Former City Controller has kind words for Castor Gardens community group

On Monday, Castor Garden residents met for their monthly Take Back Your Neighborhood meeting to discuss issues within their community. About 30 residents met inside the Max Myers Recreation Center to come together as a neighborhood.

Jared Solomon started the meeting by welcoming new members, and reiterating the organization’s mission, as seen in the video below.

“This organization does not mean getting together and griping about the problems of the neighborhood,” Solomon said. “Our mission is to make tangible improvements to our community.”

Also noted was the continuation of the petition for Big Belly trash cans along Castor Avenue. Sandra Gregg and other members meet every Wednesday to collect signatures for the petition. Residents interested can contact Gregg at sgregg3754 AT yahoo.com.

Solomon also discussed a variety of upcoming initiatives the organization is in the midst of planning:

• A business leaders meeting is being planned for sometime in February to help educate businesses on how to become better neighbors to residents.
• A clean-up event is being organized to take place in the spring and summer at Max Myers Recreation Center.
• A meeting with District Attorney Seth Williams is in the process of being set up to form an anti-violence initiative within the community.
• A six- to eight-week business training program will be available to members of the community provided for a low cost sometime early next year.

The meeting also had former City Controller Jonathan Saidel speak about his connection to the neighborhood. Now a Somerton resident, Saidel grew up in the Castor Garden area, and thanked the group for its work in the community: “I am proud that you are saving where I grew up.”

The next meeting will take place Monday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.