Dear Village Neighbor / Friend,
Was asked if our civic association is in financial distress since every week you read about paying dues, the need for 80% of households to pay their dues to cover the costs of operation and the benefits of our type citizens’ association.
You are reading about this only because we have yet to receive your dues. Those who have joined or renewed do not get the weekly reminders. Yes – we have to finance our planned operations (at/about $3,500.00) with dues only. But no – we are not financially distressed. You can skip the reminders by simply paying your dues. See payment options in article below.
Civic Association of West Springfield Village – Use PayPal ($11) by clicking “Here”. Or send your completed membership form and the $10 payment using USPS. Or, pay using your online banking service. Or, you can drop off your dues at my 8131 Edmonton Court home (please don’t leave cash / put under the brick on the small table on front porch). Or, shoot – at your convenience I’ll stop by your home for pickup. Your call. Even if you limit your participation in our CAWSV to simply paying your annual dues, we will be grateful. Membership Chair Julia Hale or I will send you a confirmation email receipt. In case you are wondering – no one in the CAWSV receives any pay or stipend. If you decide to not join or renew your membership, please let me know.
We also will need 1) First and Last Name of 1st Resident, First and Last Name of 2nd Resident, 2) Street Address, 3) Phone Number and 4) Email Address. Also tell us what you want listed in the next directory.
LG Refrigerator Problems - Bob & Jane Lomax had an 8 years old LG refrigerator that stopped cooling. They called KOAM Home Appliance Service who determined over the phone that the problem was the compressor. They sent a technician with a new compressor and once installed the fridge started working. But, within two days it again quit cooling. Knowing the fridge was still under a 10 year warranty, Bob did a web search and discovered that LG has problems with their linear compressors and now involved in a class action suit.
KOAM did not charge for the replacement compressor, but the repair cost $400 for the service call and labor. When it quit working again, Bob notified KOAM who at first said they’d come back out, but then decided to refund the $400 since the LG issues made the unit not-economically repairable.
Bob wanted those with LG refrigerators to know about the class action suit and that you may either get your purchase price back or the unit repaired ideally at no cost to you if/when it fails.
The Lomax family also wanted to thank their village neighbors (Brian & Jeanne Jones) who loaned them a dorm-size fridge to use until their new model arrives later this month and also Mark Gregris who used his pickup to pick up and deliver the loaner. Others also volunteered use of their small fridge causing Bob to say “great people live in our Village, we are very lucky and blessed!”
Gun Ban in Public Places - Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance amending the county code, to prohibit the possession, carrying or transportation of firearms, components and ammunition in county buildings, parks, recreation and community centers, and at or adjacent to permitted events. The prohibition takes effect immediately. As required by law, the county will post signage at the entrances to all areas where firearms, components and ammunition are prohibited. Violations of the prohibition constitute a Class 1 Misdemeanor. The ordinance exempts Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) and collegiate sports participants, sworn law enforcement, educational county programs and events and the Bull Run Public Shooting Center, among other entities and activities.
Civil War Monuments and Memorials To Be Removed – County Board of Supervisors voted to remove three publicly owned Civil War monuments located at the Fairfax County Judicial Complex. The granite Marr Monument, installed at the courthouse in 1904, is dedicated to Captain John Marr, the first Confederate soldier killed in combat. On either side of the monument are two howitzers, which were installed in 1910. A Virginia Department of Historic Resources “First Confederate Officer Killed” memorial marker is also located on the courthouse complex grounds. All three will be removed following the board’s action Tuesday.
COVID-19 Update – The latest from Fairfax County concerning the virus can be found here. And, check out this COVID-19 Information Page on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/coronavirus_info/?page_source=bookmark. It is stocked with good information and links to relevant sites such as CDC, County and Virginia Departments of Health.
Property Acquisition - for Rolling Road Widening Project is underway. I am interested in your (Rolling Road homeowners) opinion of the process since some of you have already received VDOT’s first offer. You can find a wealth of information about the project by visiting www.virginiadot.org and then Projects & Studies and then enter Route 638 Rolling Road in that search function. All you may want to know and more. Plan drawings can be found on our website (https://www.westspringfieldvillage.org/current-rolling-road-design-plans-10282019).
Stuff the Bus events to support ECHO - Saturday, 26 September from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM at the Braddock District Supervisor’s Office, 9002 Burke Lake Road, Burke, VA 22015. ECHO provides assistance to folks in Burke and our immediate neighbors in need.
Another collection point is at our Springfield District Government Center, but that collection will support Koinonia who covers the rest of Springfield and Franconia, but not our immediate area.
**Food Items Needed: Box Rice, Muffin Mix, Sugar/Flour, Pancake Mix & Syrup, Pasta, Spaghetti Sauce, Bag Beans, Salsa, Canned Vegetables, Can Soup, Can Meat and Tuna, Can Tomatoes, Jelly, Macaroni and Cheese, Salad Dressing, Juice, Peanut Butter, Tea/Coffee
**Personal Hygiene Items Needed: Laundry Detergent, Shampoo/Conditioner, Razors, Hand/Body Lotion, Sanitary Pads, Baby Wipes, OTC Pain/Flu/Cold Meds for children and adults
For more information and the most up-to-date list of needed items can be found on the ECHO website: https://www.echo-inc.org.
Auditors – Need one more to go over Liz Greene’s FY20 books with Jeannette Swain. If you can balance your family’s checkbook, you can audit Liz’s records. Liz has said that we can do the audit at her home. Liz’s detailed record keeping makes it very easy and she even writes the audit report for your signatures once you’re satisfied. We have to have it done by the October meeting normally held on the second Thursday in October (8 October this year). If Liz can close out FY20 and prepare the books for audit, we’re looking at doing the audit on 2, 3 or 4 October.
October Membership Meeting – 7:30 PM, 8 October. Undoubtedly, it will be another virtual, online, zoom meeting. At this meeting, we ratify the FY20 audit of our finances, pass a marked up budget for the next FY and elect a new Board of Directors (President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer). More to follow on the access to the meeting soon.
Neighborhood Food Drop – Milano’s delivered food Tuesday evening to Rolling Valley ES for those who had pre-ordered. Tim & Jenna Barron have organized four such events and each a big success, especially for my family. The timing has made it difficult to announce the next food drop in these enews messages, but it is posted to our FaceBook Group. The Barrons have done a great job with this initiative.
Brem for the Bust – Cindy Stark (Loudoun Lane) wanted you to know about this free online event (1 October, 6 – 7:00 PM) to kick start Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to learn more about the importance of early detection from Dr. Rachel Brem and Dr. Angela Marshall. Shawn Yancy will be guest moderator. Register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/brem-for-the-bust-breast-health-virtual-educational-event-tickets-117341105405.
Deer Season Underway – It started last Saturday and will run until 20 February next year. Archery only, no guns. Hunters have to be licensed after demonstrating proficiency and knowledge of hunting regulations. They have to be in an elevated stand and can hunt 30 minutes prior to sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset 6 days a week, but not on Sundays. Hunting areas include Pohick Stream Park that is adjacent to our village. Advise your children to stay on the trails in the park and to avoid hunters.
Contractor Recommendation - Theodora Poitevin used Neighborhood General Lawn Care to de-thatch her yard last year and thought they did a good job. Contact Ismari Menjivar at 703/477-3673.
Enjoy this weather. Stay safe, happy and healthy.
John Cooley, CAWSV