Aiken Estates works to improve sense of community, involvement
5/16/2008 12:23 AM   0 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend

By APRIL BAILEY

Staff writer

When looking to improve living conditions in their community, residents in the Greater Aiken Estates area decided to take matters into their own hands.

A few years ago, a group of homeowners, led by Phillip Lockard, created the Greater Aiken Estates Neighborhood Association in hopes of creating a stronger sense of community involvement and rally more efforts to beautify the area, said Lockard, president of GAENA. Led by a board of directors, the volunteer association's primary focus since it began is to redesign the neighborhood's main entrance on Hitchcock Drive. The group's goal is to work together to make the neighborhood more attractive and appealing to prospective homebuyers, which will, in turn, keep property values up.

GAENA also works to promote the general welfare, safety, civic pride and community aspects of the area.

The association meets each month at Bethlehem Lutheran Church to discuss projects.

Along with beautifying their surroundings, members also work to alert City and County officials of issues that affect their neighborhoods. In the past, the group has gone before Aiken City Council to prevent businesses from moving into the area. GAENA operates under three committees, including a landscape committee, new neighbor welcoming committee and a neighborhood watch committee.

The association holds membership drives each year during March and September. Membership is $25 per household, which funds its activities.

Lockard said the association has sponsored several projects each year, such as neighborhood yard sales and cleanups. GAENA will hold a neighborhood yard sale on Saturday beginning at 8 a.m.

The association has about 90 homeowners who are members, but its vice president Bill Gassman said this is just the beginning.

"Our goal is to have everyone in the area involved in this," he said.

For more information, call Lockard at 649-0473.

Contact April Bailey at abailey@aikenstandard.com.

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