Minutes of Meeting, January 17, 2024
The meeting began more or less promptly at 7 p.m. with the Crime Watch report from our Community Service Officer Dianeka Jones, who gave the group the limits of her territory and a description of her duties. She said that we had had 66 calls for service in the last two months and pointed out that in other neighborhoods that’s a 2-day figure. She also said that most of the calls were actually directed patrols, officers making a presence to deter other crime. Her #1 issue as always was unlocked cars, mentioned that there are two other CSOs in the area primarily for traffic enforcement, and urged us all to obey the stop signs and keep our speed down.
Judy introduced herself and the board. Judy then set out the protocol for the meeting, chiefly that discussion on agenda items and voting are members only. Judy also mentioned that Torrie Jasuwan, who is running for the District 5 city council seat, was in the rear for anyone who wanted to chat after the meeting.
Stacy Vermette was introduced. She is the Country Cub’s new manager, Joe Brooks having retired after 10 years of incredibly wonderful service.
The guests from Boley Centers introduced themselves and brought the group up to date on the apartments under construction on 54th Avenue South. These will be largely for the homeless in the area, especially the children at Maximo Elementary who have been the benefit of so much of Lakewood’s efforts for the last 3 years. This is Boley’s 62nd property and the first in our area. There was a question from the floor about whether addiction would qualify a family for the disabled requirement (one family member) but the project is largely under the jurisdiction of the St Pete Housing Authority and they do not consider addiction as qualifying for disabled status. We were advised that the buildings will have full services available.
Judy introduced Steve Kornell, our former city councilmen, who was responsible for the initial attention on Maximo Elementary and had stopped by to hear Boley’s presentation.
Matt Faulhaber was thanked on behalf of the work done by the social committee, and Phyllis Limmer for her contributions –- Phyllis does not charge for her pet portraits but rather asks her clients to send whatever they wish to contribute to Lakewood Cares, and this has added over $1100 to the program.
Lois and John spoke about the Maximo effort, going back 3 years to when we first provided supplies and adopted numerous classrooms. The current year need was for uniforms, a drive that went viral after Lakewood asked Wendy Ryan of ABC Action News to publicize the effort. Wendy in turn got Julie Weintraub of Hands Across the Bay involved, resulting in $8000 worth of uniforms and backpacks. Lakewood Estates added $4600, and then a real estate company’s charitable arm donated $5700 in backpacks directly to the school. Home Depot volunteered to redo the playground at no cost.
Sheena Qualles DeFreece described how other schools were aided through Walmart and other sources, that we rewarded the staff at Maximo with donuts, and donated $250 to a needy family at Maximo that was not going to have Christmas.
Judy then mentioned the other schools that benefited from the initial drive for uniforms, that the effort went viral, and that it’s still going on, with donations setting us off for another school year.
New members or new attendees then stood and introduced themselves. Kristen Ehrlich mentioned that she is working with the Association and the city to improve 31st Street South. (Kristen will have a presentation about this at the March meeting.)
A debate followed about changes to the bylaws from 2007. The discussion eventually concluded that we need two meetings, one in January for election and usual business and another later in the year, probably late September to avoid the holidays. Other meetings shall be held as required, including one already set for March 20th for a special election to fill director vacancy.
A second proposed change was about deletion of the requirement that a candidate for director must have attended the last 2 meetings. The majority seemed in favor of eliminating that requirement. There followed considerable discussion, the bottom line being without seeing the original bylaws and the proposed changes, the membership was hard put to vote. (Subsequent to the meeting, the Board voted that there was enough input on the bylaws and opted to send them out to the membership now instead of indulging in more nonproductive discussion at the March meeting. The proposed bylaws, with the changes, were therefore provided to the membership for voting online.)
Patsy then presented the finances, praised the assembly for their generosity and answered a question about the lake (only the 20 houses on the lake pay for its upkeep). Judy pointed out that dues money is spent only on things that benefit the neighborhood as a whole. We got extra thanks for the swimming lessons for underprivileged kids; Judy noted that this state leads the country in child drownings and that in the last 11 years we have paid for lessons for 1100 kids.
Pete Robison then presented the tree program and the city’s mini grants, how it works and what we are doing to take part. He invited anyone interested in participating to speak with him after the meeting.
Patsy took the microphone to present Judy Ellis as candidate for president, and Pete requested reinstatement of Patsy as treasurer. Both were elected by acclamation, there being no one else qualified to run.
Judy announced the March 20th meeting to elect a director and that forms would be available for nominations.
Drawings were then held for the 5 gorgeous door-prize baskets prepared by Bonnie Rocks, and the gentleman who won the last one of the 5 also won the 50/50! It was suggested that he play the lottery.
Judy gave a brief personal note as part of the Open Forum, the essence of which is that those who have been watching from a distance without participating in our community programs or contributing to our causes, but stand by to criticize and complain, should maybe get involved.
Nikki Barfield, administrator of the Lakewood Facebook, then spoke briefly about how uncomfortable the meeting made her. This may have been in response to Judy’s criticisms of the occasional slanderous postings on Facebook.
The meeting adjourned about 9:00 p.m.
(signed)
Patsy Wedding, Secretary