Spring Fling 2010 pictures

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...and a good time was had by all!

If you missed it here is some of what you missed.
http://picasaweb.google.com/MasonMillCA/SpringFling2010#

hn

Brown water in neighborhood

This just in from Deborah Gould, co-chair of our Health & Safety Committee:

Neighbors
 
George Healy (905 Vistavia) has alerted us to the fact that the County is doing some work in our area that is causing the drinking water to turn brown. If this happens to your water they suggest you open your faucets and let the water run for awhile. Probably best to open both indoor and outdoor faucets. There is no reason to think the water is bad or harmful but just an unsightly color.
 
thanks
Deborah Gould 

We noticed this a little while ago ourselves, over on Mason Woods.

April 4 email news & updates

Greetings, Mason Mill Civic Association neighbors!
Spring is finally upon us. Given how long we had to wait for it, I hope it doesn't rush right on into summer.

Thanks to everyone who attended the winter General Meeting in February. Minutes to that Feb. 21 meeting are attached; they also are posted on our new MMCA blog: http://masonmill.blogspot.com/

Our Spring Picnic will be taking place on Sunday, April 18, from 2-5pm. Of course once again we are inviting our friends and neighbors in Victoria Estates to join us.  Thanks in advance to Ann Hudson and Suzanne Phillips, who will be returning to the Thompson Park grill as our "Executive Chefs." Please RSVP soon, either using the attached flyer or via email [to: MasonMillCA@gmail.com]   We hope to see you all there in 2 weeks!

If you haven't already done so, it's time to send in your dues for 2010. Please support the work of the Association (still the best deal in town, at $10/year) by sending your check, payable to Mason Mill Civic Association, to our Treasurer, Pat Brittain (856 Vistavia Circle, 30033).

****** SPRING PICNIC ******
****** Sunday, April 18,  2-5pm ******
****** See attached flyer for RSVP details ******

****** COMING IN MAY ******
****** Spring General Meeting (including annual election of Association officers) ******
****** date: [mid- to late-May, tba] ******

Some additional short reminders, calendar and news items appear below. As always, thanks to all the volunteers who make our Association work possible!

Patrick Noonan
1129 Mason Woods Dr.
MMCA President
mobile phone/text: 678-358-5961 
mobile phone/email: pat208@me.com

Updates by Committee area:

**Health & Safety**
Unfortunately, it has been a relatively busy time in this department. Thanks to Co-Chairs Jesse & Deborah Gould and their street captains for spreading the word about the rash of reports in and near our neighborhood. They remind us all to lock our garages and cars, collect our mail every day, and report *anything* suspicious to the police (911) and our local Street Captains.

David M. reports the theft of scrap copper from his carport on Vistavia Circle. Robin P. reports an unsuccessful attempt to "dismantle one of the garage door handles" at her McConnell home.

Auto theft alert! The automatic online service, CrimeMapping.com, has reported several crimes in our vicinity that we should be aware of. In the past few days, several automobiles have been stolen from some locations *very* close to us: Ranier Falls Dr., Castle Falls Dr., Council Bluff Dr., Leafmore Dr., and Clairmont Rd.   http://www.crimemapping.com/map/ga/dekalbcounty

Valerie Z. passes along a report from a friend in the Rock Springs Rd./Briarcliff area, that mail thieves have been going through mailboxes at night in that area, opening all financial-looking envelopes and throwing everything into the street.

Andrew B. reports that the coyotes we have been reporting on since December appear to be spending more time in our area once again. A neighbor's goat was attacked by what was reported to be "a large dog." However, Andrew himself has positively identified a coyote three or more times over a short period of weeks, in the McConnell area, so it may actually have been a coyote, not a dog. Andrew also reminds us that this time of year, female coyotes will be giving birth and will have hungry pups to feed. Take special care of your outdoor pets!  [For examples of the kinds of coyote sounds we have heard in the Park, click on #3, "coyote vocalizations," at: http://www.soundboard.com/sb/Wild_Coyote_sounds.aspx]

The annoying night-time alarm sounds that many of you reported several times early in March were traced to alarm testing at a new CDC building. That testing is now complete, so we should not be hearing that anymore except, well, when there's a reason for alarm. Thanks to Jay R. of Houston Mill Road and Betty Willis of Emory University for helping us solve this mystery and report our consternation to the proper party at the CDC.

Speaking of alarms... Emory reminds us that their monthly test of their emergency siren system (usually a warning of severe weather) will take place at noon on Wednesday, April 7.

**Zoning & Land Use**
 On the issue of creating a Residential Infill Overlay District (RIOD) for our neighborhood, Eric Benjamin reports back from his meeting with the County: The RIOD is dead! Long live the RIOD! 

At the Spring General Meeting (in May, date tba), Eric will address this in more detail (and with more accuracy than I probably can muster). Here's my imperfect summary: Dekalb County no longer will accept applications from neighborhoods to create a special overlay that restricts changes in lot elevation (the so-called "threshold height" of the front door stoop being the standard measure of this) or building height. The process was too cumbersome and troublesome... but also there was a common thread in the wave of applications and inquiries they had been receiving. So the County simply changed the residential zoning standard to automatically take care of the central concerns of many neighborhoods: From now on, threshold height cannot be changed by more than 2 feet without a special permission and cause (e.g. flooding, drainage), and building height is restricted to 35 feet above threshold (measured to top pitch of the roof).

**Social & Special Events**
The Chair of this committee is currently vacant, so the work of organizing our Spring and Fall picnics is falling on the Executive Committee. It's a pretty smoothly-running process, but it would be great to have someone else step up to take the lead on these events, plus any others the neighborhood is interested in having. Volunteer? Anyone?

**Traffic & Transit**
Last month, Mary Hinkel and a group of MM neighbors met at her home with a traffic engineer who works for Dekalb County, in order to discuss a list of concerns and requests she and her committee had forwarded to the County a few months back. Mary reports that it was a very informative meeting, and that the County is trying to be responsive (given their constraints). She will report in more detail at the Spring General Meeting in May.

**Park, Public Space & Environment**
The Mason Mill Civic Association has officially adopted W. D. Thompson Park. This means we have a special standing - but additional responsibility - for the care and feeding of this beautiful gem of a park. Watch for flyers and emails about monthly volunteer days to tackle invasive plants, cleanup, new plantings around the picnic area, trail maintenance, erosion control, new/improved signage, etc.

Note that we will be starting an informational campaign soon to let park users know that County ordinance requires dogs to be on a leash.

**Executive Committee**
The Executive Committee of the MMCA (we, your elected officers) meet for coffee once per month, every month, to review neighborhood issues and to make plans for the Association. Please let us know what's on your mind, so we can better serve you and all our Mason Mill neighbors!

**Other News**

• Don't forget to bookmark and keep up with the monthly updates from the Clifton Community Partnership: http://cliftoncommunitypartnership.org/
• Commissioner Rader offers a regular email update on County activities. You can sign up on the Contact page at his site: http://www.commissionerrader.com/
• Farewell to Penny McCroan, a resident of Mason Woods Dr. for 40 of her 93 years. In late March she moved to Marietta to be closer to her family.
• Welcome to April & Matt H., who recently moved into 1112 Mason Woods Dr!

From our Neighborhood Watch Co-Chairs

Deborah & Jesse Gould report:
FYI: Community Alert information from Janean Hightower with the DeKalb PD. Please share with your neighbors and friends.

Community Alerts: Provided by Crime Awareness Unit of the DeKalb Police Department
This Spring Break, Let’s Avoid Burglaries & Thefts
As Spring Break approaches, let’s avoid the Burglary & Theft possibilities. DeKalb Police wants to increase your awareness to decrease the possibility of becoming a victim by:

• 1) If you are not home during the day, be aware of persons visiting your children; ask neighbors to keep a watchful eye for unwanted activity
• 2) CARPORTS: Avoid leaving valued equipment and other items in an unsecured area; relocate to a locked shed or basement
• 3) Lock your vehicle parked in your driveway or under the carport at all times; remove valued items (i.e. laptops, GPS systems, change, keys, etc.)
• 4) SHEDS: Replace old or rusty hinges and secure with a sturdy case-hardened pad lock
• 5) Utilize all the security mechanisms installed in your home (i.e. locks, alarm systems, light & sound timers)
• 6) Review the security measures throughout your home & property; Ensure outside lighting is functioning properly by changing bulbs and replacing old wiring to increase the visibility around your home
• 7) Maintain property by trimming shrubbery and lawns regularly to prevent any available hiding place around the home
• 8) Remove objects that could aid a criminal (i.e. ladders, tools, projectile objects)
• 9) Communicate with your neighbors on suspicious activity seen and always CALL 911 for any suspicious persons, vehicles or activity seen.

Remember if you don’t inform the Police, the Police don’t know what’s happening in our neighborhood.

Minutes from Winter General Meeting, Feb. 21, 2010

from the MMCA Secretary, Mary Hinkel:

Minutes of the Mason Mill Civic Association Meeting

 February 21, 2010

President Patrick Noonan called the meeting to order at 2:11 p.m. Approximately 28 individuals were in attendance at the meeting, which was held at the Intown Community Church. Among these individuals were Debbie Schneider, Policy Advisor to Commissioner Rader; Don McChesney, DeKalb School Board representative; and Tom Stubbs, candidate for State Senate.

Introductions of the MMCA officers were made and new neighbors in attendance were welcomed to the neighborhood.

The minutes of the December 2009 meeting were approved by unanimous vote of those in attendance.

Treasurer Pat Brittain reported that the Association has $10,012. To date, 26 households have paid dues for 2010 out of a possible 260-265 total households. A question was asked about the location of these funds. They are in an interest bearing, no-fee business checking account at Wachovia earning some interest. If anyone would like to suggest alternate checking/saving solutions, please contact the President or Treasurer.

Don McChesney, our neighborhood’s representative to the DeKalb School Board, spoke about school matters and answered questions. Druid Hills and Briar Vista met AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) this year; Shamrock was successful on 16 out of 18 AYP standards. The School Board is attempting to hold down costs and maintain the current millage rate, but there will be an anticipated shortfall ranging from 56-88 million dollars. When asked about selling the Briarcliff property, Mr. McChesney reported that the school system is holding onto the property for not because the current commercial real estate market will not provide a good return on the system’s investment. Any questions or concerns about school policy can be addressed to Don at don_mcchesney@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us or 404.664.2458  (home).

Discussion then followed about a suggested MMCA Personal Information & Email Policy statement and proposed neighborhood communication methods. Patrick Noonan reported that a neighborhood blog exists in a test stage now and such a blog is one way to facilitate public communication among neighbors. A question arose about establishing something that could have a regularly updated neighborhood calendar (perhaps a website like Merry Hills?) or a two-tiered list serve that could be moderated (restricted to neighbors) or unmoderated (open to the public). It seems any system requiring a private log-in requires a great deal of management, which, in our case, translates into committed volunteer time and effort. It was pointed out that residents can currently contribute to the calendar of the Clifton Corridor Community. Further thoughts and comments about both the policy and our communication vehicles are welcomed and these matters will be discussed again at the spring meeting.

Community Liaison Reports:

RIOD (Residential Infill Overlay District) - Eric Benjamin reported that the Working Group is meeting on Friday, February 26, with Commissioner Jeff Rader to discuss the RIOD matter. Debbie Schneider, Commissioner Rader’s Policy Advisor, reported as part of the presentation that there are new supplemental regulations superceding the existing RIOD process and that the working group will be apprised of both these regulations and the process at the scheduled meeting.

Clifton Corridor Stakeholder Advisory Committee - Mary Hinkel reported on this committee, which is trying to identify future transit alternatives connecting travelers from MARTA’s Lindbergh station through the Emory/CDC area to the Decatur station and MARTA’s East Line. This process of identifying the locally preferred transit alternative is the first step in a multi-year project development process required by the Federal Transportation Administration. The first public meetings concerning this project will be held in March. There is a meeting on March 16 at the Torah Day School from 5-8 p.m. Additional information will be provided in future MMCA communications, and a representative from the MARTA/Clifton Corridor Transit-led initiative will be at the spring meeting.

North Druid Hills Livable Centers Initiative – Harvey Nation reported on this effort, which involves the section of N. Druid Hills Road that runs from north of Buford Highway to Spring Creek. This initiative is recommending that Toco Hills be identified as a neighborhood center, rather than a town center, resulting in less density and shorter buildings for our area. An important public meeting is being held on Thursday, February 25, from 6:30-8:30 at the old Kittredge School located across from Target. The website for the project is northdruidhillslci.com.

Emory Ad Hoc Community Meeting – Patrick Noonan reported on this meeting where neighbors and Emory University representatives discussed shared interests and concerns about traffic safety, pedestrian safety and student rentals. The ideas generated by this meeting are being included in our own discussions with the County’s traffic engineers and in discussions being held in-house at Emory’s Office for Campus Life.

Committee Reports:

Traffic & Transit – Mary Hinkel reported that a County Traffic Engineer was coming to her house on Friday, February 26, at 2:00 p.m. to discuss several issues previously communicated to the County including: improving flow through the MM/HM intersection, calming traffic on MM, and helping drivers and pedestrians navigate MM more safely.

Park, Public Space & Environment – Patrick Noonan reported on the continuing need to keep the park a healthier and safe environment. A question was raised as to how park users know, without signage or fences, where park property and private property intersect. Also, there was discussion about the need for more signage and education about the leash laws.

Announcements

• Spring Picnic: April 18th
• The annual spring meeting is expected to occur in May.
• Candidate Tom Stubbs spoke briefly about his candidacy for the state senate.
• Neighbor Janet Rechtmann announced a meet-and-greet she was hosting for candidate Jason Carter.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 4:15 p.m.

Save the Date: Spring Picnic, Sunday April 18!

In the next day or so we'll send out a complete flyer with RSVP information (and a call for set-up/clean-up volunteers, of course!), but for now mark your calendar for the afternoon of Sunday, April 18, 2:00-5:00pm.

We'll be meeting in the Park, as usual, and inviting our friends in the Victoria Estates Civic Association as well.

Hope to see you then!
Patrick