Editor's note: Rosie O'Grady is co-chair of the Northwest Area Partnership of neighborhoods. The Your Neighbor column is written by a member of a local nonprofit group and appears frequently in Neighbors.



For the first time ever since our inception, our partnership meeting was held without any council representation due to budget meetings. During the neighborhood introductions, Judy Prost of Newberry thanked the street department for the excellent job they recently completed in her neighborhood.

Our first guest was Greg Wall, owner of Earth First, who gave us a short history of his company and its view on recycling. His company would use a smaller version of our present garbage containers, also on wheels, which he believes would encourage more recycling and easier mobility.

He explained how little plastic recycling can be done because most companies recycle only No. 1 and No. 2 plastics. He also explained the increased amount of protective wrapping on items nowadays that increases waste disposal.

He would like to see manufacturers better educated on the waste generated and the consumer on how to buy and why protective wrap is necessary. He said some wrappings are so extensive you need a tool to open them. When asked why his company would transport waste to another landfill, he said he couldn't get a reasonable rate to allow his bid to be competitive.

He encouraged us to call Matt Gratz, manager of the city's Solid Waste Department, at 427-2474 and explain what we are looking for in the way of diposal needs. He said their trucks would cause less property damage during pickups, and all their trucks meet EPA standards. They will be bidding again for the service in 2010.

Kenan O'Rourke and Kristen White of City Planning brought us up to speed on sidewalks for the city. They noted “connectivity” of sidewalks as being healthier, increasing property values and providing safe routes for all to travel on.

They also spoke about the initiative to develop a bike plan to make it part of our transportation system through infrastructure, education, use and policies. This is a 10-year plan that will be adopted in 2010.

Monthly reports were as follows: Fire Prevention Week went very well, with all area schools participating. Neighborhood Code Enforcement has suffered a slowdown due to computer problems, but their postings to cut (weeds) have increased by at least 50 percent this season.

Sgt. Chad Thurston of the Fort Wayne Police Department told us what's happening during the third shift, which he works. He talked about car burglaries and why they are happening and discussed junevile break-ins. He can be reached at 385-3260 and promised to return next year to discuss more about third-shift work.

Rod Vargo talked about river cleanups and elimination of septic tanks and houses where waste seeps into rivers. When asked about dredging the rivers, he said there's 150 years of contamination in the St Mary's that they can't disturb by dredging, but that the Maumee is relatively clean.

As announced, leaf pickup has started, with the second and last one for the northwest area is scheduled for Dec. 7-11. If your trees are dropping their leaves, rake them to the park strip (grassy area between sidewalk and street), being careful to keep leaves away from drains and street grates.

Our guest Thursday night will be Gina Kostoff, city Board of Public Works utility service manager, who will explain the new way of using CEDIT funds without going through our council people. This is controversial, and there may be many questions about this one.

We live in a time of rapid and constant change, and many issues will affect your lives and your pocketbooks. Both are reasons we are here to keep you informed and a place to be heard. We work constantly with most city and county departments and value the services they provide to neighborhoods, which are the backbone of our city.