Stapleton HOAs have been extremely lenient since the inception of the committee at the beginning of the Stapleton Community. Residents have been allowed to own farm animals, build gazebos, have high fences, paint the trim on their houses, and even park motor homes in front of their homes for extended periods of time. All of this with the HOAs looking the other way. Not anymore, says new HOA president Kate Weber. “The HOA has been ignoring issues in Stapleton for far too long now,” says Weber. “The holiday season is the perfect time to start enforcing our rules. If we don’t have rules, the next thing you know people will have their cars up on blocks and we will look like a bunch of Missourians.” The Stapleton HOA handbook is about 1300 pages, and is organized by infraction types such as animals, paint, noise, vehicles, and yes, there is a Christmas section. “We are not trying to put a damper on the holidays,” says Weber. “We simply want people to decorate their homes in a way that will not offend anyone.” For a full list of holiday decorating rules, contact your block captain. Here are some of the key items:

• No colored lights outside of your home. Stapleton is a classy community, and only white lights should be used.
• No manger scenes. Although we all can agree there was a Jesus, his historical significance can hardly be agreed upon by all residents.
• No reindeer without antlers. All of Santas reindeer are males, and therefore, should be depicted accurately.
• No oversized outdoor bulbs.
• No lights on trees that have a diameter of less than nine inches.
• You must choose between flashing and non-flashing holiday lights. You may not have both.
• If your neighbors on either side of you put up lights, you must as well.

]]>

Nancy King and her husband Matt have been married for nine years now, with many of those years being unhappy ones. They have two children, Abi a six year old, and Andrew a four year old. They both love their children, and know that it is not healthy to raise them in an unhappy home. So why do they stay together? “We have realized that raising kids is a lot of work,” says Nancy. “As much as I sometimes despise Matt, he is good with the kids and is very helpful. I could never afford help like that if we were divorced.” [Read more…] about Stapleton Couple Staying Together “Because of the kids”

Parsons Construction is handling the construction on 29^th and Central Park Blvd. where a lot of changes are being made including tearing up the area to make way for stop lights. Drivers have been slightly inconvenienced because they have had to slow down a little, and have been forced to pay attention to the road instead of their phones. Runners have had to cross over from the median and run on the sidewalk for a few blocks until they could get back on the trail on 29^th Street. Parsons won the bid from the city and we are assured they are doing their best. The road work itself has not angered residents so much as the sign at the end of the construction project which appears to be thanking Stapleton residents. Jim Farrell is confused as to what the sign is implying. “Why are they thanking us,” asks Farrell. “We did not award them the contract. The residents didn’t vote for the project. Are they expecting a “your welcome” when we drive by?  I just don’t get it.” [Read more…] about Parsons Construction “Thank You” Sign Not Coming Off As Sincere