You are currently browsing the monthly archive for May 2008.
Reading a recent edition of “Columbia Business Times” (CBT, May 17, 2008), I find two articles of particular interest by Mr. David Shorr (“Speaking Out: Landmark case illustrates need for council expansion, pay”, page 11, continued on 13), and by Mr. Larry Schuster (“Soap Box: What have we here?”, page 11, continued on 13). Both articles reference the Country Club Estates Neighborhood Association in relationship to the rezoning of McAlester Trust property on the corner of Old Highway 63 and Alfred Street. Two perspectives, opinions, and views that may be worth your reading and consideration. You may be able to access these articles online at www.columbiabusinesstimes.com and if not, be sure to pick-up a copy at just about any area business.
I have given my notice of resignation as Chair of the Country Club Estates Neighborhood Association effective today, May 12, 2008. Letters to Warren Prost, Vice-Chair, Linda Hutton, Secretary, and Jayne Wack, Treasurer have been mailed today giving proper notice.
Thanks to Rod Stevens for his capable leadership the first year of the CCENA, and for giving me sound, solid advice as I stepped into the position as Chair last August, 2007.
Thanks to Warren Prost for serving the Board of the CCENA as Vice-Chair, and most importantly stepping-up and filling-in as “Acting Chair” during my personal transition in working for the State of Missouri and accepting a new job with the Harry S Truman Memorial Veteran’s Hospital here in Columbia.
Thanks to Linda Hutton for her valuable work as Secretary. Her notes and reminders kept me on-track, and gave meaning to issues we thought may have gotten lost in the heat of debate. And, to Bob, her husband for giving voice and “presence” when it was most needed.
Thanks to Jayne Wack for keeping track of the monies we have on balance, and making sure her report as Treasurer was always accurate. And, to Greg, her “co-Treasurer” who, like Bob Hutton, often gave voice and presence to our meetings. Thanks, Greg, for being a great guy, and so reliable to us all.
To Mary and Russ Still for giving support, words of wisdom and counsel on many different items of discussion. Wit and charm, wisdom and forthrightness are characteristic of these two great neighbors. Mary began preliminary work on what it means to have an “overlay district” and to that end much work will still need to be done.
Martha John has been and continues to be a vital and important link to the association’s weblog, its creation and maintenance. Thank you, Martha. You make it look so easy. We should all be so proud that this “young” association has such an important tool of communication at our disposal.
And last, but never, ever least, are the wonderful Neighbors and Friends of this community of homeowners clustered around the historically notable property of the Columbia Country Club from whence we have taken our name as an association. Without the support, interest, and belief in a neighborhood association, we might not have ever advanced this organization to where it has come to be today.
There is still much work to be done. Bylaws to be changed; an updated directory to be published; a summer picnic and neighborhood gathering to be organized; and, many other aspects of our collective dreams to continue making this a strong and viable organization.
Thank you for entrusting me with the leadership of this association. I truly appreciate the opportunity to have served, and perhaps someday you will let me do so again.
Have a wonderful summer!
The new landscape design and installation at 804 Fairway Drive, home of owners Gary Smith and Randall Kilgore (with pets Tasha & Bailey, and Miracle, and most importantly the Lady of the House, sister Connie!) is now fully completed. Delighted with the work of landscape designer, Mr. Bruce Westbrook, of Westbrook Landscape Designs, and his very hard-working, capable crew of “Chad” and “Cory”, the job is complete. Additional electrical features still require tweaks and adjustments by OMNI Electric, but all-in-all the design has been installed.
A special feature of the design and not readily visible from the street view along Fairway Drive is the small, self-contained water feature that Mr. Westbrook designed and constructed onsite. The feature is contemporary in design, and has a steady “babble” of water issuing from the carved set-stone at the top of the structure. Surrounded by smooth and colorful river rock, the statement this feature makes is one of peace, quiet and serenity as you enter the neighbors’ home. A must-see if you stop by for a closer view.
Plantings along the front where the small, white, two-rail fence once was are a row of “Knock-out Rose Shrubs” which are pink in color when in full bloom through the warm summer months. A mass of color should proceed from now until the first frost. Purple salvia is inserted in various places, and punctuated throughout by a type of iris that has variegated yellow-green spike leaves with a brilliant blue-purple flower. On the south walk are more of these iris but with white blooms.
Three new trees are in the design and include a River Birch, Elm, and Maple, all doing well and thriving in this early part of the spring season.
The design is tied-in well with the backyard design done last year by Mr. Westbrook, and new flagstone stepping stones have been added to create a small, simple walk on the north side of the house connecting the front yard to the back. The native rock interspersed throughout the design is also in keeping with the rock used in the water feature installed last year, and all comes from the surrounding areas of Boone County.
Foundation shrubbery has been installed, and will be an evergreen addition to the front yard landscape as fall becomes winter. A small Japanese maple has been inserted in the garden space near one of the front windows, and it is green in color, not the more familiar deep burgundy color everyone is accustomed to. A beautiful specimen that replaces what some may recall was a stunning, older dogwood that died about two years ago. Another nice addition to the bed space close to the house, and clearly visible from the interior dining room space.
With the soon to be “new” black mailbox affixed beneath the outside door lamp, the 2008 landscape design for “804″ will be complete, and enjoyed for many years to come! Please come by and take a closer look. Gary loves to show the landscape off, and talk about it for anyone willing to take “The Tour.”
Kipp and Kylie Vannaman…and little son, Olli, have extended a wonderful invitation to the Neighborhood Association as they prepare to relocate to New Zealand! Yes…that far away is where this fine, young family is making their next move. A new and exciting adventure for them to be sure.
Kylie’s “final” graduation is soon as she completes all of the necessary requirements in fulfillment of her Residency in Family Medicine at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Dr. Vannaman has accepted a position in New Zealand as an extension of her medical training, and in an area where there is great need for family medicine and practice. Kipp and Olli go along with her, of course, on this new and dynamic opportunity. Leaving their home behind to new homeowners, Mandy and Melissa, gives us all the opportunity to also greet our new neighbors.
The Vannaman’s have invited us all to an “Open House” from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and a Wine Party Send-off from 5:00 p.m. til…??? at their residence located at 2249 Country Lane, on Saturday, June 21, 2008. Please “R.S.V.P.” to the following email address: kyliev@mac.com or call them at 573-449-4070.
If you are unable to be there, they have asked that we stay in touch and keep an eye on their website for updates and photos at web.mac.com/kyliev.
The details again:
Open House – 3-5 p.m.
Wine Party Send-off – 5:00 p.m. – ???
At: The Vannaman Residence…Kylie, Kipp and Olli; 2249 Country Lane, Columbia, MO 65201; 573-449-4070
R.S.V.P. (Please reply) kyliev@mac.com
Welcome to the Neighborhood, Mandy and Melissa, new home owners!
LATE MONDAY NIGHT — Thanks to the large number of people who turned out for the City Council meeting tonight and stayed for the very looooong public hearing. We had 21 people speak in opposition to the zoning. Besides the two who presented their case, the proponents had 10. We heard eloquent support of our position from our own Third Ward Councilman, Karl Skala, and from Sixth Ward Councilwoman Barbara Hoppe. But in the end, after 3+ hours of public hearing and another hour of council discussion (some of it behind closed doors on “break”) the rest of the Council, including the mayor, voted against us. The final vote was 5-2 in favor of the rezoning. >sigh<
We will need to continue to pay close attention. We need to make sure they work on the “comprehensive plan” for the area that they kept talking about tonight. We need to give as much input as possible to whatever group makes that plan, even try to get people directly involved with the process.
Mostly, though, I’m glad to have met so many good neighbors through this process. I hope we can continue to keep in touch with each other and keep our neighborhood as strong as it appeared tonight.
Here’s another call to arms. We need everyone in the neighborhood to come out again to the City Council meeting this coming Monday, May 5, at 7:00 pm in the Council Chamber on the 4th floor of the Daniel Boone Building. Check with your neighbors, share rides as possible, but come to the meeting. We need to make as good (or better!) showing as we did last time to help convince the City Council not to approve the rezoning issue.
We are very early on the agenda. After the roll call and approval of minutes, etc., there is only one “special item” – a P.R.I.D.E. Safety award – and one “scheduled public comment” (maximium 5 min. I think) and then they will start the Public Hearings, of which we are first. If we get there early enough (before 7:00), we should try to get a large block of seats together – I would recommend the east side of the room (farthest from the door) in the front!
Before that, contact the council members one more time. Each council member can be reached through their city e-mail. As an example, our Council Member, Karl Skala, is Ward3@GoColumbiaMo.com For any other council member simply change the ward number.
Several council members usually have open meetings on the Saturday before a council meeting, which is tomorrow. However, because the Council is having a “mini-retreat” that day, starting at 9:00 am, the usual times won’t generally work. Councilman Skala has already canceled his meeting that morning, and Councilman Wade has set his later (3 to 5), presumably in hopes of still having it after the Council retreat is finished. I’m not sure about Barbara Hoppe or Paul Sturtz – neither has yet published a time for their meeting this weekend – and the other two Council members do not have regular meetings.
We are hoping that we have a chance to defeat this. You can help by coming to the Council meeting on Monday. Plan to speak if you wish (3 minute limit), or just be there to show your interest in the issue. Thanks!
