Longtime community activist, Pastor Dana Smith, has announced that he is running to be the President of the North-Oak Neighborhood Revitalization Zone (NRZ).
“As president,” Smith says, “I would like to see a transformation of the North-Oak neighborhood as model – a neighborhood that is that is clean, where people walk outside, with flowers planted, more activities in the park and where people take ownership of the community.”
The North-Oak NRZ is to have elections for its leadership positions on Thursday, February 27, 2020. The election is to be at 7:00pm at 180 North Street, the Howey House.
Smith says that he wants to help the people in neighborhood who are struggling. Rather than make them feel unwelcome, he wants to lift them up with the neighborhood.
Smith has been a resident in the community since 2002. He is married to Pastor Evelyn Smith, and the Smith family lives in the heart of the North-Oak neighborhood.
Active in the organization, Friends of Willow Street Park, Smith has been involved in organizing neighborhood community clean ups, community day events and mentoring.
Smith, Senior Pastor at New Life II Ministries, works for Advocacy Unlimited as a bridger coordinator.
The North-Oak NRZ is a community organization, formed under state law, designed to advance social and economic progress in the North-Oak neighborhood.
At regular meetings, the NRZ has allowed area residents and others involved in the neighborhood to discuss neighborhood concerns, like blighted buildings and crime, and to work together to advocate for activities and the well being of area children.
Positions elected to led the NRZ have included President, Vice President, Secretary, Housing Chair, Public Safety Chair, Human Resources Chair and Economic Development Chair.
