"This place doesn't look anything like it did 20 years ago," said O'Keefe, who now works as the police department liaison on the Kendall-Whittier Task Force.

The task force, which began almost 20 years ago, meets every two weeks to review and discuss problems and issues in the area and upcoming neighborhood events.

"There's a tremendous difference. All the new construction, the revitalization ?? it's going on because of the task force and the neighborhood association," said Eleanore Bodenhamer, a Kendall-Whittier Neighborhood Association board member who has attended the task force meetings for almost 17 years.

Dane Matthews, task force facilitator, said the area's new post office, library and elementary school are signs of the work being done by groups and individuals in Kendall-Whittier.

"Everyone has an agenda. Those agendas may not always line up," O'Keefe said.

Despite differences, the task force still accomplishes its goals, he said.

"This group has a focus," he said. "We're not just sitting around talking about it. We're actually out there doing it."

Matthews has been with the task force since its inception when then District 4 City Councilor Gary Watts asked her to get involved.

"It's my passion. The people really care about it," she said.

She attributed some of the group's success to the police department.

"Most of the problems started with crime. The police said, 'You support us, we'll support you,'" Matthews said.

O'Keefe said his job is to act as a conduit and gather information for people in the area.

"If they have something come up during the week, if they need something, they can call me directly instead of going through dispatch," he said.

Bodenhamer said she joined the task force to improve where she lives.

"We want residents to have pride in the neighborhood," she said.

O'Keefe said it's important for residents, business owners and neighborhood leaders to be involved with the task force.

"It's their neighborhood. They should be heard. They need to know what's going on," he said.

MEETING

What: Kendall-Whittier Task Force

When: 9 a.m. Oct. 31

Where: College Hill Presbyterian Church, 712 S. Columbia Ave.

For more: Call Dane Matthews, 597-9471.

The task force incorporates individuals from the Kendall- Whittier Neighborhood Association, Kendall-Whittier Elementary School, Kendall- Whittier Library, Working in Neighborhoods Division, the University of Tulsa, City of Tulsa Planning Department, Kendall-Whittier Business Development Association, Kendall-Whittier Residential Landlords Association, area churches and Kendall-Whittier Inc.