I first want to apologize for not responding to any yard questions posted on the site previously. I do try to remain annonymous for the safetly of my family. Some board memebers have had criminal damage done to their homes and vehicles. I want to avoid that at all costs. I am easily contacted through the VMCCNA numbers for any questions.
Now for specific gripes, I will try to address them.
Knocking on doors and discussing violations with neighbors. Number 1, I will not put myself in that kind of danger. Number 2, I do have that kind of time to devote. Number 3, we inform the neighborhood of the city codes through our newsletter. If you don't read it, you won't know the codes. If you don't get it, let the VMCCNA know and we will make sure you do.
We don't offer help to neighbors, we just turn them in. In the past with neighborhood cleanups, the VMCCNA has helped neighbors. The same handful of volunteers show up everytime. That group is burnt out! We do offer help. There has been a recent article about loan programs from the city that are available to homeowners that need work done to their house. This could help those who say they don't have the money. There was an article telling people about free paint that was available and a free paint class so neighbors could use our neighborhood paint sprayer for free! Free cleanup supplies were offered at the last clean up. There was also a rototiller made available for free to neighbors. We will be giving away paint for one house in October. I try to search for programs that will help neighbors clean up, but only a handful take advantage. And those who have taken advantage are ususally not the ones that are out of compliance. I will continue to seek out programs that will help our neighbors. If you know of any programs please let me know so we can share it with the entire neighborhood.
Neighbors have health problems and can't keep up with yard work. Quite simply there are few neighbors that have proplems which prevents them from keeping their yards up. If a neighbor has a problem and cannot get things done it is their responsibility to notify the city or the VMCCNA. We cannot knock on every door and ask if they have the means to correct the problems. I have personally called our city inspector and asked him to ease up on a case because the neighbor brought his problem to our attention. Then, we found the means to correct the problem for the neighbor.
We should offer clean up help on a regular basis not just clean up days. If the VMCCNA helped neighbors clean up their yards on a regular basis, we would not have time for our yards. You see, we all keep our yards acceptible and volunteer our time for the neighorhood and work and have families that need us.
I've been in your shoes. I have had serious medical problems myself and have had a kidney transplant. My family and friends helped out with cooking and laundry, driving me when I was unable, and yard work. If I had no family in the Phoenix area I would have asked my church to help out. I never expected my neighborhood association to know my situation or to offer help. But, if you are without family and friends and do not attend a church, and sincerely need help, please let the VMCCNA know. We will find help for you.
Bottom line. If you, or anyone you know need help with yard work and don't have the physical capabilities to do so, PLEASE ASK FOR HELP! We will get you the help you need.
The more people we have involved, the more we can do. Volunteer a bit of your time. Get involved. Get to know the VMCCNA board. They are not always right, but do their best to improve our neighborhood. Don't just gripe, HELP! Help the organization to grow, to improve.
Alison McKee
The Yard Lady
Now for specific gripes, I will try to address them.
Knocking on doors and discussing violations with neighbors. Number 1, I will not put myself in that kind of danger. Number 2, I do have that kind of time to devote. Number 3, we inform the neighborhood of the city codes through our newsletter. If you don't read it, you won't know the codes. If you don't get it, let the VMCCNA know and we will make sure you do.
We don't offer help to neighbors, we just turn them in. In the past with neighborhood cleanups, the VMCCNA has helped neighbors. The same handful of volunteers show up everytime. That group is burnt out! We do offer help. There has been a recent article about loan programs from the city that are available to homeowners that need work done to their house. This could help those who say they don't have the money. There was an article telling people about free paint that was available and a free paint class so neighbors could use our neighborhood paint sprayer for free! Free cleanup supplies were offered at the last clean up. There was also a rototiller made available for free to neighbors. We will be giving away paint for one house in October. I try to search for programs that will help neighbors clean up, but only a handful take advantage. And those who have taken advantage are ususally not the ones that are out of compliance. I will continue to seek out programs that will help our neighbors. If you know of any programs please let me know so we can share it with the entire neighborhood.
Neighbors have health problems and can't keep up with yard work. Quite simply there are few neighbors that have proplems which prevents them from keeping their yards up. If a neighbor has a problem and cannot get things done it is their responsibility to notify the city or the VMCCNA. We cannot knock on every door and ask if they have the means to correct the problems. I have personally called our city inspector and asked him to ease up on a case because the neighbor brought his problem to our attention. Then, we found the means to correct the problem for the neighbor.
We should offer clean up help on a regular basis not just clean up days. If the VMCCNA helped neighbors clean up their yards on a regular basis, we would not have time for our yards. You see, we all keep our yards acceptible and volunteer our time for the neighorhood and work and have families that need us.
I've been in your shoes. I have had serious medical problems myself and have had a kidney transplant. My family and friends helped out with cooking and laundry, driving me when I was unable, and yard work. If I had no family in the Phoenix area I would have asked my church to help out. I never expected my neighborhood association to know my situation or to offer help. But, if you are without family and friends and do not attend a church, and sincerely need help, please let the VMCCNA know. We will find help for you.
Bottom line. If you, or anyone you know need help with yard work and don't have the physical capabilities to do so, PLEASE ASK FOR HELP! We will get you the help you need.
The more people we have involved, the more we can do. Volunteer a bit of your time. Get involved. Get to know the VMCCNA board. They are not always right, but do their best to improve our neighborhood. Don't just gripe, HELP! Help the organization to grow, to improve.
Alison McKee
The Yard Lady
