Fall 2016 Newsletter Items

 We have accomplished a few of our objectives this year.  You will notice that the area around our entrance sign has been renovated and is looking pretty sharp.  We have completed the installation of our flag pole and dedication plaque.  In the spring we had a dedication ceremony attended by the board, the mayor of Belvidere, Mike Chamberlain and the Belvidere VFW honor guard. The vacant lots in the rear of the subdivision have been better maintained, with the removal of the unsightly dirt pile.  In our Spring Newsletter we asked the residents continue to contact the Belvidere Parks department and ask them to provide a park/playground nearer to our subdivision.  The phone number is 815.547.5711. It could be something that we share with Green View Estates.  Since there is no sidewalk or bike path along Newburg Road, our residents do not have a park that has safe access for our children to get to without being driven there.

BOONE COUNTY GARDENERS OF AMERICA  AWARD:

Two Homeowners received the Boone County Gardeners of America Yard of the Month Award.  In July Ann Fatas at 4160 Brookstone got the award and in August, Inocencia Salinas at 163 Landmark received the award. Congratulations and thank you for taking pride in your home and enhancing our neighborhood.

CHRISTMAS DECORATION CONTEST:

This year we are going to have our 2^nd annual Christmas Decorating Contest with the prize being a $50 gift card to a local restaurant.  Last year’s winner was 4100 Hearthstone.  You will need to have your property decorated by Dec . 12^th and the judging will be done by the board members on the evening of Dec.  15th. If you are not decorating your house and would like to be on the judging committee, please contact us.  Prize will be awarded for the most appealing lighting display.  As a reminder, please make sure that your lighting and displays are removed after the Holidays as soon as weather permits.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH:

We are still looking for a coordinator and street captains to work with the Community Officer from the Belvidere Police Department – Officer Blankenship.  It is a proven fact that this program reduces crime and vandalism in communities that have an active Neighborhood Watch program.  Please send us an email or call if you would be willing to participate in our program.

PREFERRED TRASH COLLECTOR:

MDC has agreed to be our preferred trash collector.  In doing so, they have offered us a reduced rate of $48 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 is 815.568.7274

We are currently looking for a webmaster to manage and make updates to our website.  Please contact us if you are interested in this position.

ABOUT US:

We want to make sure that all the homeowners realize that we are a volunteer board. We are all still required to pay our dues just like all of you.  We donate a lot of time each week and month having board meetings, working with real estate agents & attorneys when properties are sold, filing out various forms and IRS tax returns, keeping track of all the finances and paying invoices for various services, writing newsletters and going to the printer, stuffing envelopes, answering emails and phone calls from homeowners and working with our association attorney to name but a few of the tasks we perform.  Our goal is to try to have a nice neighborhood to live in and keep our property values from deteriorating.  We still have 4 openings on our board of directors.  This is your chance to have a voice and make a difference in our neighborhood.