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We all have our own ideas about what is important to us and our neighborhood,
and sometimes we don't think anyone else hears (or cares) about what we have to
say. Well now is your chance to let us know and have a voice in the
direction your neighborhood is headed. Last month the Special Projects
committee met for a brain-storming session about what we, as a neighborhood,
wanted to do with some of the money we have earned from our annual Victorian
Holiday Tour. Out of this session came a list of 12 projects we felt would
benefit our neighborhood either directly or in some cases, indirectly.
These ideas were presented to the people present during the January meeting of Old North Knoxville, and additions and discussions were solicited. It was decide by majority vote to fund the following projects which do not require anything from us other than a check. (1) We voted to fund an additional Meals-On-Wheels recipient for $700 per year. This is in addition to the one we already fund. It should be noted that these meals go to people within the Old North Knoxville neighborhood. (2) We agreed to renew our membership in Knox Heritage at $100 annually, and reserve any additional funding for them based upon specific need or project. (3) Old North agreed to donate $250 to the Fulton High School Scholarship Fund. This Fund awards annual scholarships to worthy students graduating from our local Fulton High School. It should be noted that the recipients of this scholarship are not necessarily going on to college. It can be used for such things as trade schools or apprenticeship programs. After voting on the above projects, the board decided to wait on approving any other projects listed until the February meeting (Thursday February 24, 2000). This will give everyone an opportunity to review the suggested projects and decide which of them they think are worth pursuing. The remaining nine projects suggested are listed below with brief descriptions. (1) Street Lights -Should Old North continue to pursue period street lights in our neighborhood? (2) Signs and Banners - It has been suggested that the neighborhood have several types of signs made for use both within and outside the neighborhood. First would be signs announcing the neighborhood meetings. These could be placed and removed each month as a reminder of the monthly meetings. Second would be signs directing people to the neighborhood, similar to the ones for Ramsey House and other historical places within the area. Third would be banners to be hung throughout the neighborhood on a permanent basis similar to those the city puts out for the holidays. (3) Old North Book - Several people have expressed interest in writing and publishing a book about Old North Knoxville and its history. (4) Neighbors Helping Neighbors - We now have a Neighbors Helping Neighbors committee, and it is recommended that it be more formalized with perhaps a permanent fund set up for it. (5) Traffic Calming Devices - Should we pursue traffic calming devices such as traffic circles like 4th and Gill are doing, or other traffic calming devices? There are lots of ways to calm traffic. Are we interested? (6) Beautification - Suggestions include planting trees, plants and flowers within the neighborhood. It has even been suggested that if we do it well enough we could possibly get a Dogwood By-Way sometime in the future. (7) Conservation District - Should the neighborhood proceed with establishing a Conservation District within the area bounded by Woodland, Central and Broadway? It could be a way of providing some protection for the area surrounding the H-1 overlay. (8) Neighborhood Park - Do we, as a neighborhood, want to purchase land and build our own neighborhood park? This could be a way to utilize some of the vacant land that lies within our neighborhood. (9) Neighborhood Watch - We have people who expressed an interest in forming a Neighborhood Watch in Old North Knoxville. Such a group would cost nothing and provide some protection for the entire neighborhood. It is a proven fact that active Neighborhood watches reduce crime. As you can see there are some ambitious projects listed as well as some fun ones. Old North Knoxville does not have the money or volunteers to tackle all of these at once and perhaps there is no support for some of the ideas listed. What do you think? Is there an idea listed that you think is important to the neighborhood? Important enough that you want to help it become a reality? Let us know. You can e-mail me at cdpalmer1@mindspring.com, phone me at 673-8995 or fax me at 637-4226. Better yet, come to the next neighborhood meeting on March 30 at 7 PM at 1411 Armstrong and voice your opinion then. I promise we will listen to and seriously consider all ideas. |