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The Southampton Citizens Association serves the Southampton/Stratford Hills community by promoting initiatives that preserve and improve the livability, economic value and welfare of our neighborhoods and valued community resources.
Our stewardship includes the James River, green spaces, roadways, churches, retail centers and recreational facilities.
We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Southampton Recreation Center at
3201 Chellowe Road.
The meetings start at 7:15 and are always open to the public.
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NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS
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Crime Watch
One of our neighbors in Willow Oaks recently was a victim of a break in and there have been reports of a suspicious truck driving slowly through their neighborhood in 2am time frame. If you see anything suspicious, please notify the authorities so we can keeps events like this an unfortunately yet rare occurrence.
Remember:
Keep your doors locked.
Lock your car when you are out of it, even in your driveway.
If you are working in the back yard, make sure the front door is locked.
Don’t let strangers in your house.
Watch your neighbor’s house.
If it looks suspicious, it probably is.
Don’t hesitate to call the police. Use 9-1-1.
SCA Reuseable Grocery Bags
New SCA neighbor packets will be delivered in these reusable grocery sacks. They are also available for purchase at $5.00. Money raised will help cover the cost of the bags and other neighborhood efforts. Contact Mary at mblanchard8@verizon.net to order.
Click on photo to enlarge
2010 Neighborhood Guide
A summary of select city ordinances as of July 2010. Click here to open pdf file.
Forest Hill Lake Tours
Have you heard about the lake renovations at Forest Hill Park, and wanted to visit?
You haven’t been because the walk up and down to the lake is just too long and steep.
On July 18th, there will be a unique, one time opportunity to ride down to the lake in a golf cart, visit the gazebo and see information about the restoration project. There will a shuttle running, and riders can either stay aboard the golf cart for a circuit around the lake or get off at the gazebo and catch a later shuttle.
The shuttle is park of Sunday in the Park with Friends, an annual event sponsored by City Council President Kathy Graziano and the Friends of Forest Hill Park. •The event starts at noon and runs through 4 pm. There will be food, children’s games and activities, environmental displays, and music. All activities are free, and all the neighborhoods around the park are invited. There will also be no charge for the shuttle rides to the lake.
Information: David Hathcock 320-2454
Dena Fultz 301-8303
June Meeting
Thanks to all of you who could make it to the June meeting/picnic. It was very nice with a scattering of neighbors and the firemen from the station across from Walmart.
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| The cookout gets under way |
Firemen from Station 24 came out
along with Lt. Stith from the police department |
Pet Care
For anyone interested here is a list provided by Richmond Animal Care aand Contol with some low cost neutering options for the residents in your community.
Huguenot Bridge Saftey Issues (6/07/10)
The bridge is due for emergency repairs after a deteriorating
concerete support was discovered yesterday.
The limit for the bridge is now 3 tons until repairs are made. The normal capacity is 40 tons. 3 tons translates to a 6,000-pound limit. It's not just trucks they are asking not to use the bridge.
Many SUVs fall in to the over 3 ton limit. According to the quote in the Times Dispatch from Kendal R. Walus, VDOT's state sturcture and bridge engineer, "Drivers need to be aware of what their vehicle's weight is." Depending on the model a Cadillac Escalade can weigh in around 7,200 lbs., the Suburban can weigh as much as 8,600 lbs, the Ford Expedition - 7,400 lbs., the Navigator - 7,522 lbs, and the list goes on. VDOT recommends drivers with vehicles over 6,000 lbs use an alternate bridge. Repairs are to be completed in three weeks.
Easing the Tax Bite
Real Estate taxes are due in June. If you have a mortgage, that may not make much difference to you, since most people pay taxes through their monthly mortgage payments. But for some, whose mortgage has been paid, the annual tax bite can be painful. This year, there is a new plan going into effect July 1 that will help with those lump sum payments. Call 646-5690 ans ask to enroll in the Escrow payment plan. You can also go online and get more plan info and the necessary forms here.
 SCA Baseball Night (5/15/10)
It was a big night at the Squirrel's Nest (Diamond) on Saturday.
If any neighbors came to the baseball game - we are sorry we missed you. It was another sellout.
Parking before the game, and seating in the section we had hoped to meet were a bit tricky.
But if you came we hope you had a good time.
Recycling Calendar Shading Error
David Hathcock has informed us that there have been complaints that the calendar and the collection days are not in synch in some neighborhoods in the Fourth District.
The collection dates and weeks are correct on the calendar. However, the shading for the weeks is incorrect.
You can find the correct shading on the CVWMA website - www.cvwma.com ; on our social media sites (Facebook and Twitter) , and we also placed color print ads in all local papers (Richmond Free Press, RTD, and North of The James) for the city residents.
CVWMA also has a free curbside email reminder that recyclers can sign up to remind them when to place their recyclables out at the curb. http://customer.cvwma.sitevision.com/
Richmond City Budget proposal for 2011
See "4th District News" below.
Dealing with Neighborhood Wildlife Problems
Some suggestions from animal control offices about reducing the problems with wild animals.
Click Here for info
SCA Highlights 2008-2009
Letter from the SCA President. Click here
Waste Reduction News
Click here for the CVWMA December newsletter and read the latest waste reduction news, including tree recycling tips and 2010 recyclying schedules.
SCA is now on Facebook
If you're on Facebook you can now join the SCA Facebook group and get timely news and neighborhood updates. Click here.
SCA Awarded
Council President Kathy Graziano presents Richmond Community ServiceAward to Mary Argenteanu and Mary Blanchard for the support and commitment to the Southampton Learning Garden Project
Southampton School's Outdoor Lab and garden project
Mary Argenteanu of the Richmond Audubon Society (RAS) and students from Southampton Elementary School work on the creation of a new garden area at the school. The program, sponsored by the school staff and RAS, is an all-volunteer effort to create an outdoor learning experience for the students as well as to beautify the school and the neighborhood. With help from the Audubon Society, Southampton Principal Linda Bennett and her staff, and community volunteers, the group laid out an ambitious plan to use gardens as a teaching tool, and a way to beautify the school and the Southampton neighborhood. The improvements this fall call for the creation of a native plant garden and raised plant beds. The program is supported solely by contributions.
Southampton School received a grant from Lowe's for $2,300 for garden installation. We will be working with the local Lowe's.
The SCA, Audobon Society and a generous gift from a neighborhood resident have all help to provide financial support to first phase of this grassroots program.
Police Blog
Visit our sector's police blog for up to date information on crimes in and around our area, alerts and crime prevention tips. http://www.sector311.blogspot.com/
New Theatre proposal
Stony Point Fashion Park is seeking approval of an ammendment to the SUP to allow them to put a dinner theatre establishment in the Cheesecake Bistro building. The theatre would also include a few other vacant building next door. The building would have 6 small theatres that would show first run major motion pictures as well as some classics. Only ages 21 and over would be allowed. Alcohol and food would be available.
Rules for Trash Pickup
a) All refuse to be collected by the City shall be limited to containers approved by the Director of Public Works or to bulk or brush items.
b) Refuse receptacles must be City – Provided ninety (90) or (95) gallon mobile containers which weigh no more than one hundred eighty (180) pounds when filled and placed for collection. Bagged refuse and boxes will be collected as part of the weekly collection.
Recycling Bin
Southampton School will have a large red recycling bin in place on school property. They are inviting neighbors to recycle with them. The bin is only for paper. Call the school if you have any questions at 320-2434.
Fraud Squad
Report City Goverment waste, fraud and abuse. Click Here to open a digital file with more information and phone number.
**Crime Watch
Petty crimes, such as change and small items being stolen from unlocked cars, still occur sporadically in the neighborhood. If this happens to you be sure to report it to the police.
Remember to always make sure to lock your car doors no matter how short your absence.
Other tips from the police include:
Never "hide" keys on your vehicle. They can always be found.
Never leave change or mail in view.
Do not leave your car registration in the vehicle.
Keep the interior of your car empty of possessions.
Crime Report/ Feb 2009
Click Here |
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4th DISTRICT UPDATES
(from Councilperson Kathy Graziano's office) |
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Richmond City Budget proposal for 2011
Click here
City Council Passes James River Park Easement 2/24/09
Richmond City Council has passed and sent to Mayor Dwight Jones and Governor Tim Kaine a proposed conservation easement for James River Park.
The easement is believed to be the first of its kind for an urban park in the United States. It was proposed and shepherded through an almost four year process by Richmond City Council President Kathy Graziano. The easement will provide permanent protection for the park in its natural state and will prevent any future city government from selling the park or developing any part of it for commercial, industrial or residential purposes.
It leaves ownership of the park in city hands, and allows the Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities to continue to manage the park in its present state.
“I believe the James River Park and the river are our most precious treasures,” Council Member Graziano said “and I am so pleased Richmond City Council and Mayor Jones’ administration have worked together to make sure that future generations can enjoy this park. “ “Men can make a playground or a ball field, but no-one can craft something as vital and important as our park,” she continued.
The easement will be held by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Capital Region Land Conservancy and the Richmond Recreation and Parks Foundation.
The idea for the easement came after a previous city administration attempted to sell a portion of Great Shiplock Park to a developer for a waterfront development in 2004.
FREE home safety survey
Has your home been inspected for fire hazards? Do you have enough smoke detectors in your home and are they placed properly? Is your space heater in a safe place?
All of these question and many more can be answered by a Richmond Firefighter. Call 646-1526 now and schedule your FREE home safety survey. A Firefighter from your local fire station will come to your home for to perform a FREE home safety inspection. Firefighters will also install FREE smoke detectors if needed and change batteries in your current detectors.
Household Hazardous Waste
 The City of Richmond now accepts household hazardous waste items at the East Richmond Road Convenience Center (3800 E. Richmond Rd). This free service for city residents will be available on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Items that will be accepted at the facility include:
>Solvents (mineral spirits, paint thinner, turpentine, acetone)
>Paints (oil or latex, polyurethane, tung oil, stains, varnish, shellac, tints, lacquer thinners, paint reducers, primers, varsol)
>Fuels (gasoline, gasoline additives, #2 fuel oil, kerosene, diesel, chain saw fuel, motor boat fuel, oil additives)
>Propane tanks
>Car fluids (motor oil, transmission fluid, antifreeze)
>Car batteries (lead acid batteries only)
>Household cleaners and drain openers
>Herbicides and pesticides
>Cooking oil
Tax relief for the elderly
As you may know, Richmond has a tax relief program to assist seniors and disabled on low incomes with the costs of real estate taxes. The link below includes a statement from Mrs Grazinao related to this years relief that includes essential information concerning the program.
Click here for additional Tax Relief information
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| Above information on 4th District provided by Council member Kathy Graziano's office. |
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PAST SOUTHAMPTON INFO
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Wooden Guard Rails Replaced Near Riverside
It was recently called to the SCA's attention that there were numerous rotten and missing poles along Rattlesnake Creek where Stratford meets Riverside Drive. The SCA addressed this with the City and they have recently been replaced with new wooden rails. 4/15/09
Cell Tower Vote 6/17/2008
(2nd vote on issue after plan was resubmitted.)
The SCA voted against supporting the NTelos plan for a cell tower ( at the Southampton Baptist Church) in the community . The vote was 8 members against and 2 members abstaining. The meeting was well attended by neighbors who mostly opposed a cell tower. Some of the reasons expressed included: it being inappropriate for a residentiial area, visual concerns, the effect it will have on property values, and a feeling that there was sufficient cell coverage in the neighborhood already. Since our last meeting in May the SCA recieved approximatly 44 emails and letters from neighbors opposing a tower. There were 8 cards of support from a mailing NTelos sent to existing customers.
We again notified City Council as well as City Planning about our decision
Cell Tower Vote 12/07/07
- After many meetings and discussions the SCA voted to oppose the Ntelos cell tower (which requires a Special Use Permit on the R-2( residential) zoned land) at Southampton Baptist Church , near Cherokee and Comanche. It was a difficult vote considering the income it would give the church, but after taking in other considerations as well, including the fact that the tower would only benefit a limited area of Ntelos subscribers, it's effect on residential property values and the precedent a commercial tower in a residential neighborhood would set, the SCA ultimately decided that cell towers in our neighborhood weren't appropriate.
We did notify City Council about our decision, but the Ntelos proposal never went before Council.
Bulk Trash Pick-up
Residents can get free regular pickup of bulk items such as old mattresses, tree limbs,and other large items that won't fit in a supercan.
The collection schedule for our zip code (23225-23235) is the 3rd week of every month.
Pickups will not cover items like refrigeraters and stoves( "white goods" ). You can still contact the city to pick these items up for a $50.00 charge.
The minutes to the SCA Board meetings are now available online. Click on the "About" button in the menu bar at the top of this page and then go to the "Minutes" link.
2007 Riverfest/ RiverRun photos- Click here.
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Promote Your Business
Advertise in the SCA Newsletter !
Click Here for Ad Rates
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What's going on with the Huguenot Bridge?
Click Here for Updates |
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No SCA Meeting in August
Join us for our next SCA
meeting, Tuesday Sept 21st @7:15
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| Join and follow the SCA on its new Facebook group page |
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Click Here
Updated 1/25/10 |
| *Richmond Animal Care offers free pet neutering Click Here for more info |
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| City Council Email Links |
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Click the Spotted
Salamander to find out why he's dancing |
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