Thank you Naglee Park
I owe my all neighbors in Naglee Park a big Thank You.
When I moved here 33 years ago in 1989, I was drawn to the community and spirit and activism which characterizes our charming, historic, and exceptionally diverse slice of the Bay Area.
With Naglee Park’s openness and positive attitude, I started and participated in so many grass roots community groups: The Defenders of Clean Air E-Quality, NP Parents Group, NP Sports Co-Op, Hosting the Annual Halloween Party and Parade for 10 years, Porch Fest, National Night Out, 40 Meals for 40 Nights at Engine 8, Pancake Breakfast at Walgreens, Horace Mann Walk-A-Thon, NP School Carpools, Kids Yoga at the SJMA, putting in sidewalk ramp-access on San Fernando and San Antonio for wheelchairs and strollers, and riding with MCAT to evaluate William St Park berms.
And in doing so, I met, became friends with, learned from, and shared victories and defeats with an amazing group of neighbors. Smart. Driven. Boisterous. And mostly: a lot of fun.
It was the spirit of that community that compelled my longshot, independent run for City Council.
But something happened along the way. That longshot campaign became a leading campaign. #1 in grass roots community endorsements. #1 in fundraising. And #1 (I like to think) in putting forward real, bold, actionable plans to solve our many problems.
So as we enter the last lap of this inspiring campaign season, I just wanted to stop for a moment and thank my Naglee Park neighbors. Because this campaign wouldn’t have started without you. It wouldn’t have grown without you. And it wouldn’t have the grass-roots, can-do community spirit that turned the long shot into a leader.
You taught me how. And whatever comes on June 7, you have my deepest gratitude for showing me the way.
Irene Smith, JD, PhD 5/31/22