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Last month, Lyda Krewson, our Alderwoman, asked the neighbors from Washington and Westminster who share our north alley to provide feedback to her on the proposal to pave the alley. Discussion has been lively. Lyda is considering all concerns before making her recommendation to the city.

As always, there are two sides to every issue. The primary concerns focus on the following points:

1) Aesthetics - Is the brick which is currently in place more attractive due to its historical context or is its state of disrepair a detriment to the character of the neighborhood? Some remember when crumbling asphalt was removed to unveil the brick, creating a more pleasing look. Others feel new asphalt would be much better than the deteriorating and uneven brick.

2) Drainage - Prevailing thought is that the brick drains better than asphalt, though those living on the south alley have not had that experience. When traveled after inclement weather, it was observed that uneven areas of both alleys contained puddling.

3) Traffic - There is a concern that the alley could become a cut-through for cars traveling between Union and Kingshighway. While this is a concern for some, others feel the increase in traffic, IF there was one, would actually serve to enhance neighborhood security as the alley would cease to become a blind-spot or haven for those bent on ill-intent.

One thing that nearly everyone who lives on the alley agrees on is that its current state is unsightly. It is the goal of the association to provide an opportunity for neighbors of Westminster and Washington to work together to clean up the alley and enable it to reflect the character of the rest of the neighborhood.

This has been a particularly hard winter.  As a neighborhood and an association, we have dealt with several winter storm events necessitating snow removal and road salting and at least one power outage to date.  Our ability to rely on each other has helped.  And it doesn’t seem that winter is quite ready to quit.  Please remember these winter tips:

*Check on your neighbors if you haven’t seen them, especially during periods of difficult weather.
*Be sure to keep your sidewalk free of snow and ice.
*Check trees and branches around your home which may be threatening power lines, and contact Ameren UE if they need to be removed.
*Turn off the water to your outside spigots, then open them to drip. Your flooding can impact those around you.
*Clean-up after your dog even in the snow.
*Do not hire random individuals to work. Snow brings shovelers into the neighborhood who may be here for more than shoveling snow. Be cautious.
*If you are a young person in the neighborhood interested in shoveling snow and making some money, have your parents google the residents to let them know. Many residents are happy to hire the Westminster teens and tweens.
*Notice who is around and call Hi-Tech and/or the police if you see someone suspicious.