Belair-Edison Good Neighbors Walk (Walk,Talk, and Fellowship) by Tony Dawson Greeting to Everyone, On March 11, 2009 at 6:00pm, Belair-Edison will kick-off its second year of the Good Neighbors Walk. Herring Run Library on Erdman Ave is the new site that the walk will leave from every Wednesday, same time and place. (Cancellation is onsite only). The Good Neighbors Walk is a way residents can get together and fellowship, walk through the community, engage other residents, sight-see, exercise and clean the walking route all at the same time. Residents that participated in the walks last year did so for a variety of reason and no one was pressured to do anything they wasn't comfortable with while walking. We really had a "GREAT" time last year, we made new friends, and created new partnership throughout the community and city. There is no registration, or restriction on how many people you can bring with you, and you don't have to live in Belair-Edison, you can even bring your pet(s). I am really looking forwarded to seeing all of you on Wednesday |
The Belair-Edison Community Association was 60 years old July 1, 2008. However, the entire community is at least 85 years old. The cornerstone on the Shrine church shows the parish began in 1926 for people moving into the area. joined by Parkside Methodist and Trinity United Methodist in the 4x4 about the same time. By the early fifties, the entire area was filled with new houses occupied by young marrieds who left homes from southeast Baltimore City and County. A new start in life, yet close to their old family homes. As the area grew in size and population, there was the obvious need for rules and regulations designed to protect occupants' new investments and the quality of life and property. For the most part, this involved strict enforcement of City laws regarding housing, zoning, etc. This is what your community association does -- enforcement. Not to be nasty or arbitrary. It is for everyone's benefit. | For example, one cannot decide to open a bar or car repair shop out of his house. Nor can anyone create his own garbage dump in his back yard in violation of sanitation and other laws. Oh yes, parking! One may not park a commercial vehicle in front of a residential property which city zoning laws do not allow. Some stay at home Moms may decide as long as they have babies and tots at home, they could easily augment income by operating a day care center. While this can be permitted, a city permit is required which means the home and yard must be compatible with health and sanitation laws and that no one in the house has been convicted of serious crime. When suspicious signs of unlawful activity, you, as a property owner or renter, have an obligation to report the matter to the city agencies involved by calling 311 or if an emergency calliong 911. We are all in this boat together and all have to paddle to get any where. Be a good neighbor. |
Do you realize you are eligible to receive the $300 Economic Stimulus Check even if you only receive Social Security and earned at least $3,000 in Social Security payments? Please fill out the 2007 1040A. If you need help call our office at 410-563-4500. From Senator Nathaniel McFadden |
Green Building Institue's" Go Green: classes will be held at the Herring
Run Association Center in Baltimore. Classes will be held twice-once on October 18th and again on November 15th. Each class is limited to 40 people. These FREE classes are funded by a grant from BGE and the Roswell Foundation and are open to qualified residents of Baltimore City with an annual income of less than $35,000 (individuals) or $60,000 (familes). Registration is required, so sign up now! Participants who bring a working incandescent bulb will also receive a free compact fluorescent bulb in return in addition to the hand outs and information on ways to reduce their energy consumption and thus lower their utility bills. More information is available on the web at www.greenbuildinginstitute.org or call (443) 733-1234. Who: Qualified Baltimore City Residents When: Saturday, October 18, 2008 and Saturday, November 15, 2008 Time: 8:30am - Noon Where: Herring Run Watershed Center 3545 Belair Road Baltimore, MD 21213 |
Text taken from Baltimore Speaks Out!! Program Flyer
Hey do you want to learn how to make a movie?!
Are you 11-15 yrs old?!
Then go to the Herring Run Library Branch and sign up for this FREE workshop!!
Call Wide Angle Youth Media at 410-338-0947 or go to the Herring Run Branch Library for more information.
| 2008 Fall Schedule
Oct. 8, 2008 - December 16, 2008
Mondays and Wednesdays (3:30pm - 5:30pm)
Parent Night: October 20, 2008
No Class on November 26th - Thanksgiving Break
|
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 Contact: Pastor Robert L. Hayne 443.540.8448 (cell)
6-YEAR OLD GUNSHOT VICTIM IN HOSPITAL ROOM INSTEAD OF CLASSROOM ON 1ST DAY OF SCHOOL; COMMUNITY FED UP AFTER CITY FAILS TO PROMPTLY RESPOND
New Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church calls Emergency Public Safety Press Conference on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 3:00 pm at 3300 Elmora Avenue
BALTIMORE (August 26, 2008) – The New Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church, residents of the 4 x 4 neighborhood and community activists are fed up with the lack of attention given to the area over the past decade. Robert L. Haynes, church pastor, states “We have done everything they’ve told us to do. Get the community involved, ask residents to post “No Trespassing” signs, report suspicious and illegal activity, hold meeting after meeting after meeting, clean up the trash that hides illegal drugs, create community impact statements to ensure drug dealers are properly prosecuted, etc., etc. Well, we’ve done our part. What’s missing is the follow up from the City”.
Since January 2008, the community has worked hand-in-hand with Melvin Russell, the former deputy major of the northeast police district. Residents have confided in the deputy major and planned public safety strategies. Without notice, the former deputy major was abruptly promoted to major of another police district. Community activist Anthony “Big Tony” Dawson has worked closely with the church, police, politicians, and community to coordinate several public safety initiatives, including the initiation of weekly public safety walks, hosting Reclaiming the Community cook-outs, walking the community with city officials to survey problems, and planning meetings for residents to plan to take back the community. Mr. Dawson commented, “Major Russell has worked so closely with the Belair-Edison and 4 x 4 communities to establish ties where there were none. To start over with a new deputy major moves the entire community backwards. We don’t have time to move backwards when our children are dying. Why wasn’t Russell promoted to major of the northeast district? That seems to make more public safety sense. This is a case where the police commanders’ instability threatens our public safety and contributes to the rise in crime within the neighborhood.”
The emergency press conference seeks to highlight how one community has taken the initiative to reclaim itself, yet continually runs into barrier after barrier when working with various city agencies for follow up.
Timetable of the community’s efforts to reclaim itself Feb Good Neighbor Walks created Feb 6 1st Good Neighbor Walk Mar - Jul Periodic Good Neighbor Walks July 9 Good Neighbor Walk conducted in 4 x 4 July 11 Cook out in 4 x 4 (witnessed activity; alerted police about potential violence in area) July 12 Double shooting occurred; 1 Homicide July 14 Emergency 4 x 4 community meeting called with residents, police, politicians, and stakeholders July 16 Follow-up 4 x 4 community meeting held to address concerns July 17 4 x 4 housing, sanitation/lighting Inspection walk & survey completed with politicians and stakeholders July 30 Good Neighbor Walk conducted in 4 x 4 (Distributed "No Trespassing" signs; and Crimewatch Sign Up) Aug 5 National Night Out Cook-out held in 4 x 4 Aug 11 Good Neighbor Walks showcased at City Hall Aug 22 6-year old shot in 4 x 4 in broad daylight in drug-related crossfire |
| Come join BEHCC, BECA, New Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church and Frankford Assc, on National Night Out, August 5th, 2008 at 7:00 pm. for some fun and community building. We will cook out, show a movie outdoors and discuss ways to improve our community. Location is 3300 Elmora Ave at St. Cloud Ave. |
| The Good Neighbor walks started Feb 13th, and we have only missed two Wednesdays due to weather. We average about 6-8 people per walk. We are averaging about 15 bags of trash per week over the last 5 weeks. Also two Franks and Peace cookouts on Nicholas and Cliftmont. I believe the Good Neighbor Walks are finally reaching residents who are gradually becoming aware that we are out there. The cleanups are very effective and no doubt you can tell where we have been. Graffitti is being erased all over the community as a result of COP rides and the Walks. New residents are starting to show up for the walks and we follow the trouble in our community. Join us every Wednesday at 6pm at the CVS parking lot |
Currently Dr. Ellarwee Gadsdend of Morgan State University is working with the cummunity, LISC and the NFL Grassroots Programme to have an American Football field revamped in Herring Run Park. To make this happen BECA needs your help. We need neighbors to become involved in this project that can only benefit the community and its youth. |