Words from Sparkle Adams, Councilwoman
MY MESSAGE TO YOU
We have ignored our community needs too long. With your help I have attempted to bring back decency and respect in our community. We have had several major neighborhood clean up initiatives with the Forest Park Ministers Association and Clayton Beautiful.
With more community involvement and less city influence, we have successfully implemented the Neighborhood Watch Program and reduced overall crime in our community by 18% in the last 3 years.
You should know your neighbors and their needs. If you see something wrong, then do something about it. If you complain, be ready to help make a change. We have effectively held annual "Good Neighbor Day" festivities in the community to allow neighbors to meet each other while providing city information and family entertainment.
Through our Anti-Gang initiatives with the "Make It Happen" program, students have proudly created an educational mural that was unveiled in June 2009 at the Kiwanis Stadium at Starr Park.
CHANGING OUR PERCEPTIONS!
We all have a part in serving our community in a quick, easy, convenient manner. Whether you are elected, work for, or live in Forest Park, all of us contribute to the consistent, reliable experience that is expected and is paramount in your decision to live in Forest Park - Ward 1. Each of us belongs to our community of approximately 6,000 citizens. Regardless of your position, you are a representative of the Forest Park, and you are entrusting me to provide you with the best possible living experience. Each day, in some way, I help serve the residents who live and support our community. In your day-to-day activities at work - and in your homes - you have a tremendous opportunity to help grow the family and educate our youth.
Because of the many ways you might engage a neighbor, each of us has a unique opportunity to influence the perception of the city. Whether it's in the grocery store, online, on the phone, or on the front porch, the neighbors must not perceive you as an anonymous cog in an impersonal mail-moving machine. Rather, they need to see you as a personal friend who knows how to meet their needs by recommending the right resources.
Every time you interact with a neighbor, consider yourself as their first resource for information and do your best to meet their needs. What they perceive is what they'll believe. Nurture and grow their level of trust in you. Through this empowerment as a resident of Forest Park, you can continue daily to spread goodwill and provide valuable first contact information to grow our neighborhoods for years to come.
Sparkle K. Adams
City Councilwoman - Ward 1
