Change Begins with Me

Newmanistas, imagine this in yard after yard in our hood:

Association Seeks New Board Members

At its next general membership meeting on July9, members of the Newman Park Neighborhood Association will choose possibly six new members for their Board which consists of 10 members. These 10 members have staggered terms - 5 elected for two years in even numbered years and 5 elected for 2 years in odd numbered years.

Of those up for new 2 year terms, only current President, Jim Tolbert, and Lee Byrd will stand for re-election. Retiring will be current Vice-President, Becky Friesenhahn, former President, Lynn Coyle, and Juan Villalobos.

Recently the Board selected Assistant El Paso Fire Marshall, Orlando Arriola, to finish out the one-year term once held by Sally Sauli. Association members will need to confirm that appointment as well as pick a replacement to serve out the terms of Abbie Majerczyk and Lisa Degliantoni. That's a total of six new members counting current board-appointed Arriola.

During its meeting this past Saturday, the Board outlined some talents that they seek in order to find persons to join the board. They are looking for the following:

1. A new Secretary who can take minutes
2. An archivist who can "library" board and Association events and documents and maintain Board member banners
3. A membership "secretary" who can lead us with the organization of our membership drives and can get membership records up to date
4. Someone to supervise fundraisers such as the luminaria sales
5. Someone to help us focus on our relationship with businesses in the area and who can have the vision about our business district

To be on the Board, you need to be a member of the Association which requires a $15/household contribution and residence or ownership of property in the boundaries of the Newman Park Neighborhood Association (Piedras to the mountain; Aurora to Nashville).

If you or someone you know is interested in serving on the board and may be able to help with some of the needs outlined above, please contact Jim Tolbert who will pass your information to the nominating committee of Robert Taylor and Lisa Degliantoni.

The general meeting and picnic is scheduled for Saturday, July 9, and will include the music of the Big Easy.

Arson Prevention

May is Community Arson Prevention Month. Below is a message from Fire Marshal (and Newman Park Neigghborhood Association board member) Orlando Arriola:

Greetings fellow Newmanistas,

I would like to take this opportunity to convey a fire safety/prevention message to you while also addressing the recent El Paso Times article/Crime Stopper report. The EPFD is investigating a home arson incident in Central El Paso. However please also be comforted in knowing that the incident is considered to be an isolated one.

2011 fire statistics for El Paso, Texas show that the communities in Central (79930) have suffered far less fire occurrences than other parts of the City thus far. All told there have been twenty-eight fires (all types, typically minor in nature such as vehicle, trash/dumpster, grass fires . . . and three structure/residential fires.)

As we proceed through an extremely dry and high fire hazard period, we have been fortunate in Central. As we applaud our community's success, may we also extend the fire safety/prevention example to the rest of our City through positive actions that support this lower fire rate including those initiatives that are directly attributed to our willingness to welcome fire safety in our homes and in maintaining a vigilant watch over our neighborhood.

Please read USFA Community Arson Prevention. You will read about some very helpful community outreach activities that are dependent on being championed and embraced by progressive neighborhood organizations such as ours.

We are also fortunate to have the Sandra Day O'Conner Fire Fighter Academy in our immediate neighborhood. May we continue in community-school partnership toward developing and pursuing the fire safety/prevention initiative.

As always, The EPFD/Fire Prevention Division and I are available to work with both adults and children in the effort and throughout the year. Please keep this in mind as school lets out and the opportunity for potential summer projects presents itself.

Sincerely,

Orlando Arriola