Thank you for your patience. I know it has taken a few weeks for me to really give an update on what has been going on. But I assure you that we’ve been working long hours on a number of important things. It has been a fun and interesting transition from someone writing about the issues to someone who researches and works on those issues– and in the process, I have found an increased appreciation for those willing to volunteer their time and their energy in working toward a common goal.
Yesterday, two of us attended a conference with Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu on volunteerism and “social entrepreneurship,” which is really just a fancy term for a committed and diversified volunteer. And even though most of the conference seemed to be primarily centered on the New Orleans recovery effort, there were several things mentioned that could really benefit Alexandria– theories about neighborhood watch programs and how to combine those programs with other similar ventures, the ways in which neighborhoods can undergo transformation from the inside, and need for comprehensive, community-based planning in all sections of town.
On one level, this may just seem like empty rhetoric, but when you see groups like City First implement and execute, you begin to understand that much of this is possible.
CenLamar 
Lamar, I think a good first step would be a serious effort to clean up Alexandria. All one has to do is drive around Alexandria to see garbage strewn along the streets. I suggest a $25.00 fine for littering(1st offense). Until the city get serious about litter, i.e. progressively heavy fines, Alexandria will continue to look like a garbage dump in areas.
Lamar ~ thanks for your comments on social entrepreneurship. I’d like to take you up on your comments at the airport opening! We’ve got a terrific discussion growing about helping young kids arrive at school ready to learn and succeed. Check out David Brooks’ column in the New York Times March 1 for a summary of the kind of thinking we’ve got going on. Too much to capture here ~ I’ll buy you lunch to discuss, though. It’s time that government and nonprofits collaborate on specific goals and hold ourselves accountable for results. Congrats on your new position, and I look forward to working with you! – Dave Britt (Jeb says hi)
Drachal. You’re right on about the litter problem.I was a deputy for 17 years and I can count on one hand the citations I issued for littering. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to write em, it was because most of the trash is thrown out after dark when they know they can’t be seen. I sat many hours by the road looking but when they see a police car or another vehicle they don’t toss it.This was one of my pet peeves(and also Sheriff Hilton’s).It’s just hard to catch em when they have darkness to hide in.
I also really appreciate the sentiment of this post, Lamar, and the following comments. At heart I believe our society’s entire concept of public/private space needs to shift before the root of inequity is addressed. But that is the impractical rhetoric of the idealist, and right now volunteerism is probably our greatest tool in addressing many social problems. Government can help, but can also hinder the work of dedicated individuals, (like the NOPD shutting down a free community kitchen serving meals in midcity NOLA when I was working construction there, ending a much needed community service because the kitchen had no permit for serving in the ‘public’ park. I digress…) so I am happy to see the local government taking a great interest in this.
Keep up the good work.
We’ll probably be plagued with trash until we do away with the trashy.