Resident council formed to strengthen community

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Curt Beach
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Barksdale Family Housing has formed a resident representative council to represent Airmen and their families living on base.

"We are a voice for the community," said Master Sgt. Christopher Jones, resident representative council member. "Now residents have faces and names of representatives who can take their concerns or ideas to the housing office. Our charter is in place to make base housing a more enjoyable, stress-free place to reside."

The 33-member council consists of Airmen of various ranks from senior airman to chief master sergeant, as well as dependents. All interested residents who submitted their applications by the deadline were accepted.

"We started this resident advisory board to open a line of communication with our residents and to help collaboratively solve any issues or concerns they may have," said Chelsea Ballard, Barksdale Family Housing assistant community director. "We hope this is a productive and positive experience for our residents and fosters a long-lasting relationship."

The council will be partnering with and representing the views and opinions of 1,938 residents living in 1,091 on-base homes.

"I would say the biggest hurdle as well as the biggest accomplishment will be to bring the communities together," said Jones. "Hopefully this council will bring residents together through events and improvements and will have a snowball effect resulting in a more close-knit community."

One way the council will strive to accomplish this goal is by hosting monthly meetings the third Tuesday of each month. They will also attend crime watch meetings and assist with resident events over the course of their one-year assignment.

"I feel this is a prime opportunity to strengthen the housing community, through family events, cleaning, or others," said Jones. "As representatives, we are afforded a direct line of communication with the housing personnel to make these things happen."

For more information, visit http://www.barksdalefamilyhousing.com or contact the housing office at 888-697-0422.