Parkview Oaks Civic Association

DUES - 2007

A letter from the President

Dear Neighbors,

One year ago, I was asked to take the position of President of the Parkview Oaks Civic Association. I would like to share with you a few of the events and projects of the last year.

1. Zoning Issues. This was the ‘big one’ of 2006. We successfully defended against the rezoning of the 11 acres in Parkview Oaks I. In addition to the successful defense, we united the neighborhood once again and proved there is strength in numbers. Be aware, this will be an issue again this year. Watch for updates.
2. Sent bids to repair the entrance sign on Jefferson Highway. I am proud to announce we have selected a design and we hope to complete the rebuild by May 15th.
3. Traffic Issues. We have met with the City Police, spoke to Councilman Walker, and had discussions with the Zoning Commission regarding the increase in traffic throughout the neighborhood. While we have not yet come up with a suitable plan to address the issue, traffic has eased with the completion of local road work and increased motorcycle patrol in the mornings.
4. Repairs were made to Sherwood Forest Entrance sign. (Many, many thanks to Bill Johnson who has worked tirelessly to keep the landscaping looking good not only on the Boulevard, but throughout the neighborhood.)
5. The Board of Directors is now staffed with energetic members who are working to improve the bylaws, and active enforcement of the deed restrictions. This is the one area that takes the most time, and yields the least “visible” results until it is completed. Rest assured we are working to protect our security, our investment, and our neighborhood.
6. Joined the Baton Rouge Federation of Homeowners Associations which consists of member representatives of over 100 Homeowner Associations within the City. The Federation offers assistance with Zoning, Street Issues, Crime, and a voice on the City Council.
7. Continued dialogue with the City Planning and Zoning Commission and Mike Walker’s office to investigate and mitigate homes/lots with debris, neglect, or hazardous conditions

With those being just a few of the issues we have addressed, we also have an aggressive agenda for 2007. This includes:

1. Erecting ‘Reader Board’ Signs at the Sherwood Forest and Jefferson Highway entrance.
2. Continuing to work with the City Council to address the conditions of the roads within the subdivision.
3. Continuing to work with the Metro Police to address traffic issues, mailbox vandalism, and garbage can vandalism.
4. Setting up a new, easier to read website. This includes a more efficient contact system to include email, phone message systems, and direct mail.
5. Monitoring the Planning and Zoning Commission schedule to keep up to date with the zoning issues surrounding the 11 acres in Parkview I, and the rezoning of certain lots along Coursey Blvd to neighborhood offices.

All of these things we do to protect our homes, our investments, and the lifestyle we desired when we purchased within the subdivision. All of these things take time, and of course, they take money.
Last year, the Civic Association spent approximately $1500 on basic landscaping for the entire neighborhood. Additionally, we spent approximately $500 defending the zoning issue. An additional $1000 was spent on emergency repairs to the workshed and irrigation system at the Sherwood Forest entrance.

Costs continue to rise, and we have done our best to control spending and hold down expenses while maintaining an active Association. Unfortunately, we can no longer operate on our existing budget. We must increase our income to meet both planned and unforeseen issues in the neighborhood.

Therefore, effective this year (2007) we are increasing the dues for membership to the Civic Association.
Now I am sure you are asking yourself ... why?

The answer is simple. We have over 640 homes in the neighborhood. We have approximately 250 active, paying members, and we see (on average) about 20 members at a General Meeting. If we cannot come together and pitch in, then we must outsource the everyday issues of the neighborhood. We are a volunteer organization, including the Board of Directors. No Board member receives compensation of any type for the work we gladly do to protect both our homes and investments. However 8 people cannot simply do it all ourselves; we need some help.
I am asking for your support, in both your money and your time. I am asking you take an active role in the Association and an active concerned role in protecting your security and investment. Visit the website, post on the discussion board, attend the once a quarter General Meetings, and most importantly...pay your dues. I am asking for you to help us protect our investment.

We don’t want you to commit to several hours a day working in the Association....we know you’re busy. The members of the Board of Directors meet once a month, and trade phone calls and emails daily. We are busy just like you are...and we understand. We are simply asking for a couple of hours a month to help us protect our quality of life and safety. Nine people stood up and said “NO” to a developer who wanted to build 170 apartments on Parkhurst Drive. Nine people rallied he neighborhood and together, with one voice we stood in opposition to this and proved we have strength in numbers. As I said, we have 640 homes with 250 paying members; if just one half of these would help our jobs become so much easier.

2007 will hold many challenges for the Association such as zoning issues and traffic issues. Parknoll Estates should be online this year and will cause more traffic issues, and the roads within the subdivision are in need of repair. We have some drainage issues in Sherwood Oaks, and lastly we have the constant influx of people who are not aware of the Deed Restrictions and we must work together to keep our neighborhood safe, clean, and to protect our investments.

Additionally, we’d like to see more community events, more Blvd decorations for the seasons, more lighting at the entrances, a neighborhood watch program, a more efficient method of communication for the neighborhood, cleaner streets, safer streets, and a place we can all be proud to call home.

If you are currently a member, thank you for your support and confidence in the Association. I would ask that you continue to support us, and become active in the neighborhood. If you are currently not a member, then I ask for your support. We (and I mean all of us in the neighborhood) have a common interest in protecting the largest investment we make ... our homes. We also have a common interest in maintaining a safe, clean neighborhood we can be proud of.
Won’t you help us reach that goal?
The dues notice will arrive in your home on or near May 7th. Please support our work in the neighborhood and return the card with your dues.

Also, if you have email, please include that as we do attempt to send out information emails to the neighborhood. Additionally, please include a contact phone number. We will not actively solicit you, but we will need a method to contact you (or leave a message) regarding events in the neighborhood.

Should you have questions, or just wish to speak to me directly; please email me at:
pvocapresident@bellsouth.net

Thank you for supporting 'our' neighborhood.

Regards,
Mark Menou
President - Parkview Oaks Civic Assoc.