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Community meeting tackles Harmar revitalization

DOUG LOYER Special to the Times Passionate Harmar Resident and ringleader Jackson Patterson addresses the crowd at the first community meeting for Main Street West.

It’s nice to have a forum where their voices can be heard. That was the overwhelming thought of those from the Harmar community that attended the Main Street West dinner and meeting that was held Sunday night at the Knights of Columbus building on Franklin Street. The event was open to the public and free of charge.

Main Street West was looking for input on what Harmar residents want. They even used placemats that asked input such as strengths, challenges, clean up suggestions, youth programs, what businesses they would like to see, what resources they would like to see in Harmar and any suggestions.

The feedback they receive can help them focus their energies.

Main Street West is part of Marietta Main Street. It’s a committee and a new initiative that is focusing on revitalizing the west side.

“We really wanted to bring the Harmar community together to build relationships over a delicious meal,” said Cristie Thomas, Marietta Main Street Director. “We are asking what the strengths of Harmar are, what the challenges are and what do we want to see done differently.

“We want to brainstorm tonight and scratch the surface on how we can work together to revitalize the west side. We want to pull those ideas from those who are here. We have a group of dedicated community leaders who are passionate about focusing on the west side.”

“I am so excited about this turnout,” said Geoff Schenkel, Fourth Ward Councilman. “There is great mix of people, a wide range of a lot of walks of life and they are interacting. Having a voice does matter to people and especially on your own turf.”

Passionate Harmar Resident and ringleader Jackson Patterson started out as a youth basketball coach in Harmar and shared some ideas with Geoff Schenkel and one thing led to another. Now he is associated with Main Street West helping in their effort.

“We’re focusing on revitalizing Harmar,” said Patterson. “My whole goal is to bind the community. I believe there is hope in Harmar. We have a younger generation now and we have to build our trust with each other to revitalize the community.”

Long time Harmar resident Tom Fenton and his wife have lived on Fort Street in Harmar for many years. He expressed that he didn’t think a meeting like this has ever happened before. He thought that this can help uncover the interest that is in Harmar.

“People have forgotten why this place is even here,” commented Ronnie Davis of VFW 5108. “It’s because of Fort Harmar. That’s why it’s historical.”

Davis said that in a riverboat town it is necessary to clean up the river banks. He’d also like to see a shelter on the west side with old photos and historical information.

“I think this dinner and meeting is a good idea. You have to start somewhere,” shared Mark Swaney, another Harmar resident. “We need a lot of things and have some work to do.”

“This is great,” said Chase Chovan, owner of of Monkey’s Uncle Tattoo. “Anything we can do to bring people over here is good. We’d like to see more people to get across the bridge and shop.”

“Having a business in Harmar, you’d like to see thing happening in the community. This side has been separated from downtown,” shared the manager of the Boathouse BBQ restaurant. “There’s a lot of good people over here that should be recognized. When we were flooded, we got a lot of community support. We also get a lot of support daily at our restaurant. I would like to see involvement and some improvement.”

Dave Ballantyne, volunteers with Marietta Main Street as an advisor. “I think Geoff is absolutely phenomenal. His energy and intelligence will help move this forward. He’s taken this personally and down to a grass roots level.”

Jordanna Bamgart has worked with Marietta Main Street with murals in the past and thought that the dinner and meeting was amazing. The said the Harmar residents are looking for essential things to make it easier to live there and that’s what they wanted to talk about.

Linda Vraldo thought that the event was excellent and much-needed. She thinks that the youth will need to pick up the baton for the future.

A proud Harmar resident, Vraldo always says, “West Side, Best Side.”

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