Author: Tracy Goldizen

Tracy Goldizen is the editor of the Neighborhood Journal. She has more than 15 years of experience in journalism, including writing and photography as well as serving as the editor of several magazine publications before joining the NJ staff. Her work has won several awards in Iowa. Contact her at tgoldizen@neighborhoodjournal.com.

On Aug.1, Northern Meadows residents gathered at Ed Uhrich’s residence to discuss issues regarding the Northern Meadows Property Owners Association. Multiple residents were in attendance, and most of the attendants have been in the area for more than 20 years. Many residents wished to remain anonymous because they fear retaliation from the POA. “Honor your contract, maintain the front yards like you are supposed to, that includes the gravel. Some of these houses have been here for over 25 years! Honor your contract … you can’t change the rules on convenience,” one anonymous resident said. “My two neighbors needed to…

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Northern Meadows resident Barbara Spetalnik says the community should meet privately to discuss issues with the Northern Meadows Property Owners’ Association. “I really think the neighbors need to get together and talk in private,” Spetalnik said, “and come to a consensus of what we are going to do about this board that is not complying with the court orders.” Neighbors must think alike because another Northern Meadows resident, Ed Uhrich, is hosting a meeting at his residence to discuss the Northern Meadows POA. “August 1, 7 p.m., I am going to have my own meeting back here,” Uhrich said. “We…

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Rejoice, Northern Meadows and North Hills residents. Love At First Slice, a pizza food truck, has a new home, and it’s right off Cherry Road. “Everyone has to drive ridiculous amounts to get food, and if we are a little help for a mom in the middle of the week, then that’s what we are here for,” co-owner Amanda Lennon said. Love At First Slice is located right next to Furniture 42 and Gnomad Coffee. The pizza food truck is co-owned by Lennon, Brian Brocksmith and Brandon Psomas. The three also co-own Gnomad Coffee. “It’s been in the works for…

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Rio Rancho resident Terri Smith says a neighbor refuses to return her dog. On June 21, Smith posted on the Northern Meadows Community Facebook page asking for help in locating her Yorkie named Khloe. “I think it was around early June when we lost her, around the 5th maybe,” Smith said. Smith let Khloe outside to use the bathroom in the backyard. However, when Khloe did not return, Smith went to the front yard and started calling her name around the neighborhood. Smith left to go to work and asked a family member to continue searching for Khloe. Smith then…

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Court documents from February 2022 show that Northern Meadows Property Owners Association practices go against the Northern Meadows’ Declaration of Protective Covenants and Building Restrictions, which was established in 1996. Resident Greg Pack took the Northern Meadows POA to court, and the court ruled in his favor by default judgment. However, he says, the organization is not following through steps the court laid out for it. “They charge people extra money for these services that the court has already ruled is their responsibility,” Pack said. “So there’s a possibility that there could be some other big issues because that would…

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More Loma Colorado crosswalks are scheduled for removal this month. After the removal of two crosswalks in the fall, three more will be removed as warmer weather moves in: at Meseta Court, Loma Vista Blvd. and Los Miradores Drive (east). The project started as a result of comments Loma Colorado HOA Manager Brand Hetherington made in October 2021 regarding speeding and pedestrian crossings in the area, Peter Wells, deputy city manager, said via email. The city responded by conducting a pedestrian crossing study “to assess the functionality of the crosswalks and viability for installation of Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons.” That…

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Sprng sports are about to get underway at Eagle Ridge Middle School. Tryouts for baseball and softball are set for next week: 3-5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15; 3:45-5:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 16; and 3:45-5:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17. Participants should dress accordingly as it may be could outside, and students should bring their own equipment such as gloves, athletic clothes, shoes and water. Players will be evaluated on skill level, fundamentals of the game understanding of the game and attitude. Eighteen to 25 players will be selected for each team. Baseball and softball are open to all grade levels at…

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Residents of the Meseta Vista section of Loma Colorado are in for a sweet treat on Valentine’s Day. Rosa Maria Lopez, operator of Rosa’s Sweet Treats, is hosting a Valentine’s Day bake sale from 1-5 p.m. Tuesday in the park by the Meseta Vista sign. “It’s just something I do on the side,” she said of her baking. She had a similar sale two years ago on Easter in an effort to get to know her neighbors after moving to the area. She made some really good friends from that experience, so she has decided to do it again. “I…

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