Berkeley Neighborhood Association

GREAT AMERICAN CLEANUP

Mar 16, 1999

Once upon a time there was a city. It wasn't to small or to large. Inside this city was a neighborhood. There were a few large castles but mostly small and modest dwellings. With some imagination and work those homes looked really nice the neighborhood made a lot of people happy. That is, until one day there was something wrong in the neighborhood a feeling of unrest. Where there were lawns, the earth had been turned into parking spaces. Weeds were thriving where flowers blossomed. Trash was collecting along the roadside, and graffiti covered the back sides of garages. Junk cars were resting in many back yards, and sofas were rotting on the front porches. Of course most houses weren't in this state of disarray. There may have been a handful of homes that were falling apart. The houses that were falling apart were enough to compromise the integrity of the house next door. What was really sad about this situation was the people who lived here really did care about the community, but they thought someone else should take care of the problem.Well you know what happened? NOTHING! yep, NOTHING HAPPENED! The residents had lost hope, forgot their dreams , so the NOTHING grew stronger. What is this NOTHING? It is an emptiness that is left like a despair suffocating the spirit of strength and leaving a skeleton of fear. People who have no hope are easy to control and he who has the control has the power. So when you think there is no hope and NOTHING can he done another eyesore will soon show up. Get involved with your neighbors on your block. Get a telephone tree distributed. If you are having problems with code violationis we have provided a list of phone numbers that will enable you to take control of bought. Participate in Our coming neighborbood GREAT AMERICAN CLEAN UP this May 22nd. Don't forget our neighborbood Safe Night Tuesday August third. Become a BLOCK CAPTAIN and deliver newsletters to the houses on your block ( takes about 10 minutes a month to cover a block). The benefits will soon be seen. Because you have the power and NOTHING can stop you if you try.