Blendon Woods Civic Association

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The Blendon Bulletin-June 2010- Volume 9 Issue 2

Snow Plowing Is A Fine Balancing Act – Part 2

by Steve Thompson

Well, the votes are in, sort of.

Out of 316 homes currently in our civic association, I have only received 17 responses. That is only a little over 5% of our civic association. I don’t know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. But, we will use these numbers as a basis for a decision.

Of the 17 responses, 12 were in favor of snow plowing, 1 was not in favor of snow plowing, and 4 had no opinion but only wanted to complain about the bad job our contractor did last winter.

Of the 12 that responded favorably, all 12 were also in favor of paying an additional $10 per year in dues specifically for snow plowing. Thus, changing our dues to $30.00 per year - $10 would go toward running the civic association (i.e. garage sale, pumpkin drop, membership in Northland Community Council, and printing and distributing newsletters) and $20 would go specifically toward the snow plowing fund.

The one vote that was not in favor of snow plowing, did indicate that they were in favor of keeping the civic association running, just not snow plowing. They felt that the city was providing adequate service to the surrounding neighborhoods and that we would get the same adequate service if we did not have remedial snow plowing provided by a private contractor.

I received comments from 2 people that lived on two separate courts or cul de sacs in our neighborhood. They felt that while the contracted snow plowing was adequate. Their situation is unique and we should approach snow plowing of courts in a different manner. They didn’t give specifics on how that should be accomplished.

So, to continue this discussion, I have decided to get snow plow bids for the upcoming winter season and get two options. One for the type of snow plowing we are currently receiving (the contractor comes out at 2 to 3 inches of snowfall). And one for the special treatments to courts or cul de sacs to remove the heavy accumulation of snow so that folks can park on the street in front of their houses. For light accumulation of snow, the cul de sacs would get the same type of snow plowing as everybody else.

I will report in the next newsletter what would be the cost for each option.

VOLUNTEERS

We are always in need of volunteers to help with community events and activities. The volunteers help us to foster community spirit. Please help us by volunteering to be on a committee. Call Susan Nichols at 476-5640 if you want to help.

We have a new Area Rep for Woodville Dr. and Thornburg Ct.; Jeanne Barrett. We also have the same dedicated Area Reps who have been doing their job for many years. Thank you so much for your continued support in volunteering to pass out newsletters, membership forms, collect dues, and represent your area.

All residents need to remember that these are your neighbors and that they are volunteering to keep you informed by passing out newsletters, telephone directories, membership forms and collect dues. If you have concerns or issues you can voice them on the website discussion area or email a board member on the Neighborhood Contacts link. We will be glad to help with any questions or concerns.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

1. TO PLAN A COMMUNITY PICNIC

2. ORGANIZE BLOCK WATCH MEETINGS

3. HELP WITH WELCOME COMMITTEE ….AND MORE!

WHY WAS THE GARAGE SALE CANCELLED?

The BWCA Newsletter gave information for the Annual Community Garage Sale with a deadline date to contact the volunteer in charge of organizing the event. Below is the information stated in the May issue of the newsletter.

Planning of community events takes time and organization. That is why we have a volunteer in charge of organizing the event. The community garage sale is also paid for by the Blendon Woods Civic Association, the funds used are from the MEMBERSHIP DUES which we collect annually. Only 65% of our residents pay the annual dues. Half of those dues go to the snow plowing fund and the other half is for the general funds. We think it is only fair that participants of the garage sale, should be members of the civic association, since the association is paying for the advertising, the balloons and extra supplies for signage, etc.

The reason the garage sale was cancelled was because our volunteer who was in charge of organizing the event, stated that the residents who contacted him by the deadline were too few in number to justify spending of the general funds. The general funds cover newsletter printing, telephone directory printing costs, and expenses for events such as the Annual Pumpkin Drop, The 4th of July Parade, The Community Garage Sale, the membership dues to the Northland Community Council, etc.

Why do we have a deadline date?

Getting the ads ready to put in the newspaper, getting the map ready to distribute and getting the signs ready, take time. This is why we have a volunteer to organize the event. We continually ask our residents to volunteer so that we can have more events and activities for our BWCA members. Please call 614-476-5640 if you would like to volunteer to organize a community picnic, club, or help get the block watch committee going. We also need volunteers to help with Welcome Committee.

Area Reps should get the newsletters delivered as soon as possible because of deadline dates for events. Please don’t wait until right before the event is scheduled to happen. If you are not able to deliver the newsletter in a timely manner, please see if one of your neighbors can do it for you. It has been suggested that not all residents are receiving the newsletter. Area Reps are vital to the communication and survival of our Civic Association. If you no longer wish to be the Area Representative for your street, please ask a neighbor to take over for you and contact Susan Nichols at 614-476-5640 or by email: Nichols.family@sbcglobal.net.

Some of the residents of the Blendon Woods decided to go ahead and have the garage sale on their own. This is fine, except that it was not paid for by the BWCA. The reason the BWCA Garage Sale was cancelled was stated above, and we hope that in the future, we can have residents that want to be dues paying members and help to support the BWCA funding for these activities and events that we provide. After all, it is only fair, don't you think?

Susan Nichols

BWCA Secretary

Newsletter Editor

Website Coordinator

Neighborhood Awareness: The Key To Crime Prevention

Remember that being a good neighbor can be one of the best crime prevention tools. This is particularly true at this time of the year when various criminals and con artists use the warm weather to take advantage of the elderly. Watchful eyes in the neighborhood can spot criminals and alert police and the community to their presence.

Deception burglars generally work in pairs. One member approaches the victim, pretending to be someone benevolent: perhaps a contractor looking for work or a utility worker out to test a system. The criminal may also pose as a family friend of a relative, or the friend of a neighbor. While that criminal distracts the victim, another moves through the house, seeking out valuables. Often the victim doesn't even know he or she has been victimized for hours or days.

Other criminals are con men, posing as contractors, who convince victims something is wrong with their home. They ask for payment in cash, do a shoddy job, and then disappear.

The elderly are the most likely targets of these criminals, since they tend to be trusting, and very concerned about their property, their relatives and their neighborhood.

Local residents can help their elderly neighbors by checking in on them, and keeping an eye on them. If, for example, a neighbor sees an elderly resident in conversation with a stranger, they could politely inquire about what is going on. If residents see strangers sizing up their neighbors' home, that could also be a sign something is wrong. In that case, a call to 911 will get an officer to the scene to check things out.

Involvement such as this builds stronger bonds between neighbors, and helps maintain safe neighborhoods.

ELIMINATE THE OPPORTUNITY

Thefts from autos have occurred in our area. Please remember to lock doors and never leave valuables in your car.

Home and Neighborhood Safety

Crime prevention and personal safety tips to help keep you and your community safe from crime.

In these times of economic distress, many people are concerned about the threat of rising crime in their communities. Fortunately, there are ways to help protect your home and your neighborhood from crime. From simple steps like keeping your doors locked to starting a Neighborhood Watch program, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent crime.

Work with your neighbors to keep your neighborhood clean and orderly. Keep spare keys with a trusted neighbor or nearby shopkeeper, not under a doormat or planter, on a ledge, or in the mailbox. Set timers on lights when you're away from home or your business is closed, so they appear to be occupied. Illuminate or eliminate places an intruder might hide: the spaces between trees or shrubs, stairwells, alleys, hallways, and entry ways. With many law enforcement agencies cutting costs, it has never been more important for citizens to work together to prevent crime.

Secure your home.

Make doors crime resistant.

Install deadbolt locks, solid doors and sturdy hinges and strike plates. (Be sure all materials meet building and fire codes.)

Secure sliding doors

Drill a hole through the inside frame, and insert a nail to prevent sliding.

Place a strong piece of wood in the track.

Install locks to prevent sliding or lifting.

Prevent window entry.

Use window key locks. Keep keys in locks for quick exit in case of emergency or fire.

For double-hung windows, drill holes downward where inside and outside sashes meet. Insert nails or bolts.

Consider grates for basement and first floor windows. (Check local fire codes first.) Consider Buying an alarm from a reputable dealer.

Crime-proof outside areas.

Keep yard, porch and entrances well-lit.

Look into motion detection lighting.

Store tools, toys, etc., after use.

Never hide keys outside your home.

Keep bushes trimmed.

Safeguard valuables.

Engrave TV's and other household valuables with some identifiable number or label.

Rent a safe-deposit box for small valuables.

Have peace of mind when you're away.

Inform a trusted neighbor of travel plans. Have him or her collect mail and other deliveries.

Don't share your plans with strangers.

Leave shades in their normal positions. Put 2 or more lights on a timer. Use them daily, not just when you're away.

Avoid the lure of:

Mail Ploys

Refuse unordered, C.O.D. merchandise (merchandise you pay for upon delivery).
Investigate offers for real estate, insurance, charities, home businesses, etc., before buying.
Ignore chain letters.

Phony telephone offers

Verify any caller's claims with the Better Business Bureau and your state or local consumer protection office. Never give your credit card or bank account number over the phone unless you've placed the call with a reputable company.

Door to Door swindlers

Some sales people who come to your door are not reputable. Ask to see a permit, if required where you live. Carefully check goods and services sold door to door.

Crime is a serious problem. It affects:

Individuals, who may suffer physically, emotionally and financially.
Families, who share the pain when a loved one is victimized.
Communities, which bear the costs of enforcing laws and running justice systems.
Society, where crime breeds mistrust and fear.

You can make a difference. Through crime prevention efforts, you and other concerned citizens can:

Give each other greater control over your property and your lives.
Strengthen bonds in the community.
Help police make your community a safe place to live, work and play. Hiring more police helps - - but citizen involvement is crucial.

A REMINDER ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY IN OUR CIVIC ASSOCIATION:

By Steve Thompson

This is your friendly reminder about private property here in the Blendon Woods Civic Association. The ravine is not public property. It is owned by all the residents that have homes built on either side of the ravine. Now that summer is upon us, kids will start to investigate all the interesting areas of our neighborhood. They naturally want to look around in the ravine. Please remind them that the ravine is off limits.

Also, the strip of land that is across from 5460 Woodville Court is private property. It is labeled as “reserve” on the civic association map that is in the telephone directory. But it is private property.

If you have any questions about what is or isn’t private or public property in our neighborhood, please call me – Steve Thompson, Treasurer, Blendon Woods Civic Association - 478-8469.

BWCA INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

Our BWCA parade is fun for the kids and families in Blendon Woods Civic Association. Kids can decorate their bikes, families can decorate wagons, wear costumes, hats, etc