6-15-09 DSRCO Newsletter

6-15-09 Derita-Statesville Road Community Org. Newsletter

DSRCO PO Box 26382 CHARLOTTE, NC 28221
Your Voluntary Annual Membership ($10 for families; $20 for businesses, groups, neighborhoods)
helps make our work possible. We are grateful to the many individuals, families, neighborhoods,
HOA's, businesses, churches, and groups who provided us with operating funds this past year.
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DSRCO Endorses Metrolina Speedway Project
Asks Council to act promptly

Some of you (neighbors living closest to the future Metrolina Speedway) received a copy of our email to City Council earlier this week, we repeat it here for those who didn't.

You should also know that we have been studying this proposal now in private for about six weeks and have heard presentations and seen impressive plans that were not a part of the two public Community Meetings. We went over the noise abatement projections --- and what the planners are doing well beyond what is required, to make sure that neighbors will be happy and undisturbed. We discussed security measures, crowd control and how teens will be supervised at their many youth-oriented activity areas. It is a plan that evolves more fully each day.

Believe us, there is much, much more to this story that you will hear during the coming months and what it bring to both Derita and the Nevin Community. We are convinced that you are going to like it. --- Bernie

6-9-09
To: The Mayor of Charlotte and Members City Council Re: Petition #2009 – 052 Board Members from the Derita Statesville Road Community Organization and the Architectural Committee from the NorthEast Coalitionmet with Simon Weber, his son Brad Weber, and the management team from Speedway Investment Group in a closed meeting tonight. We discussed lingering issues of noise, traffic, and performance --- discussing our concerns at length and we received the information that we needed to fully endorse this project. Given the track's bowl design, placement of multi-story buildings, high-banked walls, a earthen berm & fencing --- noise from the race track will fall well under the City's noise requirement, and even lower because the race cars will be required to have mufflers. A key to the noise reduction is that sound from the track is bounced in upon itself, reducing drastically what can be heard outside the track. CDOT & NCDOT road improvement requirements will upgrade 12 different local intersections, including adding turn lanes, additional access lanes on Hwy 115 & Hwy 21, and even additional off ramp lanes on I-77. A full listof these projects and their implement dates will be posted later. We are encouraged by the effort being made to provide a safe, supervised environment for local youth programs with a year-round program of activities including many free, and scholarships available for others. We believe this will have a major impact on our area, bringing not only jobs, but many new businesses, new restaurants, and a schedule of activities that make the track a "Destination" will plan to come from far and wide, as well as the local community. It should inspire the growth of other businesses that want to be close to this "people magnet" and provide our neighborhoods with the services that are so badly lacking. We also believe that this venue will draw national attention, not only for the promised schedule of amateur sports events, but for the effort to make this as "Green" as possible with practical applications of "Green" technology availablefor home and business. With solar panels and wind turbines, Mr. Weber hopes to generate as much as 80% of its power requirements on-site. At least one roof-top garden (capable of holding up to 1000 people) will be a "live grass"setting available for outdoor wedding ceremonies. Phase One -- the track,.sound abatement structures, 3-story entrance/activity hall, skateboard park, neighborhood organic garden. radio-control model car track and tack modifications for smaller go-kart class vehicles. It will be open for its first race in May, 2010. (same time as the opening of the NASCAR Museum downtown) Phase Two -- the seven-story (150 rooms) hotel with restaurants and ground floor businesses should be up and serving the public within the 18 months that follow. With it should come a host of Camp Programs for both day campers & overnight campers. Some to be race-themed for age groups from 5 to 85; some to begeared to education. These programs and others will offer a considerable number of intern programs. Why rezone this property at all?? True. Under the current zoning, races could resume tomorrow without another thought given to noise or traffic issues. But this new plan calls for many, many activities and venues planned for youthand even a day care service. That does call for a re-zoning and it requires the Investment Group to spell out exactly what they intend to do on the property. But for now, just know that DSRCO & NEC will recommend the rezoning of this property for the project being presented. City Council will hear this rezoning request on June 15th and we feel they should act upon it without further delay. Time is a factor here. Thanks,

Bernie SamondsPresident, Derita-Statesville Road Community Org704 806-3813 Leave Msg deritarep@aol.com

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DSRCO Community Calendar

Thursday, August 6th
Derita Business & Service Provider's Brunch
9am, Maria's Grill (formerly Maddie's) in Derita. Open to Everyone.

We will NOT meet on July 2nd, as many folks will already be enjoying a long weekend. Our next meeting will be August 6th. ---- DSRCO 704 806-3813 Leave Msg deritarep@aol.com
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Thursday, August 20th
DSRCO Neighborhood Leaders Meeting
7pm, Derita Presbyterian Church on West Sugar Creek Rd.

Having already met several times this month, DSRCO will NOT meet again in June or in July. Our NEXT scheduled meeting will be August 20th.

Working together to solves Issues of concern to the Community. Sometimes even the toughest dilemma can be resolved if you know where to go or who to talk with. Lots of current information to share. Our meetings are always open to the public.
---- DSRCO 704 806-3813 Leave Msg deritarep@aol.com
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Saturday, June 20th
Trinity United Methodist Fish Fry
4pm Until. Trinity United Methodist Church, 6230 Beatties Ford Rd.
sponsored by the United Methodist Men

Includes: Filet Flounder and Shrimp and Catfish, slaw, fries and hushpuppies will be served.
Adults $9.00 Children (12 & under) $5.00
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Thursday, June 25thAt-Large Town Hall Meeting6:30 - 8:30 pm, The Government Center, Room 267Light refreshments will be provided
Mayor Pro Tem Susan Burgess will focus on Public Safety and agenda items will include the following:

· a discussion from Chief Monroe about how stimulus funding will affect CMPD

· volunteer opportunities with CMPD

· an results of the customer service survey that will involve a discussion on the 3 top crime-related concerns: break-ins, gang violence, and drug crimes

· Q&A session

Please have folks RSVP to me by email or phone.
----- Kimberly Pearson-Brown
Assistant to the City Manager,
Constituent Relations (704) 336-2180
kpearson@ci.charlotte.nc.us
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Friday, June 26th
Allegro Handbell Ensemble Concert.
7:30 pm, Holy Covenant United Church of Christ 3501 W WT Harris Blvd, The Allegro Handbell Ensemble began in the mid 1960’s and since then has been a strong part of the music program at the Union Church of Hinsdale, Illinois. The choir tours during the summer and has played in most of the 48 contiguous United States, and in Canada, Mexico, and Europe. There are currently twelve members ages 14 to 18 who have been ringing 3 to 7 years. The ringers perform with five octaves (61 bells) and their concert includes sacred and secular music ranging from the 17th to the 21st century. The concert at HCUCC is FREE. Info: 704-599-9810. ====================================

Saturday, July 11th
Community-wide Yard Sale
Forest Pond Neighborhood, off Mallard Creek Rd.
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Saturday, July 18th
YARD SALE -- BAKE SALE
7am -3pm, Unity Center for Spiritual Living7300 Mallard Creek Road
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Sunday, July 21st
Father's Day Celebration
10:30am. Unity Center for Spiritual Living 7300 Mallard Creek Road

Followed by lunch in Unity House.
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Sunday, August 2,
The African Children’s Choir -- FREE concert
6 pm at Northside Baptist Church. This concert is open to the public.

The African Children’s Choir is comprised of children ages seven to eleven. Each child in the Choir has lost one or both parents to poverty or disease. The Choir performs throughout the world bringing hope and joy to everyone they meet while shining the spotlight on the plight of children in Africa.

The choir will perform a mixture of well-loved children’s songs, traditional spirituals and contemporary tunes. An optional offering will be taken to help provide education, care and emergency relief for more than 7,000 children in Africa.

Northside is located at I-85 and Sugar Creek Rd. For information: contact the church music office at 704.596.4856 or jchastain@northsidebapt.org or www.northsidebaptistchurch.net
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What your Neighbors are saying:


Re: Metrolina Speedway
I think this sounds like a great idea! It would be nice if the area attractions would run 'Residents Days" every so often, where residents of the area can get into area attractions at a reduced price or maybe 2 for 1. There are things I would like to go to, but am not willing to pay full price for. I know they do something like this in Pigeon Forge, TN. My husband grew up there. They made people show their drivers licenses to prove that they were residents of the area and qualified for the discount. --- Sybil Loposser, Royal Oaks Neighborhood

(DisneyWorld used to do the same thing -- Bernie)
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We used to hear the races all the way on Fincher Blvd! Just because something claims to be “green” does not make it good. How much drinking will the fans do?
--- Deborah Rowe, Nevin Community

This is a family-oriented destination. Of course, there will be alcohol available at some events and at the restaurants --- but probably under the same supervisions that you might see at a Disney venue. You might also remember how CMPD and the Sheriff's Dept. handled this when drinking got out of hand at the former Concerts there. . . They set up a DUI Checkpoint right outside the gates --- making arrests and issuing tickets. . . That can really shorten "The Learning Curve" for offenders.
--- Bernie

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Bernie, Thanks for the update and invitation to last night's meeting. After the meeting, my group discussed the (Metrolina Speedway) project and also agreed to support it. Continue to keep me informed as usual.
--- Lonnie Newsom, Co-president, Bahama/Havana Park HOA

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I have known Simon Weber for a few years and know how dear this project is to him. He has worked hard to get it together and it would be sad if it was lost because of a delay in approvals.

I worked hard with you in keeping Hubbard Falls from being the mess it could have been. Both the plan and developer seem good in this one.
--- Mike Fitzpatrick, Farmington
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Re: Time to ut the grass?
In the last 30 days we have had rain measuring 6.54” at Mallard Creek Elementary and 7.36” at Turning Point Academy --- Jack Brosch, Kelsey Glen
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Re: DSRCO Newsletter
Wow this is great. I have lived in Allen Hills for five years now and never knew you have this newsletter. Thank you. Could you tell me about the swimming pool at the Allen Hills park? --- A. B., Allen Hills-Carrie Hills

This is why we keep asking everyone to share the DSRCO Newsletter with your friends. It's FREE and it helps keep the Community informed -- what's going on, what has gone one, what's going to happen.

The Pool --- Probably not what you'll want to hear. Young families with kids are the life-blood of a neighborhood pool, Allen Hills-Carrie Hills is both aging and re-vitalizing with young couples just starting out. Board members have
reached out far and wide for new members to fill those supporting memberships lost. Many other neighborhoods & HOA's are facing the same problem. They had enough members to open last summer, cleaned the pool, made all the preparations, but were not able to fill it. (remember the drought restrictions?) It is expected to remain closed this summer.
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Re: Crime & Fireworks
As you know every year police receive complaints of shots fired calls in the North Tryon Response Area 3. Last year our Division conducted heavy saturation in the response area. This drastically reduced calls for service and complaints of this
nature.

Shooting in the city limits is illegal and setting off fireworks. Tell your neighbors that we will strictly enforce this law if caught. We strive to make sure that the community is safe. You will see many patrol cars on the 4th of July and would appreciate all of you telling your neighbors to turn on their lights not only for reduction of crime in your community but to celebrate the remembrance our country becoming independent and free. Please have a great 4th of July.
--- Sergeant Ken Schul, North Tryon Division

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The Derita Lions Club
meets the 2nd & 4th Monday of each month
Visitors & New Members Welcome
6:30 - 8 pm Maria’s Grill in Derita 2801 W. Sugar Creek Rd.
New Officers for the Year will be installed on Monday, June 22nd.
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Charlotte City Council District 4 Update
from Councilman Michael Barnes -- June 1, 2009

Road Repaving Projects
Here are some of the streets in the District, which will be repaved (fully or partially) over the coming months.

Collins-Aikman Drive Fitzgerald Avenue Corry Drive Foxborough Road Creemore Drive Grace Lane Cricketwood Lane Grenelefe Village Road David Cox Road Hampton Church Road Denson Place Hellebore Road Dervish Lane Henbane Court Duncan Avenue Hood Drive Faires Farm Road JW Clay Blvd Fellowship Drive John Adams Road Leaves Lane Maple Street Monteith Drive Neal Road Old Coach Road Orr Road Penninger Circle Periwinkle Court Rocha Court Rocky River Road Spring Lane Univ. Executive Park Drive Wakerobin Lane Whispering Oak Drive Woodwind Street Wyndham Pointe Drive

Farm-to-market road projects
I led an effort to secure funding for the planning and design phases for the widening of the following farm-to-market roads: Johnston-Oehler Road and Back Creek Church Road. I’m continuing to work with staff to identify
funding for construction.

Public Safety
Our police divisions continue to see improved crime numbers. The University City Division has seen a dramatic drop in incidents. I am also pleased to report that for the first time, the University City Division is almost fully staffed at 95 officers. We are continuing to work to identify resources to fully staff each division.

Michael D. Barnes
michael@barnesdistrict4.com Cell 704 509-6141

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Need Extra Tables & Chairs for Family Gatherings & Yard Sales?
Contact Bernie Samonds (704 806-3813 deritarep@aol.com ). 8ft. folding tables, $5 available to rent. Folding metal chairs, 50 cents each. Call now to reserve them. Liberal pickup and return availability.

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Planning the Summer for Your Kids…

Derita Presbyterian Church Summer Camp
2230 West Sugar Creek Rd. For details, call 704 597-1122

June 11 - August 24th
---- Ages 5 - 13, $60 Registration Fee includes swimming fee, major field trips, insurance, supplies and transportation.

---- Weekly tuition: one child $85, two children $140., three children $180

---- Hot Breakfast and Lunch

---- Field Trips: NASCAR Speed Park (all), Lazy 5 Ranch (younger), Zuma Fun Center (all), LazerQuest (older)

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Oak Grove United Methodist Church
Vacation Bible School
July 19-23, 6pm - 8pm. Bible Lessons, Music, Crafts and Refreshments.

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Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church
101 West Sugar Creek Rd @ North Tryon St.

Vacation Bible School
Monday June, 15th through Friday June 19th, 6:30-8:30 pm

Adults are invited to attend the Adult Bible School Wednesday night and join us for VBS Friday night! For More information Contact 704.596.4466
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University City United Methodist Church
3835 West WT Harris Blvd. (corner of West Sugar Creek Rd.). 704-369-8000
www.ucumc.org

Winshape Camp June 29 - July 3Mon. - Thu. - 7:45AM - 5:00PMFri. - 7:45AM - 12:45PMRising 2nd - 7th Grade Cost: $169 per camperRegister: www.winshapecamps.org

Vacation Bible SchoolJuly 20 - 24, 9:00AM - NoonRising 4-year-olds - 5th GradeCost: $10 per childRegistration begins May 17
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Derita Athletic Association
Youth Football Camp --- Football & Cheerleading
Ages : 7 - 15 Place : Derita Football Field, 4920 W. Sugar Creek Road
Dates : May 30th June 13th June 20th June 27
Time : 9am - 1pm
Fee : Free !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Contact Mike Hamilton (980) 297-0265 or Cartina Belin (704) 299-6239 for Football Jennifer Whitener (704) 258-9456 for Cheerleading

Camp Highlights :- Superior Football Instruction- Players Carefully Grouped by age & ability - Skill Development Drills with Qualified Staff==========================================================

Football and Cheerleading Sign-Ups
The Derita Bulldogs Sports Ministry ("Mentoring Leaders of Tomorrow") is now holding football and cheerleading sign-ups for girls and boys ages 5-16. Limited spaces available. Sign-ups are Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 6pm at Nevin Family Barber & Beauty located at 5400-B Nevin Road. Training camp starts on Saturday, May 9th, 9 am - 1pm at the Derita Presbyterian Church (2230 W. Sugar Creek Road). Contact Lorenzo McDowell about sign-ups and registration by phone at 704.512.1806, by email at lorenzodriven@yahoo.com

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Remembering When . . . You Fly, I'll Buy."

Remember when CocaCola came in small glass bottles and the bottling company in each city had their name on the bottom of the container? You and a friend or co-worker (sometimes several folks) would each pluck a cold one out of the icy waters of the local drink box and turn the bottle bottom-side up to see which company imprint was farthrest away from Charlotte. Guy with the closest bottler paid for everyone. The game was called "Traveling."

Later years, when everything went can or plastic, "YF-IB" simply meant you'd buy a soda for whoever walked to the vending machine. I worked three summers as the Business Manager of Camp Grimes Scout Camp (and got a slightly bigger paycheck than the young Counselors working under me), so I was usually doing the "Buying" part.

Yes, "icy waters." We had a two-top blue horizontal Pepsi-Cola cooler back when I was growing up. Probably held 6 cases of drinks (6x24) in a neck-high pool of water circulated through a refrigeration until. Changed the water every
Monday morning and added a bag of ice to start the chilling. It was loaded with Pepsi, Coke, RC, Nehi strawberry-orange-grape, 7-Up, Upper 10, Tru-Ade, Brownie Chocolate soda, and my personal favorite Buffalo Ginger Ale
Remember when Dad swapped it in for the brand new Beverage-Air Nehi "water-less" drink cooler. Held twice as many drinks, but not near as cold. Then came the cans and those darn plastic bottles. Gosh, I don't think I've had a really cold soda since the 1960's. --- Bernie Samonds, Camel's Hump

Definition:
POP --- Yankee for Soft Drink in a bottle.
DOPE --- Southern for Soft Drink in a bottle.

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Your Questions and Some Answers

Q. I have a legitimate suspicion and I was wondering how I contact our specific neighborhood police about some drug activity in our community.

While 911 would be the most expedient way to report this (it creates a "paper trail" which might lead to a conviction later on), you can also email the Community Coordinators for our area instead.

Once alerted to your suspicions, they will ask patrol officers to be more vigilant and will likely increase "zone checks: (Police ride through's), if it seems that might help. But more importantly, they would share the information with their
drug enforcement (and probably gang) team who could check into your suspicions in depth.

Contact: AGiannini@cmpd.org, jwilson1@cmpd.org, mtravis@cmpd.org North Division
(kschul@cmpd.org), (rquiles@cmpd.org), (kbynoe@cmpd.org) North Tryon
(awatts@cmpd.org), (djohnson1@cmpd.org), (jmcgraw@cmpd.org) University
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Q. I have noticed recently that there is very excessive trash in the overgrown grass and elsewhere in front of the Food Mart (next to the Chilly Moose Restaurant). It looks terrible and is a definite blight on the Derita area. Any
possibility there can be pressure be put on this business to clean up their act? I think they could and should pay a young boy $5.00 – $10.00 a week to insure the area is clean. --- Mehl Renner, Forest Pond

We know that you have talked with Food Mart employees and left a message for the owner. We have put those same sentiments in a letter for the property owner (Sam Tsilimos). He is not generally the type person that would let a
situation get to the point that people would notice.

Littering is not an isolated problem. The residents along Allen Rd. South see it everyday and worse on weekends. Empty beer cans, wine coolers, soda bottles filled with half-smoked cigars to hide the MJ smell on their breath & clothing, burger wrappers, and empty KFC buckets appear on front lawns and in ditches --- all cast off by thoughtless drivers, rather than use their garbage can at home. It's a bad habit that needs to be broken.

As a long time Scout leader with a Troop that traveled frequently, my Assistants & I faced the problem head on. We always kept a trash can on our troop bus. If we saw a empty can or candy wrapper tossed out an open window, we found a spot, pulled off to the side of the road, and parked while the offending Scout walked back to retrieve his trash. He was in "double jeopardy" I guess you would say. There was the punishment of retrieving his trash and then the peer pressure from other boys who had been left sitting all that time in the bus.

Off the subject --- But let me tell you about the "Horn Blows 3 Rule." Making a pitstop for gas, a burger at McDonalds, a little souvenir shopping or just prying the guys away from the occasional arcade machine --- Getting everyone back out to the bus and ready to go can be a major undertaking. We solved it with the verbal warning ("Heading to the bus, Guys!"), a moment for the driver to settle in, buckle up, and start the engine. The bus horn blows three times distinctly. The door closes and the bus pulls away. Once had three older Derita Scouts chase us on foot for a full city block in Arlington, VA, before we stopped for the red light. The story spread and it almost never happened again.
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Q. I seem to have misplaced the Farmington Web page and also our presidents name and email identity. Can you help?

Your new President is Hester Kast-McClure and can be reached at
hkast@farmingtonhoa.org

Sorry, you missed the HOA's Annual Meeting (June 2nd), but you can
catch the latest Farmington news at http://www.farmingtonhoa.org/
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Q. On my way home yesterday, I saw the CMPD, along with a Citizens Patrol car, and some other folks at the intersection of Nevin and Gibbon. Just wondering what was going on?

Scouting locations for Neighborhood Focus events. Because of the considerable amount of cut-through traffic on weekdays, they actually settled on Allen Rd. South @ Allen Rd. East. Family Missionary Baptist's big vacant lot gave them room to set up an awning, tables & chairs and park patrol cars.

On two mornings, North Division Officers greeted folks who stopped by, chatted about neighborhood concerns, and passed out coloring books & stickers for the kids. Even did some TV interviews.
http://www.wsoctv.com/video/19745593/index.html

Citizen on Patrol volunteers (wearing brightly colored vests) stood at the intersection distributing crime prevention tip flyers to drivers. Look for them in a Neighborhood near you real soon.
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Q. Our Neighborhood is having a problem with Door to Door solicitors. Our HOA has posted signs at each entrance, but it hasn't stopped people from ringing our doorbells. Is it okay to Call 911?

Ofc. Johnson (University City Division) says you should "always ANSWER the doorbell, just don't open the door to a stranger. Even with the door closed, they should be able to hear you say that your neighborhood does not permit
door-to-door soliciting and then ask them to leave.

YES, it is okay to Call 911 to report a Stranger in the Neighborhood ringing doorbells. Officers know that these CAN BE potential criminals checking to see who is at home and who is not. They could be just a quick kick from
smashing in your door or calling on their accomplices to help.

CMPD can not arrest someone for soliciting, but they can question them, check their ID and permit, and urge that they move on. You and your friends can be equally effective by refusing to buy from door-to-door salespeople,
no mater how moving their story might be. When a neighborhood is not producing sales, true salespeople are smart enough to move elsewhere.


Ofc. Sukie (University Division) reminds you not to leave items of value in plain view in your car. Not just your Ipod, cell phone or laptop. CMPD has recently responded to Theft from Vehicles where locks were jimmied or windows broken for just pocket change left lying on the dash. . . It only takes an experienced thief 17 Seconds to enter a locked vehicle, take what he wants and then move on to the next vehicle.

Don't hesitate to Call 911 to report a Stranger lingering around the parking lot or vehicles parked in your neighborhood.
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Visit our Derita Reporter photo archive for a trip down Memory Lane.
http://community.webshots.com/user/DeritaReporterArchive


Derita Demons Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=62450135238


Allen Hills Swim Club Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=48889849214


I grew up in Derita Facebook Page
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=48889849214


Derita Historical Archive Blog
http://deritahistoricalarchive.blogspot.com/


RibbonWalk Forest Photos
http://community.webshots.com/user/deritadsrco

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Today's Funny: (From our FREE Friday Funny E-Mail
Send us an email if you'd like to receive it.

THE BADGE

An RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) officer stops at a ranch in Alberta, and talks with an old rancher. He tells the rancher, 'I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs.'

The old rancher says, 'Okay, but don't go in that field over there.'

The RCMP officer verbally explodes saying, 'Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me.'

Reaching into his rear pants pocket, he removes his badge and proudly displays it to the farmer. 'See this badge? This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish . . .on any land. No questions asked or answers given. Have I made myself clear???? Do you understand?'

The old rancher nods politely and goes about his chores. A short time later, the old rancher hears loud screams and sees the RCMP officer running for his life chased close behind by the rancher's bull. With every step the bull is gaining ground on the officer. The young officer is clearly terrified.

The old rancher throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs..... 'Your badge! Show him your Badge!!' --- submitted by Deborah Rowe

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