Neighborhood community garden

[Maggie]

I just attended a meeting with my neighbors this evening to discuss the community garden that is being planned across our street.  It was so nice to see all of us out together.  And, to have us all in agreement and feel strongly about our neighborhood park.  We all live in the 1200 block of Utica. 

 

Many of us learned for the first time tonight that WeCAN (all 275 members or 50 that part was pretty fussy) strongly want to have a community garden in our neighborhood.  However, only 1 of WeCAN member, except for me, was there to actually represent and promote this to me and my neighbors.  I was deeply saddened by the whole experience.  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE the idea of a community garden.  And, we all wanted to support it.  We just were not given a voice.  Don't attend a meeting and you don't count.  Wait, you count in the 275 number that is thrown around, you just don't count in terms of your opinion.  What I don't like is the way that we were all treated.  I was embarrased, for the first time, to say I was associated with WeCAN. 

 

I was told that the change in location of the garden from 2 months ago to the most recent meeting was explained in the newsletter.  I just read my electronic version.  I don't see it.  I didn't the first time I read it.  I was told to go to the website.  It isn't on the home page, nor anywhere obvious I can see it.  And, many of my neighbors, most who have lived in our neighborhood for 10+ years don't have internet access.  I know, they are "old fashion".  I was asked if there was any way that those of us directly affected, on the same street, etc. can be notified when changes occur accross our street.  No. WeCAN does not have enough volunteers to specifically talk to neighbors in the community.  They must join or attend WeCAN meeting if they want to be given a voice by WeCAN. 

 

I've been excited about WeCAN since it started in our community.  I was thrilled that we have a neighbor community that was going to listen to all of us, and, particularly those of us living south of the park.  I saw no signs of that group or that hope tonight.  Pretty much what I saw was members of a community association bound and determined to push an agenda regardless of what the citizens of the neighborhood. felt.  Afterall, the association has been working on it for 2 years!!  Surely that trumps our 10-50+ years in the neighborhood.