Fairfield Village trying to improve neighborhood

The Fairfield Village Neighborhood Council Nov. 6 outlined an action plan to make the area more beautiful and stable, made a plea for volunteers and elected officers.

Judy Hovey, chairman of the beautification committee, said, "We've put together a plan and we're looking for ways to communicate it to our members. Everyone in our area should know our blight control officer and how to contact him. We need  a volunteer to act as a liaison with the blight officer."

Hovey asked for volunteers to help inventory neighborhood properties to include which properties were rentals or occupied by the owner.

"We want to know the status of each property — if it's vacant, in foreclosure, for sale, demolished or being rehabbed," Hovey said. "We also want to develop a survey of our neighborhood — to get a sense of the demographics and find out what our residents want us to do. This way we won't waste our time on activities that don't benefit the community."

The group discussed developing community gardens and a recycling site as ways to deal with vacant properties. It also discussed joining the College Cultural Neighborhood Association to clean up Gilkey Creek.

Andy Ellard reported on crime, youth and elderly.

"I attended the Blue Badge training programs and I want our council to be the first in the city to make it happen," Ellard said. "I've never in my 25-year residency seen the city trying so hard to be involved in the community."

He asked for volunteers to help man the station at Howard Estates and said the two officers assigned to the station will be invited guests at future council meetings. He said Police Officer Tanya Meeks, who is in charge of the ministations, will also be invited to speak to the group.

Ellard sought volunteers to tutor youth, help the elderly and become block captains.

The group elected Andy Ellard, president; Claude Miller, vice president; David Price,   treasurer; and Judy Hovey, assistant secretary.

In other matters, the group agreed to keep the Court Street Village Neighborhood House, 727 East St., as its meeting place.

The group will meet next at 1 p.m. Dec. 4 at 727 East St.

————————————————————