You can’t always get what you want / But if you try sometimes, / Well, you might find / You get what you need
So goes the philosophical refrain from the 1969 rock classic “You Can’t Always Get What You Want,” written by Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger at the age of 26. In part, the song is a reflection on the disillusionment of the “love is all you need” idealism of the 1960s, suggesting that while desires often go unmet, needs might be fulfilled through resilience and perseverance. Perhaps. But — pardon the wordplay — easier sung than done.
Take our neighborhood for example. With over 2,600 households and 100 businesses within the boundaries of Beaumont-Wilshire, all with folks who have their own wish list of wants, a determination of “neighborhood needs” is neither simple nor precise.
Surveys sent out to residents via our newsletter and monthly Community Updates, along with testimony at BWNA meetings, provide our board with an approximation of residents’ interests and sentiments across the neighborhood. Admittedly that data is nowhere near as accurate as that generated by scientific polling. Still, I would argue that feedback from hundreds of respondents via survey and testimony is, at the very least, a useful indicator of needs — most of which fall into three basic topics:
Safety: Maintaining a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment is a top priority. Other top safety needs include pedestrian safety, traffic calming, and crime prevention.
Beautification: Over the years our Friends of Wilshire Park Committee has raised tens of thousands of dollars for plantings, play equipment, and a water spigot for the dog run. BWNA also sponsors recycling, trash cleanup, and graffiti removal events.
Community Events: By far the largest summer outdoor event in our neighborhood, attracting thousands, is Fremont Fest Marketplace (Aug. 1). However, this gala street fair is not organized by BWNA, but by BBA (Beaumont Business Association). BWNA-organized summer events this year include a neighborhood Yard Sale (July 11), an Art & Garden Tour (July 18), Movie in the Park (Aug. 13), and, largest of all, our all-neighborhood BWNA Block Party (Sept. 11). New to the mix this summer will be events at the new public plaza — recently named Beaumont Crossing. Stay tuned!
So, while it’s true that we don’t always get what we want, the effort is robust. Come lend a hand!
by Al Ellis, BWNA Board President