This Week's Ponderings

What a week!  

I have been doing research on history but more important issues have emerged.  Yesterday I was at the Pettigrew Heights Neighborhood Volunteer Subcommittee when not half a block away, there was a shooting at Munchies.  This is, of course, a bit too close to comfort and perhaps a sign that the Pettigrew Heights crime groundhog did NOT see its shadow. 

We certainly hope this is not a sign of things to come.  

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This week's news includes that of the death of Millard Fuller, cofounder of Habitat for Humanity.  This is disheartening - especially since he was supposed to speak in Brookings the 23rd of this month.  I understand he was an inspirational speaker.  This is an unfortunate loss for the community of communities.

Much politics was involved in the running of the Habitat organization and Fuller was inevitably kicked off the board of the very organization he helped create.  Trying to avoid all politics and hurt feelings we will not go into this - I don't think Mr. Fuller would appreciate it having any air time anyway.  

Millard Fuller packed up his philanthropy and began a new organization - which, if you ask me has a better philosophy and dream.   Rather than raze homes and build the typical "here's your habitat" house,

 they RESTORE homes.  To me, living in this neighborhood with history abound, this is ideal.  Throughout my historical research this week, "razed" is the resounding verbage on hundreds of pages adorning beautiful buildings and homes.  This has been very disheartening.  

The Fuller Center, like Habitat for Humanity is an ecumenical organization.  I realize that many people have a shut off valve in their ears where religion is concerned, I am guilty to a certain extent - I don't want it shoved down my throat.  To be an inclusive neighborhood we need to recognize and accept the work of others despite their affiliations.  What ecumenical means is unifying the churches and joining - in this case for the betterment of the neighborhood.  I'm in.