Balboa-Area Residents Agree To Form Neighborhood Council
Balboa-area residents, joined by neighbor Mayor John Talbott, agreed unanimously Thursday to officially join the growing number of neighborhood councils.
“The future of neighborhoods is good,” Talbott told the group.
The Balboa neighborhood takes its name from an elementary school in the area. Its boundaries are roughly from the edge of the North Indian Trail neighborhood, along the east side of Indian Trail Road to Francis Avenue and east to Ash Street.
The 35 neighbors attending the meeting at Salk Middle School, quickly adopted bylaws and elected directors.
Frank Yuse, often described as “involved in everything,” was named chairman. He is a retired high school teacher and former planning commissioner. He is involved with Spokane Horizons and is head of the Seniors Legislative Coalition of Eastern Washington, among other things.
“I am so happy to see you willing souls turn out for this,” he said.
Vice chair for the neighborhood is Ronda Cahill, another Spokane activist, recently appointed to the Public Disclosure Commission.
Talbott joined the meeting late, but then jumped enthusiastically into the discussions.
He encouraged the group to involve as many neighbors as possible and be truly representative of the residents who live within the boundaries.
He also urged them to “make sure I work for you, stay in touch, contact your City Council people.”
Talbott also told the group about a letter he received from a recent visitor to Spokane, telling him the city looks like a slum.
Talbott said he started looking around the city and noticed it definitely needs sprucing up. He urged Balboa neighbors - most with neat lawns, swept sidewalks and well-tended flower beds - to help other neighbors spruce up.
“Company is coming,” he said, listing upcoming convention and events that draw large numbers of visitors to the city. “Do all you can to fix up your neighborhoods.
“Then, if you have time or can, offer to go help neighbors in other parts of the city,” he suggested.
, DataTimes