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Show liTtftfifclt ommunuy The Redwood community has long been ignored by Salt Lake City and County and even though it was the original target area for Model Cities funds, residents have had to fight to receive money for projects. Those Redwood residents who spent many thousands of hours planning and working for a Model City program in their area had to also contend with harassement from a handful of neighbors who labeled them "Communists. All the problems did not deter these dedicated residents from striving to improve their community and provide badly needed services for their neighborhood. The first of April brought the realization of one of their initial endeavors the opening of the Redwood Service Center, 2717 Redwood Road which in time will be replaced by e a new Redwood Center. -- Multi-purpos- The Service Center will provide a Senior Citizen nutrition program, Family Services counseling, rehabilitation services and mental health counseling. Afton Kinney is serving as interi m director and says, "The citizens are the ones who've made all of this possible. They've worked very hard." Madaline Fliott is in charge of the senior citizen program and is working closely with the Northwest Center to provide services. Sport programs and youth activities are being planned. Al Chapman has donated many hours to obtain equipment and uniforms from local businesses in order to establish a Little League program. The Redwood Council, instrumental in obtaining the Center and programs in the Redwood area, will be using space in the Center once they are funded. The Council was established approximately 6 years ago and list as some of its accomplishments, the building of the overpass and walkways for Redwood School, paving of streets in the area, assistance in establishing the Community Action program and Model Cities in the Redwood community and setting up other programs and services. Marna Johnson is Chairman of the Council and is working with Mrs. Kinney at the new Redwood Center. Future plans include an expansion of programs and services as well as expansion of the area served. "We're rather limited now due to our small facility but we have plans to grow when the multi-purpos- e center is said. On April 7, Council members and residents gathered at the Service Center to wish Model completed, Ms. Kinney Cities a "happy first birthday" complete with cake and punch. Residents of Redwood can be proud of their efforts as their dreams and ideas are becoming reality. The public is welcome to stop by the Center at 2717 Redwood 466-875- 5 Road or can call u-ain- s People who have been concerned about such issues have gathered together and have become organized. Organization is the key word. With people being organized, many things have happened. Great things in many areas. Elected neighborhood for more information. members are trying to represent what you want. Do they know what you want? Do you call or drop them a line council Neighborhood Councils Citizen participation is quite citizen phase. "Widespread participation is one of the guidelines from HUD (Housing a and Urban Development) required in a Model Cities program. Citizen participation is also a requirement from OEO, and in turn, the Community Action Program. But where is citizen participation in the up coming Revenue Sharing Act? There is none at this time and we do not see any in the future. So who is going to say how this money is going to be spent? When a lump sum of money is awarded to Utah, who is going to be organized to present the needs of the community for a piece of this pie? Your school districts? Your offering suggestions? Or are you one of those people who feel you can't get involved because you have a list of reasons two pages long? But on the other hand, where do you go when you need help? What do you do when you need medical attention or have a drug problem? Where do you turn when your child needs extra help with his school work, when he needs training for employment or a job for the summer? Maybe your house needs immediate repairs and you have no money and no one to do it. Maybe you just want recreational programs for your children to keep them out of trouble or special programs for senior citizens. Neighborhood councils can provide these things for you, IF you support your local council. Don't be just a complainer, but rather one who water districts? Agencies, takes advantage of these agencies, agencies. programs and offers support. Go one better and help discuss, decide and promote those things which you and your neighbors would benefit most from. Now ask yourself this question - are your children getting the best education in your public school? How does your district compare with the other school districts in the State? Now REMEMBER, its your money they are spending should benefit from it. go one better, how about nationwide? Has their education for 12 years been able to prepare them to be on their own after graduation or must they take additional special training in skills or possibly go to college to be a middle income wage earner? Are they any better prepared now than when you went to school 20 or 30 years ago? This is just one of the many, many things as a parent, mother or father, even grandparents should ask themselves. If the answer is, don't know, or no, then lets stop I talking about it and do something. Remember this revenue sharing money is your tax money and am all for getting my monies worth. Maybe you are on welfare or social security and I don't have to worry about taxes. How well are you and your family living on welfare or social security? With the high cost of p and utilities, housing, you can't afford to eat nutritious food or have decent clothing. There are many more areas you should be concerned about. up-kee- Health care, physical environment, crime delinquency, to name a few. New Redwood Service Center, 2717 Redwood Road. requesting information or and - you Redwood Council Senior Citizens enjoy first luncheon in new Redwood Service Center. Madaline Elliott works with senior citizens at Redwood Center. |
