Special offer

Black Rock Summit

By
Real Estate Agent with William Raveis Real Estate RES.0772823

On Saturday, March 7, two members of each Black Rock community organization were invited to attend a meeting to develop strategies and plans for working together.  Our community has become a model for other neighborhoods in the city to emulate because of the deep involvement in civic activities by our residents.  The Black Rock Community Council, which was established in 1978, took the lead role in sponsoring the Black Rock Summit and inviting the participants, which included our State Representative Auden Grogins and City Councilperson Sue Brannelly.

The meeting was held at the Burroughs Community Center and started at 8:30 AM with a coffee social, where neighborhood leaders had a chance to chat with one another and introduce themselves to those they didn't know.  This was followed by a brief description of each organization's mission, objectives, and 2009 goals.  Organizations seemed eager for the opportunity to share and collaborate with one another.  The meeting was so successful that another one has been planned for next month on April 4.

The following organizations participated:

  • Black Rock Community Council
  • Burroughs Community Center
  • Black Rock School PAC
  • Black Rock Families for Excellence
  • Black Rock Homeowners Association
  • Black Rock Businesses (not a formal organization)
  • Black Rock Garden Club
  • Black Rock Historic Preservation Association
  • Black Rock Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ)
  • Black Rock Friends of Library (subgroup of Friends of Bridgeport Library)

Black Rock Community Council (BRCC) 

Phil Blagys, President, explained that the BRCC was founded in 1976.  It has a very broad mission - to enhance the quality of life iin Black Rock.  The Burroughs Community Center was funded through the efforts of the BRCC and worked with the state Department of Transportation on the "Gateway to Bridgeport Project" to create an attractive corridor from Fairfield to I-95 along Fairfield Avenue.  The BRCC has been very involved in the restoration, lighting and preservation of the Fayerweather Lighthouse.  It is probably best known for sponsoring the Black Rock Day parade and activities.

2009 Goals:

  • Streetscape improvements
  • Public safety
  • Lighthouse preservation - resealing and repainting lighthouse
  • Newsletter Black Rock Day - save the date - June 17
  • Community forums

Next Event:

March 12 - meeting with the Bridgeport Police SET (Strategic Enforcement) at Burroughs Community Center at 7 PM - open to public

Burroughs Community Center

Kevin Simmons, Executive Director, explained that their mission is to provide the residents of Bridgeport with program opportunities and facility resources for the purpose of promoting individual growth and community cohesiveness. They fulfill this through direct services and by collaborating with community and facility partners, such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Connecticut. 

Their primary focus has been on middle school students in the 5th through 8th grade, but will continue with students longer, if they have been in the program.  They provide after-school help with homework, a computer lab, cooking classes, and recreation/sports.  There are also tutoring programs and summer programs.   

There are also adult programs such as the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA).  The VITA program is designed to serve low-income individuals, the disabled, the elderly and non-English speaking taxpayers. The program is offered on Sunday mornings and Monday evenings from January to mid April, free of charge. 13 volunteers trained by the IRS are involved in the program this year. 

The Quick Start Language Center, allows you to learn a new language at your own pace.  There are 14 different languages to choose from.  This helpful both for those learning English as a second language and for residents wishing to learn a foreign language. 

Burroughs also provides space and support to over 60 non-profits and community groups.   In addition, Burroughs is home to nine human service non-profit agencies, providing a workplace for more than 50 people.

2009 Goals:

  • Raising money for expansion of facility to support more youth programs in collaboration with Wakeman Boys and Girls Club
  • Possible relocation of Black Rock Senior Center to Burroughs

Black Rock School Parents Advisory Council

  • Lee Ann Baranyar and Anne Larcheveque explained that there are two parent organizations that focus on sustaining and improving the quality of student's educational experience at the Black Rock School, one of these is the Black Rock School PAC.  The Black Rock School PAC works closely with the school administrators and teachers to increase parental involvement with the school.    The Black Rock School provides a public education for grades K-6.  There were plans to add 7th and 8th grades, but with the recent city budget cuts, those plans are on hold. 

    In fact, the Black Rock School is being considered by the Board of Education once again for closure and consolidation with Longfellow (currently a middle school).  This despite the fact that the Black Rock School is the highest performing school in the city and was named a 2007 Finalist for $1 Million Broad Prize.  The Broad Foundation announced that Bridgeport Public Schools, for the second year in a row, is one of five finalists for the 2007 Broad Prize for Urban Education, an annual $1 million prize awarded to urban school districts that have made the greatest gains in student achievement. Bridgeport remains the only school district in Connecticut to earn this national recognition.

    The Black Rock School PAC holds two meetings a month for parents of Black Rock School students - an evening meeting and a day meeting.   It is truly a neighborhood school, no students are bussed in.  There are currently 275 students and the school has the capacity for 300 students.  Because the school only went to Grade 3 until recently, the classes are bottom-heavy with 3 Kindergarden classes, 3 First Grade classes, and 3 Second Grade classes. 

    The Black Rock School PAC raises money of which 100% goes to the children rather than to school projects.  They held a Fall Festival in November, a Turkey Basket Drive in which a company donated the turkeys and children donated canned goods and non-perishable items.  They will training parents and residents in CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation). 

    2009 Goals:

    Keep the Black Rock School open - it's important not only for the children, but for the community as a whole

    Next Events:

    Stay tuned.  We will all need to support this group's efforts to keep the Black Rock School open. 

    Black Rock Families for Excellence

    Laura Hurwitz and Mandy Jennings, President, explained that Black Rock Families for Excellence is the second organization focused on improving the quality of the Black Rock School.  They started the group about five years ago and it is an entity that is separate from the school.  They focus on building ties between the school and the community as well as fundraising for many school projects.  They are particularly interested in building ties between the environment around the school, such as the Ash Creek tidal estuary.

    2009 Goals:

    • Keep the Black Rock School open
    • Improve the playground
    • Collaborate with other organizations on enriching educational activities for students 

    Next Events:

    Again stayed tuned for more information on how to help the Black Rock School stay open.

    Black Rock Homeowners Association (BRHA)

    Diane Vulcano, President, explained that the BRHA was established in 2005 with the mission to protect home values and the quality of life in Black Rock.  They provide a unified and informed community voice to developers in order to encourage well-planned development initiatives and serve as a watchdog on zoning and development problems.  The group was instrumental in stopping a mammoth hi-rise condo project at 10 Brewster Street, improving the facade and traffic safety at the new Wendy's on Fairfield Avenue, preserving 344 Brewster Street from a 14-unit condo complex, and many more projects.  This group is committed to the OATS principles of being Open, Accountable, and Transparent. 

    Next Event:

    They hold their meetings the first Wednesday of every month, which are open to the public.  Location to be announced. 

    Black Rock Businesses

    The merchants along Fairfield Avenue do not have a formal organization, but meet on an ad hoc basis and join together in mutually beneficial initiatives according to Gen Barthe (Happy Tails owner) and Miguel Tomaso (Taco Loco owner).

    2009 Goals:

    • Increase customer traffic to community
    • Safety of customers, especially in evening
    • Beautification of avenue
    • Parking - awareness of current municipal parking and increase in parking

    Miguel mentioned that there is a website for the Arts & Entertainment District in Black Rock  www.blackrockrocks.com   

    Next Event:

    A Black Rock Rotary Club is being formed.  An information session on the Rotary Club will be held on March 31 from 5:30 PM to 6:30 PM at Taco Loco.  RSVP's are required.  More details will be posted at the Burroughs Community Center and at Taco Loco.  There will also be a morning session.  For more informatin contact Miguel@tacoloco.com

    Ash Creek Conservation Association, Inc. (ACCA)

    Gail Robinson, President, explained that ACCA is a 501 (c ) 3 non-profit organization whose mission is to advocate for the protection and restoration of the Ash Creek tidal estuary.  The organization has been involved in preventing the utility bridge from being constructed over the Ash Creek bridge, serving as Intervenors on dock applications approved by the DEP, working with the Bridgeport and Fairfield muncipalities on harbor management, shellfish, and conservation issues regarding the Ash Creek tidal estuary.  ACCA has held public seminars to educate residents of Bridgeport and Black Rock on the Rooster River/Ash Creek watershed, co-sponsored bird walks with the Connecticut Audubon Society, and worked with the Aspetuck Land Trust and town of Fairfield to acquire Greath Marsh Island as open space for conservation purposes.

    2009 Goals:

    • Work with our pro-bono legal counsel to modify Toner dock plans (decision is due shortly by DEP)
    • Joint management of Ash Creek via state mandated process, e.g. Five Mile Island, since attempts for voluntary joint management of Ash Creek by the two municipalities have not been successful - purpose to prohibit motorized vessels on Ash Creek
    • Educational activities - bird walks, school programs
    • Continue collaboration with Black Rock Garden Club on berm plantings and butterfly plantings
    • Continue dune restoration project at sand spit
    • Continue Horseshoe Crab project - counting and tagging
    • Spring and fall volunteer cleanups
    • Ongoing monitoring of threats to the Ash Creek tidal estuary ecosystem

    Next Event:

    New Neighbors Social on March 15 for members and new neighbors.  Attendees at Black Rock Summit meeting were also invited.

    Black Rock Garden Club

    Wendy Nylen, Secretary, said the Black Rock Garden Club was established in 2005 and has obtained grants to plant 20 trees to date.  They sponsor the Black Rock School Arbor Day project which involves teaching children how to plant flowers and culminates in the the planting of trees on Arbor Day.  They collaborated with the Ash Creek Conservation Association  and Aquaculture School students in plantings along the berm at Ash Creek. 

    2009 Goals:

    • Plantings at St. Mary's/Ash Creek  that will attract thousands of Monarch butterflies on their migration path
    • April 18, Arbor Day - will sell disease-free Liberty elms
    • Encouraging residents to plant a row of vegetables for the food pantry
    • Presenting plans to the city and monitoring the replanting of the median by the city Parks Department

    Next Event:

    April 18 Arbor Day sale of elm trees - more details to follow

    Black Rock Historic Preservation Association

    Gerry Manning, President, stated that the organization's mission is to preserve the unique historic character of the Black Rock community by preserving the current Black Rock Historic District and perhaps adding others.  The group was galvanized into formation by the threat of a 14 unit condo complex on the lot of 344 Brewster Street.  The developers refuse to maintain the current historic building and it has become a blighted property.  

    2009 Goals:

    • Work with the City and the NRZ to deal with the blighted property at 344 Brewster
    • Consider Bartram Avenue as another historic district
    • Reach out to residents in the current historic district to explain the value and challenges of maintaining it

    Black Rock Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (BRNRZ)

    The Black Rock NRZ was incorporated by the City Council in 2008 to create a strategic plan for our neighborhood and to oversee its implementation.  Details of the plan are attached to this post.  NRZ's are authorized by the State of Connecticut and have the power to participate in closed City meetings, to petition the City to request the State to waive codes and regulations that could jeopardize the plan's implementation, and in extreme circumstances can even petition for acquisition of properties by eminent domain.  Kristine DeMarco serves as the President, Vice President is Joe Ianniello and he was the one who described the mission of the organization and its plans.

    The Black Rock NRZ's Implementation Committee's Organization's mission is to establish and oversee the Standing Committees which will implement the NRZ Strategic Plan created by the Black Rock community. 

    2009 Goals:

    There are currently 30+ projects underway under six Standing Committees.  Funds need to be identified for implementation of the projects.

    Next Event:

    Meeting on Monday, March 9 at 7 PM at the Cathedral of Faith Church, 2319 Fairfield Avenue (park behind church).  Open to public.

    Black Rock Friends of Library (BRFOL)

    Jill Hughes explained that The Black Rock Friend of Library is a subset of the The Friends of the Bridgeport Public Library, Inc.  The Friend of the Bridgeport Public Library founded in 2002, is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization charged with advocacy, fundraising, and programming initiatives to help make our libraries thriving community centers of discovery and lifelong learning. Contributions to the Friends provide the Library purchasing power beyond its municipal allocations. The BRFOL sponsored the Mardi Gras fundraiser at the Black Rock branch library to raise funds and an Aiden Lambo corner will be designated in the Children's section to honor his memory.   The branch is still not finished, but there are funds for completion.  There are no funds for operation, however, so the hours of other branches will need to be reduced to provide staffing. 

    2009 Goals:

    • Branch opening Endow library branch
    • Encourage donations to The Friends of the Bridgeport Public Library - write in memo line "Black Rock Branch Library" to designate funds to the Black Rock Branch

    State Representative Auden Grogins

    Auden began her first term in office in January and has become a member of the powerful Education Committee and has sponsored a number of bills for property tax relief and funding for education that will help property owners as well as families.  The education bills will also indirectly provide property tax relief by lessening the tax burden of education on homeowners. 

    She is working closely with a number of community organizations and has been attending many of their meetings.  As the budget sessions begin to require more of her time, the Black Rock Summit attendees recommended that she hold a meeting once a month and that we come to her to fill her in rather than for her to try to attend all the different community meetings. 

    Auden has persuaded Smart Growth expert, Attorney Brian Sharkey, to give a presentation on April 9 at 7 PM the Burroughs Community Center.  Brendan serves on the Economic Planning and Development Committee for the state.

    2009 Goals:

    • Passage of her property tax relief and education bills
    • Prevent closing of Discovery Museum and Beardsley Zoo due to state budget cuts
    • Obtain money for Burroughs expansion as part of "shovel ready" stimulus project allocations to state
    • Prevent leveling of funding for ECS which would perpetuate inequities to Bridgeport students compared to other students in Connecticut

    Next Events:

    Brendan Sharkey will present on Smarth Growth on Thursday, April 9 at 7 PM at the Burroughs Community Center.

    Auden needs a large turnout on Monday up in Hartford at 1:30 PM to oppose the leveling of funding for ECS.  She is working with the Bridgeport Child Advocacy Coalition (BCAC) on this issue.

    City Councilperson Sue Brannelly

    Susan.Brannelly@bridgeportct.gov

    Sue encouraged city residents to attend as many city budget meetings as possible and pay special attention to line items.  She is advocating for a reasonable budget without an increase in taxes.

    2009 Goals:

    • Reasonable City Budget without increase in taxes
    • Keep Black Rock School open
    • Ensure Black Rock Branch Library opens 

    BLACK ROCK SUMMIT NEXT STEPS

    • Use the community calendars on the BRCC website and www.blackrockonline.org (see tab for Community Calendar at top of page) to coordinate community meetings so there is no overlap
    • Work together and collaborate on important issues with our members so that we can have a larger voice and impact - "if one needs help, we all come running"
    • Next meeting April 4, 2009
    Posted by

      

     

    Click on icons below to go to Black Rock Real Estate and Black Rock Community websites as well as social media sites:

     

     Black Rock Homes for Sale Website        

     

      Active Rain Subscribe to Blog        FaceBook Black Rock CT         Twitter Gail Robinson       Instagram Gail     ActiveRain Pinterest IconActiveRain YouTube Icon

     

    Recent awards:

     

                        

    Comments (0)