This evening (Oct 24, 2007) I attended a meeting for the Evergreen Avenue Neighborhood Association (EANA). Andy, their neighborhood advocate, invited me to share some of the things going on in the Lineberry Alliance. I was glad to attend and share our successes, ideas, and struggles.
I gave a brief overview of the Lineberry Alliance and the Pleasant Ridge & Ramsgate Community Watch. I told them about our vision for Lineberry Park, the neighborhood plan, and the PRR-Watch real estate information flyer. I also gave them lots of information about the City of Raleigh, the PROP, front yard parking, 911.
Their concerns and issues are the same that we have in our neighborhood. Crime. Unmanaged and empty rental property. Front yard parking. Illegal street parking (trailers, unlicensed vehicles). Bus stop safety. The same stuff that I hear time and time again at different neighborhood meetings that I attend.
This stresses the importance of the core essence of the Lineberry Alliance. The unification of different neighborhood groups (HOA’s, Neighborhood Associations, Community Watches) to share information, experiences, and tackle the issues that each group faces from a neighborhood level. And when you think about the power the many neighborhoods can have working together and community-based assets, we can make our neighborhood a destination place to live in Raleigh.
EANA is excited about the opportunities that the Lineberry Alliance can help grow their group, gather additional neighborhood interest, and become more informed citizens. One thing that really impressed me was their annual neighborhood awards. At this evenings meeting, the nominated and voted for several categories to award their neighbors. Best landscape, Best kept yard, Most improved property, and Most outgoing neighbor. A great way to reward good community.