Joe Thele, Program Manager of the Neighborhood Stabilization Team, introduced the new Neighborhood Stabilization Officer (NSO) for our 15^th Ward. Her name is Judy Lane. She has been an NSO for seven years, previously in Northside neighborhoods. She distributed her card as well as nuisance report forms to use to register problem properties. She also encouraged residents to contact her through e-mail or voice mail to report issues.

Two first-time attendees introduced themselves.

Liz Fleming, a Tower Grove South resident and Colonel in the Army Reserve, gave a talk about her 10 month military duty in Iraq. The period in which she served was considered the “surge”. As a lawyer, she was in the Civil Affairs division serving as legal advisor to the commander and reviewing funding requests. She shared many interesting stories and answered questions about her experiences in and her opinions on the Iraqi war.

Jeff Smith, State Senator for our 4^th District, left his business card for residents to use to contact him. He also gave a copy of the State Blue Book with names and information on all the State public officials to the Neighborhood Association.

Jennifer Florida, the 15^th Ward Alderman, distributed flyers on the Great Streets Initiative. This initiative has been in the planning process, is now going to solicit designs and will then select an option with which to go into construction. Jennifer had a brochure with the various options that will soon be linked to her Web site as well as the Tower Grove Heights Web page.

The South Grand Transportation Equity Act Grant Application for Pedestrian Safety enhancements was NOT selected by East West Gateway. However, the process for making sidewalk repairs is moving forward. There is a bid out for the work between Hartford and Juniata and they are waiting for information on the lighting.

The process for installing surveillance cameras ran into problems during the pilot project with using street lights as power sources so the city is reviewing a plan to use solar-powered cameras instead.

Jennifer reported that local developer Joe Klitzing had purchased Commerce Bank’s vacant lot at Juniata and Grand and is planning a two-story mixed use development there.

As far as the proposed parking lot behind the bank, the cost to purchase the land and improve it would be around $600,000. Since it is a private lot, the City can’t help. If the City did own it, it could be improved and meters installed. The South Grand Community Improvement District (CID) may be interested in purchasing it for parking development but they haven’t committed to a plan as yet.

Jennifer also mentioned that if you want to report on any vacant lots that have long grass and/or weeds that need to be mowed, they must be reported by Sept. 15^th. The property at 3853 Utah that was reported as abandoned and is delinquent for back taxes so it is being pursued by the city.

Robert Ashton reminded residents that the Tower Grove Heights t-shirts are still available for $10.

The Autumn Fest will be held on Oct. 11^th. Tickets will be available this week—look for an article in the Tower Grove Heights Gazette for information. Tickets will be $15 before the event and $20 day of the event (same price as last year).