It’s official – leadership has changed for the Neighborhood Advisory Council, but goals and dreams remain strong and moving forward. Over the past 10 years, NAC has become a united voice to our City staff and City Council as we were led by Phyllis Ferguson, Pete Radecki and Rusty Worley.
Rusty leaves big shoes to fill as chair for NAC. I am excited to serve our neighborhoods in this role. Dee Ogilvy is our vice chair and she will be a great support having served on many City committees, commissions and teams as well as the Midtown Neighborhood Association.
I am grateful for Rusty and Pete’s continued involvement and leadership in various initiatives for NAC. They offer experience and expertise in areas like the Neighborhood Works Program and the Nuisance Property Work Group.
We have some great momentum going with the soon-to-be-approved Forward SGF Comprehensive Plan that has some exciting ideas and support for neighborhoods. The Restore SGF program is about to be launched as funding is coming together. And, keeping pace are the proposals from the Nuisance Property Work Group. Our united voice is making a difference!
I’m a big-picture visionary, full-of-ideas kind of person. I love tossing ideas in the hat, and taking some out. Not all of my ideas work, but they inspire me to try the ones that do. I encourage all of my neighbors (city-wide) to dream about what would make your neighborhood better. What ideas do you have to create a cleaner, safer, friendlier place to live in our beautiful city? These three categories were designed to be the identifiers for the Great Neighborhoods program established by the City. These three areas give us a starting place to make changes and improvements in our neighborhoods. You can be a part of the Clean, Safe, or Friendly subcommittees in NAC and make a difference. Reach out to us on our Facebook page. Pick a committee and join the team. https://www.facebook.com/NACspringfield
Many of our neighborhood associations are having to reorganize and find new leadership after the separation and isolation during the pandemic. Find your gathering place. Where can your neighbors gather to talk about the needs and concerns close to you? Use yard signs or door hangers and let your neighbors know they live in a special neighborhood and you have a neighborhood association that provides events and activities for all neighbors. You will find some awesome new friends!