By SUE ELLEN ROSS – Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – When Linda Dumas bought her house in the Cambridge Subdivision, she liked the neighborhood, but there were a few things that didn’t sit right with her.

There were the auto repairs being conducted out of garages and some areas that needed general cleanup. “I wasn’t happy about this,” she said. But she saw the potential to beautify the area, and started to make plans for that goal.

She enlisted the help of resident Andrea Thomas, and the two ladies decided to see if they could re-start the homeowners association.

There had been an association in force years earlier, according to Dumas, but it had been idle for about 10 years.

The new Cambridge – Colony Homeowners & Concerned Citizens’ Association was born two years ago, and they have accomplished quite a bit. Their motto is “Get Involved In Your Community.” There are approximately 1700 homes combing the Cambridge & The Colony subdivisions.

Getting everyone involved in the cleanup and beautification of the subdivisions was, and continues to be, the top priority of the group.

“We have improved 80 percent in two years, and our property values have gone up,” said Dumas. She added that there is still a long way to go, but the association will not give up, and will continue to do their part by trying to motivate residents.

To that end, association board member Dawn Jackson and others have been brainstorming ideas.

Warren came up with idea of a pride report card. It is a personal flyer addressed to each resident, gently reminding them of areas on their property that are in need of repair or attention. “I didn’t want to embarrass anybody,” she said. “It was just meant as a reminder that we all need to do our part.” Information on the association’s annual cleanup effort this month was also listed at the bottom of the flyer.

Many people think the association is fighting a losing battle, according to Dumas, but said, “Even with a handful of members we can make it happen.”

There are specific covenants on file in the government building and the association requested copies to see what is covered by Code Enforcement rules.

“Our number one priority was, and still is, getting the neighborhood clean and upgrade the quality of life here,” said Dumas.

St. John Parish supports the group, they bring out the trucks and manpower during the twice-yearly clean-ups. Residents are asked by the association to do what needs

to be done to their property, and take the trash to the curb, where the parish trucks pick it up.

Pearl Gloston is a homeowner and landlord in the area. Involving the landlords, as well as the residents, is a concept she strongly believes in. They must realize that it is in their best interest to keep their property in good order, so the value will not decrease, she said. To that end, communication between them and the association is vital, she added.

Cambridge resident Rev. John Brown is one of the original 10 association members when the new group formed two years ago. Today, there are 50 members. “Everybody must work together for a better town – leaders, residents, the Sheriff’s Office and the churches,” he said “We need to pull together.”

In addition to the spring cleanup, the organization offers various forums during the year; a community garage sale; Night Out Against Crime; and fall cleanup.

Also, the group is scheduled to meet with the Sheriff’s Office later this month. They want to know what they can do to help further reduce crime problems. The association is already looking to certain areas, and keeping a vigilant watch, reporting when necessary, according to Dumas.

Although the road to complete rejuvenation of the Cambridge area has not been a smooth process, the homeowners association has high hopes that someday their vision will come to fruition.

The biggest challenge is to receive more input and participation from residents and community leaders, according to Dumas.

Until, then, they all keep their positive outlook and continue to let people know that Cambridge is a great place to live.

The next meeting of the association is set for 7 p.m. on July 26 at the Acuri Center on Cambridge Drive.

The fourth Annual Operation Clean Up Cambridge/Colony is set from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 15. Headquarters will be located at the Acuri Center on Cambridge Drive.

In the flyer sent to residents, Warren stressed the point of the event to benefit everyone. “As an owner/landlord of property located in this subdivision, just like myself, you have an investment in the community,” she said.

For more information on the clean up or the association, call President Linda Dumas at 651-2833; or Board Member Dawn Warren at 653-8077.