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Sparse attendance raising questions about association

About half of Carrollwood's neighborhood groups used to attend. Now it's only a few. Can this mean CAAN will cease to be?

By AMBER MOBLEY
Published September 24, 2006

CARROLLWOOD - CAAN may be calling it quits.

Twenty to 25 representatives of the organization's 50 neighborhood associations used to attend the Carrollwood Area Association of Neighborhoods' monthly meetings.

These days, organization president Tom Jones is lucky to get 10 people to show.

"People aren't that interested anymore," said Jones. "We need to re-evaluate, and see if we want to try to regenerate interest in the group or just let it die."

Minus Jones and a Times reporter, Thursday's CAAN meeting drew seven people.

Concerned with apparent community apathy, Jones asked the "precious few" in attendance why they thought interest was so low.

Busy schedules?

A lack of problems that require attention?

Changes in neighborhood leadership?

The reasons for the drop in attendance and apparent lack of interest, they said, could run the gamut.

Don Hardy, president of the Logan Gate Special Taxing District, said he wants CAAN to live.

"These meetings have been beneficial to me in picking up on problems others are facing," Hardy said. "But there is some apathy which you'll see tonight in my presentation, which was surprising to me."

Bothered by roving, bass-booming cars making musical journeys through the streets of Logan Gate and noisy motorcycles vrooming to and fro, Hardy was inspired to craft a 26-question survey about residential issues which he posted on the Internet in June.

Hardy hoped to present the survey results to the Hillsborough County Commission in the fall.

But, a mere 74 people responded "which was surprising to me," he announced Thursday.

Apathy, said those in attendance, seems to be spreading.

Still, Jones said he won't pull the plug on CAAN just yet and plans to send out a questionnaire to members about their involvement, or lack thereof.

Even though neighborhood association representatives and residents don't show up to monthly CAAN meetings, the associations continue to sent in their $25 annual membership dues.

"I want to ask them 'Why do they join? Why do they feel the need to be a member and not be active?"' Jones said.

If CAAN does die, at least it left a legacy, said Jones. The 8-year-old organization helped spearhead the Carrollwood Cultural Center.

And now that the cultural center is close to completion, Jones said he needs to focus his attention there, especially if interest in CAAN is dissolving.

Amber Mobley can be reached at amobley@sptimes.com or 813 269-5311.

[Last modified September 24, 2006, 06:43:37]