Mark your calendars. There will be a special meeting of the Riverside Heights Civic Association next Tuesday, December 13th at 7:00 pm at the Franciscan Center.
Over time, membership on the Board of Directors has dwindled, and two of our key officers moved out of the neighborhood. We are very thankful for a core group of dedicated volunteers who have kept the work of the association moving forward. Because these people were never formally elected to the Board, they lack the authority to make formal decisions for RHCA.
This Tuesday, interested RHCA members will meet to elect an interim Board to carry the association through the next several months until a more formal election can be held next summer, in accordance with our bylaws. The members may also wish to discuss practical suggestions for the Board and volunteers to focus on in the coming months.
We need good people to step up and become involved. If you are interested in serving, but cannot make it to next Tuesday's meeting, please send an e-mail to riversideheights@gmail.com and your name will be placed in nomination.
Thanks!
Barry Shalinsky
1001 W. Coral Street
RHCA's Representative to THAN
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Friday, September 16, 2011
September 13th Neighborhood Meeting
Hi Neighbors,
Thanks for coming out on Tuesday night for the neighborhood meeting. The following is a list of what was discussed.
TREE WATCH
The feature of the evening was Wolford Johnson and a brief presentation on the Neighborhood Tree Watch Program. The purpose of this program is to encourage neighbors to serve as stewards to protect the trees in their community.
Did you know that if you cut down a grandfather oak without a permit, the fine is $15,000. This is no joke and the city takes this very seriously. If you are unaware, as many of us are, which trees you can and cannot cut; please give a call the Tampa Parks and Recreation Forestry team at 813 274-5164, to find out before you start trimming or removing trees. The Tree watch program does not monitor the health of trees, so if you are suspect rot or disease you should contact the Forestry team at the above listed number.
“Planting and Caring for trees is one of the most valuable investments we make in our community. Trees enhance property values, slow storm water runoff, clean air, shade sidewalks, streets, homes and yards, and accentuate community identity.”
One cannot drive through this neighborhood and not marvel at the number of 100+ year old oaks and cypress that help to define our community. You don’t have to be a tree hugger to recognize the value of protecting these magnificent living statues.
The Neighborhood Tree Watch Program would like to find a representative in Riverside Heights to serve as a contact for relaying information to our neighbors. They would also like to post two signs in with contact info should someone see someone cutting down a protected tree.
TRAFFIC
Traffic also continues to be an issue of concern for our community. The speed at which people travel through the neighborhood and the use of non street legal vehicles, four wheels and dirt bikes, top the complaints by neighbors.
Please be respectful of your neighbors and be aware of the number of families with young children and slow down when driving. It is the worst when people are running off to work and when they are returning. We will be working with the city to increase speed traps and no one wants to pay the high cost of a ticket, so please slow down and save yourself the headache and expense.
DOGS
Riverside Heights is a full of dog lovers and by far the vast majority pick up after their dogs. However, step in a dog bomb just once and the joy of a neighborhood full of dogs becomes a bit tarnished. Please respect your neighbors and pick up after your pets.
YARDS
Code enforcement is struggling to address the number of vacant houses which have fallen into a state of neglect. Neighbors are rightfully frustrated and code compliance has been an issue in the past. Please don’t throw in the towel on your own yard because your neighbor’s has gone to pot. Many of us chose this neighborhood specifically because of the variety and character of the homes here, lets all do our part to keep them a vital part of why we love to live here.
RUMMAGE SALE
A community rummage sale is definitely in our future please visit the RHCA facebook page to join the discussion on when we should set the date.
SPEND LESS GIVE MORE
Save the date for the Franciscan Centers annual holiday gift sale featuring fair-trade and sustainable minded gifts. Nov 19th and 20th
Thanks to all who came out and special thanks to the Franciscan Center for sharing their dining room. The view of the river at sunset is reason enough to attend a meeting.
Thanks for coming out on Tuesday night for the neighborhood meeting. The following is a list of what was discussed.
TREE WATCH
The feature of the evening was Wolford Johnson and a brief presentation on the Neighborhood Tree Watch Program. The purpose of this program is to encourage neighbors to serve as stewards to protect the trees in their community.
Did you know that if you cut down a grandfather oak without a permit, the fine is $15,000. This is no joke and the city takes this very seriously. If you are unaware, as many of us are, which trees you can and cannot cut; please give a call the Tampa Parks and Recreation Forestry team at 813 274-5164, to find out before you start trimming or removing trees. The Tree watch program does not monitor the health of trees, so if you are suspect rot or disease you should contact the Forestry team at the above listed number.
“Planting and Caring for trees is one of the most valuable investments we make in our community. Trees enhance property values, slow storm water runoff, clean air, shade sidewalks, streets, homes and yards, and accentuate community identity.”
One cannot drive through this neighborhood and not marvel at the number of 100+ year old oaks and cypress that help to define our community. You don’t have to be a tree hugger to recognize the value of protecting these magnificent living statues.
The Neighborhood Tree Watch Program would like to find a representative in Riverside Heights to serve as a contact for relaying information to our neighbors. They would also like to post two signs in with contact info should someone see someone cutting down a protected tree.
TRAFFIC
Traffic also continues to be an issue of concern for our community. The speed at which people travel through the neighborhood and the use of non street legal vehicles, four wheels and dirt bikes, top the complaints by neighbors.
Please be respectful of your neighbors and be aware of the number of families with young children and slow down when driving. It is the worst when people are running off to work and when they are returning. We will be working with the city to increase speed traps and no one wants to pay the high cost of a ticket, so please slow down and save yourself the headache and expense.
DOGS
Riverside Heights is a full of dog lovers and by far the vast majority pick up after their dogs. However, step in a dog bomb just once and the joy of a neighborhood full of dogs becomes a bit tarnished. Please respect your neighbors and pick up after your pets.
YARDS
Code enforcement is struggling to address the number of vacant houses which have fallen into a state of neglect. Neighbors are rightfully frustrated and code compliance has been an issue in the past. Please don’t throw in the towel on your own yard because your neighbor’s has gone to pot. Many of us chose this neighborhood specifically because of the variety and character of the homes here, lets all do our part to keep them a vital part of why we love to live here.
RUMMAGE SALE
A community rummage sale is definitely in our future please visit the RHCA facebook page to join the discussion on when we should set the date.
SPEND LESS GIVE MORE
Save the date for the Franciscan Centers annual holiday gift sale featuring fair-trade and sustainable minded gifts. Nov 19th and 20th
Thanks to all who came out and special thanks to the Franciscan Center for sharing their dining room. The view of the river at sunset is reason enough to attend a meeting.
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Neighborhood meeting
Hope everyone has had a wonderful summer. Please join us Tuesday, September 13th 2011, at the Franciscan Center, 3010 N. Perry Ave. We will be meeting in the dining room, enjoying the wonderful view of the river and our special guest Wofford Johnson from Neighborhood Tree Watch. Beginning at 7:00pm and over at 8:00pm this is a great chance to meet your neighbors, share some news and enjoy some lemonade and cookies.
Feel free to bring the kids or the parents.
doors open at 6:45
Feel free to bring the kids or the parents.
doors open at 6:45
Monday, September 20, 2010
Don't Miss Our Next Neighborhood Meeting on October 5
Our next neighborhood meeting will be held at 7pm on Tuesday, October 5 at the Franciscan Center. During this meeting we'll be focusing on the new volunteer opportunities within RHCA and getting organized for the coming year now that summer is over. If you've been wanting to get involved or you just want to hear more about what RHCA is up to, please join us.
HOMEMADE REFRESHMENTS will be provided!!
HOMEMADE REFRESHMENTS will be provided!!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Riverside Heights Annual Ice Cream Social on August 3
Come celebrate National Night Out with our annual neighborhood ice cream social on Tuesday, August 3, 2010. We'll begin serving ice cream at 7pm and a neighborhood meeting will follow the social beginning at 7:30pm. The event will be held at the Franciscan Center, but instead of our normal inside meeting location we'll be OUTSIDE at the gazebo on the river. Please join us for this fun, free neighborhood event!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Neighborhood Association Meeting Minutes (4/6/10)
Meeting was called to order at 7:06pm. Thanks to all our special guests who made this meeting very informative!
Presentation by Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful
Christine Commerce, executive director of Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful, spoke to the group about the need to become more involved in cleaning up litter in our community. She also asked for neighbors to volunteer for the Great American Cleanup on April 17. More information can be found at http://www.khcbonline.org/.
Tampa Police Department Representative
A representative from TPD shared the latest crime statistics for our neighborhood, including 4 robberies, 4 auto burglaries, and one attempted auto theft. More information was requested about the recent series of home invasions and RHCA board members will followup with our TPD crimewatch liaison for more information.
Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena
Ms. Saul-Sena presented several issues that are currently up for debate, including the use of fertilizer during the summer. She mentioned that this can contribute to red tide and algae blooms in the Hillsborough River, the bay, and the Gulf. She urged neighbors to support a ban on nitrogen-based fertilizer during the summer months. Ms. Saul-Sena also encouraged neighbors to investigate TECO's new free energy audit and to support a possible low interest loan program for those who want to make weatherization improvements to their homes. She also spoke about the need to support new public transit options. Ms. Saul-Sena is running for Hillsborough County Commissioner in November 2010.
Code Enforcement - Carlos Rios
Mr. Rios updated the group on the Hakim situation and mentioned that he had taken additional photos of the property for review by code enforcement/city legal team. He expects further action to be taken soon on this important issue and will keep us informed. Neighbors also brought up the concerns regarding a house of worship in the neighborhood and the hours/noise issues surrounding the activities there. Mr. Rios provided personal contact information to the neighbors and encouraged them to call him immediately when activity is taking place so he can witness it firsthand. We will continue to monitor the situation and look for a legal alternative. RHCA board also agreed to send a letter stating our concerns, signed by board members, to the property owner.
Leadership Structure Update
Dianne McNeilly announced that her term as president will be ending in June 2010 and thanked the group for the opportunity to serve. Kathy Evans briefly presented the changes to the bylaws, which will be posted on this website in the next few days. She also introduced a nomination form that will be used to collect information about potential board members' willingness to serve the association. All nomination forms will be due on or before the June meeting so that the first group of board members can be approved at that time. Additional board members will be added as needed. If you are interested in serving, please email riversidehca@aol.com and we will send you a nomination form.
Meeting adjourned at 8:27pm.
Presentation by Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful
Christine Commerce, executive director of Keep Hillsborough County Beautiful, spoke to the group about the need to become more involved in cleaning up litter in our community. She also asked for neighbors to volunteer for the Great American Cleanup on April 17. More information can be found at http://www.khcbonline.org/.
Tampa Police Department Representative
A representative from TPD shared the latest crime statistics for our neighborhood, including 4 robberies, 4 auto burglaries, and one attempted auto theft. More information was requested about the recent series of home invasions and RHCA board members will followup with our TPD crimewatch liaison for more information.
Councilwoman Linda Saul-Sena
Ms. Saul-Sena presented several issues that are currently up for debate, including the use of fertilizer during the summer. She mentioned that this can contribute to red tide and algae blooms in the Hillsborough River, the bay, and the Gulf. She urged neighbors to support a ban on nitrogen-based fertilizer during the summer months. Ms. Saul-Sena also encouraged neighbors to investigate TECO's new free energy audit and to support a possible low interest loan program for those who want to make weatherization improvements to their homes. She also spoke about the need to support new public transit options. Ms. Saul-Sena is running for Hillsborough County Commissioner in November 2010.
Code Enforcement - Carlos Rios
Mr. Rios updated the group on the Hakim situation and mentioned that he had taken additional photos of the property for review by code enforcement/city legal team. He expects further action to be taken soon on this important issue and will keep us informed. Neighbors also brought up the concerns regarding a house of worship in the neighborhood and the hours/noise issues surrounding the activities there. Mr. Rios provided personal contact information to the neighbors and encouraged them to call him immediately when activity is taking place so he can witness it firsthand. We will continue to monitor the situation and look for a legal alternative. RHCA board also agreed to send a letter stating our concerns, signed by board members, to the property owner.
Leadership Structure Update
Dianne McNeilly announced that her term as president will be ending in June 2010 and thanked the group for the opportunity to serve. Kathy Evans briefly presented the changes to the bylaws, which will be posted on this website in the next few days. She also introduced a nomination form that will be used to collect information about potential board members' willingness to serve the association. All nomination forms will be due on or before the June meeting so that the first group of board members can be approved at that time. Additional board members will be added as needed. If you are interested in serving, please email riversidehca@aol.com and we will send you a nomination form.
Meeting adjourned at 8:27pm.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Keys Found in Duran Park
Keys were found in Duran Park on Saturday, March 27. Includes Dodge truck key and several others. Call 813-263-6097 to identify them!
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