Minutes from the April 2, 2007

Meeting of Martin Drive Neighborhood

Minutes from the April 2, 2007 Meeting of the

Martin Drive Neighborhood Association

Introductions were cut short since we had no new neighbors present.  But the 16 people in attendance were a different configuration than last month.  The mixture makes for good decisions from a broader base.

Our annual meeting will be on May 14th at the Washington Park Senior Center. 

• Doors will be open at 6:00 with the meeting starting at 6:30.   
• Joey from the Urban Ecology Center newly settled in Washington Park will be our guest presenter.
• Snacks, beverages, paper products will be available.  Anyone is welcome to bring snacks/beverages of your choice to share. 
• Lynn and Herbie will be at the sign-in table to welcome guests. 
• The following people offered to provide door prizes: Al & Betty, Pat M. and Kary   
• We encourage neighbors to bring perennials that they would like to share.

Pat M. has sent a letter to Steve Mahan at the DCD for the paint and rebate program.  Pat hopes for news by the May Annual meeting.

June 16, 2007 will be the annual rummage sale from 8:30 - 2:00.  Sharon W. will again take care of the advertising, possibly churches as well as Milw. Journal and signs.  Signs should go west of us as well as at intersections on Juneau and the big one on Vliet.

April Newsletter rough draft has been completed and reviewed by Terri and Linda H.  There will be six pages including minutes of the meetings.

A plan of action for the neighborhood was drawn up by Pat M. and Sharon W. 

• It will be presented to Mike Shubert at the Greater Milwaukee Foundation by June 11th. 
• Pat has contacted Select Milwaukee to be our nonprofit partner. 
• The basic plan is to assist buyers to purchase duplexes as live in neighbors. 
• Pat will be their guide through the experience of being first time owners as well as landlords. 
• The plan is for front porches and landscaping to be improved with money from the foundation. 
• Our goal is to have porch lights on every house in the neighborhood particularly 43rd Street.
• They expect help from Making Connections' Bob Clarke as far as the video is concerned. 
• Sharon feels that her nephew would be able to produce the video.  This would mean we would be

encouraging neighbors to say a few words about why they live in MDN at the annual meeting.

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The Shepherd Express is celebrating 25 years in business by providing concerts at Washington Park in collaboration with Johnson Controls. 

• Battle of the Bands will be in June
• The jazz concerts will return in July
• REO Speedwagon will appear in August

Pat D. reported that the meeting at the police district #3 was 90% hopeful that crime will be going down with the reorganization of the districts into segments.  Part of the hope is that the police will be more flexible in response time.  The police kept repeating that they want to work with neighbors.

Positive news of the neighbors is the Market Basket program available at the Senior Center.  The Highland Pie and Park Café has new owners, Chris and Rich Metzger and their daughter, Sarah Buzzel.  Wild animals have made their appearances around the area in particular, possums, raccoons, a wild turkey and a great horned owl.  Martin Drive must be a good healthy place to live.            

Submitted by  Maggie B. 4/4/07