Notes from the Editor

by DK Holland

THERE IS AN AIR OF ANXIETY about the recession hanging over the Hill. The economic uncertainty. The threat of job loss. Things are not under control.

Yet even though an official recession has been going on for over a year and a half, new businesses are opening here and relatively few businesses are closing; More people are moving in than moving out; There seem to be few evictions or homes in foreclosure; It feels like Fort Greene-Clinton Hill-Wallabout is a bumper zone and that the economic tsunami has never hit us.

Adding to this perception is tourism, which is way up. The Brooklyn Flea, Habana Outpost, tour buses and our many great shops and restaurants bring people into the hood from all over these days reinforcing the vibrancy of the hood.

But we all know people who have lost their jobs and have had to scramble. The service and nonprofit sectors are being hit hard. Many professionals are adapting to leaner times. But there are some positives: for instance, neighbors are opting to send their kids to public school here pulling them out of private schools not in our area. This means more parental involvement in improving the schools we have and possibly the creation of more charter schools. It means more kids going to school where they live. It means healthier integration. People are giving up their cars and hopping on their bikes instead. They are getting out of the house to meet their neighbors. Organizing block parties. Doing community work. This is one of the big advantages of our neighborhood. We connect.

This issue is designed specifically to help our neighbors who are struggling, who are looking for support, who want to connect.