What are some steps we can take to make Dayton's Westside better?

[Blaqsage Productions]

Unity is the key to our success as a people. This is why I believe every Black man, woman and youth (of eligible age) should joy Dayton's Ebony Network (DEN).

DEN is better than a phone book because it will allow the use the ability to see and hear what is take place in the community, share ideas and information and be informed on issues affecting the community.

Steven Muhammad

[Leah X]

What I like to know is what is the mayor and the city commissioners doing to encourage new companies to move into Dayton? What are they doing to persuade the few that are here to stay?

I watch the commission meetings and I see no real action. I see pretty hats, fancy clothes, celebrity wanna be drunk drivers, pretty boys, and monotone speakers - and those are they that lead in the city of Dayton.

I go to the City of Dayton website to read of the meetings what I missed and I see orders placed for grenade multi launchers (are we going to war with Columbus, Richmond, Springfield or Cincinnati??).

Does the Mayor and her team even know the West side is a part of Dayton? Her family has such a powerful legacy. Does she want to be remembered for her pretty hats; showing up at a walk now and again; and a talent show once a year?

[Penny Brown]

While I agree with most of what has been said, I'd like to add that "responsibility and accountability" should be the theme for 2009. I am personally done with "talkin'" about what shoulda, coulda, woulda in regards to our neighborhoods. I have taken matters into my own hands, starting with driving my own kids around our neighborhoods and then taking them to the "Oakwoods" and "Centervilles" and I ask them what do they see?? Naturally they compare the neighborhoods so then I ask them, "How and why do our neighborhoods get this way?" On my street, I refuse to live like I'm in the ghetto, so if that means I go in my neighborhood and pick up trash up and down the streets, then that's what I do and I am teaching my kids the same thing. We cannot depend on others to do what needs to be done. Take responsibility for your own neighborhoods. Surprisingly, when others see you doing it, some will even pitch in and help. And if they don't, that's ok too! The point is be responsible and accountable for YOUR neighborhood and teach your kids NOW to do the same.

It's Our Time in 2009!

Penny

[Blaqsage Productions]

Penny Brown said:

While I agree with most of what has been said, I'd like to add that "responsibility and accountability" should be the theme for 2009. I am personally done with "talkin'" about what shoulda, coulda, woulda in regards to our neighborhoods. I have taken matters into my own hands, starting with driving my own kids around our neighborhoods and then taking them to the "Oakwoods" and "Centervilles" and I ask them what do they see?? Naturally they compare the neighborhoods so then I ask them, "How and why do our neighborhoods get this way?" On my street, I refuse to live like I'm in the ghetto, so if that means I go in my neighborhood and pick up trash up and down the streets, then that's what I do and I am teaching my kids the same thing. We cannot depend on others to do what needs to be done. Take responsibility for your own neighborhoods. Surprisingly, when others see you doing it, some will even pitch in and help. And if they don't, that's ok too! The point is be responsible and accountable for YOUR neighborhood and teach your kids NOW to do the same.
It's Our Time in 2009!
Penny

I have to agree 110%. If we, the Black community in particular, and Dayton in general, are to survive and thrive, we must begin to think and act as a community and take responsibility.

In the past, when everyone had a good job, we could act as individuals. Taking care of our own children, house, etc. Now, with the economy taking a downturn, we must begin to think as a community again. The "Old Way" of 'It Take a Village to Raise a Child' is how we are going to survive. As painful as it seem (Black) people in Dayton are going to have to work together

[Angee]

The trash and abandoned house that still remain in rest Dayton need to be destroyed at a faster pace especially within the Edgemont and Westwood neighborhoods. Also the city needs to really implement a program to possibly increase trash pick up possibly by having inmates at the jails clean these areas on a regular basis as opposed to raising any taxes to hire more city workers since we are already paying for there stays with our tax dollars.
Peace
Angee

[Dennis Muhammad]

From a gardeners view I would luv to see more community gardens. Lots of land just setting, I'm sure the city do not want to spend money on up keep. Maybe we can began to learn how to claim some land for ourself and keep it clean and grow what we desire.... And there again these are our communities anyway.


Dennis

[Peter Darryl Slaughter]

Peace and if we could start to clean up all the trash in all these alleys and in front of these empty houses.
That would be a start.

[Dennis Muhammad]

Well I'm here again talking about gardening. I think one step is to began buying and produce our own food in our comminty, keeping money here. And that who don't have a garden you can make your flower bed a garden bed. Grow food in containers like pots and buckets. If you see some of my photos on my page you will see where I made my flower bed into a veggie bed for two years now. I allow the people in my community to eat from it, as well as my larger garden. Gardening takes a lot of work but somebody has to to do it or we will be left out again. When Kroger close their doors on Gettysburg, I had no problem with it (I'm sorry yall but its the turth). Because I already knew this but its time to do for self if we are to be successful. When Brother President Obama said at this defining moment change has come. Well that says to me we have to change our old habbits, change the way we think and thinking about each other. Have our children to respect and greet their edlers, while being respectfull ourselves ....

It is Nation Time
A NATION WITHIN A NATION
A SMALL COMMUNITY IN THAT NATION