It was a good crowd for the first meeting of the year at St. Marks on January 7th. The highlight of the meeting was the talk by State Representative Jason Dawkins on the ongoing budget stalemate and the inside story of how it a potential budget agreement all fell apart right before Christmas.
Veronica Daniel updated the group on the Town Watch being formed in PSA1 of the 15th district. Residents interested or who want more information should attend the next PSA meeting on January 28th at 7PM at Aria Hospital. She noted that a partnership with the Representative’s office would be very beneficial.
Rep. Dawkins agreed and went on the say that the community would benefit from stronger working relationships between the various groups in Frankford. His team is looking into how to facilitate that goal.
Dawkins went on to a list of other issues they are looking at for this year:
- The 15th District gun buy back in December was very successful with 82 weapons turned in. Dawkins is interested in targeting the gun buy back at the younger crowd since that is the demographic most likely to be involved in crime involving guns.
- Newly sworn in mayor Kenney has committed to community schools as are not implemented in the Cincinnati school district. If something is implemented, Frankford should be at the top of the list.
- We have a new Commissioner of Police and it would be good to have him come to Frankford to meet the community to hear about our concerns.
Chris from Margaret Street raised the issue of the truck parking on Ditman Street and Torresdale Avenue and also problem of Harding School failure to keep the sidewalk area clean on the Ditman Street side back where it intersects Margaret.
Pete Specos discussed the problem of lighting under the El being an invitation to crime because it is too dark there. Rep. Dawkins said that it is being addressed as part of the reconstruction of the Arrott Street Transportation Center which began last week. That is a 30 month long project that will bring the station into the 21st century.
The next Frankford Civic Association meeting will be on February 4th at 7 PM at St. Mark’s Church at 4442 Frankford Avenue. Entrance is through the side door in the parking lot.
