By David Newman

Did you notice the name of this newsletter? It’s Lyon Park Bulletin; however, before October 2022, it was Lyon Park Citizen. We’re planning to revert to the original name, created at the newsletter’s inception in 1976, and want you to know why. If you have concerns about changing the name, please let us know!

The main reason we want to revert to the original, Lyon Park Citizen, is to remind everyone residing in Lyon Park that you are citizens of Lyon Park—and that means something!  As citizens of Lyon Park, you enjoy some privileges and opportunities—including receiving this newsletter with lots of information you may want and some information you may need. Also, all residents or owners of homes in Lyon Park are eligible for special residential rental rates when booking the Community Center for their own event. (Ashton Heights residents get special rates, too!)  And finally, you are invited to all of the community events hosted at the Lyon Park Community Center, including the Lyon Park Spring fair, the pancake breakfast, chili cook-off, the egg roll, the food truck fest, the community yard-sale, and tons more, all of which will be posted in the newsletter.

“Citizen” is defined as an inhabitant of a town or city; citizenship has benefits, and also carries responsibilities. We hope that, as Lyon Park citizens, you will be welcoming neighbors and go one step beyond, by finding time to volunteer at community events and with community organizations to help keep the Lyon Park community strong. Through local committees, you can make a difference, because they help shape and preserve our community. We hope you’ll become a member ($10/year) of the Lyon Park Citizens Association (LPCA) and vote for capable neighbors to fill positions in the LPCA and other neighborhood organizations. When you’re ready, maybe you’ll serve as an officer of one of those organizations!  Those opportunities are published in this newsletter, so keep your eyes on this space!

Another reason for reverting to the original name is to highlight the connection between this newsletter and the Lyon Park Citizens Association. One important role of the LPCA is to distribute information on issues of concern to the community. This newsletter is an important channel for distributing that information—and we want readers to know that the people putting together and distributing the newsletter have no agenda or interests other than keeping Lyon Park residents informed and promoting community and connection.

I expect some of you are wondering why the name was changed in in 2022 to Lyon Park Bulletin. In President’s Messages in the newsletters published in October 2021 and September 2022, leadership noted that they wanted to make communications from the LPCA Board to Lyon Park residents more inclusive and welcoming, during a period when immigration was highly politicized. We believe returning to Lyon Park Citizen advances the goal of inclusiveness and hope you agree. Please email us at LyonParkEditor@gmail.com if you want to share views on the impending name change.