Recipient of the 2022 Kathleen Klink Award for Neighborhood Leadership
Meet Frank Downie, a nearly lifelong Lindenwald resident who founded PROTOCOL (People Reaching Out To Others: Celebrate Our Lindenwald) and served as board member and former chairman for 17Strong. Downie was presented with the Kathleen Klink Award for Neighborhood Leadership on March 26th, 2022.
How long have you lived in Lindenwald? Why did you choose to stay in Lindenwald?
I have lived here for 67 of my nearly 72 years. My father’s family has been in Hamilton for several generations. My mother is from Middletown. When they were first married, they lived with my maternal grandmother (in Middletown), eventually building a home in the Hammond subdivision of Lindenwald. My father had always worked in Hamilton. It was more fate than anything that has kept me here. My dad eventually purchased his place of employment, Federle Wholesale Florist. Upon his passing in 1974, I continued to run the business until a lucrative offer from a developer for the land (St. Clair and Pleasant Avenues) made selling the property a viable option. I continued to work at Lodder’s Flowers (Millville), eventually taking a Job with AJ Rahn greenhouses (Spring Grove Village, Cincinnati), but I have always loved the people of Lindenwald, and still live in the home I purchased here in 1976.
What is your favorite memory from the 17Strong Celebration Breakfast hosted by the city of Hamilton and the 17Strong Advisory Board?
This Breakfast has always been one of my favorite 17Strong events. It celebrates the previous year’s grant recipients and energizes attendees to continue to promote safer, cleaner, and more engaged neighborhoods in the current year. Mike Dingledein’s presentation,” Neighborhood Engagement,” was energizing. The presence of some of the Freshman School 17Strong youth advocates was exciting. Of course, Xander (the 17Strong mascot) making his debut as the finale was quite the surprise and cheered by all.
In your opinion, what characteristics or qualities must a leader have to be eligible for the Klink Award?
If someone has a strong desire to live in a cleaner, safer, and more engaged neighborhood, they have what, in my opinion, is the #1 characteristic. A knowledge of the neighborhood, including its history, is helpful. A connection to the community’s past and remembering it in better times is a plus. The desire to create a neighborhood in which residents take pride, creating a “sense of place” or “belonging.” Engaging with 17Strong, whether a board member or not, can help with some of these requirements.
What and/or who first inspired you to become civically engaged in your community? When did you begin your service?
Current City Manager, Joshua Smith, established a “Sense of Place” initiative as one of the four pillars upon which he planned to revitalize Hamilton. Councilwoman Kathy Klink at that time offered to chair the initiative. One of her original board members was Brandon Saurber, who was the first to contact me. I have known Brandon since he was only hours’ old and we have had a positive relationship ever since. At the time, he was a fellow Lindenwald and Lindenwald is the community where the group intended to kick off the venture. I attended a few meetings and met Kathy Klink and felt the energy with which the group was proceeding. The Lindenwald they were anxious to revitalize sounded like the Lindenwald I remember from my youth. It was a clean, “You can leave your doors unlocked”-type community where residents knew and socialized with neighbors and fellow residents. Our business district was vibrant and alive- the numerous stores and markets easily provided life’s necessities, as well as opportunities for socialization while patronizing them.
What kind of work were you doing before you founded PROTOCOL?
I was not engaged in anything like this at all. I co-chaired festivals at St. Ann and was active in the Athletic Boosters there. I was also very active with the Cincinnati Flower Growers, an organization in which I served as Treasurer for 12 years. I also participated in various other social clubs and organizations. I vote regularly and work the polls but other than that, I am not a political advocate, nor do I ever see myself becoming one. I now understand the distinction between politics and civics, and in civic engagement have found a niche.
How do you approach each of the monthly PROTOCOL meetings?
Years ago, we found the third Monday of the month to be a convenient evening for residents to meet. We have met at various venues over the years: local businesses, private residences, churches, etc. Most recently, we have adopted the Nature Center at 101 Joe Nuxhall Way. We also enjoy outdoor meetings in one of Lindenwald’s numerous parks, where some of our largest attendances have occurred. The bulk of our meeting time is spent discussing issues in our neighborhood and how do we, as residents, come together to overcome them. Sometimes with a week to go, it appears as if there is not enough happening to even hold a meeting, but the agenda always seems to fill up, even if not until the last minute. City officials, City Council, community partners, and all Hamiltonians are informed of and welcome to attend. I have a contact list of nearly 300 who are sent meeting notices via email, there are numerous Facebook groups to which we post, and the Journal News shares our notices.
What do you enjoy most about serving your community?
One of Lindenwald’s assets is its residents. I knew many of them, but have met literally hundreds since chairing PROTOCOL. I also like being a part of the bigger picture- interacting with city officials and learning more about other neighborhoods, what are their goals and how are they achieving them. I enjoy knowing that in some small way, we are engaged in the revitalization of our community. We do not come together demanding action- we come together to become the vehicle via which positive change occurs.
What have been the biggest challenges PROTOCOL has faced since its inception? Greatest achievement(s)?
One of the biggest challenges we have encountered was residents understanding PROTOCOL. Many thought we were the vehicle that would take their concerns and issues to the proper authorities for remediation. When in reality, PROTOCOL is an opportunity for residents to engage in ideas, activities and events that help bring about change. PROTOCOL is the residents willing to take advantage of the opportunity they have been given to initiate change. I think our greatest achievement might be our longevity. We have now been meeting regularly for nearly 12 years. The interest in reviving Lindenwald continues to grow and maintain its momentum.
What upcoming community project or event are you the most looking forward to in the near future?
The revitalization of our Pleasant Avenue business corridor is high on my list of favorites. The City of Hamilton has begun to buy up some vacant and/or underutilized buildings/properties for repurposing. Interest by a developer in the former Schuler Benninghofen Mill has certainly piqued our interest.
What would you like Hamiltonians to know about you and/or PROTOCOL’s mission?
Progress has been slow but steady. More residents become engaged on a regular basis. “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Perseverance is the key.
What would you like residents from neighboring communities to know about PROTOCOL?
If we can do it, you can do it. We are willing to work with you in any way we can to help make your community a “cleaner, safer, more engaged community in which to live, work and raise a family.”
What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working or volunteering your time?
I am an avid gardener and enjoy time spent traveling with friends. Two weeks in Alaska a few years back was the adventure of a lifetime. If confined to the lower 48, Asheville, N.C., Charleston, S.C., Nashville, TN., and annual trips to Hilton Head are among my favorites. I retired from AJ Rahn Greenhouses in 2015 after 26 years of service. I return every spring (February through Memorial Day) to help during the hectic/exciting spring season.
What advice would you give to anyone wanting to become more engaged in their community?
Visit the 17Strong website, attend a meeting, and let them know of your desire. They, in conjunction with the Department of Neighborhoods, would love to hear from you.