Wednesday May 6, 2009
LOUISVILLE (May 6, 2009) – The Department of Neighborhoods is pleased to announce a newly-formed neighborhood association, Oak Lea Neighborhood Association in southwest Louisville near Dixie Highway. Their regular meetings are held quarterly with the next meeting on Thursday, July 16 at 7 p.m., at the Southwest Government Center at 7219 Dixie Highway.
Diane Schraut, elected as the first president, said, “I'm excited about the Oak Lea Neighborhood Association. I'm looking forward to working with everyone to ensure that our neighborhood stays as it has been for 35 plus years. When a problem arises the results are better accomplished when you work together as a group.”
The group approached the Louisville Metro Department of Neighborhoods last July about starting a new neighborhood association. They were concerned that most of their neighbors did not know each other and they lived in an area of Louisville that traditionally does not have a large number of active neighborhood associations. The group plans their first neighborhood event, a group yard sale on Saturday, May 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
“We have seen more residents become aware of the importance of getting to know their neighbors, especially in the aftermath of the wind and ice storms last year,” Mayor Jerry Abramson said. “We applaud the Oak Lea neighborhood for becoming organized; when people work together, good things happen.”
Additional new officers are Sheila Kimball, vice president; Shelly Hoffman, treasurer; Christina Vincent, secretary and James French, officer at-large. Anyone wanting more information about Oak Lea Neighborhood Association can contact the president, Diane Schraut, via email at dschraut@insightbb.com.
“I am very excited about the formation of the Oak Lea Neighborhood Association,” said District 12 Metro Councilman Rick Blackwell. “These groups not only help foster a sense of community and welcome in southwest Louisville, but can also help prevent problems such as crime and property maintenance issues.” Councilman Blackwell helped the group organize.
Oak Lea Neighborhood Association boundaries are Ronnie Avenue (north); Lower Hunters Trace Road (south); Oak Lea Drive (east) and Tahia Drive (west).
“We are happy to announce a new neighborhood association in a suburban area,” said Melissa Mershon, director of the Department of Neighborhoods. “The residents of Oak Lea will be able to create a better community by working together.”
The Louisville Metro Department of Neighborhoods builds community and empowers neighborhood residents with affordable training on a variety of topics. Community Outreach Liaisons within the Department of Neighborhoods has a primary goal of connecting neighborhood groups with government and empowering neighborhoods with community-building tools. The liaisons work to develop new associations and help existing groups revitalize. Amanda Clephas was the liaison that assisted Oak Lea Neighborhood Association. It takes about six months for a neighborhood association to be formed. There are more than 200 active neighborhood and homeowners associations in Louisville.
Groups wanting to start a neighborhood association or getting tips to improve an existing group can contact the Department of Neighborhoods at 574-3380. E-mail: neighborhoods@louisvlleky.gov. Visit the department’s web site at www.louisvilleky.gov/neighborhoods for the latest news and workshops schedule.