Blackhawk
Blackhawk Residents Association

Below is the current Newsletter.  As a member, you should
receive a copy of each newsletter in the mail. Please feel
free to print this and pass it on to your neighbors to invite
them to participate with the neighborhood.

Past newsletters links are on the right.


Copyright 2008 by Blackhawk Resident's Association
This website is for information purposes only and information can
change without notice at any time.
History of
Newsletters

click each link to view
the information

Current Newsletter
Dear Blackhawk Residents,

I am very glad that we have some new faces participating in the Blackhawk Resident's Association.  To have a steady supply of people willing to volunteer and keep the organization
going will be a healthy sign of progress and support for the Blackhawk neighborhood.  To bring in new people will also bring in new ideas and some fresh energy to continue on with the
efforts already begun.

I also appreciate those that are continuing to serve.  We need to leverage our experience and continuity to avoid repeating mistakes, and make sure we continue to move forward.  I so
much appreciate everyone who has been to regular meetings, contributed dues and helped with the board meetings.

We have had a good first 2 years to get started and I am grateful to all those who have served us and lead us down the initial path that often needs much work.  Like building a street, it
takes time, effort and energy to clear the land, level the ground, lay a foundation and build a road.  I feel like we have had a good start and are ready for a good year of growth ahead of
us!  With everyone pitching in and contributing to the group, we can see our goals of a healthy, safe, vibrant neighborhood come more clearly into focus.  I eagerly anticipate working with
all of you this year!

Some of the achievements of the past 2 years have been:

1. Set a regular schedule and place for our board and general meetings.
2. Set a good start with our by-laws.
3. Provide a base of regular people attending meetings and participating.
4. Provide a number of ideas and activities for neighborhood participation.
5. Provide a way to meet and support our neighbors.
6. Provide a voice for our concerns to the city.
7. Provide some communication and sharing of knowledge of general concern to the residents of Blackhawk.
8. Provide a method and participants for calling all the members with notices of meetings.


I hope that we can not only continue to build on these items, but also work in some new areas as well:

1. Provide regular open activities to meet and greet neighbors - like a Blackhawk open house.
2. Provide support to neighbors with specific issues and concerns of Blackhawk through communication with the Elgin City officials.
3. Provide more regular meetings.
4. Improve the communication to all the residents of Blackhawk.
5. See more participation in meetings and activities.
6. Promote a positive approach to working together as neighbors.


Please let me know your thoughts and ideas as we continue to grow our Blackhawk Resident's Association.

Dana Sherbondy
President

How Does One Become a Member?
If you live within the boundaries of the neighborhood you are eligible to become a member of the Blackhawk Residents Association.  Membership dues will be due again on Jan. 1,
2009.  You can bring it to the Nov. meeting to make it easier for you.  The $20 fee is good for one year.

Website       http://natsysinc.com/blackhawk

Officers  Elected in September 2008                                        Board Members        
President       Dana Sherbondy  847 741 4498               Hans Zaage                         Kim Zaage
Secretary       John Ziegler           847 742 7316              Corrine Eicksteadt               Dana Redburg
Treasurer      Marilyn Ziegler       847 742 7316              Claire Papiewski
                                                                                                           
Dates to Put on Your Calendar
General Meeting Dates                                                                                           Board Meetings
   Location:  New Covenant Fellowship Church  865 Parkway,Elgin         Location:  TBA
   Time :   7 PM                                                                                Time:   7 PM
           November 18, 2008                                                          (If needed)        Jan. 13. 2009
           January 27, 2009                                                                         Feb 24. 2009
           March, 31, 2009                                                                         April 28, 2009
           May 19, 2009                                                                                 Aug 25, 2009
           
           June 27, 2009 Saturday   Social Picnic  TBA
           August 4, 2009   National Night Out   at   Joan Anderson’s  1312 Dakota

           September 29, 2009   Elections of officers at the Church

News:  Intersection of Stewart and Dakota

   Following 3 bad accidents on the corner of Stewart and Dakota and 2 letters to City Hall with photos attached there has been increased police presence at that intersection.  Starting
about October 8, 2008, the police have been supervising traffic there.  Using both marked and unmarked cars, according to my observation the police stopped between 15 to 20+ cars in
a 45 min. time span for failure to stop at the stop signs on Stewart Ave.  My personal satisfaction came when a car almost hit me and the police went after them.  The police have not
addressed the speeding on Dakota as yet.   The police are going to monitor this intersection for a period of time and then report back to the city.  The city also put up  CROSS TRAFFIC
DOES NOT STOP signs at that intersection to warn the motorists of the danger of not stopping at that intersection.  A big thank you goes to the Elgin Police Department for their
professional presence at this intersection.

News:  Seminole Drive
   
   Several homeowners spoke at the City Council meeting concerning the parking problems on Seminole Drive.  The City responded to me saying that they were looking into Code
Violations at Blackhawk Apartments first to see if that a viable solution to the problems there.  There may be a possibility that an exception to odd/even parking may be made.  A meeting
is scheduled for Nov. 4 with Councilman Dave Kaptain to discuss this issue.  Contact Shari Mortellero for more information.  

Topic:  November 18th General Meeting at the Church  7 PM
   
   Ruth Ann Hall from the City Manager’s Office and a Police Officer will be at the meeting  to discuss the Seminole Parking matter further.  We thank Ruth Ann for her return trip to our
organization on the 18th especially because it is her birthday.  Cake and coffee will be served.  Bring someone with you from the neighborhood that might have concerns to share with
the police or the city manager’s office.


Is there something that this organization needs to be aware of concerning our neighborhood?  Contact one of the officers and let them know.  An example might be:  The proposed
“round about” at the corner of Dundee Avenue and Summit Street.

Newsletter Compiled by  Joan Anderson  847 695 7064