Even tho I often disagree with ole Bunny, I totally agree with her on her recent opinion, “City Services Get Kudos.” Well done! And Michael Bushnell’s long informative piece on the flap over the cougar house was welcome.

I, too, am embarrassed at the Scarritt Renaissance Neighborhood Association’s official attitude (favoring demolition) although I’m sure there are SRNA members who don’t agree with such a rigid and unsympathetic position. You’re right, where’s the compassion? (I can’t believe SRNA is that unaware of the eviction and housing crisis in this city.) Thank goodness for Trena Miller and her involvement.

Neighborhood associations can be a force for good, or they can become judgmental or even succumb to a form of real estate vigilante-ism. Because of older housing stock and the large number of rental properties in Ole Northeast, it’s too easy to take an angry and defensive posture. Maybe after the 25th anniversary celebration of Halloween, SRNA could phase out that event and instead refocus the considerable time, energy and money used at Halloween into a Help Your Neighbor Fund, targeting elderly or disabled neighbors who want to stay in a home that needs repairs.

SRNA members currently do “pop up” trash cleanups—a very positive activity. Likewise, helping one needy house/homeowner a year would be something proactive a neighborhood association could really brag on.

Catherine Morris