JUNE 28, 2007

The JUNE 28th meeting was held at the PCSO District Center on Avenue G at 7:00 PM. The meeting was called to order by Secretary Thea Crosier. Thea made an announcement on behalf of President Charles Tucker and his wife Vice President Debbie Tucker ~ that due to overwhelming difficulties and family problems at this time, they must resign as President and Vice President. Thea reminded attendees that when officers were elected last Winter, former Treasurer Lynn Giles said she would be happy to take the office of Vice President, if for any reason Debbie Tucker was unable to fulfill her obligations. Therefore, Martha Bruce made a motion that Lynn Giles assume the position of Vice President effective immediately. The motion was seconded by Betty Sills. This still left JPVRA without a current President. Thea mentioned that resident Larry Cleary had previously expressed an interest in becoming President. As Larry was not in attendance at the June meeting it was agreed that Lynn Giles would contact him to see if he would be willing to accept this position. Resolution to this vacancy will be announced at the July meeting. The March minutes were read and accepted with no changes.

New Business

There were several new guests in attendance. Guests had several questions / concerns that were discussed with Code Enforcement officer Harvey Green and his staff. It was also mentioned to code officers that there seem to be many old tires in our neighborhood that are not being disposed of. This was discussed. Code Officer Stan said he would check about where tires may be dumped and the cost. Other option is for them to be taken to a gas station which cost about $2-$3 per tire. Local trash truck will NOT pick up tires as part of weekly trash pickup.

Former Secretary Martha Bruce said that the back of Village Square once again looked terrible. Martha went to Rent King and spoke with Manager and told him she was giving them 24 hours to CLEAN IT UP!

Martha must have made quite an impression ~ as clean up was done by the next day!

Thea mentioned that the house on corner of Fern and Thomas Avenue has been in disrepair for some time, with boarded up windows, peeling paint and overgrown yard. There has recently been activity at this house and Thea stopped and talked to men working there with a dumpster in driveway and was told that the lady who rented the home for many years has now gone into nursing home. It’s believed the owner of home will soon be selling this home for someone to renovate.

This was WELCOME news !

Sheriff’s office attendee’s explained that due to recent budget cuts, prisoner’s will not be available as often now for road side cleanup. Sheriff’s office staff who are retiring or going on leave will not be able to be replaced. This is leaving our Sheriff’s office extremely short staffed. There was also a brief discussion on emergency and non-emergency situations. If you have a concern in our neighborhood that is NOT a life threatening emergency ~ the correct phone number to call for NON-emergency situations is 533-0344.

Old Business

Thea announced that she had sent out over twenty letters to local businesses on Recker Highway and Spirit Lake Road concerning the need for landscaping in front of businesses – to enhance JPV. The letter also urged local businesses to get involved in JPVRA and it’s goals ~ and invited business owners / managers to attend our meetings.

Thea has been in touch with Jancie Tucker who along with her husband own and operate the apartment buildings on both sides of Del’s Market. Jancie was very interested in JPVRA and hopes to attend future meetings ~ and was very interested in our street scaping goal. Jancie said that first, her husband plans to repair the wooden fence at corner of Coleman Road surrounding the apt. complex. She will meet with Thea in the near future to discuss idea’s for landscaping around the apt. complex at corner of Coleman. The main problem is that the only water hookup’s available for watering shrubbery or trees – belong to the individual apartments. So they would have to use a resident’s water. At the new apartments on the other side of Del’s, the Tucker’s have already put in irrigation and some landscaping. Thea applauded these efforts!

Thea also has spoken with the director of Keep Winter Haven Beautiful and Keep Polk County Beautiful concerning possible funding for small trees or shrubs that JPVRA could plant in front of local business locations. The Director of Keep Winter Haven Beautiful indicated that

Funds would be available over the Summer and that they hoped to provide JPVRA with gift certificates to Lowe’s, etc. that could be used for this purpose. She is also interested in attending one of our meetings and giving a brief talk. The Director of Keep Polk County Beautiful said due to budget cuts they have no idea what funds they will receive this year and they won’t have this information until October or November.

Lynn Giles said she has spoken with her neighbors on Taylor ~ and that they want to start planting Crepe Myrtle’s along that street. Lynn said the LEDGER crepe myrtle sale is coming up soon and asked if JPVRA could purchase 10 or 20 small crepe myrtles @ $3.50 apiece for this effort. Thea Crosier made a motion for JPVRA to purchase ten crepe myrtles to be planted on Taylor. Tim McSwain seconded the motion.

Our wonderful “web master” Al Lococo and his wife Diane were sorely missed. We hope to see them at the July meeting.

THANK YOU to Betty Mae, Thea Crosier and Tim McSwain for the wonderful refreshments!

Six new guests in attendance.

Number in attendance was 21.

The meeting was adjourned @ 8:08.

Next meeting, Thursday, July 26^th.