Pubdate: Tue, 11 Dec 2001
Source: Intelligencer & Wheeling News-Register (WV)
Copyright: 2001 The Intelligencer & Wheeling News Register
Website: http://www.intellnews.net/
Contact:  1500 Main St., Wheeling, WV 26003
Phone: 800-852-5475 or 304-233-0100
Author: Carley Amico

WEED AND SEED LEADERS GET TO KNOW ISLAND RESIDENTS

Wheeling Island residents and ONE Wheeling Weed and Seed leaders 
accomplished what they set out to do during their first meeting Monday - 
they got to know each other.

Weed and Seed Executive Director John Rowan and Program Coordinator Mel 
Hopkins explained what the program offers and residents explained what the 
community's greatest needs are and in what areas they would like assistance 
from the organization. Rowan said Weed and Seed wants to learn from the 
residents what the community's issues and problems are.

"We're here to reach out to you. You know your community best," he said.

In October, the Weed and Seed board of directors chose the Island to join 
East Wheeling as the target community following an application and hearing 
process.

The Island will likely become an official Weed and Seed area late next 
summer after the extensive planning process is completed and it is accepted 
by the U.S. Department of Justice, which oversees the Weed and Seed program 
nationally.

For the first meeting between the organization and the community, Rowan 
said the objective was simple.

"We really just want to establish a dialogue," he said.

He explained the many prevention, intervention, treatment, youth, and 
community programs Weed and Seed offers.

The Island has needs that are unique from the first target community, and 
the strategic objectives must be modified to reflect that, Rowan said.

"We don't want to just duplicate what we've done in East Wheeling, we want 
it to reflect your needs and concerns," he said.

Hopkins said she is able to help residents get in touch with various 
programs and agencies that may help them with any number of problems.

"I also act as a clearinghouse. I'm constantly looking, searching for 
contacts that may help people out," she said.

Residents discussed some of the biggest problems in the neighborhood 
including drug trafficking, prostitution, dilapidated properties and 
nuisances such as loud music.

Sgt. Randy Rejonis of the Wheeling Police Department said officers on 
overtime patrols funded by Weed and Seed will likely go to great lengths to 
enforce "quality of life" laws.

Instead of issuing warnings for open containers, littering, loud music, and 
similar less serious violations, officers will ticket the perpetrators. 
This should have an immediate effect on the quality of life in the 
neighborhood.

That will lead to more focus on the more serious crimes, he said.

"You have zero tolerance for the little things," Rejonis said. "Then you're 
going to go from there and hopefully build into the bigger things." 
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MAP posted-by: Beth