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Previous OFNA Newsletters

Summer 2002 Ref#: a_016
     

President’s Message
 from Lindsey Lee

I recently attended a conference of the officers of neighborhood associations throughout Harris County. During one session, the leader asked the participants if any had received thanks from their residents. Only 10 of the 200 participants raised their hands. When asked if anyone had received a compliment from a resident over the previous month, I was the only person to raise a hand.

Each week, at least one homeowner expresses to me appreciation for the work that the Oak Forest Homeowners Association does. Unlike other neighborhood associations, being an officer in the OFNA is not a thankless job. Although time consuming, being involved in the OFNA is a rewarding experience. I have met people I never would have met if not for the OFNA. I have learned the history of the Oak Forest neighborhood, and how it has evolved in the fifty years since Frank Sharp began developing it after World War II. I also have learned about the various city agencies that have jurisdiction over our property.

Many people take the time and effort to help the OFNA perform its duties. The Beautification Committee has over 20 volunteers. And over 30 people participate in the monthly meetings. I want to thank all the volunteers who help keep the OFNA running. With this letter, I want to extend special thanks to the following individuals:

  • Ruth Metzger, chairman of the Beautification Committee.

  • Richard Rabe, chairman of the Architectural Control Committee and President of the OFNA Citizens on Patrol.

  • Liz Faught, Secretary of the OFNA

  • Bob Faught, Vice President of the OFNA Citizens on Patrol

  • Walter Simmons, treasurer of the OFNA

  • Clem and Peggy Mundy, Ann Butler, Bob Walker, Bob Pennison and Mary Bailey, who attend every meeting of the OFNA.

  • Marietta Hetmaniak, who reviews the newsletter before it is mailed.

  • Bart Byrd, for all of his hard work on the Beautification Committee.
 
 

Monthly Meetings

All meetings of the OFNA are held the second Monday of each month at the Kroger grocery store on West 43rd at Ella Blvd, beginning promptly at 7:00 p.m.

At each meeting, we have a speaker talk about a topic of interest to our residents. Recent speakers include:

  • Chris Conneally, Chief of the Houston Fire Department

  • Adrian Garcia, head of the Mayor’s Anti-Gang Task Force

Dates of upcoming meetings are:

  • August 12

  • September 9

  • October 11

Members of the OFNA newsgroup receive reminders by email of upcoming OFNA meetings and committee meetings.

Is there anyone you would like to see speak to OFNA or who you know would be an interesting speaker? If so, please let me know. We are always looking for interesting speakers. You can contact me by the OFNA Hotline (713-688-6342) or by email at LDLee_1@yahoo.com.
 
 

National Night Out

The 19th Annual National Night Out is Monday, August 6. Oak Forest has been an active participant in the City of Houston's efforts in the National Night Out program. The purpose of National Night Out is to promote police-community partnerships; crime, drug and violence prevention; safety; and community unity. Over 33 million people in over 9,700 communities are expected to participate in the National Night Out program.

OFNA encourages each block to organize a National Night Out party. It is a great way to get to know your neighbors. If you email me at LDLee_1@yahoo.com, I will post an announcement about your National Night Out gathering at the OFNA newsgroup and will make every effort to drop by your party to take a picture. For those of you who tell me about your National Night Out gathering prior to July 30, I will include it in an announcement in The Leader newspaper.
 
 

Voter Registration

Election Day this year is Tuesday, November 5. On that day, we will be casting votes for many state and national offices, including Governor and U.S. Senate. According to the Texas Secretary of State's office, if you are not registered to vote, the deadline to register is Monday, October 7, 2002.

According to the Secretary of State's office, to be eligible to register to vote in Texas, you must:

  • be a United States citizen;

  • be a resident of Harris County;

  • be 18 years old (you may register at 17 years and 10 months of age);

  • not be a convicted felon (unless your sentence is completed, including any probation or parole);

  • not be declared mentally incompetent by a final judgment of a court.

Voter registration forms are available from the County Tax Office, located at 1001 Preston, 2nd Floor, Room 200, or at one of the branch locations. The branch locations closest to Oak Forest are 7300 N. Shepherd and 1721 Peden in Spring Branch. They are also available at the Oak Forest branch of the Houston Public Library, the Oak Forest post office, Texas Department of Public Safety offices and Texas Department of Human Services offices. You can also call the Harris County Tax Office to request a form at (713) 368-2200. For those of you with access to the Internet, you can email the tax office or request a form online. We have posted a Voter Registration form provided by the Texas Secretary of State's office at the newsgroup. Additionally, you may obtain an application by

  • calling the Harris County Tax Office at (713) 368-2200

  • sending your request by mail. The mailing address is Paul Bettencourt, Tax Assessor-Collector, P.O. Box 3527, Houston, Texas 77253-3527
 
The Oak Forest Homeowners Association relies solely on volunteers to perform its duties. There are many opportunities available for you to help improve your community. Volunteering is an excellent way to meet your neighbors, make new friends, and learn about the going-ons in our community. For more information call the OFNA hotline at 713-688-6342 and leave your name and number or send an email to LDLee_1@yahoo.com
 

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are some of the most frequently asked questions to the OFNA Hotline (713-688-6342).

What can I do about my neighbor parking in his yard?

It may be ugly and lower the property values of the person’s property as well the neighbors, but parking in your front yard is not a violation of the deed restrictions or city ordinance.

My neighbor has a junk car in his front yard, can he do that?

No, city code prohibits parking of a motor vehicle that cannot drive on its own power on the street or in public spaces. Call the City of Houston’s Neighborhood Protection Division at (713) 218-5664. Also, leave a message in the OFNA hotline and we can submit the complaint to the Houston Police Department’s Differential Response Team storefront on W. 43rd and Ella.

I want to add a room to my house, what should I do?

You will need a building permit from the City of Houston and approval of the OFNA Architectural Control Committee. The City will not issue a permit unless the plans comply with the neighborhood’s deed restrictions. To have your plans reviewed, call and leave a message on the OFNA hotline (713-688-6342) and a member of the Deed Restriction Enforcement Committee will contact you to review your plans.
 
 

Ella Boulevard

The City of Houston is installing a 54” water line along Ella Boulevard from W. 24th Street to W. Little York. Construction from W. 43rd to W. Little York has begun and is projected to be completed in June 2003. Construction from W. 24th to W. 43rd should begin in July and be completed by February 2003.
The City of Houston has agreed to replace the landscaping along Ella Blvd. once construction is complete. The Beautification Committee has prepared a landscaping plan that takes into account the current landscaping and the City’s guidelines for landscaping on city esplanades. The plan includes planting native trees, such as live oaks, and drought tolerant Bermuda grass. The irrigation system will be removed with City of Houston taking over maintenance.
 
Do you shop at Randalls? OFNA is now a participant in the Randalls Good Neighbor Program. What can you do to help? Make sure you have a Randalls Remarkable card. Before you check out, tell the clerk you want to sign up with a new organization. Then give the clerk our organization number, which is 9719. Make sure your spouse and neighbors are also signed up.
 

West Nile Virus

The Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (“BARC”) has received many telephone calls from Council Offices regarding the West Nile Virus and dead birds found in citizens yards. BARC was being requested to collect the dead birds. BARC contacted Dr. Ray Parsons, head of Harris County Mosquito Control, who advised it is their duty to receive reports and to collect dead birds. BARC is not to be involved in picking up sick and/or dead birds. If the birds are not collected within 24 hours by Mosquito Control the carcasses should be disposed of in the same manner as any other dead animal the citizen found on the premises.

If the collected birds are to be tested they will be sent to UTMB-Galveston. Mosquito Control will designate the criteria which must be met before testing. Citizens should be referred to Mosquito Control at 713-440-4800. Dr. Parsons advises his office is inundated with calls and there will be delays in answering the telephone.

If you have questions, please contact John Nix, Division Manager Bureau of Animal Regulation and Care (BARC).

Increased spraying in Spring Branch has already started and will continue in the areas that have reported dead Birds, which is a significant portion of Spring Branch. We are turning in all those locations to the County.
 
 

Crime Watch

The Houston Police Department believes that an active neighborhood watch program can significantly reduce the incidence of crime in a neighborhood. We call our neighborhood watch group the OFNA Citizens on Patrol. If you want to help make our neighborhood safer become involved in the OFNA Citizens on Patrol. The group meets the second Thursday of each month at St. Stephens United Methodist Church located at 4301 Donna Bell Lane at W. 43rd St.
 
 

Did You Know?

You can pay parking, traffic, and non-traffic tickets over the Internet. Click the "Online Ticket Pay" link found on www.cityofhouston.gov. You need you ticket number and a valid credit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover). You can pay parking and traffic violations, as well as fines for non-traffic matter, health and building code violations. The online payment option costs the amount of the fine plus a $5 convenience fee per ticket.
 
OFNA Mission Statement

The Oak Forest Homeowners Association is an IRS 501(C)(4) organization that is devoted to informing, improving, promoting, encouraging, beautifying, protecting, and unifying the Oak Forest Community.
 

How to Combat Graffiti

Graffiti is more than visual blight, it is a danger to neighborhoods. Criminal street gangs communicate with rival gangs, threaten violence, mark territory, and advertise for recruits through the use of graffiti. Quick removal of graffiti often deters future vandalism.

If you witness graffiti vandalism occurring:

  • You should contact the police immediately (911) and report a "crime in progress."

  • You should not attempt to stop the crime in progress; it is a serious crime and criminal vandals can be dangerous.

  • Crimestoppers pays rewards for information on graffiti vandals (713) 222-TIPS.

When you discover graffiti vandalism that has already occurred:

  • If the graffiti is on someone else's property, report the address to Neighborhood Protection at (713) 525-2525.

  • If the graffiti is on your property, you should report the vandalism by calling HPD Dispatch at (713) 222-3131 and request that an offense report be made.

  • If you need assistance in painting out graffiti, call the Mayor's Anti-Gang Office at (713) 247-1576. Failure to remove graffiti from your property can result in penalty.

To paint out the graffiti yourself, use free recycled paint from the City of Houston Paint Bank at 319 St. Emanuel and 13211 Old Westheimer. All you need is proof of vandalism, consisting of a city notice (sent by Neighborhood Protection), the front page of a police report or an authorization from the Mayor's Anti-Gang Office. Police reports can be obtained for a cost of $2.00 at the HPD Headquarters at 1200 Travis 24 hours a day and authorizations from the Mayor's Anti-Gang Office are available by calling 247-1576.