The Blendon Bulletin-Feb. 2011-Volume 10, Issue 1

 

 

Do You Appreciate the BWCA Snow Plowing?

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”  ~ Cynthia Ozick

 

   We want your vote. If the majority of BWCA residents would rather NOT have us hire a private snow plow, then we need to have your vote. Phone calls and complaints will not be counted as opposition to the majority. (The BWCA By Laws & Deed Restrictions can be found on the website listed below under the link OUR INFO.)

   Any Board decision can be reversed by petition. The petition must clearly detail the Board decision, the reasons for it, the reasons for opposition to it, and it must be properly signed by at least two-thirds of the households in the represented areas clearly indicating their desire to have the Board decision reversed. The majority of the residents that fill out membership forms annually have agreed to the decision by the board to hire private snow plowing. Membership in the Association is entirely voluntary. However, the Deed Restrictions and By-Laws apply equally to all residents, both members and non-members.

  By contracting a private snow plow, we can have streets plowed as soon as the snow accumulates 3+ inches. We also plow curb to curb on all streets and courts.

The City of Columbus priorities are:

Priority 1: Freeway system (ODOT is responsible for I-71, I-70, I-670 and I-270)

Priority 2: Arterial streets (Example: Morse Road)

Priority 3: Collector residential streets (Examples: Broadview Rd, Cherrybottom Rd, etc.)

Priority 4: Residential streets (Plowed only after four inches of snow are on the ground and after freeways, arterials and collector residential streets have been plowed).

   When the City of Columbus does plow residential streets after at least four inches of snow have fallen: The goal is to make residential streets passable. They do not plow down to bare pavement & residential streets are not plowed the entire curb-to-curb width.

   Because every storm is different, there is no standard or set time span for the Snow Warriors to plow Columbus streets. Long, uninterrupted snow falls require freeways, arterial and collector streets to be plowed and/or treated repeatedly until the snow stops. These long, uninterrupted snowfalls that drop more than four inches of snow will affect how soon the Snow Warriors can begin to plow residential streets.

   The City of Columbus/Department of Public Service does not plow / treat specific streets upon requests by residents. The 311 Customer Service Center is unable to provide estimates as to when a specific street will be plowed and treated. As Columbus has more than 200,000 private driveways, moving plowed snow from private driveway aprons would add weeks to each plowing effort.  Likewise, our private snow plow does not clear each driveway apron of snow. When curbing the streets it is unfortunate that snow gets in the end of a cleared driveway. This is unavoidable and it is suggested that residents wait to clear out the end of the driveway after the streets are fully curbed. Residents are to not allowed to put snow into the streets; this is against city code.

    It is difficult to please everyone, but in this case, it will be the majority the decides. We are asking you to provide constructive criticism, i.e.; (address an area that needs improving). You may participate via the Discussion pages on our community website , on our Facebook Group (Blendon Woods Civic Association), or by sending your comments to: BWCAsnow@gmail.com.

To Vote: Please go to Blendon Woods Civic Association Group Page

Go to the Disscussions and participate by replying to the post.

      “Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart." ~Elizabeth Andrew

 

 

Volunteers—An Important Resource

 

 

 

   Volunteers are the most important resource community organizations have. The ability of people to work willingly together for the betterment of their community and themselves is a valuable resource. Volunteers are very special people whose donation of time and effort warrants special consideration and appreciation from other residents in the community. Volunteering is a form of civic responsibility, which involves the giving of time or labor without the expectation of monetary compensation. Many people volunteer through local community organization, animal shelters or food banks. Volunteering allows citizens the opportunity to share their skills and talents. It is a great way to learn new skills — from working as part of a team to setting and reaching goals. It gives you a chance to discover what kinds of things you're best at and enjoy the most. A volunteer job that you love can even help shape your ideas about your career goals.

   It can provide you with a sense of responsibility because people really depend on you. And it can help you develop a new understanding of people who are different from you — people with disabilities, people in financial distress, sick kids, or the elderly. Donating your time is a great way to feel like you have the power to change things for the better. You can feel proud of the goals that you've achieved for an organization. You can even list your community service on your resume!

   Volunteering is also a great way to get a perspective on your own life. It lets you focus on others and helps you to see that your involvement in the community can be meaningful.

 

The BWCA Needs Volunteers For:

 

• • Community Garage Sale   (Spring &/Or Fall) - Organize residents for community sale, advertise in newspaper, on-line, and signs, map participating residents.

  • Telephone Directory - Organize data from membership drive, contact advertisers, bill advertisers, update extra community information, submit data for print, pick-up from printer.

  • Block Watch -Organize volunteers to help with National Night Out, to set up community phone tree, connect on-line for CrimeReports.com, CitizenObserver.com, ColumbusPolice.org/Reports, and work with Police Liaison from CPD, educate residents on crime alerts and other issues.

  • Area Representatives - Elect Board Members, attend meetings, deliver newsletters, telephone directory, & collect membership forms, dues, and resident information updates, contact Welcome Committee w/ new resident info, communicate with Block Watch committee. [Many of ARs have been doing this job for years-Offer to take their place or take turns!]

  • Membership - Organize volunteers for membership drive, contact Area Reps via email &/or phone, distribute annual membership forms & resident info data sheets, communicate with Board members w/ final numbers & new info for telephone directory.

  • Social Committee - Organize volunteers for annual picnic, clubs, and other fun social activities that we could be having if  we had a committee.

  • 4th of July Parade – Organize volunteers for annual parade, find safe parade route, contact CFD for escort, arrange contest, prizes, awards, refreshments, signs, etc.

  • Snow Plowing - Get snow plow bids for winter season , arrange contract with snow plow business, work with  BWCA Treasurer &  budget, check email account for comments (BWCAsnow@gmail.com) -chairperson & committee will be set up to share account

 

   Finally, volunteering can help save you from being bored — it gives you a place to be where you can have a good time and keep busy. When you donate your time to a cause you care about, it looks impressive on college or job applications. That's not the main reason for volunteering, of course — if you do it just to please other people or to look good you may not enjoy it. But volunteering does show others (and yourself!) that you are reliable enough to make a commitment and show up on schedule.

   Volunteering also shows employers and colleges that you believe in making the world a better place — and that you're willing to sacrifice your time and energy to do it. When there is a feeling of fellowship in a neighborhood, the rewards are more than simply material. People get a sense of belonging, and a sense of meaning about their life in the community. This is very important because otherwise people lack the experience of casual day-to-day contact and occasional friendship that are the texture of a community. People living this kind of life find that activities that bring them together can be tremendously rewarding.

 

 

 PLEASE NOTE: ALL residents should be considerate and respectful AT ALL TIMES to any person that is donating their own personal time to help the community as a volunteer!

THE NORTHLAND COMMUNITY COUNCIL

   The Council was formed in and has traditionally served our civic association, other member organizations, and the residents of the NORTHLAND AREA, defined in NCC’s Articles of Incorporation as “the northeastern area of the City of Columbus”. The Council is committed to serve the members of NCC, the residents, and other organizations of the Northland area, and its Service Area.  We are members of the Northland Community Council and Steve Thompson has been our Representative for 20 years. He is stepping down and we will be needing an alternate to attend meetings when our other 2 representatives are not able to attend.

   The purposes for which the NORTHLAND COMMUNITY COUNCIL, INC. exists are as follows:

• • • • • To promote and foster the development and improvement of the NCC Service Area as defined in Article III of these Bylaws; to promote and foster good will and mutual understanding among the residents and member organizations of the Service Area; and to engage in such activities that shall raise the standard of civic responsibility and community welfare through the joint action of the members of the Council.

        • To coordinate the efforts and activities of civic associations, homeowners associations and other organizations within said Service Area and to represent and communicate the interests of the residents and member organizations to government officials, councils and boards.

        • To promote and assist in the formation of civic associations and other voluntary civic organizations in the NCC Service Area where none currently exist, and to encourage participation by residents of the NCC Service Area in their respective civic organizations.

        • To promote the general welfare, proper growth and desirable development of the NCC Service Area, and the specific welfare of its members and its residents.

        • To engage in all other activities for which persons, unincorporated associations, or corporations may lawfully join together in a corporation not-for-profit.

        • To have and exercise all the rights and powers conferred on non-profit corporations under the Ohio Non-Profit Corporation law, as such law is now in effect or may at any time hereafter be amended.

        • To do all other acts necessary or expedient for the administration of the affairs of the purpose of this corporation.

 

Representation

Each general member shall designate two (2) representatives, and at least one (1) alternate representative, to represent its interest and cast its votes on all matters before Council.

Designation of Representatives and Alternates

Each member organization shall designate its representatives and alternates by written resolution of the member organization, or by letter from the president of the general member, filed in writing with the Secretary of Council.

It is solely up to and the responsibility of the member organization to determine the voting order of their primary representatives and alternates, and in the written notice or letter, shall designate the order in which the alternates replace the primary representatives

A general member having had no designated representative in attendance for three (3) consecutive regular Council meetings will forfeit voting privileges effective immediately thereafter, and will no longer be considered a member “in good standing” for the purpose of determining quorum or for other purposes. Thereafter, the attendance of any one or more of the member’s designated representatives at both of two (2) consecutive regular meetings will result in reinstatement of the member’s voting privileges effective at the second meeting.

 

THANK YOU!

Steve Thompson, has represented the BWCA at the NCC meetings for 20 years.

We appreciate these volunteers; Jeanne Barrett and Janet Fletcher.
They are our new NCC Representatives at the General Membership Meeting.

 

UPCOMING NORTHLAND COMMUNITY COUNCIL MEETINGS

MYNCC.ORG

 

NCC General Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of every month and the Development Committee Meetings are held on the last Wednesday of every month.

 

NCC Development Meeting: 

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

At the Minerva Park Community Center

2829 Minerva Lake Rd

 

NCC  General Meeting:  Tuesday, March 1, 2011

5800 Forest Hills Blvd.

Friendship Village of Columbus

 

NCC Development Meeting: 

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

At the Minerva Park Community Center

2829 Minerva Lake Rd

 

 

 

WELCOME NEW RESIDENTS!

Area Representatives Job: 

 Please contact the Welcome Committee 

Chairperson, Janet Fletcher,

with street & house number of new residents

that have moved into the community.

Email: Janetfletcher2002@yahoo.com

Phone: 614-327-6057

 

Citizen Observer Website

 

Allows the Columbus Division of Police to instantly

update you about crimes, emergencies, and other important information. Sign up today at

 

www.citizenobserver.com/registration.

 

Crime Reports

To see reports of crimes in our neighborhood go to

http://www.columbuspolice.org/Reports/StepOne.aspx

Select Zone 1,

then select Precinct 6,

then select District 62.

Select a particular date or select last seven days, then select which crimes you wish to see in the reports.