LYELL OTIS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
Michael Visconte, President ---------- Robert Van Sice Vice President
Marian Batz, Treasurer ----------- Pam Davis, Secretary ------------ Frank Louk, Safety
MINUTES FROM AUGUST 14, 2006 – LONA’s TOWN MEETING - location: THE LYELL BRANCH LIBRARY
Meeting was called to order by LONA President, Mike Visconte, at 7:05 PM,
- Introduced People at head table.
- Showed Pictures of LONA’s National Night Out Against Crime August 1, 2006
- Described normal agenda for regular Lyell-Otis Neighborhood Association meetings.
People at the head table spoke:
Assistant to Mayor Duffy - Darryl W. Porter
- Mr. Porter welcomed everyone, and stated he was available for questions.
Molly Clifford, Director of Neighborhood Empowerment Teams
- Introduced Jose Cruz and Charles Stechna from the Lyell Avenue Net Office.
- Net focuses on neighborhood housing.
- Lead paint project is underway at this time.
- Lyell Net Office will be open Wednesday evenings until 8 PM.
- Next “Clean Sweep” is October 14, 2006 in our area.
Fire Chief - Floyd Madison
- “We want to prevent emergency problems before they happen and improve quality of life in neighborhoods by education.” (Eg. CERT training).
- He provided handouts and phone numbers.
Temporary Police Commander - Captain Peter Leach
- The police department is focusing on street corners, gun and drug arrests.
- These, plus special attention from the vice squad and sheriff’s department on “Hot Spots” and noise details, are also current priorities.
Officer Steve Boily, CPO at the Lyell Net Office.
- Covers Pac-Tac, noise control, and vice squad.
- He also is working to get prostitutes off streets and into some type of rehab. He does this in conjunction with social workers.
Dana K. Miller, City Council
- He is working on public safety, quality of life and other issues that are important.
- He stated Pac-Tac is greatly needed.
- He supports the curfew, and “Night Out” was great this year.
Representative for Gladys Santiago, City Council
- Gladys worked on clean sweep
- Works on prostitutes and drug issues through Mary Magdalene house.
- Working on new housing plan to assist renters become owners, “call us for help”.
Robert J. Stevenson, City Council
- Reviewed prostitution information, including current details.
- Also reviewed court watch information.
- Needs Court watchers from Lyell Otis.
John F. Lightfoot, City Council
- Helped to enlarge fireworks display.
- Working on starting ananti-litter campaign, mental health issues,reduce drug and alcohol use through education.
William F. Pritchard, City Council
- Pleased that 7 of the 9 Council members were represented.
- Would like more businesses in Lyell Ave neighborhood
- Thinks noise ordinance enforcement is very important to accomplish this.
- He feels NET is doing a good job in this area to enforce quality of life.
Adam C. McFadden, City Council
- Chairman of public safety committee.
- Working on curfew, and Quality for Kids committee at #30 and #43 Schools. (They need volunteers to be responsible adults in kids’ lives).
Representative for Carolee A. Conklin, City Council.
- Carolee works with Pac-Tac, YWCA, and Anthony House.
From the audience:
Andrew Staucovitch, Charity “Friendship Helping Friends” - Needs tax free exemption same as charitable organizations
Resident from Cameron Street - Needs an area for children to play.
Rick Macural, “Rainbows of Faith” - Help youth with spiritual needs for life. They have marches for faith for the Kids.
Resident from Sunset Street - “Heat is On Committee” Disagree with RG&E budget proposal for October 2, 2006
- Several Residents talked on the prostitution situation in our neighborhood.
- It is wide spread and keeps moving. It never leaves the neighborhood completely.
- Resident pointed out that the Cordial Lounge adds to prostitution and buying and selling drugs.
- Resident pointed out that a drug house exists near the intersection of Avery and Palmyra Streets.
- This situation has encouraged the dropping off of prostitutes, leaving some of their cars and performing their activities in this area.
Meeting adjourned at 8:55 PM
Respectfully submitted by Marlene Van Sice