PRESS RELEASES - SEPTEMBER 2006

Arlington Announces Its First Neighborhood Summit
Free, One-Day Event is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 11

September 29, 2006

This week, the City of Arlington announced plans for a Neighborhood Summit. The one-day event is 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, November 11, in Arlington. The location is the Bob Duncan Center in Vandergriff Park at 2800 S. Center St. The event is free to all Arlington residents, and registration is under way.

“The Neighborhood Summit is for everyone,” said Neighborhood Coordinator Regina “R.J.” Blair. “It’s an opportunity to learn about Arlington’s Strong Neighborhood Initiative and the strategies being developed for reinvigorating neighborhoods and strengthening citizen involvement.”

Theron Bowman, the city’s Interim Deputy City Manager for Neighborhood Services, said the event is one of the first of its kind for Arlington. It is one of many strategies for making the city a better place to live and work.

This week, registration forms were posted on the City’s web site and cable channel as public awareness about the event reached neighborhood associations and nonprofit organizations via e-mails and flyers. The City of Arlington would like to see more than 250 residents attend this first-ever event.

When this event concludes, community stakeholders and residents will have greater insight into what’s most important to neighborhoods, Blair said. They’ll have the resources in their hands for making their neighborhoods stronger and their city better, she said.

The event will include information modules with topics related to making Arlington better, improving civic engagement and youth involvement. The Neighborhood Summit also includes an information fair that will showcase City of Arlington programs and services. Summit participants will be asked to commit to doing their part to help reinvigorate neighborhoods through service on a city board, commission or by establishing a neighborhood association, crime watch or citizens on patrol group. Everyone who registers will receive a free gift.
“There are many ways to get involved in making a difference,” Blair said. “This summit is designed to open doors, share information, and empower residents to take the next step.”

Registration is required. The deadline is Friday, October 27. For online registration and more information about the Neighborhood Summit, visit www.ci.arlington.tx.us/asni or call 817-459-6104.