Neighborhood Leaders: Linda War Bonnet
The Holly Neighborhood is located in the SW corner of Everett. It’s borders are Airport Road, Evergreen Way And Walter E. Hall Golf Course
Name: Linda War Bonnet
Neighborhood: I live in Holly, but our neighborhood association covers both the Westmont and Holly neighborhoods.
Number of years in your neighborhood: 18 years.
Meeting with Mayor Franklin (Linda on right) // Courtesy of Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association
What is your role in your neighborhood?
As of November when Liz Vogeli was elected to city council, I’m running the show. She is from the Westmont Neighborhood and we worked together to run the association the past couple of years.
How old is the neighborhood association?
We started it up 2 years ago in Spring, but it was apparently in existence at some point in the past. A-board meeting announcement signs keep being found in the depths of city hall closets. I have yet to find anyone who knows the history of the association.
National Night Out // Courtesy of Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association
Why did you start volunteering for your neighborhood association?
In early 2017, I had an opportunity to participate on the Envision Everett committee. We updated a vision plan for the city that had been created 12 years prior. At that point in time, I was questioning if I wanted to stay living in Everett because I was frustrated with changes being made without my input.
I learned so much about how the city is run from the Envision Everett process and realized how approachable elected officials and city staff were. South Everett has a reputation for not engaging with city government so I wanted to work to educate my neighbors and provide opportunity for them to engage. It happened that at the same time Liz Vogeli was working on starting the association up so I jumped in to help.
Making it safer for neighborhood kids // Courtesy of Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association
What are your biggest challenges running the neighborhood association?
Six months ago, I’d have said finding people to volunteer to help run the association, but I’ve recently realized that neighbors just don’t know we exist. If we can create more awareness, then we will grow and out of that growth we will find more people to step up and help.
I was able to get neighborhood grant dollars for business cards listing our meeting and contact information that we can share with neighbors. We plan to go door to door this summer to let people know what we do and what opportunities there are to engage.
What are the biggest rewards running the neighborhood association?
Making new friends. There is an enhanced sense of safety and community when you know more of your neighbors.
Volunteers cleaning leaves from the sidewalk // Courtesy of Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association
What are the neighborhood accomplishments you are most proud of?
We were able to work with Challenger Elementary, Snohomish Health District and Traffic Engineering to address concerns the school had about students crossing at a busy intersection. After assessing the problem and identifying a solution, the Snohomish Health District used a grant to purchase crossing signs for the school to use. Crossing guards are able to place the signs in the intersection to alert drivers that students are in the area.
Another accomplishment was cleaning up the neighborhood school campuses before school started last August. We worked with the schools and Public Works to clean up the school grounds and the walking routes to the schools. We had neighborhood and school volunteers, Public Works provided the tools we needed and the neighborhood association coordinated it all. It is very rewarding creating the collaboration and we look forward to doing it again this year.
We also had a very successful National Night Out. We teamed up with the Twin Creeks and Cascade View neighborhoods to put on the event. It was so rewarding to see all of the happy kids and to know so many of the neighbors in attendance.
SW Everett National Night Out organizers // Courtesy of Westmont-Holly Neighborhood Association
What help do you need from neighbors?
The biggest need I have is for someone to take meeting minutes. Liz used to run the meetings and I took notes. Now I’m trying to do both and it’s difficult. We have some neighbors working to plan the next couple of meetings and that is a huge help.
There are a lot of volunteer opportunities that range from updating the website and writing the monthly newsletter to designing a business card and flyers. We need neighbors to help plan a neighborhood picnic and National Night Out. Even just spreading the word to neighbors about the association would be helpful.
There have been some great ideas for neighborhood projects such as planting flowers and painting utility box murals, but we need neighbors to lead those projects. I believe as we continue to grow, we will find those leaders.
When and where do meetings happen?
The first Monday of each month except for July and August. We meet at 6 p.m. at the Horizon Elementary School Library on 222 W Casino Road.
We are super lucky to have Casino Road Kids Ministries next door in the school gym for their homework club. They will provide child care while parents attend the meeting.
How can neighbors find out more about the neighborhood association?
We have a new website and we are also on Facebook. Questions can be sent to WestmontHolly@gmail.com.
Why do you love your neighborhood?
I love our potential. As I meet more and more people, I see that they have the same concerns I have. We are coming together at just the right time too because there are big plans for economic development in our neighborhood and I hope my neighbors will be engaged with the city to let them know what we want that development to look like.
I also love all of the non-profits in the neighborhood that we are able to collaborate with and support. We’ve got Hand in Hand, Childstrive, Casino Road Initiative to name a few.
What is your favorite place in your neighborhood to eat?
The Holly neighborhood is primarily residential so we don’t have a lot of restaurants, but one of my favorites in all of Everett is Avocados Mexican Restaurant.
What is a hidden gem in your neighborhood?
Loganbery Lane Off-Leash Dog Area because of the beautiful walking trails in the wetland area. It’s like an oasis in the city.
Any good quotes on volunteering or community building?
“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day for the kind of community you want to live in.” — Unknown
Banner image is courtesy of Rosemary Jones and from her Neighborhood Postcard series.
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