Archive for March, 2009

Ann Monte: Neighbor of the Month for March 2009

Friday, March 27th, 2009

An interview with Ann Monte, our NEIGHBOR OF THE MONTH for March 2009.

What neighborhood do you live in?
Longview Gardens.

How long have you lived here?
I bought my home in 1995 after living in North Raleigh for a year and a half.

Do you have special interests or hobbies? 
I have perfected the art of puttering around the house and to that end enjoy working with stained and etched glass, gardening, tending to my chickens, working with my bees as well as biking, flat water kayaking, walking and library volunteering.

What attracted you to this neighborhood and what do you think is the best thing about living here? 
I found this neighborhood to have the charm of older homes with the added benefit of being situated on  nice sized lots, close to downtown, (within easy walking distance of grocery stores, a good library and public transit – Yes!)  Several of the homes in my area have had only two owners so there is still a connection with the people who this area was developed to serve.
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East CAC minutes for March 2009

Friday, March 27th, 2009

The following are draft minutes from the East CAC March 2009 meeting:

East CAC Meeting Minutes
March 2009
Submitted by Secretary Sue Sturgis

The East CAC met at Lions Park Community Center on Monday, March 16 at 7 p.m. with about 30 people in attendance. Chairman Mark Turner opened with announcements.

* He delivered the CAC’s contributions to Brenda Pulley, a former Millbank Street resident whose husband died following a kerosene heater explosion in their home. For updates on Ms. Pulley’s needs, please check the East Raleigh website at www.eastraleigh.org.

* There will be cleanup of Belvidere Park and surrounding neighborhoods on April 4, with more details forthcoming.

* An informal vote on the proposal to change the CAC meeting to 6:30 p.m. showed a slight edge for the earlier time. Mark still needs to tally up the comments he received via e-mail before making a decision.

* Nominations are now being accepted for East CAC Vice Chair, to replace outgoing Vice Chair Andrew LeLiever. A vote will be taken at the April meeting.
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CAC Update – 27 March 2009

Friday, March 27th, 2009

Hi neighbors! Today’s updates:

1. As of right now, the Service Raleigh volunteer clean-up is still on
for tomorrow despite Saturday’s forecast for rain and possible
thunderstorms. Be sure to check http://www.serviceraleigh.org for the
latest news before you head out.

2. Raleigh police are looking for Michael Wayne Hutchinson Jr., a 5’11”
170 pound white male accused of shooting into an occupied apartment on
Lightner Lane, striking an 11-year-old. Hutchinson has the letters YMG
tattooed on his neck. See this link for his mug shot and more info:
http://wake.mync.com/site/Wake/news/story/30680/shooting-suspect-at-large/

3. Brenda Pulley was happy to get back to work on Monday. She has most
all the furniture and clothes she needs, though she is still seeking a
washing machine and two small tables for her kitchen, if possible. See
http://www.eastraleigh.org for the latest updates. Thanks to everyone
for their donations!

4. Committees will soon be formed to coordinate some of the CAC tasks.
Committees will be formed to handle zoning and economic development,
among others. If you’re interested in helping, contact me for more details.

Everyone have a safe (and dry) weekend!

Regards,
Mark Turner
East CAC
741.6329

Brenda Pulley update #3

Sunday, March 22nd, 2009

Saturday morning I took the last of the donations over to Brenda Pulley, recruiting my neighbor Marcus to assist. Her apartment looked much different from when I’d seen it before. Her son has provided her with living room furniture and another bed. Marcus and I put her bed together and moved in a dresser, chest of drawers, and recliner that Marcus donated. Brenda was most appreciative and seems to be getting settled nicely.

Brenda doesn’t seem to need much more at this point. She did say that a small table for the kitchen might be nice (2′ -3′ tall by 3′ long by 2′ deep would be ideal) so she would have a place to put her coffee pot and other kitchen supplies. She might use another, similar-sized table in the kitchen, too.

Brenda has used her donations wisely: she’s already paid her rent through May. She sounded quite happy to be returning to work again tomorrow after being off a month. Most of all, she was very appreciative of all that’s been done for her.

When I started collecting things for Brenda, I just wanted to help get her life back to normal as quickly as possible. While there is no replacing her lost husband, I feel like our efforts have gone a long way towards picking her back up. Thanks for all your help!

Brenda Pulley update #2

Friday, March 20th, 2009

As you may know, before Monday’s CAC meeting I delivered a van full of donations to Brenda Pulley. I’m pleased to say she had things for her place the moment she walked in.

Things she has: clothes/shoes, queen mattress/box springs, another bed (unknown size), kitchen table w/chairs, rocking chair, office chair, 19″ TV, microwave, coffee pot, dish rack, two cooking pots, dishes, some cleaning supplies, glasses, towels, sheets, and vacuum.

Things she’s been pledged: bed frame, dresser, chest of drawers, lamps, and night stand.

Things she could still use: welcome mats (2 inside, 2 outside), broom/dustpan, curtains, clock radio, oven mitts, salt and pepper shakers, frying pan, TV stand, and money. Maybe more clothes or coats, too.

I’ll be delivering more donations Saturday (and Sunday, if needed), so there’s still time to donate. If you’d like to offer anything contact me and I’ll coordinate getting it to Brenda. Thanks!

Mystery spot

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009

poole-road-mystery-spot
Anyone know what this is? It’s a spot between Poole Road and New Bern Avenue.

It looks like a remnant of some now-defunct factory or something.

East CAC Meeting at 7PM Monday

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

Hi neighbors! It’s time again for our meeting! The East CAC will meet at Lions Park Community Center from 7 to 8:30 PM Monday night.

Our speaker will be Eric Lamb, Raleigh’s transportation services manager. He’ll be here to discuss the process of getting sidewalks put in, the costs associated with it, and any other questions you might have. If you’ve ever wondered how sidewalks might fit in our neighborhoods, now is the time to ask!

Also on the agenda are two zoning cases. We’ll hear about Z-18-09, the convenience store at the corner of Poole and Norwood. We’ll also revisit Z-15-09, the 512 and 604 Donald Ross Drive properties.

We’ll also discuss potential ways to better organize our CAC so that we get more of our neighbors involved. You’ll get a chance to add your ideas or volunteer to help out if you’d like.
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East CAC Meeting Minutes – February 2009

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

East CAC Meeting Minutes – February 2009
Submitted by Secretary Sue Sturgis

The East CAC met at Lions Park Community Center on Monday, Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. with about 35 residents in attendance.

Sgt. Matt McKee opened with his police report, revisiting concerns raised at the last meeting. Regarding vehicles parked inappropriately on Lion’s Way, an abandoned flatbed truck has been towed. Illegally parked vehicles were moved and citations given for humane violations at a problem property in the 700-block of Colleton Road. And an abandoned lot on Bennett is being treated as undeveloped land by Inspections, and Sgt. McKee suggested nearby residents keep on eye on it for vermin.
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Update on Brenda Pulley

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

I spoke with Brenda Pulley again yesterday afternoon. She will be moving in to her new apartment on Monday and still needs various items. So far I’ve gotten clothes, shoes, vacuum, a rocking chair, an office chair, some dishes, and cash donations.

I also have pledges for these:
More clothes
Queen size mattress & box spring (no frame)
Microwave
Older 19″ tv
Kitchen table with chairs
Rattan 2 seat couch
Crock pot
Stove pot
Upholstered chair
Towels

I will be visiting her on Monday to drop these off, after which I should have a better idea of what she still needs. Thanks for all of your generosity!

Hearing to adopt the 2030 Comprehensive Plan

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

THE CITY OF RALEIGH NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING TO ADOPT THE 2030 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE CITY OF RALEIGH.

Notice is given that a joint meeting of the Raleigh City Council and Planning Commission is to be held on Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber of the Avery Upchurch Municipal Building. A public hearing will be conducted to consider amending the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The City Council may consider and adopt proposed amendments to the Comprehensive Plan as amended in any manner, following public hearing.

NOTE: A copy of the proposed 2030 Comprehensive Plan for the City of Raleigh is on file with the Raleigh City Planning Department, the Raleigh City Clerk’s Office and /or can be accessed via the internet at www.planningraleigh2030.com.
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