| The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. |
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| The Minutes of the November meeting were approved. |
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MinutesTreasurer's Report: Sandra McNeill:
Balance: $2400.46, including $110 from sale of Newtown tote bags |
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| Vickie Einselen of 502 Madison Place reported to the board about the situation with Madison place between Stuart and Federal, which is a gravel alley with ruts and tree stumps. The gravel is washed to the bottom of the street in heavy rainstorms. This affects her house, which faces on the alley and other homes in Newtown. She gave us a copy of the letter she sent to Tom Sliwoski, director of Public Works, Staunton. She reported that Tom has responded to the letter. The board agreed to support Vickie in any way we can to improving the situation. |
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| Old Business |
| Community Issues-Sara Hollberg: |
| Corridor Overlay is being discussed. An ordinance will be adopted and designs will be discussed later. There is a planning work session on February 21 at 5:30 pm and a public hearing on March 20. |
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| There is a new director at Booker T. Washington Center, Makiba Robinson. Her hours are 9 am to 4 pm. She is looking for new programs for the center. The board discussed doing something jointly with them. |
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| The board agreed that we would like to do more for Newtown businesses. It was reported that the Tea Bazaar will be doing a brunch. The Food Coop is continuing their survey. Barbara Martin agreed to contact Newtown Bakery, Local Color, the upholstery shop and alterations shop to check in for news and once again publish their numbers and hours of operation in the newsletter. She will also contact the new laundromat and cafe opening on West Beverley and Rob and Elizabeth, new owners of BelGrae, who are said to be offering discounts to NNA members. |
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| Barbara and Joel will look into proposals for Staunton's Greenway for bicyclists. We'd like to find out what is happening with this. Suggested folks to contact would be the city, Black Dog Bike, Barbara Wright of Fall Foliage Bike Ride and other biking organizations in the area. |
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| Commercial Property and Newtown Business Guild, Craig Peterson: |
| The Newtown Business Guild's main thrust currently is improvements along West Beverley--flowers, flags. The block grant is dead but there is money available for infrastructure. The city says they will do the infrastructure work within a year. Sara Hollberg proposed talking with the city about the compatibility of historic design for the former block grant area. |
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| Christmas Walk, Ed Miska: |
| Ed reported that over 200 people attended the Christmas Walk this year and loved it. The board seemed to agree that having a new area of Newtown on the walk helped. Sally Mueller suggested that printed blurbs of the highlights of each house would be helpful. She volunteered to help with this. Thanks to Shirley Masters for hostessing the pre party this year. |
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| Winter Social: |
| The winter social will be held Februaray 24 at Trinity Episcopal--McCracken Hall. Our speaker will begin at 5:15, Rick Chittum, "What Staunton Has Lost". Soup, appetizers and dessert will be served at 6 pm. |
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| NewBusiness |
| Newsletter, Barbara Martin: |
| A newsletter will come out the first week of February with a flyer for the Winter Social on the back. |
| The launching of the brand for Staunton will be held February 11, 5:30 pm, Blackfriars Theater. Barbara Martin will perform the song she wrote about Staunton, "Queen of the Shenandoah Valley". |
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| The next meeting will be Wednesday, March 5, 6:30 pm at the home of Sandra McNeill, 115 Church St. |