Stonecreek Homeowners Association

November 2002 Issue

Nov 01, 2002

STONECREEK NEWS
Stonecreek Homeowner?’s Association, Gilbert, AZ 85234 Monthly Newsletter November 2002
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Remember to
VOTE - 11/5!
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DIRECTOR?’S CORNER:
The Board of Directors continues to interview for a new landscape contractor. A contract for Landscape Maintenance was not extended at the October Board Meeting. The Board of Directors will continue to interview for this very important contract.

The Board of Directors has voted to close the swimming pool on November 4, 2002. The reason that the swimming pool is closed every year is to prevent vandalism to the pool and restrooms. We have found in the past that closing the pool almost completely eliminates vandalism.

Recently Borg Property Services had numerous violation notices for uncontained trash. Please note that uncontained trash is picked up on the THIRD FULL WEEK of the month in Stonecreek HOA. For your convenience the date of uncontained trash pick up is noted on the calendar in the newsletter.

We continue to search for two new Board of Directors and also for new members to the ACC. If you would like to be a part of the decision making for your Association, please contact Borg Property Services.

We are working on the budget for 2003. If you have anything that you want in the budget, now is the time to let us know.

We hope that all of our residents have a very happy and safe Thanksgiving Holiday.

WANT TO USE LESS WATER?
The Town of Gilbert has a new program designed to help you reduce your water usage. To schedule a free Home Water Audit, call the water conservation office at 480-503-6098. Source: Gilbert: Your Community, 9/2002

THREE CHEERS FOR ALISON
Alison Sheridan, 17 year old daughter of Stonecreek residents Sharon & Jason Howes was recently awarded the Presidential Freedom Scholarship to the college of her choice.

Alison is the Vice President of the FCCLA (Family, Career & Community Leaders of America), a member of the Keystone Club, and recently received a Certificate of Training in Appreciation of Diversity.

She is employed by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and is a Senior at Fountain Hills High School. (Accolades also go to the parents.)

RAY?’S BACK

?“On September 10, I finished my 3,369 mile, 70 day bike ride to Ground Zero. As we approached the entrance to the Holland Tunnel in New Jersey, we could see the New York skyline on the other side of the Hudson River. It still looked majestic even with the absence of the twin towers.

?“As we got closer to the Ground Zero site and got our first glimpse of the 7-story-deep, 20-acre gaping hole, I stood there motionless, speechless. We walked by Fire Station 10 adjacent to the site and thought of the lives lost a year ago that day. We also walked by the memorial fence surrounding St. Paul's Cathedral and read many inspirational messages of support sent from around the globe. We became part of a sea of compassionate people who came together to connect in a reverent, respectful space.

?“This bike ride completed a boyhood dream to cycle across the country "?’some day.?’" Many people have shared with me how my choice to take this risk has inspired them to rekindle goals that they have put on the back burner to do "?’some day.?’"

?“I am grateful for the generous support of hundreds of people across the Nation who supported our journey in many ways. A special thanks to my wife, Lyn, for her coordination and unconditional love.?”
Great Job, Ray & Lyn

VANDALISM
Last month we had to pay for vandalism for:
lock at the pool $40.00

SOME CHILD WANTS YOUR OLD BICYCLE FOR CHRISTMAS
Give your unneeded bicycles to the Gilbert Community Action Program (CAP). They do not need to be in working order. Tony Bernot 480-892-7505 will pick the bikes up free of charge and give you a Gilbert Community Action Program (CAP) receipt that you can use as a tax deduction. Tony restores the bikes before giving them to CAP who then gives them to needy children at Christmas time. Stonecreek has donated many bicycles over the last years. Help keep the tradition up.

ASSOCIATION ACTIVITY:
CONTRACTS
No Contracts Awarded
One Upcoming Contract:
Landscape Maintenance - Mid-contract bidding due to poor service of the vendor.

If you know of anyone who would like to bid on a Stonecreek HOA bid, please have them contact Borg Property Services at 480-560-6927.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:BOARD ACTION ITEMS
The following items are currently under discussion and consideration by the Board of Directors:
additional lighting at the playground,
adding picnic tables in the common areas,
potential new Landscape Committee,
ACC seeking volunteers,
New Board Members,
2003 Budget.

If you have any topics you wish to have addressed by the Board of Directors, please contact Borg Property Services at 480-456-6927 or e-mail at BorgProp@AOL.COM.

ACC COMMITTEEYou can get ACC forms from:
(1) Borg Property Services at 480-456-6927 or
BorgProp@AOL.COM or
(2) Frank at 480-926-4412 (Stonecreek Resident).

The CC&R?’s require ACC approval before starting projects that will change the appearance of your home or yard. If you have questions about a planned project and would like to know if approval is required, please contact Borg Property Services at 480-456-6927.

The committee processed the following requests:
RECEIVED: - 4 APPROVED - 5
DENIED: - 0 PENDING: - 0


WANT TO JOIN A COMMITTEE?
Call Nancy Borg if you want information on a committee or want to join a committee. Nancy will then handle the volunteer?’s communications between the Board of Directors, the homeowners and Borg Property Services.

PAINTING? BUILDING? DIGGING?
The CC&R?’s require ACC approval before starting projects that will change the appearance of your home or yard.

CHECK OUR HOA WEB SITE OUT
www.neighborhoodlink.com/gilbert/stonecreek

LANDSCAPE VIOLATIONS
Borg Property Services reported a total of 152 violations this month. Nancy reminds us to keep after the weeds and to keep your palm trees trimmed.

CALENDAR:
Nov 2 - Hazardous Household Waste Disposal Day
Nov 5 - Election Day,
Nov 11 - Veterans Day,
Nov 18 - Uncontained trash pick up this week,
Nov 20 - Board of Directors meeting -
Mesa Public Library 6:45 PM-8:45 PM.
Nov 21-24 Gilbert Day?’s Celebration
Nov 28 - Thanksgiving Day,
Dec 12 - Freestone Park Holiday Concert & Tree Lighting
Dec 18 - Board of Directors meeting -
Mesa Public Library 6:45 PM-8:45 PM
.
If you wish to speak at the Board of Directors meeting, contact Borg Property Services by Nov 13, 2002 so that you may be added to the agenda.

Don't Get Scammed! Just Toss It!Undoubtedly you have received a postcard or letter mailed by a company you have never heard of telling you that you have won a prize. The prizes sound great - cash, exotic trips and expensive jewelry. However, there is a catch. Generally, the odds of winning anything of value are so slim that you have a better chance of being hit by lightning. To get these "free prizes" you often have to buy an overpriced product or call a 900-number.

Responding to these offers has cost consumers thousands of dollars. Consumers complain they do not win anything of value. Worse yet, they are charged for 900-number calls, have mysterious charges posted to their credit cards and even unauthorized withdrawals from their checking accounts.

If you respond to one bogus offer, your name is put on a list and you will be flooded with other bogus offers.

You can protect yourself. You have the power to control junk mail. After you have weeded out any legitimate offers, just throw the rest away. Join the Arizona Attorney General's "Just Toss It" campaign and help stop consumer fraud.

REMEMBER
If you did not enter a contest, chances are you didn't win one. The adage, "you can't get something for nothing" is still true.

Do not respond to sweepstakes offers that ask you to buy something first. If you won a "free prize," it should be free.

If someone does ask for your checking or credit card account numbers, ask why. If you are not completely satisfied with the explanation, do not give them out.

Just because a business advertises on television, in newspapers, magazines or by direct mail solicitations, does not mean the business is legitimate.

Be wary of offers that entice you to call 900 numbers for a free gift. The toll for the 900 number will most likely cost you much more than the gift is worth.

Read the fine print. Remember, few, if any, consumers who respond to prize offers actually win anything worth the money they spend. The majority lose money.

If it sounds too good to be true, it is probably not true.

To curb delivery of unsolicited mail to your home, you can write to the address below. If you continue to receive unsolicited mail three months after writing to them, write directly to the mailers to request removal of your name from their mailing list. Write to: Mail Preference Service
Direct Marketing Association
Po Box 9008
Farmingdale, NY 11735-9008
and request that your name be removed from any and all mailing lists for unsolicited mail which is being delivered to you. List all names in your household requesting that their names also be removed.

LOOK OUT FOR THESE WARNING SIGNS
OF QUESTIONABLE PROMOTIONS
You have been ?“specially selected.?”
?“Guaranteed to receive one of the following awards.?”
?“Call immediately to claim your award.?”
?“Finalist.?”
Documents that look like telegrams or checks.
?“You have won.?”
?“Winning numbers.?”
Required payment of any kind to get your ?“free prize.?”
Documents that look like official certificates, overnight mail or government notices.
For further information, call the Consumer protection & Advocacy section, Consumer Information & Complaints at 602-542-6504. Source: Attorney General Janet Napolitano, www.ag.state.az.us

MOM?’S PLAY GROUP CONTINUES...
The Mom?’s and Tot?’s play group meets on Thursday?’s in the Stonecreek Park at 10 A.M.. All mom?’s and kids are welcome. If you are interested in joining, contact Nancy Borg at 480-456-6927 or email Nancy at BorgProp@AOL.COM. This group is fun and many new friends can be made for the mom?’s and kids.

SOCIAL GROUP CONTINUES...
Do you want to get involved with your neighbors? This group socializes with their neighbors on an informal basis. They meet on the 4th Friday of each month (7 PM) at the Stonecreek Playground to plan upcoming outings and for an evening of fun. Call Camille 480-926-4412 between 5:30 PM and 8 PM for information or to RSVP. Come join us for a fun evening!

PLAYGROUP COMMITTEE
CONTINUES FORMING
The Board of Directors is considering forming a new playground committee. The committee would be meeting to discuss adding a canopy, lighting etc. to the playground area. Please contact Borg Property Services to indicate your desire to belong to the playground committee.

IS YOUR CHILD SAFE?
On 9/25/02, two boys were riding their bikes at the corner of Campbell & Marble when four boys in a red car stopped the two boys, mugged one of them taking his wallet and $10.00 from him.

ARE YOU REALLY YOU?
Recently, a man had his identity stolen when he left a credit card receipt behind in a restaurant. This in itself is not a good idea, but when it contains your account number, expiration date and name, it can be especially easy picking for the unscrupulous. (Many merchants no longer print the entire account number on the receipt copy, but some still print the entire number.)

A receipt that contains your account number, expiration date and name is all that is required to make purchases on the Internet, telephone or mail. (If you are making a purchase in a store, the signature can at least be verified.)

?“Here are some tips to minimize your risks:
1. Never leave credit card or ATM receipts behind....
2. Don't give out personal information over the Internet, ?”or telephone, ?“unless you have initiated the contact and always use a credit card with a low purchase limit to buy things over the Internet.
3. Deposit outgoing mail into a post office deposit....
4. Never toss credit card convenience checks, receipts or bills into the trash....?” SHRED THEM.
5. Don't leave your purse or wallet unattended in a car, under the seat at the movie theater or in a grocery cart.
6. Check all credit card bills that come to you for errors and omissions and verify the issues immediately with the particular business and order a copy of your credit report from each of the reporting credit agencies annually, making sure that it accurately itemizes only those activities that YOU have authorized.

EQUIFAX - www.equifax.com, P.O. Box 740250, Atlanta, GA 30374-0250, (800) 525-6285

EXPERIAN - www.experian.com PO. Box 1010
Allen, TX 75013 (888) 397-3742

Trans Union - ww.tuc.com P.O. Box 6790
Fullerton, CA 92634 (800) 888-4213

?“For more information about this or if you would like to know about the programs that the Gilbert Police Department has to offer, you can call the Crime Prevention Unit at (480) 503-6527 or go online at www.ci.gilbert.az.us/police/index.html?”
Source: Gilbert: Your Community, 9/2002

WANT A VOICE IN THE ACC?
Do you want to know why some changes to a house/yard are allowed and some are not? Join the Architectural Control Committee and find out. Please contact Borg Property Services (480-456-6927) if you are interested in serving on this very important committee.

REMINDERS:
When you walk your pet, please clean up any messes which it leaves behind. To leave their mess is an HOA violation and a Town of Gilbert Code violation.
WHO'S WHO?
FIRE/POLICE DEPT. (EMERGENCY) 911
Fire Dept. (Information) 480-503-6300
Police (Information) 480-503-6500
Gilbert www.ci.gilbert.az.us
HOA Web page:
www.neighborhoodlink.com/gilbert/Stonecreek
Voter Registration/elections 506-1511
Borg Property Services 480-456-6927
Borg Property Services - BorgProp@AOL.COM
- HOA Board of Director - HOA Board of Director
Sean Madigan - HOA Board of Director
Jack Maas - HOA Board of Director
Sean Callahan - HOA Board of Director
Sky Harbor Parking - 602-273-4545
Gilbert Police Crime Prevention 503-6527
Can I burn in my fire place? 506-6400
Town of Gilbert (barking/vicious dogs) 503-6500
Town of Gilbert (dead animal removal) 503-6400
Town of Gilbert (graffiti removal) 503-6500
If you have any questions for the Board of Directors or comments on the newsletter, call Borg Property Services or attend the monthly Board meeting.

All residents are encouraged to attend the monthly Board of Directors meetings. Call Borg Property Services to confirm the time and location and to insure that we have available seating. You may also check our web page for meeting information.

SELLING YOUR HOME?
There are always fees when you sell you home. House bill 2299 requires Borg Property Services to inspect your home before it can be sold and they are allowed seven (7) days for this inspection. There is a standard fee for inspection. If they must do the inspection in less than seven days, they charge the homeowner an additional fee. (Title companies sometimes forget to notify Borg Property Services of the pending sale and ask for a ?‘rush?’ inspection.) The homeowner pays the standard fee (plus any rush fees) at the closing. Contact Borg Property Services for its rates. Do yourself a favor and you contact Nancy (480-456-6927) of a pending sale.

FREESTONE PARK CONCERTS:
Nov. 7, Dec 12, March 6, Apr. 3, May 1, June 5, 2003
NEED TO CONTACT YOUR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY?
Your property management company is Borg Property Services. Direct your questions, compliments and complaints concerning Stonecreek HOA to them.
Office hours are 9-4 M-TH and 9-12 Friday.
Phone: (480) 456-6927 FAX: (480) 456-9439
E-mail: BorgProp@AOL.COM.
Send all correspondence and payments to:
Borg Property Services
1245 W. Guadalupe, #B6-306
Mesa, AZ 85202

APPROVED PAINT COLORS:
BASE COLORS: (Dunn Edwards or equivalent)
Pheasant, Baja White, Desert Dawn,
Navajo White, Bone China

If the house will be all one color, then no ACC approval is needed provided you use an approved Base color. If you are painting the ?“pop-outs?” (raised stucco surrounding the windows and/or garage) an approved trim color, then you do not need to submit an ACC form.

TRIM COLORS: Original Cinnamon, Briar,
Dry Earth, Adobe South
ROOF TILE = Monier #1604 or equivalent Lifetile #108

To review these colors call Frank at 926-4412 (Stonecreek Resident). You may review the chips in his home or checked out to review at your home. Please respect Frank as a fellow homeowner and contact him only between the hours of 10 am-8 PM, Monday-Friday.

If you choose a different color than those approved by the ACC, then you must submit an ACC form with a large sample of the color you wish to use. You must allow 45 days for approval of a new color.

Homeowners have painted the following locations if you would like to drive by and check them out.
543 N. Quartz street (Baja White, trim cinnamon)
1414 E. Mineral - Bone China with Dry Earth
1501 E. Commerce - Desert Dawn with Dry Earth

NEWSLETTER DEADLINE:
Nov. 10, 2002 is the deadline for all information to be in the next issue. (1268 E. Laurel Ave., Gilbert, AZ 85234.) This Newsletter is published monthly by the Stonecreek HOA.. Contact Borg Property Services with questions/comments.

NOTE: The HOA does not endorse any product listed in this newsletter.