GNA Friends

Tracking Crime in Our Neighborhood

Clay — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 04:46:47 +0000

You may not hear about a crime unless a neighbor tells you. Otherwise you might think Gatlinburg doesn’t have a crime problem. BUT WE DO!

The Gatlinburg subdivision has nearly 500 households and police are called to investigate crimes every week. I know this because I get a SpotCrime.com daily email summary with a list and a map of Pflugerville.

Note the Gatlinburg streets.

Blue Icon Marks Gatlinburg

Would you like to see a crime report map for Pflugerville? Visit SpotCr ime.com.

What I like are the map icons for the type of crime showing about where it happened. Icons like “theft,” “arrest,” “vandelism,” and “burglary” to name a few. However, one of the most common reports is the “other” type which doesn’t tell us much.

Web site map icons.

Actual street addresses are hidden so if you click on the map icon, you will only see Google’s street view near, but not at the crime’s address.

Enter your email address and SpotCrime.com will send you daily updates with ads or product endorsements. Since its free to get this information the ads are minor inconvenience.

Neighborhood Watch

What can you do to prevent being a crime victim? Of course, you could install a burglar alarm or other devices, but why not join with your neighbors to form a Block Watch? A block watch group organizes to be alert for suspicious activity on the street by people not familiar to the neighborhood. Neighbors also meet several time a year to learn crime prevention methods from the police or educational material. Individuals can volunteer to join Citizens On Patrol and receive advanced safety training.

The Pflugerville Police Department will help you start your Block Watch. Phone Community Services Cpl. Dan Griffith at 670-5514 or email dgriffith [at] pflugervilletx.gov.

The Neighborhood Watch Sign

National Night Out – Oct. 4, 2011

Clay — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 22:07:53 +0000

There were no bad guys on Pigeon Forge Tuesday evening. Only good neighbors who were introducing themselves and catching up on local news. The gathering under the street light attracted about 22 people as well as several police, constable, assistant fire chief, and two city council members Starlet Sattler and Brad Marshall.

History

The Gatlinburg Neighborhood has a proud history of hosting block parities for National Night Out every year that I’ve lived here since 1997. For many years Janie Shrout hosted block parties for her Oat Meadow neighbors. Parties were hosted jointly by several families on Candleberry Circle for years too . For two years, NNO gatherings have been held at 606 Pigeon Forge by the Duffy’s and 807 Pigeon Forge by Jollie Williams and myself. Thanks to everyone, especially Officer Dan Griffith of PPD, for making NNO a success in Pflugerville.

Pictures

(L to R) Prct 2 Constable Officers, Councilman Brad Marshall (with balloon,) and host Jollie Williams

Officers share information about PPD crime prevention programs and answer questions.

Two Pigeon Forge homes consumed by fire!

Clay — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 06:30:50 +0000

We want to express our deepest sympathy to the two families at 613 and 611 Pigeon Forge who lost everything in the home fires Sunday. Fortunately everyone and pets are safe, but please offer your help to the Cruiz and Menke families during the coming weeks as they face the daunting task of starting over. These families have been our Gatlinburg neighbors for more than 20 years.

In the beginning 9 houses along that part of Pigeon Forge were in danger from the flames and evacuated by Police. The 911 alarm was sounded by neighbors across the street because the homeowners at 613 and 611 and 703 were ALL not home. The wind-whipped fire went across the fields to the east and burned more homes at Boulder Ridge. If the wind had been blowing differently more Gatlinburg homes might have burned. Awesome fire crews saved the day. There, but for fortune, go us all.

What can we learn from today?

Pack and keep in your car an emergency gym bag of clothes, water, personal hygiene items, first aid, and basic medical and home insurance policy info. You should save your insurance agent’s number on your cell phone too. WHY? Both families were gone when the fire started and had nothing with them except their cell phones. They could only watch their homes burn in shock and disbelief. All their possessions were consumed or water damaged. One family had a fire safe that perhaps saved some valuables. Fortunately, both families have relatives in Austin who will provide aid and comfort.

Police may order you to evacuate your home with just minutes to collect items and pets. You may immediately have to walk out the door or leave in your car. Its for your own safety that they do this.

REGISTER all your family cell phones NOW for Pflugerville Police’s emergency alert text service at http://local.nixle.com/zipcode/78660/. Click the sign up button in that page’s upper right corner.

BE ON THE ALERT! The danger from new fires is high and the winds will be blowing again Monday.

Your Thoughts?

As a Neighborhood Association, friends, and neighbors, what do you think we could do to help these families? How could we be better prepared in the future for fires?

Dramatic video on YNN and K-EYE news.
http://austin.ynn.com/content/top_stories/280306/pigeon-forge-lane-fire-continues–threatens-homes
http://weareaustin.com/fulltext?nxd_id=176307

Save money with City’s toilet voucher program

Clay — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 04:58:25 +0000

The City of Pflugerville this week announced a high-efficiency toilet voucher program.

2011 toilet voucher application

From February 15 – April 1, Pflugerville utility customers with homes built prior to 1996 may apply for two new, free, high-performance toilets. Through the voucher program, utility customers may receive vouchers for up to two new generation EPA WaterSense ® 1.28 gallon per flush toilets.

Vouchers are distributed by the City of Pflugerville on a first come, first served basis at the utility office at City Hall . This program is paid for by the LCRA. Vouchers expire May 1, 2011. For full details regarding eligibility, call 512-990-6100.

The voucher program is limited to all utility customers and residents in the Pflugerville city limits that are also water users from the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA).

Just a couple of months ago I bought a new, high-efficiency American Standard toilet with a two-stage flush. One button is a quick flush for liquids while the second button flushes the entire 1.6 gallon tank. Its much quieter and fills quicker than my old standard toilet. For under $30, I also retrofitted my other original 5-gallon toilet with a dual-flush HydroRight converter and fill valve invented by MJSI Inc. that I think Home Depot sells. It took me under 30 minutes to make the switch.

Now, with the City’s just announced new-toilet voucher program we have no more excuses for not getting rid of our circa-1980-1984, water-guzzling standard flush toilets in our Gatlinburg neighborhood homes!

What do you think? Have you already changed out your original toilets for a better, high efficiencty toilet.

Six tips to follow when hiring a contractor

Clay — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 04:12:57 +0000

Not too long ago I was at the Pflugerville Post Office, waiting in line, when I struck up a conversation with a gentleman. Our conversation turned naturally toward occupations and he told me he owned a roofing business. That led to us to talk about many things, but in particular the importance of referrals and business reputation.

AARP Magazine (Jan/Feb 2011, p.24) suggests the BBB’s rating system isn’t a fair way to find reliable contractors.

The AARP article advises homeowners follow these six tips before hiring a contractor:

Get bid estimates from more than one contractor (at least 3 would be a start)
Do a search on Google for business name and “complaints” and read consumer reviews,
Consult licensing boards, especially electricians, AC, and plumbers. Consult the City’s homeowner’s guide to building permits and inspection requirements.
Ask for past customer references,
Negotiate the maximum hourly rate beyond what you agree to as the expected project cost. This might protect you from higher estimates if the work changes.
Read the “small print” on any contract you are asked to sign. Demand removal of any wording that puts a “contractor lien” on your property in case of a dispute.

In addition, AARP Magazine recommends these Seven Steps to Hiring a Contractor.

Do you have any home owner stories when this advice helped avoid problems? Maybe you’re a contractor; how do you see it from your side?

Lets Get Started on 2011

Clay — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 21:49:27 +0000

This is my first post for 2011. My apologies for not writing more often at the close of 2010. I promise to to keep working on this site.

I declare that I and all of us did our best in 2010, its complete, and we got what we got.

Hippie Optimism

Hello 2011!

What can Gatlinburg Friends create in the empty space of this new year? Just imagine that we could do ANYTHING we choose to do individually AND together. Just think of the possibilities of making a difference right here in our neighborhood of 495 families living on 17 streets right here where we live.

Onward Thru The Fog!

So how will 2011 be for you? What are you going to create? Please share your thoughts with all of us below as a comment.

You say your street light is out!

Clay — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 04:00:59 +0000

I usually walk in the morning, but after dinner I decided I should walk off some calories! It was already near 9 PM and completely dark, but I said to myself, “Let’s get her done!”

Let There be Light!

As I walked and jogged in the cool night air along the dark streets, I started appreciating Gatlinburg’s many street lights. But, we do have some dark areas because our trees block the street lights. Then I noticed garage security lights popping on because many home owners have installed motion detection lights. I think this is really neat and hope that all home owners would install such security lights. These lights save electricity too because they detect motion and come on for five minutes then go off. Many models also have a sensor so they come on automatically at night time and turn off in the morning.

My Street Lights Out. Why isn’t it fixed?

The short answer is: no one has reported it yet to Oncor, Pflugerville area electric utility manager. According to their web page https://www.oncorstreetlight.com/ they will replace bulbs in 5 to 15 days or less after reported to them. So be a responsible GNA friend and call 1-888-313-4747 to report it.

Or, you can fill in a web form and mark the broken street light on their website street map showing all Gatlinburg neighborhood street lights. If you fill in your email address, they promise to alert you when the light is fixed. This is what I did when I saw the street light at Sylvia and Pigeon Forge was dark.

What could be simpler? What are your home improvement ideas for making your home safer with lighting?

Its Time for a Party – NNO

Clay — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 04:42:40 +0000

Cooler weather! Time for a National Night Out block party in Gatlinburg!

6 PM, October 5, Lynn Cove (807 Pigeon Forge)

You are invited to come!

Parks 2030 Plan ready for your input now

Clay — Sat, 26 Jun 2010 18:02:58 +0000

I’ve been reading the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Master Plan for 2030. You can read it too by clicking here http://www.pflugerville2030.com/documents/PflugervillePark_Open_Space_Master_Plan_Draft_100615.pdf (This will open up all 108 plan pages so give it some time.) You can also go to http://www.pflugerville2030.com.

Starting on page 93 you will find the priorities for putting the plan into action. One of the near-term priorities is to expand the existing Rec Center that is next to our neighborhood. On page 96 you will also see that other worthy projects have also been proposed in the same 5-year near-term including a new Senior Citizen Center and an all-new Recreation Center that probably won’t be near us.

Remember that the “squeeky wheel gets the grease” and priority expansion of the Rec Center could easily be overshadowed by larger/louder numbers of people who want other facilities close to them. Its time for Gatlinburg residents to get out and support park priorities that will be close and enhance our neighborhood!!

Of course, its not only Gatlinburg! We also should urge Bohls Place and Cambridge Estates residents to add their voices.

You can show your support by attending hearings on July 12 at the P & Z Commission and July 15 at the Parks & Rec Board meetings. You could also write email to friends and Twitter and Facebook messages about this.

If this seems like a good idea to you, I welcome the conversation.

Pflugerville Census 2010 return rate worse than 2000

Clay — Sat, 08 May 2010 05:11:54 +0000

I should have posted a link to this February 8th PfCONA video presentation on Census 2010 here earlier (see it below.) A link was put on the PfCONA and City of Pflugerville web sites. I just forgot about it.

Are you one of the 27% of Pflugerville’s residents who forgot to return their census form? According to the Capitol Area Council of Government’s census blog Plfugerville’s 73% return rate was better than the Travis County average of 70% as of the end of April, however Pflugerville’s 2010 participation is 4% lower than the 2000 rate.

Official census employees will be visiting homes who did not return a form during May and June in an attempt to improve Pflugerville’s return rate. State and federal government funding is allocated on the basis of census counts so inaccurate data has the potential to cost us our fair share of money for important civic projects.

There is still time get the Census 2010 form and be counted. Please call the Census Telephone Questionnaire Assistance Center at 1-866-872-6868.

Click on the video to watch.

2010 Census Counts in Pflugerville from learningman on Vimeo.