2008 Assessment letters, copies of the 2007 financial statements and a batch of other items will be mailing out at the end of this month. We're compiling a number of things so it's taking a little longer to get everything out.

We will also be posting 2007 related documents here on the website for future reference as well.

A quick update from the police department -- the village recently installed a camera system in our neighborhood (it's on a pole at the intersection of Green and Green Trails by the front park). It was put in place to monitor the burglary situation in the area. The camera is portable, and they move it throughout the Village when the situation dictates. The information can be reviewed by Detectives in the event we have another burglary. Fortunately no other burglaries have been reported, since the pre holiday ones.

(Snipped from the Village of Woodridge E-Newsletter, subscribe at: http://www.vil.woodridge.il.us/ )

Woodridge Police Offer Safety Tips to Deal with Door-to-Door
If you are approached by a door-to-door solicitor, the following tips will help keep you and your family safe:

• Follow identify theft prevention guidelines by never giving credit card or a check to anyone who solicits you that you do not know. It is often very difficult to determine if a door-to-door salesperson is legitimately representing an organization or charity.
• Whenever possible, look through a side window or peep hole before opening the door.
• Never open the door to someone you do not know. Remember, you are not obligated to open the door to a solicitor.
• Make sure to teach your children what to do if they are alone and someone comes to the door or is looking through windows.
• If you do not know a solicitor at the door, say, "No thank you" through the door and walk away.
• Do not be drawn into conversations with solicitors through the door. Responding or allowing a conversation to happen may encourage a solicitor to stay.
• If the solicitor does not leave peacefully, Call 911.
• Watch where the solicitor goes next and notice what they do. Look for suspicious behavior such as looking in car windows, testing doors for locks, or entering back yards.
• Call your neighbors and warn them to also watch for suspicious activity.
• If you notice any suspicious behavior, please call the Woodridge Police Department.

Remember that the Village of Woodridge licenses solicitation. If a solicitor approaches you that is not carrying proper identification, call the police. No solicitation notices are available through the Woodridge Police Department and can be requested by calling (630) 719-4745.

We kicked off the year with our first association board meeting last night. Minutes will be posted soon but our new board members are:

Alex Bratton -- President
Bruce Wollensak -- Vice President
Laurie Smith -- Treasurer
Cathie Bucek -- Treasurer apprentice
Shawn Arbid -- Landscaping

Our next board meeting will be held at:
Foot & Ankle Wellness Center
3540 Seven Bridges Drive, Woodridge
(the building south of ColdStone & Starbucks)

We have a bit more information on the recent break-ins. Please keep an eye out and report any suspicious behavior or vehicles to 911, even if it doesn't match the details below.

"The suspect is described as a Male/White 25-30 years of age, 6'0 190lbs , brown hair with acne scars on face. A suspicious vehicle was seen in the area described as a red Mitsubishi, possible an Eclipse."

There have been break-ins and attempted break-ins in the last 2 weeks in our neighborhood during daylite hours. In one instance the suspects were a white male and a black male working together (we're working on getting additional information).

The police ask that we make sure to lock all doors and windows and to keep garage doors closed. Also, please occasionally take a look out your windows and pay attention to who's driving/walking by.

Please be alert and report anyone suspicious to the police by calling 911 (someone seeming out of place, someone peeking in windows or banging on doors). "Don't try to talk yourself out of calling the police" -- Kevin, Crime Prevention Officer. If in doubt, call 911 and they'll check on whomever seems out of place and make sure things are as they should be. Being cautious is nothing to be embarrassed about.

The police have stepped up their patrols of our area and are also using unmarked regular cars to patrol (and they actually like it if someone calls 911 to report them driving around as suspicious as it shows that the neighborhood is paying attention).

We will be getting more timely information from the police department in the future and more quickly get this out to everyone.

--Alex Bratton

Neighborhood Crime Bulletin from Woodridge Police
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The Woodridge Police Department is investigating 2 residential burglaries and two attempt residential burglaries that have occurred in your area during the past four weeks.

The crimes have been occurring during the daytime hours.

If you have any information related to these crimes, please contact the police department at 630-719-4740 and ask to be directed to the Detective Division.

The police department requests that you be alert to any suspicious activity occurring in your neighborhood.

Report your observations to the police department immediately by calling 911.

Please remember to make sure all doors and windows of both your residence and vehicles are secured.

I am a resident of Seven Bridges who is serving on a Citizen’s Committee with the DuPage Forest Preserve. Our committee was formed to make suggestions on the future use of the Greene Farm barn and adjacent Oak Cottage (white house to the east of the barn). This property has great historical significance and was once a very successful dairy farm. In addition, the Greene family was prominent in the area and gave a great deal of property to several local groups for their use. The Forest Preserve has owned the farm property since the late 1960’s. When Bill Greene sold the land to the Preserve, the Greene family imposed a condition of purchase. It was stipulated that the farmstead be used for “cultural, educational, historical, and recreational activities for the public.”

The DuPage Forest Preserve seems ready to made good on this promise by exploring possible uses for the barn and cottage. The purpose of the Citizen’s Committee is to provide public input before a decision is made. Obviously, a great deal of restoration will have to take place at first. However, we need to form a vision of the future of the property before restoration talks can begin. Keep in mind the objective of the Citizen’s Committee is to preserve the property, restore the buildings, and create uses for the land that meet the stipulation above.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!
What kinds of activities would you like to see take place at the Greene Farm property? Please give me your input by email at hmlamarre@comcast.net or by telephone at 630-369-0370. I believe Seven Bridges input is extremely important because of our close proximity to the land. We have a slice of history right across the street. What would you like to see it become so families could enjoy it even more than just a Christmas photo backdrop?

Thanks for your help.

Helene Lamarre
Chick Evans Lane

We need to add 2 new board members for next year (we have 1 retiring board member and have expanded the board by a seat) and we need your help. In particular we need help in the social director and vice president roles (both of which are great opportunities to meet other residents, make a difference in our community and have fun doing it). Please note that being responsible for the social activities is different from running them all -- it means working with other volunteers to help make things happen.

Board members commit to one meeting per month as well as tackling their piece of the overall plans (usually a few hours a month) for a 2 year term. Many of us are enjoying contributing so much that we'll have 3rd and 4th year members on the board next year (a good group to learn from) and even our retiring member is staying actively involved helping with efforts.

We will be voting on new board members with ballots that will be coming out in mid October so we need commitments of those interested by 10/12.

Please contact Alex Bratton (vicepresident@mysevenbridges.com or 630.677.5000) for more details on what being on the board means, to volunteer or for a verbal arm twisting session.