News from the Gateway Center Community Advisory Committee

October, 2002

  COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE-WHO ARE THEY?
"What is the purpose of the advisory committee and how were the members elected? And it appears that some aren't even residents of this area." This was a comment written on a returned survey card. Good question! Just who are these folks?
Most people are aware that there was a lot of controversy surrounding the proposed expansion of the Gateway Center. Currently boys and girls are housed in the same wing. While they are still in separate rooms, it was felt that separate wings would be better. The expansion would have set up a wing for girls. It would have added approximately 3,400 sq. ft., and accommodated an additional 16 residents.
Due to the controversy, the expansion has not occurred. The decision concerning the right to expand is still in the legal system. A decision is expected in 2003.
The folks at the Helen Ross McNabb Center - who run the Gateway Center - realized that they needed to be closer aligned to the community. It is a goal of HRM to have good community relations in areas where they have facilities. So Patti Hall, Vice President of Community Relations, invited some people that she had met at various events to participate in a community advisory board. She selected folks that had a wide range of experiences, as you will read in the biographies that follow. But more importantly, she selected folks that had a wide range of opinions as well.
While each of us have our own reasons for agreeing to serve, we do have two things in common. We all support the work that is being done at the Gateway Center. The rehabilitation of a youth that has made a wrong decision is the best option for that person and for the community. We also have a large stake in the activities at Gateway Center because it is in our back yard. All of us live within a two-mile radius of the Center. Like everyone else, we want our community to be a desirable place to live and we want our property values to increase.
We've had four meetings since April 25, and during this time bylaws were established. Key points from the bylaws are:

• Purpose: Provide balanced, unbiased, fair and accurate community interaction for direction.
• Develop community interest and awareness.
• Committee is made up of five to eight members.
• Terms shall be two years staggered (this gives all residents an opportunity to serve).
• Members serve without compensation (but they do feed us when we have meetings).

  SURVEY RESULTS
Approximately 10% of the households responded to the BBQ and/or survey. Survey results indicated that 50% had a negative perception of the Center, primarily because of the recent controversy over expansion. Most of the others were neutral - 35%. Over 75% of those who returned surveys knew that the Gateway Center, operated by Helen Ross McNabb Center, is for treatment of teens for substance abuse.
The llamas and camels were well liked by 71%, with 25% having neutral feelings. The facility was well liked by 60%, disliked by 20%. Most people (44%) had neutral feelings about the staff, and 37% expressed dissatisfaction with them. The biggest area of dissatisfaction related to community relations and security. In both cases, 52% of folks expressed dissatisfaction with about 32% being neutral.
There were several comments, ranging from the beauty of the facility to the dissatisfaction that the facility even existed and needed covering with trees.

  NEXT STEPS
The committee will meet to discuss this new information and compile it with information it already has. Then it will determine which items need addressing and work with HRM to achieve them. Addressing communication and security concerns will be high on the list. You'll hear more from us in the upcoming months.
It should be noted that Gateway Center has already taken action on several items that were identified as concerns by the community from meetings at the beginning of the year. This includes planting 75 trees, whose variety was selected by a local community member. These trees were planted on the property to soften the view, and are valued at $3,500. Also, the lights at the entrance were turned off due to night driving concerns.
We hope we've given you a better idea of what is happening at the Gateway Center. More newsletters will follow, and in the next issue we will talk a little more about the staff (including a photo) and the clients so you can get to know them better. The Community Advisory Committee will do our best to provide guidance to the Center based on what we think the community desires. We ask that the community support us in our efforts by communicating with us on any aspect of the Center. We're discussing the best way to have you share your views - right now email and phone seem to be the best ways. Our phone numbers are listed with our bios, and an email address has been set up specifically for this use. This is also listed on our bio page. We will also enclose a comment card with each issue of the newsletter. Even though they are addressed to the Helen Ross McNabb Center, they will be forwarded to the Advisory Committee. We hope to see you at the next open house!

Best regards,
Joe, Sandy, Marie, David & Gena

  DAVID BONEWITZ
Hi - I am one of your neighbors here in Louisville. I was born and raised in Gulfport, MS. I received my Bachelor's Degree in Aerospace Engineering from Georgia Tech. I hold two Master's Degrees - one in Meteorology from the University of Oklahoma, and one in Computer Science from Johns Hopkins University. I also have a Ph.D. in Meteorology from Texas A&M University. I am married to Mindy, and we have two sons; one in college and the other a seventh grader. I am a retired Air Force Colonel with over 25 years of active duty. We moved to the Louisville area four years ago. I have taught at Maryville College as an adjunct professor of statistics, and am currently employed as the Family Services Director at Blount County Habitat for Humanity. My family attends River Oaks Community Church, and I am an active volunteer with the Boy Scouts. I enjoy reading, volksmarching (a noncompetitive family-oriented walking sport), boating, fishing, and ham radio.

  SANDY BRAUN
Hello - I'd like to tell you a little about myself. I was raised in Clearwater, FL. I am a veteran of the U. S. Army and served in Vietnam. While living in Florida, I was in the construction and service station business. In 1989 I moved to the Knoxville area and developed Logan's Landing in 1994. I moved there the following year. I have one son and two grandsons - Logan, 8, and Conner, 4. My son Dustin and I are currently co-owners of Braun Construction Services, Inc. in Alcoa. In my spare time I like to boat, snow and water ski, and I hold a private pilot's license.

  GENA GRAHAM
Hi - my name is Gena Graham. I grew up in Madisonville, TN, and have been a resident of Louisville for over 30 years! I have been married to Gilbert Graham for the last 36 years, and we have two lovely daughters - Leslie, 34, and Kara, 18. My husband and I are grandparents to Leslie's 4 1/2 year-old son Corey, whom we love dearly and spend as much time with as possible. I worked for Bell South for 32 years and am now retired. My husband and I are members of Concord First Baptist Church. Presently my passion is reading!

  MARIE NIX
I am 56 years old and am originally from Lithonia, GA. I have been married to Freddie Wright Nix, Sr., for the last 37 years. We have two grown sons - Freddie, Jr., 32, and Thomas, 28. We also have two grandchildren - Jack, nearly two, and Mason, four months. My husband and his partners own Continental Aerial Surveys, Inc., in Alcoa. My careers include being a mother, grandmother, teacher, and writer. I am now gainfully unemployed (I am a recovering workaholic!). I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Education, a Master's in communication, and am a master gardener! My husband and I attend St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Louisville. I love family and friends, baby-sitting my grandchildren, and I REALLY love to cook and travel! My interests include public speaking and textile art.

  JOE SZMIDT
This is my second time living in Blount County. My work with Alcoa has also taken me to Evansville, IN, and Hong Kong. I have been with Alcoa for 25 years, and will probably retire in Louisville. My current role with Alcoa is Technology Manager. I was born in Korea and traveled extensively while I was young since my father was in the Army. I attended the University of Missouri at Rolla, and have a degree in metallurgical engineering. I have been married to my wife, Sharon, for 28 years, and we have three children ranging in age from 20 to 28 years old. I have been active in community service wherever I've been, especially with youth programs. I had planned to be uninvolved for a period of time, but circumstances pushed me to get involved. These were the Werner Center controversy, the 9/11 terrorist attack, and President Bush's call for volunteering. My passion is travel, and I have traveled around the world. My most memorable trips have probably been to Israel and Nepal. I also enjoy scuba diving and bungee jumping.