It's time to pat ourselves on the back! 2007 Recent Accomplishments VENA board members attended over a dozen different meetings with the City, with developers and with facilitators to keep on top of activities and to ensure that development adheres to the well-laid plans for our area. We began the process to have the City take over maintenance of the Ventura median. We waged a successful effort to get the La Cueva Sector Development Plan amended to prevent developers from miscalculating home densities to their advantage. (Thank you Nor Este Neighborhood Association and Councilor Brad Winter for your help.) We successfully averted a plan by Bed Bath & Beyond to use 48" high letters in their signage. We attended several meetings and eventually compromised on 25.5" and 32" letters. We converted from a paper newsletter mailed to all residents to an email list and web site, saving the association over one thousand dollars per year. (We'll still deliver a paper newsletter to non-computer users.) We began the process to have the streets in Vineyard III repaired. VENA hired a contractor to spray pre-emergent weed chemicals at the entrances to some of our subdivisions. We paid for maintenance of the Greenarbor median south of Vineyard I. (Unfortunately we can not afford to continue this, so we're turning off the utilities to the median and looking for someone else to maintain it.) We held 3 general membership meetings. Speakers included developers, city emergency personnel, and "311" staff members. We welcomed a new board member from Vineyard III - Mike Gibson. (We are still seeking board members from unrepresented subdivisions.) The aluminum cans saved by VENA members were redeemed through the year for a total of about $200, which will be used to pay for mailings and other activities. back