January 11, 2019 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Reverend Marva L. Mitchell

 

Neighborhood Spotlight: Reverend Marva L Mitchell (Retired), President of the Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association

1. How long have you lived in the New Orleans area and Edgewood Park?

I am a native New Orleans. I lived in California for a bit before returning in 1985. I have been living in Edgewood Park for 20 years.

 

2. How did you get involved in your neighborhood?

I became involved when my neighbors and I organized a neighborhood watch group in June of 2000. It quickly evolved into a Neighborhood Association, and we adopted the goals and objectives of supporting the quality of life and living of our neighborhood.

 

3. What do you love about your neighborhood?

It is a very welcoming, family-oriented, and quiet neighborhood, with close access to travel. I like the Oaks and the neutral ground, the avenues, the boulevards, the architecture, and the neighborhood’s history. I also love that it is close to numerous religious denominations and institutions.  

 

4. What successes have you had in your neighborhood?

We are part of the National Registry of Historic Places. We were originally a part of the Gentilly Terrace & Gardens Improvement Neighborhood Association but a few years ago we decided to start our own Edgewood Park Neighborhood Association. It was determined by Paul Cramer (Assistant Planner Administrator, City Planning Commission) that the new boundaries were set and approved as part of this accomplishment.

Additionally, we were awarded two grants this year. The first grant was from the Parks and Parkways Commission to build a garden on the neutral ground by the signage. The second was from the New Orleans Tricentennial Committee to make upgrades to our neighborhood signs located on the Franklin/Gentilly and Franklin/Sage intersections by providing additional neighborhood information to them. We also had the pleasure of celebrating the New Orleans Tricentennial at the Night Out Against Crime.

 

5. What are you working on right now in your neighborhood?

We are planning numerous activities, including a membership drive, a catch basin clean-up day, our annual rummage sale, our annual social, charitable giving, and more.

 

6. Any words of advice for other neighborhood leaders and change makers?

My advice to other neighborhood leaders is to be active participants, by voicing their ideas, and attending/supporting meetings and activities. Don’t support by simply your presence alone but also with monetary and in-kind gifts. Also, encourage your neighbors (especially the young residents!) to be active participants in the neighborhood.

 

7. Share some random facts about yourself!

I am a retired clergy of the United Methodist Church. I am not held back by my 82 years of age. I like being busy, active, and I don’t like to cook. I like being in leadership. I am a dreamer with a broad imagination and a planner. I like to read and play the piano. I am not stymied by my health challenges. I am a mother, grandmother, and a great-grandmother.

November 8, 2018 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Evans Thibodeaux

 

1.How long have you lived in the New Orleans area and Aurora Gardens?

I have lived in New Orleans since 1973 and in Aurora Gardens since 1985.

 

2.How did you get involved in your neighborhood?

A neighbor invited me to join the Aurora Gardens Neighborhood Association. As a member of the Kiwanis Club of Algiers, I was introduced to the COPS4 program, as well as the Friends of the Algiers Courthouse. With COPS4, we work to help supplement items for the 4^th District since they have such a limited budget.

You know, after spending 35 years offshore in the oil and gas industry, I wasn’t aware that we had so many selfless and caring people in our community. Once my eyes were opened to all of the folks who served, it inspired me. I’m an action-oriented person. There is so much that people want to talk about but, I say, let’s just do it. That’s one of the reasons I started moderating the APAC meetings each month for NOPD.

 

3.What do you love about your neighborhood?

I love the trees. They are absolutely beautiful. I also love the spaciousness of the lots. I never wanted to live so close to another house that I could hear my neighbors talk.

 

4.What successes have you had in your neighborhood?

The work that we did with the Seaside Group Home was a major success for our neighborhood. With a dedicated group of 12 residents, we were able to combat a multi-million dollar entity. As a neighborhood we have also participated heavily in catch basin cleanups.

 

5.What are you working on right now in your neighborhood?

I’m still doing my neighborhood patrol in the morning. I try to be out of the house between 3-3:30 AM. During the course of my patrols, I met two individuals, one who walks every morning throughout the neighborhood, and another who waits for his bus. My neighbor gets to the bus stop a little early and I wait with him until it comes so that he feels safer. My other neighbor who walks, does so every morning except for Thursday when she spends her morning cooking so that she can feed some of our neighbors who may be ill.

 

6.Any words of advice for other neighborhood leaders and change makers?

Be a change agent. Be the change you seek. Change is going to come, but you have got to come with it. I truly believe that there is very little that happens that someone isn’t aware of.

 

7.Share some random fact about yourselves!

When I was 17, I walked up to my father and shook his hand. I told him that he had done a good job of raising me and I appreciated him. However, I thought it was time to be an adult and I had my self legally emancipated. I joined the Marine Corps a few weeks later. I’ve always been very independent and was ready to take care of myself. 

October 8, 2018 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Betty Dimarco and Mary Green, of Carrollton United

Mary Green (Left) and Betty Dimarco (right)

How long have you both lived in the Carrollton area + New Orleans?

Betty Dimarco: I have lived in New Orleans since 1972 and moved to the Carrollton area in 1973. I have lived in three locations in Carrollton – first on Fern St., second on Plum St. and since 1978 I have lived on Birch St.

Mary Green: I was born and raised in New Orleans. My family moved to Carrollton, at 8638 Cohn Street, when I was 5 years old. I attended St. Joan of Arc, James Weldon Johnson Elementary, Alfred C. Priestley Middle and Alcee Fortier Sr. High Schools. I got married and moved away to the Westbank for 20 years, but returned 25 years ago to 8520 South Claiborne Avenue.

 

How did you each get involved in Carrollton United?

Betty: I attended a few Carrollton United meetings before Hurricane Katrina, while I was on the Carrollton Riverbend Neighborhood Assoc. (CRNA) board. Carrollton United was formed in order for whites and blacks from different neighborhood organizations to get to know one another. After Hurricane Katrina, I felt a need to become more active with Carrollton United and have been involved since. At the present time, Carrollton United works around quality of life issues in the Leonidas area.

Mary: I am an inaugural member of Carrollton United. I attended the first meeting on one cold, rainy Saturday, where City leaders laid out the plan to give communities grant money to help with services, programs, etc. I worked closely with the late Jean Fisher and Nadine Hanneman.

 

What do you both love about your neighborhood?

Betty: My Leonidas/Carrollton neighborhood is very diverse by race, age and income and I find that to be extremely beneficial in bringing neighbors together. My home is close to everything that I need. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Mary: Easy access to almost everything! From my home, I am in walking distance to a grocery, pharmacy, bus and streetcar lines, the bank, fast food outlets, restaurants, and 2 parks. Of utmost importance, my Church is also in close proximity. Carrollton is also multi-generational and historically had a large percentage of homeowners (until Katrina).

 

What successes have you both had in your neighborhood?

Betty: Before I was involved in Carrollton United, the organization was instrumental in bringing commerce (Roberts and Walgreens) back to the corner of Carrollton and Claiborne. Carrollton United has been successful in keeping the organization diverse which has led to neighbors working together. One of our African-American members had never worked with European-Americans before getting involved with an effort to keep a neighborhood school open. This effort has not been successful but Carrollton United still believes a community school for neighborhood children is much needed.

Mary: Robert’s grocery, Walgreens, Harrell playground, and a couple of new community schools (albeit limited enrollment).

 

What are you both working on right now in your neighborhood?

Betty: Currently, Carrollton United is working with CRNA and Housing NOLA to get the HANO lots in our community developed as affordable living spaces. Since Katrina, this area has become much less affordable for a large population. Carrollton United is also working with Okra Abbey, a community garden and feeding ministry, run by the National Presbyterian Church. Carrollton United, CRNA and Lycee’ Francais School are planning a neighborhood cleanup in December.

Mary: Blight, affordable housing, crime, and assisting residents with extremely disproportionate SWB bills.

 

Any words of advice for other neighborhood leaders and change makers?

Betty: Don’t give up amongst all the chaos created by bureaucracy. Keep equity, diversity and inclusion at the forefront of everything you do. And listen more than you speak.

Mary: Yes, don’t forget the Pension Town community!!

 

Share some random facts about yourselves!

Betty: I practice Kundalini yoga weekly. And I retired to be more active in my community and I love it.

Mary: I am a proud resident of Carrollton, which was the proverbial “village,” which nurtured and cared for the youth of the community, had respect for the elderly, and valued each other’s rights! I have a PhD in Nursing – Psychiatric Community/Behavioral Health Nursing; I am a grandmother of 3; a great-grandmother of 1, with another to be born on the 17th of this month; I am a strong, unapologetic human rights advocate and member of Blessed Sacrament-St. Joan of Arc Catholic parish!!

 

September 12, 2018 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Robert McKnight

1. How long have you lived in your neighborhood? 

I have  lived in Gert Town since birth! My family roots run deep in Gert Town for several generations. Not only are my parents from Gert Town, but also my grandparents, on both my maternal and paternal sides are from Gert Town. I intend to remain in Gert Town, and continue to raise my ten-year old son in this neighborhood because we are inextricably connected to this community. 

 

2. What do you love about your neighborhood? 

I love the culture of my neighborhood. I love the sense of family in my neighborhood. I love the size of Gert Town, more specifically, I love the central location. We are a 15 minute drive to the airport going West, wedged between Earhart Blvd. and Carrollton Ave. Gert Town is 10 minutes from the Superdome, City Hall, and University Medical Center.   

 

 3. What successes have you had in your neighborhood?

I have experienced success in conducting several free legal clinics for the residents of Gert Town. More specifically, as a licensed attorney and notary in Louisiana, I offer free legal advice and notary services to those residents living in Gert Town. Additionally, I have worked with schools in my neighborhood to provide mentorship and also assisted with coaching at Gert Town Park. However, to date, my chief success is co-founding Together Gert Town Neighborhood Association. Together Gert Town seeks to advocate for organized activities within our neighborhood and promote the general health, safety and well-being of Gert Town residents.

 

 4. What advice would you give to other neighborhood leaders?

Advice I would give other neighborhood leaders is to know that solving the big problems in their communities starts with helping others to accomplish more. Additionally, leaders should place a greater emphasis on improving strengths in their community. I am truly excited about the future of New Orleans, but also the sustainability and togetherness of Gert Town. 

 

5. Why do you love New Orleans? 

New Orleans can be loved for a plethora of reasons. For example, the food, architecture, art and music. However, I love New Orleans for its resiliency. It would have been easy and completely understandable if New Orleanians had abandoned their homes post Hurricane Katrina. But we didn’t. Our love, collectively, for New Orleans was that strong and has brought the city up from what could have been its watery grave.     

August 23, 2018 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Ann Legaux, Villa Sites/South Shores

How long have you been a resident of New Orleans East?

I moved into Villa Sites in 1972 fresh out of college, newly married, and planning to have a family. We bought a house at 7310 Weaver Avenue.

What do you love about your neighborhood?

I love living in a house that has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms as opposed to the single shot gun with only one bedroom and a kitchen in the back. My house in Villa Sites, for the first time in my life, allowed me to have some spacious living.

What success have you had with your neighborhood association?

When I first moved to Villa Sites, there was this vacant lot next to me that had high grass and weeds. I mean, like 6 foot corn roves. The chairwoman of Villa Sites was Barbara Woodford at the time. She taught me how to go down to City Hall and find out who the owner is, and continue to follow through until I could live more comfortably without rodents coming from my shared property.  Now the owner comes to cut the grass every two weeks.

Let me tell you how I became president of Villa Sites after Barbara finished training me: I had a house next door to me on the other side that had been gutted after Katrina. I moved to the next address in 1981. Fast forward to 2005, I am doing fine and love my neighbors. There had been a house that been gutted but no one came back for 5 or 10; there was grass and trees that were so tall that cats were sleeping on the roof. Every evening I was looking at cats on the roof from my bedroom upstairs. I then had to go back to City Hall and use what Barbara had taught me.  We finally got the owner to sell the property and now I have a neighbor who is very friendly and very neat; I love it.

Shortly after becoming president of Villa Sites, I attended the Mayor’s Civic Leadership Academy. It was an eight week class at City Hall where they had various department heads come in and share their purpose and describe the various ways they connected and worked with us. That eight week class gave me confidence that I had partners to help us improve our quality of life. There were five other commissioners from ENONAC there as well, and I can now see them in various meetings. I can see the positive effect of that leadership class and I see it continuing.

So do you have any upcoming projects?

We are excited to be celebrating the New Orleans Tricentennial. I was encouraged by NEO to apply for a Tricentennial neighborhood grant. Our focus was on cleaning up the neighborhood, and we ended up receiving $1000. I got neighbors to help clean our streets. We made a sign that said “Villa Sites: Proud and Litter Free. All of our neighborhood association members have a sign in their yard! If you have the sign it means that you have committed every week to make sure all the litter on your street was picked up. Secondly, we had three events where we informed all of our neighbors as well as ENONAC commissioners about different events that were going on. We also participated in the Mayor’s kickoff at the Sanger Theatre. My neighbors and I love celebrating our City.  

June 28, 2018 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Pastor Mel Jones, Pontilly Coffeeshop

Where do you live in New Orleans?

I've lived in New Orleans for 12 years now. I live in New Orleans East, off of Crowder and Morrison, behind the Goretti Church. My first time living in New Orleans, however, was from 1962 to 1982. At that time, I lived in Pontchartrain Park. It later combined with Gentilly Woods to form what is now Pontilly. Back then, Gentilly Woods was Caucasian and Pontchartrain Park was black. Thank God we've merged. 

 

How long have you lived in New Orleans?

I've lived in New Orleans for 65 years. 

 

How has the community changed?

Before Katrina, their were stable neighborhoods in a mixed community. We had good schools and elderly homes that were built in the 1950s and 1960s. We    also had many working class first generation African American homeowners and even our own golf course. Another good thing was the community produced a lot of African American leaders for New Orleans. After Katrina, the community, however, is changing for the better. There are people from different cultures and socio-economic classes living together. Additionally, people are buying homes and communities are being established again.

As a leader in your community, how do you spread the message of love?

Our Pontilly Coffee House is actually a ministry to reach out to people and inform them it is a faith based ministry that services the community giving good food and services. 

 

What is an accomplishment of which you are proudest? And why?

I'm proud that we can help bring back the Pontilly community.

 

Any random facts?

The Pontilly community has been resilient and is making a comeback. We will succeed because of the diversity in this community. 

 

Why do you love New Orleans?

Food, culture and God put me here for a reason. 

May 15, 2018 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Pastor JB Watkins, Faubourg St. Roch Improvement Association

1. How long have you lived in your neighborhood?  I have lived in the St. Roch neighborhood for 11 years.
2. What do you love about your neighborhood?  A few things I love about my neighborhood include its diversity, historic nature, as well as its authenticity and raw character.
3. What successes have you had in your neighborhood?  In our neighborhood, we have successfully transformed a former corner grocery store into a community church that has become a safe space for a variety of activities such as neighborhood community meetings, Narcotics Anonymous meetings, after school programs and youth activities along with other programs geared toward affordable housing etc.
4. Based on your success in St. Roch, what advice would you give to other neighborhood leaders?  My advice to other neighborhood leaders would include, getting to intimately know the people of your neighborhood-not just those who are affluent but also those often overlooked.  I would also encourage leaders to be present amongst the people and to always keeping first and foremost the interest and wellbeing of the community as a whole as your primary goal.  I would also encourage leaders to preserver in the good work knowing that your work is not in vain.
5. Why do you love New Orleans?  I love New Orleans for multiple reasons, but primarily because of its authenticity-its unapologetic stance at being unique and real.  And of course it's history, food, and music.

April 3, 2018 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Hannah Lignon

How long have you lived in your neighborhood?

We just moved here at the tail end of 2016 when we bought our first home.

Why did you choose DeSaix?

We chose the DeSaix area because it is a hidden gem. It's centrally located, right off the interstate, walkable to Jazzfest and City Park, bike-able to the French Quarter where my husband cooks, affordable for our modest income, low in crime, rich in cultural and musical history, and filled with a diverse population of folks with generational roots here who take great pride in their homes. The train tracks down the block were lagniappe for my train-obsessed preschooler and probably sealed the deal, to be honest.

What do you love about your neighborhood?

Unfortunately, just about every house on my street was flooded August 5th last year when the pumps failed. However, what I saw in the aftermath of that was truly beautiful. Neighbors congregated and shared resources and best practices for how to tear out sheetrock and rebuild, we borrowed each other's tools, and we generally just had each other's backs--that, to me, is what a neighborhood should be.

What successes have you had in your neighborhood?

My neighborhood's successes are the result of years of dedication from the other board members of the DeSaix Area Neighborhood Association. Our current Secretary, Cathy Boutte, has served in many roles on our board over the years and disseminates information via email to our members almost daily. She lovingly creates the original holiday decorations you might see on the DeSaix bridge over the bayou, coordinates new projects and partners with community stakeholders to drive initiatives for crime reduction and neighborhood beautification. Before I even lived here, D.A.N.A. successfully prevented a big box drugstore from disrupting this peaceful little corner of the city. I aim to marry my grassroots activist's passion with listening to and learning from the long-established residents and civic leaders in my neighborhood to ensure future work aligns with community needs.

Based on your success in your neighborhood, what advice would you give other neighborhood leaders?

Engage the people who show up and be tenacious when you believe in your project. If there is a large segment of your community who do not have the privilege of time to volunteer and serve, their voices are just as important as those who do have more time, and special care should be taken to consult them before making major changes. 

 

November 2, 2017 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Melanie Thompson of Kingswood Subdivision Improvement District

This month's Neighborhood Spotlight features Ms. Melanie Thompson, president of Kingswood Subdivision Improvement District. Ms. Thompson loves her neighborhood of 18 years, and has worked tirelessly on revitilization efforts at Kingswood playground and on other initiatives. 

How long have you lived in your neighborhood? Why did you choose Kingswood? 

18 years. I chose Kingswood because it reminded me of the neighborhood I grew up in, but with a little something extra. It has a playground and a park, and is an excellent community to raise a family in.  

What do you love about your neighborhood?

I love my neighbors and the close proximity to the interstate: 20 minutes or less from downtown and 5 minutes away from Lake Pontachatrain. It's just excellent for commuting.

What successes have you had in your neighborhood?

The Kingswood KaBoom Build, the solar lighting project, the new fencing project, the installation of a new median, Security and Neighborhood watch program, Project Nola, and the landscaping at our front entrance. 

Based on your success in the Kingswood neighborhood, what advice would you give to other neighborhood leaders?

Persistence and endurance, along with patience, are the keys to revitalization. But I can’t forget to mention that having an amazing team of people to work with is also vital. We cannot do this alone!

Why do you love New Orleans or what do you love the most about it?

The culture and the people are what make New Orleans the most desirable place to visit. It has its own vibe unlike anywhere else I visit.

**I need to add that I cannot be the sole leader without mentioning the work of Theresa Guillen. She’s not only my neighbor, but she’s my right hand woman. None of this would be possible without her! 

July 5, 2017 | From City of New Orleans

Neighborhood Spotlight: Mary Fanning Horaist from Audubon Riverside

Mary Fanning Horaist, a longtime resident of the Audubon Riverside neighborhood, tells Neighborhood Engagement a little about the place she calls home. 

How long have you lived in your neighborhood?

I have lived in my neighborhood for roughly thirty-eight years, in two packets of time, combined.
I was born and raised in this neighborhood, surrounded by family, friends and schoolmates for nearly twenty-six years. I later married under the archway of my family home and moved away,
ultimately divorced, but remained there until that home flooded in Hurricane Katrina. I had the opportunity to return to my family home, high and dry, and resided between locations, as I restored and prepared to sell that home. My sister made it possible for me to acquire the balance of the interest in our family home, making it truly now my family home.

What do you love about your neighborhood?
The beauty of it all. I love going down the streets where each home is characteristically different from the others. Growing up here, I came to appreciate the value of architecture, the sensibilities of scale and what they bring to a community. Further, as a child, as we traveled the streets of our city, both in the car and using Public Service buses and streetcars, my Dad would say, "Look up! Do you see how beautiful it is - how the oak tree branches form a natural arch across the entire street? Do you know how lucky we are to get to see these every day? Always be grateful for the people who had the vision to plant these trees - and for the people who take care of these trees - we are so blessed with beauty around us."  Definitely, the natural beauty...and the people.

What successes have you had in your neighborhood?
I'd say, as for successes, it has been a slow process. In this era, my progress seemed to have been at a snail's pace. Since I first returned after Katrina, my focus, immediately and admittedly, was personal, delaying my re-engagement with my new/old community as I had to focus first on rebuilding what I had lost, as did so many others in our tri-parish area.  Simultaneously with that rebuilding, I had to deal with the demands of handling my mother's final affairs while assessing what damage the family home had endured. In addition to getting the roof replaced, I later discovered hidden termite damage with which I later had to deal.

I had to find a part time job, as I, like so many other people, had also lost my place of employment to Katrina. Fortunately, I was blessed with both the opportunity to assist another parish in its rebuilding one of its essential departments, and, later, in a different position for a different agency, help, in a support capacity, the flood protection projects which now protect us.  Each position allowed me to have met some wonderfully inspiring people there, learning and expanding my knowledge along the way. I was struck by how each community had its own challenges and how each met them. It was an honor to serve. To me, serving is succeeding.

Once I sold my other house and obtained this home, I began the process of updating this one and making it mine. (Ongoing process). As I was doing that, I began to explore the neighborhood, finding, over time, that my old and new neighborhood had changed drastically since I had last lived here. As a result, I had to reach out in civic, community and spiritual areas, as I found that I, literally, knew very few people in this "new" neighborhood.

I began attending community meetings, not just in my area, but for the city. I have taken courses. I have reached out to our leaders' staff members when issues arise, appreciating their timely response, with which I have been very pleased.  My successes continue to be defined every day.

I have discovered that, although quiet, there are people working in committed diligence to improve the quality of life across this area, this city and beyond, even into other parts of the world. It has been inspiring. Somehow, their successes dwarf my own.

Based on your success in ARNA, what advice would you give to other neighborhood leaders?
I believe this city is filled with intelligent people whose ideas, along with a portion of time and commitment, are vital for the success and support of our city. I also believe that presenting your ideas in a respectful forum for discussion, without malice, combined with a willingness to not
just hear, but listen to each other, allows your neighborhood to find the important issues, mostly requiring a portion of compromise that you can live with, which you can present to city officials and really get their attention for action. We also need to truly respect how city finances and resources can best be used for the common good. Lastly, start, if you haven't, as yet, to utilize media resources to inform and build community, especially when time management has become so challenging. We are stronger as communities than we are alone. Respect and the "Golden Rule" practices apply, always.

Why do you love New Orleans?
Simply put: New Orleans is my home. Even though I left for a while, it has never left my heart.
I love the beauty, the music, the arts, the architecture, the flora and fauna; the people who usually DON'T MAKE the news but MAKE THE DIFFERENCE for the good in each other’s' lives; Audubon, Tulane, Loyola, U.N.O., Xavier, Dillard, SUNO, Holy Cross, Delgado and ALL the institutions of learning; the Fine restaurants and the Corner restaurants; the Lakefront, City Park, and Popp's Fountain - (I'd like to see it open for the citizens more hours, as the writing along its wall states); the Neighborhoods; the Saints, the Pelicans and all the athletes; the Museums and the Libraries;
and...the imperfections that keep us REAL and not "Cookie-cutter perfection" as if some "UFO" hovered over the city and just dropped us, our homes, and our shrubbery one by one, in boring vanilla-dom.