Meadow Park Neighbors News-Summer Issue

Check out the highlights from this great Neighborhood Assocation:

1. A Letter From the President-Tami Timbeross

Hi all!

Hope everyone is having a great summer now that it has finally arrived.

Just a few quick notes.

The picnic scheduled for July 19 has been canceled. We apologize for this, but it could not be helped.

Also, it is an election year and there are a few board openings. I will not be running again for re-election so myspot as president will be open. Gary Allar has decided not to seek re-election so the treasurer is open. And Amy Thompson will not be seeking re-election as Vice-President.

I would personally hate to see this association go under due to lack of involvement/participation. We are going to 3 meetings a year which will be easier and we are also moving back to the church. With everything this association has accomplished over the last 2 years it would be a shame if we no longer had an association. One of the reasons we set term limits is so we could get new people involved with new ideas coming in to enhance the association. If we do not get anyone to fill these spots the association will become inactive till the spots are filled.

So,become involved, this is YOUR neighborhood to! Contact me if you would like to run for one of these offices or just to talk about the association. 507-951-0601 or tami@tamictimbeross.com.

If you missed the last meeting in May was on gangs in the Rochester area and we had about 40 people turn out. Thank you to Officer Steve Thompson from the Rochester Gang Task Force for coming and talking to us. This meeting was very informative for all of us. Some of us were not aware of the gang activity in Rochester, especially
in our own neighborhood. We need to make sure we communicate with our
children. Officer Thompson said the #1 reason kids join gangs is because they are lacking something at home.

Thanks to all of you that came out to hear him speak. Our September
meeting will be about the upcoming elections in Rochester. Come out and meet and talk to the people you are electing for office. We will have a list of individuals that will be attending sometime in August. We will also be having a special meeting in October to elect new people to the board. Then our next meeting will be in March of 2009. Have a great summer all and I look forward to seeing you in September!

2. The Second Annual RLuau

   This is the second annual RLuau, a Hawaiian-themed fund-raiser for RNeighbors,the Rochester Neighborhood Resource Center. All money raised will be used directly to benefit local neighborhoods such as the Meadow Park Neighbors Association.

   Tickets are only $30 and are available at your local Hy-Vee stores. And thanks to RLuau Event Sponsor,BP Pump N Munch Convenience stores, each ticket stub is good for 4 cents off per gallon of gasoline at all 8 Rochester BP Pump N Munch Convenience stores.(Maximum purchase of 50 gallons with coupon.)

   There will be Tropical Hors d’oeuvres with a live and silent auction to follow. Entertainment for the evening will consist of the Bad Apple Comedy of Scott Hanson: Five time Minnesota Comedian of the Year Award winner,just returning from a two-year national tour with Louie Anderson, Dave Mordal:Two season star of NBC’s Emmy Award winning “Last Comic Standing” and star of the “Tonight Show” and Jeff Cesario: Emmy Award winning comedian and writer/producer of “Dennis Miller Live” and “The Larry Shandling Show”. You can visit their web site at www.badapplecomedy.com. The media sponsor for the evening is none other than Laser 101.7 with Big Mark Clark being the emcee for the evening.

   So, come on out and support a great cause and have a few laughs doing so. Visit RNeighbors.org for more information about this and other activities planned!

3. National Night Out

   The National Night Out program, also known as America’s Night Out, is sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch . It began in 1984 and is held on the first Tuesday night in August. In 1999 there were 32 million people, in 9500 communities from all fifty states, US Territories, and military bases worldwide who participated in National Night Out.

   The goal of this program is to have residents get together in their neighborhoods. Most have picnics and they register their picnics with the Crime Prevention Unit www.CopTalkLive.com) While they are at the picnic they “turn their lights on to turn off crime.” During the evening the Mayor, members of the City Council, and McGruff visit as many of the picnics as they can.

   The City of Rochester has made significant progress in their participation in this program. In 1999 they increased participation by over 100%. There were over 150 picnics registered with over 5,000 participants.

   If you would like more information on the National Night Out program or would like to assist with the event contact kplummer@ci.rochester.mn.us or call them at (507)328-6898. The association will once again drive around to your picnics and award the best neighborhood picnic for our area. So, don’t forget to register with the city and e-mail me as well at tami@tamictimbeross.com and let’s put a stop to crime in our neighborhood!

4. Operation Hometown Gratitude

   For the 3rd year in a row, Operation Hometown Gratitude will be assembling care packages at Mayo HS. Since Christmas of 2005, we have sent over 3600 care packages to deployed troops and Peace
   Corps Volunteers. We pack every Tuesday evening from 3:30-6:30 approximately, year-round, rain or shine. We are located in Room 1-118, which is the auto shop classroom near door #5. So, don’t be
   surprised to see activity in your neighborhood this summer. In fact, you are encouraged to stop in and introduce yourself. However, be forewarned that we may put you to work!

   We welcome any visitors, including children, church groups,scouts (Boy and Girl), families, and anyone curious and willing to help.

   My name is Gary Komaniecki. I am a Mayo HS teacher and the advisor of Operation Hometown Gratitude. We are a non-political student organization. Student leaders are responsible for everything from long-term planning and scheduling to public presentations to maintaining and balancing our checking account. I am very proud of these young adults, and you will be too if you get a chance to meet them.

   We are also available for public presentations and are always looking to expand our support base (Care packages are expensive!) So if you are a member of a church, civic, or scouting group, give me a call at 261-7566 and I will send out a group of our student leaders. In addition, if you have any family, relatives,or friends in the active military or Peace Corps., stop by with an address and we will take care of them.

5. Rochester City Council Update-Ward 1, from Ed Hruska

   Here are some updates you may be interested in:
   The 20th Street SE extension from 11th Avenue (County Road 1) to
   Marion Road SE is in motion. There have been some recent meetings
   dealing with amending the flood fringe to make way for the project. The City anticipates seeking bids over the winter such that the contractor is ready to start construction in early spring 2009 ….April 2009. Most of the significant construction will be
   completed by October 2009. This project involves the construction of
   two major bridge structures, roadway, pedestrian path / trail, and storm water facilities. We will hold an information meeting for the neighbors later this summer to answer and discuss any questions.
   With this project and possible increase of traffic on 20th street we must be concerned with the speed of the traffic on this road – mainly around the school zones. With the increased number of uniformed officers now on the streets there is more opportunity for traffic enforcement. I have asked Chief Peterson to ask his troops to patrol the school zones in this area to attempt to make people aware of the speed limits and increase safety. He supports this and has assigned more patrol for that area - so please watch your speed.

   Also, at the May 5th City Council meeting the Council approved the
   installation of a traffic signal at the intersection of 16th street and 3rd avenue. The increase of area vehicle traffic over the years and the recent expansion of the Graham Arena facility create the
   need for more control at this intersection. This signal light is well
   past due at this location and should increase safety as well as traffic flow. The City is set to go - once the County Public Works
   Director signs off on this project it will move forward.

   A new policy recently adapted by the Council allows for speed
   studies and enforcement to be done in areas where ten or more residents request it. If you and your neighbors have a problem area
   please get in touch with me and I will look into assisting you with
   this.

   You can always reach me at ehruska@rochestermn.gov or call me at home at 289-0111.

6. The Mortgage and Housing Crisis-What can be done?
   by Kelly McDonough, President/CEO of First Alliance Credit Union

   Many would speculate that the largest economic hurdle that we face is the mortgage and housing crisis. While Rochester has not been particularly hard hit by either, this crisis is not without local
   implications. Home values are declining. People who drew upon
   the equity in their home may now find that they owe more than their
   home is worth. A great many people in our region used mortgage companies, out-ofstate banks and dot.com firms to finance their homes. Only to find out now that they can ill afford the increased payments or that they have substantial penalties if they
   refinance.

   Sadly, there are families right here in our community that are in the
   process of foreclosure. So, what can be done? There is legislation pending at both the state and national level that will change the rules regarding adjustable rate mortgages, the foreclosure process and hidden fees and penalties.

   The most important thing to do if you are in trouble with your mortgage payment is to talk to your lender. Be frank. Ask for help. Negotiate a reduced payment or interest rate. Even if you didn’t obtain your mortgage from First Alliance Credit Union, come talk to us. Often times we can assist in restructuring debt so that you don’t lose your home.

   Housing prices in many markets declined significantly in the early
   nineties only to be on firm ground again by 1995. So, remember, this too shall pass.