The People Bringing the Neighborhood to the City
#UDNC
When Missoula goes to sleep, sounds gently fade into the surrounding valley. Or, at least it seems this way if you aren’t staying up late studying for an exam or hanging out with friends and family downtown.
Guess who else isn’t sleeping? Your local Neighborhood Council in the University District. Especially on the first Wednesday evening of every month, right alongside students studying in the Lewis and Clark Villages, neighborhood council leaders deliberate on neighborhood projects and issues late into the night.
As a Neighborhood Ambassador over the past two years, I have had the privilege to meet and observe the hard work of the University District Neighborhood Council leadership team. Coming from a wide variety of backgrounds, leader Julie Stephenson, Treasurer Peter Drakos, and members Jennifer Copley, Tony LaPlante, Jeff Birkby, Bryce Rowe, Dori Gilels, and Rick Caron communicate to facilitate neighborhood well being. They draft grant proposals, consider seasonal neighborhood issues, prepare for general meetings, and communicate city correspondence to their neighbors. Their eyes and ears are constantly open to the state of animals, plants, and homes in the University District and the feedback of homeowners, families, and students.
The hard work and generous leadership that the Neighborhood Council provides showcase an inspiring sense of investment in the University District neighborhood. As a student, this inspirational model of intentional care for one’s community is the reason that I attend neighborhood council meetings every month. Besides the fact that it is a part of my job :).
As the Fall General Neighborhood Council Meeting for the University District approaches on October 1st, I urge all residents of the University District to attend the meeting at 6:15pm at the Hellgate High School Knight Library.
Talking to some fellow Neighborhood Ambassadors, we compiled a list of some of the specific reasons that students, and, every neighbor should attend neighborhood council meetings:
- Gain an identity and feel like you are a part of the Missoula community. Who knows you better than your neighbors?
- Be privy to the work constantly going on behind the scenes in your neighborhood. You can get to know your ward representatives, understand procedures, and assess the unique concerns your neighborhood may have. For example, in the University District, the concerns of the University, homeowners, students, and families need to be taken into account.
- Appreciate the interaction between citizens and local government. Despite the stereotypes of local government and city council meetings being filled with endless arguing and curmudgeon-y attitudes, and directionless conjecture, when you attend a neighborhood council meeting you can observe the genuine care neighbors have for their neighborhood. Within the ivy-covered walls of academic life, it is common to focus on the big issues, international crises, and the highest governing bodies. Having a global focus often makes us forget about the problems and joys happening right outside our back door. The tireless neighborhood council reminds us that beginning at a local level has an impact.
4. Understand how you can be the BEST neighbor you can be. The neighborhood council, fed by constant feedback from neighbors, is a place to collect and communicate successes and problems in the University District. By attending meetings, you can make sure you are taking care of your trees correctly, keeping in mind the traffic patterns of neighbors and traveling safely on your bike, or considering the lighting facilities throughout the University District.
5. Share your voice. This is the most accessible platform to have your voice heard on a city government level. At the Spring General Neighborhood Council Meeting, several students brought up concerns about the poor lighting in the University District. A walking, biking, and late-night “studying” student perspective literally shined a light on the lack of lighting that a driving, family or retired person may not experience day to day in the neighborhood. The concern was accepted with empathy and curiosity, and solutions are currently being explored. The Neighborhood Council intently listens and is willing to invest in your well being if you invest your time in sharing your experience.
The Fall General Neighborhood Council Meeting is on October 1st at 6:15pm at Hellgate High School. Enjoy some free dinner, share your concerns and listen to those of others, and, most importantly, meet the people in your neighborhood!
We hope to see you there!
