Posted from A. D. on 05-22-08
I would like to say that I agree that we are all responsible for keeping our lawns mowed and our pets in our yards or on leashesl.  I also think that sitting in a driveway drinking beer and playing loud music is disruptful and not a good impression for our neighborhood.  We need to work together if we want to keep our homes and not fight with each other.
I hope that everyone understands that what you do in your yard in public view does impact the neighborhood.  Please keep everyone in mind
A. D. Broken Arrow, OK
Posted from M.W. on 05-25-08
About the music comment - This is taken straight from the City Ordinances of Broken Arrow..
(5) For purposes of this section, the creation of any of the above noises between the hours of 10:00 PM and 7:00 AM Sunday through Thursday and the hours of 11:00 PM and 7:00 AM Friday and Saturday in such a matter as to be plainly audible at a distance of 50 feet from the exterior of the building.
Structure or Vehicle within which the sound originates shall be prima facie evidence of a violation of the section.  However, the fact that the above noises were created between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM Sunday through Thursday and the hours of 7:00 AM and 11:00 PM Friday and Saturday is not a defense to prosecution under this section.
Posted from ELK on 07-25-08
Hi Phil.  You don't know me but I am sensitive to your cause.  The oppressive way eminent domain is being used against your community is socialism at its worst.  This is exactly what George Mason was afraid of when he helped our forefathers script the Constitution, the Declaration of Independence, and the Bill of Rights
ELK / Systems Analyst
Posted from Susan on 07-25-08
I don't live in Camino Villa but find what the City is trying to do is unethical.  It appears that they are trying to use the "Blighted" factor to take care of their failings.  If the area is against code enforcement why hasn't the City enforced it?
Had the City done their job the area might not have come to this point.  The City first lures the homeowners into being admended into the City, then has the area blighted so they can take the property to do their bidding.  It's almost like taking candy from babies.  Why do we need a new road.  71st Street should be sufficient.  We have commercial property on 71st Street right at the entrance that has been vacant for years.  We also have a vacant Wal-mart building on the corner of 71st Street and 193rd E Ave.  Why can't Wal-mart use their existing building?  I for one do not think we need another Wal-mart.  When they retire from that area, are they going to leave it vacant as well?  The City should be after the slum lords in the area.  If they imposed fines and penalties on the slum lords, the area probably wouldn't be considered blighted.  I know of disabled people living there in Camino Villa that would have no where else to go.  They own their homes and their property and live on a very low fixed income.  Somewhere around "$600.00 to $700.00" per month.  Their homes are nice and have been kept up by themselves or their family members.  The City should not be able to come in and disrupt family like this  Since when is it a crime to be poor or old?  We all need to watch this very carefully and ensure this does not happen.  If it does we can all sit back and see whom the City goes for next. 
Susan of Broken Arrow, OK
Posted from Paula on 07-27-08
To the residents of Camino Villa / The outrageous behavior of the City of Broken Arrow towards you is a disgrace.  To no enforce codes prior to trying to oust you, is nothing but indifference.  Then to try to declare the entire park as blighted is laughable.  It more than hints to rumors heard previously about deals made under the table by developers and those in office.
I wish you luck in your fight. 
Paula of Broken Arrow
Posted from Renne V on 08-15-08
I am ashamed of my own City that I was raised in.  I just can't believe how uncaring they are for their residents.  Have you noticed they will bend over backwards to get businesses in, but the only time they'll bend over backward for their residents is when they want to get rid of them?  It's Sad.  I'm really glad you guys have a website, now.  I wish that I'd known about it sooner.  I just passed the link around to a few people that I know.
Best wishes regarding the neighborhood.  That neighboorhood will always hold about 20 years of my life in its history.  It's VERY special to me
Renee'
Posted from Rita B on 08-20-08
Hi Residents of Camino Villa.
Blight:  1).  Disease that cause plant to stop growing.  2).  Insect casue plant Disease.  3).  Anything that destroys or ruins hopes or aims.
4).  To cause to wither or decay.  Camino Villa is ruining the City's hopes and aims!  No BA (it's inappropriate choices to benefit themselves) is the disease to the Citizens of BA Families as they destroy units of neighborhoods.
I am not a resident but am a Citizen of BA.  Therefore I have an invested interest in what happens to your Blighted Neighborhood.  Yes, Neighborhood!  I fell the city is doing this BECASUE of WAL-MART ( or is it just coincident it happens about the same time).  The first things I learned and spoke of at a City forum at the Main Place and mentioned in the 90's when they began to speak of growing was NOT to let the existing areas go astray.  BA will venture outward in growth but watch out not to create pockets of ghost retail buildings (like big cities have) and unwanted crime areas.  Wal-Mart does leave these ghost retails and guess what?  Wal-mart will NOT clean up their BLIGHTED ghost retail sections!  It is blighted because people use that area for car lots, parking, unwanted socializing etc.....  It is decaying from its original purpose!  Blighted is NOT what Camino Villa is when its original purpose still exist and that is being a Neighborhood?  Your neighborhood is not abandoned and left to wither away...it has families both young, old, disabled, educated, uneducated, etc.... and SO DOES MY NEIGHBORHOOD! BA annexed your NEIGHBOORHOOD and now that Wally is Speaking, they are listening (when Wally Speaks BA Listens).
BA is focused on growth totally and not on family unity.  Yes, so are many other cities but why do we brag about this small town spirit in a big city environment but treat families as if we are decaying?  WE are the purpose of the City and should and have always been now and forever!  BA is worried that if that "STREET" does not go through YOUR Neighborhood or take it over then, they will loose people to shopping in Tulsa or other areas as it is just too, too far to go (71st and Creek but so many ditto shopping strips!).  HA! it won't hurt to drive and if you can not afford the gas carpool.
Did you know that if you buy a Mattress from Mathis Brothers in Tulsa that you are charged the Sales Tax from the city to which you live in???  BA wants $$$$$ so who doesn't?  So make a deal with any retail that our zip coes dictate where the tax of that sale goes.  Then perhaps we will not need to Blight out other areas for the sake of the almight dollar and let families choose the neighborhoods they want or can afford and LEAVE them alone.  They are not Blighted....they have not withered away nor has their Neighborhood!
Please go Blight downtown BA bars, ghost areas around town and how about the house two blocks from me that is falling down and grass above your head and yet no city response there.  What about the drug house that we, neighborhood, know exist and yet get no help from the City?  What about that family that is domestic abuse and yet no help...these are things that are withering not the neighborhood!
I have asked in a letter to the Editor when BA will be changing its name to WAL-MART, Oklahoma?  We will be the first Blighted City in the US or World!  Come on BA residents, look at the NEIGHBORHOOD of FAMILIES (one or more human living in their shelter) and not the condition as that is not the issue as we all have blighted areas and anyone of us can be wiped out for a Wal-Mart or other higher investment.  BA is where Opportunities Happens as our New Logo states so lets make THIS that OPPORTUNITY to say we, the residents are More important then a ROAD through an existing Neighborhood to an already overkill of retail!
STAND UP CITIZENS OF BROKEN ARROW
Rita B of Broken Arrow, OK