 (04/18/07) - Saying it will help
create a safer and friendlier place to live, Mayor Don Plusquellic today laid out plans
for Akron’s first Neighbors Day, to be held Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 26. "This
is an idea I picked up from colleagues, mayors in Europe where during the last week of May
they celebrate Neighbors Day," said Plusquellic. "In Germany, France, England
and other countries it is a way of bringing citizens closer together and to promote
peaceful living."
(see www.european-neighbours-day.com)
The theme for Neighbors Day Akron is Living Together
Better, and the concept, the mayor said, is simple. Know your neighbors, and a safer
community will follow.
Among the suggestions given citizens in planning Neighbors
Day (activities should take place between 12 noon and 6:00 p.m.):
- Invite neighbors over for tea or coffee
- Have a cookout and invite folks on your block
- Organize a pot luck picnic or an ice cream social
- Host games or sports for neighbor children (adults can get to know each other while
children play)
- Organize a neighborhood cleanup day
- Weed or plant flowers in a public space or for a neighbor in need
- Organize a Neighbors Day Akron street celebration (application and permit required)
Once citizens have decided on an activity, they have
to choose a location. They may want to host it on their porch, front yard or driveway.
Neighbors Day Akron is designed to help residents get to know one another, especially
those in closest proximity.
To register an event, citizens should call 3-1-1,
the City of Akron’s Information Center, between the hours of 6:30 am-11:30 pm, Monday
through Friday. (From any residential phone inside Akron, press 311. All other phones,
call 330 375 2311.)
Registration does several things, according to Billy
Soule, assistant to the mayor and organizer of Neighbors Day.
"Calling 3-1-1 takes just minutes," he said.
"And after providing a few pieces of information you will gain access to a number of
benefits to make whatever you’re planning more successful."
Registering with the City helps with the following:
- Neighbors will be able to locate your event
- You’ll receive assistance and access to City Services you may need to make your
event a success, like mowing a green space or closing a street (street closure
applications must be submitted by May 15).
- As a registered Neighbors Day captain you will be permitted additional trash bags
outside of your City of Akron container to be picked up on your regularly scheduled
pick-up day following your May 26th gathering (this is a one-time pickup of the only)
Those who take part in Neighbors Day will be given a personal follow up phone call so
the City may get new ideas for next year’s Neighbors Day Akron.
 The
City will provide yard signs to show where a participant’s Neighbors Day event is
being held. Also part of the kit are invitations and flyers.
Akron’s partners in Neighbors Day include: Acme Fresh Markets, Metro Transit and
1590 WAKR. Brochures will be available at Acme stores, City of Akron neighborhood
community centers, Akron-Summit County Public Library branches, and on all Metro buses.
Also, there are five billboards in Akron donated by Clear Channel Outdoor.
City of Akron sanitation trucks will carry the Neighbors Day Akron logo, and area
businesses supporting Neighbors Day Akron will display signs. Signs and kits are available
by calling 3-1-1.
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