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Volume 4, Issue 2 |
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February 2007 |
Friends and Associates of the Hillyard Steering Committee, As we enter our fourth year together I can’t help but to get the sense that some of our community members closed the year feeling unsatisfied, or were left feeling uncertain with the way the year appears to have panned out…Now let me assure you that this past year has seen our community’s biggest gains. No, we didn’t get to see the community center expansion completed, nor did we christen a new park…We didn’t pave streets, fix the side walks, or pick up the neighborhood garbage either. We gained something far more valuable than all of those things,… Through the concerted efforts of all of us, we have finally put Hillyard back on the map for the rest of Spokane to see, respect and appreciate. I have seen a slow transition in the attitudes I have encountered all over the community, in the residents, businesses and the various groups of citizen volunteers who comprise our Steering Committee. It is very true that “to change one’s attitude, is to change another’s perception”…I believe that a lot of us who just used to “get by”, have finally acknowledged that “an empowered community as opposed to an entitlement community”, is by far, a more satisfying and rewarding thing that any of us could have asked for, or envisioned for this community. Can you remember when it was that you last heard anyone refer to Hillyard as “Dog Town”?? Boy, we sure have seen our share of excitement and drama over the last several years, haven’t we? You bet we have but, it has been that very activity which has created the buzz about Hillyard and has helped us to attract new members….This year has brought forward recognition and a renewed importance in the various Hillyard based groups all working together for the common good. Communications & cooperation has been the best it’s ever been. The Hillyard web page (www.historic-hillyard.com) has seen over 50,000 visits in less than two years from all over the world, and our Committee membership is at an all time high! Talk about an amazing feat in leadership! The Hillyard Neighborhood Council has been tremendously instrumental in opening doors to the City which were once closed to most of Hillyard through their outstanding leadership, effectiveness and through the representation they provide for us at the community assembly. They have attained a direct voice to city hall where others have failed, and they have been an integral component to a lot of our success to this point. Now didn’t we say that if you build it, they would come? And come they did. The Hillyard Skate Park, Andrew Rypien field, Hillyard Fest, and the community gardens are some of the most popular things in Hillyard for the young and old alike. This year we have been given a chance to make further improvements to some of these jewels. The CD board has bestowed an additional $10,000.00 to the Harmon Park improvement project we funded in the eleventh hour, and it looks as though we may see the needed utilities and the other improvements we envisioned on the north end of the park. Through the cooperative efforts of the Hillyard Kiwanis, and the NECCA, the relocation of the community gardens to Andrew Rypien field, will see more visitors from all over our area who will grow food and flowers, come to play, picnic and relax. I can smell the BBQ, hot dogs and hamburgers being cooked by the Kiwanis already folks…You remember that neighborhood plan we’ve been talking about for years now? Well, we can’t count on the city to do it, and we surely can’t afford to hire someone…Raise your hand if you have ever taken part in a “charrette” ?...Many students from WSU have already taken part in the first of four charrettes here in Hillyard. The first phase visioning products of what Hillyard could be are amazing, and this effort isn’t costing us a cent. Stay tuned to this one folks because you will get a chance to witness it and be a part of a WSU/Hillyard charrette soon. We need to be focused like a laser beam and stay the course…. You’ve heard the adage, “There is no such thing as a free lunch”. How so very true in today’s society. There is no other neighborhood, city official, or next door neighbor that is going to carry this thing of ours over the finish line, and do it for us. I have relied on your sense of volunteerism and self sacrifice to get the community this far….Now is the time to reach down deep folks. No, by no means is this letter intended to get you fired up about Hillyard, this letter is intended to let you know that we are so very close to seeing a lot of our efforts come to fruition. And yes, there is a lot more work to be done… This year we will continue to work with the LRA on the Mann Hall property, we will be closely partnering with WashDOT on the NSC, and we will continue our efforts to get closure with EWU. I see our folks working with WSU on the various charrettes they have planned in Hillyard, as well as, with city personnel and their newly installed GPS computer capabilities. All it ever takes is a vision ladies and gentlemen. We know how to walk the talk so lets continue to take that walk together… |
| Volume 4, Issue 2 |
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February 2007 |
