Holly Park Homeowners Association :: HPHA

Year In Review

• This year has been fantastic for the Holly Park Community!
  
  We have seen many positive changes in our community that have materialized due to the resolve of our homeowners, the resolve of our Civic Leaders, the unconditional support of Private Industry, and also due in great part to the personal sacrifice and commitment of our Volunteers.
  
  Here is my 2007 Annual Report.

SAFETY

• Installation of Stop Signs to Increase Child Safety at Cimarron Elementary – traffic circulating at a high rate of speed was observed on 115th Street between Van Ness Ave. and S. Wilton Place thereby creating a risk for those children crossing 115th Street. This issue was taken before Hawthorne Public Works Director Arnie Shadbehr and Hawthorne Mayor Larry Guidi. Recognizing the risk to the children, the issue of traffic control was fast-tracked before the Hawthorne City Council and a traffic control measure was unanimously approved. New Stop Signs were ordered and installed within 4 days of City Council approval, just in time for the start of the new 2007-2008 school calendar
  
  
  • New Stop Sign - a new Stop sign was installed on the corner of 115th Street and Haas Ave. making this intersection an All-Way Stop.
  
  
  
  • New Stop Sign - a new Stop sign was installed on the corner of 115th Street and Cimarron Ave. making this intersection an All-Way Stop.



• Neighborhood Watch Program - the Holly Park Neighborhood Watch program was reinstated to observe and report conditions or situations that may be conducive to crime. Our Association has received tremendous support from the Hawthorne Police Department and I must recognize the personal efforts of Sgt. Steve Romero for spearheading this program and guiding us to a successful start. I must also recognize Chief of Police Michael Heffner and Sgt. Robbie Williams for their individual and collective participation behind the scenes to make our Neighborhood Watch Program a success
  
  
  • Neighborhood Watch Walk-Throughs – the Holly Park Neighborhood Watch Members, accompanied by Hawthorne Police Officers, are performing unannounced community walk-throughs to inform our residents of our Community Policing Program and to take any report of conditions or situations that merit Police intervention
  
  
  
  • Holly Park Neighborhood Watch Program to be used as a template for other Hawthorne Communities – upon realizing the success of Holly Park’s Neighborhood Watch Program, the Presidents from Bodger Park, Holly Glen, Ramona Tract, and Holly Park met for first time on November 30th, 2007 – they wish to take the success of the Holly Park Neighborhood Watch Program and extend it to their communities

COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT

• Operation “Clean Sweep” – this community improvement program was implemented in Holly Park to address the illegal disposal of large, bulky items in our alleys. Allied Waste has partnered with Holly Park to address this issue by providing a large rear-loading waste management truck capable of digesting any large item found in our alleys. The City of Hawthorne, through the Public Works Department, is also cooperating in this task, providing Holly Park with staff, vehicles, and equipment to make this program a success
  
  
  • Operation “Clean-Sweep” kick-off – this Community Improvement Project began in September 2007 – members of the Association and members of Allied Waste covered the alley behind Atkinson Ave and the alley behind 115th Street
  
  
  
  • Operation “Clean-Sweep” November 2007 – this Community Improvement Project involved Allied Waste, Hawthorne Public Works and Association volunteers. This operation covered the alleys behind Haas Ave., behind Atkinson Ave and behind 115th Street
  
  
  
• Strict Enforcement of Residential Parking Ordinances in Holly Park – the Hawthorne Police Department is working closely with the Holly Park Neighborhood Watch program to enforce all Residential Parking Ordinances. As a result, Holly Park has regained its residential character, free of large commercial vehicles. A drive through our community will yield beautiful, open residential streets with ample parking and increased “Curb Appeal” of our homes
  
  • The enforced parking ordinances are:
    • No Overnight Parking for Commercial Vehicles (HMC 10.36.030, 10.36.060),
    
    
    
    • Repair of Vehicles on Public Streets Prohibited (HMC 10-36-160)
    
    
    
    • Use of Streets for Storage of Vehicles Prohibited (HMC 10.36.050)
    
    
    
    • No Parking of Recreational Vehicles on Public Streets (HMC 10.36.190)
    
    
    
    • No Commercial Vehicles Over 4 Tons on Residential Streets (HMC 10.56.010)


• Sidewalk Repairs – the Hawthorne Public Works Department is performing sidewalk repairs throughout Holly Park in response to previous requests of unsafe conditions caused by uneven walking surfaces. This is an on-going project and will continue as the City Budget permits. This community improvement project enhances the “Curb Appeal” of our homes, and increases the desirability of our community

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

• 2nd Annual Holly Park “Day at the Park” – in what is to become a summer-time Holly Park Tradition, Holly Park held its 2nd Annual “Day at the Park” with great success. We are very grateful to all those individuals and organizations that made this event possible. Notable mention goes to Mr. Joseph Wright for such a great job at putting this event together for all to enjoy



• 3rd Annual “Teen Challenge/Mayor Guidi Car Show” Fundraiser – Holly Park was present in the third installment of what has become a tradition in the City of Hawthorne. Holly Park ran a hot dog/chili dog/spicy link/soda stand that received great acceptance by the attending crowd. Our fundraising effort was a complete success, completely selling out by 1:45 pm. We must thank the individual efforts of our Volunteers Art Osborne, Paul Lowe, Melody Robinson, Faye Osborne, Scott, Olivia Valentine, and Jose Gutierrez



• Free Baseball Clinic – the Rotary Club of Hawthorne chose Holly Park as the venue for its 2nd Annual Baseball Clinic. The event was well attended by youths ages 9 through 13 who enjoyed a wonderful Saturday practicing an American pastime in the company of baseball pros and civic leaders



• Harrah’s Casino Trip – this turn-around trip to the Harrah’s Casino in San Diego County was held in October. It was organized as a fundraiser with all profits benefiting the Holly Park Homeowners Association. I’m proud to report that this event was a complete sell-out! Our appreciation goes out to Mr. Art Osborne for doing such a wonderful job in organizing this fun community event



• Thanksgiving Day “Operation Gobble” – working with Mr. Curren D. Price, Assembly Member for the 51st District, Holly Park Homeowners Association received a large number of Turkeys for this year’s Thanksgiving Celebrations. In turn, Holly Park distributed the festive birds to Atherton Baptist Church and Olivet Lutheran Church for distribution through their charitable channels. We must recognize and thank Mr. Price for his generosity and for his continued support of our Community

ASSOCIATION ADVANCEMENT

• Holly Park T-Shirts – Holly Park Homeowners Association T-Shirts were made available during the summer and will be available on a continuous basis. The t-shirts feature the Association name in bold blue letters on the reverse and small text and logo on the front. All Holly Park residents are urged to purchase a t-shirt to promote our Association at large Civic gatherings such as the Christmas Parade, Earth Day Celebration, Teen-Challenge Car Show and many other events that are scheduled throughout the year. It is also very important that all Residents wear their t-shirts as a display of solidarity when issues that directly affect Holly Park are discussed at City Council Meetings
  
  • I want to thank all of you that have already purchased a t-shirt. When we wear our t-shirts at civic gatherings, we let everyone know that we are proud Holly Park Homeowners!

FUTURE PROJECTS

• Tree Planting – new trees for Holly Park will be requested to replace those trees that have been removed due to age or damage, and to enhance those areas that have little or no trees Talks have commenced with Public Works and deployment should happen in Spring 2008



• Walk Path along 119th Street – many residents utilize 119th street as a walk path for their daily exercise. Talks with Public Works and City Hall are ongoing on finding the best solution that meets the needs of the Holly Park Community and that is also within the legal constraints set forth by CalTrans and the State of California



• Bleachers for Holly Park park – some time ago, the bleachers on the East Field were damaged as a result of a traffic collision. Talks are underway with the City of Hawthorne to get replacement bleachers installed



• Motorized Neighborhood Watch Program – Holly Park will take its Neighborhood Watch Program one step further by implementing a motorized patrol to work in conjunction with the Hawthorne Police Department – stay tuned for developments in 2008



• CalTrans Sound Barrier along 119th Street between Van Ness Ave. and Crenshaw Blvd. – it has been noted by many residents including myself that the sound barrier along 119th Street between Van Ness Ave. and Crenshaw Blvd. is not as tall as it should be to effectively shield the residences neighboring 119th Street from the freeway noise. Talks have commenced with a representative from the Office of the State of California Attorney General seeking direction on how to better approach and resolve this issue – stay tuned

CONCLUSION

• To conclude my report, I must recognize all of our supporters that make these wonderful things happen.



• I am very grateful for the strong support that we have received from the City of Hawthorne, the Mayor’s Office, City Council, City Manager, Public Works, Code Enforcement, Animal Control, and from all of the staff that works so hard to make the City of Hawthorne the jewel of the South Bay.



• I am also very grateful to the Hawthorne Police Department, Chief Michael Heffner, Sgt. Steve Romero, Sgt. Robbie Williams, and the Dispatch Officers for being so patient with us as we re-establish our Neighborhood Watch Program. I also want to thank the fine men and women of the Hawthorne Police Department for their visits to our Community - Our house is your house!



• I must give thanks to the many private organizations and private individuals that support our Homeowners Association. I want to thank them for listening to us, for believing in our Mission, and for supporting us with their generous contributions. Thank you Atherton Baptist Church, Olivet Lutheran Church, Allied Waste Management, Lee Homes, Curren D. Price, Rotary Club of Hawthorne, Lyons Club of Hawthorne, Hawthorne Cable Usage Corporation, BHS, and all of the private individuals that invest in our Homeowners Association.



• I must recognize all of our Association Members. Your continued support via Annual Membership Dues and Donations provides funds from which to pay for our monthly flyers, our web site, and our numerous community events.



• Lastly, I must give thanks to the engine that drives this Association – Our Volunteers. Throughout 2007, our volunteers have invested their free time to the advancement of our Community. We have all benefited from their personal sacrifice in the form of increased safety, increased community awareness of our Homeowners Association, and increased “Pride of Ownership” of our biggest life-investment, our home in Holly Park.



• It has been my pleasure to serve you this year, and I look forward to the challenges that 2008 will bring.



• Very truly yours,
  
  Jose C. Gutierrez, President
  Holly Park Homeowners Association