Riverwood Estates 2011 Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Riverwood Estates Homeowners Association was held at the Villas at Riverwood on February 5th 2011.  The meeting started at 9:15 am and ended at 10:30 am. There were approximately 15 attendees.  Financial, budget, agenda and other information was handed to all homeowners.  

Our guests speakers were Democrat State Representative (78th District) Margo McNeil, 8th Ward Councilperson Mary Singleton and Neighbor Watch Coordinator Bill Blacksher. The Mayor Matt Robinson and Neighborhood Watch Commissioner Bill Hammerly could not make it.

Discussion and Updates

Violations
This year we had 151 violations that needed attention.  The largest groups were Overnight Parking and House & Lawn Maintenance.

Christmas Decorations
The qualifications for winning the Christmas Lighting contest were discussed.  Winners in the past 5 years and those not having paid their annual dues are ineligible from winning.  Thank you to the volunteers for picking this year winners.

Design & Review
The by-laws for Design & Review specify that a detailed drawing must be presented to the Trustees prior to building any exterior addition.  Building permits from Hazelwood will not be issued unless there is an approval from the Trustees .

Christmas/Newsletter/Design& Review
Help is always needed in all areas and we would appreciate any volunteers.

Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Bill Blacksher
Neighborhood Watch is more than just looking out your window for shady characters.  It is also a social organization that asks you to know your neighbors, their phone numbers and street address.  The purpose of this is to be able to respond to an emergency.  Knowing the address and phone number of those in back of you is also a good idea.  You should be able to tell a police or fire dispatcher the street address of an emergency. 

A recent case in point was a Neighborhood Watch member noticed a man parked in the driveway of a vacant home and going inside.  Not knowing the man, the Hazelwood Police were called and they arrived shortly afterward.  They entered the house and questioned the man but found out he was working for the Realtor/bank and was authorized to be there.  It is always better to be on the safe side.

Consider joining and being active in your neighborhood Watch program and represent your street.  Call Bill Hammerly at 831-1346.

State Representative Margo McNeil
The legislative session for 2011 is under way.  One of the major items on the legislative agenda is the fair tax.  It is a proposal that would replace the present income and corporate tax with a 10 to 15% sales tax.  The tax would be levied on every transaction and not just direct sales.  Services would also be taxed that are not taxes today such a lawn service, plumbers, carpet cleaning and home sales.

Rex Sinquefield, who financially backed the removal of the earning tax in St. Louis and Kansas City referendum, is currently backing the Fair Tax Proposal.  He has stated that if the current legislative session does not give it their consideration, he will mount an initiative drive similar to the one that placed the City Earnings Tax on the ballot.  He has the desire and funding to mount a well-run campaign.  He feels that this will encourage businesses to come to Missouri.

Another item of interest was the responsibility of school districts adjacent to those that are decertified by the State Dept. of Education.  Students are allowed to transfer to non-falling districts.  The problem is the non-falling districts may not be able to house all that want a transfer but the school must take them.  This will place a financial burden upon these schools and someone must pay for the increased cost.  At present that money is not funded by the State.

Proposition B, the initiative setting new standards for dog breeding, was also discussed.  There is a movement to overturn the law in the current General Assembly.  Hearings have been held and it has broad support of rural representatives.  There is precedent in other cases where an initiative has been overturned by the General Assembly.  The bill has been reported out of committee in the Senate.

Margo encourages everyone to visit the capitol and legislative.  She is in room 116A and would be pleased to help with a tour and give you a first row seat in the House Chamber.  Margo's e-mail is margo.mcneil@house.mo.gov

Hazelwood Council Person Mary Singleton
Our councilwoman, Mary Singleton, updated us on what is going on in Hazelwood.  She talked about the Green Committee, which is a citizens committee headed by Ron Darling, which will educate people about green issues and sponsor events to get people involved.  In a few weeks, there will be tours of Allied waste Service's recycling facility, so people can see how single stream recycling works.

Mary also encouraged us to stay informed by checking the city's website www.hazelwoodmo.org and getting on Mary's e-newsletter list.  If you are not on the e-newsletter list, contact Mary at mgsingleton@hazelwoodmo.org  There is also another interactive local website you should investigate for more information around this area and it is http://hazelwood.patch.com/ .
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Annual Trustee Election
Barb Stogsdill due to personal reasons and with mixed emotions chose not to run for reelection.  Barb has served the Estates for 24 years and we will miss her knowledge and expertise.  Thank You Barb!

Bill Blacksher was nominated and unanimously elected to a three year term.  Welcome Bill