Byline: Ryan Konig
Five or six years ago, Richard Fox began to realize just how many homes in his downtown
neighborhood were in bad shape.
Bad enough that he thought about leaving.
But he also realized he couldn't afford to move. So he stayed and went to work to improve his neighborhood, by creating Block Watches, printing newsletters, introducing neighbors and organizing cleanups.
His efforts, and those of his neighbors, have paid off.
The neighborhood, bounded by Encanto Boulevard, McDowell Road and 15th and 17th avenues, was declared a historic district in 1994. The designation will help ensure Fairview Historic District's preservation. And many say that the designation has helped raise property values.
The neighborhood has reported decreases in crime. And the condition of many homes has greatly improved.
Not bad for someone who never thought about being a neighborhood activist, let alone a public figure.
But now, at 46, Fox is both, as president of the Phoenix Block Watch Advisory Board and as a leader in organizing Phoenix's participation in the annual National Night Out celebration.
''This whole experience of getting involved has shown me just how easy it is to make things happen. It also has taught me that anyone can make a difference.''
Fox's proudest moment came a few years ago when he helped win support for a sales-tax increase to pay for more police and firefighters. Fox also led an effort to use some of the funds for neighborhood programs.
The proposal became Proposition 301, which was overwhelmingly approved by voters in 1993. It raised the city's sales tax 0.1 percent, which comes out to a penny for every $10 spent at a Phoenix business.
Five percent of that money, about $750,000 a year, is set aside for neighborhoods. Hundreds of organizations apply each year for grants worth up to $10,000, mostly to create or expand Block Watches and to pay for after-school programs for children and teenagers.
If you could change one thing about your community, what would it be? To find a way to educate business leaders so that they know neighborhood issues and what they can do to help.
Rewarding part of job: Being able to interact with people, especially the real down-to-earth folks.
Spends free time: Gardening and collecting Christmas tree ornaments.
Pet peeve: People's impatience and intolerance of others. If people would just allow each other to make mistakes, we'd be a whole lot better off.
Most embarrassing experience: When I was real young, maybe 12 or 13 years old, I was out on a date and I was really trying to impress her. So I tried this new dance, called ''the swim.'' I thought I was doing great. I was doing it exactly the way I saw people on TV doing it. Well, she didn't much care for it. In fact she walked off the dance floor and left me there, mortified.
If you could be someone else for one day, who would it be? Robin Williams. Just to be able to see life through his eyes and understand his attitude toward life.
Of what accomplishment are you the most proud? Developing the concept for the Proposition 301 grant process for neighborhoods.
Who do you admire the most? Mother Teresa. Her power comes from her simplicity. She's not the kind of person who has to do a study to figure out the problem.
Can't live without: Best friend Ellen Fuller, gardening tools and being able to help people.
I'd like to meet: Diana Ross and Colin Powell.
If you would like to be spotlighted in Good Neighbor, send information to Ryan Konig, Central Community, P.O. Box 2243, Phoenix, AZ 85002 or call 271-8067.
Color Photo by James Garcia, Staff photographer
CHART Richard Fox has helped upgrade the security and property values in his neighborhood.
WORKSHOP
Neighborhood Activist Inter-Linked Empowerment Movement has scheduled a citizen meeting at
Simpson High School, 2301 W. Missouri Ave. on Saturday. Registration is from 9 to 10 a.m.
The workshop is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and lunch is included. More information
is available from Donna Neill at 266-9382.