Mid-Hillside & Hillside East
Community Council News

April 2001

Agenda

O'Malley School Library
April 19, 2001

• 7:00pm Introductions and approval of May 2001 minutes
• 7:05 President's Comments
• 7:10 FCC report
• 7:15 Legislative Teleconference
• 7:30 Simonian Little League Ballfields/Abbott Loop Park presentation by Land Design North
• 8:00 Spruce Bark Beetle Forum
• 9:00 Adjourn

We meet at 7pm on the third Thursday of the month in the Library at O'Malley Elementary School on Rockridge off O'Malley. For more information see www.communitycouncils.org/hillside

Get involved ... it's your neighborhood!

This Month's Featured Topics at Your Community Council

DYING TREES GOT YOU BUGGED?

What's the status of the Spruce Bark Beetle infestation? What's the fire danger? Is your house safe? Does spraying help? What chemicals work and how high should you spray? Is there anything you can do?

At this month's meeting we'll have a forum on the Spruce Bark Beetle. Hear from representatives of the Alaska Cooperative Extension Service, Municipality of Anchorage, Fire Department and tree service businesses.

500 LITTLE LEAGUERS ARE LOSING THEIR FIELDS! WHERE SHOULD THEY GO??

The Simonian Little League has been playing for decades on fields near Manoog Trailer Park off Lake Otis. The land they play on has been sold and they must start preparing a new field this summer.

The search for a new location has been going on for several years. The Anchorage Department of Parks and Beautification has contracted out the search for a new location for the fields to Land Design North. At this meeting, LDN will present a "short list" of possible sites.

Also speaking will be representatives from the Simonian Little League and from Friends of Far North Bicentennial Park. Both groups have been looking for a new location, but with somewhat different motivations.

This case brings up many issues. Should land in Bicentennial Park be used for ballfields? Is it a city responsibility to provide facilities for Little League? What role should Anchorage's schools play? What does the new Comprehensive Plan tell us?

Let the planners know what you think about this!

Hillside Area Road News

O'Malley Road Repave, East of the Old Seward Highway to Hillside Drive: Interim measure prior to implementation of the O'Malley Road Project. Project includes pre-leveling and overlay. Willie Van Nostrand, Project Manager, 269-0597.

New Seward Hwy at Dimond Interchange: Project includes construction of a loop in the southeast quadrant of New Seward Highway/Dimond Interchange. This loop will reduce congestion on Dimond Blvd by eliminating the need for northbound New Seward Highway traffic to make a left turn onto the access ramps at a traffic signal. Willie Van Nostrand, Project Manager, 269-0597.

The East Anchorage Transportation Study: This study includes alternatives for getting to the Hillside area. Should we build more roads? Get more out of the roads we already have? We'll have comment sheets and information at the April Meeting. See www.hillsideroads.com .

IS REDISTRICTING IMPORTANT TO YOU?

With the new census out, Alaska has until April 18 to draw the boundaries for new political districts. If you're not worried about this issue, read the excerpt from Con Bunde's email!

The lines for the State Legislature will be drawn before our April meeting. Send your thoughts to the redistricting board.
Contact them at (907)465-4637 or FAX to (907)465-5094 or e-mail to: board@alaskaredistricting.org.

Excerpt from an e-mail from Representative Con Bunde 4/6/01

Dear District 18 Residents:

... Hillside residents need to testify against the Assembly's proposed plan to place Rabbit Creek, Glen Alps, and Bear Valley into a Prince William Sound district. ...

* This effort may be an attempt by the Assembly to lessen the influence of the Hillside in the affairs of Anchorage...

Sincerely,
Con

Mid-Hillside & Hillside East community Councils

Meet April 19 at 7pm at O'Malley Elementary School

See you there!