There will be an all-community GMPOA meeting held at the community center on Wednesday, April 3. We will be discussing the following:

• Right-of-way Hine Alley & Kentia Trail
• Options for water pressure problem
• Spring Clean-up- April 20
• Volunteer Group to organize a neighborhood watch
• Community Picnic/Cookout
• Community Center Roof
• "Lorton" vs. "Mason Neck"
• Gunston Manor Sign
• Bike Trail Update

Up to date member directories will be available.

The Easter Bunny will be coming to Gunston Manor Community Center on Saturday, April 6.

Anyone wishing to come with their children, or wanting more information, call Donna Granahan at 339-5745. RSVP’s are required so there will be enough goodies for all. Please reserve by Wednesday, April 2. You may do so at the Community Meeting that evening as well.

• GMPOA newsletters will now be arriving via mail. If anyone does not receive their next one by July 1, please call Penny at 550-2374.
• There has been a lot of sign vandalism lately. Pam Bement has made calls regarding this. If you notice any new vandalism, please let any board member know - Thanks!
• Tony Bement and a few others have been experiencing difficulty with their telephone lately. Our area is badly in need of new cabling, so we encourage anyone experiencing difficulty, to call Bell Atlantic at 611 if you are experiencing difficulty.
• Mason Neck State Park is looking for volunteers. There are enough opportunities for everyone’s skills, including being a canoe guide. Call 550-0960 if you can help.
• Mason Neck State Park will also be offering special sea kayak instructional trips as well as educational tours.
• The Mason Neck Citizens Association is requesting issues that are of interest to all on Mason Neck.
• Gunston Partners Program conducts volunteer tutoring for area children on Tuesdays from 7-8 p.m. For more information call Diana Rock, 550-8277.
• The Lorton Community Action Center needs volunteers.
• Penny would like help getting ads from local businesses for the newsletter. Call 550-2374 if interested.
• If your ditches need cleaning, call Jimmy Simmons, Fairfax Co., 339-5556.
• The police have been contacted by a Gunston Manor resident regarding syringes found on the Community Beach
• Anyone wanting to add anything to the agenda for the April 2 meeting, call Mike Smith at 339-0674.
• Deadline for entries in the next newsletter: June 15

Two years ago we experienced a rabies scare when a resident’s dog, which had not been inoculated, was found to have had rabies. The result was that several teens in the neighborhood who had been in contact with the dog had to have painful and expensive series’ of rabies shots.

In fact, the Fairfax County Animal Control stated recently that rabies are posing a growing problem. With 300 reported cases in animals last year and 446 people treated after possible exposure, the authorities remind pet owners that their pets be leashed or enclosed to keep them from wildlife, particularly raccoons. “Raccoons are normally nocturnal, so if you see one in the daylight, odds are the animal’s sick, and it could have rabies.”

Pam Bement mentioned that Petsmart at both Potomac and Springfield will innoculate your pet for rabies for $5.

Meeting notes are published in each newsletter to help community members keep abreast of the issues of the community. All Board Meetings are open meetings. The next GMPOA meeting is Wednesday, April 3, at 7:30 p.m. at the community center.

February 20

• The post office will not allow us to deliver the newsletters either in or on mailboxes. After discussing the possibilities of getting the newsletters out, the board has decided that the newsletters will be mailed and the proceeds for the production and mailing will come from ads and the GMPOA treasury. Because of this, the newsletter will be published quarterly rather than bi-monthly
• The board decided that a title search on the roads in Gunston Manor is needed to determine right of way.
• Ffx.Co. does not maintain right of way at the end of Mt. Vernon Blvd. The board is looking into seeing if the Public Works will clear the wood off the right of way.
• Bets Byrne reported that gifts had been given to Lorraine Buglia and the Newcombs on behalf of the community.
• Mike Smith reported that the Ffx.Co. Water Authority has finalized the draft on the water pressure report. They are not sure if they will act on the recommendation of that report.
• The board resolved to check on the fire hydrant situation as there are only two in Gunston Manor.
• Tony Bement reported that Marsha Hansen and Gerry Hyland are aware and working on the water pressure issue.
• The Gunston Manor sign needs to be redone. It was decided that the matter will be discussed in the upcoming April 3 meeting.
• The fire department report on the Newcomb fire indicated they could not pump from the river due to “no reasonable access.” They have suggested that if Kentia Trail was graveled appropriately, they could have accessed.
• The estimate on roof trusses was $3000.
• Bets Byrne reported $3000 in the treasury.
• Peter Weyland is experiencing leaks onto his inventory from the community center roof.
• A letter will be written re: the development across the river at Indian Head, MD

March 20

• Beria Klein received a letter from Gerry Hyland’s office regarding her request to put in a driveway via Hine Alley and Kentia Trail. In the letter, Mr. Hyland responded that permission from GMPOA was first necessary.
• The board discussed having a title search done on the end of Mt. Vernon for the purpose of determining ownership. If this is approved, we will survey first.
• A discussion involved improving Jasmine Trail with gravel for fire dept. access in case of fire. Tony Bement will check on whose responsibility Jasmine Trail is.
• The windows in the Community Center need repair. Mike Smith suggested plexiglass casement with putty. He also suggested that Harry Minor may donate.
• The estimate for removal and replacement of the existing roof is $7600 and $8500. This estimate is if we use the same roof design.
• The next Board Meeting will be on April 17.

This quarter ’s Good Neighbor Kudo goes to Kevin Black. Kevin helped the Virginia Sauers tremendously during the snow.

If you are the recipient of any neighborly good deeds (or hear of any) please call and let us know! 550-2374.

Recycle all that clutter! Clean out your attic, garage, and closets and make some CASH!! "Yard Sale" Ads are .10 a word

For Sale

Gas Grill - in good shape. Two side shelves, propane tank on a rolling cart with a vinyl cover. $40 OBO. Call Tony at 550-7598 after 6:30.

Lighted Hardwood Hutch - with glass shelves and stained pine "stand." Suitable for family room. $60 OBO. Call Tony at 550-7598 after 6:30.

Wanted

Small microwave - real basic in good working condition for an office space. Call Penny at 550-2374.

Small refrigerator - dorm size refrigerator for an office space. Call Penny at 550-2374.

April 3: GMPOA All Community Meeting

April 15: Taxes Due!

April 20: Gunston Manor Community Day Cleanup

April 20: The Heritage Fun Run at Mason Neck State Park from 7:45 a.m.- 12:00p.m. (contact Gunston Elementary School office)

April 27: Operation Spruce-Up Day at the Mason Neck State Park from 9a.m-1p.m. Call 550-0960

The GMPOA newsletter is on the Internet thanks to the generosity of Peter Weyland and Whole Systems Design, Inc. This issue is the first to go up on-line.

Anyone who wishes to access the newsletter on-line instead of receiving it by mail, please let Penny know at PMPOTTR@aol.com. It will be greatly appreciated as it will save money in postage, printing, and paper.

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Logo artwork by Derek T. Havens. Visit Derek's Home Page