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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:
Name______________________________Phone________________________
Address_____________________________City__________________________
State________Zip________________email_____________________________
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