Spring 2015 Newsletter Items

We thought it was time to update everyone about the happenings in the Subdivision and with the Association. As always, our goal is to work for, and with you to make Prairie Place an outstanding place to live.

HOME OWNER ASSOCIATION BOARD

The beginning of the year brought about personnel changes within the Board of Directors. There are vacancies. We still need a Vice President and two more voting Directors. This is a great opportunity for residents to get involved. At last year’s Annual Meeting we discussed initiatives that we would like to focus on. Here is your opportunity to make a difference and speak for the community. I encourage you to get involved and be a part of the solution.

BOARD MEMBERS

The Association Board currently consists of four officers:

Robert Easterbrook – President

Diane Vorndran – Treasurer

Kathleen Bauch – Secretary

Tammy Wyant – Director

PLAYGROUND

We continue to investigate and research ways by which we can create a playground area for our children. We would ask the homeowners to call the Belvidere Park District at 815-547-5711 and remain vocal that we need a safe area for our kids to play.

PREFERRED TRASH COLLECTOR

MDC Environmental has agreed to be our preferred trash collector. In doing so, they have offered us a reduced rate of $48.00 per quarter. They will provide a 96 gallon wheeled container at no additional cost. You must mention that you are a resident of Prairie Place Subdivision when calling to set up new service or to call and get the reduced rate for current MDC customers. The number if 815-568-7274.

WEBMASTER

The Prairie Place website continues to be a work-in-progress. We seem to take one step forward and two back every year. Our resource person who was going to update and maintain the site is no longer available. We are looking for a volunteer or two to help us maintain and update the website. The site at belvidereprairieplace.com is up and running, however there is no one to oversee content, mail, etc. We want this site to be a resource for families to include Association Budgeting data, area news, board meeting minutes, and announcements. We’d also like to make it a prace where residents with local businesses could advertise their services and/or products.

Please consider volunteering for this position.

SOCIAL DIRECTOR

We would like to form a committee that would assist in area gatherings and events like a block party, Holiday Parties, Garage Sales and our Annual General Meeting.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

As you may already know, the Belvidere Police Department has brought aboard a new Community Relations Officer who will, among other activities, monitor Neighborhood Watch activity for the city. Officer John Fish is very enthusiastic about these programs. Some of you may have met him when he was visiting the subdivision last year. Statistics prove that areas with an active Neighborhood Watch have reduced criminal activity.

We are looking for Cell Captains and volunteers to help with activities. PLEASE donate some time to this worthwhile cause. Officer Fish would like to set up a meeting for all those residents that would like to participate in our Neighborhood Watch Program. Help us keep our neighborhood safe by sending an email to: prairieplaceil@yahoo.com stating that your are interested. Several residents expressed interest at the last annual homeowners meeting. Please send the email by June 30 and Officer Fish will send out a group email and set up a time and place for a kick off m

Remember if you notice any suspicious activity – please call 911 and report it to the Belvidere Police Department.

ENTRANCE LANDSCAPING

We are continuing our efforts to make our community a place we can all be proud to live in. We have contracted with a local landscaping company to refresh our entrance sign area. They are going to begin in the next couple weeks. We are also considering installing a flag pole and dedicate in remembrance of our nations’ veterans.

COMMUNITY AESTHETICS

We are very proud of our neighborhood and the progress we are making to make this an appealing and pleasant place to live and raise our families. Please continue to keep our neighborhood beautiful by adhering to the City of Belvidere Codes where lawn mowing is concerned. Also, please make sure that any remaining holiday lighting is removed from your property.

HOW TO REACH US

PPHOA Board members can be reached via email at prairieplaceil@yahoo.com or by phone at 815-323-9946. Email is checked as often as possible and there is always someone handling the phone line however, as we are all volunteers, we may not be immediately available to answer but we will return you call as soon as possible. You can also mail to us at PPHOA, PO Box 574, Belvidere, IL 61008.