Summerville Post - Spring 2013

Summerville Post Volume 37, No. 1

Summer 2013

The Newsletter of the Summerville Neighborhood Association

The Cow Horn Club The Cow Horn Club met each Sunday morning after church at the Gairdner home on the southeast corner of Milledge Road and Battle Row to drink mint julips. The club got its name from the cow horn which was blown to assemble the group. The club pictured here in 1898 were left to right, Ned Gairdner, William T. Gary, Colden Rhind, and Gordon Gairdner.

Credit Summerville: A Pictorial History Helen Callahan Copyright 1993 Richmond County Historical Society

www.summervilleaugusta.org

Letter From the President Mike O’Neill, 2013 Summerville Neighborhood Association President

Summerville Tour

We have had a lot of questions around our Tour of Homes and I am very pleased to announce we have a robust list of items to offer this fall for your pleasure.

SNA has had quite a few changes this year in our leadership team as life and circumstances have changed dramatically. We have realigned and are moving along on what we see as a great year to be in Summerville.

There has been a lot going on and a great deal of rumors swirling concerning GRU’s Summerville Campus as it relates to the possibility of dorms and parking garages. What will happen with the campus is still to be determined so don’t be alarmed as we have been involved in the discussions with the planning committee and no decisions have been made either way. They have been thoughtful of our concerns and willing to listen and hear us out. Please keep posted to facebook and our website www.summervilleaugusta.org for open forums and announcements. We are working hard to make sure we bring our concerns to the forefront and not be reactive in the process.

We were also sad to see Hill Drug close its door’s recently, but the space is being renovated and will serve as Wesley Cadle’s new location for his design business.

Real estate has also picked up in the neighborhood and if you know any new neighbors that have moved in please pass their names and addresses along to us so we can give them a proper welcome.

Last year, we heard our residents loud and clear that something different was wanted that allowed our residents to get together socially. We offered a “Taste of Summerville” on the Friday of the weekend that offered a trolley ride to various local watering holes where drink specials were available. This was a huge success and we have decided to continue this and make it a part of our tour weekend. The feedback we received was very positive. We learned a great deal last year and hope to make it an even better event this year! If you did not join us last year, please do so this fall because we don’t want you to miss out!

Our planned schedule is being worked out for the fall, but includes the following: Friday, Oct. 19th - “Taste of Summerville Trolley Tour” Saturday, Oct. 20th - “Tour of Homes”

Thanks for all you do!

SNA Membership Initiative We have been working diligently to develop a database of our active membership and really need everyone’s help to do so. We are asking everyone complete the information insert of this newsletter to update your contact info and include your dues if you have not paid them this year.

We already have an exciting roster of homes that will be apart of the tour this year including homes on McDowell and Glenn. If you would like to display all your hard work and effort to create a beautiful home, we would love to hear from you.

GRU facilities planning On May 14, the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia authorized Georgia Regents University to begin the process of developing a master plan for facilities in Augusta.

Our goal is to deliver timely and relevant information to you so you can be an informed resident. There are several delivery methods for you to access this information: Summerville Newsletter: Published Quarterly Online: www.summervilleaugusta.org E-mail Updates Facebook: Social media will continue to grow as a delivery method Getting information to you depends on knowing who our concerned residents are and having the means to accomplish it. We are changing to an annual June membership billing cycle. This makes our tracking easier and ensures our ability to put on a great tour in the 3rd quarter each year.

If you have any questions please contact me at 706-755-6041 and thank you for your continued support.

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While the university has gathered information to inform the planning process through open forums, needs assessments, and meetings with community groups including the SNA board of directors, no actual planning could start prior to approval from the BOR. Naturally, SNA is interested in the potential impact to the Summerville Campus. We are pleased to see that muchneeded renovations are underway at the Boykin Wright house, and the board of directors is highly supportive of the city’s proposed university expansion into the Mills (Sibley and King) and downtown Cultural Campuses.

The 2012 Tour of Summerville weekend event held November 9th and 10th provided more opportunity to bring people together socially and educate anyone interested in learning some of the lesser known facts...how Summerville began and where we came from.

Thanks to Augusta State University for their help in providing a great location in the heart of our neighborhood.

Taste of Summerville

Our first annual Taste of Summerville participants were provided laughs and transport by trolley to various participating locations. The restaurants taking part were Indian Queen, Sheehan’s Irish Pub, The Partridge Inn, Helga’s Pub & Grille, Village Deli and Crums on Central.

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Saturday Parade at 10 am Our Summerville Parade began our day leaving from ASU and wrapped up at the quadrangle. This is an event we would like to grow...showing our appreciation of the Summerville community spirit.

Trolley Tour of History We provided a one-hour trolley tour through Summerville discussing homes, landmarks and our journey to becoming the neighborhood we are today. We also had live music, inflatables and food.

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Crime Watch Report David Dunagan, Chairman, Crime Watch Committee Reported crime is down in Augusta and as well in our neighborhood. The numbers from 2012 and from the first quarter of 2013 are in, which show a slight decrease. According to the Sheriff’s Department, this trend should continue. In Summerville, would-be thieves have gotten the message residents are watching and reporting suspicious activity. We are also sharing this information with our sister neighborhood Forest Hills. Even though both neighborhoods have their independent crime alerts services, alerts are shared with one another as needed. This allows us to cover a large area. If suspicious activity is reported in either community, thousands of residents can be alerted instantly, as well as law enforcement. If you are not receiving these alerts, please go to this link and sign up: http://eepurl.com/kniN. Soon after taking office, Sheriff Richard Roundtree implemented the first Citizen’s Police Academy in Richmond County.

Currently, I am in my 12th week and will complete it soon. We are fortunate to have a fine, dedicated Sheriff’s Department. I have been able to rotate through each department and have witnessed the dedication and professionalism these men and women bring to this office. The completion of this training will allow me to serve on the newly created Sheriff’s Citizen’s Advisory Board and represent our neighborhood and District 3 as a whole. A monthly meeting will be held with the Sheriff and I will be able to take our concerns directly to him. The Sheriff and others in his department have already expressed to me they are willing to consider the use of the Citizens on Patrol program (C.O.P.S.) which has been implemented in Waynesboro, Georgia, and other cities throughout the U.S. which has proven effective in relaying information to law enforcement. This program, which uses dedicated and specially marked cars, sends a message to would-be criminals that they are being watched (Google for more info).

Another initiative the Sheriff’s Department plans to initiate soon is a gun safety class for residents who want to learn more about the proper use of handguns. This will be held at the training range in South Richmond County. A news alert will be sent out as this becomes available.

Continue to watch and report suspicious activity to dispatch at 706-821-1080 and also to crimewatch@summervilleaugusta.org or text 706-294-7360.

SNA Board of Directors President . . . . . . . . . . . Mike O’Neill Vice President . . . . . . . David Claffey Greg Boulus, Cord Kilpatrick and Scott Beach with Sully prepare for a ride.

Golf Cart Owners Assist with Crime Watch A recent Georgia law signed into effect January 1, 2012, by Governor Nathan Deal allows golf carts to be driven on city streets under certain restrictions and guidelines. Some Summerville residents have found this is a great way to also watch for suspicious activity while enjoying a ride. Among some of the requirements are: a proper braking system, head and tail lights, a horn, a rear view mirror and hip restraints. The cart cannot go more than 20 MPH and can only be operated on streets with a posted speed limit of 35 MPH or less. For more information on Georgina Senate Bill 240, visit http://www.legis.ga.gov/ Legislation/20112012/116931.pdf. We encourage residents to take advantage of this new law and also call the Sheriff’s Department if you spot any suspicious activity along the way. 706-821-1080. Thanks for watching!

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Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . .Laura Irwin Members: Carol Palmer David Dunagan John Williams Mary Howard Jack Evans Cathleen Caldwell Cord Kilpatrick Marci Cannon Cameron Bentley

Summerville Neighborhood Association PO Box 12212 Augusta, GA 30914

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U. S. POSTAGE

PAID AUGUSTA GA PERMIT NO 201

Where Does The Money Go? I am always pleased by the love and appreciation for our beautiful area of the city by not only our residents, but so many other Augustans. It is a unique slice of the city and I love being a part of it. Whether that is done by strolling around with my labs, running after my children or simply sitting on my porch with a cocktail watching the world pass by.

Despite my argument that Summerville is the best place to live in the world there were some items that needed to be improved.

Our board and volunteers worked hard last year to spend some of our budget helping to further improve our neighborhood.

Summerville Neighborhood Markers It had been a long time since the signs had been placed to mark the borders of Summerville and the signs that remained certainly told that story. They were faded and barely noticeable to the public. We placed several signs throughout the area including Milledge Rd, Henry St. and Central Ave. This face lift is a small change that lets our community know we take pride in our village.

Historical Marker on Gould’s Corner We celebrated our 150th birthday last year and put a sign of permanence in place telling the story of how we came to be. This marker will stand the test of time and is a further reminder our homes and families live in a place filled with rich history, true craftsmanship and eclectic charm.

Central Avenue Landscaping With the help of Brian Haltermann and Trees For Augusta (www.treesforaugusta. org), we decided to further our support with the businesses on Central Avenue and landscape and plant trees at the intersection between Central and Kings Way. We reviewed several locations, but decided this entry point into Summerville would serve as our first project of many with this organization. We plan on completing one project with this organization annually.

Our core goal and key fund raiser each year is our Annual Tour of Homes. This continues to be successful and hopefully a point of pride for everyone involved.

We continue to look for ways to further serve our members in addition to our newsletter, our crime watch. We would love suggestions for projects that our membership is passionate about.

Thank you Summerville residents and your continued support is needed: please keep your membership dues up to date, support our tour and participate in all we offer. The more we communicate, know our neighbors and serve each other, the better off our little village will be.