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NEW UNPA WEB-SITE
LAUNCHES!
Since you are reading this message, you have found our new web site.
Welcome.
Many thanks to Sean Hovendick of Studio
Fusion for the design and production of our new site. A member of
our marketing committee, Sean worked with us to completely redesign
our identity including a new logo, stationery, brochure and other materials.
If you have any questions, additions, links, corrections, comments,
or would like to submit a testimonial about the neighborhood or UNPA,
please do not hesitate to contact our webmaster, at webmaster@unpa.net
or our Executive Director, Joanne Stewart at director@unpa.net.
We appreciate your input.
NEIGHBORHOOD MONEY FLOWS…
After months of delay, $10 million from the third round of the federally
funded Syracuse Neighborhood Initiative is starting to flow into city
neighborhoods. The $10 million was the most recent allocation from $25
million in federal money secured by Rep. James Walsh, R-Onondaga, for
the initiative, designed to improve city neighborhoods.
The Westcott Area is one of the neighborhoods designated to receive
about $2 million for revolving low interest loan and grant programs
for home improvements from the initiative. The money for four neighborhoods
was announced last August, but without specific plans in place. Mayor
Driscoll decided to review how the initiative money was being used.
For more than a year, committee members in the Westcott Area met once
or twice a week to come up with plans for the initiative money. The
plan included money to market the area and to pay for green space. They
hope to hold a neighborhood meeting August 4 or 5th to unveil the revised
Westcott plan.
A public meeting to explain the program is scheduled for Wednesday,
August 14, 7PM, Levy School Cafeteria.
HELLO, IT’S ME…
My name is Joanne Stewart. I have been the Executive Director of UNPA
since August 2001 when Maura Benton left Syracuse to move to Lansing,
Michigan, where she and her husband, Kelly, are working with Michigan
State University. Maura is a Development Officer, and Kelly is Director
of Career Services for this prestigious institution. Although they reside
in a similar University Neighborhood to our own, they miss the diversity
and openness of the people of Syracuse very much.
A little bit about myself: I served as Secretary of UNPA with Maura.
My husband, David, and I reside at 962 Westmoreland Avenue. Prior to
buying our home 16 years ago, we rented as students. We attended Syracuse
University and the State University College of Environmental Science
& Forestry. I have also held positions with Syracuse University
College of Law, Upstate Medical University, and was a Visiting Professor
of the School of Landscape Architecture at SUNY-ESF. My children, Ian,
16, and Sydney, 11, attend Nottingham High School and Ed Smith Elementary
School, respectively. They attended day care at the former Wesley Day
Care Center and Bassett School, and continue to participate in Summer
Session at Syracuse University. Ian is a double bass player with the
315 All Stars, an award winning jazz orchestra. "315" represents
our area code. He is one of only a few musicians in the group that represent
Syracuse City Schools. David and I work in Downtown Syracuse. I grew
up in Eastwood. So, you see, we are "died in the wool" City
dwellers, City workers, and City educated.
David and I like to say we are "typical" University Neighborhood
pioneers. When we first saw our future home on Westmoreland, it was
run-down rental property. Eight students were living under the roof
using every room in the house except for the living room and kitchen
for bedrooms (including the dining room). It was dirty, dark and dingy.
David saw its potential. I was seven months pregnant with Ian and had
my doubts. We took the plunge anyway, bought the house and are still
living in it today. It’s a beautiful bungalow. We are on our second
remodel and loving it.
Although we did not benefit from an UNPA grant (UNPA did not exist at
the time), we
bought the house anyway and proceeded to accomplish what I refer to
proudly as "a little piece of what UNPA is all about"… buying
back the neighborhood one house at a time!
INTRODUCTIONS ARE IN ORDER…
We are proud to announce the appointment of the 2002-2003 Board
of Directors.
Jim Messenger of Messenger & Elliott, Attorneys at Law, will serve
as President. Tim Rice, a former Legislator, active in most of the neighborhood
organizations, will serve as Treasurer. Chris Capella Peters, a regional
representative of the NYS Office of Parks & Recreation / State Historic
Preservation Office and Visiting Professor of the State University College
of Forestry / School of Landscape Architecture, will serve as Secretary.
Other Board Members include: Jamie Williams, Architect with Woolley
Morris; Sue Wetzel of Le Moyne College; David Michel, President of Community
Preservation Corporation and Former Commissioner of Economic Development
/ City of Syracuse; Laura Martin, representative of SEUNA; Barbara Humphrey,
of Upstate Medical University, representative of TNT and SNI, and Former
Director of Westcott Community Development Corporation; Sidney Moore,
Director of Human Resources of Deluxe Printing Services; Melissa Reider,
Grants Officer of Onondaga Community College; Donia Zilles, of Cooper
Industries and Former Neighborhood City Planner; Kate Auwaerter of The
Downtown Committee; Joanne Arany of Rosamond Gifford Foundation; Andrew
Besemer of Gallinger/GMAC Real Estate; David Sutherland, a landlord
and instructor at Syracuse University; Lynne Kelley, Assistant Principal
of Levy Middle School; Robert Doucette, a real estate developer; Beth
Rougeux, Executive Director of Government & Community Relations
/ Syracuse University; and Fernando Ortiz, Commissioner of Community
Development / City of Syracuse.
What a line-up!
The majority of these people are residents of the University Neighborhood.
Some are UNPA Grant recipients. But, they share one thing in common…
they believe in what UNPA is striving to do in partnership with Syracuse
University and the City of Syracuse in this neighborhood.
See our Board of Directors page
for a list of names, committees, and contact information.
THINK ABOUT JOINING US…
WHAT: Annual Meeting
WHEN: Wednesday, September 18, 7PM
WHERE: Ed Smith School Cafetorium
In addition to a short annual report by UNPA President, Jim Messenger,
Mayor Matt Driscoll has agreed to speak on a topic with regards to concerns
about comprehensive planning, accountability, and communication. These
issues are directly related to Driscoll’s campaign promise that he would
"run the City like a business".
How is he doing?
Hope to see you there!
THE TROLLEY TOUR WAS A "ROLLING" SUCCESS…
In June, did you happen to notice a Trolley making its way through our
neighborhood? Some of you did, I saw you wave. Thanks for the neighborly
greeting!
Over 60 people took the 30-minute ride on the UNPA Trolley to enjoy
the view and hear a bit of history about our neighborhood thanks to
Pei Lin Huang, of Prudential First Properties, who sponsored the event,
and Chris Capella Peters, of the State Historic Preservation Office
(and a neighborhood resident), who narrated the tour.
Several of those who rode the Trolley and those people who could not
make the trip, asked that UNPA do it again. So, we have planned another
tour during the Westcott Cultural Fair on Sunday, September 22, from
11 AM – 4 PM.
Sponsors for this tour will be Ed
Glassberg of Coldwell Banker Real Estate, Pei
Lin Huang of Prudential First Properties, Andrew
Besemer of Gallinger/GMAC Real Estate, and Debb Parker of Commonfund
Mortgage Corporation.
Watch this page for more information about the Trolley Tour.
For information on the Westcott Cultural Fair, go to www.westcottcc.org/wscf1.htm.
UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORS "DREAM THE IMPOSSIBLE DREAM"…
April showers brought 150 University Neighbors out of their homes to
come together at Syracuse Stage to honor UNPA with their presence and
the benefit of their contributions. They enjoyed delicious desserts
(many of them donated by Provisions Bakery and direct from Laura Martin’s
Kitchen), and another entertaining and professional production of the
Syracuse University Drama Department, "Man of La Mancha".
$1,200 was raised from the event that was enough to support one mortgage
assistance grant.
THE PLAY IS THE THING…
You are cordially invited to join your university neighborhoods for
an evening of desserts and theatre in support of the University Neighborhood
Preservation Association.
The next Annual UNPA Dessert Theatre Benefit is planned to be held at
Syracuse Stage, April 24, 2003. Dessert social will begin 7PM. Show
time is 8PM. The play "…Into the Woods" will be performed
by the Syracuse University Drama Department.
More information will be posted as becomes available.
WELCOMING THE STUDENTS BACK…
It is time for the Office of Off-Campus Student Services to assemble
the Off-Campus Student Welcoming Team. The Team consists of students,
faculty, staff, law enforcement officials in the community, and neighbors.
Each member of the team is responsible for going door to door in the
neighborhoods adjacent to the University and distributing packets of
information to students related to living off campus. The packets contain
information about off-campus student safety, city ordinances, and how
to get involved in the community. Last year through the assistance of
many committed individuals and neighborhood groups (including UNPA),
we successfully delivered information to approximately 1000 rental units.
If you are interested in participating, the Welcoming Team will be meeting
on Sunday, August 25, 2002, beginning at 12 PM at the Westcott Community
Center, 826 Euclid Avenue. All volunteers receive a free T-shirt and
a meal catered by the Dinosaur Barbeque. Dessert will be served at the
new Office of Off-Campus Student Services, 754 Ostrom Avenue, following
the meal.
Please contact Laura Platler, Office of Off-Campus Student Services,
443-5489, by August 16.
SU BUILDS STUDENT COMMUNITY TIES…
Syracuse University has a new office service students with off-campus
housing and safety issues. They have added the task of also playing
peacemaker between the permanent residents in the city neighborhoods
and the students who live there on a temporary basis. "Being able
to keep the peace means we need to get students involved in the community",
said Laura Madelone, Director. "We want to encourage good citizenship."
The office at 754 Ostrom Avenue (443-5489) will help students find apartments
listings, refer them for legal help in negotiating a lease or getting
a security deposit back, and offer educational programs on safety and
how to be a good neighbor. The office will head off conflicts with permanent
neighborhood residents over issues such as parking, noise or litter
by educating students about the responsibilities of off-campus living.
Part of their job is to make students understand that they live in a
residential community that has a mix of single people, families with
young children, and senior citizens. Getting the students involved in
the neighborhood is one way to make them think about how their actions
may affect the people around them.
Students can volunteer at the Westcott Community Center, with neighborhood
associations, or organize litter cleanups on their streets. Madelone
wants to try to organize block parties so the students and residents
get to know one another. She also envisions assigning either a student
or permanent resident to serve as a block captain so that either the
university or the community can disseminate information to all residents.
The new office has already started fielding calls from students, parents,
and neighbors.
GETTING ALONG…
Here are things Laura Madelone, Director of SU’s new Office of
Off-Campus Student Services, wishes neighbors and students understood
about each other:
Three things students should know about their neighbors: (1) There are
not just students living in the neighborhood, (2) There are many opportunities
to become involved in the neighborhood, (3) Don’t be afraid to
knock on a neighbor’s door and ask for help.
Three things permanent residents should know about students: (1) Students
may need help or information about living off-campus, (2) Students are
concerned about their safety, (3) Students have a different lifestyle
because of the nature of their schedules. They often stay up late studying
or sleep during the day.
FREE ENERGY AUDITS AVAILABLE…
Free Energy Audits are available to University Neighbors through Entherm.
Entherm is a local weatherization company that performs home energy
audits under the New York State Energy Star Program. In addition to
climbing in and out of attics, certified energy auditors can help homeowners
prioritize their home improvement needs. Low 5% loans are also available
through this program to finance energy-related work using Fannie Mae
and NYSERDA funding. Grants are also available for people whose household
income is 60% of the NYS Median Income. Eligible energy saving measures
includes: insulation, ventilation, high efficiency heating systems,
energy star appliances, windows and doors, etc.
Bill Meadows, a certified energy auditor of Entherm, resides at 1155
Lancaster Avenue. He and his wife, Jacqueline are UNPA recipients who
welcome this opportunity to give back to our community by performing
energy audits for neighborhood families at no change (thereby saving
you about $107). If you are interested in this program, please contact
Bill at 420-2210.
WESTCOTT STREET FAIR ORGANIZERS NEED HELP…
If you are committed to the Westcott neighborhood, have skills and abilities
to help shape the 2002 Westcott Street Cultural Fair (or are willing
to learn), have ideas for how to make the fair the best ever, interested
in meeting new friends and neighbors, or like to have fun, We need your
help!
Please contact westcottfair@yahoo.com,
go on-line to www.westcottcc.org/culturalfair,
or call 428-9035.
WESTCOTT COMMUNITY CENTER
PRESENTS…
FOURTH ANNUAL UNIVERSITY NEIGHBORS LECTURE SERIES
The University Neighbors Lecture Series committee is excited to announce
its fourth season. Over $10,000 has been raised through the lecture
series to date. "The lecture series enhances the ability of the
Center to provide community programing for the 25,000 people that pass
through the Center’s doors," says Steve Susman, Executive Director
of the WCC.
Proceeds from the lecture series have been used to help purchase a video/data
projector. The after school program was enhanced by funds raised through
the lecture series. Improvements were made to the front lobby and landscaping
plans are in progress. An annual event, the 2002-2003 series covers
a range of topics from the community affairs to politics. Keeping with
our theme of University Neighbors, all of the presenters are from the
University neighborhood.
We encourage people to come and meet their neighbors. We welcome people
from outside the neighborhood to come and hear the presenters; join
us in dialogue and share refreshments after each presentation. Please
visit the Westcott
Community Center web site at http://www.westcottcc.org
for more information and a full listing of topics and presenters.
THE UNITED WAY CAMPAIGN FOR 2003 ABOUT TO BEGIN…
I am assuming many of you generously contribute to United Way and United
Way-sponsored organizations. I myself have contributed annually and
have served as a United Way Campaign Coordinator for QPK Design for
over 15 years.
Did you know that you can designate all or a portion of your United
Way contribution to any not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization you choose?
UNPA is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization.
Please consider contributing a portion of your annual United Way contribution
to University Neighborhood Preservation Association (UNPA). There is
a special place on your pledge card where you can do this quite easily.
Our address is 962 Westmoreland Avenue, Syracuse NY 13210.
United Way will find us, send us your contribution minus a 4% processing
fee. You will, of course, receive a thank you note and receipt for your
tax deductible contribution to UNPA.
Thank you for considering this possibility.
Joanne Stewart
P.S. – Spread the word! Thank you.
TALK TO A LAWYER FREE…
Come in and "chat" with a lawyer and ask questions anonymously
and confidentially without cost or legal obligation to hire the consulting
lawyer. The "Talk to a Lawyer" program is held every Thursday,
7-8PM, at the Westcott Community Center, 826 Euclid Avenue. Consulting
lawyers are members of the Onondaga Bar Association. 117 people have
already sought free legal advice through this program. Topics range
from divorce to landlord-tenant issues. For more information, please
call 478-8634.
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