concert and Plant Sales. Details will be available on the blog prior to events.
A question from the floor arose regarding association bylaws. Immediate Past President James Mahan appointed Sandy River, Marjorie Manning and Cyd Seideman to rework and update the association's bylaws from 2004. A motion made by James Mahan to table the bylaws amendments passed. A volunteer committee of any interested residents was formed and Clayton Isom will coordinate the first meeting.
A motion by Clayton Isom to strictly adhere to the current bylaws was passed. During discussion, Christy Hogan asked to be informed of what the subtext conversation behind the bylaws discussion is about and Lisa Smitherman strongly encouraged a parlimentarian be included in proposed amended bylaws.
Melanie Barnes directed a question to Mr. Martin relating to the status or formation of a Communications Committee. A request for clarfication has been sent to the Secretary and is pending response.
Mr. Martin stated that members of the executive committee had met with the University Dean of Students to discuss the effects of Tour de Tech Terrace in the neighborhood. During discussion, different opinions regarding the Tour were expressed. A motion was presented by Clayton Isom and passed to establish a volunteer Social Committee as set out by the existing bylaws to interface and support the Tour in positive ways. Miriam Lockhart, Tour advocate and supporter, is coordinating the 15 member resident volunteer effort.
John Winker and Matt Russell expressed a desire to be involved in the association and a frustrating disconnect regarding opportunities to do so. A motion to limit executive committee communications on behalf of the association until the April 22nd meeting failed 49/79 per hand count by Cyd Seideman.
Helen Liggett expressed interest in Wagner Park and asked the President if UNIT officers have made any representations to city officials regarding Wagner assets and whether a volunteer committee can be formed to help salvage existing assets. The President replied "no" to the inquiry and swiftly established a sign up for interested park committee volunteers.
Laura Anderson made a motion to support "summer movies in the park" again this summer. Holle Humphries requested money be used instead to plant trees at Wagner park. An unidentified resident expressed appreciation for the summer event and encouraged more people to attend. The motion unanimously passed to allocate $900.00 to fund three family-friendly movie nights. Laura requested volunteers and movie suggestions via summermoviesinthepark@gmail.com.
Aaron Yoshinobu expressed support for the trolley currently running in the neighborhood. Attendees applauded his comments.
This is only a summary of the meeting and is not offered as the minutes. Feel free to comment, correct, compliment or criticize. We were so excited and energized to meet so many neighbors last night!
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Thank you for taking notes and reporting! I share your energy and excitement. It was great to see how many people are willing to listen and participate in the decisions made in our community!
ReplyDeleteIt is bad enough that we have to deal with the disrespectful, drunken parties in our neighborhood...after last night's so-called neighborhood meeting.... WOW!! I will take the out-of-control parties any day than go through that again! That was a waste of time, to say the least! I was embarrassed to be a part of that! I need the whole day to describe in full detail what a mishap that was (and an eye opener)! I vowed not to waste anymore time on this subject....just pathetic!
ReplyDeleteditto!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for being able to disseminate information about the meeting so expeditiously. It is very helpful to keep informed about what is going on in our neighborhood and the opportunities to volunteer to keep and improve our neighborhood and city resources is encouraging.
ReplyDeleteI hope that by positively engaging with ALL of the residents in our neighborhood we can help to calm some of the ill feelings so obviously present between different demographics. By giving us an avenue to stay involved, hopefully we are all reminded that expecting good neighbors also means being a good neighbor and being relentlessly positive models, especially for many of our younger neighbors who might be new to civic involvement and opportunity.
It is unfortunate that "Anonymous" doesn't see the good in the discomfort of the meeting last night. There seemed to be a lot of enthusiasm and release of tension that had been building up for some time. We need to harness that enthusiasm as a catalyst for involving all of our neighbors in recognizing what a wonderful community we live in.
If I ever tire of such energetic, dynamic, passionate neighbors I'm sure I can find some place less urban, less populated, further from large learning institutions and hospitals where I can know exactly what to expect all of the days of my life. Until then, let's all enjoy the diversity that Tech Terrace has to offer!
I wholeheartedly support Patrick's comments. And not just because I'm married to him. I encourage all of our neighborhood residents to take this opportunity to dialogue with, rather than accuse, each other! Let's work together to expand our perspectives and further the reputation of Tech Terrace as a diverse, welcoming, and culturally inclusive community.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was great all the folks there. Sure there was some disagreement but we don't live in generic Southwest Lubbock do we? Create more community, get to know your neighbors, help each other out instead of insulating yourself in your houses with your computers and fake names.
ReplyDeleteFake names? I thought "DeCesaro" sounded exotic and dangerous... Like a musky Italian version of Charles Bronson.
ReplyDeleteIt was an absurd meeting with hidden agendas and no order! Maybe the next one will be better organized and efficient?? We shall see....
ReplyDeleteBoy, I agree we really need a parliamentarian. Any volunteers? I never have seen a better use for Robert’s Rules.
ReplyDeleteI would also like to see more copies available and a printed agenda. It sure would have helped to actually see the bylaws we were voting on.
Celeste Yoshinobu
Good comments, thanks for taking the time. I also think we should be encouraged by so many individuls wanting to participate. With regards to futurn meetings I would love to have a parliamentarian and microphones and have people state who they are so we get to know each other. It really is neat to see so many people wanting to support our neighborhood, that is why we moved here all those years ago. Now that Lubbock and the area around TTU is seeing some major changes our neighborhood is too. This is a good opportunity of ALL of us to reexamine what we want our neighborhood to be and then dig in and work toward our goals.
ReplyDeleteI have taken it upon myself to determine when the Wagner Park bathrooms are open to the public, if ever, to see if they are at all linked with problems at Wagner Park. Seems like that would be helpful information in deciding how we feel about P&R tearing them out. So, my first report:
ReplyDeleteSaturday, March 27, 6:48 p.m. - both bathrooms locked
8:41 p.m. - both bathrooms locked
I'll keep reporting and hope my efforts are helpful...
-Helen Liggett
11:08 pm on March 27, both bathrooms locked.
ReplyDeleteSince I'll be checking a ton, how about I just blog if they aren't locked - otherwise y'all will get plenty sick of seeing these...
-Helen Liggett
Two tires were stolen from my car last night while it was parked in my driveway. I live 3 houses east of Flint on 25th. This morning when I walked out the door to go to church, I found my car, minus tires, wheels and rims, propped up on bricks.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry about that anonymous. Stuff being stolen right out in front of your own yard is wheels off terrible.
ReplyDelete20th street resident
This was my first neighborhood association meeting and I have to say that I was very disappointed. My husband and I went specifically because we have had a lot of trouble with three party houses on our street, and we were hoping to have some useful dialog about it. Unfortunately, from where we sat, it appeared as though the meeting was hijacked by people who had agendas that were not at all clear to many of the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteI'm not really sure it is worth my time and effort to attend future meetings.
Well said, Susan! I too was there hoping we were going to address the "party" issues in our neighborhood! I think that is why you so so many of the Tech students there also! There seemed to be hidden agendas regarding the by-laws and people's feelings hurt because they were asked to not be on the communications committee any longer?? Poorly run meeting! No agenda! Also, there seems to be this "letter" out there that was only mailed to a certain "few"??!!!
ReplyDeletePerhaps a special meeting to discuss specific neighborhoood behavior issues would be useful. A meeting with a clear and written agenda with open mike time for neighbors to speak their peace
ReplyDeleteI attended the meeting that was advertised with neighborhood signs shortly after Mrs. Grusendorf's incident assuming there would somehow be information about this sort of thing happening all over the neighborhood. It seemed there was so much worry about "Robert's Rules" and a hidden agenda that nothing got done. Here was the perfect time to get some organization and unity with the UNIT. You had almost 200 people there. People slowly started trickling out with all of the bickering. These zoning laws may be city laws, but you had an opportunity with a huge amount of people together to get unity, and the opportunity was missed. Numbers speak even to the City.
ReplyDeleteAny place there is not a "no parking" sign, there are cars parked with students going to school. This is going to get nothing but worse with Tech's proposed enrollment increases. There are dogs running loose in Tech Terrace Park while the kids (who come in cars and most likely do not even live in the neighborhood) stood and watched. There are six people living in at least 3 houses on my street with cars for each and no place to park. I have had my driveway blocked on numerous occasions. It takes the police so long to respond that the cars are gone by the time they arrive. Parties are going on every weekend with garbage and beer cans strewn in yards, and not just on Mrs. Grusendorf's street. The Tour de Tech Terrace is a joke for a drunken debacle like everything else the kids organize.
This neighborhood is going to get nothing but worse and while you people want to bicker and worry about Robert's Rules, the value of your home is declining. Crime is increasing. This is going to become a student slum neighborhood just like the area on the east side of University in a matter of time.
It is not that the meeting was poorly run, but that a couple of attendees had an agenda that they used to monopolize time and to set a negative tone early in the meeting. Unfortunately, it caused a number of people to leave. It is possible to raise objections in a non-abrasive manner. For example, it would have been possible to compliment the people who had worked on the by-law revision, and then raise the points on which there was disagreement. However, even after the by-law revision was withdrawn, it was clear that nothing was going to satisfy the objectors. Whenever people begin invoking Roberts Rules of Order to pummel everyone else, then the meeting is in trouble.
ReplyDeleteIf you were disgusted with the tone that got set, so was I, but to stop coming to the meetings is not the answer. We did manage to address some issues, and there are more that we need to address. However, I will not sit silently in the next meeting, if there is another attempt to hijack it away from the immediate problems that we need to address: restrooms, out-of-control parties, too many people in a household, parking, tour de Tech (or Tour de Alcohol is more like it). I will speak up next time.
I do not think the leadership was expecting such a large attendance, and I do not think that they should be faulted for that. I have been attending these meetings for over eight years now, and this may have been a record attendance. Also, I do not think the leadership realized that so many people were not receiving the link to the blog, and so had not had time to review the bylaw revision. I printed a copy off for myself from the blog. It would be a waste of money to try to print copies and mail or deliver them to everyone, and it would also be environmentally irresponsible. Perhaps people without computers could sign up for a special list so that they can be informed by hard copy. The rest of us need to bookmark the blog and keep abreast of developments, although I also appreciate the reminder e-mails.
The UNIT leadership is doing an excellent job, and they deserve to be recognized. I have found them open to e-mails and responsive to concerns. They also stress the multiple viewpoints within the neighborhood when they talk with city officials. I would also point out that each one of us has the ability to contact city officials with our viewpoints.
Restrooms? Are you talking about the people who want to tear them down so people quit using the play park? And why don't people sign their names to comments. I think they ought to be deleted if they won't identify themself.
ReplyDeleteJoe Garcia
20th
Seriously? A meeting with no agenda? That pretty much sums up the meeting because the agendas were all hidden. How in the world did you compose this factually correct summary and refrain from describing what a cf and waste of time that meeting was?
ReplyDeletejohn winker and a younger fellow cohort, with his baby in tow were the high jackers! too worried about being asked to step down from the comm. commt. (winker) and the other fellow too concerned with Robert's Rules!! Winker can not communicate calmly, effectively and without being more concerned with ALL of his rent houses in the neighborhood!! He should definitely NOT be on the communication commt. unless he learns how TO COMMUNICATE!! CONFLICT of INTEREST, MR. John WINKER!!!
ReplyDeletePLEASE send out blog updates!
ReplyDeleteCan anyone tell me when we elect new officers?
ReplyDeleteSigned,
Tech Student RESIDENT OWNER
UHSC Medical Student
Future Death Panel Member
twenty second street
Please sign your name to your comments. Please ask to be added to the agenda if you want to address a specific issue or bring it up under new business if time is not scheduled/allowed on the agenda. That is how Movies In The Park was discussed, a different viewpoint offered, a quick vote taken---business was accomplished and we have three great fellowship events to calendar this summer. And in lieu of printing agenda copies, why not ask our meeting host to allow use of a screen and just have a single viewable PowerPoint copy or the like? JTH does have microphones and unscripted time for 1 minute celebrations and concerns would give all of us a real chance to hear each others' views.
ReplyDeleteBrandy Davis
22nd Street
The blog announcement for the March meeting did list agenda items, and it invited people to add agenda items by e-mailing the president (go back and look at the blog). I do agree that in the future, it would be good to put the agenda up on a screen during the meeting.
ReplyDeleteDon't assume everybody accesses the blog or is even aware of it. I've got to quit looking at this thing. I've got more important things to do like watch Real Housewives and chew on my toenails. And take pictures of old ladies taking pictures of young girls.
ReplyDeleteI think it should be noted that the contentious part of the "bylaws" was the fact that the bylaws presented at the September Meeting and those posted on this blog DID NOT MATCH the bylaws we were asked to vote on at the March 25 meeting. Since there were so few copies available this was very hard for the membership to discern.
ReplyDeleteThe bylaw task force suggested this for Article 4 Sec 4 of the bylaws:
There will be an Advisory Committee whose membership will be appointed by the President as well as other committees he/she may deem necessary in order to conduct the business of the association. The Advisory Committee shall also consist of any association member who requests to be a member.
Article 4 Sec 4 as presented March 25 read:
There will be an Advisory Committee whose membership will be appointed by the President, as well as any other committees he/she may deem necessary in order to conduct the business of the association.
This may seem like a subtle difference but if you are one who has been interested in participation and have been intentionally or unintentionally excluded this difference was very important.
That said, we now have active participation by many residents working on many projects. Perhaps we can look at the March 25 meeting as necessary discomfort to get us to a new place. We have many important tasks being addressed and there are important issues we have not yet started. Please don't give up now that we have the momentum and interest to actually get something done. Bring your concerns April 22- better yet ask to be on the agenda.
I heard my name was mentioned in the blog and thought I’d provide a little clarification.
ReplyDeleteFirst, “hidden agendas”. Yes there does appear to be hidden agendas, but my agenda was anything but hidden. My letter of admonishment to the neighborhood president was very clear and cc’d most of the advisory board. The letter was then re-distributed by members of the advisory board to numerous residents within our neighborhood. The letter resonated well with most and simply said what many people wanted to say or expressed what many people were feeling. The letter inspired many to show up at the most well attended meeting that the neighborhood has seen. The letter inspired many people to get involved and take back a dysfunctional neighborhood association before it imploded and lost all credibility.
My goal was transparency, communications and inclusiveness for all. If anybody would like further clarification of the above, please feel to contact me and I’ll provide you with correspondence that you may have not have had access to.
To the person above who described how the bylaws were changed…thank you. Most people were not even aware that the bylaws presented in September were different from the ones presented last Thursday. Furthermore, the bylaws that were presented would have effectively put a very small group of people in control of the neighborhood. This is clearly unacceptable to the majority.
Several of us took a few hits in the crossfire. And while it is still too early to conclude, the increased involvement that is already underway would make it appear that the bumps and bruises are worth it.
Tech Terrace, the best is yet to come! Hugs to all,
John Winker
So, there was a letter that some people received and some people did not. Who determined which people would get this letter? This does indeed suggest that a hidden agenda was operating. I did not get this letter, which seems to have gone to a select group. It is not right to assume that there was a surge of support for its position if only a certain group saw it.
ReplyDeleteI am ashamed at myself for looking at this thread-again. Shame on me.
ReplyDelete