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Charleston Village Society, Inc.
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The Yearly Report/Annus NON Horribilis
Loraine Ritchey, CVSI
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| Veterans Park yesteryear |
Annus NON Horribilis (NON Horrible Year) 2006 Last year at this time Charleston Village had NOT (see Annus Horribilis this page) been having such a great time of it. The Executive Board was reeling from one thing to another. Limited resources ( well actually NO resources) meant that we had to be resourceful and pull in the talent that makes up this neighborhood, their passion and commitment and in that we have unlimited wealth.
VETERANS PARK,
The “folks” took on the vacating of this community's "first" designated public green space for senior condos. They researched, petitioned, wrote articles and letters, and gathered supporters to save this little slice of green. And I am so pleased to say that thanks to their efforts and that of Lorain City Council members (ALL) of them the little park known as Veterans Park is safe, the fountain up and running, the holiday lights twinkling in the trees and there a new found respect for that little acreage !
In fact 2007 will find the Black River Bicentennial – 200 years of commerce and community “ celebration radiating out from that little park as did this old city.
Watch this space for articles and updates on the event.
Portside Blight: / Eminent Domain
Our northern part of our neighborhood was in a Blight Study and all that being designated as Blighted was going to mean to the residents of Portside. I am happy to say that according to Mr. Gould of Gould and Associates and Community Development Dept the majority of the homes did not meet the requirements for Blight. Therefore the Portside neighborhood of Charleston Village has been taken OUT of the Lakefront Blight designation.
There are some homes, belonging to the funeral home, Pete’s Garage and the Smokes for Less as well as city owned properties that are still in the designation. We have a copy of the Lakefront Urban Renewal Development plan should anyone wish to look at it, contact me
It is our sincere hope that the development of our lake and river front will take into consideration the history of the residences and the neighborhood s as they pertain to the settlers of this community and to the historical aspect of this area. .
We also testified before the Ohio Task force on Eminent Domain and were part of the Amicus Brief for the Norwood Case that went before the Ohio Supreme Court. The outcome of that decision was in our favor I am very pleased to say.
Lorain Neighborhood Watch Council a coming together of city wide block watches in order to communicate with the city wide block watches. The announcement of three Community Policing officers is very welcome news and our thanks goes out to Chief Rivera . In fact the LNWC awarded the Chief and Officer Kopronica the outgoing Neighborhood Watch Commander “recognition plaques “for all they have contributed. Next meeting will be January 11th LPD training room 6:30 p.m.
Claim South Lorain , which came out of the Safety forums co chaired by Downtown Ministries and CVSI is doing an absolutely grand job with the pilot program.
Importing of RSO for Profit has been stopped with thanks to Council person at Large Tony Krasienko and resident Brian Hazlett who researched and followed through on the ordinances
Charleston Pioneer Cemetery
We have just sent the first check for the archway on the 6th street side of the Cemetery. This cost of this entrance was donated by the Lorain High Class of 1946 other donors both in kind and monetary are as follows- they have our gratitude. We hope that we will be able to have a ceremony during the Black River Bicentennial Weekend. Thanks to the following people and organizations
Tom Koba, Rotary Member Phil Seguin, BRHS, 1st Congregational Supper Club, Maureen and Jeff Smith and Family
Peter Miller Museum ,Avon Historical Society ,Lorain High Class of 1946 ,Boyer and Cool Home for Funerals, Gary Fischer Arkinetics,Lorain City Schools , Diane Medina , Renee Dore, Dave Cotton ,Frank Sipkovsky, City of Lorain (Chuck Camera- Bob Renney) ,Terminal Ready-Mix – (Pete Falbo) ,Jim Campana – The Word of Mouth Blog
Speakers Bureau
Is still telling the tales of Charleston Village and all donations are going to the Cemetery Restoration fund.
The New Project of next Year- Black River Bicentennial -2007
As you are all aware the fact that Nathan Perry founded the first business in Lorain (trading post) at the mouth of the Black River in 1807 means we have an anniversary coming up. Charleston Village Society Inc. committed to holding a celebration in the little park , the first designated public space of the village that became Lorain to thank Lorain City Council for saving that green space .
We are acting as “producers” for the event along with Workshop Players Dave Cotton and Downtown Ministry"s Rev Donahue to be held August 25th /26th as a “city wide” event. We are very excited and it should be a lot of fun!!! More to come in the New Year. We will need help so volunteers gratefully accepted!!!
Announcements the Downtown Ministries
An ecumenical service of worship will be help at 10:00 am December 31st at the Palace Theater.
The service will feature special music, Communion and a fellowship time following the service. The service is being conducted by Downtown Ministries an organization whose membership is made up of several of the downtown churches.
Rev. Brad Donahue, Senior Pastor at Christian Temple will be the preacher for the service. The sermon is entitled "Overwhelmed with Joy"
We still have some problems but that too can wait until next year in the meantime HAPPY HOLIDAYS from CHARLESTON VILLAGE!!!!!
