REDWOOD FARM CIVIC LEAGUE NEWSLETTER

February, 2003

The cellular tower debate is heating up. A closed meeting was held last week in an unsuccessful attempt to get a majority position from all the Little Neck civic leagues. An open meeting for all interested parties will be held this Thursday, February 13, at 7 pm in the King’s Grant Elementary School library. (See attached letter).

Thanks again to Jan Bradley for her continuing work on a new entrance sign. Obviously, the issue is in somewhat of a hold status while construction work goes on in Redwood. Hopefully, we will have something substantial to bring to civic league members soon.

Sewer installation began last month and it looks like good progress has been made in spite of the unusually inclement weather. Gif Fischer has offered to contact plumbing contractors to see if we can get volume discounts on installation. Stay tuned for more information.

Many thanks to Amy Robinson for hosting a most wonderful, delicious and fun-filled “Valentine” Bunco last month. It was great to be back together after a two-month hiatus during the holidays -- We had 15 women in attendance and our membership has grown to 20! Tess Bradlee will host this month’s game on Tuesday, February 25, from 7–9 pm. Call her at 463-6217 if you’re interested in joining us. No experience necessary!

Even our newest neighbor Deborah Davis came out for Bunco. She and her husband John and daughters Hannah and Rachel just moved into 1264 Southfield. Welcome!

There is renewed interest in organizing a neighborhood book club. Borrowing from another Little Neck book club, the suggested titles could be More Than You Know, Ghost Soldiers and Five Quarters of the Orange. If you have a passion for reading and think you would enjoy being part of this monthly discussion group, please call Sue Settineri at 340-9344. We will need at least 10 participants to be successful.

Another suggestion has been to gather a list of teenagers in the neighborhood who are interested in babysitting. Please call Vicki Cooney, 340-7646, if you would like to be on the list or would like a copy.

The updated Redwood Farm Directory is ready for distribution. All current civic league members are eligible for a copy. If you haven’t submitted your $25 dues (payable to RFCL), you can pay them when you pick up a copy from either Tess Bradlee, 463-6217, or Peggy Witte, 340-3404.

And finally, a much, much belated Thank You to Nanette Albano for her moving tribute to 9-11 which decorated our entrance sign (back when we used to have one) last September. The comments and compliments we received were overwhelming. Nanette, as always, thank you!

Dear Neighbors,

Please bear with me for a few moments while I share some thoughts on the pending application for cell towers at the Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club.

As you probably know, the conditional use application, originally to be hear by the Planning Commission in January, was deferred and has now been placed on the March 12th agenda.

This past Thursday evening, a closed meeting for the presidents of all Little Neck Civic Leagues was held at the request of Al Wallace, President of the Council of Civic Organizations in Virginia Beach. The stated purpose of this meeting was to obtain a majority consensus on the cell tower debate. This attempt was unsuccessful.

Consequently, a second meeting is scheduled for this coming Thursday, February 13, at 7 pm in the library of King’s Grant Elementary School. This meeting is OPEN to all interested Little Neck residents. A representative from T-Mobile (VoiceStream) will also attend this meeting.

As an association, the Redwood Farm Civic League has not taken a position on this issue. How each member stands is a question of personal opinion and should be respected.

Having said this, I would remind everyone that there are Civic Leagues in Little Neck which have taken a stand. And, as in every debatable issue, strength in numbers can, by sheer size along, often overwhelm opposition, whether for good or bad. The silent majority too easily becomes the victim of the vocal minority.

Therefore, in forming your individual decision on this issue, I urge each of you to familiarize yourself with the facts. Little Neck Swim and Racquet Club has much information posted on its website (www.lnsrc.org), including information on rezoning, safety and landscaping issues among others. Please note, particularly, the following changes to the original application. There are two poles now, not three. They will service four cell providers. The dimensions (shorter and narrower) and placement have also been changed. (If you do not have Internet access, please call me at 340.3404 or Tess Bradlee at 463.6217 and we will gladly provide a copy for you). For additional information, questions or comments, you may also contact Barbara Duke (427-4621), the City Planner in charge of T-Mobile’s application.

This is an important (and volatile) issue in Little Neck once again. If you feel strongly on this, whether pro or con, I urge you to attend the meeting on Thursday evening. Further, you may contact Barbara Duke or plan on attending the March 12th meeting of the Planning Commission at noon in Council Chambers.

Thanks for taking the time to read this. Take care.

Peggy