Notes from the Compton Heights Neighborhood Association Meeting

By Joe Wilson

Sunday evening I visited the Compton Heights neighborhood, where enormous trees and well-kept houses line either side of the street. I was there to speak to the neighborhood association about the work that Better Together is doing. What I saw looked more like a neighborhood BBQ: Neighbors stood around sipping on beer, wine and soda. Friends caught up on neighborhood gossip while their kids played, using sticks for swords. It was relaxed, informal, and most of all friendly.

I stood and spoke for a few minutes explaining what Better Together is, what we do, and what we hope to accomplish. I tried to give very brief overviews of the public finance report and economic development report that have been released already.

Every time I go to these meetings, I look into the faces of people who are genuinely concerned for their neighborhood, for their city or municipality, for their business and livelihood, and for the area they call home. Better Together representatives get asked hard questions because the people asking care about their community enough to show up to meetings on a Sunday night, or in bad weather, or when they would rather be at home with family. The region is full of people who care, and we are all fortunate for that.