General Meeting Notice

Elections

Do you have neighborhood news to contribute? Contact editor, Shelley Labrado by phone: 913 342-4071

or email: letsdanceamerica@yahoo.com

General Meeting Notice

Tuesday, November 5, 2002
7:00-8:00 p.m.
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church,
18th and Washington Blvd.

(Enter through back door in the alley)

Election of Officers for 2003

By Donald Caswell
At the November meeting, we elect new officers for 2003. Each year we elect five officers: president-elect, secretary, treasurer, and two at-large board members. This year, because of the resignation of one of the board members, we will be electing three at-large board members.
The president-elect serves three years in all. The first year, he or she sits on the board as president-elect. This year is intended to be a learning year. The second year, he or she serves as president. The third year, he or she is on the board as past-president. The past-president provides guidance based on his or her experiences as president-elect and president.
The secratary and treasurer both serve one-year terms. At-large board members serve two-year terms and may not succeed themselves. They can, however, run for another office.
This year, one of the at-large members will be finishing Gayle Copeland's term, so he or she will serve for one year. Gayle had to resign from the board to take care of her husband, Rich, who is having health problems. Gayle has been an enthusiastic and active board member. We all hope Rich makes a speedy and complete recovery and Gayle is able to serve the neighborhood association again.
Nominees:
The following people were nominated at the October meeting or have announced their intention to run for office:
At-large board members: Tom Gordon, Mary Collins, and Tara Falconio.
Treasurer: Rick Yarnell
Secretary: Mary Cutting
President-elect: So far, no one has announced for this office.
Additional nominations can be made at the November meeting. Candidates may nominate thenselves or be nominated by someone else. Please consider running for office. Being a board member requires a commitment of only a few hours a month, and you can have a lasting impact on our association and our neighborhood. The HWNA board strongly urges you to attend the November meeting so we can elect a board that will represent the entire neighborhood.

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Children's Christmas Party

The third annual Children's Christmas Party will be held on Tuesday, December 3rd, at 6 p.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church. All neighborhood children and grandchildren, from toddlers through elementary school age, are invited to attend. Older siblings are encouraged to volunteer to be elves for our neighborhood Santa. We ask that all parents and grandparents RSVP the children who will be attending no later than Monday, December 2nd, so that gift bags can be prepared ahead of time.
As with all the children's events, we encourage other parents to volunteer. Specifically, we need donations of cookies, gift bags and tissue paper. We also need two helpers to assist Santa with the gifts, two servers at the refreshment table, and two crafty people to assist the children with a simple craft to take home. So, if you can help in any way or if you have a child's name to RSVP, please contact Mary Ann Kancel at 321-2141.

2002 HWNA Dues are Due

Send your five dollars to Rick Yarnell
2424 Nebraska Court.
Remember, it's tax-deductible!

2002 HWNA Activity Dates

November 5, General Meeting - Election of Officers
December 3, Children’s Christmas Party
December 3, General Meeting and Christmas Party

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Code Corner

by Mary Smith

The UG Target-of-the-month for October was Brush Piles and Trees. This is just a reminder open burning is permitted during October 16 to November 15.
YOU MUST OBTAIN A PERMIT from your local fire department. There are several rules that MUST be followed. For more information please contact your local Fire Department.
The UG Target for November is Unsecured Structures.

Prayers and Get-Well Wishes

Please keep the Copeland family in your thoughts. Thanks, also, to Gayle Copeland for staying on the Fall Picnic during a hard time.
If you have friends or family who need our thoughts, call Shelley Labrado to have them listed in the newsletter: 342-4071.

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Home Improvement Tax Rebates Deadline Looming

Because you live in Westheight, you are likely eligible to receive a property tax rebate on the increase in property taxes on your improved property. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas (UG) offers a tax rebate to citizens who make improvements to their property. This program is called the Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Rebate Incentive Program. It gives property owners the opportunity to receive a rebate of any additional property taxes assessed as a result of property improvements.
How do you qualify? First, the UG has designated an area of the City to receive this benefit. It applies only to properties east of I-635 Highway that are in Unified School District 500. That, of course, includes Westheight Manor. Other initial eligibility criteria are that you be the legal owner of record of the property, that the real estate taxes on the property are paid-up and current, and that the improvements comply with the Neighborhood Revitalization Act plan and all housing codes. Because Westheight Manor is a Registered Historic District, a major rehabilitation qualifies for a 100% tax rebate for ten years if the amount of the investment in rehabilitation is at least 5% of the assessed value of the property. For example, a property assessed at $60,000 would need a rehabilitation investment of $3,000 to qualify for the program.
The tax rebate works as a refund of the additional taxes paid because of the improvement. The rebate only applies to the additional value of the property due to the improvement. The property taxes before the improvement will continue to be payable. Taxes must be paid when due for the rebate to be issued. The rebate is available for new construction, additions and major refurbishing which will increase the assessed value of the property. Repairs generally will not increase the assessed value of a property enough to qualify, unless there are several major repairs completed at the same time. Also, the rebate percentage refers only to property taxes levied by the UG, USD 500 and KCK Community College. Additionally, projects receiving some kinds of tax credits are not eligible for NRA tax benefits.
To be accepted into the program you must submit an application to the UG when you obtain a building permit for the improvement.
The deadline for applications is FEBRUARY 21, 2003.
For additional information about this program contact the UG Building Inspection Division at 913-573-8620. For more specific information about the rebate, contact the county clerk's office at 913-573-2876.

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Holiday Homes Tour Canceled Due to Lack of Interest

By Donald Caswell
At their October meeting (Monday, Oct. 7), the HWNA board voted to cancel this year's holiday homes tour because of a perceived lack of interest. The homes tour committee had been unable to convince enough Westheight residents to volunteer their homes for the tour, and attendance at the tour has been dropping the past two years.
The annual homes tour is a tradition that precedes this Westheight Neighborhood Association. About 1990, Carey Massey organized the tour to raise money for the YMCA, where he was director. He began holding it each year, and when Mr. Massey moved out of town, HWNA took up the homes tour as a fundraiser.
The board would appreciate hearing opinions from the neighborhood about whether we should attempt to resurrect the homes tour in 2003.

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