Plain Monthly Meeting
November 7, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 7:10 p.m. by Nicky Rosenbluth.
Attendees: Nicky Rosenbluth, President; Candy Howland, Vice President; Linda Orgain, Secretary; Greg Creech; Pam Heiges; Faye Ridling; Cre Sechrist; Elizabeth Shields; and Veronica Wright
Minutes were submitted and were accepted.
Treasurer’s Report. Nicky gave the report because Mary Stuckey was not present. She reported that PLAIN had purchased 7 home-delivered meals from Home Bistro for Ann McCallister. The cost of this was $90.69. These were purchased to support Ann, who is battling cancer. She also spent approximately $200 for the arts and crafts supplies, prizes, and treat bags for the Halloween Party, which was a big success. The October Treasury Report was provided; PLAIN now has $1669.32 in the bank.
Old Business:
Neighborhood Watch. Greg Creech reported on the PL Neighborhood Watch. He said that all of the PL police officers attended the Halloween meeting. The Neighborhood Watch Committee is looking at “traffic calmers,” which include signs and street markings. On Spruce Street, there is a need for a one-way sign and/or a “Do Not Enter” sign on the planter. Chief Y’hudah Greene is also looking at installing a red light camera at the intersection of Rockbridge Road and Spring Street. They are reviewing the Georgia Code on red light cameras. In her report, Chief Y’hudah Greene stated that this has been a calm time in Pine Lake. Currently, the PL police force is composed of all part-time officers.
Police Appreciation Luncheon. The annual Dekalb Police Appreciation Luncheon will be held on December 14 at the Georgia Perimeter College-Clarkston Campus. Officers are honored from Clarkston, Pine Lake, Stone Mountain, and Tucker. Nicky asked Greg Creech to find out whether any of our officers will attend this function.
Another formal police appreciation ceremony will be held on December 21. Greg and Faye Ridling said they will discuss this activity with Chief Y’hudah Greene. It was suggested that the Chief speak with the sponsor and tell them that PLAIN would like to do something for the PL officers and for the Ortega family in memory of slain Officer Ortega.
We have also been invited to assist with gift baskets for 6 local fire stations. We need donations and gift cards for this effort.
Holiday Caring and Sharing Baskets. Faye Ridling is chairing this effort. She reported that we have the name of one person and possibly another, but that we have not received any food contributions yet. She needs all food or cash/gift card contributions by November 15. She said that we could include soap products (depending on the people benefiting). She also would like to receive donations now for gifts for the PL police officers. Donations can be brought to her home at 635 Ivy Road.
December Events.
Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 1. Matt Wells has agreed to be Santa for the PLAIN holiday events. There was discussion about purchasing a new Santa costume, since the one we have is old and will be too small for Matt. Athena will be asked if she can make one. Candy will let Nicky know if this is possible by November 12. Otherwise, a costume will need to be purchased. PLAIN will pay for the material or costume. We need a new hat and beard as well. Karen Styes will take the photographs of the children with Santa. Greg Creech will play Christmas carols and holiday tunes. Linda will be responsible for collecting the breakfast payments at the door.
Lighting of the Lake, Saturday December 1, at 6 p.m. This is the night of the cookie exchange as well. Nicky will buy treats for the children. Paul Jasionowski will bring singers/musicians from Indian Creek School to perform. The PL Theatre Group will perform “The Night Before Christmas.” The Playground Fund-raising Committee will be taking orders for holiday baked goods to benefit the new playground.
Cre mentioned that the pancake breakfast with Santa had been advertised in the Tucker Times, along with the Artisan’s Market on that day. It was decided to purchase additional food supplies in order to be prepared should more people than usual come for the breakfast. It was agreed that any advertisements about PLAIN events must be approved by PLAIN. It was decided to make sure that this is discussed at the PL Organization Leadership Meeting on November 12. Elizabeth Shields explained that a PL Organization Leadership Meeting was being convened to better coordinate the many activities being sponsored by PL organizations. Candy will be the PLAIN delegate to this meeting.
Discussion next focused on how to honor the PLAIN breakfast crew, who have worked on this successful function for many years. The crew asked for two new electric griddles, which cost about $20 each. A motion was made to purchase two griddles and it was unanimously passed.
Nicky still recommended honoring the breakfast crew by taking them out for a meal. A date will be set for this.
Holiday Progressive Dinner and Tour of PL Homes. The Holiday Progressive Dinner will be held on Saturday, December 15, beginning at 5 p.m. There will also be caroling.
New Business:
2008 PLAIN Calendar of Events. It was decided to change the evening for the monthly PLAIN meeting to accommodate requests to move the meeting from Wednesday to Thursday evenings. Dates were set for the 2008 monthly meetings and PLAIN sponsored events as follows:
January – no meeting
Thursday, February 7 – meeting
Thursday, March 6 – meeting
Saturday, March 22 – Easter Egg Hunt with continental breakfast
Saturday, February 23 – Chile Cook-Off
Thursday, April 3 – meeting
Thursday, May 8 – meeting
Saturday, May 24 – Ice Cream Social
Thursday, June 5 – meeting
Thursday, July 10 – meeting
Thursday, August 7 – meeting
Thursday, September 4 – meeting
Saturday, September 20 – International Dinner
Thursday, October 2 – meeting
Saturday, October 25 – Halloween Party
Saturday, November 1 – Caring and Sharing Breakfast
Thursday, November 6 – meeting
In discussing next year’s calendar, it was noted that most PLAIN events are geared toward families and children. PLAIN is interested in hosting some adult events. Ideas and volunteers are welcome.
City-Wide Yard Sale. There was some discussion about the city-wide yard sale, which is held in April. This is tied in with the Mayor’s Amnesty Day for collection of additional refuse. Last year, there were balloons at each participating home and maps available. However, many people coming into the city expressed that they would have preferred to come to one location. However, discussants did not think this would be feasible in PL. It was suggested that there could be a few areas that combine household yard sales. The most commonly sought items were children’s items and tools.
PRISM. This group – “Pride Rings in Stone Mountain, Inc.” – is hosting a Community Forum on Thursday, November 8 at 7 p.m. and has extended an invitation to PL families to attend and share ideas. The forum will be held at St. Timothy United Methodist Church, 5365 Memorial Drive in Stone Mountain. State Rep Michele Hansen will host this forum. This group’s mission is to revitalize the neighborhoods in this area, focusing on parks, violence, and to get more businesses to locate to the Memorial Drive corridor from Rockbridge to Stone Mountain. Nicky noted that the issue of the quality of the neighborhood schools also is important, because the growth in PL has been in families, many with young children live in PL. She emphasized the importance of improving the local schools.
PLAIN President. Nicky said that Gwyneth Butera was interested in the PLAIN presidency. She thought it might be possible for her (Nicky) to share the position.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:34 pm.