Welcome back

Introduction of GHNA Leadership Team

Guests: State Rep. Mary Keefe; District City Councilor Candy Mero Carlson; City Councilor Gary Rosen; City Councilor Kate Toomey; Edward Robinson, City of Worcester Human Rights Commission; Eric Batista, City of Worcester City Manager’s Office; Ron Hayes, The Bridge of Central Mass.; Donna Warsaw, executive director of Worcester East Side Community Development Corp.; Brad Robers, chair of board of WESCDC; Captain Roger Steele, Worcester Police Department; Lieutenant D. Doherty, Worcester Police Department; Officer Mike Higgins, Worcester Police Department; Patrick Duggan, City of Worcester Inspectional Services; Brittany Legasey, president of Park Spirit Worcester; and, Steve Jones-D’Agostino, member of Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley

Info and updates on plans to bring a series of four free summer concerts to Green Hill Park. We need to raise $1,500 to $2,000. We have financial commitments from the Green Hill Park Coalition, District City Councilor Candy Mero Carlson, and the Bridge of Central Mass. Please let us know of anyone or any business or agency that would like to have their name associated with such a wonderful endeavor.

Report from Worcester Police:

· Overall crime is down. Issues continue to be speeding on Channing Street as well as issues with SMOC houses. Captain Roger Steele and State Rep. Mary Keefe would reach out to have a rep from SMOC join our meetings as they had in the past.

· Discussions about police response to calls, and lag time during shift change

· A new Worcester Police program, AMMP, is for at-risk youth ages 13-16, and fosters mentoring in the arts. More info will follow.

Discussion about the cost of lights for Grant Square Park for security: Worcester East Side Community Development Corp will investigate possible grants. The cost of lights is $25,000.

Website status: Steve Jones-D’Agostino, a volunteer from the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley, plans a soft launch and demo for our soon-to-be-website, with a full launch in March.

Our community is special, only we can keep it that way. Come join us, and share with friends and neighbors. If you are interested in getting more involved, let us know.