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• Message Page 2 of 2 <br /> Hi Kitty, <br /> I just wanted to thank you for your time and attention yesterday regarding Monroe Park. It was <br /> wonderful to meet you and have the chance to discuss not just the challenges faced by our <br /> neighborhood but also some possible solutions. <br /> We are determined to reclaim Monroe Park as a safe place for the families and children of this <br /> area. We believe our neighborhood can serve as a success story for how to effectively address the <br /> growing challenges faced by our urban core neighborhoods. We believe this can be achieved when <br /> residents work toward common goals with a wide range of city departments, police, (responsible) <br /> social services, churches and businesses, as well as our city council and mayor. <br /> I will tell you that for the last year nearly all of our energy and time has been drained trying to <br /> manage and deal with Hosea Youth Services. Their program is terribly run, and mostly staffed by <br /> well- meaning but non - professional volunteers. More than anything we want to get beyond this <br /> issue, so that we can focus our energies on more productive efforts. There are many challenges <br /> ahead, but having our park established as the primary hang out and party spot for young, <br /> aggressive teenagers, only intensifies our other problems with drug users and drug dealers, <br /> prostitution and violence. At a minimum, the Hosea program needs to be relocated to a place that <br /> does not provide a social setting for large gatherings. <br /> A group of very concerned neighbors have been meeting to actively devise solutions. As part of this <br /> effort, we spoke with Dennis Taylor, who responded by calling a meeting of city department heads <br /> and asked them to devise an action plan. The Recreation Department is charged with crafting this <br /> plan, since it is their employees who suffered the worst abuse throughout this past summer. We <br /> met with this group once already, and it was frankly very disheartening. There was simply too much <br /> discussion about what can not be done. But we are hopeful that a more creative approach can be <br /> adopted. We will meet with this group again on February 1 to discuss final recommendations to <br /> Dennis Taylor. <br /> I am wondering if you can help us in the following two ways: <br /> 1) Attend the February 1 meeting with the neighbors and city manager's group. This meeting will <br /> decide the final recommendations to Dennis Taylor. The Recreation department is basing their <br /> approach on a draft proposal provided by the neighbors, and we will update this plan before the <br /> meeting so you and others can see our long term vision for a solutions- oriented approach. <br /> 2) Accompany the neighbors when we next speak with the Evangelical Church Board. This will be <br /> in February (we will get the date soon). <br /> 3) You mentioned a few officers who are familiar with our problems or similar situations. One was <br /> Officer Lupe from the Whiteaker police station. Can you remind me who was the other? Or please <br /> just refer me to the officer at yesterday's meeting and I will follow up with her. <br /> Kitty, I just want to thank you again for your time and caring yesterday. We have been through <br /> moments where all seemed lost, and that Monroe Park was just destined to become a hopeless <br /> drug park. But it has also brought us together as neighbors, and made us realize just how much we <br /> value our community, and the unique attributes of an urban core neighborhood where people can <br /> walk and bike and meet. Our encounters with city staff and elected officials have also been <br /> positive. Things do not always move as fast as we would like, but with your help, we can regain <br /> some momentum toward implementing solutions. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Eric Gran <br /> 1/31/2005 <br />