After the March 17, 2002 flood, Barbara decided she and her neighbors had put up with enough. For more than two weeks following this break, she stayed up day and night typing out petitions and getting them signed, doing research, taking pictures, and organizing her neighbors. Barbara and other residents attended local meetings to speak out against the flooding and other quality of life issues in the neighborhood. Neighbor after neighbor, most of whom had never spoken in public in their lives, had the courage to speak their minds to city leaders.
Through sheer tenacity, Barbara and her neighbors forced city leaders to reimburse residents for flooding damages, and to address the other quality of life issues. Replacement of the decaying water pipes with a new $3 million line commenced less than 9 months after she began her effort. When the new watermain was put into service, Ms. Brown was an honored guest, and was pictured joining the mayor and city manager in turning on the new line.
Since then, Barbara has moved into another community - but she has not rested. In addition to keeping up with her old neighbors - well-being and ensuring that all were reimbursed for their flood damages by Christmas, she has worked with her new neighbors and others who contact her for help and assurance. She has been instrumental in establishing a neighborhood watch in her new community, and in finding other ways to deter break-ins and other criminal activity. Residents appreciate the feeling of security that has grown in the community, as it did where she resided previously.
Barbara has spent hundreds of dollars defending those who are often ignored in our city, but her biggest accomplishment has been empowering them to take a stand for themselves. She is a symbol of what the USA claims to be: a haven for free speech and assembly, where the government is of, by and for the citizens. She shows that strength comes with tenacity and hard work. She is truly a model for those who think no one can change City Hall.
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