Live in Admiral? Here’s a message, with an invitation

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

New Admiral Neighborhood Association president Katy Walum sent this message to the ANA Yahoo! mailing list this morning, looking ahead to not just her tenure but in the short run, next Tuesday’s meeting. We asked if we could republish it here, for any Admiral residents who might not already follow that list (which you can read, and/or subscribe to, by going here):

Hello! My name is Katy Walum, and I am your 2010 Admiral Neighborhood Association President. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead this dynamic and dedicated organization into a new decade. I am joined by a stellar board of individuals; Jim Cavin as Vice President, Catherine Barker as Secretary, and Ann Limbaugh as Treasurer. We have met and begun planning for the coming year; our principal goal is to engage Admiral residents more fully in the life of this neighborhood. This means YOU, and I want you to know what is in the works for your Admiral Neighborhood Association.

As ANA President, I will focus on three main areas: Stewardship and Implementation of the Neighborhood Plan, Coalition-Building, and Community Outreach and Events.

First, it is vital to me that our Neighborhood Plan, thoughtfully and meticulously crafted by long-time Admiral residents for the preservation of the character of our neighborhood, gain teeth in the development planning process. I will draw upon my experience as an attorney and community activist to partner with local government entities and representatives to ensure that our community’s plan for managing growth be honored by key decision-makers.

Second, I will work as President to build and foster coalitions to strengthen this neighborhood and to enable the ANA to become a better community resource. Building upon our valuable existing links to the Southwest District Council and other neighborhood groups, I plan on seeking the input and active participation of Admiral District business owners, of area law enforcement, and of other neighborhood and charity organizations. The more voices and backgrounds we have coming to the table, the more constructive an experience this will be for all!

Finally, I would like the ANA to participate in or put on more community events. Not only do these events, such as the Neighborhood Cleanup days and the Hiawatha Summer Concert Series, serve to bring Admiral neighbors together in honor and celebration of our community, but they also gain greater visibility for our organization and cultivate greater involvement. I am already planning for greater ANA involvement in community events, such as the annual Admiral 4th of July Kids’ Parade, and I would like to explore your event ideas as well.

Now that I’ve told you about the direction I hope to steer this ship, I need you to come and help plan and execute the trip! I cordially invite you to attend our upcoming meetings to share your hopes and visions for Admiral.

We meet on the second Tuesday of each month, 7 pm to about 9 pm, in the basement of the Admiral Congregational UCC Church, 4320 SW Hill Street (on the corner of Hill and California ). Our meetings are open to the public. I will post past and upcoming meeting agendas, minutes, and other pertinent information on our Yahoo Groups web page. Please contact me with any proposed agenda items or presenters; I will be sending out the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting in the next couple of days.

I very much look forward to working with all of you. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions. Together we will shape a stronger Admiral neighborhood!

Best regards,

Katy Walum
President, Admiral Neighborhood Association
katy.walum@gmail.com

C January 8, 2010 (10:29 pm)

I am very happy NA is going to be represented by a group… I think. I’ve never heard of them. They are not familiar to me or my neighbors in north admiral. And I am dismayed by the immediate change in ownership in Katy Walum’s statements from “we” to “I”.

It’s important for groups that represent community to maintain a “we” voice. Walum instantly has assumed the presence of herself as the voice of North Admiral. I look forward to a meeting in which we all get to discuss what it is exactly this group represents – other than stating it is my neighborhood – and let us all have a moment to decide the mission, and who is in charge of that.

WSB January 8, 2010 (11:02 pm)

Craig – we’ve been reporting on ANA for 2 years – covering all but a handful of their monthly meetings in that time, as well as the events they’ve sponsored (Adopt-A-Street cleanups, the summer concert series last year), with some other news organizations covering them on occasion too; the group’s been in existence at least a few years prior to that. We cover as many neighborhood-group meetings in West Seattle as we can and do unabashedly advocate participation – with meetings listed in the Events calendar and also promoted again the morning they happen. Admiral is one of the five WS neighborhoods with an official neighborhood plan, and some notable changes in the works as the Admiral Safeway redevelopment project could start construction as soon as this summer, so this is shaping up to be a year with much to discuss … but Admiral as well as every single other neighborhood group has always longed for more participation, and if you have any ideas for them on how they could reach out in ways that more people would hear about them, I bet they’d be welcome … TR

Diane January 8, 2010 (11:26 pm)

I am one of the ANA members that is very excited about the new officers in our group, and thrilled about Katy’s leadership; looking forward to next week’s meeting
~
Katy stated in her 3rd area of focus, the desire to “gain greater visibility for our organization and cultivate greater involvement”; that means you Craig, and anyone else; all are welcome to participate; like TR and Katy said, come to the meeting next Tues

Pete January 9, 2010 (8:43 am)

comment to C……it is always easy to sit back and complain and point others errors….but it is more difficult to be the one that is the doer. I too encourage you to get off your duff, roll up your sleeves and get involved in your neighborhood. Having committed, active and involved neighbors makes your neighborhood a community and buidling community is what makes life better for all involved.

——

As Diane stated come get involved in their group. This also goes for every neighborhood in our West Seattle community. You can be involved in big ways or small ways. Even is you do no more than show up and express your support or opinion at meetings. You can hold a food drive for the West Seattle Food Bank. You can drive a neighbor to a doctors appointment. You can help out at your child’s school. You can look after your neighbors house while they are away. The way that you can make your community a better place is by being involved.

No Change! nulu January 9, 2010 (8:45 am)

No Change.
The Admiral Community has set such a standard for senior involvement.
Go Grey Panthers!

Manuela Slye January 9, 2010 (2:09 pm)

Thanks Katy for starting with great enthusiasm! We are looking forward to attending the meetings (Actually my husband will attend, I will stay home with the kids) and making a difference in our community. A great way to teach the new generations about PARTICIPATION.

Ignatz January 10, 2010 (3:40 pm)

This instant hostility in regards to pronoun usage towards community members who have been volunteering to improve the neighborhood is…sad. As mentioned earlier the ANA has been in the blog for several years as well as the Herald. I hope you attend the meetings but please bring a positive attitude.

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