Stagecoach Neighborhood Association (SNA)
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STAGECOACH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER
A Quarterly Publication
December 2007 issue.
MESSAGE FROM THE SNA PRESIDENT
Happy Holidays to you! I wanted to introduce myself. I'm the
new president and have a weekly community radio show, Wed. nights 6 - 7PM
on KTAO called, "AS You Wish."
We've only lived here in Taos for a year and two months, so there is a lot
I don't know about.
I’ve met with the mayor to understand about the politics of change and
how to get things done... ok you can laugh now. Actually, he was open to helping
us out and to working with us.
As the new President, I'm hearing from people who have been here since the
beginning and getting their insights so we carry on a united vision. I invite
all of you to get involved with the SNA!
I came in personally for two reasons: maintaining the road and to be involved
in creating community. I quickly discovered that the SNA is separate from
the Road Association. I didn't know that.
We met recently at the last board meeting with Mr. Dobson, shared thoughts,
let him know about a generous donation for the gravel, backhoes, etc. and
got educated... If you care about the road and how it is maintained, paid
for, and how money is accounted for - go to the yearly meeting which is in
January. (We have not been told the date or time yet - so check emails! and
show up!)
I learned that because Tune Drive is a private road - we as homeowners are
all liable for accidents and could be named in a suit. I didn't know that.
I am not an attorney and am speaking personally: get an umbrella policy to
cover you.
We also talked about putting a sign up at the beginning of the road saying:
"Private Property: No Trespassing - Drive at your own Risk." - Something
like that so our personal liability is limited. Some of you won't like that
sign - I understand! Still it may be one of the simplest, cheapest ways to
protect all of us more then we are.
Ideally we discovered that we'd need to grade, roll, and maybe spray it 4
to 6 times a year and we'd all need to agree to drive about 25 miles an hour
to keep it free from ruts and washboard bumps. This can be done. It means
more money, and/or volunteers and we need to slow down.
This means all of us donating willingly and happily to the road association
so Tune Drive can be maintained. Only people living from 217 Tune Drive to
the north end of the road are required to pay per their deed... so I am kindly
asking and inviting all of us to donate. We are all on this road together
and the donation is minimal, right?! ;0)
I was told that people won't donate unless they are forced into it. I disagree.
We all have a collective vision - a safe road that doesn't ruin your car.
This can be done. We just need all of us to donate and not wait till people
put a lien on your house... we are all volunteering - let's make it easy for
all of us -- please.
Okay, the second reason is CREATING A COMMUNITY. This means having a vision
that is sustainable, protects our space, environment, animals and our well
being. There is land that can be donated to us for a collective vision. We
have a lot of talent in this area -- there are art galleries we can support,
classes and workshops we can go to so we don't need to always go into town.
Maybe there are elders who need a ride into town, or carpooling we can do,
or runs into Trader Joes, or monthly potluck parties we can throw to get to
know each other and to create a vision, an intention of what we want our future
to be.
So again, I invite you to come to our board meetings, and I'd love to see
a monthly calendar of events that goes out in a monthly email to all of us
so we know what is happening -- for now we can use the SNA listserve until
we come up with a system that works.
If you are open to have one of the monthly potluck parties at your house,
and I think it would be great to have a donation for cleaning so it's hassle
free, please email me at workwithwendy@gmail.com
. Maybe we can have a gathering the 2nd Saturday of every month - something
like that so it's easy to remember. I'm open to ideas.
Happy Holidays to you and your family. Many blessings!
Sincerely,
Wendy Robbins
SNA President
If anyone has ideas or information they want included in the
newsletter, please e-mail board member Julie LeBlanc at jleblanc004@hotmail.com.
WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING
A new board of directors and officers were elected. Their terms
began October 23, 2007.
President: Wendy Robbins
Vice President: Jeff Heuvel
Secretary: Gail Walsh
Treasurer: Donna Olen
Board members: Julie LeBlanc, Gary Miller, Vali Valus
The board has begun working on the following projects:
1: Reviewing the Association’s “Vision Statement”
2:Updating signage on Tune Drive to emphasize that the road is private and
to emphasize the rules for using it
3: Accessing county records to identify people with homes on Tune Drive who
are not Road Association members - so requests can be made to them to help
pay for repair and maintenance of the road
4: Consulting with BLM (Bureau of Land Management) on funding support for
the use of Tune Drive to reach the Manby Hot Springs
5: Reviewing options for road improvements with Road Association President
John Dobson
6: Assessing the Association’s participation in notifying SNA members
of charity events they can participate in and contribute to using their own
time and funds
7: Considering neighborhood activities and events that can encourage more
participation in Association meetings and more social interaction in the area
The Long Range Infrastructure Committee is developing
ideas for the future of the SNA area and discussing them with Taos County.
This committee is chaired by Mary Lane Leslie. You can join this committee
or submit ideas by e-mailing Mary at leslielaw@zianet.com.
The Development Standards Advisory Board continues to
review architectural plans for new homes before construction begins to ensure
compliance with Association rules. This committee is chaired by Johannes Kolshorn.
This board is composed of representatives from each SNA zone. Johannes represents
the Tune zone. For more information, please e-mail Johannes at jocatjo@aol.com.
The Welcome Committee is made up of board members and
chaired by Wendy Robbins. If you know new neighbors, please e-mail Julie LeBlanc
at jleblanc004@hotmail.com. Julie
will coordinate with Wendy and Jeff Heuvel to greet and welcome new neighbors.
WHAT’S TO COME
1. An endorsement of the SNA “Vision Statement”
2. New signage for Tune Drive emphasizing that it is a private road and clarifying
rules for using the road
3. A letter will be sent to residents not currently members of the Tune Road
Association requesting that they contribute to the road maintenance fund.
4. A fee collection box for the use of the Manby Hot Springs may be erected
at the Manby Hot Springs parking lot. The fees would be used for Tune Drive
road maintenance and repair.
5. Volunteers for road crews may be requested by John Dobson to help repair
and maintain low areas of the road.
6. If additional funds are collected for road maintenance, the money will
be used to grade and roll Tune Drive more often than allowed by the current
budget.
NEW NEIGHBORS
In early December, Brad and Jen Anderson moved into 221 Tune Drive. It is
a two-story adobe style home at the end of Mel’s Drive.
On December 20, Carolyn and David Hinske made a permanent move into what had
been their 2nd home at the intersection of Tune Drive and Beauty Way. They
both retired from their jobs in Memphis, TN and are now full time residents
at the peach-colored house and studio at 275 Tune Drive.
For those of you who
would like to make a voluntary donation to support our
neighborhood in efforts such as: postage, welcome baskets, acknowledgement
of events like birth or deaths, trash pickups etc. you can make checks payable
to SNA.
Mail to: SNA, HCR 74 Box 22263, El Prado, NM 87529. Thank You!
$20.00 or Other $_______________
Please, DO verify correct mailing address for our records:
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Address_____________________________City__________________________
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