By JAN McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
In a week or so, Bowling Green’s population will again be bursting when Bowling Green State University students return for a new semester.
As students settle into their new lodgings for the next nine months or so, a group of year-round residents wants to welcome them to the neighborhood. That welcome will also come with printed material on the rights and responsibilities of renters.
The non-profit organization, BG Save Our Neighborhoods Group, wants to reach 2,500 doors with information on how to be good neighbors.
“We need volunteers for that,” said Rose Drain, of BG SONG. “We’re ambitious. We want to get good information into the hands of people.”
The 2020 U.S. Census found that 64% of the housing units in Bowling Green were non-owner occupied. Many are rented by students who have never leased before – including international students unfamiliar with the process.
“We’re happy you’re in the neighborhood,” and here’s some information that can help all residents be neighborly, she said.
The door-to-door effort is planned for the morning of Aug. 23, when many students will return to Bowling Green. BG SONG is hoping to pair up long-term residents with student volunteers for the effort. The teams will be given a brief training and map of their assigned areas before they are sent out to canvass neighborhoods.
Anyone interested in volunteering should email bowlinggreensong@gmail.com.
The material to be handed out by volunteers include the “Lease In Peace: A Renter’s Toolkit” program, which arms renters with information on their rights and responsibilities.
The city’s “Good Neighbor Guide” offers citizens tips on how to be good neighbors – and what they can do if their neighbors are not so good.
“The Good Neighbor Guide is intended to help support a high quality of life for all of those that call Bowling Green home,” the guide states.
The guide tells citizens who to call when cars are parked in yards, parties are too loud or a couch is left sitting on the curb.
But it also stresses that while some issues involve city enforcement, other issues can be resolved by good neighborly behavior.
“A good neighbor is considerate, friendly and participates in actions that support community. While the guide can be utilized as a reference for common scenarios related to neighborhood issues, we recommend reviewing the following tips and resources that are critical to creating and maintaining good neighbor relationships,” the guide states.
The following tips for success are recommended:
- Make meaningful contact. Introduce yourself to your neighbors. A simple hello goes a long way to building relationships.
- Know neighbors on a personal level. Ask questions about their interests, professions, backgrounds and their family.
- Be considerate. Please think about your neighbors’ schedules, which may be different from yours, and be considerate.
- Making too much noise, particularly late at night, is a nuisance and against the law. Large parties can also cause friction with your neighbors and violate city ordinances.
- Be respectful. We pride ourselves on being a welcoming, inclusive community. Posting signs or banners that members of the community could find offensive runs counter to the values of Bowling Green. It could also be a violation of your lease and city ordinances.
- Know your lease. Understand what your landlord is responsible for and what your obligations are for things like trash disposal, lawn care and snow removal.
- Know your city and neighborhood. Familiarize yourself with regulations on things like noise and litter ordinances, parking and snow removal. Much of this information can be found on the city of Bowling Green’s website.
For those problems that cannot be smoothed over among neighbors, the guide suggests which governmental office should be contacted. There are phone numbers listed, along with estimated response times.
The overall goal of BG SONG is to build strong neighborhoods for everyone, with the following efforts:
- To actively advocate for financially accessible housing and the preservation of historic neighborhoods.
- Sustain and enhance active engagement with diverse external stakeholders, including business owners, city officials, and elected representatives.
- To facilitate the ongoing development of affordable and inclusive housing that meets the evolving needs of both current and future residents.
