Seminars seek to improve neighborhoods

Prince William County, Va. - The annual Prince William Neighborhood Conference was once again a success.

The county, Manassas and Manassas Park put on a series of seminars Saturday at the Prince William County Government Center for those interested in improving their neighborhoods. It was the third consecutive year for the event.

Among the various topics discussed this year were parking, preventing crime through environmental design and the legal ins and outs of Homeowner Association violation notices.

County Neighborhood Services Division Chief Michelle Casciato said the conference is a great way for individuals to express their problems and come up with solutions among peers.

"[They learn there is] lots of unconventional resources out there…," Casciato said. "There are a lot of places to look for information."

"I got a lot of information that I plan on taking back to the management company and the community," said Stonewall Manor Estates resident Earmie Washington, who serves as her neighborhood's watch coordinator while her husband serves on the HOA board.

Each of the seven seminars was attended by a mixture of both HOA reps and those looking to be more involved in their respective communities. Several community organizations also participated, including the Dale City Civic Association, Citizen Corps, Habitat for Humanity, Lake Ridge Occoquan Coles Civic Association, Neighborhood Leaders Group, Prince William Clean Community Council, Prince William County Neighborhood Watch, Project Mend-a-House, Woodbridge Potomac Communities Civic Association and Volunteer Prince William.

During his talk on violation notices, Cardinal Management Group representative Tom Markell emphasized the importance of HOA leaders communicating with their residents to resolve a violation before citing them for it. He also said it's crucial to be thorough in investigations of potential violations lest residents think you may be playing favorites.

In her presentation on crime prevention through environmental design, Prince William police Officer Chara Hyduke used examples of lighting and landscaping and how those two items can make your home either a target or deterrent to potential criminals.

Washington said she tries to make her presence felt in her community through both her role as an informal traffic guard in her neighborhood and as the neighborhood watch rep, reminding folks about leaving their lights on to prevent crime.

This August, Stonewall Manor will participate in the National Night Out after missing the deadline to register last year, said Washington.

Neighborhood Services will have a variety of seminars and cleanups throughout 2010, including a free HOA Budget Workshop on April 7, a cleanup of the Dale City commuter lot May 1 and an HOA and Condo Leadership Seminar on Oct. 22. For more information or to register for one of these events, contact Neighborhood Services at 703-792-7018 or e-mail nsd@pwcgov.org.

Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-530-3904.