02/27/2004: 
Urban Archaeology
Spotlight on East End in new Web site
from Watertown Tab & Press
A new Web site focusing on the East End of Watertown is up and ready for viewers to see.
The site, www.watertown3000.com, developed as an initiative of the emerging East End Neighbors group, describes the area in depth with statistics and figures, as well as giving people an idea of possible volunteer opportunities, restaurants and take-out spots and events and issues that are of concern to the area.
"This is a way to reach out to people who moved to Watertown and might want to get more involved," said Web master John Colangelo. "This is a starting point for them. It's also for people who've lived here most of their lives and kind of want to learn what makes it more unique."
"I love the Web site," East End Neighbor group member Deb Kaup said. "I think it's great to take advantage of the new technology to communicate things and also to get younger people involved, too."
The East End Neighbors group formed "to provide an opportunity for East End Neighbors to meet each other through meaningful discussions and neighborhood-wide activities," their site says. "We envision a community where new families feel welcome, where older residents can continue to live in their familiar surroundings, where local businesses can thrive, where residents feel safe, where walking is encouraged, where diversity is valued."
Also, the front page of watertown3000.com features a link to santo26's own Sawin's Pond website. Viva la athenaeum!
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Kaup said the meetings are still informal, but the group is very "enthusiastic" about promoting the East End."They really like living here and they want to celebrate the East End and tell people what's happening," Kaup said.
The name Watertown3000 was chosen for a few reasons. Mainly, as stated on the site, because it's easy to remember, and "forward-looking."
Colangelo said his favorite feature on the site, which took him several hours on a Saturday morning to put together, is the "fascinating demographics" that a viewer can see there.
He said people are welcome to share their thoughts on the site and about the East End and can sign up for a list serve as well. He suggested that they would like to add in the future more information from Watertown politicians or nonprofits who are interested in appearing on the site.
"We're hoping to grow this thing," Colangelo said. "I think we've got a pretty good start now."
1 Annotation Submitted
Friday the 27th of February, Abe Froman noted:
Though I know there are many from the east end, presently I'm the only one here who lives in the east end, and I'm actually from the west end.
Damn, I lost my train of thought ... Anyway, I've followed the mobilization of this east end neighbors group and though their goals seem admirable at first glance. Their mission for instance:
"We envision a community where new families feel welcome, where older residents can continue to live in their familiar surroundings, where local businesses can thrive, where residents feel safe, where walking is encouraged, where diversity is valued." Great.
However, upon further scrutiny, their website is drawing lines in the sand saying who is in the east end and who is not. One such excluded area is the home of east-ender AG hawk, walnut street. Why the anti-Walnut agenda? Why? Also excluded Mt. Auburn North of the Hosmer, home to Mr. Kaprilian, practically mr. east end.
Sure my street, francis, fits their standards but an east end without these places and people is not an east end I want to be a part of.
Reporting from the trenches. Abe Froman.
