Manor Park-Leedom Estates C.A.

Manor Park/Leedom Estates Newsletter - August 2007

Aug 08, 2007

Manor Park/Leedom Estates
NEWSLETTER
PO Box 762, Manor Branch
Editor: MikeCannatelli New Castle, DE 19720 August 2007
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Association Members Vote on
Money Issues at General Meeting


The first official meeting of the new administration for the Civic Association?’s fiscal year 2007-2008 was held at the Weston Senior Center on July 26th. Newly elected President Mike Cannatelli presented several items to be voted on at his first official meeting as President of the Association. Cannatelli said, ?“The By Laws require that all expenditures costing more than One Hundred Dollars must be voted on by at least 10% of the paid up dues membership?”. This was the first meeting in many months where there were at least 10% of the dues paid members present at the general meeting. The membership did pass a proposal to permit the paying of the money required this winter for snow removal. The membership present at the meeting also voted to allow the Picnic Committee to spend up to One Hundred Fifty Dollars for this year?’s picnic which will be held August 30th at 5pm the Weston Senior Center.
NOTE: The Time for the September Monthly General Meeting is 7pm. Refreshments are provided free of charge.
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By Laws Will Not Be Changed


Association President Cannatelli discussed with the membership at the general meeting that he?’s spent much time talking with Jane Williams, the legislative assistant to Senator Dave McBride, on what?’s involved with changing association?’s By-Laws and Constitution. Mike learned from Ms. Williams some of the possible legal entanglements the association could experience along with additional issues of meeting State law requirements so that he has decided to not pursue changing the association?’s By Laws and Constitution at this time. Cannatelli said, ?“It?’s not worth the hassle to me. So for now the existing By Laws are our association?’s Bible. They are the rule of law that we, as an association, must follow. I?’ve spent a lot of time this past month trying to understand those By Laws so that we as an association would be in compliance with them and state law. We simply have to understand how to make these existing By-Laws work for us?”.
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Committee to Look for Code Violations


A committee was formed at the July general meeting to help be the eyes for the County Code Officers. This committee of volunteers will patrol around the fourteen streets that make up Manor Park and Leedom Estates looking for County Code Violations. Any violations they find, they will report to the County Code Complaint?’s Officers. Some items the committee will be looking for include: trash and debris in yard and on sidewalks, unkempt lawns, and cars parked on sidewalk and in front or side yards (cars may be parked on ?“tree lawn?” between sidewalk and street as long as vehicle isn?’t touching the sidewalk).

If you see code violations you too can call the County Complaints Office to report a violation at: 395-5555.
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From the President?’s Desk
By Mike Cannatelli, President MPLECA


The point I want to make to all of you is, that each one of you, is important to the functioning of this civic association. The original signers of our By Laws apparently saw much value for having the general population of Manor Park and Leedom Estates being actively involved in the decision making process. That?’s why they?’ve require 10% of the dues paying members to be present at the general meetings in order to vote on any issue or spend more than $100.00 on any expense. Their thinking is reasonable as it is your money. Each one of us has donated our $5.00 yearly dues for the association and our $10.00 yearly dues for snow removal. As shareholders of this non profit corporation, which is what a civic association is, each one of you is entitle to a voice and a vote. The unfortunate thing has been that most have stayed home and not exercised their right and obligation to voice an opinion and vote on the various issues. That lack of participation has brought this association to the brink of collapse. As you can read in the top front page article if you, are not here at the general meeting then the officers and board can not function and do their job to serve you. It?’s sort of an oxy moron, but it?’s how the association is set up. If you do not have interest in the association beyond your monetary donation of $ 15.00 a year then the association will eventually fold up and go out of business meaning that there?’d be no more snow removal among other things that make this a nicer place to live. That?’s how the original signers of the By Laws set up this association to operate. So I thank each one of you who took the time to come out to the monthly meeting. Your presence at the meeting and your active participation are both vital to the survival of this association. I hope you?’ll make it your monthly habit to come out to the monthly general meeting, which is held on the last Thursday of the month. If we don?’t have 10% of dues paid members present at a general meeting then we only can talk and can not vote on anything meaning things you may want done will not get done, because we need YOUR vote to do those things. We even provide snacks for you to eat. So again a Thank You to those who came out to the general meeting and I hope to see you at our other monthly general meetings. Tell your neighbors that the association needs them to also come to the meetings as paid up dues members. Tell them that we actually do get things done and it?’s not a waste of time and there?’s free soda, coffee, and cake. Again, the original designers of this civic association wanted to have active participation in the actual decisions and doings by you the membership. Your attendance at these meetings really does make a difference.

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County Rep George Smiley Told the Newsletter That The Law Says:

Dog Droppings that occur while walking the animal around the neighborhood Must be picked up immediately by the person walking the dog. All Dogs Must be on a leach and not allowed to run free around the neighborhood. All Dogs Must display on their collar a current rabies tag and a current State License. If you know where a dog lives whose owner is violating these laws or if the animal is being abused, you can call the SPCA at 998-2281 and give an anonymous tip. The SPCA will also come out to pick up loose dogs.
Be a responsible Dog Owner who obeys the law.
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