PO Box 233
Nampa, Id 83653
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North Nampa Residents Association PO Box 233 Nampa, Id 83653 |
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NAMPA -- Shirley Dean isn't one to mince words, especially when she talks
about what it will take to revitalize north Nampa."Nothing will happen unless the residents of north Nampa get off their duffs and do something." Dean said. For several years Dean has been |
an outspoken advocate of the need to revitalize north Nampa. Through her efforts and the work of other dedicated neighbors, the plight of north Nampa is getting some attention. Martha Stevens, executive director of Nampa Neighborhood Housing Services, said Dean has been a tireless volunteer in her efforts to improve her neighborhood. "She's a dynamite lady, highly energetic and really involved." Stevens said. "She brings a lot of good issues to the table and she's not afraid of conflict." |
 Shirley Dean stands in front of a trailer in north Nampa that has extra units added to its property. Dean is an advocate for revitalizing north Nampa, which has many vacant, dilapidated houses. |
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Dean was one of the most vocal members of the North Nampa Residents
Association that pushed the North Nampa Urban Renewal Agency to focus more
of its attention and its funds on north Nampa projects. Dean and others complained that too much money was diverted to the Idaho Center. The outcry from neighbors caused the agency to turn its attention back toward the neighborhoods. In this budget year, the agency has designated more than half of its $7.5 million budget toward north side improvement projects. The attention raised by the residents association also prompted Mayor Maxine Horn to add another north Nampa resident to the urban renewal agency board. Not surprisingly she chose Dean, who was appointed to the board in February. Horn said Dean came highly recommended. "She was the ideal person; she had no personal agendas and represented the people well," Horn said. "I feel she is very interested and dedicated to the betterment of the north side." A new perspective With the appointment, Dean suddenly found herself a member of the same agency she had once vocally criticized. |
But now that she is walking in their shoes, Dean freely admits she has a
better understanding of the group. "At first I only thought they were just trying to pacify us and keep us quiet," Dean said. "But now I know they are sincere people and are not out to hurt the residents in any way and without their help north Nampa will never be revitalized." Dean said the agency wasn't against north Nampa residents, but it simply needed some input from residents on what they thought needed to be done. She hopes that trend will continue now that she's on the board. "I hope that more residents will come forward and let us know what they want, we don't have enough input," Dean said. "They don't have to get involved, but a phone call, letter, or e-mail would be appreciated to let us know how they feel." Dean says the Idaho Center is still a sore spot with many north Nampa residents. But, she said, it's now time for residents to put those feelings behind them. "We've got it (the center) and we have to make the most of it," Dean said. She applauds the efforts of the Idaho Center staff to make it self sufficient. |
Construction on the Idaho Center began in 1995 and cost $23 million to
build. The center has yet to make a profit and, according to some estimates,
may lose $200,000 this year. Item such as the planned horse park at the Idaho Center will help it become profitable and provide the community with an economic boost, Dean said. The Idaho Center is nearing completion on the park's first outdoor arena. The center also purchased an additional 18 acres of land for the proposed horse park. The park will take several years to complete, but Idaho Center Director Rod Orrison says the park has the potential to attract national equestrian events. The changing neighborhood The evolution of north Nampa is something Dean has witnessed first hand. When Dean and her husband moved to their home on 4th Street North 34 years ago, the area was rural and every home had acreage. Over time Dean saw the acreages split up and little by little mobile homes moved in. The face of the neighborhood started to change. Through the years the mobile homes deteriorated as did the overall neighborhood. Dean said the north Nampa area has always been the forgotten area when it came to infrastructure improvements. |
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She recalls times when the city promised infrastructure projects that never
materialized. "They always promised it would come, but the money was spent somewhere else," Dean said. About three years ago Dean began to advocate for her neighborhood when a drug house prompted her to start a neighborhood watch program. Dean has faced many problems first hand. For example, a tenant in a home she rents started selling drugs. Dean knew something was up so she called the police. She then told the tenant on a Friday that he had until Sunday to move or the police would be there. By Sunday he was gone and Dean found herself cleaning up the aftermath. When police burst in to raid the house, all they found was Dean clutching a bottle of cleaning solution. "We still joke about me being raided for cleaning solution," she said. A balancing act Besides standing up against meth dealers and stumping for her neighborhood, Dean has also found the time to maintain a successful homebased business. Since 1974, she has produced custom-made draperies out off a workshop behind her home. |
Dean doesn't mind juggling her business and her community work, but she admits it can be frustrating. She concedes that she has thought about leaving north Nampa, but like many other residents she knows she could never sell her house for its true value. |
Her family supports her in her community work, but Dean admits she can be a
little outspoken at times. "Sometimes my husband says, ‘just shut up, will you,'" Dean said with a smile. North Nampa's future Dean has a vision for north Nampa; she wants it to be a "clean, healthy and safe neighborhood." She also wants people to have the opportunity to own a home. "Everybody should be able to live in a decent and affordable house," Dean said. "Some people don't care where they live, but a lot of people do care, but they can't afford it." Dean says it's too soon to know if the latest renewal effort will be successful. "I wish I knew the answer," Dean said. One thing she does know is for anything to happen it will take more than one individual. "People are afraid to get involved and they're content to let the other guy do it," Dean said. "But the only way it will be fixed up is to get involved." |
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Last Update 25 Nov 2001 www.nampa.net/nnra/ipt000304.htm |