Minutes from the
Bellevue Civic Association
General Meeting
9-16-03

Lisa Harr, Vice-President led the meeting at the ACCA Temple

Dr. Mike Welch speaks about the West Nile Virus
The West Nile Virus causes fatalities in Blue Jays and Crows. The Culex Pipiens is the species of mosquito which carries the West Nile Virus (WNV) and prefers bird blood. It is the female who needs a blood meal in order to lay her eggs. If there aren’t any birds the mosquito will go for anything else.

The Culex Pipiens was found in Bellevue, breeding in the storm basins. Dead birds also found in Bellevue tested positive for the WNV. The city treated the storm basins in a method that kills larvae. Culex Pipiens does not reproduce well in temperatures under 85 degrees. Next Spring Bellevue’s storm basins will be treated again. Residents can help by preventing leaves and debris from going down the storm basins.

The Asian Striped mosquitoes (which is out in the daytime and bites ankles of humans) breed in downspouts, bottoms of pots, low spots in a boat cover, any place which collects a tablespoon or more of water. This species does not carry the WNV. It only has a 100 yard radius, so if you are being bitten by these mosquitoes you are probably breeding them somewhere in your yard.

The Culex Pipiens travels up about a half mile and has a life span of about 3-4 weeks. BUG TRAPS DO NOT KILL MOSQUITOS, yet they can kill bugs you want to have in your yard.

Quiz:
How many people died of the flu last year? 26,000
How many died of West Nile Virus? 280.

Only 1% of people who get bit by an infected mosquito get West Nile Virus.

Dr. Welch also warned of the latest predictions in Hurricane Isabel’s arrival. 50 -70 mile per hour winds, 6 to 10 inches of rain, hitting Thursday and staying 24 hours. Advised residents to put yard things away, use flashlights not candles, and to have 3 gallons of water per person per day.

Carolyn Raskin and Bob Cox of Westminster Canterbury (WmC) spoke of
projects and construction.
Annual Reports, "The Lamp" - a newsletter containing cultural events the neighborhood is welcomed to attend, and a map with the vision of the future sights of Westminster Canterbury were passed out or made available for those interested. In the plan is a state of art memory support center of 70 +apartments; 15 Assisted Living couples suites (825 sq. ft.) and singles with 2 rooms.

The Courtyard Villa will be complete in 2005 with 188 apartments averaging 1500 sq. ft. each; 22 houses created to fit the neighborhood, including false fronts on Westbrook Ave are sold out. These are independent living homes and will open in two years along with 210 independent living apartments (only 17 left). Also a 324 seat theatre designed to allow a person in a wheel chair options in where to sit as well as the pleasure of sitting with family and friends will be the last to be built. Bellevue residents will be welcomed to enjoy this theatre. The Tower maintains a healthy wait list 1000 people long. This project will more than double the size of WmC.

Libby Clark- Neighborhood Watch
75 blocks are covered. Updated current phone trees are needed and then the police can put news on an automated call system to call the captains. There has been increased crime in Richmond, but not in Bellevue.

The Voicebox is updated all the time and can be used to get current info by all residents. David Martin is Bellevue’s new police captain. A meeting will hopefully be held in which we can meet him.

Chris Sterling -Bellevue Patrol
Nov 13th Thursday night Patrol Meeting at 7pm. The police have been
doing a good job of responding quickly to patrol calls.

Jerry Bistline - Opening a coffee shop at 4015 MacArthur Ave
Jerry is a resident in Bellevue and is partnering with Tammy Rostov of
Rostov’s Coffee in Carytown to open a coffee shop in Bellevue. He hopes to open Nov. 1st. Send ideas for a name for the business to Jerry’s email jbistline@erols.com. This will be a neighborhood place with sofas and deli
food, a conference table for 8 -10 and child friendly too.

October 25th Joe Robertson leads clean up - needs volunteers to help

Oct 25th - Bryan Park celebration

Oct 31st - deadline for newsletter submissions

Nov. 15th Richmond Marathon - route goes through Bellevue - to volunteer contact Chuck Epps

January 20th is next meeting

June 13th Garden Walk

Lee Householder, Treasurer
Treasurer’s report available at www.bellevueweb.org
177 members of 1200 residents.
Efforts to double this will take place in January.
$5785.00 total
(Designated to General funds, Arch funds, and Security Patrol funds)
$900 outstanding in ad revenue