Commentary... As a third generation Fifth Wardian (and French Town), I have seen and experienced both the highs and the lows of this great and historic community. In crossing the rail road tracks (and hopping trains), to get to Wheatley, attend the annual Our Mother of Mercy Bazar, or riding the #80 bus down Lyons Avenue: our community was truly a village. Wheatley Wildcat Basketball (Football and Track), Homecoming Parade, Beauty Shops, Barber Shops, Shoe Stores, Tailor Stores, Record Shops, Hamburger Stands, Clubs (and Joints), Grocery Stores, Cleaners, Little League Baseball, Football, Softball Teams... We had it all!! Now we have succumbed to blight: Abandoned buildings, homes, businesses, waste dumping grounds, and too many churches to count... We have to ask our selves, what have I contributed to the deterioration of the community that we all love? I hear people complain that others have bought properties and are moving into our communities.... Again, what have YOU contributed? Did you educate your parents or relatives on taking advantage of Senior Tax Exemptions on their properties? If not, the taxes became so extreme, that the heirs could not afford to pay the arrearage taxes, so properties are LOST to the City!! Thus, eventually ending up as Auction Properties for very little money. Most of us have passed downtown on the 1st Tuesday of the month at the Family Court House and you can hardly maneuver, let alone park, because soooo many people are seeking affordable properties (particularly in 5th Ward), to bid on. I, like many others grew up, aspired for higher education, married, and moved out to raise my family. We all wanted better and more for our children, than what we had growing up. Thats most parents objective! BUT!! I bought properties with the full intent of moving back to Fifth Ward. Matter of fact, I built my home directly across the street from my mother, which is also where I grew up. Post Hurricane Katrina and the major BP oil spill (fire) in the Gulf that affected tourist areas, Louisiana and Mississippi launched a campaign... Come back to Louisiana. Come back to Mssissippi... Well our campaign is: COME BACK TO FIFTH WARD! Businesses follow roof tops! Meaning, the more houses and families build or live in an area, business will see opportunities to make money and build!! Case and point: Beltway 8 and Lockwood, Pearland, Humble (1960)... Fifteen years ago, those areas were only empty fields. Ask a lot of people in the lands where they are from and many will tell you... 5th Wd. We cant complain about the Take Over without us (5th Wardians), buying in FIRST!! Come back and lets work together to re-build our neighborhood. COME ON BACK TO FIFTH WARD! Kathy Ballard-Blueford Daniels, President Greater Fifth Ward Super Neighborhood #55 Meetings ~ First Wednesday of each month @ 6:00 p.m. Fifth Ward Multi Service Center Wheatley Wildcat Class of 1975
Posted on: Sat, 12 Jul 2014 01:52:22 +0000
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