Virginia-Highland Safety Report: Angolan Witch Spider Seen In Virginia-Highland

by D Stephens on April 1, 2013

angolan witch spider

Update 4/1/2013 11:59 PM: See important update at end of this article.

We received a report of an Angolan Witch spider in Virginia-Highland. This photo was taken by a resident on Rosedale Drive on Sunday. Be on the look out.

If you see this spider, do not approach it. Do not try to capture it yourself. These are very fast arachnids, capable of inflicting severe bites or even killing a person with its venom.

According to Will Powell of Zoo Atlanta, the Angolan Witch spider migrated from South America. They primarily eat squirrels and birds but have been known to eat dogs, cats and coyotes.

A Virginia-Highland Civic Association representative, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the media, tells VHConnect.org that the association is looking at various options.

“This is very concerning,” the association representative said. “An Angolan Witch spider was seen on a house on Greenwood and it took several gunshots to kill it. We’re discussing the feasibility of having an exterminator patrol the neighborhood.”

You are urged to immediately report sightings of the spider.

We’ll update this story as we know more. Follow @VAHIupdates on Twitter for real-time updates.

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Update (4/1/2013, 11:59 PM): April Fools!

Popularity: 27% [?]

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Results of User Survey About Urgent Alerts

by David on September 24, 2012

We recently conducted a user survey about Urgent Alerts sent to the community via text message. There were 50 responses in total. Here are the complete results, including all user comments.

Please post discussion related to this in the community forum on Nextdoor Virginia-Highland, a closed social network for Virginia-Highland residents, that also includes the Urgent Alerts system. If you’re a resident and not already a member, please join.

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Currently, Urgent Alerts are only for time sensitive and urgent messages that could enable Virginia-Highland residents to protect their safety and household security in the event of imminent danger. These Urgent Alerts are sent via text message to cell phones, for immediate viewing. (Example: “Caution! There’s a crazy WM age 20 wielding a machete, walking up Virginia at Barnett. I called 911″)

Seeking your feedback, would you also want to RECEIVE any of the following types of messages as text message to your mobile phone?

1. Messages sent by dog owners about their LOST dogs? (Example: “My yellow lab Buddy got loose from our yard on Drewry. Has collar with ID tags. Photo on Nextdoor. If seen call 404-123-4567″)

  • Yes, I would want to receive this type of message as a text message = 52%
  • No, I would not receive this type of message as a text message = 48%

SURVEY COMMENTS:

YES. For many people pets are like children, and a lost pet is urgent and time sensitive. Time is of the essence and could be a matter of life and death. The more people who know, and who can help, the better.

YES. That is what a community does – look out and (hopefully) notify each other.

YES. My dogs are like regular family members…

YES. Pets are part of everyones family….a loss is devasting so the more people that are aware when it matters may be the difference in returning the pet safely.

YES. I understand that the owner is probably in a panic and would want to help.

YES. pets are important family members and helping reunite a dog with it’s family is an urgent issue of safety for the animal and emotional relief for the family. Also, usually loose dogs present traffic hazards and the sooner they are off the street and back home the better.

YES. I have dogs and cats

YES. It is emergency to any animal owner.

YES. Animal in danger, time sensitive

YES. urgent

YES. Loose animals present safety hazards

YES. doesn’t hurt, is not overused, and seems timely (we do not have a dog but always happy to help neighbors)

NO. Granted, they are time-sensitive, but not safety-oriented.

NO. should be more emergency oriented

NO. I want to reserve the text alerts for safety (human) cocnerns

NO. If he has a collar, it will work. A text is not more likely to make me on the lookout. NOT urgent.

NO. Someone is either going to look at a dog’s tag and contact the owner or not regardless of whether they’ve received a text message asking them to do this.

NO. I already get the e-mail version of this. It seems like this happens so often and I do not want to receive that many texts

NO. Limit # of text messages. Also if I SEE a dog I can go out and then try to find that info.

NO. Posting on the website itself should be sufficient, IMO. Don’t need the text message noise.

NO. I could honestly go either way on this one, but leaning toward the no.

NO. There are 700 members on the list. The chances tha a lost dog is one of theirs is nill.

[It appears you may not have understand the question. This question was not asking about a person sending a report to everyone about a lost dog that that was found. It is asking about messages sent by dog owners about their LOST dogs.]

NO. I prefer all postings are through email, not text message.

[If you prefer all postings are through email, not text message, you can set your preferences in Nextdoor for that. Therefore this is not applicable to you.]

NO. I don’t text (at this time)

[If you don't text, then this is not applicable to you.]

NO. I have my phone set to reject any and all text messages

[If your phone is set to reject any and all text messages, then this is not applicable to you.]

##

2. Messages sent by residents about FOUND dogs with no ID tags? (Example: “I found a beagle wandering on Barnett at Greenwood. No tags. In my backyard for safekeeping. See Nextdoor for photo.”

  • Yes, I would want to receive this type of message as a text message = 43%
  • No, I would not receive this type of message as a text message = 57%

SURVEY COMMENTS:

NO. Someone finding a dog isn’t as time sensitive. A person can post to Nextdoor with a regular post to get the word out. It doesn’t need to go to everyone via cell phone. Only the owner needs to know. It doesn’t require everyone getting a text message.

NO. If the dog is safely secured, not injured and not posing any eminent risk I feel the message could be a regular email message – owners are sure to be looking for any word of their pet’s wherabouts.

NO. Posting on the website itself should be sufficient, IMO. Don’t need the text message noise.

NO. The law states that the rabies / license tag should be worn around the neck of the dog for whom it was issued at all times. These tags are traceable. As long as dog owners aren’t criminals then their animal will always have ID.

NO. Dog is safe. Urgent email is enough.

NO. Can place on the website. I think the text system should be reserved for safety concerns.

NO. not urgent

NO. NOT urgent, but I would be MORE receptive because there is actually someone on the lookout for that message. If they are looking for their dog though, they should be checking the forum.

NO. It’s not safety-oriented.

NO. Not overly urgent as the dog is safe.

NO. No threat to safety of the dog.

NO. I do still want to see this via email, but not on a text

NO. Limit # of text messages. Also if I LOSE a dog I can go out and then try to find that info.

NO. I prefer all postings are through email, not text message.

[If you prefer all postings are through email, not text message, you can set your preferences in Nextdoor for that. Therefore this is not applicable to you.]

NO. I don’t text (at this time)

[If you don't text, then this is not applicable to you.]

YES. My dog slipped out of his collar once and chased a squirrel. I would want to know if someone found him asap.

YES. I would want to find the dog’s home ASAP if I found a lost dog.

YES. That is what a community does – look out and (hopefully) notify each other.

YES. We have 2 dogs and I would want to know immediately because they don’t wear there tags unless we take them off the property because of the dangers of choking with very playful dogs. They are microchipped so we hope that would cover us especially with our yard fenced and locked, it would be a huge help to know so quickly.

YES. However, contacting local vets is the right way to help people find their dogs.

YES. same as above – doesn’t hurt, not overused

YES. I have dogs and cat.

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3. Messages sent by residents about road closings in the neighborhood caused by unplanned disasters such as flooding, trees down and major automobile accident? (Example: “N. Highland at Barnett flooded under 3 feet of water. Impassable, dangerous. Use alternate route.”)

  • Yes, I would want to receive this type of message as a text message = 86%
  • No, I would not receive this type of message as a text message = 14%

SURVEY COMMENTS:

YES. This info is only useful if you get it quickly.

YES. People may be at work and not have access to their e-mail to receive this information without a text.

YES. to help neighbors avoid bad road conditions or backups and not contribute to the problem by having motorists going to thiis impassable location causing backups and delays.

YES. very helpful – i get daily digest due to too many emails otherwise, but get news such as this too late at times if i wait for digest

YES. That’s safety-related and time sensitive.

YES. So I could avoid the area.

YES. Since these situation an often be emergencies, I wouldn’t mind receiving text messages.

YES. This affects personal safety.

YES. Impacts personal safety

YES. emergency

YES. It affects the whole hood

YES. urgent

YES. just makes sense.

NO. Roads close all the time, we have a dense grid and it is always easily dealt with. Give yourself an extra 5 minutes.

NO. My email inbox is filled to overflowing every day — enough!

[Perhaps you do not know you can do this, but if your email inbox is "overflowing" every day, then consider setting your Nextdoor preferences to receive emails as "Daily Digest" instead of individual emails for each post and reply.]

NO. I don’t text (at this time)

[If you don't text, then this is not applicable to you.]

NO. I prefer all postings are through email, not text message.

[If you prefer all postings are through email, not text message, you can set your preferences in Nextdoor for that. Therefore this is not applicable to you.]

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4. Messages sent by residents about planned road closings for upcoming events in the neighborhood? (Example: “Streets in VaHi will be closed for 10K Race to Cure World Hunger, see Nextdoor for details”)

  • Yes, I would want to receive this type of message as a text message = 24%
  • No, I would not receive this type of message as a text message = 76%

SURVEY COMMENTS:

NO. I would see it in the daily digest

NO. those could be sent via email

NO. Not urgent.

NO. Not urgent

NO. Should be posted on the website but not sent as messages

NO. not urgent

NO. Roads close all the time, we have a dense grid and it is always easily dealt with. Give yourself an extra 5 minutes.

NO. That can wait for daily digest.

NO. if it’s in advance, a regular email should do.

NO. This is predictable info and should be found in predictable locations (NextDoor, VHCA, or wherever we agree on)

NO. Again, doesn’t happen often and easy to ignore a text, but overall, helpful to know and may miss in daily digests – though not as urgent as 3, which i DEFINITELY think should be included

NO. This is a planned event; as such that type of info should be posted with the event.

NO. This cannot possibly be defined as “urgent”.

NO. If it’s an upcoming event, this isn’t of an urgent nature.

NO. Urgent means unplanned in my book

NO. Redundant information

NO. Planned road closing are not safety-related, time-sensitive. They are merely disruptive to typical routines.

NO. Does not need the immediacy/urgency of a text

NO. I do still want to see this on e-mail but not on a text. We SHOULD be able to know about this in advance

NO. Posting on website should be sufficient.

NO. These are planned in advance and are not emergencies. These should be posted as regular posts to Nextdoor, not as urgent alerts.

NO. I don’t text (at this time)

[If you don't text, then this is not applicable to you.]

NO. I prefer all postings are through email, not text message.

[If you prefer all postings are through email, not text message, you can set your preferences in Nextdoor for that. Therefore this is not applicable to you.]

YES. I’ve been late to work before due to a road closing I didn’t know about.

YES. This assumes that there is a day or so between the posting and the activity. If it is for same day closings, then it really falls into #3 for me and I would want the alert.

YES. because i can’t keep track of all the events.

YES. It affects the whole hood

YES. Why is this phrased differently than the disaster closing? I want text alerts that say, for example, “Virginia between Barnett and Park closed Saturday-Sunday.”

[To answer your question, it is phrased differently than the disaster closing because it is a different use case. Roads closed due to disaster are typically unplanned situations. Roads closed due to scheduled events are typically planned in advance.]

Popularity: 4% [?]

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An urgent call to action of all neighbors in Virginia-Highland:
Vote NO on this proposed amendment to bylaws of Virginia-Highland Civic Association

by David on September 13, 2012

On Thursday Sept 13, 2012, at the Annual General Meeting of our neighborhood association, the outgoing board will propose an amendment to the bylaws of the association that would restrict members’ access to information of our association.

Thankfully, the board cannot pass this amendment on its own. Membership must vote for it in order for it to pass.

ACTION:

1. I urge you to vote NO on this proposed amendment.

2. Please help spread the word about this issue before the meeting on Thursday.

The annual meeting is this Thursday, September 13 from 6:30 – 9:00PM. At the Inman Middle School Cafeteria.

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Details, if you like details:

In this 3-point summary, I’ll explain the issue as I see it; why I think this proposal bad for us as members; and why I urge you to NOT vote for this proposal – vote it down.

1. WHAT ARE THE CURRENT BYLAWS AND WHAT ARE THE PROPOSED BYLAWS OF CONCERN?

All residents of Virginia-Highland over 18 years of age are members of the neighborhood association.

Under the current bylaws, any member can inspect all books and records of the association at any reasonable time.

But there is now a board-initiated proposal to change those bylaws that would restrict member access to the association’s books and records.

Under the proposal, members would no longer have access to some of the books and records of our association. Namely, information that the board considers “Proprietary information”.

The key here is what is the definition of the term “Proprietary information”?

Here’s what the bylaws say about that definition, buried further in the bylaws, AND THIS IS KEY:

“Proprietary Information” means all trade secrets, know-how, proprietary business methods, confidential information, and shall include, without limitation, agreements and databases developed by any Director or member of the Fundraising Committee in connection with the operation and management of Virginia Highland Summerfest, Tour of Homes, and other events of a similar nature.”

2. WHY I THINK THIS IS BAD FOR US AS MEMBERS

The problem with this is the potential for abuse. Pretty much *anything* the board doesn’t want members to know, can be considered “confidential”, at the board’s discretion, therefore making it “Proprietary information”.

The result: *any* information the board doesn’t want members to have access to, the board would have the power to ensure that members will not have access to it.

With no checks and balances.

If the board wants to say that some information, any information, is confidential, then it will be considered confidential. Doesn’t matter what it is. Maybe it’s something members should know about. But members will not have access to that information.

Our association has a budget of hundreds of thousands of dollars. I would not want to see any possibility that important information about our association being restricted. There is too much potential for abuse.

There is a reason why governments in the U.S., including all governments in Georgia at state and local level, have open records laws: *as a check and balance on potential abuse by those who are elected to serve*.

Open records sunshine laws exist, because elected officials being able to operate at their own discretion in the shadows, rarely proves to be a good thing.

While the civic association is not a government entity, it most certainly serves in a quasi-governmental role: with officials elected by the neighborhood; who among other things, vote on variance requests, and make recommendations to city and county government about variance requests.

Here’s what I say: we as members ARE the association. This is an association of us.

If we as members want to know about the activities of our association, we should not be prevented from knowing about them.

With the possible exceptions of: discussions related to legal issues between the association and its counsel; and personell matters, which are often reasonably carved out. But that have some very narrow definitions.

With the lack of transparency we’ve seen from the board at various times over the past several years, this is going in the wrong direction, and very troubling indeed.

3. WHAT YOU CAN DO TO STOP THIS ABUSE:

We as members will decide if this proposal is passed or not passed.

If you agree with me that this proposed amendment is bad for us as members and shouldn’t pass, I urge you to attend the annual meeting this Thursday evening at the Inman Middle School Cafeteria and when this proposal comes up do the following:

* If there is discussion allowed from the floor, please vocally state your concerns and urge people to *not* vote for the proposed amendment.

* When it comes time to vote, I urge you to *not* vote for this proposal. Vote it down by attending and not voting for it.

So few people typically turn out for these elections, I worry that this proposed amendment will pass simply because of low turnout. Every vote matters.

Popularity: 3% [?]

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An Open Letter to Jack White, President Virginia-Highland Civic Association

by David on September 13, 2012

This was sent by email to Jack White, on Wednesday evening.

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Date: Wed, Sep 12, 2012 at 7:34 PM
Subject: Time sensitive question about absentee ballot for annual meeting

Jack, I am writing to you in your role as President of the Virginia-Highland Civic Association board, with a question I have as a Member of the association:

I see clear instructions and an absentee ballot with a mechanism to vote in the election of a board of directors, that is scheduled for vote of members at the annual meeting on Thursday:

http://vahi.org/wp-content/uploads/Ballot-for-Election-of-VHCA-Board-of-Directors-2012-2013.pdf

But I see no mechanism on the absentee ballot for members to vote for or against the board-proposed amendment to the association bylaws, that is scheduled for vote of members at the annual meeting.

Nor do I see any directions about how to vote for or against that issue by absentee ballot, defined in any announcements by VHCA on its website or elsewhere.

Simply put, the current bylaws state that at annual meetings, every member is entitled to vote by absentee ballot.

But the absentee ballot, whose form was adopted by the board of directors, does not have a mechanism for members to exercise an absentee vote for the board-initiated amendment to the bylaws. Without that, the absentee ballot itself is defective. It does not serve the purpose required of it as defined in the bylaws.

Even if the board were to come out with a revised absentee ballot, at this late stage, there is not enough time for most people to get such a revised absentee ballots in.

Therefore, any member vote that may be conducted at the annual meeting about the board-initiated proposal to amend the bylaws, will be conducted in violation of the current bylaws.

The rules are there. I see failure to comply with the rules. What are you going to do about it?

I would appreciate a reply by email (not a phone call), at your earliest opportunity, that addresses the issues raised in this note.

Thank you,

David

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Section 5 of the bylaws states: “All members, except as provided below, shall be eligible to vote in person or by absentee ballot at annual or special meetings of the Association.”

Section 6. Voting. At annual and special meetings, every member entitled to vote shall have one (1) vote to be cast in person or by absentee ballot. Such absentee ballot shall be in a form adopted by the Board of Directors. Any member submitting an absentee ballot shall attach to said ballot proof of residency within the boundaries of Virginia-Highland. Such proof shall include, but is not limited to, a copy of a valid Georgia driver’s license or a utility bill issued within sixty (60) days of the annual or special meeting by delivering same to any officer of the Association. Absentee ballots need not be delivered in person by the member an may be mailed to the Association’s then current address. Only those absentee ballots actually received by the Association prior to the annual or special meeting shall be considered. At general meetings, all members, when requested by the Board of Directors, may participate in a nonbinding vote prior to the Board of Directors taking final action.

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http://vahi.org/vhca-annual-meeting-and-elections-and-vhca-40th-anniversary-celebration/

Absentee Ballots

Members may also vote by absentee ballot (http://vahi.org/wp-content/uploads/Ballot-for-Election-of-VHCA-Board-of-Directors-2012-2013.pdf). Your ballot along with a copy of one of the forms of identification mentioned above may be delivered to the offices of Tailfin Marketing (1246 Virginia Ave) by noon on Thursday, September 13th or to the Annual Meeting by its start time at 6:30 PM. Please put your ballot in a sealed envelope with the identification documents separately sealed inside or stapled to the outside. (Please cross out specific account or driver license numbers.) After your residency is verified, the identification documents will be removed and destroyed. Your ballot will remain anonymous.

Popularity: 4% [?]

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How to get up to $10 worth of food (free) at tonight’s Virginia-Highland Food Truck Wednesday

by David on July 25, 2012

If you’re planning on attending tonight’s Virginia-Highland Food Truck Wednesday (July 25, 2012), the event’s participating food trucks will be offering event attendees $5 worth of food or beverages to anyone who pays with their mobile phone using “LevelUp”, the free app that lets you pay with your smartphone around Atlanta.

Bonus: I’ll show you how to get up to $10 to spend at Food Truck Wednesday tonight. Here’s how:

If you don’t already have the LevelUp app for your smart phone:

1) Sign up now for LevelUp at
https://www.thelevelup.com/join/?promotion_code=120409 with the code:
120409 and you will get $5 to spend anywhere that accepts LevelUp, including Food Truck Wednesday tonight with the event’s participating trucks. When you sign up with that link and code 120409, I’ll also be eligible to get $5 to spend anywhere on LevelUp. Win-win.

2) Then at tonight’s Food Truck Wednesday, the team from LevelUp will be on-hand at 841 North Highland Avenue for the event’s duration from 6:00pm-10:00pm. Keep your eyes open for a LevelUp team member to scan their special Virginia-Highland Food Truck Wednesday code and $5 will instantly be added to your phone to spend at the participating trucks while you’re there.

If my math is correct, $5 + $5 will get you $10 to spend at tonight’s Food Truck Wednesday. High-fives all the way around.

Enjoy!

David

PS – If you’ve already been using LevelUp, I have confirmed that the special code that they will hand out tonight (that I describe in #2 above) is available for both existing and new users of LevelUp. So you can get the $5 special at Food Truck Wednesday tonight, too. That’s not just for new users, it is for everyone.

PPS – My experience using LevelUp: I love it. Earlier this year, I installed the “LevelUp” app on my iPhone, and have used it to pay at Metrofresh at Midtown Promenade; and at The Whole Dog Market on Virginia & Monroe. It’s super convenient way to pay when you shop at stores (you just click the app, swipe your phone, and you’re done. It charges your credit card for the amount of the purchase; and automatically emails you a receipt. I also like that I get bonus savings along the way. Bottom line, I like it 100x better than swiping my credit card and signing. Excellent app.

Popularity: 4% [?]

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Video: Virginia-Highland Summerfest Parade 2012

June 1, 2012

Theme for the neighborhood parade this year was safari! I was honored to help judge the costumes in the parade tonight. Fantastic job by all participants! Thank you to all volunteers who helped with the parade and the community dinner and movie. Here’s video that I filmed as the parade got started at ACE Hardware: [...]

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Updated: New Music Lineup for Virginia-Highland Summerfest 2012

May 10, 2012

We’ve learned today that there’s a new band in the music lineup for Virginia-Highland Summerfest 2012. New to the Summerfest 2012 schedule, The Fixx will headline on Sunday night. The iconic English new wave rock band is best known for their early 80′s hits including “One Thing Leads to Another,” “Red Skies,” “Stand or Fall,” and “Saved by Zero”. [...]

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Virginia-Highland Food Truck Wednesdays: Back ON and Returning for 2012

May 9, 2012

Virginia-Highland Food Truck Wednesdays is returning for 2012, with a new organizer and rebranded as “Bettie’s Virginia-Highland Food Truck Wednesdays“. The event resumes tonight, Wednesday, May 9. From 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, at the same location, the parking lot at 841 N. Highland Ave (across the street from Osteria 832 and Dark Horse Tavern). [...]

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Video: Full Coverage of the Virginia-Highland Civic Association April 2012 Board Meeting

April 12, 2012

The VHCA April 2012 board meeting took place Monday night and we filmed the entire meeting, for the benefit of those who couldn’t attend the meeting in person. Please let us know how you like the videos and if you find them helpful. Video – Part 1 of 2: Video – Part 2 of 2: [...]

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Scoop on Virginia-Highland Summerfest 2012 headline musicians – and Friday night movie

April 9, 2012

Not yet generally announced, but tonight at the VHCA board meeting we learned that the headline musicians for Virginia-Highland Summerfest 2012 will be: – Saturday June 2: Rusted Root – Sunday June 3: Marc Broussard Also not yet generally announced, but tonight we learned that the pre-Summerfest neighborhood movie for residents on Friday, June 1 will [...]

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