Top
County
Finally Finds Steele Creek
(May 19 &
25, 2002) In early May, Mecklenburg County Storm Water
Services put up two signs on Brown-Grier Road identifying
the creek at the Griers Fork entrance as Steele Creek. But
the signs were incorrect.
The creek over
the hill to the west that runs through the cow pasture
actually is Steele Creek. The creek at the Griers Fork
entrance is...(ta da!) Griers Fork, named for the same Grier
family that Brown-Grier Road was named after, according to
Edith Grier, who runs the dairy farm with her son Roy.
Members of the Grier family have operated a farm at
this location since the 1770's.
Last week, after
being notified of their error, Storm Water Services moved
the sign to the correct creek. So our local geography now is
identified correctly.
Top
Nancy Has a
Theory about Community Issues
(May 12, 2002)
Nancy Pearce Shaver, President of Charlotte's Merry Oaks
Neighborhood Association, has an interesting theory about
how there are many sides to an issue. Some actions benefit
individuals and some actions benefit the community, but in
the long run, actions that benefit the community will
benefit the individual more than...Hmm...That's a bit hard
to follow. Nancy says it better in her "From The
President" message. Use this link to check it out on
the Merry
Oaks Neighborhood Association web
site.
Top
Zoning
Inspector to Attend Board Meeting
(May 11, 2002)
Donald Moore, Mecklenburg County Zoning Inspector for the an
area that includes Griers Fork, plans to attend the
Griers Fork Board meeting on May 14 at 7:00 p.m. at Steele
Creek library. Griers Fork residents are invited to attend to
find out about local building and permit requirements.
Thief Makes off
with 72 Flower Plants
(May 11, 2002) 72
annuals planted at the Griers Fork entrance on April 27 were
stolen in the night a few days later. A thief made off with 42
celosia and 30 begonia plants. The thief was careful not to
disturb the remaining plants, however. The only change to the
flower bed was that 72 neat holes were left where the
plants used to be. Unfortunately, the annual planters failed
to record the celosia and begonia serial numbers and recovery
is unlikely.
If in your travels
you see a yard with 24 pink and white begonias and 42 celosia
plants, be sure to stop and complement the resident on their
choice of plants.
Group Chooses Plan
for Street Lights
(May 11, 2002) A
small but enthusiastic group of Griers Fork residents attended
the street light planning meeting on May 2. Although only seven
households were represented, the group decided to proceed with
a street light effort. The association has sent a request
to the Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT). CDOT
will forward the request to Duke Power, which will prepare a
plan placing street lights throughout the neighborhood. Once
the association receives the plan, volunteers must obtain
signatures from residents of at least 75% (137) of the
households on a street light petition. Additionally, the
association must approve a special assessment to pay for the
lights.
Further
information will be forthcoming.
Top
Street Light
Meeting Set for May 2
(April 25, 2002)
Come join your neighbors at the Steele Creek Branch Library at
7:00 on Thursday May 2 to discuss strategy for getting street
lights installed in Griers Fork. Street lights will take a
major effort by residents. Charlotte requires petitions signed
by residents of at least 75% of the residences and Duke Power
needs payment up front.
If you want street
lights, now is your chance to make it happen.
Top
Neighborhood
Yard Sale is Success
(April 25, 2002)
Despite threatening skies, at least 15 families spread out
precious memories for sale at the first Griers Fork Yard Sale
on April 13. Griers Forkers had an opportunity to clean out
their closets, find a few bargains, and meet their neighbors.
This can become a
regular event and be a bigger success with better signs and a bigger
ad next time.
Top
Association
Authorized to Maintain Entrance
(March 30, 2002)
Mecklenburg County owns the Griers Fork front entrance,
including the monument and the grassed area. The county also
owns a strip of land along the creek behind the houses on
Griers Fork Drive and the drainage area at the south end of
Griers Fork Drive.
The creek is on
the county's Master Greenway Plan, which means that the county
may build a greenway trail along the creek at some point in
the future. The county also restricts development along
waterways in order to protect water quality and limit
development in areas subject to flooding. Mecklenburg County
required the Griers Fork developer, LandCraft Properties, to
set aside area along the creek and not include it in any
residential lots.
The land was
transferred from LandCraft Properties to the county in
December 2000.
At the request of
the association, Steve Law, Manager of the Mecklenburg County
Park and Recreation Department's Division of Natural
Resources, sent the following letter authorizing
the association's continued use of the entrance area.
March 25,
2002
Griers Fork
Homeowners Association
c/o Mr. David Wiggins
13938 Dingess Road
Charlotte, NC 28273
Dear David:
Per our
conversations regarding the greenway property located on
Griers Fork Drive, Mecklenburg County is authorizing the
Griers Fork Homeowners Association to continue maintaining the
front entrance area which contains a sign, small gazebo,
electric lighting, sprinkler system and landscaping. The
Association has developed this into an attractive neighborhood
entrance. If the Association wishes to pursue any additional
enhancements to this area, a proposed plan must be submitted
to the county for authorization prior to implementation.
Please be advised that this agreement may be subject to
termination upon future construction of the Steele Creek
Greenway.
As for the
future greenway, the County has no immediate plans to begin
construction. The County will continue to acquire floodplain
property along Steele Creek and will determine a construction
timeline once sufficient land is acquired. Please note that
the Griers Fork Homeowners Association and other local
landowners will have an opportunity to provide input whenever
the planning/design phase of this greenway project is
initiated.
If you have
any additional questions regarding this property or the
greenway program, please contact Bridget Hanifin, our new
Greenway Planner. Bridget can be reached by phone at
704-336-8466 or by e-mail at hanifbe@co.mecklenburg.nc.us.
Sincerely,
Steven H. Law, Manager
Division of Natural Resources
The association
will continue to maintain the landscaped area at the front
entrance but not the remaining county property behind the
houses. If anyone has any questions about this property, they
should direct them to Bridget Hanifin, Mecklenburg County
Greenway Planner.
Top
Join Spring
Flower Planting Event on April 27
(March 30, 2002)
The Griers Fork Green Thumb Committee worked on further
beautification at the front entrance on March 30. They planted
a Japanese maple tree in the landscaped bed and trimmed the
crape myrtle trees.
A second event is
planned for Saturday, April 27. The pansies will be replaced
by summer annuals and more bedding plants will be added around
the new tree.
Top
Newsletter Now
On Line
(March 30, 2002)
The Griers Fork in the Road newsletter now is on line. Go to
the Newsletter
page and click on the page numbers below the issue numbers on
the right of the page to see images of the pages. Both issues
from 2002 are on line.
Depending on the
timing of photocopying and distribution, the newsletter may be
available on this web site before you get it in your newspaper
tube.
Because the
graphics images are large, only current and future issues will
be available.
Top
Neighborhood
Yard Sale Set for April 13
(March
29, 2002) The date has been set for Saturday, April 13th for
the first Griers Fork Springtime Neighborhood Yard Sale. There
will be an ad in The Charlotte Observer, and we think lots of
people will take advantage of the convenience of coming to one
neighborhood to browse through many yards in their search for
bargains and treasures.
We
want to encourage everyone to participate.
If
you've toyed with the idea of having your own yard sale but
just never got yourself organized enough to do it, now's the
time! Clean out your closets and garages and plan to make some
money!
This
also will be a great day for the neighbors to meet and visit
with one another. We're hoping for nice weather, but in the
event of rain, we'll schedule a substitute date for the
following week on Saturday, April 20th.
The
city requires permits which cost $5.00 per yard. They can be
picked up at 700 N. Tryon St (Hal Marshall Building - 1st
floor) or 700 E. Stonewall St (Bob Walton Plaza - 1st floor).
Let's
make this a successful event, and maybe it'll turn into an
annual event!
Top
Professional
Wrestling Star Moves to Griers Fork Invites Neighbors to Join
Daily Jog
(March
29, 2002) Rick Flair, one of America's best known professional
wrestling stars, recently purchased a home at the end of the
Yubinaranda Circle cul-de-sac in Griers Fork. Although he has
a permanent residence in Atlanta, he decided to buy a small
house in a quiet subdivision to use during his frequent visits
to Charlotte.
Flair
expects to move in the last weekend in March and is anxious to
meet his new neighbors. He jogs daily and invites all joggers
to join him on his first run through the neighborhood on
Monday morning, April 1 at 7:00 a.m. at the Griers Fork front
entrance.
Flair
recommends wearing a royal blue sequined jump suit with a fake
white fur collar. "Don't worry about looking
foolish," Flair said. "I'll be wearing one myself!
And besides, everyone looks foolish on April Fools Day!"
And
finally, Flair added, "To all my new Griers Fork
neighbors, a big WOOOO!"
Top
Observer Story
Features Grier Farm
(March 17, 2002)
Charlotte Observer columnist Tommy Tomlinson began a new
series today. Tommy's Town - 29 ZIP Codes - 29 Weeks - 29
Stories. Each weekly column will focus on one of the 29 ZIP
Codes in Mecklenburg County.
Today's story was
on 28273 -- Griers Fork's ZIP Code -- and featured the Grier
farm nearby on Brown-Grier Road.
Roy Grier runs the
farm with his mother Edith. Roy lives in the big white house
on the north side of the road. It was built about 1836 by John
Grier, a descendant of James Grier who arrived in the area
from Pennsylvania about 1772.
Edith lives across
the road in the newer house, built in the 1950's.
The farm is one of
only 4 dairy farms left in Mecklenburg County and has about 50
head. They stay near the barn this time of the year but will
wander into the fields on the south side of the road to graze
by going through the culvert for Steele Creek under the road.
Fields not used
for pasture produce corn, oats, and hay for cow feed.
As the Observer
news story says, the farm has become surrounded by new
subdivisions, such as Griers Fork, and the farmers have to
compete with more traffic.
See the full
story at the Charlotte Observer web site -- linked HERE.
For more on the
history of the farm, see the discussion of stop number 20 on
the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission
driving tour -- linked HERE.
Also see stop 18 for more information on the Grier family.
Top
Community Yard
Sale Planned for April 13
(February 28,
2002) A community yard sale is tentatively planned for April
13. participants can set up in their yards and benefit from
shared publicity and increased shopper traffic. Watch this
space and the Griers Fork newsletter for further details.
Direct questions
to Gwen DeWaele at 704-504-3114.
Top
Joint
Association/Board Meeting Held on February 27
(February 28,
2002) The Griers Fork Homeowners Association held its 2002
annual meeting on February 27 at the Steele Creek Public
Library. This was a makeup meeting from January 9 when a
quorum was not present.
Sufficient
attendees and proxies were present to achieve a quorum.
The association elected the following persons to the board:
Mike Byers, Kerry Merrell, and Dave Wiggins. Lebraun Evans and
Kevin Smith have a year remaining in their 2-year terms and
remain on the board.
After the board
election, the new board conducted several items of
business.
Officers for 2002
are Dave Wiggins, President, LeBraun Evans, Vice President,
Mile Byers, Treasurer, and Kerry Merrell, Treasurer. Kevin
Smith will continue as Chairman of the Architectural Review
Committee.
The board also
approved an expenditure of up to $50 towards a newspaper ad
and a community yard sale permit (if such a thing exists) for
a yard sale tentatively scheduled for April 13.
Top
Keep Car Doors
Locked and Garages Closed
(February 28,
2002) Residents continue to report thefts from cars and
garages within the neighborhood. Please do not make your possessions
easy targets. Crooks take advantage of opportunities and you
should make sure these opportunities do not exist. Be sure to
keep all doors locked and garages closed when you are not
around to watch them. Thefts from garages have occurred even
while residents are at home or are in the back yard cutting
the grass.
Top
City of
Charlotte Regulates On-Street Parking
(February 28,
2002) Some residents have more cars than can fit comfortably
in their garages and driveways. Their cars thus spill out into
the street, and this causes inconvenience and even potential
danger for neighbors.
Cars in the street
hinder traffic and make it difficult for neighbors to back
cars out of driveways. If cars block mailboxes, carriers will
not deliver mail. Cars can cause a hazard and prevent access
by emergency vehicles.
Residents are
encouraged to avoid parking on the street and also ask
cooperation by their guests, although occasional parties are
not unreasonable. Please be a COURTEOUS neighbor.
Although
association documents restrict on-street parking, the streets
are public streets and the association cannot regulate
parking. If parking is a problem, the association can send a
"please be courteous" letter, but cannot prevent
parking altogether.
You may contact
Shirlee Dillard, Neighborhood Traffic Field Investigator with
the Charlotte Department of Transportation at 704-336-3890 or
by e-mail at sdillard@ci.charlotte.nc.us if you have
questions.
See the Griers
Fork Q and A page on this web site for additional information
about city parking policy.
Top
Homeowners Dues
are Now Overdue
(February 28,
2002) Griers Fork Homeowners Association dues for 2002 are
$100, due on January 1 and overdue on February 1. The
association aggressively pursues collection of dues, and this
costs money. Homeowners are assessed late fees on February 1,
and legal fees and other charges continue to accumulate if
dues are not paid.
If a homeowner
cannot pay the full amount in January and contacts Prism
Realty promptly to arrange a payment schedule, fees will not
be charged. However, the homeowner must make a partial payment
in January and make additional payments in accordance with the
arrangement.
See the Griers
Fork Q and A page for a detailed discussion of the collection
process.
Top
Would You be
Interested in a Golf League?
(1/23/2002)
The golfing season is coming up fast. For all of you weekend
golfers and for the serious golfers as well, would you be
interested in:
A)
Griers Fork Golf League?
B)
A community outing with your golfing neighbors?
or
C)
Maybe just someone to finish out your foursome?
If
you are interested in any of the above. Please feel free to
contact Frank Casillo via email at FrankCasJr@aol.com
or by phone at 704-583-2047.
Top
Makeup
Association Meeting to be on February 27
(1/23/2002)
Because a quorum was not present at the annual Griers
Fork Association meeting on January 8, a makeup meeting has
been scheduled for Wednesday, February 27 at 7:00 p.m. at the
Steele Creek Library meeting room. The library is located in
the Steele Creek Commons shopping center at the corner of
Sandy Porter Road and South Tryon Street.
The meeting is
necessary to fill three positions on the Board of Directors.
Two terms expired and one board member has resigned. If you
are interested in being on the board, contact Prism realty or
Dave Wiggins at gfhoa@onebox.com,
or present your name at the meeting.
Top
Brown-Grier
Road on City Sidewalk List
(1/11/2002)
Annually, the City of Charlotte, as part of its Capital
Improvement Program (CIP), appropriates $4 million for new
sidewalks. The selection of approved projects is based on
a priority listing which considers a number of factors,
including traffic volume and need for access to a school or
park.
Good News: The
section of Brown-Grier Road between Griers Fork Drive and
Gallant Lane is on the city's list of sidewalk requests. This
would provide a walkway from the Griers Fork entrance to
Gallant lane, where Kennedy Middle School, Steele Creek
Elementary School, and the Steele Creek Neighborhood Park are
located.
Bad News: The list
has over 700 projects listed city-wide.
Good News:
According to Michelle Alexander of the Charlotte Department of
Transportation, Brown-Grier Road is priority # 36 on the list.
Bad News: The city
only has money to build about 10 projects a year, so a
sidewalk is at least a couple of years off. But at least it's
on the list.
For more
information on the Charlotte sidewalk programs, visit the
following web site:
You may view the
list of requested streets at:
(This is a PDF
file and requires Adobe Acrobat Reader to view it.)
Top
Association
Meeting Lacks Quorum
(1/11/2002) The
Griers Fork Homeowners Association held its annual meeting on
January 8 at the Good Shepherd Methodist Church on Moss Road.
Michelle Preston
of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Crime
Prevention Unit gave a presentation on crime prevention and
the Community Watch Program.
Attendees received
updates on various community issues.
Two announced
agenda items were discussion and vote for a special assessment
to pay for street lights and election of board members to fill
three seats. However, attendance was less than the required
quorum of 19 and no votes were possible. An additional meeting
will be scheduled in an attempt to achieve a quorum for a
board election.
Top
How about a
Neighborhood Yard Sale?
(12/9/2001) Here's
an idea from a Griers Fork resident.....
"Some communities hold neighborhood yard sales, and I'd
love to see ours do this. I'm sure a lot of people would
probably participate as I've seen a number of yard sales
around here already. We could put an ad in local papers,
and notices around the area on bulletin boards and sign posts.
Lots of people plan out their garage sale routes, and would
likely come to a neighborhood event where they could walk from
yard to yard. I think this would be a great way for the
neighbors to come together and have the opportunity to meet
others, and to help keep our garages and attics free of
excessive clutter. Most people like to clean out in the
spring and autumn, so I would vote on doing this twice a year.
You could write notices of upcoming dates, and articles (maybe
including pictures) after the events in the newsletter and on
the website. If we wanted to get really creative, some
people could even sale baked goods or handiwork/craft items
that they make. I could see something like this growing
over time, and building up a great community/neighborly
atmosphere."
The idea is for
folks all to have yard sales on the same date to take
advantage of joint publicity. Neighbors could wander
around the neighborhood looking for bargains and getting to
know each other.
Would you be
interested in joining and helping in the organizing? Let
us know.
Top
Gazebo Stones Reset
(12/8/2001) Stones
that had come loose from around the gazebo supports have been
removed and reset. One stone had been loose for some time, but
a few months ago four more came loose. This likely occurred
because water had seeped in around the wooden posts and caused
expansion and contraction of the posts. This led to cracks in
the mortar, and the stones came out.
A stone mason has
removed all other stones held in by cracked mortar and reset
them all. He also placed caulk around the posts to block
moisture.
Top
Annual
Association Meeting Set for January 8
(11/23/2001)
The annual meeting of the members of the Griers Fork Owners'
Association is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, January 8
at the Good Shepherd Methodist Church at 13110 Moss Road. (See
directions below.) Agenda items include discussion of a
possible special assessment to pay for street lights, election
of board members for 2002, and other items of interest to
association members.
All
Griers Fork homeowners are members of the association and may
cast one vote per property.
If
you will be unable to attend the meeting, you may sign over
the proxy that will be included in the official meeting
announcement you will receive from Prism Realty to another
attendee of your choice. Please note, however, that the person
you designate will cast your vote. So unless you provide
specific instructions or know the intentions of that person,
you may wish to be cautious about signing over this right.
The requirement
for a meeting quorum is 10% of the association membership or a
total of 19 property owners, which was the attendance in 2001.
Proxies may be needed to achieve a quorum.
Directions to
Good Shepherd Methodist Church
From Griers
Fork, take Brown-Grier Road and Sandy Porter Road to S. Tryon
Street. Turn right and go past Westinghouse Boulevard and
Carowinds Boulevard. Moss Road is the entrance to the
Crossings development. Turn right onto Moss Road at the light
just past the York Ridge Shopping Center (with the Winn-Dixie)
Take the first left into the Good Shepherd Church parking lot.
The meeting is in the general purpose room.
Top
City Offers
Neighborhood Street Light Program
(11/23/2001)
An effort to have street lights installed in Griers Fork by the
Mecklenburg County Department of Engineering failed in 2000
through lack of interest. Now that Griers Fork is within the
City of Charlotte, the neighborhood must submit a request
through the city Department of Transportation to get Duke Power
to install street lights.
The
Mecklenburg County plan included 41 economical traditional light
fixtures. These fixtures use 100 watt bulbs and are mounted 12'
high on black poles. These fixtures currently cost $471 apiece,
but that probably will increase in early 2002. Total cost would
be $19,311, or $106.10 per property at the 2001 rate. (See
picture at right. These lights have been installed in the Cedar
Run and Steelechase developments off Sandy Porter Road. Please
visit these neighborhoods to see how the lights look). Duke
Power probably would use the same plan for the city program.
In
the county program, the county paid for installation and passed
the cost on to the homeowners through assessments to property
owners. In the city program, the neighborhood would have to pay
Duke Power directly before installation would begin. Once
installed, the city would pay for electricity and maintenance.
To
get street lights, the association must do three things:
-
Request a new
plan from Duke Power through the city. This plan would
specify fixture locations and costs.
-
Collect
signatures from residents of least 75% of the residences
in Griers Fork. That's at least 137 of the 182 homes. The
city requires this before they will authorize Duke Power
to install the lights within the city's street
right-of-way.
-
Provide
payment for the installation of the lights to Duke Power.
In order to raise $19,000 the association would have to
have a special assessment, or wait several years until
reserves are built up.
Generally these
processes must be completed by early summer 2002.
As
specified in the Griers Fork Declaration of Covenants,
Conditions, and Restrictions, the association may levy a special
assessment if approved at a meeting of association members.
Approval requires assent of at least two thirds of those voting
in person or by proxy. A special assessment of $100 per property
will be proposed for discussion and approval at the annual
association meeting on January 8. If approved, the assessment
will become effective only if and when sufficient signatures are
collected on the city's street light petition.
(See Article V,
Paragraph 5.5 of the Griers Fork Declaration of Covenants,
Conditions, and Restrictions.)
Top
School
Choice Has Finally Arrived
(11/23/2001) Starting with the 2002-2003 school year, the
Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System (CMS) is changing the way
they assign students to schools. You now have a choice to send
your student to his or her home school or another school in
the district. Every student will have to apply though to
attend a school in CMS. The school system has been split into
4 choice zones, which have each been assigned a color. We live
in the blue zone. Based on the plan, our community will not
experience much change. We are still assigned to Steele Creek
Elementary, Kennedy Middle, and Olympic High School as our
home schools. You must complete an application designating
your choice even if it is the home school. There is a lot of
information (too much for this column) so be on the lookout
for information from your child's school or call the
information hotline at 704-343-6192 from 8am-6pm
Monday-Friday. You may also check out the CMS website at
www.cms.k12.nc.us/k12/choice/index.htm
Be sure to
submit your student's choice application by January 18 to
ensure its consideration.
Top
2002
Association Dues Remain at $100
(11/23/2001)
Griers Fork homeowners' assessments will remain at $100 per
property for 2002. Assessments pay for association expenses,
including management fees, landscaping and maintenance in the
front entrance area, insurance, and various administrative
costs. Additional expenses are anticipated for the front
entrance in 2002, including expanding the flower beds and
enhancing the sign.
Homeowners
will receive notices from Prism Realty by December 1. Payment
is due by January 1 and past due by February 1.
Homeowners
who do not pay their annual assessment by February 1 will be
charged a $25 late fee. Prism will send at least three
delinquent notices. Accounts still unpaid after July will be
turned over to the association's attorney, who will file a
lien on the property. A lien means that the property cannot be
sold until the debt is paid. At this point, charges mount
quickly, and include interest, legal fees, and court fees. All
are added to the owner's account. The association eventually
may foreclose on the property to obtain amounts owed.
Please be a
responsible association member and pay your dues promptly.
Top
Trees
Available through City Coop Program
(11/23/2001)
The City of Charlotte will plant trees along street
right-of-ways at a cost of $80 per tree. This is a bargain
since the trees cost the city almost twice that much and the
city provides the labor. The association hopes to get trees
planted near the entrance this winter. The program likely will
be available to homeowners next year. Generally, for $80, the
city will plant one tree in front of your house within the
street right-of-way. Please let Dave Wiggins know if you would
be interested so that we can get an idea of the interest. More
details will come later.
Top
Microwaves
Sold by Eastwood Recalled
(10/26/2001)
Whirlpool, which makes Kenmore appliances, is recalling
"over-the-range" microwave-hood combinations with
serial numbers that begin with XC. These units were sold between
January 1998 and September 2001. Microwave-hood combinations
installed by Eastwood Homes during construction are among those
being recalled. Pulte Homes apparently did not install these
units in the homes they built.
Whirlpool recommends that consumers immediately stop using these
units and unplug them. Continued use poses a risk of fire.
For more information, see the Whirlpool web site below. You may
register your microwave for service on-line or call their recall
line at 1-800-785-8897.
Whirlpool
Recall
Top
Speed
Limit Update
(10/26/2001/Revised
11/22.2001) The petition to request 25 MPH speed limit on
Dingess Road was sent to the Charlotte Department of
Transportation (CDOT). The petition was signed by residents of
38 of the 47 properties on Dingess Road, or 81%. Signs
appeared on November 14.
Petitions for McGloughlin Way Court and Griers Fork Drive will
be forwarded to CDOT once sufficient signatures are collected.
Top
Association
Budget for 2002 is $18,200
(10/17/2001) The
annual budget for the Griers Fork Homeowners Association is
$18,200, which is based on homeowners dues of $100 for each of
the 182 properties.
Budgeted expenses by major category through September 30 are
Management Fees ($4,914), Front Entrance Maintenance
($4,282.83), Administrative Costs ($1,062.31), and Insurance
($860). One large non-budgeted expense was $1,210.68 to
install multi-way stop signs and stripes. Total expenses
through September 30 have been $12,329.82.
Total income from 2001 assessments (some of which were
credited in 2000) has been only $16,470 because 18 property
owners still have not paid all or part of their 2001
assessments. Prism Real Estate is aggressively collecting past
dues. Homeowners are subject to late fees and must reimburse
the association for all legal fees. If assessments and fees
remain unpaid, the association will place a lien on the
property and eventually file for judicial foreclosure.
The association also has had income from late fees ($472.50),
interest ($40.48), and 2000 dues paid ($200). The association
has paid over $1,500 in legal fees for dues collections, but
all of this is being recovered from the delinquent property
owners.
Association expenses for 2001 through September (excluding
legal fees) are as follows:
Management Category.................4,914.00
Front Entrance Category..............4,282.83
-Landscaping Service...................2,900.00
-Water (Irrigation)...........................831.02
-Electricity......................................141.95
-Repairs.........................................318.34
-Flowers..........................................91.52
Administrative Category................1,062.31
-Accounting/Tax Prep......................200.00
-Postage..........................................294.04
-Copies and Printing........................488.27
-Meetings..........................................75.00
-Bank Charges....................................5.00
Insurance Category.........................860.00
Stop Signs and Stripes Category..1,210.68
Total.........................................12,329.82
The association's bank balance on January 1, 2001 was
$9,188.67. The balance on September 30 was $11,800.44.
Top
Speed
Limit Update
(10/17/2001)
Volunteers continue to collect signatures on petitions to have
25 mile per hour speed limits established on Griers Fork Drive,
McGloughlin Way Court, and Dingess Road. The Charlotte
Department of Transportation (CDOT) has accepted Griers Fork
streets for city maintenance. Once sufficient signatures are
collected, the petitions will be forwarded to CDOT.
Top
Mysterious
Phenomenon on Griers Fork Lawns
(10/17/2001)
In the last few weeks thousands and thousands of small
cylindrical items have mysteriously appeared on many Griers Fork
lawns. Speculation abounds about their cause.
Some say they little calling cards left by a wandering horde of
wiener dogs. Others claim they are small cocoons left by alien
invaders and will grow into creatures that will snatch our
bodies as we sleep. They recommend smashing every one we see,
especially if they begin to look like friends or family.
Noted entomologist Dr. Bertram Bugwing discounts these theories,
however, but his conclusions foretell dire events. He says they
are plugs of clay pushed out of the ground by newly hatched
larvae of the rare, dreaded chocolatefly (Cocoalosus hylebogus).
Chocolatefly eggs lay quietly underground for years, until some
unknown force causes them to begin to hatch and push their way
to the surface in mass. The aggressive larvae leave the plugs of
dirt behind after their mad rush to escape.
They quickly metamorphose into mature chocolateflys and
rendezvous in large groups, called pestilence packs, to plot
strategy. Dr. Bugwing says the packs hide in secluded corners of
lawns. They are almost impossible to find, but as the dirt plugs
prove, they certainly are there. The newly mature chocolateflys
wait patently for about a month until an ominous evening,
usually around October 31, when they detect the compelling
aromatic lure of chocolate. The smell propels them into a
frenzy, and they madly swarm towards the nearest chocolate,
gorging themselves silly with blatant disregard for anything in
their way. After this feast, they mate, lay their eggs in the
ground, and die, not to be seen again until some unknown time in
the future when the mysterious call of nature will bring them
out again.
Dr. Bugwing cautions residents about walking around carrying
large amounts of chocolate during late October evenings. If
chocolateflys are nearby, they may smell your chocolate and come
swarming after you, and----well, it's just too horrible to think
about!
Top
Message
from Your Property Manager
(9/24/2001)
Prism Real Estate Services, Inc. is the Griers Fork
Association's management company. Some of our duties include
1 Collection and disbursement of mandatory assessments;
2 Enforcement of the Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions
(CCRs) if requested by the board;
3 Serving as liaison between board members, the Architectural
Review Committee (ARC) and association members;
4 Serving as consultant to board and ARC members;
5 Assisting members in association matters.
It is our philosophy to work for the best needs of the
association and respond to its needs. With knowledge that the
board is comprised of volunteers, we undertake all day to day
details of managing the business and leave the board to focus on
policy, corporate culture, and contractual decisions. We offer
consistency in handling matters and records, and objectivity in
dealing with owners. We reduce the association's risk and
exposure. Properly running an association takes time, effort,
and knowledge. All too often, volunteers cannot justify the
time, effort, and expense of digesting the requisite
information, much less devote the time to properly operate the
association on a daily basis. We consider ourselves as partners
of our associations, sharing in their accomplishments and
achievements, reviewing their issues, and taking a pro-active
approach in resolving challenges. Each member of our client
associations are our customers and we treat them with the
respect and dignity they deserve. We operate our business with
the utmost integrity in all things we do; and most important, we
will manage your association in alike manner. Please feel free
to contact Prism with any questions or concerns you may have
about us.
Devi Hunter
Angela Short
704-535-8558
Top
Association
E-mail Now gfhoa@onebox.com
(9/24/2001)
Effective immediately, the e-mail address for the Griers Fork
Homeowners Association is gfhoa@onebox.com. ZDNET no longer
supports onebox, so the association now has an e-mail account
directly with onebox, and "ZDNET" no longer is part of
the address.
Please direct questions and comments to this new address.
Top
Griers
Fork in New City and County Election Districts
(8/3/2001)
The Charlotte City Council and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of
Education have adopted new districts for electing their members.
Changes are necessary due to population shifts as reflected in
recently released Census 2000 counts as well as the June 30
Charlotte annexation. Districts must have approximately equal
populations. The new districts will be used for the first time
for the November 2001 elections.
The City Council adopted new districts on June 11. The City
Council has four members elected at large and seven elected from
districts, in addition to the mayor. Griers Fork will be within
District 3, which currently is represented by Democrat Patrick
Cannon.
The School Board adopted new districts on June 26. The board has
three members elected at large and six elected from districts.
Griers Fork currently is located in District 1, which is
represented by Bob Simmons, but will move to District 2, which
currently is represented by Vilma Leake. The School Board has
nonpartisan elections.
The Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners does not have
elections again until 2002. The Commission currently uses the
same districts as the School Board, but this is not required.
The Commission has deferred adoption of new districts but has
expressed a general preference for the plan adopted by the
School Board and likely will adopt the same districts. However,
virtually all proposed plans transfer Griers Fork from District
1 to District 2. District 1 currently is represented by
Republican Jim Puckett and District 2 currently is represented
by Democrat Norman A. Mitchell.
Top
Recycling:
A Very Good Idea
(7/21/2001)
Recycling saves landfill space and reuses resources. Place
newspapers, bottles, cans, milk jugs, and other accepted
materials in your red Curbit! recycling bin for Monday pickup.
You can drop off many other materials, such as junk mail and
motor oil, at the West Mecklenburg Recycling Center on Byrum
Drive. See following link for more information.
Griers
Fork Recycling Information
Top
Volunteers
Needed for Speed Limit Petition
(7/15/2001)
The Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) has provided
the association with petitions for requesting a 25 mile per hour
speed limit on Griers Fork streets. Signature collection can
begin as soon as the Charlotte Department of Engineering has
notified CDOT that the streets have been accepted for city
maintenance.
CDOT information includes the following:
-Speed limit reduction on the short streets is not necessary.
Association efforts for speed limit reduction will be limited to
Griers Fork Drive, Dingess Road, and McLoughlin Way Court,
unless residents on the short streets organize signature
collections for those streets.
-Residents or property owners of a minimum of 75% of the
properties bordering each street must sign the petition. This
includes properties where the houses face a side street. Only
one signature per household is required.
-Signs will be installed on metal posts on property lines
between houses. Once installed, signs will not be relocated.
Volunteers are needed to go door-to-door to collect signatures.
If you are interested. please contact Dave Wiggins at
gfhoa@onebox.com or 704-504-5403.
Top
Griers
Fork Streets Still Private
(7/15/2001)
Developers normally apply to the North Carolina Department of
Transportation (NCDOT) to have the state maintain streets in new
subdivisions in unincorporated areas. When annexed, state
maintained streets are routinely accepted by cities for
maintenance after inspection.
However, after Charlotte's annexation of Griers Fork on June 30,
the Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) reported that
the Griers Fork streets were not on the "list of streets
abandoned by NCDOT for CDOT-maintenance."
The Charlotte Department of Engineering is in the process of
collecting maps of streets in newly-annexed areas from the
Mecklenburg County Department of Transportation. Since the
county had certified that the streets met county standards, the
process of street acceptance should be completed by the
beginning of August.
Top
Griers
Fork Annexed by Charlotte on June 30
(7/15/2001)
Charlotte's annexation of Griers Fork took effect on June 30.
Residents may direct questions about city services to the
City-County Customer Service and Information number:
704-336-7600.
Charlotte Solid Waste Services began collecting rollout garbage,
recycling, and yard waste on July 3. Direct questions about
solid waste services, including requests for collecting bulky
items, to 704-336-2673.
On June 11, the Charlotte City Council adopted new districts to
incorporate annexed areas into city districts and to reflect
population shifts as indicated in Census 2000 counts. Griers
Fork is within District 3, which is represented by Democrat
Patrick Cannon. Contact Mr. Cannon at 704-527-2704 or by e-mail
to TryCannon@aol.com.
Top
Architectural
Review: An Open Letter
(6/26/2001)
Dear Residents:
It has been very encouraging to see so many requests for
architectural review this year. The fact that homeowners in our
community are investing time and money into their property
benefits the entire neighborhood. It is also nice to see that
most of the requests being submitted are well thought out and
within the established guidelines.
Unfortunately, there have been some improvements made by
homeowners without prior approval by the Architectural Review
Committee (ARC). Residents must remember that getting approval
for additions such as fences, decks and outbuildings not only
protects all of our property values, but also protects the
homeowner from possibly having to remove the structures. At this
time, the ARC does not want to force homeowners to remove
anything that has not been submitted and approved, but please be
advised that we do have the authority to do so.
If you have made any property improvements without submittal to
the ARC (see the guidelines on the Architectural Review page),
you may get these changes approved after the fact, providing
they are within the guidelines. The homeowner must submit the
changes in the normal manner and note that the structures have
already been built. This is a courtesy being extended by the ARC
and could be withdrawn at any time. Thus, any homeowner who
builds a structure without ARC approval is taking the enormous
risk of having to remove it, even if it falls within the
guidelines.
Please remember that the ARC is in place to promote, not deter,
property improvements. The committee consists of five members
who are also residents of Griers Fork. Our goal is to make sure
property owners rights are honored, while also protecting the
value and quality of our community.
Sincerely,
Kevin Smith
Chairman, Architectural Review Committee
Griers Fork Homeowners Association
Top
Community
Watch Meeting Set for June 25
(6/7/2001)
A Griers Fork Community Watch meeting will be held on June 25 at
7:00 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church at 15000 York
Road.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department defines crime
prevention as the anticipation of a crime risk and the
initiation to reduce it. In order for a crime to occur the
criminal must have the ability, desire, and opportunity to
commit the crime. There is very little that can be done about
the ability or desire, but we can eliminate the opportunity.
One opportunity that we have to prevent crime is through use of
the Community Watch Program. Recently redesigned by the Police
Department, the program seeks to make us more aware of the
things occurring in our neighborhoods and trains us in the steps
to help prevent the next crime. Once we have a majority of our
residents assigned to participate in the program, the Police
Department will issue Community Watch signs for display in our
neighborhood. We will receive crime prevention tips and
statistics and pass around an engraver for residents use on
their belongings. The Department only requires that we meet
twice a year to discuss crime trends with an Officer.
If you would like more info on crime prevention or neighborhood
statistics, visit the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's
Community Watch web page using the following link:
Charlotte-Mecklenburg
Crime Prevention (www.cmpd.org)
Use
the following link for a map and directions to Pleasant Hill
Presbyterian Church:
Map
and directions to Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church
Top
Griers
Fork Likely to Move to District 2
(4/22/2001)
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board and Board of County
Commissioners currently are reviewing five proposed
redistricting plans for electing their members. Each body has
three members elected at large and six elected by districts.
Changes are necessary due to population shifts as reflected in
recently released Census 2000 counts.
Griers Fork currently is located in District 1, which is
represented by Republican Jim Pucket on the County Commission
and Bob Simmons on the School Board, which has nonpartisan
elections.
The School Board has developed two plans and County Commission
has developed three plans. Each is different, but all five
transfer most of southwest Mecklenburg County from District 1 to
District 2. In each of the five plans, the new District 2 is
predominantly Black or Minority, and Democrats outnumber
Republicans by more than two to one.
The School Board must adopt new districts by this summer because
their next election is this fall. The County Commission does not
have elections again until 2002. They currently use the same
districts, but this will not necessarily be the case in the
future.
District 2 currently is represented by Democrat Norman A.
Mitchell, Sr. on the County Commission and by Vilma Leake on the
School Board.
Top
Greenway
Trail Plans Nebulous
(4/22/2001)
The Master Greenway Plan developed by the Mecklenburg County
Park and Recreation Department includes a greenway trail running
along Steele Creek from Brown-Grier Road south to the South
Carolina line, a distance of 4.4 miles. Part of the trail would
run along the creek behind the houses along Griers Fork Drive.
The county currently is acquiring property along the proposed
route. Once the property is acquired, a design firm will design
the specific trail. Property acquisition and design may take
another two years, or longer.
No information is available from the Parks Department concerning
the specific design, including the precise location of the
trail, or other facilities, such as benches or bridges. This
will not be determined until after property acquisition.
The county already has trail construction projects lined up for
the next three years, although a park advisory committee member
believes the Steele Creek Greenway Trail could be pushed up in
the priority list.
Greenway trails cost about $100 per foot, so the entire 4.4
Steele Creek mile trail would cost about $2.5 million to
complete.
Information provided by the advisory committee and Parks
Department greenway planner is very general, but the association
is requesting more specific information and will pass this on as
it becomes available.
Top
Entranceway
Enhanced with New Light and Flowers
(4/22/2001)
The Green Thumb Committee enlarged the flower bed and planted
spring annuals at the Griers Fork entrance monument today. The
flowers have a bit of splash now, and will have awesome splash
once they grow a bit.
The small, burned out light has been replaced with a bigger one
to better light up the Griers Fork sign as a landmark for nighttime
visitors. Also added is an electrical outlet for Christmas
lights or other uses. Thanks to Greg Seagle for installing the
light and outlet.
Top
New
Stop Light to be Installed at Gallant Lane this Summer
(4/11/2001)
Brian Kelly, Customer Service Manager for the City of Charlotte
Department of Transportation, has confirmed that a new traffic
signal will be installed at the intersection of Gallant Lane and
Brown-Grier Road this summer in time for the start of the new
school year in the fall. Gallant Lane leads to Kennedy Middle
and Steele Creek Elementary Schools and is up the hill from the
Griers Fork Drive/Brown-Grier Road intersection. When installed,
the signal will operate, as other school traffic signals do,
from 6:00 AM until 11:00 PM, seven days a week.
The list of new traffic signal locations is on the Charlotte
Department of Transportation web site at:
New
Traffic Signal List
(Note
that Gallant Lane erroneously is listed as Mt. Gallant Road on
the list.)
Top
Griers
Fork Becomes Part of Charlotte June 30
(4/6/2001)
Charlotte's annexation of Griers Fork takes effect on June 30.
The city plans to send an information packet describing city
services and listing contacts for questions about those services
to all property owners of record in early June.
The most obvious change will be for solid waste services.
Although current collection companies could contract to provide
services, it appears that the Charlotte Solid Waste Department
will provide this service beginning on July 2. Regular weekly
collection will be on Mondays. Look for information from the
city on rollout garbage cans, recycling, and yard waste
collection. Call Solid Waste Services at (704) 336-2673 with
questions.
Direct questions about annexation to Jonathan Wells of the
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission at (704)336-4090.
Charlotte
2001 Annexation Overview
Top
Homeowners
Should Call about Escrow and Insurance
(4/6/2001)
Property taxes due on January 1, 2002 will increase by
approximately 52% over last year due to the addition of city
taxes. (The 2000 unincorporated rate was $.7876 per $100. The
2000 combined city/county rate was $1.197 per $100.) If you pay
taxes through an escrow account to your mortgage company, you
should contact that company about increasing escrow payments to
avoid a large, lump-sum payment next January. Mortgage companies
likely will not notify customers of increases before they
distribute next year's payment coupons.
Homeowners also should contact their insurance companies to find
out if insurance premiums would change as a result of being
inside the city limits.
Top
Movie
Shoot Canceled
(4/2/2001)
The filming of a scene for the movie "The Morons of the
Fourth Month," scheduled for April 1 at the Griers Fork
entranceway, was canceled because April 1 was April Fools Day
and Mr. T refused to work on a holiday. "Mr. T played a key
role in the scene and we couldn't film without him,"
producer Otis Sortabogus said. Unfortunately, due to scheduling
conflicts, the scene wound up being filmed at a different
location. The producers apologize for any inconvenience
experienced by the crowd of fools who showed up for the shoot.
Top
First
Census Counts out
(3/24/2001)
Census 2000 data released on March 21 show a total population of
393 for the two census blocks that contain Griers Fork. (See map
at right.)
Census Day was April 1, 2000, when Griers Fork was still under
construction, so the census count doesn't include everyone who's
living here today, but it does show some interesting things.
The 393 total includes 40 Hispanics. Of the 353 Non-Hispanics,
204 reported their race as White, 118 as Black or
African-American, 26 as Asian, 2 as Native Hawaiian or Other
Pacific Islander, and 3 as more than one race. Of the total, 292
were aged 18 or above, or voting age.
The first intended use of the data is for delineating
legislative, congressional, and other representative districts.
For a more detailed map and table, go to the following web site:
Census
2000
The
map shows the two census blocks that contain the Griers Fork
neighborhood: blocks 3000 and 3001 in census tract 59.04 in
Mecklenburg County, NC. These two blocks also include a half
dozen or so houses on Brown-Grier and Sandy Porter Roads.
Top
Movie
Scene to be Filmed at Griers Fork on April 1
(3/24/2001)
"The Morons of the Fourth Month," a major movie
starring Mel Gibson, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Soupy Sales,
Charro, Mr. T, and Don Knotts, is being filmed in the Charlotte
area this spring, and one scene is scheduled to be filmed at the
Griers Fork entranceway on April 1. The movie's producer, Otis
Sortabogus, says that the plot follows several fools on a wild
goose chase after a nonexistent opportunity for fame an fortune.
Mr. Sortabogus is looking for extras to play a group of fools
for a scene set in a suburban neighborhood.
"We're hoping a large crowd of fools will show up for the
filming on April 1," Mr. Sortabogus said. "This scene
requires people with a wild and crazy spirit that's appropriate
for an April holiday event."
If you are interested in being in the movie, all you need to do
is to show up by 9:00 a.m. on April 1 wearing the silliest, most
foolish, most outlandish clothes you can find in your closet.
You won't get paid and they'll only show the backs of your
heads, but "Hey! How much fame and fortune should a fool
expect, anyway?" Mr. Sortabogus asked.
In case you don't know, April 1 is April Fools Day. So, APRIL
FOOLS!
Top
Green Thumb
Committee Organizes
(2/11/2001)
The Griers Fork Green Thumb Committee held its organizational
meeting on February 5. The next meeting is scheduled for 9:30
a.m. on Saturday, February 17 at the front entrance. Projects
discussed include increasing the number of annual flowers around
the entrance sign during the spring planting season and adding
trees along the street next to the grassed area. The committee
also will likely recognize residents who have created
particularly attractive yards in the spring and during other
seasons.
To join the committee or for more information select the
following link:
Green
Thumb Committee Page
Top
Green
Thumb Committee Organization Meeting Set for February 5
(1/25/2001)
An organizational meeting for the Griers Fork Green Thumb
Committee will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 5 at
Dave Wiggins' house (13938 Dingess Road). The purpose of the
committee is to promote the use of plants to enhance the
appearance of the community. Just how the committee does this is
up to the committee to decide. A major focus will be the
entranceway, but other possibilities include recognizing
particularly attractive yards and providing gardening tips in
the newsletter.
Please plan to join the group--the more the merrier! Call Dave
Wiggins with questions (504-5403) or just show up!
Top
Volunteers
Needed to Help Organize Neighborhood Watch
(1/25/2001)
Griers Fork board member and Vice President LeBraun Evans is
looking for people to help organize a Neighborhood Watch for
Griers Fork. The idea of Neighborhood Watch is for neighbors to
work with neighbors and their local police to do something about
crime. Neighborhood Watch programs are based on the concept of
people looking out for one another to stop crime from occurring
and to send a message to potential criminals that someone's
watching every move they make.
