Emerson Cale
Greenbriar Civic Association Update: Greenbriar has become a very diverse community over the years. We now have many residents with different ethnic origins and religions living in Greenbriar. However, all of the “cultural” activities traditionally sponsored by the GCA (Christmas and Easter parties) are Christian oriented and started in the 1960’s. We also note that there are few members of the new ethnic and religions, if any, who volunteer to participate as block captains, district representatives or members of the GCA Board. The GCA Board would like all residents of Greenbriar, home owners and renters, to understand that the GCA is for all residents. It would be a good thing if we had a broader participation in community activities to ensure we are representing all interests. There may be cultural meetings, celebrations or other activities which could use the GCA to publicize to the community or even sponsor events. Non-profit groups in Greenbriar are eligible for free use of the Greenbriar Community Center on Stringfellow Road. The GCA wants to represent all residents and solicits any ideas or suggestions. We do not want any group to feel that they are excluded because of origins or religions, so this is intended to be a positive invitation. Call me or any GCA board member with your ideas and suggestions.
Greenbriar Community Center Update: We are in the final steps of the remodeling of the Center. We have ordered a new modern room divider to replace that old heavy gray curtain that we have been using. Actually, we found out that the floor tile just installed is causing a dragging of the old curtain which will score the new tiles. But, the new divider is very light and has caster wheels, which makes it easy to move. Presently, the replacement of our primary heating and air conditioning system is underway. This replacement is very expensive, but we have been living on borrowed time for several years. The new system will dramatically reduce the heating and air conditioning costs. Greenbriar residents built the Center in the 1970’s (Bless their souls) and made some odd decisions back then. The heating plant, for instance, was placed in an attic space above the kitchen. The problem is that there is only a small crawl space to get to the attic. Therefore, we have to remove the siding on the south side of the Center in order to remove and replace the old system, using a fork lift. We’re learning new things every day!
Jogging in the Dark: For those of you who choose to jog after dark, in the streets, you are scaring some of us. We do not want to hit anyone. Coming up on a person in the street in dark clothing can be dangerous. Think light color clothing or reflective stuff, PLEASE.
Stringfellow Road Project: The second application for the Community Center parking lot was filed on October 1, 2010. It is a “Special Exception” application which legitimizes the Pleasant Valley Preschool and the New Hope Church, both of which meet in the Center and require Fairfax County approval to operate.
Also, Barbara and I have received a VDOT “Right of Way Acquisition” for the back of our property by Stringfellow Road. It is a temporary construction easement which will allow VDOT to take out our fence and access our property while they create a ditch for storm water run-off to the storm water drain located at the corner of Stringfellow and Point Pleasant. For that they have offered us $1,211 in compensation. We said to the VDOT rep that we could not replace our fence for that amount. The representative recommended we get an estimate from “Long Fence” and present it to VDOT, the implication being that they may pay more. I mention this because other Greenbriar residents will be contacted as well. The documentation left with us for this little job is two inches thick. I think this paperwork probably cost more to create than my fence replacement.
2010-2011 Greenbriar Telephone Directory and Information Guide is at the printers. It should be in your hands around the time you receive this issue of The Flyer.
See ya’all around Greenbriar
Emandbarbcale@msn.com
