Newsletters, Reports & Recent News Items
Newsletters
The following PDF versions of our association's newsletter are available for viewing with the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Treasurer's Report & Board Meeting Minutes
These recent monthly reports are in directories that can be sorted from newest to oldest by clicking the "Name" column. You'll need the the free Adobe Acrobat Reader or some other PDF viewer to read the files.
Recent News Items
2theadvocate.com: Gustav’s winds decimate BR’s tree species
Hurricane Gustav was unkind to the city’s green canopy last week.
Snapped branches protrude from many Baton Rouge trees like sharpened spears and spikes intended to intimidate the area’s next big wind.
Residents lost as much as 5 percent of that vegetation immediately, according to professional estimates. And pine and other damaged — but still standing — species may begin to die in the next several weeks. Continue . . .
2theadvocate.com: Chain saw not right answer to hurricane landscaping
"Chain saw backlash," cutting down beneficial, healthy trees in response to tree damage from Hurricane Gustav, is something Buck Abbey, an LSU professor of landscape architecture, and foresters fear.
"Life in Baton Rouge without trees is simply unimaginable," said Hallie Dozier, an LSU AgCenter associate professor of forestry.
Continue . . .
Broadmoor recovers from Hurricane Gustav
(9/12/08 - Updated 8:30 PM) - As we prepare for possible heavy rain and 50 mph wind gusts in the wake of Hurricane Ike headed towards Texas, residents in Baton Rouge continue to recover from weather related damage and power outages caused by category 2 Hurricane Gustav on Labor Day, September 1st. We are fortunate, despite heavy property losses, that few persons in our state were injured or killed. Unfortunately, all of East Baton Rouge Parish was without power for several days and the Broadmoor/Sherwood Forest subdivisions were among the hardest hit and as a result among the last to regain service. Some neighborhoods in Broadmoor still do not have power, despite the valiant efforts from Entergy and out of state crews who have worked 16 hour shifts since Tuesday.
Power was restored early on Thursday night (9/11) to many homes along Goodwood/Woodhaven near Sharp Road. On Tuesday and Wednesday, residents report the power was turned on along Broadmoor Avenue, Frances Harriett and Cora. On Thursday, work continued to remove fallen trees and debris in the Marilyn Drive area prior to repairing the electric lines. We are unable to provide official details concerning outages but will update streets as information becomes available to us. Please visit the web sites for Entergy, Baton Rouge government, The Advocate, and other media for more detailed information.
Department of Public Works and their contractors continue to remove fallen trees and debris from curbside piles alongside roadways and have made good progress under the circumstances. The department and workers are to be congratulated for their efforts to date. As of Friday afternoon, they are monitoring the weather conditions due to Hurricane Ike and have briefly curtailed their removal efforts. When the weather permits, contractors will continue to remove curbside storm debris. Homeowners should place trees and limbs at curbside for DPW pickup and try to be patient. If debris remains for a long time, call 1-877-786-7612. Twice weekly garbage and and recycling pickups are back to regular schedules. Most traffic signals are now working but drivers should be continue to be alert at intersections for some malfunctioning signals. Call 311 for non-emergency complaints such as drainage, sewer, street/stop signs missing, garbage and recycling issues, etc. If you cannot dial 311, then call 389-3090.
Most businesses are now open. Gas stations and grocery stores are doing a brisk business as residents prepare for Ike. Most area schools are open or will be open and back on regular schedule Monday, barring damage from Ike - be sure to contact your school administrators for up-to-date information. Some athletic events have been postponed due to Gustav and Ike. Hospitals and health care facilities have resumed almost normal schedules and are rescheduling appointments. Most financial institutions are open as usual. Malls and retail stores are open but business is slow for obvious reasons.
Thankfully, all of this bad weather will soon come to an end. Recovery is moving along briskly - our conditions improve each day. We are a resilient folk and will move forward from this unfortunate event, stronger, having survived the ordeal, and a bit wiser now, armed with first hand experience that will help us deal with future natural disasters.
Thanks to everyone who helped make this experience easier, in no particular order of importance: Baton Rouge Metro government, state government, federal government, FEMA; local police, fire, EMS, LA National Guard and out-of-state National Guard; local radio and TV stations, newspapers; local hospitals, schools, churches, out-of-state volunteers, Red Cross; merchants and gas stations and their employees who opened during difficult conditions, and managed to keep their cool during the ordeal; and finally, to residents who survived the ordeal with grace, helping friends, neighbors and strangers alike, as though it came naturally, which it really does.
Association requests additional police security patrols & assistance from Red Cross
(9/10/08) - Broadmoor Residents' Association President George Mermigas talked to Councilwoman Martha Jane Tassin today about recovery issues and has this report.
- The city police are dedicating patrols to all areas without power after the curfew is lifted Thursday. Parts of Broadmoor without power will have dedicated patrols that will not will not respond to any issues outside these areas.
- The Red Cross is concentrating on areas with the most need and do not have resources available to go door to door in Broadmoor to check on residents. They will respond to individual needs as requests are made. They have already been in our neighborhood and gave me a sandwich last Thursday while I was helping a friend on Elizabeth Dr. with cleanup.
- Extra patrols will be in our neighborhood after Thursday and requests for assistance can be made to the Red Cross on an as-needed basis. Councilwoman Jane Tassin is available to forward requests to the Red Cross by contacting her office at 389-5165 during the week and she can be contacted via email at HERE.
Area churches & organizations provide assistance
(9/12/08) - Broadmoor area churches and other organizations have worked tirelessly to provide meals, food, water, ice, food, tarps and other services to residents who are in need due to power outages and damage to their homes. Thanks to all who volunteered and to the organizations for providing these much needed items free of charge! Be sure to call first before visiting - all services are subject to change.
- Broadmoor Baptist Church provided free water, ice & tarps earlier this week. On Thursday, Cox Cable had a mobile van in the parking lot for residents to access the Internet, but we are unable to say if this will be available on a long-term basis. Groups from other Cooperative Baptist Association churches from outside the Baton Rouge area did not come this week as originally planned because of concern that Hurricane Ike would arrive and they would have to evacuate as soon as they arrived. They will come next week instead. Please call the church is you know of residents (particularly elderly, widows or others unable to do their own work) that need assistance. Phone 927-5454.
- Broadmoor United Methodist Church provided free water and ice earlier this week, and is providing housing for Red Cross workers in their gym.
- Goodwood Boulevard Church Of Christ is serving hot lunches from 11:00am - 2:00pm at the church building. Volunteers are welcome to help with this effort. They are distributing supplies at the building from 9:00am – 2:00 pm each day. They have a registration process to ensure that they serve the greatest number of people possible while being good stewards of donations. They are also housing volunteers who are going out into the communities and cleaning up properties, tarping roofs, assisting the elderly and infirmed, distributing meals and supplies, etc. If you are interested in bringing a group of volunteers, call the church office at (225) 272-8936.
- St. Thomas More Catholic Church provided housing, meals and assistance to 121 nursing home residents from Marrero who were evacuated along with 84 staff and 8 family members.
Florida Boulevard Urban Design Overlay District enacted
(8/1/08) - The Florida Boulevard Urban Design Overlay District is now part of the Unified Development Code, EBR, Section 10.100. This overlay district runs from N. Foster to Flannery. Please become familiar with this ordinance and report any complaints to either the Parish 311 complaint number office or to Councilwoman Martha Jane Tassin's office via email to:
Danielle Ourso at DPOURSO@brgov.com, or by phone at 389-5165. This ordinance is "complaint driven". For details about the new Florida Boulevard Urban Design Overlay District, click HERE.
EBR backyard compost bin sale/mulch giveaway/recycle roundup will be held on July 19th
(7/10/08) - The Baton Rouge City-Parish Department of Public Works backyard compost bin sale/mulch giveaway/recycle roundup will be held on July 19th at the Louisiana Department of Insurance at 6945 Florida Boulevard. For more information click here or visit www.brgov.com/dept/recycle/
District 6 Metro Council Report
by Councilwoman Martha Jane Tassin
(6/11/08) - The success of the Broadmoor Adopt-an-Oak program is definitely showing. Goodwood Blvd. looks terrific. I commend the Beautification Committee for overseeing the program and for securing an Entergy grant to carry out the mission; and the residents who have adopted trees. This neighborhood is setting a wonderful example for the community. Our trees are vitally important to the landscape and the environment, so hopefully others will follow suit and start a program in their neighborhoods. (continued . . . )
First "Broadmoor on Parade" set for June 1st
by Glenda Foster, Board Member
(5/28/08) - The entire Broadmoor subdivision will be "On Parade" on Sunday, June 1st!!
What do we mean? Most of the properties in Broadmoor currently listed in the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) will be presented by 20+ Baton Rouge Realtors in a coordinated "Open House" event. Many potential home buyers and new residents will be touring these homes and considering becoming part of our subdivision community.
 We say "Broadmoor on Parade" for two reasons. Reason one; this is what the participating Realtors are calling this first time ever realtor event for Broadmoor. The second reason is even more important. As many potential residents are touring these homes, which are literally spread out over the entire Broadmoor community, they will also be scrutinizing the neighboring properties and also the surrounding area as a whole.
All of us remember when WE chose to buy property in and move our families to Broadmoor. It was an extremely important decision. Remembering this, and keeping the importance of first impressions in mind, let's put ALL of Broadmoor on Parade that weekend. We can do that by making sure our lawns are cut and neat, and doing any other tasks we see that need to be done to put our "best foot forward".
When home buyers see the great qualities of Broadmoor, and the care that is shown in our properties, it directly and positively impacts their first impression and can influence their decision to become part of the Broadmoor community. When homes are purchased here at a good market rate, this helps maintain ALL of OUR property values.
Let's all do our part to make this a successful event for Sunday, June 1st, but let's also remember that Broadmoor is truly "on parade" everyday!
Board passes motion to fund Security Patrol pay increase
(5/20/08) - At the monthly meeting tonight, your board voted unanimously to pass a motion that will fund an hourly wage increase for our security patrol. The hourly rate for all neighborhoods in Baton Rouge that utilize this service will increase from $20 to $25 on July 1st. Rather than reduce the number and frequency of patrols, the board decided to maintain the present level of service and will fund the increase with money from cuts in other budget areas, fund raising programs, increased memberships, and donations. An expense item of $21,000 was budgeted this year to hire off-duty police officers to provide these additional patrols in Broadmoor and it is our largest expenditure. These officers patrol all areas of Broadmoor in uniform and in marked police cars during daylight hours when many people are away from home and when most house burglaries occur. These same officers also cover Broadmoor on their regular shifts and are familiar with the neighborhoods.
For more information patrols and security, visit the Safety & Security Page to read suggestions and tips for your home and personal safety and security, plus links to local area government and law enforcement agencies.
Yard of the Season winners announced
(5/20/08) - Beautification Committee Chairman Jason Stagg has announced the winners for "Yard of the Season" Spring/Summer 2008. All four winners exemplify the wonderful, lush green landscapes that can be achieved in South Louisiana. Congratulations to our winners for setting such good examples for the neighborhood! A $50 gift certificate from Vernon's Hardware was awarded to each homeowner.
- Southwest - 574 Southmoor, Chuck and Melanie Warr
- Southeast - 9758 Regency, Tony and Kelli Harton
- Northwest - 616 Cora, Jesse and Debbie Jones
- Northeast - 725 Marilyn, Janel Brumfield
Roofs being replaced after April hail storm
(5/10/08) - A severe storm occurred in Baton Rouge on April 22, 2008 and damaged many homes with golf ball sized hail according to this story in the Advocate. Although your roof appears undamaged from ground level, insurance adjusters may find damage that warrants roof repair or replacement. Work is already finished or underway at many homes to replace roofs. If you think your home may have been in the hail storm, call your insurance agent to discuss what to do. Should you need a roof replacement be sure that contractor you choose is licensed and insured.
This is also a good time to upgrade to a higher grade roofing material that is more storm and wind resistant. A variety of 30-35 year "architectural" laminate shingles offer better protection, and can dramatically improve the appearance and resale value of your house. Take the time today to pick the right style and color - you'll be living with it for a long time. Some contractors may only have a limited selection of shingle samples with them at the time of their visit. Ask to see other samples or brands if you're not satisfied. Visit the roofing manufacturer's web sites listed below. Better yet, take a drive around Broadmoor to look at new - and old - roofs. You may be surprised to see how the right roof can make a big difference in curb appeal, or how the wrong color or a "busy" roof can detract from appearance and resale value.
Related:
Atlas
CertainTeed
GAF/Elk
Owens Corning
Tamko
2008 Junque Sale is successful
(4/15/08) - Thanks to everyone who supported our 2008 Junque Sale! We made approximately $4200 after expenses and the proceeds will be used to replace the sign on Goodwood Boulevard at Sharp Road that was damaged by an uninsured driver last year. The turnout was good despite threatening weather and visitors had many quality items from which to choose thanks to the great donations from residents.
This annual fund raiser was a success because of these donations and also because of the many hours of effort from board members and residents who set up and worked at the sale. Very special thank you's go out to our Junque Sale Coordinator Kerry Beary and her committee who did the lion's share of work prior to the March 29-30 weekend event, and to board member John Perkins who cooked delicious hamburgers, sausages and hot dogs at the Perkins Grill. And lastly, we want to acknowledge the splendid cooperation and support received from Broadmoor High School without which the event would not have been possible.
Metro Council passes Overlay District
(3/24/08) - The Metro Council passed the Florida Boulevard Overlay District at a recent meeting. The purpose of the legislation is "to provide guidelines for development and redevelopment activity in the designated area, as shown in Appendix G, along Florida Boulevard from North Foster Drive to Flannery Road and to strengthen the physical and economic character of the neighborhood by mitigating or avoiding incompatible land uses in development and redevelopment." Click here for more information.
Goodwood / Sharp sign update
(1/24/08) - The Sign Committee has reported that the insurance company for the owner of the car that destroyed our sign at Goodwood and Sharp Road has denied coverage coverage for our claim. It seems that the owner had signed an waiver to the policy that excluded coverage for the driver of the car. The committee discussed this matter with an attorney and has decided we have no legal remedies worth persuing. The replacement of the sign is on hold until funds can be raised to cover construction costs. Proceeds from the Second Annual Broadmoor Junque Sale will be used towards beautification and sign expenses.
 For those who are unaware of the problem, in March 2007, the brick enclosure and newly re-landscaped beds were destroyed by a hit and run driver. The police later found the owner of the car and the association planned on receiving some compensation from an insurance claim which would then be used towards building a replacement sign. In order to make a legitimate claim, the committee had to obtain several estimates for removing the damaged sign and beds, and then replacing it with the same materials, etc. The lowest of the bids to do these jobs was approximately $5000.
Prior to this incident, several residents in the area had discussed the sign's placement and look and the committee has worked on a new design which they hope to use once the funding issue is resolved.
Library Board approves Independence Park site
(4/20/07) - The East Baton Rouge Library Board voted on Thursday by a 4-0 vote to build a new main library at Independence Park.
For some time, the board had favored building a new downtown facility, but faced with strong objections from citizens groups and high site acquisition costs, the board finally agreed Thursday to build a new 95,000 square foot library adjacent to the Goodwood branch in the park. Mayor Kip Holden also expressed support for the Independence location while the board was still considering a downtown site. The projected cost for the new building is $30.9 million. More . . .
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