Weed and Seed Committee Seeks New Home


(posted Feb 14)

Eagledale Lafayette Square Area (ELSA) Weed and Seed, in conjunction with the Eagledale Northwest Community Center, is looking for a new location to host its meetings. The community center located 5701 W. 34th Street is no longer an option.

ELSA Executive Director Scott Rosenberger and President Mark Killgo told the weed and seed steering committee that they have been searching for property. Killgo volunteered to help the board members of the community center to find property since the two entities plan to share the future meeting location.

The steering committee adopted a revised budget due to the $100,000 cut in government funding. The 2008-2009 budget is $150,000 instead of $250,000. Rosenberger said that Congress may appropriate additional money for weed and seed if the bill can be attached to the spending bill for the Iraq War.

The steering committee is looking for ways to educate the local residents that they live in a weed and seed area. They also want residents to attend the meetings.

IMPD Major Paul Ciesielski said none of the Gateway Neighborhood Association residents knew they lived in a weed and seed area when asked at their meeting.

Killgo wanted again to reach out to the 17 apartment units in the weed and seed area. Rosenberger thought it would be a good tool to help prevent complexes from turning into a "Phoenix" with deplorable living conditions. Rosenberger suggested the board of health and zoning departments could help residents if such conditions exist.

Rosenberger indicated that Linda Karn's suggestion of a parade might be a good educational tool to inform people about weed and seed.

Killgo thinks it also necessary to find a marketing person to help get the word out about weed and seed.