Thanks to the volunteers (not all of whom are pictured here) who helped, to the staff at both schools for supporting us in this effort and to Guppy Management Services, Inc. for donating the turkeys.

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MTA staff, Focus Group members and community residents met in front of what was formerly the Reese Press, a property now owned by the MTA. Plans call for the demolition of the Reese Press building and a new structure being built as part of the Kirk Bus Division Modernization Project. After gathering we walked across the street to the existing bus depot where the MTA distributed safety vests to all participants.

We then were able to walk through and sit in the very first 2011 Xcelsior hybrid bus. (Notice the number on the bus: 11001. The first two digits are the year the bus was ordered and the remaining digits designate the order of the bus on the assembly line.) Mr. David Varner, Director, Bus Maintenance gave us a thorough briefing of the many new features of these buses.  He pointed out that these hybrid buses rely on batter-powered electric motors at speeds up to 12 miles per hour, after which they transition to a combination of electric and diesel power. Thus, the buses use less fuel than conventional diesel buses thereby reducing pollution and greenhouse emissions.

After the bus demo we toured the perimeter of the current MTA facility on the west side of Kirk Avenue and then the perimeter of what will be the expanded facility on the east side of Kirk Avenue. This was part of the MTA seeking input on fencing, landscaping, signage and overall aesthetics.

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Mr. Lenzie Johnson, Jr has two businesses that are headquartered in Barclay. L&J Construction Services specializes in debris roll-off and dump truck services. L&J Waste Recycling specializes in reducing the environmental impact of construction projects with a particular focus on providing the necessary reporting required for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification. Both companies hire Baltimore City residents and as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Mr. Johnson is a strong advocate for making more construction-related jobs available to minority residents.

Mr. Michael Mazepink, Executive Director of People’s Homesteading Group, described the work that PHG has been doing since their inception in 1983. They have rehabbed over 100 properties, many between North Ave and 25th Street, for low and moderate income residents. To help make our neighborhood more livable they have created numerous community gardens on vacant lots.

Ms. Catherine Stokes is a Senior Project Manager of Telesis which is just completing Phase I of a four phase project to rehab or newly-build about 325 rental and home ownership units in Barclay and Midway. To celebrate the completion of Phase I Telesis will be having a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday November 29, 2011 at 9:30 am. The event will be at 2200 Barclay St. and will feature Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. The ribbon cutting ceremony will be followed immediately by neighborhood open houses and light refreshments. Ms. Stokes also introduced Mr. DuQuan Moet who is property manager for Neighborhood Partners, a Telesis affiliate which will be managing the rental units in the project.

Ms. Meg Manley of HTA Development, LLC provided the community with an update on the apartment building which they are planning for the northeast corner of Calvert Street and 24th Street. The building will consist of 47 units; 7 units will be market rate, 35 units will be for individuals at 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and 5 units will be for individuals at 30% AMI.

Mr. Roger Carriker, Project Manager, and Ms. Judy Bellamy, Community Liaison, for the MTA’s Kirk Division Modernization Project gave us an update on their plans for a new Kirk Ave Terminal. Over the last several years the MTA has been meeting regularly with the community and has even formed a Project Focus Group comprised of stakeholders. In response to community concerns the MTA will be housing 27 of their brand new hybrid buses at the existing Kirk Ave Terminal. These buses have significantly less pollution than the buses they replace which should result in reduced pollution in our community. Additionally, the MTA is negotiating with the City to swap a portion of land the MTA acquired for their new terminal with another piece of land the City owns. This land will be used to provide parking for residents in the 800 and 900 blocks of Bonaparte.

Mr. Jonathan Melnick of Melnick/Newlll, a local developer and property owner in our neighborhood, was unable to attend the meeting due to a prior engagement. However, he sent a letter which was read by Board Member Ms. Grace Willis. In the letter he stated his support for our association and expressed his interest in meeting with other business owners to develop a strategy for helping to improve our community.

After the presentations by these organizations we had announcements. Mr. Robert Stokes of  12th District Councilman Carl Stokes announced that additional funds are now available for home weatherization. Residents can get applications by calling the Baltimore City Weatherization Office at 443.984.1066. GGCA Treasurer Mr. Lowell Larsson gave an update on Part I Offenses (robbery, burglary and larceny) in the community and also announced that there would be a Good Neighbor Walk with the Eastern District Police Department on Wednesday November 16th starting from 22nd Street and Barclay Street at 5:30 PM. Mr. Etosha Lankatilleke announced a launch party of MyBmore.net, a website created to link businesses, services, artists and community associations in Baltimore. GGCA Board Member Mr. Will Smith announce two programs sponsored by The New Good Samaritan Baptist Church located at 2406 Greenmount Avenue: a computer lab open to community residents and a drama program for community members of all ages. Mr. William Russell of Baltimore Neighborhood Energy Challenge (BNEC) reminded residents that by taking the Energy Challenge they can get free literature and supplies to help reduce energy consumption in their home. This is Mr. Russell’s last month with BNEC. We appreciate his work in our community over the past year.  Ms. Ana Martinez of Greater Homewood Community Corporation announced an event that GHCC will be having December 10th at Terra Cafe.

We concluded the meeting with a Thanksgiving turkey sign-up for residents in need. We also signed up new members. The cost of GGCA membership is $5.00 for the year running September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012. Membership dues go to support the work of GGCA in our community.

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Individuals arriving for the meeting were once again greeted at the door by Ms. Juanita Pritchett who gave out meeting agendas and made sure that people signed in. The meeting was lead by Ms. Sandra Coles who welcomed us and then introduced Ms. Lynette Lynch. Ms. Lynch told us that the Association will be distributing Thanksgiving turkeys to those in need on November 22nd. This year  we will be distributing them at both Cecil Elementary School and Dallas F. Nicholas, Sr. Elementary School. Sign up forms must be completed and returned to the Association by Tuesday November 14th.

Ms. Grace Willis talked about the importance of membership in the Association. This year, for the first time, GGCA is asking all members to pay annual membership dues of $5.00 to help build the Association. The dues cover the period from September 2011 to June 2012. Ms. Penny Ray and Ms. Grace Comer signed up new members. Ms. Comer also told us that the MTA has announced that starting in January the MTA will NOT be sending out renewal notices for Maryland Drivers Licenses. It is the drivers responsibility to remember when his/her license expires. We will post more information when we receive it.

We heard from Ms. Malindi Lankatilleke and Mr. Etosha Lankatilleke. Ms. Lankatilleke offered to help the Association in writing grants. She also talked about a Zumba fitness class that she leads on Wednesday evenings 7:00 to 8:00 near our community at Miller’s Court 2601 N. Howard Street.  Mr. Lankatilleke offered to do a video of our Association to put on his website MyBmore.net. The site is designed to help local businesses, artists, and services grow! We will post a link to the video once it is made.

We had three representatives from the Baltimore Police Department. Officer “Mak” Makanjuola gave out the latest crime statistics for our neighborhood. The good news is that felonies are down from the prior month. He also talked about the importance of locking your car and not leaving anything in plain site when you leave your car. Deputy Major Quick came to introduce himself. He is the replacement for Deputy Major Lioi who has been transferred to another position in the Department. We are grateful to Deputy Major Lioi for his work in the Eastern District since August 2008 and we look forward to working with Deputy Major Quick. Officer Amos told us about the Eastern District’s plan for distributing gifts at Christmas and said they will be taking names of people in need until Friday of this week.

Mr. Robert Stokes from Councilman Carl Stokes office distributed a Special Edition of the 12th District newsletter and talked about a strategy for handling problem properties in the neighborhood. He requested that all information be given to Ms. Coles in writing so that she can forward requests to him in a group. This will help to insure that requests do not fall through the cracks.

Mr. William Russell from Baltimore Neighbor Energy Challenge attended our meeting to sign up residents for the Energy Challenge and to distribute free energy-saving gifts. He also introduced Ms. Rebbecca Bakre from Project Lightbulb. Project Lightbulb provides residents with a number of free services including wrapping hot water heaters and installing a combination smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector.

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Thanks to everyone who helped make this flea market a success. We are particularly grateful to Mr. Jonathan Melnick of Melnick/Newell for providing us an excellent space along 25th St for the Market.

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Neighborhood children dug out some of the compost and put in branches that they intend to use to support a cardboard “fort”. They also assisted in the work when possible including mixing the cement and harvesting swiss chard.

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Ms. Manley’s initial plan was for all of the units to be “workforce housing”, units that are targeted for individuals making 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI). After meeting with Councilman Carl Stokes of the 12th District, who wants the development to meet the needs of individuals with a range of income levels, Ms. Manley developed an alternate plan in which 7 units are market rate, 35 units are for individuals at 60% AMI and 5 units are for individuals at 30% AMI.

During the presentation Mr. Fillat showed pictures of the surrounding buildings and stated that the exterior of the new building will be of this time while being sympathetic to the rhythm of the buildings around it.

Further meetings will be held for community input on this proposed development.

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Thanks to the volunteers who came out and helped in the continuing development of the Boone St. Community Garden and Farm and to Johns Hopkins for making it possible.

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If you have comments or would like to submit an article for our next newsletter, which will be distributed in January 2012, you can contact Ms. Johnson at 410.294.6822.

The newsletter is shown below. There is also an option to download the newsletter as a PDF.

Ms. Sandra Coles, GGCA President, welcomed community members back after an eventful summer that included an earthquake and hurricane. Ms. Linda Johnson, board member and newsletter editor, distributed GGCA’s first newsletter. She also described past and future GGCA events. One future event is a Community Flee Market October 8 from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM at 902 East 25th Street. Table rentals are $15.00. For more information contact Mr. Will Smith (443.469.3612) or Ms. Penny Ray (410.202.5884).

We had two speakers from the Community Law Center, Ms. Robin Jacobs, Esq. and Ms. Susan Hughes, Esq. who described legal strategies that can be used to deal with vacant houses in our neighborhood. One strategy is to use the Community Bill of Rights which gives community associations legal standing to files suits against property owners whose properties do not meet Baltimore City codes.

Community member Ms. Bridgette Tatum welcomed 12 District Councilman Carl Stokes to our meeting and described how he had helped her son enroll in Bluford Drew Jemison Science Technology Engineering Mathematics Academy.  GGCA Board member Will Smith then introduced Councilman Stokes. Councilman Stokes talked about his concerns for the 12th District and acknowledged the support of his assistant, Robert Stokes, in handling constituent concerns. He also thanked individuals for being involved in the Primary election and presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Ms. Lilian Chandler in recognition of her dedication to making a difference in our community by encouraging others to vote. Ms. Chandler was accompanied by her family members, many of whom went with her to the polls on September 13th. Ms. Coles expressed appreciation from GGCA to Ms. Chandler and presented her with a $25 Safeway gift card.

At the conclusion of the meeting we had announcements. Rev. Terrance Brown of Jane’s House of Inspiration announced a community clean-up day Saturday October 1, 2011 starting at 10 AM. They will clean up the alleys and vacant houses in the community and improve the weatherization of some homes. For more information contact Rev. Brown at info@jhofi.com.

Ms. Cheryl Carmona of the Boone St. Farm and Garden announced that they will be having a work day at the community farm and garden (located in the 2100 block of Boone St.) on Saturday September 24, 2011 from 12:30 to 4:00 PM. Volunteers from Johns Hopkins University will be joining us in the work day.

Mr. Jason Morgan from Baltimore City Department of Public Works gave us a preview of the issues he will cover in our community meeting October 11, 2011.  He will cover issues including garbage and recycling pick-up, rat rubout for occupied and vacant properties, sanitation issues and code compliance. He encouraged community members to bring specific concerns to the next meeting including addresses of problem properties.

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