Neighborhood Pride Committee Meeting

[stffgpr2003]

What a terrific and positive meeting we had last evening in Borough Hall. It was SRO and we couldn't get anyone to leave by 10 pm!

First, the World Changer local leaders stopped by and shared stories of their recent success in town, around the county and nationally. They had 300 kids in our town and did several projects here, including the three homes we all know about. They are hoping to return next year and increase their participation.

The local leaders are thrilled with our new NPC and offered us terrific advice and their on-going help, throughout the year. They had some great insights and ideas to help the committee move forward.

To that end, we were out on Center Street over the weekend and knocked on every door along the street. The neighborhood was ecstatic about the NPC and we listed 28 potential projects for the town and the committee volunteers to work on. Everyone at the table was thrilled and hopes to get started soon.

In fact, the town will start working on some of these things, immediately. So, the committee is already doing alot of good. We are trying to plan a block party for the residents of Center and may already have a local business sponsor to host it at a local church. This will help bring the residents and the committee members closer together to start building community pride, which is contagious!

We are also trying to move forward with the community garden project on Center Street (behinf Rug Mill Plaza) to begin next March. And, will be discussing the proposal, on council, to rehab an old portion of RR track near the Henry Hudson Trail. Dave Loring has 180 cadets ready to help with that project if we can get the green light from the RR and others involved in granting us permission.

As an aside the committee loves my Neighborhood Pride Tee Shirt and we are looking into ordering some for the committee. They will be wearing them around town and at events they plan to set up at like Kruize Night and at our Concerts. Here is the OFFICIAL NPC LOG created by chairman Anthony DiFlumeri


IF IT TAKES A VILLAGE...HERE WE ARE!



What a positive committee with nearly 20 really upbeat community residents. This is the optimism and can do spirit we need to keep moving in the right direction. This kind of positive outlook and momentum will lead to even greater results - as word gets out to others looking for a great town with great people, to live in. This is how you build community.

Marc

[misterpr1981]

This sounds wonderful! This is the way to do it. Except for the fed up people everywhere who do nothing but complain, I like that this committee is finally not just talking but actually doing!

Hopefully someday soon we can drive down Center Street and get a load of five or six nice houses.

This town is at the beginning of a burgeoning revitalization, definitely not falling apart by any means, and we have REAL people who are stepping up and cleaning it and taking it back. Maybe I'm just looking through rose-colored glasses, who knows? But let's be positive, calm and most importantly civil. This is a great thing! Keep going...bring it on!

[misterpr1981]

By the way, those shirts are awesome! A very good idea to inspire pride in the people in town. I think eventually we could possibly get some Freehold Boro flags made to hang in our homes?

Well?? Whatdya think?

[richardkelsey]

The shirt idea is a fine idea. I still have my "Freehold New Jersey, My hometown" shirt. I just wish it fit.

I also still have my Kelsey/Lewandowski, "Progress with a Purpose" T-Shirt. That might fit my 7 year old.

Anyway -- two points!

The colors of the fighting colonials are Navy Blue and Gold. Sell tradition -- it works.

The slogan -- while clever -- has a political connotation -- which I would avoid at all costs.

Here are some alternatives:


"Boro Pride won't subside"

"We are -- Boro" (A popular High School Cheer)

"Boro Pride is Revolutionary"

"Freehold: Ride the Pride"

[misterpr1981]

Love those ideas, Rich! Especially love "Boro Pride is Revolutionary." I think that one is the Best By far.

Incidentally, maybe we should get some infant-sized Boro Pride shirts. Can you imagine? We'll start seeing them all in the baby carriages around town. That would be really cute and young school moms would probably love it.

[stffgpr2003]

Rich -

Thanks for your thoughts. To speed things up (we need them fast) we may have to digitally print the shirts and have no chance of secondary colors (black on gray), though it will make a difference with future use of the logo. If we decide to have the shirts screen printed, your suggestion is a good one.

As for the Hillary Clinton connection...you are referring to I did some research on this quote and found out that it was not hers to begin with. She actually "borrowed" it from Africa, where it is a very well known, ancient proverb. I like the original connotation. There aren't too many towns around here that pull together like our "village" oriented town. I'll see what the committee thinks. Steven seems to like your suggestion - that kind of stuff is his forte.

Thanks!

Marc

[misterpr1981]

How about this one? Boro Pride: Bring It On!

[richardkelsey]

Jul 15, 2008 13:35:48 GMT -5 misterpr1981 said:

How about this one? Boro Pride: Bring It On!

I actually like it -- but it fails the "no political association" test to me.

To some -- "Bring it on" is associated with the President and his war on terror. To some in Freehold, "Bring it on" is associated with the Mayor and his almost war on illegals.

But as a slogan -- I like it very much -- and I suspect some people in Freehold would like it very much too == others not so much.

Like the history of the Village -- "Bring it on" undoubtedly has some other history or association. None of that matters of course, as all that matters is what people now associate sayings with.

Not that I am PC in any way -- but i suspect the ultimate aim of the program is civic pride and unity -- which of course means it must be something that can't strike a portion of people as being upsetting.

[misterpr1981]

Oh well, I guess you just stuck a big bobbi pin in my balloon of an idea, but I agree with you. The whole brandiong of certain phrases is definitely pretty interesting. As for other slogans, c'mon folks, bring it on!!!

[admin]

I moved this thread because it really does not deserve to get lost in the General Board.

It sounds like this committee is really taking off and I find that to be no surprise. I firmly believe that the residents of this town are craving anything that can push us ahead in a positive direction. We are long overdue and the amount of people willing to help out is a testament to that.

[bergsteiger]

Would it be too much to ask that the tee shirts be made in America?

[admin]

Jul 16, 2008 7:31:27 GMT -5 bergsteiger said:

Would it be too much to ask that the tee shirts be made in America?

I bet it can be done. Now where can we find some cheap disposable labor to do the jobs Americans won't do, like making tee shirts?

[lisas84]

I thought American Apparel made its goods in the U.S.

[misterpr1981]

Yup, American Apparel.

[stffgpr2003]

OK... the colors are off here...but Navy, Gold & Black are the ones expected to show up on the shirt:




Thanks...for eveyone's input, especially Rich, Steven and Lisa. The committee loved the suggestions. This will also make for great bumper stickers! Maybe, I'll buy the committee some of those, too! Can't keep Neighborhood Pride a secret. Right?

Marc

[richardkelsey]

Jul 16, 2008 13:11:41 GMT -5 @stffgpr2003 said:

OK... the colors are off here...but Navy, Gold & Black are the ones expected to show up on the shirt:




Thanks...for eveyone's input, especially Rich, Steven and Lisa. The committee loved the suggestions. This will also make for great bumper stickers! Maybe, I'll buy the committee some of those, too! Can't keep Neighborhood Pride a secret. Right?

Marc

That's sharp -- I will definitely be putting an order in.

[concerned]

Great shirt...can't wait to see what it looks like translated to Spanish.

[admin]

Jul 17, 2008 10:25:19 GMT -5 @concerned said:

Great shirt...can't wait to see what it looks like translated to Spanish.

There is no neeed. Judging by the severe lack of participation in the school PTO's and the FCP volunteer planting from certain segments of our population.

I propose a slogan for the tee shirt--


Doing the jobs that Americans love to do--- volunteering!

[ka19]

Jul 17, 2008 10:35:46 GMT -5 admin said:

Jul 17, 2008 10:25:19 GMT -5 @concerned said:

Great shirt...can't wait to see what it looks like translated to Spanish.

There is no neeed. Judging by the severe lack of participation in the school PTO's and the FCP volunteer planting from certain segments of our population.

I propose a slogan for the tee shirt--


Doing the jobs that Americans love to do--- volunteering!

I like it!

[stffgpr2003]

You will all be very happy to hear that Mr. Bellina has already begun attacking several items on the NPC's Center Street to-do list. I just returned from the field with Mr. Bellina and Dan McGill. We were looking closely at Dave Loring's proposed RR clear out project, which is on of the Council agenda for Monday night. Nothing more on that until Council takes up consideration. It is a large scale effort, for sure. Of course, there is also the Community Garden over there to discuss.

The immediate good news is that ALREADY every fire hydrant on Center has been scraped and re-painted. They are now all uniform in color (shiny red) and look terrific. In addition, our public works guys have cleared the entire previously wooded area around our "Welcome to Freehold Borough" gateway on Center Street. I imagine we will soon landscape that area, either before, during or after the street is repaved. It should look - WOW!

If that is not enough our PW guys, as I write, are currently laying a thick base of mulch under the playground equipment at Vinyard Park. It looks great! Soon they will also replace some broken plastic parts on the slide equipment.

Mr. Bellina is also studying the tree and stump removal situation on the street and we may see a resolve on these things in the very near future. So, the Borough is doing its part in helping to reduce our list to the remaining volunteer efforts we hope to do on the part of the homeowners and then comes the good will community oriented activities we will organize and host on their behalf.

All very exciting stuff. I took photos of the completed projects and those currently underway. We can later compare them with the "before" pictures taken just last weekend. We owe everyone, especially our PW crew, many thanks for jumping on top of these efforts.

We're off to a nice start...drive over and take a look. BORO PRIDE IS REVOLUTIONARY! Right?

Marc

[concerned]

Here's a crazy idea...neighborhood pride should probably start with taking the guns and drugs out of that neighborhood first. You can paint all the hydrants you want and cover the street in mulch if you want, it won't mean anything if you don't really clean up the area. Like spraying cologne on a corpse to hide the smell.Typical borough solution.

[misterpr1981]

And what solutions would you offer, oh wise Concerned?

(That's not exactly true, because by cleaning up the aesthetics of the area, you can clean up the area itself. I've seen it done numerous times. And please, Freehold is by far the least dangerous area. Someone thinks the sky is falling. What a shocker!!)

[misterpr1981]

By the way, if you want to take the guns off the street, ban em completely!

[admin]

Jul 18, 2008 10:54:15 GMT -5 misterpr1981 said:

By the way, if you want to take the guns off the street, ban em completely!

Unless you want to live in a police state and give up your freedoms, that will never work. I have written several papers on gun control, based on balanced research, and the ban thing is not a viable option if we want a free society.

[admin]

Jul 18, 2008 10:56:31 GMT -5 lisas84 said:

MRPR1981 beat me to it: Indeed, if you are so "concerned" instead of complaining and spreading propaganda, what are you doing to be a part of the solution?

Or are you simply a miserable complainer who is simply content to just spew?

I have to say, I am middle of the road here. Concerned brings up good points, as does steve. Neighborhood pride should not be under valued and is a good thing. So is good effective law enforcement to ensure public safety and aid in that very pride we want.

Think about it. How would it sound if the town built a great new park and then all of a sudden it turned into a haven for hookers and drugheads.

Its all a valuable part of the big picture. Concerned is not too far off base.

[misterpr1981]

Jul 18, 2008 10:57:58 GMT -5 admin said:

Jul 18, 2008 10:54:15 GMT -5 misterpr1981 said:

By the way, if you want to take the guns off the street, ban em completely!

Unless you want to live in a police state and give up your freedoms, that will never work. I have written several papers on gun control, based on balanced research, and the ban thing is not a viable option if we want a free society.

That's a myth. That hasn't happened in Canada...... Why would it happen here? I don't know. America prides itself on being so tough about things, but it seems like everyone is afraid of anything and everything in this country. Everything is based around a culture of irrational fear and superstition. No wonder we can't get anything done anymore.

EDIT: Actually, I think Canada doesn't ban guns, but just as extremely harsh, strict laws against them. Still seems to be working really well.

[admin]

Jul 18, 2008 11:24:53 GMT -5 lisas84 said:

With all due respect, Brian, "Concerned" is solely looking to inject negativity, rain the parade. That comment was saracastic., to undermine the NPC's efforts.

With the greatest of respect to you, I have to disagree. Concerned brought up a couple of decent points. Would you advocate painting hydrants, mulching streets and leaving the guns and drugs out in the open? I doubt you would support that! It is all a part of the big picture. A better town.

[misterpr1981]

But if Concerned doesn't offer any solutions, then how are they decent posts? If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

[admin]

Jul 18, 2008 11:45:34 GMT -5 misterpr1981 said:

But if Concerned doesn't offer any solutions, then how are they decent posts? If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.

His/her first line was a solutioon-- a good one.

Here's a crazy idea...neighborhood pride should probably start with taking the guns and drugs out of that neighborhood first.

I don't think that is a bad idea, do you?

[stffgpr2003]

Here's a crazy idea...neighborhood pride should probably start with taking the guns and drugs out of that neighborhood first. You can paint all the hydrants you want and cover the street in mulch if you want, it won't mean anything if you don't really clean up the area. Like spraying cologne on a corpse to hide the smell.Typical borough solution.

There is a public safety element to the NPC and it's wrtten in the ordinance and mission statement. If a particular neighborhood requests it, they can have a "Crime Watch" program (just a possible) and/or increased patrols, etc.) considered/instituted Any other public safety and traffic concerns will also be discussed and addressed with everyone involved, including/especially the police.

In knocking on all the doors on Center Street last weekend, the neighborhood is not exactly terrified and largely enjoy living on their street. In fact, the residents were much more concerned with speeders on the street from a public safety standpoint. That is on the list of things to address.

The beauty of the NPC is that it can address just about anything a neighborhood may be concerned with. Once the NPC is out there working with the residents it establishes block captains to report back to the committee on a routine basis - the attention is ongoing and the progress continues. We will get to know the resisdents of Center Street quite well, over time - and most of their issues.

Read the book "Broken Windows" and see what kind of things Rudy Guiliani started with leading to progress in NYC. Squeegy Washers and Grafitti were the first to go and the rest is history. If I fix a busted window, so will my neighbors, it has been shown. As everyone raises their quality of life standards, at the same time, things just keep getting better. As a result of all this, neighborhoods improve - overall - and in every possible way. Solid, tried and true urban theory.

Negativism will not effect us. IT CAN'T POSSIBLY SUCCEED!!! Here is a quote from an email I just received from a resident in town: "I was happy to read about the recent progress. Your leadership and the work of the committee is starting result in some progress." Here's another from yesterday: "This morning, workers showed up at Gordon Vinyard Park with mulch for the playground, that borders Jackson and Center Streets. I'd like to thank you. I look forward to seeing recycle bins in the park ..."

There are many people, in town, behind this terrific effort, including a SRO committee (nearly 20 people) made up of some of our towns most involved citizenry. The people on Center Street are very appreciative of the early efforts and look forward to much more to come. We've only just begun. Their enthusiasm will not be diminished nor will we be deterred from satisfying our residents as best as we possibly can as we continue rolling through town - street by street. You can either get on or off the train...it will move forward with or without you. I SWEAR IT!!!!!

Marc