Greetings, Mesa Verde!
To say that we’ve just gone through a year of hell would be an understatement! Which is why I haven’t posted as often as I otherwise would have. But here we are…March 11th marked the 1-year anniversary of the Coronavirus Pandemic. It has NOT been pleasant and many folks that I know – including Laurie and I – were infected. The good news is that nearly all of us made it through that gauntlet and we’re witnessing a huge uptick in vaccines getting into the arms of our citizens. And happily, the ‘powers that be’ have seen fit to move us into the more relaxed “Red” status where we can start returning to “normal.” And THAT is good news, indeed!
From time to time, I and many of our board members are asked, What IS Mesa Verde Community, Inc., and what do you do? These questions have been answered, but with so many moving into the neighborhood recently, and to serve as a refresher for some of our “legacy” residents, I thought I’d share a few of the things we do.
- Host City Council/Mayor Candidate forums every other year
- Conduct Annual Meetings featuring presenters of interest to our neighborhood
- Advocacy
- One Metro West
- Bikeway & Walkability Committee’s initiatives (Tanager Drive bike trail, Canary Drive bike ramp to Fairview Park)
- Tanager Park pool initiative
- Small Cell tower initiative
- Various issues with CMPD (speeders through the neighborhoods)
- Parkway (easement) tree program (under Beautification)
- Ongoing interaction with CMPD, CMFD and NMUSD
- Supporter of Mesa Verde Living magazine, distributed monthly to 3,000 households in Mesa Verde
- Manage, restore and replace Mesa Verde community signs in a timely manner
- Redesigned community website
- Created social media presence (Facebook, Nextdoor)
- Community newsletters, email blasts and surveys
- Several “Info Nights”
- Community picnic in 2018 and 2019
- …and so much more!
As was mentioned earlier, the pandemic created a huge distraction and one of the things that may have “fallen through the cracks” is membership in MVCI. Membership has always been voluntary, and this includes the MVCI Board of Directors. Membership dues are the lifeblood of the organization and without them, none of the activities would be possible. Dues are only $20 a year…less than a few trips to Starbucks, and we need your help so that MVCI can continue its 50+ year record of service to the community. Please join or renew today! The membership app is on this website and PayPal is available. Also, feel free to share your input with us at admin@mesaverdecommunity.org.
MVCI is continually looking for “new blood” to participate, including joining the Board of Directors and we encourage residents to get involved. I will be stepping down at the end of March, as is “President Emeritus” Bob Juneman. We haven’t been able to hold an Annual Meeting for two consecutive years due to the pandemic, but the remaining board members have agreed to remain in place until elections can be conducted. The board has also unanimously selected Robin Leffler as President.
Although I am stepping out of my role as MVCI President, I will be staying on as the organization’s technical advisor. To that end, I want to express my gratitude for all the kind words and graciousness that have been sent my way.
See you around the neighborhood! ~Terry
Mesa Verde Community, Inc. 