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September newsletter
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Lee Ann Riesen
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Sep 22, 2009 08:14 PDT
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VENA newsletter September 19, 2009
Table of Contents
1. About this newsletter
2. Report from August annual meeting
3. Progress of Greenarbor/Hampton traffic committee
4. Status of Signal Road between Barstow and Ventura
5. Welcome High Desert Pediatrics
6. Recycle your aluminum for VENA
7. Update on new Walgreens
8. Update on 9100 Holly
9. Progress on cleaning up of problem properties
10. Tierra Morena administrative ruling
11. Join VENA today
12. Announcement from Hope Episcopal Church
13. How to deal with problem properties
1. About this newsletter
The newsletter of the Vineyard Estates and Surrounding Subdivisions
Neighborhood Association is published four times per year. Past
newsletters may be found at http://www.venaabq.org. A plain text copy
is mailed out to our E-mail list and a graphical version with photos
is posted on the website. We do not sell advertising, but we welcome
informational articles from local businesses and organizations.
Contact Lee Ann Riesen (laf-@swcp.com, 280-5792) for any newletter
related business.
2. Report from August annual meeting
The annual meeting of the Vineyard Estates Neighborhood Association
occured on Thursday, August 27 at 7 PM.
A slate of directors for 2009 - 2010 was elected. They were Lee Ann
Riesen from Ventura Village, Tony Huffman, Pat Verrelle, Mike Gibson
and Regina Barela from Vineyard III, Aaron Brundage from La Cueva
Tierra, and Elizabeth Meek from Desert Vista. Returning for the
second year of a two year term are Donna Daniello from Carrington,
Dick Bothwell from Vineyard I, and Michelle Garza from Vineyard Court
Estates. Ideally we would like to have one board member from each
subdivision, so if you do not see your subdivision's name on this
list, please consider joining the VENA board of directors. We can
make interim appointments before next August's annual meeting.
Dr. Suga, MD, introduced himself. Dr. Suga and his partner Dorsey
Beggs, MD, have just established their pediatric practice and taken up
residence in the new Alameda Business Park (Alameda just east of
Barstow). Dr. Suga also contributed an article for this newsletter.
There was an update from the traffic committee about meetings
regarding the possible closing of Signal, and traffic concerns along
Greenarbor in Vineyard I/III and Hampton in Desert Vista/Carrington.
This is discussed in a separate article in this newsletter.
Larry Velasquez, the NMDOT District 3 Engineer attended the meeting
to address concerns about the work that has been done at Paseo del
Norte and Ventura. Larry explained that the additional turn lane from
north-bound Ventura to west-bound Paseo Del Norte had been added in
anticipation of the increased traffic flow into and out of the new
Walgreens. The double left turn lane allows twice the amount of
traffic to pass in a given amount of time. Larry said that he would
have the NMDOT staff evaluate the timing of the signal for the
south-bound Ventura to east-bound Paseo Del Norte and take action as
necessary.
Concern was also brought up on the through traffic lane alignment
for north-bound Ventura through Paseo Del Norte. Larry said he would
have his staff take a look at the lane delineation and striping and
configuration. There was also a question about getting a crosswalk
across Paseo Del Norte for pedestrian traffic. Larry said he would
have this looked into also, but crosswalks across a state highway is
generally discouraged unless there is real need.
3. Progress of Greenarbor/Hampton traffic committee
The traffic committee has met with City staff to discuss cut-through
traffic on Hampton (in Desert Vista and Carrington) and the fate of
Greenarbor if the Greenarbor barricade is removed. Originally the
committee wanted to find out if residents would be interested in
getting permanent barricades in place at the location of the
Greenarbor barricade and on Hampton just west of Mendocino. But the
city does not use barricades for traffic control and said that this
would not be possible.
We will discuss other alternatives for slowing and reducing traffic
along Greenarbor and Hampton at a special general meeting in October.
Stay tuned for the date and time of this meeting. This is a very
important meeting, and we need a good turn out. We need to make a
decision that the majority of our neighbors will be happy with.
4. Status of Signal Road between Barstow and Ventura
The City Engineer, Richard Dourte, has confirmed rumors that there
is a likelihood of Signal being closed between Carrington and Ventura.
This will not happen without neighborhood input. And it will not
happen without putting a plan in place to prevent Hampton (one of our
residential streets just south of Signal) from becoming the next
Signal.
This segment of Signal was not built according to the City's
standards for roads. It is a dirt road that was paved over by AMAFCA
(Albuquerque Metropolitan Arroya Flood Control Authority) several
years ago at the request of residents. It does not have curbs,
drainage or sidewalks, and there is no plan for these improvements to
be made.
The land north of this part of Signal is intended to be a
residential subdivision. The Desert Vista homes which back into
Signal now, would someday have this subdivision behind their back
walls instead if Signal is closed.
Mr. Dourte said that if Signal remains, it will be right-in and
right-out only. Ventura will have a median so turning left onto
Signal when driving northbound would be impossible. The plan is for
Alameda between Barstow and Ventura is to be a four lane road with a
median, straight and flat, and with traffic signals at Ventura and
Barstow.
From past experience, he believes that drivers will eventually want
to use Alameda to pass between Barstow and Ventura, and that Signal
will not be missed.
VENA will be having a special general membership meeting, most
likely in early October, to discuss traffic flow in Vineyards I, II
and III and Desert Vista and Carrington. We also want to hear your
thoughts on the possible closure of this section of Signal. These two
issues need to be considered as a whole.
5. Welcome High Desert Pediatrics
A new pediatric clinic has joined the neighborhood. Dr Beggs and Dr
Suga are excited to announce the opening of High Desert Pediatrics.
Located at 8650 Alameda Blvd between Barstow and Ventura, High Desert
Pediatrics specializes in the care of newborns, infants, children, and
adolescents. As the winter cold season approaches, High Desert
Pediatrics offers a convenient alternative to the emergency
departments and urgent cares with same day appointments for ill
visits. Dr Beggs and Dr Suga are board-certified in Pediatrics and
have over 18 years of combined experience in the care of acutely ill
children as well as general pediatric care. Office hours are 8 AM to
5 PM Monday thru Friday and Noon to 5 PM Saturday. High Desert
Pediatrics accepts all major insurances and medicaid. For more
information, call (505) 255-1866 or visit the website at
http://www.highdesertpediatrics.com.
6. Recycle your aluminum for VENA
VENA only has two sources of income. The most important is the $20
per year that each VENA member pays. The other source is our income
from recycling aluminum cans. There are two places where you can drop
off aluminum for recycling, 8415 Vintage in Vineyard III, and 9036
Village in Ventura Village.
If you can serve as a drop-off site for aluminum donations, please
let us know. We would especially like to find a drop-off site in
Carrington.
Please save your aluminum to support the neighborhood association.
We use these funds to pay for postage and printing, and for
beautification projects.
7. Update on new Walgreens
The Walgreens in Ventura Plaza (southwest of Paseo del Norte and
Ventura) is moving along. Landscaping is going in and interior work
is being done. We have not heard of an opening date, but look for it
to open sometime in October.
The rest of the shopping center is on hold pending a pick-up in the
economy.
8. Update on 9100 Holly
The small L-shaped shopping center that was to be built just north
of Albertson's is not going to happen. The owner was not able to make
a go of it, and the bank reposessed the property.
At VENA's request the City removed the fence and cleaned up the
trash and weeds on the lot.
9. Progress on cleaning up of problem properties
We reported on two problem properties in the last newsletter.
The triangular lot north of Albertson's was cleaned up by the City
recently. Thanks are due to board member Michelle Garza who kept in
contact with the City zoning enforcement officer until this was
accomplished. This land was to be home to a small shopping center,
but it has been reposessed by the bank, and the City's expense in
cleaning it up will appear as a lien on the property.
The Vineyard I home and lot just east of Desert Ridge Middle School
that was covered in weeds has been cleaned up and is now on the
market.
10. Tierra Morena administrative ruling
Paul Newman, the owner of Tierra Morena has agreed to plant the
trees along the Signal frontage that were specified in the original
site plan. A dispute occured when he received an administrative
amendment last December to omit the trees, without neighborhood input.
It is resolved now.
11. Join VENA today
It is time to download the membership form at
http://www.venaabq.org/2009Membership.pdf and join VENA, if you have
not already.
VENA is a voluntary neighborhood association. We receive no funds
other than membership fees and some money from recycling aluminum.
We need you to join this year, for only $20. These funds will be
used to attack the weeds in our area. Our priority will be to spray
sidewalks around subdivisions, subdivision entrances, and medians.
The City does not treat these areas for weeds. So if we don't, we
must pull them out by hand, or just put up with them.
Any remaining funds will be used for mailings, and then for other
beautification projects.
Please join today. The membership year runs from August 1 2009
through July 31, 2010.
12. Announcement from Hope Episcopal Church
HOPE+IN+THE+DESERT EPISCOPAL CHURCH (http://www.hopeepiscopal.org),
8700 Alameda N.E., is offering two book studies for adults:
"Following Jesus" is an 8-week study on Sunday mornings from 9:00 to
9:45 a.m. This study is particularly helpful to the new Christian or
anyone who wants to know what Jesus meant when He said, "Follow Me!".
"Experiencing God" is an 8-week study on Wednesday evenings from
7:00 to 8:00 p.m. This course helps deepen one's relationship with
God and discover the special place for each person in His kingdom.
Other activities include:
+ Monthly Taize healing service on the third Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
+ Women's Bible Study Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.
+ Men's Monthly Fellowship
+ Youth programs (biking, hiking, etc.)
+ Intercessory Prayer Group
+ Sunday child care
+ Garage Sale planned for Oct. 24
+ "High Tea" planned for Dec. 5 or 12. Women can sponsor a table or
attend with friends or neighbors. Call the church for specifics, or
Carol Smith 298-4898.
+ PLUS a Thanksgiving dinner and house party. Check the website
for details: www.hopepiscopal.org, or call (505) 830-0572. Email the
church at hopeepiscopal@ yahoo.com. + The church will have a full
schedule of Christmas and Holiday events. Watch this newsletter and
The Albuquerque Journal for information.
13. How to deal with problem properties
If you have a property near your home which is covered with weeds,
or has a dog barking at night, or is storing toxic chemicals outside,
you have a problem property. If you have spoken to the neighbor
without success, or if you are not comfortable speaking to the
neighbor, please call "311" to report the problem.
They will give you a tracking number for your issue. Save this
number, and call back four weeks later if the issue has not been
resolved. By this point the neighbor has probably received a
citation, but not complied with the citation. Tell the "311" operator
that a final notice is needed.
If you still see no progress four weeks after your second call, then
call "311" again. Tell them the neighbor has ignored the final
notice.
If you find that nothing has improved within four weeks of your
third call, please contact the neighborhood association. We will
contact the zoning compliance office for our area and stay in touch
with her until the problem is resolved.
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Lee Ann Riesen, laf-@swcp.com
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