Latest News September 14, 2000

President's Corner

 Hello!  I'm Ron Johnson, recently elected President.  Our election of officers and board members was held in June.  The complete list is shown on this page.

Our association new year starts with the September 21^st meeting,.  One of my new goals is to work on increasing our membership.  I would especially encourage everyone  who either owns/rents/leases a home in this area to join our Neighborhood Association.  We have five meetings annually.  The meetings last for approximately one hour, so you would only be giving up just a very few hours of your time.  You will be able to get useful information about what’s happening in the neighborhood.  We usually have a guest speaker for each meeting from many different areas of expertise.

Our September meeting will be held at the new Harvest Assembly of God Church, 7501 Crowley Rd.  Please be sure to attend, and enter the Church from the south side of the building.

Animal Control

The reasons dogs bark are either because they are bored, want attention, reacting to neighbors’ activities, or they see cats, squirrels, etc.  These responses can be reversed with more attention from you.  You could consider obedience training or investing in a “bark collar”.

Cats should be confined to the owner’s home.  If they are out and about, contact Animal Control (561-3737) for a humane trap so they can be picked up.

It is also against city ordinances for dogs and cats to run loose.  They are required to be fenced, within a pen, or on a leash.

Both cats and dogs need to be vaccinated, and registered.  Help reduce pet overpopulation by spaying or neutering your pets. 

DID YOU KNOW THERE IS AN AARP CHAPTER IN THE AREA ?

AARP Southwest Chapter 4116 meets the third Wednesday of each month at the Genesis United Methodist Church on Hulen St., just one block south of Sycamore School Rd.  From 10 to 10:30am there is a “Hello and Welcome” with coffee and tea.  The business meeting and the program begin at 10:30 and is over by 11:30am.  There is a pot-luck luncheon following the meetings in March, June, September, and December.  The programs are informative and entertaining.  Fun trips and tours are planned throughout the year at reasonable cost.  The chapter also offers “55 Alive” Defensive Driving at regular intervals.  (if you are not aware, taking this course could mean a reduction on your automobile insurance).  Membership dues are $5 per person or couple.  Everyone is invited to join this active chapter.  Information provided by Pat Varley

CLYDE PICHT’S  CORNER

 A  CITY  WITH  A  HEART

 This is a case where a resident acquired rental property and in trying to improve it, almost went to the poor house.  This was a case where reason and common sense became unreasonable and uncommon. 

 Property acquired for $18,500; necessary permits acquired; $137,000 spent to fix up which was taking longer than the city allowed.  Case went before City Council and the Code Compliance Superintendent recommended case be sent back to Building Standards Commission for review.  Owner did not agree.  One councilperson recommended a $5,000 fine be assessed for landscaping but a second councilperson suggested $2,000.  I recommended we dismiss the case with no fine.

 So what do you do with a person who spends $137,000 to raise the value of the property to $65,000?  Why fine them, of course.

POSTING SIGNS

Posting signs on poles, in yards or on property other than your home, can cost you a fine of $200.00.  According to city ordinance, it’s unlawful to post, fasten, erect, display or locate any sign on any structure, tree, pole, curb, or elsewhere within rights of way on any public street or on private property.  Restrictions are the following:

• One garage sale sign on property of the sale for 3 days only.

• Political signs during the election campaign with limitations.

• Homebuilder signs on private property from Friday to Monday.

SOUTHWEST TOLLWAY

 One of the most important things happening close to our neighborhood is the proposed construction of the new TOLL road for access from the south and west sides of the city to the downtown area.  Currently, there are community discussions and workshops being held to determine how best to proceed with the design.

At the present time there have been numerous concessions by the city to help the impact this road will have on the adjacent neighborhoods, and the Southwest side in general.

I would urge everyone to keep abreast of this project, because it will certainly impact this neighborhood in several ways.

One thing for sure, if we don’t have input to this project, the state is going to build it the way THEY want, regardless.

The N/A President.