Concerned Citizens for a Better Brooklyn

www.BetterBrooklyn.org
Safety & Security Committee
Chairperson:  Richard Anderson


Housing Committe
Chairperson:  Lee Sparling


Zoning & Planning Committee
Chairperson:  Kennard Ayers


Parks & Recreation and the Arts Committee
Chairperson:  David Manoogian


Transportation Committee
Chairperson:  Richard Anderson


Sanitation Committee
Chairperson:  Kathleen Hogan


Environmental Oversight Committee
Chairperson:  to be determined


Liquor Advisory Committee
Co-Chair:  Gail Lehman
Co-Chair:  Chad J. Leverenz
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Concerned Citizens for a Better Brooklyn: 2005 Year in Review

CCBB had another successful year representing and advocating for the residents of Brooklyn. CCBB conducted well-attended monthly meetings, initiated numerous community events and projects, and participated in many partner organizations’ activities.  Here is a brief summary of our year:

 

Community Projects

 

Brooklyn Summer Nights

For the third year in a row, CCBB hosted several successful summer events in Garrett Park. These events, the Fourth of July Family Fun Festival and Brooklyn Nights Out at the Movies, featured family-friendly entertainment and food, games, and music in the park. CCBB held three Nights Out at the Movies this year (a planned fourth movie was cancelled due to rain). The Brooklyn Nights Out at the Movies were made possible by the Brooklyn O’Malley PAL Center, the Brooklyn and Curtis Bay Coalition, and the Brooklyn Church of God, all of which provided the necessary equipment for the events. Tell family and friends about these activities in 2006!

 

Gateway Beautification Initiative

The goal of the Gateway Beautification Initiative is to improve the visual appearance of the northern and southern gateways to the Brooklyn business district. The “Brooklyn Bridge" mural on the CSX bridge was completed in November and new welcome signage and landscaping will be completed in Spring 2006. This will correspond with planned road projects on the Potee St/Hanover St. corridor.

Community Clean-Ups

Spring & Fall Clean-Ups

These two community-wide clean-ups tackled Patapsco Avenue, Farring-Baybrook Park, Curtis Avenue, Pennington Avenue, and Hanover Street.  Over 90 participants were involved in the each cleanup!  Many local businesses and community organizations helped make these clean-ups a success.

Block Clean-Ups

At least once per month, CCBB members completed a block clean-up with the help of a City dumpster and tools, bags, and gloves provided by CCBB.

Citizens on Patrol (COP)

In cooperation with the Baltimore City Police Department Southern District, the SNAP Safety Committee, and several community organizations, the Citizens on Patrol has been active in coordinating citizen efforts to fight crime. 

 

Miscellaneous Activities

Our active members:

  • Participated in zoning decisions and other city legislative issues.
  • Worked with the Neighborhood Design Center and Morgan State University to conduct workshops for beautification on the Brooklyn Business District.
  • Participated in hearings regarding environmental concerns and development both in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel County.

 

Grants, Donations, and Fundraising

Grants

  • Parks and People Foundation: $100 for planting on S. Hanover Street/Patapsco Avenue intersection and tree pits in front of Maree Farring Elementary School.
  • Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods:  $20,600 for Gateway Beautification Initiative
  • Baltimore Community Foundation: $10,000 for Gateway Beautification Initiative
  • Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts:  $500 for Gateway Beautification Initiative

Donations/Contributors

 

Thank you to these organizations that made financial and in-kind donations to our 2005 events:

  • Acme Ladder
  • Aircraft Service Int’l Group (ASIG)
  • Ansam Metals
  • Baltimore Office of Promotion and The Arts
  • Brooklyn and Curtis Bay Coalition
  • Brooklyn Boosters Club
  • Brooklyn Church of God
  • Brooklyn Bait and Tackle
  • Brooklyn O’Malley PAL Center
  • Cherrywood Development
  • Constellation Energy
  • CSX Corporation
  • FMC Corporation
  • Image Engineering
  • J&L Vance, Inc.
  • Keller Truck Parts
  • Lions Club - Brooklyn Branch
  • Lucky’s Market
  • Miss Sandy’s Market
  • Modu-Tech
  • O’Brady’s Saloon
  • Stericycle
  • Sunrise Safety Services

 

Facts about CCBB

Cost of Membership:  $10 per family/$6 per individual per year 

Average Attendance at Monthly Meetings:  40 

Speakers/Guests at Monthly Meetings:  We average 2-3 speakers or guests per meeting, and had a total of approximately 25 speakers or guests attend our meetings in 2005. These individuals included residents active in advocacy issues, business people, and City and State representatives. 

Meeting Times:  Last Wednesday of every month at Maree Farring Elementary School at 300 Pontiac Avenue.  Meetings begin at 7:00 pm. 

Website:  www.betterbrooklyn.com

Officers and Board Members:  President: Patrick Moylan; Vice President: Richard Anderson; Secretary: Kennard Ayers; Treasurer: Rosemarie Green; At-Large Members: Tyschka Downs, Annette Raeke, Ben Saradji, Lee Sparling, Phyllis Williams.  All are Brooklyn residents.

More information: 410.354.6961; info@betterbrooklyn.com.

Finances:  A complete financial statement will be prepared and released at the CCBB monthly meeting on January 25. Year-end funds for 2004 = $1,739.99; funds as of Dec. 21, 2005 = $1,759.53

Plans for 2006

CCBB members have identified the following priorities for 2006: 

Community Association Core Functions

  • Monthly Meetings:  Continue providing forum where residents, school representatives, and businesses, and other concerned organizations, can discuss issues affecting our community. We will work to continue to increase membership, meeting attendance, and participation in community activities.
  • Represent Community Residents on Important Issues:  Each meeting, CCBB members are briefed on the latest zoning change requests, conditional use permits, environmental concerns, safety and sanitation issues, and many other topics of interest. CCBB provides feedback to city, state, and federal representatives on issues that affect Brooklyn residents.
  • Continue to Support SNAP Implementation:  CCBB is committed to continuing to work toward the completion of goals identified in the Brooklyn and Curtis Bay Strategic Neighborhood Action Plan (SNAP), in cooperation with other community organizations and city agencies. CCBB will coordinate with the Brooklyn and Curtis Bay Coalition (BCBC) on housing, code enforcement, and economic development issues.
Continuation of Successful CCBB Events 
  • Regular Clean-Up Activities:  We plan to continue sponsoring clean-up efforts in our community.  These include semi-annual community clean-ups and monthly block clean-ups.
  • Brooklyn Summer Nights:  We will continue these great park events in 2006. They include a 4th of July party and movie nights in Garrett Park. These have been ongoing since 2003, and provide excellent opportunities for gathering with neighbors and promote Brooklyn as a great place to live.
  • Citizens on Patrol:  CCBB and its members will continue to support the COP program and the Southern District Community Relations Council to fight drug activity, prostitution, and illegal dumping/littering.

2006 CCBB Improvement Projects 

  • Complete Gateway Beautification Initiative:  Add new signage and landscaping on the northern and southern gateways into the Brooklyn Business District. 
  • Brooklyn Streetscape Improvements:  To supplement the effort of our Gateway Beautification Initiative, CCBB plans to add streetscape improvements such as decorative trash cans, plantings, sidewalk repairs, litter remediation, lighting, trees, benches, and bus shelters.
  • Improve Garrett Park:  Improve park assets such as the Veteran’s Memorial, PAL Center, baseball field, tennis courts, basketball courts, and playground.