Lincoln Hills LSV / NEV Group
A short History of our Group
The Lincoln Hills LSV Group developed from a simple local shopping trip for Bob and Lillian Nawman into an adventure that included Lincoln Hills residents and owners of LSV’s into a formal group. After purchasing their four seater yellow GEM, they began to think about meeting other owners and sharing their common interest.
An organizational meeting was held at their Lincoln Hills home on Farmgate Lane to discover the interest in starting a group on October 23, 2002, with 26 people attending. The notice of the meeting was published in the Lincoln Hills Community Association monthly newsletter “Compass”.
Enthusiasm and interest was expressed and it was evident that we could have monthly meetings at the Lincoln Hills Orchard Creek Lodge, where common interest topics such as safe driving habits of the LSV owner, insurance and maintenance and other subjects would be part of the monthly agenda.
The stated purpose of the group is "to educate, inform and socialize in our common interest of operating and maintaining a low speed vehicle conducive to operating within the Sun City Lincoln Hills community and neighboring areas". Any resident of Sun City Lincoln Hills may become a member of the group by filling out a membership application and paying a years dues.We currently have over one hundred fifty households (300+ members) and our ranks are growing monthly.
Each monthly meeting has an educational component, generally provided by an expert in the particular field. Additionally, each month a discussion about the many social activities is held. Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month in the Kilaga Springs Lodge at 10:00 am.
We have worked with the city of Lincoln to support their project to establish the city as an NEV city. A primary purpose of this designation is showing a commitment to clean air and the environment.
On the social side, the Group sponsors several outings a year, numerous get together dinners, and is in the planning stages for hosting various LSV rallies. We are an active group of people bonded together by our appreciation of LSV'ing. Our group is primarily composed of owners of GEM's and THINK’S however with the advent of more manufacturers entering the market we are seeing may different models.
Attendance at the monthly membership meetings grew with newcomers joining the ranks monthly. Two of the focus points that came under discussion and consideration, were LSV access to Downtown Lincoln and a regular maintenance program for our members. The regular maintenance program is still being developed with announcement forthcoming soon on its implementation. Our second goal has been reached. Lincoln City Council members Tom Cosgrove and Kent Nakata attended a membership meeting in September 2003, where they expressed their understanding and perception of the LSV and were very interested to hear from the members.
A traffic engineer/consultant hired by the City to work with city staff members, CALTRANS and our LSV group proved to be a catalyst in a rapid solution. On December 11, 2003, after a united and cooperative attitude with the City of Lincoln, its City Council, CALTRANS, and active LSV members, we officially and legally were allowed to drive to Downtown Lincoln. The lowering of a speed limit on a state highway was accomplished in a short time!
The association between the City and the LSV Group was spontaneous, and harmonious in every aspect. There was a need to contact CALTRANS regarding the signage change, and that hurdle was managed expeditiously.Our yearly calendar is filled with interesting membership meeting sessions including guest speakers about our vehicles, open forum for our members, a few social events and lots of great fellowship. Events include at least two car rallys and a gathering in December for our Holiday party. We invite all new residents and present and future owners of an LSV to attend our meetings and see what we are about. You’ll be glad you did.
Members of our group work the many cities and agencies in the state helping spread the word about the benefits of NEVs.