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Meeting Notes November 2025 WCA Meeting
Neighborhood Association Meeting Summary
Tuesday, November 18, 2025, at 5928 Morningside – Meeting Notes
Community Updates
- Henrico County Events: Yoga in the Park – Free! Caroline will explore Tai Chi, CPR/AED classes, and perhaps we can have the face painter for future events.
Treasurer’s Report
- Current Wells Fargo balance: $3,030.39.
- Reviewed preliminary 2026–2027 budget.
Events
- Halloween Recap: Trick-or-Treat Pre-party at Williamses was a success; Halloween 2026 falls on a Saturday—start time will be moved earlier.
- Holiday Decorating Contest: Need one more sign, candy, volunteers to judge. Tentative judging date: December 20. Jack will send organizational emails and secure a new sign.
- Cookie Exchange: December 14, 2-5pm more info to come
- Spring Events: Caroline to create a survey for ideas. Possible activities include Neighborhood Yard Sale, Spring Cleanup (Dumpster in Park), Spring Meetup, 10K Team, Art Walk/Garden or House Tour, Progressive Dinner.
Communications
- Welcoming Committee: Caroline reported on 10 bags delivered and we will now do this quarterly
- Web hosting fees to be paid from WCA account.
- Emily updating email and Facebook member lists.
New Business
- Discussion on WCA members outside traditional boundaries. For now, we will deliver welcome bags to those only within traditional boundaries, but others within reasonable distance who want to be involved, are welcome.
- Possible By-Laws revamp (to update 2006 version).
- Consider 501(c)(3) application.
- President and VP nominations for Annual Meeting.
Next Meeting
- Scheduled for February 23, 2026 at 7 PM at Emily Dunstan’s house (6011 S. Crestwood).
HENRICO REZONING & REDISTRICING
HERE IS AN EXAMPLE LETTER THAT YOU CAN SUBMIT – THE MORE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WE HAVE FOR WESTWOOD, THE MORE OUR VOICES AS A COMMUNITY WILL BE HEARD BY THE DECISION MAKERS ON THIS TOPIC
Here is the letter our concerns: Even if you don’t have children yet in elementary school, just delete the 2nd sentence. FYI, this does not include concern on how our home values will drop, because county does not factor that into their decisions!
I have reviewed the draft map options for the Henrico County Public Schools 2021 Redistricting Plan. I am a parent of a child in _____ grade, currently attending _____ School. Our current school feeder pattern is Crestview, Tuckahoe, Freeman. We have lived here for ____ years and we have a number of thoughts we would like to share with you.
I strongly oppose High School Option 1 that rezones Crestview from Freeman to Tucker for the following reasons:
Procedural Guidelines and Highway Split: The county promised to look closely at whether or not a highway splits through a school zone. This clearly did not occur with the Tucker rezoning draft option 1. A neighborhood directly north of Tucker High School was removed from the Tucker zone (Longan Elementary zone, which is only 1.3 miles away from Tucker High) and rezoned to a high school close to 5 miles away from them (Glen Allen) simply to allow the Tucker zone to have space for the Crestview Elementary zone. It’s very hard to understand how this helps any parents and students feel that they are part of this process as a human being instead of just a number. According to the procedural guidelines as listed on the Henrico County Public Schools website, “Major roads and natural boundaries will be used whenever feasible to define attendance zones”. I64 and Broad street are major roads which we would have to use or cross in order to get to Tucker (or else drive right by Freeman). The guidelines also state, “Efforts will be made to establish walking schools and reasonable walking zones where feasible”- no one will be able to safely walk or bike to Tucker from our neighborhoods. Meanwhile, there are already a number of students who bike to Freeman from our neighborhood now.
Diversity: Our corridor and neighborhood is a diversity feeder to both Tuckahoe Middle and Freeman High, which strongly and positively benefits both schools and our community. Our neighborhood and immediate surrounding area is very socioeconomically diverse. Crestview families live in houses, apartments ranging in rental prices from under $800 to well over $2000, and a number of families live in homes with extended family members. Crestview serves a large amount of free/reduced lunches (over 50%). Each year, Crestview Elementary holds and International Dinner, and guests attend from all over the county to be a part of this very special event/occasion. According to the National Center for Educational Statistics, close to 50% of Crestview students identify as non-white students. If Crestview stopped feeding into Freeman and started feeding into Tucker it would have a major effect on the diversity breakdown at those schools. Freeman High is a great opportunity for our Crestview students who may not have an option to attend a specialty center or another high performing school with a longstanding positive reputation like Freeman High. Removing this option and opportunity does the opposite of leveling the playing field for our students who may not have the same benefits the affluent students of Henrico County Public Schools already have.
Safety: The route to Tucker versus Freeman from the Crestview zone is not at all ideal. To get to Tucker, one must either cross or use major and very busy roads/interstates (Broad Street or I64), or drive down Three Chopt, which means students would drive past Freeman to get to Tucker. Traffic patterns down these roads that are already busy with commuters will be negatively affected, and the county will bear the responsibility of forcing inexperienced drivers (juniors and seniors who drive themselves to school) to commute to school on an interstate or major, busy commuter roads.
Community: Our community is bordered on the North by Broad Street- a major commuter road. Crestview family community and social interactions take place south of Broad- shopping, Tuckahoe YMCA, sports teams and activities, churches, swim clubs, etc. –all of this occurs in the Three Chopt to River Road corridor. Crestview Students are already making lifelong friendships with Tuckahoe Middle School and Freeman High School students. Rezoning our elementary school to Tucker would have a negative impact on our community and its cohesiveness. This option does not take into consideration students staying together from elementary through high school. Due to the proposed size/boundaries of Tucker, a significant % of middle school students will not continue to high school together. Further, this stands to have an even more negative impact on the large amount of ESL students Crestview has had the privilege of serving. Crestview prides itself on its diversity and attention paid to both students with learning disabilities and students who are learning English as a secondary language – expecting these students to attend a high school without the friends they have had through elementary and middle school seems out of touch and certainly not at all kind-hearted.
WILDLIFE IN WESTWOOD
PER COMMUNITY OFFICER, RICHARD MALLORY: Wild animals are indigenous to the area and an Animal Protection Officer will not pick it up because it is in the area. If the animal is showing signs of distress from an injury or acting abnormally then it might be picked up. If a wild animal of any kind is observed in the area the best advice is to leave it alone and let it move on. Animals will look for one of four things on a regular basis.
- Water
- Food
- Shelter
- Mating (seasonal)
This time of year many animals are looking for food or shelter. Do not leave food out for them. This would include pet food and trash. In my neighborhood we have many wild animals as well and they don’t cause problems unless encouraged to stay because easy food sources are available.
From WCA: Please do not approach, touch or feed these animals (FOXES AND COYOTES HAVE BEEN SPOTTED NEAR THE PLAYGROUND REGULARLY IN RECENT WEEKS) and keep your distance at least three meters away from them.
These animals, however, are susceptible to contracting rabies. If you see an animal growling at you, foaming at the mouth, or with open sores on their skins, vacate the area
immediately and call 911 (reporting the animal as potentially rabid to get prompt action).
Here are some pictures from Thursday (10th October) afternoon.
Keep Your Lights on to Keep Westwood Safe
Hello Westwood neighbors,
In last year’s WCA livability survey and focus groups, many residents requested street lights or additional lighting to enhance neighborhood safety. Our community’s security, especially after dark, is a prime concern for everyone. In the absence of street lights in Westwood, we can all contribute to the safety and security of the neighborhood by keeping our exterior lights and lamp posts (where applicable) on overnight.
Operation Night Light is being conducted in cooperation with Henrico County Police. According to Richard Mallory, Westwood’s Community Police Officer, “Operation Night Light encourages neighbors to watch for crime, but you can’t watch if it’s too dark to see. You can keep criminals away by turning on your outside lights at night. Lighting is a major deterrent to crime during the hours of darkness.”
Keeping exterior lights on will also help pedestrians walking through Westwood and provide better visibility for drivers. Motion-detector lights are an effective crime deterrent, but of little use to pedestrians and drivers in the neighborhood.
Cost-effective dawn-to-dusk bulbs have proven useful for some of your Westwood neighbors. If you’re interested in an example, click here for a link to one type of bulb available on Amazon.
If you’re already keeping your exterior lights on after dark, thank you! If not, I hope you’ll consider participating in Operation Night Light to help keep our Westwood neighborhood safe!
Sincerely,
Maria Holperin Terrell
President
Westwood Civic Association
History: Westwood Golf Club (1926)
Did you know the Westwood neighborhood was built on the former site of the Westwood Club Golf Course?
File Source for below was originally the Given Memorial Library but the link has recently been broken.
Original Course (1926)
Westwood Map (Today)
Map Overlay: What hole did you live on?
Traffic Safety Advisory
Increased traffic in the Westwood Community has brought with it more traffic incidents, and more concerns for pedestrian, bicyclist, and auto safety.
The following are suggestions from the Westwood Traffic Sub-Committee for increasing safety and awareness in our community:
To deter speeding of cars and trucks, bullying of pedestrians, cyclists, and other cars by drivers:
- Keep a pad and pen with you whenever you are out and record the offending automobile’s make and license number, and the date, time, location and nature of the incident
And/or
- Take a cell phone photo of the offending auto, making sure to include the license plate, date, time, location and nature of the incident
Report the above to our Westwood Community Police Office, Bob Augustine, of the Henrico County Police Department, at aug@co.henrico.va.us or 804-833-6474. The more incidents are reported the more a priority our traffic issues will become.
Other helpful suggestions:
- Pedestrians should walk on the left side of our roadways facing traffic
- Watch for vehicles traveling towards you at unsafe speeds/driving erratically
- Consider wearing reflective clothing while walking/biking to increase your visibility
- Refrain from walking on Bremo Road as it has inadequate shouldering and is deemed unsafe
- Observe the 25 mph speed limit when driving in Westwood and refrain from using digital devices or other distractions
- Carry your cell phone whenever you are out and about
Illegal Parking of Items, including vehicles with no or expired registrations, recreational vehicles, boats and trailers, commercial truck tractors and/or trailers, P.O.D.s, and other movable and immovable items parked in a front yard, driveway, at the curb in front of a house, or on the street. Reference Henrico County Code Chapter XXIV, Article V. – R-0, R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3, R-3A, R-4, and R-4A ONE-FAMILY RESIDENCE DISTRICTS; USES Sec. 24-11. – Principal uses permitted. This is available through the Henrico County website: http://henrico.us/countyattorney/municipalcode.
These, along with vehicles parked too close to a driveway, curb, etc., should also be reported to Officer Bob Augustine of the Henrico County Police Department at aug@co.henrico.va.us or 804-833-6474.
Shed Protection
Learn how to protect your shed with this helpful video from Henrico County Police: Learn More: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-0RV5qqIT8
Neighborhood Watch
Lock Your Car, Your Shed and Your House Doors and Windows.
Call Henrico County Police Non-Emergency number #501-5000 if you see something suspicious.
IMPORTANT RESOURCES
- If you witness a crime or see a suspicious situation, call #501-5000 for non- person events and #911 for person crimes; please do not be afraid to call the Henrico County Police for they are trained to help you prevent or investigate criminal activity.
- To access Crime Prevention and Personal Safety information and other Henrico County Police Division (HCPD) Community Services programs, see http://henrico.us/police/programs/brochures.
- To access crime alerts directly from HCPD, see http://twitter.com/HenricoPolice.
- To access additional crime-related information directly from HCPD, see http://www.FaceBook.com/HenricoPolice.
- For a free home security assessment by HCPD Community Officer Bob Augustine, contact Bob at aug@henrico.us.
SMART IDEAS
- Personal safety is common sense: if you feel uncomfortable in a situation, you are probably in danger; watch those around you; watch your surroundings; listen to your inner alert system.
- Avoid carrying your purse or attaché case in a way someone could grab it.
- Avoid placing presents or valuables in your vehicle in such a way someone could surveil them for possible thievery.
- Please lock your vehicle, even when you are in it; 85% (or more) of all Larcenies From Automobiles (LFA) in Henrico County are from unlocked vehicles; you can prevent auto theft and LFA.
- When you are home alone, keep your doors locked; do not open your doors for someone you do not know or cannot identify themselves; again, you can prevent a home invasion by not allowing the perpetrator inside your home.
- Although it is a good habit to back your vehicle into your driveway so you are facing forward when entering the street, it is an excellent idea to back into a shopping center parking lot so you can see more clearly when pulling out as you leave.
- With more students on the road during the Holidays Season, traffic becomes more problematic; be patient and remember that younger people are by their nature impatient and careless; go shopping or banking during the in-between hours (9:00-11:00 a.m. or 2:00-4:00 p.m.).
- Be more watchful on the roads of Westwood during the Holidays Season as more people and youth are in the Park and on the roadways; if you walk or jog in Westwood, please stay on the left side of the pavement facing traffic and near the edge of the pavement; if you bicycle, please obey the same rules of the road as vehicles.
- The Westwood Park is a County facility; no vehicles of any kind are allowed in the Park; domesticated animals are supposed to be on a lease at all times in the Park; the hours for the Park are Sunrise to Sunset.
Westwood Civic Association 