Easthaven Neighborhood Assoc.

January 2005 Newsletter

Feb 06, 2005

EASTHAVEN NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION (ENA) October 2004-January 2005


Dennis Murphy, President ?¡V 704-536-3972 or email dennisfmurphy@yahoo.com

Mark Sullivan, Vice-President ?¡V704-567-6766 or e-mail dovell-sullivan@worldnet.att.net

Cindy Eccleston, Treasurer ?¡V 704-531-0460 or e-mail

Philip Roubaud, Secretary ?¡V 704-536-2385 ceccleston@carolina.rr.com or e-mail Prou978588@aol.com


A few words from ENA President-Dennis Murphy



Happy New Year!!



Another year has started and our hope for you and your family is that this year will be a year filled with peace, hope and serenity!

This month we have nominations and election of new officers for the coming year and equally important planning for the matching grant process. A major undertaking this year will be the beautification/renewal of the median and new signs for the neighborhood. You will be asked to contribute time, muscle and money to bring the project to a successful conclusion.

If we are successful with the matching grant proposal the city will help us financially with the renovations. If not, we will be on our own to do the repairs to the median and signs that were knocked down last year in the snow storm. Repairs were not made at that time because any expenditure made prior to the grant would not be reimbursed by the city if the grant was subsequently made. The time has now come for us to step forward and make the repairs one way or the other.
In review, in 2004 we had two general meetings, on in March and one in September at which we had several guest speakers. Real Estate Agent Dan McLemore from Allen Tate gave us some tips on how we can improve the look of the neighborhood thereby making our homes more valuable in the resale market. Police Officer Gary Bell gave us a report on the Community Watch Program and Don Moore, a county zoning inspector for our area, gave a wonderful presentation on the zoning for our area and whom to call for enforcement. A direct result of this meeting was the removal of several zoning violations, abandoned cars and other eye sores.

Folks, your house is only going to look as good as the neighborhood looks to a new buyer!! They won?¡?¦t pay a premium for your house if down the block there are abandoned cars and other vehicles that are obviously out of place, out of date yard sale signs, etc.

In June, ENA sponsored a BBQ for the whole Easthaven Neighborhood at which 87 of our fellow neighbors enjoyed BBQ and the fellowship of their neighbors.

Our membership rose from 51 to 83 members in this past year. Thank you to all who helped plan and bring about these events. Our association is completely voluntary as to membership and elected officers. We have about 250 homes in the neighborhood and all who live here either benefit from its upkeep or suffer for its neglect. To date we have 83 members in the association, so you can see that approximately one third of the neighborhood shows its support in a tangible way and carries the weight. We have folks who on their own ---the McKenzie?¡?¦s on Easthaven come to mind---have cleaned the median and we have others who have added to the problem by dumping their trash as they pass by. If you are one of the helpers and givers, thanks for your kind consideration. If you are one of the others, please show some respect for your neighbors and yourself?¡K.pick up after yourself.

The value you get for your house when you decide to sell---and someday we will all sell--- will be greatly affected by the price history the entire neighborhood has received prior to your decision to sell. Buyers in today?¡?¦s market have lots of choices!! We all benefit by having a clean and tidy neighborhood. It helps when we sell and, of course, while we live here.

A petition to the city is in the works to add speed bumps on Easthaven Dr. If you hear screeching tires from time to time it no doubt comes from this street. Over the years that stretch of road has been a hazard to children and all others in the area. Hopefully this problem will be solved before someone gets hurt.

If you would like to be nominated for an officer position or want to nominate a neighbor please get their permission and then let one of us know. An officer must be a member of the association.

So thank you for you past support and please welcome your neighbor when they come to ask for your help in bringing our entrance ways to the state of beauty we all desire.



NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS

We extend sympathy to Lucille Vaughns on Easthaven Drive. Her husband, Andrew, passed away just before Christmas. We?¡?¦re thinking of you Lucille.


Block Captain Update:
ENA Block Captains

Following is a list of our helpful block captains for 2004. If any one listed is not interested in continuing to serve in this capacity, please call Mark Sullivan as soon as possible!! At the same time if there are other neighbors interested in helping in this area, please also let Mark know that too!!


Scottwood: Bonnie Brown 7821 Scottwood Terr. 704-537-7611
Cloverdale: George Beachum 4514 Cloverdale Ave. 704-536-6586
Greywood: Annie Norman 4929 Greywood Dr. 704-535-9432
Meadowdale: Louise Maner 7900 Meadowdale Lane 704-566-0855
Easthaven: Sue McKenzie 4659 Easthaven Dr. 704-532-0672
[Backup] Wretha Townsend 7940 Meadowdale Ln. 704-563-3128
Maple Knoll/Carousel: Gary Eccleston 4816 Carousel 704-531-0460
Dawnwood: Eloise Head 4431 Dawnwood Dr. 704-537-3003
Charlene Bellamy 4401 Dawnwood Dr. 704-535-9941
Twin Oaks: Judy Murphy 4611 Twin Oaks Pl. 704-535-2831


Holiday Decorating Winners

Gordon & Dawn Anderson 4819 Carousel Drive
Sydney and Wretha Townsend 7940 Meadowdale Lane
Ray & Shirley Bennett 4601 Dawnwood Drive

Congratulations to these hard-working and holiday loving neighbors!!
We had some lovely homes and yards decorated throughout the neighborhood for the holidays this year. Our winning families will each be receiving a $50.00 gift card from Home Depot!!

Sadly we had two great looking homes, one on Easthaven and another one on Carousel, that were in the top choices, but the households were not eligible to win our prizes because they were not members of the association.
Let?¡?¦s do our neighbors a favor and encourage them to join!! For $10.00 per year it is a fabulous bargain!!
Thank you all for your hard work and effort?¡Kit sure made for a festive neighborhood!



A Note from the Treasurer

Even though 2004 ended behind our goal of 100, we are still tickled to have 83 paid members!! Here is a recap of the past several years:

2004 ?¡V 83 paid memberships $830.00
2003 ?¡V 51 paid memberships $510.00
2002 ?¡V 60 paid memberships $600.00

Looks like in 2004 we had about a 60% increase in dues paying members over the prior year. Can we do that again for 2005?? If we did, we would have 132 members!! Your officers would be happy with 120!! Together we can make it happen!! Talk and share with your neighbors!!

With our bylaw change last year to run the organization on a calendar year instead of a school year, all 2005 dues are now payable!! Please complete the annual membership information below and return to Cindy as soon as possible. In fact, any member paying 2005 dues before February 14th will have their name placed in a drawing for a $25.00 gift card from Home Depot.


Checking account Balance: $1,373.21

Outstanding Bills for 2004 150.00 (3 Holiday Decoration Winners)

Total available for 2005: $1,223.21

A full treasurer?¡?¦s report of the year will be given at the January annual meeting



YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE in the quality of life in our neighborhood!

Some important numbers to remember:

?„h Police 911-burglary, fire, or other emergency event taking place now. Call if you see someone suspicious-better safe than sorry!
?„h Police Independence Division(formerly Baker 3)?¡X704-841-1477
On going- not emergency issues
?„h Code Enforcement-704 336 7600- Health and Sanitation problems-e g grass that needs cutting around homes for sale-trash attracting rodents, parking on Lawns etc.


?„h Zoning Violations-704 336 2831- e g-Car repair businesses in the neighborhood
?„h Commercial Vehicles Parked in Residential Neighborhoods-704 336 3569
?„h Pot holes 704 336-2930-Charlotte
?„h Animal control -BARKING DOGS?¡X704-336-7686
?„h Solid Waste removal?¡X704-336-2673 eg Pick up bulky items
?„h Charlotte Customer Service Center?¡X704-336-7600- Can direct you to the right telephone number and responsible office.

Remember, it takes perseverance and patience for change to happen! The squeaky wheel gets the grease!! The call you make is an investment in your property, your neighborhood and your future!!!!!