FOURTH QUARTER 2010 - Wood Creek Civic...

FOURTH QUARTER 2010October - November - December

Thank You Wood Creek Volunteers !Thank You to all of our dependable and dedicated

volunteers, including the Board members, Block Captainsand Committee Chairs. These dedicated volunteers havecontinued to serve our Wood Creek Community for manyyears. Our volunteers are trying to make yourneighborhood and lives better by maintaining andimproving the Wood Creek community.

When you see them, take a moment to thank them fortheir service to our community.

Santa Visiting Wood CreekBefore Christmas

Even with his hectic schedule, SantaClaus has agreed to two special visits withchildren of all ages in Wood Creek.

Santa Fire Truck VisitOn Friday, December 17th at 6:30 p.m. sharp, Santa

will be stopping by the Wood Creek Park (ball field). He willbe arriving on a fire truck with his friends from the MillCreek Fire Company. Santa has arrived when you hearthe fire truck siren. He will have candy treats for thechildren who come to see him; but because of his busyschedule, he can stay only about20 minutes, so don’t be late !

Santa Home VisitsSpecial Santa Visits (house calls) are scheduled for

Monday, December 20th between 6:30 p.m. to8:30 p.m. If you would like Santa to visit the children atyour home, please R.S.V.P. via phone (994-8718), thencomplete the form on the last page of this newsletter, andreturn it to Anthony Pullella by Saturday, December 18th.

Note: If you want Santa to deliver a gift, pleaseleave a wrapped gift for each child inyour mailbox or on your front porch.

Merry Christmas and aJoyous Holiday Season ! !

The Wood Creek Civic Association sends wishes for aWonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year to allWood Creek residents, their families and love ones. Mayall of you be healthy, happy and fullof joy during this special time of year.

Merry Christmas!From the Board of Directors

4th Annual Wood Creek Holiday Food Drive(A letter from Michael Whiting)

Dear Wood Creek Residents:

I would like to thank everyone in Wood Creek whoparticipated in the 4th Annual Wood Creek Holiday FoodDrive on November 14th. I am very happy to report thatwe have surpassed previous year’s generosity, collecting1,104 pounds of food which was donated to the Food Bankof Delaware for families in need.

Thank you again for your generosity. I look forward tonext year’s Food Drive when we can once again surpassexpectations.

Best regards,Michael WhitingNeighbor at 11 Ocheltree DriveFreshman at St. Elizabeth High School

Wood Creek Trai ls December 2010

2010 Annual WCCA Meeting Summary

Highlights from the November 4th Annual Meeting include:

The WCCA President, Bill Short, opened the 2010Annual Meeting with introductions of all attendees. Anagenda was provided, and an attendance sheet wascirculated.

A detailed financial report was given by the Treasurer,Wayne Davis. A number of residents have not paidtheir 2010 dues, and some also owe other arrears.The $42,000 spent on snow plowing and salting inWood Creek for the 2009-2010 winter has drasticallydepleted our emergency fund. The attendees werereceptive to increasing the WCCA annual dues to $100to cover expenses and rebuild the emergency fund. Anappropriate dues increase will be considered anddetermined by the Board of Directors.

Rick Rokita, Safety Director, reported on communitysafety. There are too many vehicles that exceed the25 mph speed limit in Wood Creek. All drivers need tostay within the posted speed limit. Parents need toremind teenage and young drivers to drive slowly inWood Creek. Police will be engaged periodically topatrol, and traffic tickets will be issued to violators.Rick will contact DelDOT to follow-up on our stop signrequirements at strategic locations. Cars also havebeen reported going through the traffic light onLimestone Road, so residents need to be very carefulat the Wood Creek entrance.

Phil Reggio, Vice-President and Maintenance Director,reported on the maintenance activities. We willcontinue to engage All-Season for snow plowing andsalting service in Wood Creek. Phil is investigating aunified trash collection for Wood Creek with the goal ofreducing truck traffic and obtaining competitive trashand recycle collection services. Street lighting andsewer/paving work also was discussed.

(continued on page 9)

Annual Wood Creek Dues $85The 2011 Wood Creek Civic Association dues will be

$85 per home. Invoices will be mailed in January 2011.

An increase in the annual dues is necessary because ofthe severe snow falls last winter. The $42,000 that wespent for snow plowing and salting in Wood Creek lastwinter depleted the WCCA emergency fund. (See therelated letter in the March 2010 issue and the notice in theSeptember 2010 issue of the Wood Creek Trails.)

Please pay your dues promptly. If the WCCA does nothave sufficient funds, the WCCA will not be able to arrangefor snow plowing and salting of the streets within WoodCreek this winter.

Do not burden your neighbors with your fair shareof these community expenses! It is the responsibilityof every Wood Creek resident to help maintain andbeautify the Wood Creek community.

Please remit your dues payment to:

Wood Creek Civic AssociationTreasurerP.O. Box 142Hockessin, DE 19707-0142

If needed, please contact our Treasurer,Wayne Davis, to make payment arrangements (995-1617).

Visit our Website . . .www.WoodCreekDE.com

For notices, events and information, periodicallyvisit the Wood Creek website atwww.woodcreekde.com

New neighbors especially areencouraged to visit our website. Welook forward to meeting you at ouractivities and meetings.

Street Light OutagesBurnt out lights, or other problems with street

lights, should be reported to Delmarva Power at1-800-375-7117.


Michael J. RamoneState Representative, 21st District

211 Nathan Court, ChanterelleNewark, DE 19711

(302)584-8601 - cell (302)737-3412 - [email protected]

Follow Mike on Facebook at “Support Michael Ramone”

December 2010

Dear Friends and Neighbors of the 21st Representative District,

Thank you for your continued support and for the opportunity to once again serve as your StateRepresentative in our General Assembly. It is an honor to represent your interests in Dover and I lookforward to the new legislative session which begins in January.

We have many important issues facing us as Delawareans and, when the Legislature reconvenes for the2011 session, I assure you that I will be focusing my efforts on the three most significant issues expressed tome over these last several months.

First and foremost, my top priority will be on JOBS. I commit to you that I will work toenhance job growth throughout the marketplace within our state.

Second, the State of Delaware continues to spend too much. I will continue to champion efforts toconsolidate government spending.

Third, I will not vote for tax increases and I will continue to do everything within my power tolower our taxes.

As a freshman legislator, I learned the value of bipartisan cooperation. Now, as an incumbent legislator, Iwill continue to do my best to build those relationships while consistently focusing on doing the right thingto enhance job growth, cut state spending, and reduce our taxes. I look forward to getting to work tohelp solve the important issues we face today.

Thank you for allowing me to serve the people of this community. If I can be of assistance to you or yourfamily in any way, please use the information I have provided on this letterhead and do not hesitate to call,email or write to me. Happy Holidays!

Sincerely,

Michael J. RamoneState Representative, 21st District

Click-It or Ticket ! !At night, seat belt use among drivers and passengers drops

by 10%, but the odds of being killed in a car crash triple ! !

Seat belts are your best protection against injury or death,so Buckle Up Day AND Night Delaware . . . it’s the Law !


AdvertisersWhen considering needed services, think

first about those who advertise in the WoodCreek Trails newsletter. See the variousservices offered by our advertisers onpages 10 and 11.

2010 Halloween Fun in Wood CreekWe hope everyone had a safe, fun Halloween this year.

Kudos on all the great Halloween decorations in WoodCreek. Below are photos of one of the spookiest houses inWood Creek this year. Photos are courtesy of spookyhomeowner, Tara Brown. Hope not too many trick-or-treaters were eaten by this house ! !

Opinion Section

Short Points for ThoughtBy Wm. E. Short II

(The opinions expressed in this article do notnecessarily reflect those of the WCCA Board.)

The 4-Cent Fee is a Tax

Effective December 1st, our Delaware lawmakersconverted the former 5-cent deposit on carbonatedbeverage bottles, including glass beer bottles and 2-literplastic soda bottles, into a 4-cent fee. Historically, thepurpose of a deposit has been to ensure an item isreturned after use. Then, we would turn-in the bottle andbe paid back the 5-cent deposit. Now instead, we get totoss the used bottle into our recycle bins and DNREC getsto use the 4-cent fee. Apparently, our Delaware lawmakersdon’t think we are sharp enough to realize this 4-cent feeactually is a 4-cent tax. In these poor economic times, wecitizens don’t like to hear about a new tax, but I guess weare willing to accept a new fee. But, not to worry. This4-cent tax (sorry, I mean fee) is supposed to end withinfour years. Didn’t we hear this before about ‘temporary’taxes like the Delaware Gross Receipts Tax?

Since millions of Federal dollars will be available forbusinesses and government agencies to further the causeof recyclable goods, and technology already exists forrecycling, why did Delaware legislators tamper with our 5-cent deposit money? Because they can. Meanwhile, ourtrash collectors also will charge us more for our recyclingtrash pick-ups. No doubt, this 4-cent tax (I mean fee) willbe revisited in four years and our lawmakers will increase itto a 6-cent tax (fee) or more, but perhaps only for anotherfour years or so.


Pot HolesReport pot holes for repair to DelDOT

at 894-6300.

Block CaptainsBLOCK 1: Mary Facciolo, 7 Quince Ct. (994-4347)

Quince Ct., Woodward Dr. #1-18, Ocheltree Dr. #1

BLOCK 2: Wayne Davis, 22 Woodward Dr. (995-1617)Woodward Dr. #19-40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50,Barberry Dr. #199

BLOCK 3: Fran & Elizabeth Pepeta, 6 Ocheltree Dr. (633-0564)Gregg Ct., Ocheltree Dr. #2-20

BLOCK 4: Pat Gallagher, 198 Barberry Dr. (994-4830)Woodward Dr. #41, 43, 45, 47, 52, 54, 56, 58,Barberry Dr. #198, 200, 201, 202, 204, 206, 208,210, 212, Daylily Ct.

BLOCK 5: Debbie Dunford, 41 Woodward Dr. (996-4862)Barberry Dr. #203, 205, 207, 209, 211, 213-220, 222,224, 226, 228, 230, 232, 234, 236, 238, Jonquil Ct.

BLOCK 6: Colleen Misetic, 10 Hosta Ct. (652-2193)Greenwood Dr. #400, 411, 413, Hosta Ct.,Barberry Dr. #240, 242, Sweetleaf Dr. #700-705

BLOCK 7: Fran & Elizabeth Pepeta, 6 Ocheltree Dr. (633-0564)Ivy Ct., Sweetleaf Dr. #706-727, Maureen Ct.,Jasmine Dr. #826, 827

BLOCK 8: “VOLUNTEER NEEDED”Jasmine Dr. #814-825, Greenwood Dr. #402-410,412, 414-421, 423, 425, 427

BLOCK 9: Mary LaRue, 439 Greenwood Dr. (994-6787)Greenwood Dr. #422, 424, 426, 428-449,Bluegrass Dr. #511, 518

BLOCK 10: Suzanne Musacchio, 464 Greenwood Dr. (892-9604)Greenwood Dr. #450-470, 472, 474,Bluegrass Dr. #502

BLOCK 11: Rick & Diane Rokita, 9 Lilac Ct. (633-6373)Bluegrass Dr. #503-510, 512-516, Daphne Ct.,Coralberry Dr.

BLOCK 12: Rick & Diane Rokita, 9 Lilac Ct. (633-6373)Bluegrass Dr. #500, Greenwood Dr. #471, 473,475-498, Lilac Ct.

2010 Wood Creek BoardPlease contact the Wood Creek Board as needed

with your questions and/or concerns regarding ourcommunity, newsletter or website.

Bill Short, Presidentcell: 740-1574home: 998-6889e-mail: [email protected]

[email protected]

Phil Reggio, Vice-President and Maintenance Directorphone: 998-3458e-mail: [email protected]

Wayne Davis, Treasurerphone: 995-1617e-mail: [email protected]

Rick Rokita, Safety Directorphone: 633-6373e-mail: [email protected]

The WCCA Wants YOU !

Volunteers are needed to fill the following positions:

Secretary Newsletter Editor Block Captain (Block 8) Beautification Committee Members Children’s Activities Committee Members

To volunteer to help your Wood Creek community,contact Bill Short (740-1574), or any Board member.

Printing of this Wood Creek Trails issue was courtesy of Wm. Short,Pressure Systems Engineering Inc. (www.PSEIncDE.com).


Reminder to All Residents . . .Snowstorm Guidelines

Wood Creek residents must adhere to thefollowing guidelines for snow storms:

Requirements

Keep all cars off the street when snow isexpected, so the plow can completelyremove accumulated snow. Do not callWCCA Board members if your car is plowed-in. Damage to vehicles left in the street arethe owner’s responsibility.

It is your responsibility to remove snow fromyour driveway and sidewalks.

Keep portable basketball hoops away fromthe street. The overhanging hoop interfereswith the plow. Damages to overhangingbasketball hoops are the owner’sresponsibility.

Legitimate snow removal problems shouldbe reported to Phil Reggio (998-3458).

Suggestions

Back your car into your garage or driveway,so you are able to get out easier.

If you and your neighbor have multiplevehicles, park them in one drive to reduceshoveling, and then help your neighborshovel snow.

Be neighborly! Elderly neighbors especiallycan use a helping hand with shoveling snow,so check with them.

Wood Creek Deed RestrictionsRespect your neighbors by complying with all the

Wood Creek Deed Restrictions.

The complete list of deed restrictions for Wood Creekis posted on our website at www.woodcreekde.com. Ifyou do not have internet access, a copy of the WoodCreek deed restrictions may be requested by contactingthe WCCA President.

Changes to the deed restrictions require a 75%supporting vote from the Wood Creek property owners.

Anyone interested in changing a deed restrictionshould contact the WCCA President.

Police Patrols in Wood CreekRandom (unannounced) police patrols are engaged

periodically to look for suspicious activity and motor vehicletraffic violations in Wood Creek.

Be responsible, lead by example . . .

Buckle Up — it’s the law. Obey ALL traffic laws/rules. Do not speed in Wood Creek (the residential speed

limit is 25 mph). Be cautious and watch for children. Come to a complete stop at STOP signs. Never drink and drive. Report any problems to the police immediately

by calling 9-1-1.

Reminder from our Postal Carrier and theU.S. Postal Service

Snow Removal ALERT !Please clear a full 30 ft. total approach and exit to

your mailbox during/after snowstorms. Due to thesafety issue, mail carriers are not permitted to back-upor exit their vehicles at the mailbox. If the mailbox isnot properly cleared, mail will not be delivered.

Your cooperation is sincerely appreciated. If youhave any questions, please contact the post office.


Wood Creek CornerBy Wayne M. West

Associate Broker, REALTOR®Patterson-Schwartz Realtors

302 733-7000 x 7073www.waynewest.com [email protected]

The activity in Wood Creek is consistent with other communities within our market area and price range.Below I have listed some of the activity since January 1, 2010.

FOR SALE NOW LIST PRICE

242 Barberry Drive 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths Colonial 1 car garage $279,90014 Daylilly Court 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths “Bancroft” Colonial 2 car garage $319,900441 Greenwood Drive 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths “Bancroft” Colonial 2 car garage $324,990477 Greenwood Drive 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths “Ashford” Colonial 2 car garage $380,000

UNDER CONTRACT (Pending) LIST PRICE

18 Ocheltree Drive 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths “Williamsburg” Colonial 2 car garage $369,0002 Ocheltree Drive 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths “Williamsburg” Colonial 2 car garage $375,000823 Jasmine Drive 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths “Williamsburg” Colonial 2 car garage $389,000

SOLD AND SETTLED SOLD PRICE

207 Barberry Drive 5 bedrooms, 2.5 baths Colonial 2 car garage $250,000407 Greenwood Court 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths Bi level 1 car garage $290,0003 Jonquil Court 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths Colonial 2 car garage $309,000506 Bluegrass Drive 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths Colonial 2 car garage $345,000

Homes still are selling in Wood Creek. This is a good thing. With the interest rates slightly increasing to over4.5% a.p.r. for a thirty year fixed, zero point mortgage, now is a great time to consider selling. Rising interestrates sometimes motivate buyers. If you would like more information about Wood Creek and the real estatemarket, or if you or anyone you know are interested in buying or selling a home, please call Wayne M. West at302-733-7073.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidaysfrom the West Family!


Reminder for Dog OwnersRespect your neighbors, please remember the followingregarding dog ownership:

Do not allow your dog to barkexcessively. Be considerate of yourneighbors.

Do not allow your dog to run loose. By law, dogsmust be on a leash at all times.

Curb Your Dog — Be responsible to pick-up yourdog’s waste.

Wood Creek Beautification CommitteeThis Committee was formed to maintain

and improve the entrance to Wood Creekand beautify other common areas in theWood Creek development.

Help is needed ! To volunteer for this committee,contact Pat Gallagher at 994-4830.

Rick Rokita’s Safety Notes

For emergencies, or If anything questionable is observed,call 9-1-1. Then, notify a Board member about theincident (see page 5 for contact information).

Do not leave valuables visible in your vehicle, andkeep vehicles locked at all times. Keep garage doorsclosed and locked.

Homeowners must trim trees and shrubs thatoverhang onto the public streets. DelDOT will benotified to trim overhanging trees that have become anobstruction to drivers and vehicles. Homeowners can becharged for this service.

Watch for children at play at all times in WoodCreek !

Joggers and walkers - Be sure to wear reflectiveclothing and/or carry a light.

It is illegal to operate unlicensed, motorized scooters andgo-carts on public streets. This presents a safety hazardto children, pedestrians and motorists.Violators will be reported and prosecuted.

Homeowners who have a storm drain located on or neartheir property must ensure that debris is not allowed tocollect in the storm drain grate. A clear grate allowswater to run-off during heavy rain, reducing the risk ofpotential flooding and related damage.

Do Not Drive and Text. Effective January2011, cell phone use must be ‘hands free’while driving in Delaware.

Stop Aggressive Driving . . . Aggressive drivers causeaccidents. Report aggressive drivers to 302-744-2740.

Note: Also see the Snowstorm Guidelines and the USPSSnow Removal Alert on page 6.

Electronic Issue Only of Wood Creek TrailsThis will be the last hardcopy issue of the

Wood Creek Trails newsletter. Starting in2011, the Wood Creek Trails will be issuedelectronically only. The newsletters will beposted on the Wood Creek website atwww.woodcreekde.com.

If you submit your email to the Wood Creek TrailsEditor, the newsletter will be emailed to you. You cansubmit your email to Bill Short ([email protected]).

For those without internet access, hardcopies can berequested by contacting your Block Captain or NewsletterEditor, Bill Short (740-1574).

Advertising Feesfor the Wood Creek Trails

For 2011, the following fees apply to advertise in theWood Creek Trails (business card ads only).

Wood Creek Residents $24Non-Residents $60

These fees apply for a one year period, January toDecember, regardless of the number of Newslettersissued in the calendar year.

Note that, beginning in 2011, the Wood Creek Trailswill be issued electronically only by posting on the WoodCreek Website. Hardcopies will be available only onrequest (see the related article above).

To place an ad in the Wood Creek Newsletter, pleasecontact the Newsletter Editor, Bill Short (740-1574).


2010 Annual WCCA Meeting Summary(continued from page 2)

Rep. Mike Ramone was present and gave a legislativeupdate. Topics included: potential development of thePike Creek Bowling Alley and Three Little Bakersproperties; his proposed bill to reduce the NCC Councilfrom 13 to 9 members and share aides (presently eachcouncil member has an aide); consolidation of schooldistricts (a Peterson and Ramone bill had proposed4 districts); and Vision 2015 — Educational ReformInitiative. (See Rep. Ramone’s open letter on page 3.)

There were no volunteers to replace any of the currentBoard members. Eileen Henry is unable to continue toserve as Secretary. Gratitude and thanks wereexpressed for Eileen’s service.

The following slate of Wood Creek Officers/BoardMembers was re-elected for another one-year term:Bill Short (president); Phil Reggio (vice-president andmaintenance director); Wayne Davis (treasurer); andRick Rokita (safety director).

In closing, the President expressed disappointment inthe poor attendance, and the complacent take-for-grantedattitude of the Wood Creek residents with respect toparticipation with the WCCA.

Those present were thanked for their attendance andparticipation.

Note: More details on the topics discussed are given inthe various notices and articles published in the2010 Wood Creek Trails newsletters.

Opinion Section(continued from page 4)

Gift Card Fees

A few years ago, tired of losing value on some gift cardsthat I received, I suggested to one of our then prominentState Senators to propose a bill that would not allow a giftcard to lose value. The response was that not enoughpeople care about this. Well, like most things, it is a bitmore complicated. According to some dialogue on arecent Rick Jensen talk show (1150 AM, 1:00 pm to4:00 pm), it turns out that, since many card companies areincorporated in Delaware, our state actually benefitsbecause after some time limit, Delaware can reclaim theunused card amount. I suppose part of their argument isthat there are associated administrative costs. After all, thecost is dear to store the record on a computer.

However, my oversimplified thought is that the gift cardshould be like money in the bank for the holder. Yes, theholder in fact should earn at least 0.2% per annum intereston a gift card. After all, the buyer paid cash for it. Otherstates, California I think is one, do not allow this practice.Is it asking so much that if I pull out my gift card one, two orthree years later it remains worth its face value?

Do not give gift cards for Christmas. The green stuff isthe preference.

Local Places of WorshipEspecially if you are new to this area, you may be looking for a place to worship at Christmas and after. Here is a partial

list of some local churches.

Faith Baptist Church St. John the Beloved Church St. James Episcopal Church4210 Limestone Road 907 Milltown Road 2106 St. James Church RoadWilmington, DE 19808 Wilmington, DE 19808 Wilmington, DE 19808302-998-4105 302-999-0211 302-994-1584fbcwilmington.com sjbde.org stjamesmillcreek.org

St. Marks United Methodist Church Limestone Presbyterian Church Red Clay Presbyterian Church1700 Limestone Road 3201 Limestone Road 500 McKennans Church RoadWilmington, DE 19804 Wilmington, DE 19808 Wilmington, DE 19808302-994-0400 302-994-5646 302-998-0434stmarks.witnesstoday.org limestonepresbyterian.org rccpc.org


Comments? Suggestions? News?Comments or suggestions, and items of interest

for this Newsletter are welcome, and should be sentto Bill Short, Newsletter Editor at:

Wood Creek Civic AssociationP.O. Box 142Hockessin, DE 19707-0142E-mail: [email protected]

Need a Babysitter?

Wood Creek Babysitters List:

Kaitlyn Bates 892-2383 Natalie Palermo 999-7339Katrina Medoff 633-0334 Alexia Solis 994-9426Valerie Medoff 633-0334 Morgan Williams 998-5294

Anyone who is interested in adding their name to this list, please contact Bill Short. You must be a resident ofWood Creek, and your WCCA dues must be up-to-date.

Note: The WCCA provides this list only as information to our residents. Qualifications and referencesshould be obtained before engaging a babysitter.


Santa Special House Visit FormPlease PRINT and fill-out completely.

Please R.S.V.P. via phone call, then return completed form by Saturday, December 18th toAnthony Pullella, 236 Barberry Drive (994-8718)

Name:

Address:

Phone Number:

Children’s Name(s):

House visits will be only on Monday, December 20th starting at 6:30 pm

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