Around the Neighborhood

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The opinions expressed in these articles and features are those of their author and do not necessarily reflect the positions of McANA or the opinion of its Directors or Officers.

Land Use Issues Opposed by McANA

McANA’s Board voted to oppose a Zoning Petition in Franklin Township and the proposed widening of Meridian Street. The two issues were originally discussed by McANA’s Land Use Committee. The Franklin Township case will be heard by the MDC on July 17. CP Morgan is proposing a development that includes commercial and residential uses on 148 acres. There are 548 new homes proposed while the Town of Acton, in which it is located, has 238 homes. Many reasons were cited to opposed this zoning petition, among them that it is not an appropriate use of DP Zoning, it negatively impacts an historical community, and the increased traffic will overload the roads in the area.

The second issue involves the proposed addition of a 5th, all-turning lane to the middle of Meridian Street. Such a lane is considered dangerous. McANA voted to back what is being called ‘option three’ which opposes the additional lane but offers other means to improve traffic flow. Among these are: synchronize traffic lights, enforce laws regarding speed and trucks, add sidewalks and landscaping, and divert some traffic to more commercial streets.

McANA Creates New Committee

At its last meeting, the Board of Directors of McANA voted to establish the Neighborhood Health and Public Safety Committee. The new committee will formally assume oversight of issues long pursued by the organization. These would include monitoring of liquor licenses as well as Liaison duties to the IPD North District. Mary Walker has been appointed as Chair. If you are interested in participating on this committee, Walker can be reached at 283-4790.

Silent Walk for Peace
Friday, August 2, 10 am

Faith/Family Circles Youth Group of Westside Community Ministries, Inc. (WCMI) in conjunction with WESCO, and the WESTSIDE WEED & SEED SAFE HAVENS are inviting the entire Indianapolis community to join them in a Silent Walk for Peace. The rally will start out at 10:00 a.m., Friday, August 2nd, from the Kroger parking lot at 2630 W. Michigan Street.

At this event, youth will speak out about the violence in our community, in an attempt to make a difference in the lives of their peers. Please support their efforts. The entire metro area is invited to participate.

For more information, call: Olgen Williams (635-7211) or Renita Minor (327-7902). This event is part of the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise (NCNE) Violence-Free Zone Initiative.

Grand Opening -- www.mcanaindy.org

It has been a long time in coming, but it is finally here — McANA’s very own Website. Check us out at www.mcanaindy.org.

We want this site to be a resource for the Neighborhoods of Marion County. To that end we have useful links to the internet, issues of Common Ground, McANA’s Position Papers, meeting dates, contact information and a calendar of events taking place all around Indy’s neighborhoods. We will also soon post short How-To Primers to guide Neighborhood Organizations through a wide variety of tasks — from How-To start a Neighborhood Association to How-To use the Sign Ordinance to improve the appearance of your neighborhood.

Come visit us. Let us know how our website can better serve Marion County’s Neighborhoods.

Livable Communities Task Force

Congresswoman Julia Carson will host a public meeting with Congressman Earl Blumenauer to discuss issues of livability in central Indiana. Blumenauer, who represents Oregon's 3rd Congressional District, founded the Livable Communities Task Force in the US House of Representatives. He has long been an advocate for measures relating to the quality of life in our communities, particularly issues including transportation, urban growth, congestion and sprawl.

This event will be held August 12, at the Indiana State Museum auditorium. For all details contact Congresswoman Carson's office at 283-6516, visit her website at , or send an e-mail to: sarge.visher@mail.house.gov.

More information about the Livable Communities Task Force is available from Congressman Blumenauer's website (www.house.gov/blumenauer/).

Violence-Free Initiative Event

The Westside Community Ministries, Inc., and the Christamore House Community Center are sponsoring the Violence-Free Initiative Event in cooperation with the National Center for Neighborhood Enterprise (NCNE). Robert Woodson, Sr., founder and President of NCNE, will be the guest speaker and will address neighborhood issues. Mr. Woodson is nationally renown and is consulted by cabinet officials, governors, members of Congress, academicians, business leaders, and the news media nationwide. There will be time available for questions and answers.

This free event is open to the entire Indianapolis Community and will be held on July 16, at the Friendship Baptist Church, 1304 N. Goodlet. There will be light refreshments served at a reception at 4:30 pm and the program will begin at 5:15 p.m.

If you have any questions, please call Rev. Melvin Jackson, Westside Community Ministries (636-0203) or Olgen Williams, Christamore House (635-7211x223).