You may have noticed several new writers appearing here on Wallyhood over the past couple of weeks. This may be puzzling to you, as I announced back in January that I was turning the lights out on the blog.
In the face of a Wallyhood blackout, a number of people from the Wallingford community offered to pitch in and make Wallyhood a shared community effort and resource. As it happens, this has always been my dream: that Wallyhood would become a collage of voices from the neighborhood, entwined threads of different perspectives and stories creating a shared narrative of where we live. Ideally, it’s a sustainable, ongoing endeavor that will survive its founder, but until then, I’m going to be sticking around to help make sure it flies.
We’re still working out the details, but thus far, we’re planning on having an “editor of the week”, a rotating responsibility for corralling and/or writing the stories that appear here. Nancy Treader is up first, followed by Jack Mclaughlin, Ben Robinson and Katie Portier. A (hopefully) growing cast of writers will be supporting them by contributing stories. I’ve blow up the byline, to give you better visibility about who is writing any given piece. I’ve also changed my own byline from “Wallyhood” to “Jordan”, in recognition of the transition of this to a shared resource.
If you would have something to say or share with the neighborhood, please write us at [email protected]. We have a long list of “story ideas” (including some favorite Wallingford institutions that may be closing, re-opening, changing ownership) that are awaiting someone taking on the responsibility of writing them up to share. Don’t be shy, you don’t have to be a pro (I’m certainly not). Just let me know you want to try and we’ll help you get started.
This new, shared approach is an experiment, but one that I have a lot of confidence will be a success. We may have to make adjustments as we go, so please do let us know how you think things are turning out, and feel free to shoot your (polite) suggestions to the address above, as well, or post them in the comments.
And we’re off to the races!
Nancy is great!!! Can’t wait!!!
I’m so happy to hear this news!! Ever since the city’s HALA meeting last Wednesday that I chanced onto, I’ve been thinking about: How can a democracy work when it’s press disappears? I even went so far as to write an article for Wallinghood about the evening with the hope that something might get out to the community. I was so happy when I saw the article get posted on Saturday. I thought, Thank you, Wallyhood!! I only read Wallyhood occasionally but when it disappeared I discovered that there was nowhere to go if I wanted to say something to my community. There’s Nextdoor but they require that you give your full street address. Maybe it’s fine, but it’s cause for pause. After Wednesday evening, I really wanted to say something to Wallingford, to my neighborhood, the longest place I’ve ever lived, and I didn’t know where to turn. It was that drop-in-your-stomach kind of feeling when you suddenly discover you have no voice. Thank you, Wallyhood, for creating a way to live and prosper!!
Oh, and, I learned on Wednesday that an important deadline is coming up this Friday, April 8. If you have input for the city’s design review process for new developments in Wallingford, Ever since a friend forwarded me an email that she’d received from a neighbor, I’ve been thinking about this deadline. Wouldn’t this be one of the most important steps in the process of defining the outcome of Wallingford? How the city, the community, gets a chance to look at the designs and whether we only get to see them one time, which is the current proposal, or at least two, my proposal — this is the creation of the rules under which the evolution of our home will take place. Let’s go make some rules, Wallingford!
Wonderful! Long live Wallyhood and many thanks to all you brave contributors!
To Jordan!!! YAY!!! I am so glad Wallyhood is alive and well again. Thank you for all who have helped make this happen. I am sure there may be more ways we can help you, ease the burden a bit,. Please let us know what we can do. It is nice to know that there have been many suggestions already. I am dealing with a bad influenza bug right now, but when I am better, I will ge glad to help in any way needed.
Glad, glad you are back and that the posting problem is fixed. I am confused however why an dhow the same neggie nellies take over commenting so much. Boring and reduces the value of the return of important useful community news source..