As we come into winter and the new year, I want to express my gratitude and appreciation to all those who live in our neighborhood. Over the last year I have met so many wonderful people and have seen how our neighbors have come together at social events like the back-to-school potluck, the wine tasting and the Easter egg hunt. We have also been there to make our community better by cleaning up the Fox River Trail, ensuring that hospital construction does not encroach on adjacent properties, donating time and goods to local nonprofit organizations and contacting each other when several home invasions took place last summer. The caring that our neighbors have is more than simply than the basic concern for those who live nearby. It is a sense of community -- a sense of family-- which truly makes our neighborhood extraordinary.

As with any family, the safety and peace of mind of its members is essential. Our neighborhood and the City of Green Bay have tools available that allow all of us to keep in touch with current events in our neighborhood and our city. The Astor Neighborhood Association (ANA) has an email list that is used to update our area residents about upcoming events, ways to assist our local nonprofit organizations, and information about neighborhood issues. You can join this list by clicking HERE.  By following a few easy instructions, you will then receive all updates distributed by this list-serve. The City of Green Bay’s website also has numerous resources available for those living in the area. Information about upcoming committee and council meetings and minutes, building permits, ordinances, city services, upcoming city events and much more can be found at www.ci.green-bay.wi.us.  The City of Green Bay’s police department also has a new police call mapping website located at www.myneighborhoodupdate.net .  Introduced to the neighborhood associations at the November 5th Green Bay’s Neighborhood Leadership Council meeting (recently renamed from the Mayor’s Neighborhood Leadership Council), this resource allows citizens access to police calls for service within a day or two of the incident. While using the site, it is easy to access information about a specific city, street, or neighborhood. Users may also select the categories of incident types including noise, disorder, proactive policing, property, violent, traffic, and other types of police calls. Monthly trends, the most significant events in the area, and email alerts are also available. It is a great site that allows neighbors to understand what is happening in their area as well as allows police officers to spend more time in areas with more problems.

While all of these services are online, those without internet at home can still access them. The Brown County Public Library system has computers with free internet access available for use throughout the day -- just by showing a librarian your library card. With all that said, the ANA board and I wish everyone a safe, happy new year. We look forward to hearing your ideas, questions, and concerns and to work with you to continue to improve the place that we live in.

Sincerely,

Jacqueline Frank
Jacqueline_d_frank[AT]hotmail.com