I vote for the name "Stephen Foster Neighborhood Association," for a practical reason. "Neighborhood Association" is the traditional name of such organizations in Gainesville, and it is therefore easily and quickly recognizable in discussions at commission meetings, letters to the editor of the newspaper, and such. Everyone knows what it means and what sort of group it is--an organization of residents who convene to discuss issues and exchange information having to do with the neighborhood where they all live.

At the January meeting, I heard an argument asserting that this name is perceived by some neighbors as pretentious, and I don't understand that perception. In my view it's a very plain name, made up of two simple words devoid of any political or social implications: "neighborhood" and "association." I don't see a problem with it.

Another objection was that members of the group would have to link themselves to the group name if they chose to speak during the Public Comment period at a city commission meeting. This concern is surely unfounded--I've observed many citizens identifying themselves at the meetings simply by saying their name and their neighborhood or address, and have done so myself.

I definitely would not prefer "Stephen Foster Neighborhood Crimewatch Group," because it appears to limit the group to a crimewatch function--which is important but constitutes only a part of the group's activities.

As for the boundary poll, I don't yet know enough about the pros and cons to form an opinion, and would like to hear further discussion of this issue at the next meeting.

Deidre Bryan