The Seward Neighborhood Group’s (SNG) Nov. 5 annual gathering at the Matthews Community Center, 2318 29th Ave. S., marked the group’s perseverance through a particularly rough year.

Nearly 100 residents showed up to enjoy a potluck meal, elect people to serve on the board and participate in a silent auction that raised $750.

SNG has come a long way since last fall, when its future was up in the air. Following the resignation of former executive director Lori Stone and former board treasurer Perry Caranicas, serious financial problems came to light that led the board to lay off its five paid staffmembers, as reported in The Bridge.

As it turned out, SNG owed roughly $135,000 to the city’s Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) due to unapproved spending of its housing funds. The group’s checking account balance was negative, while other debts loomed. Looking back, “It’s been a successful year of rebuilding,” said Sheldon Mains, SNG board president, stressing the grassroots efforts of neighbors to keep it going.

That was one reason the board decided to structure their annual get-together as more of a social event than a business meeting, Mains said. The business portion of the event was limited, giving people ample time to mingle with each other and peruse the display of Seward history.

“I thought it went great. There was a good turnout. Some people said they really enjoyed the format. Connecting with neighbors is one of the most important things,” said Mains.

While people ate, they listened to part of the Bob Dylan album, “Blood on the Tracks,” which was recorded at a Seward location. Mains recounted some of SNG’s projects, including the ongoing community visioning process for the Franklin Avenue Planning, fund-raising activities for the Seward Towers Peace Garden and the biennial King’s Fair celebration. He gave a shout-out to Diann Anders and Robin Westacott, who have stepped up to help sort out financial matters, among other things.

Carol Greenwood, who chairs the environment committee, reiterated that point: “We owe a lot to the people leading the committees… and a lot of people who volunteer on special projects,” she said.

Finances improving, but liabilities still outweigh assets

Anders, the board’s treasurer, is voluntarily staffing the office several days a week. She pointed out that SNG’s outstanding credit balance, which was $3,000, has been paid off. Audits, which hadn’t been done in years, were completed for 2006 and 2007. SNG is subleasing a portion of its office at 2323 Franklin Ave. E. that was vacated by Seward Redesign when it moved to 2615 Franklin Ave. E.

Anders addressed the ongoing issue of finances. “We’re making great strides,” she said, “but the bottom line is we owe a lot of money. We have to raise it. Cash flow is a real issue. The financial report is pretty clear, but it’s not pretty.”

SNG has $61,000 in assets, but many more liabilities, according to Anders. A settlement was reached with NRP over the misused housing funds (see story here). Other issues are tied to unemployment compensation, a copy machine lease and a hold on NRP money, among others.

Crime and safety update

Ross Gabrick, who represented the crime and safety committee, gave a rundown of some of the initiatives it had set in motion: The committee hosted an informative meeting to address concerns related to a “level three” sex offender living in the neighborhood. (The offender has since moved out of Seward.) In another session, he said, a speaker gave a presentation about the area’s potential problem properties. Currently in progress is a green initiative to creatively mitigate graffiti in the neighborhood.

Board elections

Those who ran for the board and who were unanimously approved stated their reasons for wanting to join SNG: Marne Zafar, a native New Yorker, said she was attracted to its diversity, while others, like Gabrick, mentioned deeply-planted roots in the area, among other things.

Elected to continue serving on the SNG board through 2009: Anne Cronmiller, Ross Gabrick, Charlie Hoffman, Hal Johnson, Sheldon Mains and Marne Zafar. Elected to the board through 2010: Diann Anders, Patrick Campbell, Myrtle Hall, Adrienne Hyde, Annie Welch, Lara Dreier and Steve Offenhauser.

Offenhauser, who moved into Seward just days before, said he hadn’t expected to land on the board, but was looking forward to being a member. He was drawn to Seward because of its small-town feel and proximity to the Mississippi River, he said.

Hal Johnson, who has lived in the neighborhood for 11 years, has long been active with SNG. “I don’t expect to go anywhere else, so that seems like a good reason to be on the board,” he told the crowd. Later he added, “Everyone who is here tonight really cares about the neighborhood and wants to make it better.”

The next SNG board meeting is Wed. Dec. 10, 7 p.m., at Seward Towers East, 2910 Franklin Ave. E.

Other upcoming meetings:

Meeting about Penta-treated utility poles with Xcel Energy, Thursday, Dec. 4, 7 p.m., Matthews Community Center, 2318 29th Ave. S.

Crime and Safety Committee meeting, Monday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m., Matthews Community Center, 2318 29th Ave. S.

last revised: November 27, 2008

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