WGNA October 27th Meeting

The Thursday meeting was called to order by President Doris Lafayette at 7:01 PM.  A quick roll call showed all officers present except Webmaster Ken Agee.   Our City Council Person, Lori Dodson and our Garland Police Department liaison, Officer Franey were noted as attending as well.   As the minutes had been placed on the WGNA web site for all to see, motion was made by Robert Vera to accept them as posted.  It was approved.  Treasurer Dianna Diaz noted that the treasury was still at $475.81.

In Old Business, Doris noted that the pictures taken of the activities of the October 4th National Night Out were all posted on the web site to be seen.  She congratulated all the National Night Out Team members for successfully doing what they had set out to do.  All the participants came who signed up.  The committee had met earlier at Doris's house and did an evaluation; the main point being that publicity had not started earlier enough locally so the turnout was not large.  Next time started earlier to publicize the event.  Enough food was collected at the National Night Out that ROC was able to provide for 30 families with over 200 items.

Two yards of the month awards were provided for homeowners, one north of Walnut and one south.  A commercial landscape award was given to the Sonic on Forest Lane.  Since yards are now dormant, the Yard of the Month award will stop until spring.  However, it was noted that Xmas decorations could well win an award for the homeowner.  It was also noted that we had been approached to see if we had any special Halloween decorated yards.  We couldn't make the deadline and it was noted we had several nice yards decorated for Halloween but nothing spectacular.  It was suggested that we all keep our eyes out for really decorated yards and be prepared to turn in the names and pictures of the yards that are exceptional to the Neighborhood Section of the Dallas Morning News.

Sympathy was expressed to Member David Greer on the passing of his wife Peggy.

Officer Franey noted that the Holidays were coming when the amount of crime accelerates.

He again noted the problem of not answering the door, this is the excuse that no one is home and robbers know enough to try the back entrance.  He noted that you need to make an effort to know your neighbors.  He handed out flyers on meetings with the police department coming up that are conducted in Spanish in order to get participation from the Latino community.  They were very popular and well attended.  He ended with a note to be particularly conscious with displaying presents.  He suggested recording serial numbers of anything valuable, especially electronics, that might  be stolen.  He also suggested each member invited a neighbor to come to the next meeting in order to build up the membership.

Council Woman Dodson noted Garland Neighborhood Management courses are going on now.  She introduced David Greer, Parks Dept., and Robert Vera, Planning Committee.  She noted that Barbara Chick was no longer the Patient Advocate at Garland Memorial, at her family's request.  Lori noted that Member Fran Brown had received a certificate from the City for completing all the courses offered by the City Neighborhood programs.  Fran noted that the Healthy Living Expo held by the City at the Activity Center had collected over 80 lbs of outdated drugs.

Doris noted that WGNA still needs a permanent Secretary, she will ask Leslie Howard to see if she will accept it.  The next meeting is scheduled for January, 2012.; 

Doris adjourned the meeting at 7:43 and everyone rushed home in the rain to watch the World Series.

Respectfully submitted by

Dorothy McAllister