R OUNTREE N EIGHBORHOOD N EWS V OLUME 6, ISSUE 5
D ECEMBER 2009
CHAIR’S CORNER - Bob Keyes Happy Holidays to everyone! What a great time of year in the neighborhood. It’s especially fun to see the beautiful decorations at so many homes. Seems like we outdo ourselves every year around here. Just one more reason why I love Rountree! A reminder: Rountree Neighborhood Association board elections will be held at our Jan. 19 meeting. I am stepping down as chairman after 2 very interesting years. It’s been a great experience and I plan to remain active with the association. But it’s always good to have new leadership. That said, we are looking for a new chair. Those interested can contact me or just come to the meeting at 7 p.m. at Panera Bread, National and Elm. There is no better way to meet your neighbors and get acquainted with Rountree than to serve on the neighborhood association. It’s a lot of fun, not a lot of work, and of course, important for the on-going growth and sustainability of our great neighborhood. We have an excellent board which meets once a month. In the space below, we have posted board member names and contact information so you can reach us anytime. Happy New Year and the best to all in 2010! Bob Keyes Chair, Rountree Neighborhood Association RNA BOARD INFORMATION
Bob Keyes, Chair
Phone - 773-5175. rvkeyes@mchsi.com Ken Reese, Vice-Chairman
Sara Hollis, Treasurer Phone - 831-7381. sashollis@aol.com
Phone - 869-6049. kreese@johnsonville.com
Nancy Chikaraishi, Secretary Phone - 869-5774. nchikaraishi@drury.edu
Skip Motsenbocker, Member at-large Phone - 987-7729. skipmots@gmail.com Gary Koeppe, Member at-large Phone - 863-0254. gkoeppe@sbcglobal.net
Linda Brewer, Volunteer Phone - 831-6187.
RNA MEETING DATES
General meetings of the RNA are the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in Jan., April, Aug. and Oct. The RNA board meets monthly on the third Tuesday of the month. All meetings are open to the public. Date, time, location and agenda of the general meeting will be posted in the RNA newsletter distributed prior to the meeting. Meeting agendas will also be posted on the RNA website: www.rountreenews.org
Jan. 19, 2010 Meeting - 7 p.m. at Panera Bread, 500 S. National Ave. Agenda - 1. Board Elections 2: Meeting days and locations 3: Other business
V OLUME 6,
ISSUE
5
Rountreenews.org is online CHECK US OUT!!
P AGE 2
BURGLARIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD A handful of Rountree neighborhood residents have experienced home burglaries over the past few months, reflecting a larger crime trend throughout Springfield and Greene County. The holiday season is a prime opportunity for thieves to scope out homes and vehicles for unsecured property - including Christmas gifts. The Springfield Police Department offers the following tips for keeping our property and neighborhood safe from burglary and theft. BE VIGILANT! Be watchful of suspicious activity including: people who are looking in cars, people who are going door to door, cars driving slowly in the neighborhood or driving by multiple times within a short period, suspicious vehicles parked in the neighborhood. Take note of these activities and write down any details, such as time of day, date, vehicle description, license plate number, and description of suspicious people. If it is later determined a crime occurred in the area, this information may help police solve the crime. Without the help of citizens, police would not be able to solve most crimes. Know your neighbors. Keep an eye on each others property and share information when you see something suspicious. Contact members of the RNA board anytime to report suspicious activity. LOCKS AND LIGHTS! Exterior doors should be solid wood or metal with a quality dead bolt lock. Dead bolts should have at least a one-inch throw which seats into the strike plate. The strike plate should be attached to the door frame with three-inch screws. This makes for a much more secure exterior door to help prevent a forced entry. Lock your doors! Lighting is a big deterrent to criminal activity. Make sure you have adequate exterior lighting and all lights are working properly. Make sure exterior doors are properly lit and not obstructed by trees or shrubs. Burglars like to be concealed when they force open a door. If your neighbors can clearly see your front door, a burglar is more likely to avoid your home. Make sure trees and shrubs are not obstructing the view of your windows. Close and lock garage doors and vehicles. Don’t leave your garage door remote or other valuables inside your car. RNA DUES Support the neighborhood by paying your annual RNA dues. Dues are $5 for individuals, $10 for families and businesses. Dues pay for newsletters, block parties and other activities that support and sustain the neighborhood. To pay dues, mail a check payable to Rountree Neighborhood Association to RNA Treasurer Sara Hollis at 1326 E. Delmar, 65804.