Neighborhood Meeting Notes - May 10, 2007

On May 10, Mia Delmontagne hosted the Sardis Woods Association's block captains for a business meeting and social. There were 20 in attendance.

Items discussed: The open lot at Sardis Road N. and Sunnywood has been mowed. The city had been notified by the SWNA concerning the problem of tall grass. The use of 311 to help when we have unkempt lawns in the neighborhood takes a bit of time but seems to be effective. The city then bills the owner for the mowing.

Street lights: Mr. Steelman of Duke Energy reports that the installation of the streetlights is to begin Monday, May 14.

National Night Out, August 7: Russ and Carolyn Ford, heading up the Sardis Woods second annual block party, have plans in process. The party will be held on Watergate. Russ has plans to close off the street to through traffic, and have the food and drinks as we had last year. The cost will be $2.00/person or $5.00/family. Casey Powers of Surreywood volunteered to be in charge of activities for children. If you would like to help with the party, contact Russ Ford or Casey Powers through this website.

The clean-up project held April 21 was very successful. A real encouragement to the block captains that participated was the involvement of neighbors who just wanted to join in. Getting the sense of community and community teamwork passing from the block captains to other residents is a big goal for us right now. A special thanks has to be given to the ladies who did the extra work and cleaned the entrance area at the Covedale entrance and area running along Sardis Road North.

Further discussion concerning the entrances focused on improving the landscaping at the entrances. Kathleen Haley will be looking for people to form a committee to plan and execute the landscaping at the entrance signs. If you, as a block captain are aware of someone who would like to be a part of such a project, please contact Kathleen through the website with that information. We are asking neighborhood leaders (block captains) and interested residents to donate funds to purchase desirable shrubs and/or plants, If you are interested in helping with that, contact Dave Clark 704-845-1130.

Robin Sharpe and Nancy Kute presented some suggestions as to forming a more permanent structure to our neighborhood organization. The positions needed would be President, V.President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Communications chairman. A discussion was open to all to give suggestions as to how to best develop a structure to ensure a viable continuation of the work done by the block captains over the past two years. The block captains look to extend interest and participation to other neighbors not yet actively involved in this effort to improve Sardis Woods for all who are living here. You do not have to be a homeowner to participate in the projects of the association. We discussed each block captain seeking out someone in their area who would work as a co-block captain, learning about the role and assisting in reaching out to and informing the neighbors with information. The group felt this would be a good way to develop a foundation for further active volunteers.

Block captains, please watch your computer for a Woods Watch, the first week of June. One will come out between June 3 and June 10 you'll find one to get to your neighbors.