September 2022

Dear VI Residents:
 
We are well into hurricane season, and so far, so good!  Although we have avoided any significant storms  this year, please don’t let your guard down yet and continue with your hurricane preparations, particularly for the many new residents of VI. 
 
As we transition into fall, the VIHA Board wants you to know we have a jammed packed few months to close out 2022.  Here is a glimpse of some of the “happenings” in VI that I hope you will be able to participate in:
 

• “Stuff the Bus” Food Truck Friday September 16 Hosted by Brooke Palmer and Craig Kuhl at 2020 Carolina Ave. Drop by between 6 and 9 pm to socialize with your neighbors and bring some school supplies to “stuff the bus! If you’ve ever attended one of Brooke and Craig’s events, you know they know how to throw a party! 

 

• VI Night at the Trop, September 23.  Come and support the Rays with your neighbors as the Rays try and lock down a playoff spot in the final home series of the 2022 season on the road to another World Series appearance.

 

• VIHA General Meeting – September 29.  This will be an important meeting and I urge you to attend.  Agenda topics include:
  • The Amendments to DR 3 and 53 which passed by ballot earlier in 2022.
  • A discussion of which DRs should be targeted for revision in 2023.
  • A discussion of the factors which led the VIHA Board to terminate the management agreement with Qualified Property Management and the steps that need to be undertaken to ensure a continuation of the efforts to maintain VI as a highly desirable neighborhood.
  • Monthly Neighborhood Walks – Join us every fourth Saturday at 9 a.m. for a short walk in the neighborhood led by resident Janice Drinkwine in partnership with Healthy St. Pete.  Meet on the corner of Overlook and Grand Canal.
  • Oktoberfest Block Party October 29 –VI’s signature event will be back again this year at Kansas Ave. South 4-7 pm.  Music, activities for kids and food from the “Michigan Ave. Grillers” are the standards with more to come.  Please contact Julie Scanlon (jscanlon2048@gmail.com or 727-365-2211) if you would like to volunteer or you would like to be an event sponsor.
  • “VIHA Board in the House” Carolina South – November 10 – After a long delay, we’ll be kicking off a series of informal meetings between residents and the VIHA Board to hear your ideas on how to improve the quality of life in VI.  The first event will be held on November 10 at 1992 Carolina Circle for residents of Carolina Ave, South and Carolina Circle.  Additional events will be scheduled for other streets throughout the year.
  • Career Night – date TBD – We’d like to bring together the many talented professionals in VI and the many high school juniors and seniors and college students who could benefit from their guidance on career opportunities.

 
In addition to our primary role of enforcing the DRs, the VIHA Board continuously looks for ways to bring our community together and improve the experience of living in VI.  If there is an event or activity that you think would be appreciated by VI residents, please let me know and the VIHA Board will try and facilitate it.  Please note that all events are funded by donations and sponsorships, not by membership dues.
 
Speaking of the VIHA Board, we are always looking for new members who can commit some of their time and are passionate about improving the quality of life in VI.    Nominations for the 2023 VIA Board will open up on October 15 and run through November 30.  Board members will be elected by the VIHA members at the Annual Meeting in January 2023.  Please don't hesitate to contact me or another Board Member if you'd like to learn more about joining our Board.
 
Finally, I’ve stated this in the past, but it probably bears being restated.  As a waterfront community, we live in close proximity to one another and that can be both a challenge and a benefit.  Quite often I’ll get calls from VI residents complaining of “something” that a neighbor might be doing or not doing.  Although myself, or another member of the VIHA Board, will often place a call to see if we can reduce any friction amongst neighbors, I’d like to suggest having a conversation and seeing if you can come up with a resolution before escalating the issue to the Board.  Many times I’ve called a VI resident as a result of a complaint and the resident has said “I wish [my neighbor] had come to me directly without having to bother you!!!”
 
James Fuchs, our VI Community Police Officer, has advised that vehicle break-ins have been increasing in the neighborhoods around VI.  So far, he has not seen this trend in VI.  However, please remember to remove any valuables from your car and lock the doors, even during daylight hours.
 
VI is a great place to live.  Please let me know how we can make it better.
 
Thank you.
 
 Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org