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October Meeting Votes in Favor of Non-violence and Non-discrimination By-law Changes
Plus Non-monetary Settlement in Wrongful Death Suit

With a quorum re-established from the previous month (September) when fewer than six members showed up for the neighborhood association business, a room full of diverse opinion focused on a wide ranging agenda that included changing the by-laws and addressing the Allen County Superior Court judgement against the association.

Discussion regarding the wrongful death of Jesus Lara and information gained by Howard Traxmor in communications with the Ramirez Law Office (see E-mails) brought forth a motion accepted unanimously to seek a non-monetary settlement. This could include placing a plaque in the park or on the neighborhood welcome sign inscribed with a statement against violence and vigilantism and to remember the wrongful death of Jesus Lara. Sharon Andersen agreed to call Raphael Ramirez, Attorney at Law, to begin negotiation.

The proposed modernization of the Poplar Neighborhood Bylaws (see article below) saw two of seven proposed changes passed.

Passed: Article II - Objective
To promote nonviolent resolution of conflict among individuals, families and other neighbors and to build an atmosphere of peace and justice.

Passed: Nondiscrimination (this is a new section)
The neighborhood association will not discriminate against individuals or groups on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, income, or political affiliation in any of its policies, recommendations or actions.

Poplar Neighborhood Association fails to get September meeting quorum

The association bylaws state that "six members in good standing shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business." The September 16th meeting instead became an Executive Committee to plan for the upcoming neighborhood walk, several clean-up dates and developing the agenda for the next meeting.

President Sharon Andersen suggested that we appoint Trudy Rutledge as the Secretary. She has served as a substitue Secretary for several months. Val Wallis has officially resigned.

Saturday morning, September 20 will be a door-to-door neighborhood walk to distribute an invite to the next PNA meeting along with an agenda and questions regarding neighborhood issues. Also literature about mosquito reduction and recycling will go out. There will also be a tire pick-up for rimless tires.

Howard Traxmor discussed three proposed bylaw changes:

• Section D. Dues:


Old Section: Each family of the Poplar Neighborhood Association shall pay an annual dues. The amount of the dues for the year shall be determined by the voting membership at the December meeting for following year...

New Section: Charging of dues or membership fees shall not be made; however, voluntary contributions will be accepted and fund raising may be authorized by the Board.


• New Section - NONDISCRIMINATION:


The neighborhood association will not discriminate against individuals or groups on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, income, or political affiliation in any of its policies, recommendations or actions.


• Article II - Objective


Old: The objectives of this organization shall be to improve the quality of the neighborhood in all aspects by whatever means are within the ability of the association to perform.

New: The purposes for which the neighborhood association is organized are:
a) To enhance the livability of the neighborhood and Fort Wayne by establishing and maintaining an open line of communication and liaison among the neighborhood, government agencies and other neighborhoods.

b) To provide an open process by which all members of the neighborhood may involve themselves in the affairs of the neighborhood.

c) To do and perform all of the activities related to said purposes, to have and enjoy all of the powers granted, and engage in any lawful activity for which the neighborhood association may exercise under city code.

d) To promote nonviolent resolution of conflict among individuals, families and other neighbors.

e) For such other objectives as are approved by the membership.



Court Judgement Against Neighborhood Rising: $1,643.40

An Allen County Superior Court handed down a judgement against "Joseph P. Bartels, Shawn I. Bartels and Poplar Neighborhood Association, Defendants" in January 2003 for a wrongful death suit brought by the estate of Jesus Lara (see article below).
According to the judgement by Nancy Eshcoff Boyer, Judge Allen Superior Court, "a reasonable sum should be one thousand five hundred dollars ($1,500.00)for the funeral and burial of Jesus Lara." However, the unpaid judgement is now up to $1,643.40 to cover "post judgement interest and court cost" according to Alberto Berrones, Attorney for the Jesus Lara estate in a June 9, 2003 letter to Sharon Anderson, President of the Poplar Neighborhood Association.




Ex-Poplar Neighborhood Association Officer and Poplar Neighborhood Association Lose Wrongful Death Suit

A former Poplar Neighborhood Officer, from the 2100 Block of Broadway and the Poplar Neighborhood Association were sued by the relatives of a man shot to death by the neighborhood officer in the backyard of the former neighborhood officer's residence in 1998. Current PNA officers were unaware of the lawsuit until the verdict was mailed in June 2003. Sharon Andersen, President of PNA announced receipt of a letter declaring a judgement against the neighborhood association. Howard Traxmor, Vice President, proposed a resolution condemning violence and vigilantism in the neighborhood.




Neighborhood Tire Pick-up Day A Success

The Poplar Neighborhood Association tire pick-up day collected 200 tires on Saturday, April 26th. Rimless tires pose a health emergency due to the mosquito breeding habitat that they provide. The West Nile virus was responsible for up to 8 deaths in Allen County last year according to the Indiana Department of Health.




Tim Pape, 5th District City Council,Announces Poplar Neighborhood Grant

Fort Wayne City Council 5th District Representative Tim Pape will be dedicating $37,000 out of $450,000 income tax revenue for the Minor Street Park improvements.

Comcast Cable Alarm Rings In New Year

Comcast Cable company rang in the New Year, Wednesday, January 1, 2003 with a burglar alarm hammering the noise numbed Poplar Neighborhood for over 10 minutes starting around 9:45 a.m. Howard Traxmor, Poplar Neighborhood Vice President reported the alarm to the Fort Wayne Police and notified Comcast service.



Fort Wayne News Sentinel

The Journal Gazette

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