Walden Wood

June 2006 newsletter

Oct 07, 2006

June 2006

SUMMER HAS ARRIVED
The dirt pile is gone thanks to some very ambitious neighbors and some awesome kids. The help of the kids saved the neighborhood $600.00. The board wants to thank them, and let you all know that we purchased each of the kid?’s gift cards from Target, according to the amount of help they provided. THANK YOU ALL!!!!

Replacement tabletops have been purchased for the small tables in between the chaise lounges. The others warped when they were thrown into the pool during the vandalism.

SIGN WORK
We are sure you all have noticed the sign being covered up. The paint was chipping so some work is being done on it. Hopefully it will be completed soon. We are also having electrical problems at the front entrance. We were told we have a bad neutral. Please be patient as these problems are being fixed.

CONSISTANT COVENANT INFRACTIONS
The covenants of Walden Wood state the following:
PG2, #6. No Offensive Activities ?…No trash, garbage, rubbish, debris, waste material or other refuse shall be deposited or allowed to accumulate on any part of the subdivision?….
In short order, keep your lot clean and pleasant to look at not only for yourselves but also for your neighbors.

PG. 3 #7. Exterior Maintenance Each lot owner shall be responsible for the maintenance of the lawn, landscaping and exterior of all buildings and structures on the lot owned by such owner, all of which shall be maintained in a neat and orderly manner with the lawns cut, landscaping trimmed and exterior of improvements painted and in good repair.

PG 3, #10. Parking. ?…No boat, recreation vehicles, truck or the like shall be parked except in areas completely screened from view of the street and all other lots.
If you have one of these on your property in view, we suggest you move it.

PG. 4 #13. Trees No tree four (4) inches or more in diameter measured at a point two (2) feet above the average height of the ground at the base, not any species of oak of any size, may be removed without the specific prior approval of the Association.
We are Walden Woods after all

PG. 4 #12. Signs ?…no sign shall be displayed upon any lot except ?”FOR RENT?” or ?“FOR SALE?” signs which signs may refer only to particular premises on which displayed, and shall be on materials, size, height and design approved by the Association. The Association may enter upon any building plot and summarily remove any signs which do not comply with the provisions on this paragraph.
In other words these signs can only be on the property being sold, or rented not at the front entrance.

PG. 5 # 18. LEGAL ACTION AND VIOLATION If any person or entity violates or attempts to violate any of these covenants and restrictions, any person or persons owning any Lot or the Association may, upon ten (10) days written notice to the owner of record of the offending lot: (a) prosecute proceedings at law for the recovery of damages against those violated or attempting to violate any of such covenants and restrictions; and (b) maintain a proceeding in equity against those so violating or attempting to violate any of such covenants or restrictions, for the purpose of preventing or enjoining all or any such violation or attempted violations. If any structure exists on a Lot or condition exists which is in violation of these covenants and restrictions, the Association shall have the right, but not the obligation, to enter upon the Lot where such violation exists and summarily to abate, correct or remove the same, all at the expense of the owner of such Lot, which expense (herein called ?“Special Assessment?”) shall be payable by such owner to the Association on demand, and such entry and abatement, correction or removal shall not be deemed to trespass or make the Association liable or otherwise for any damages on account thereof. ?…
WE SUGGEST YOU READ YOUR BY-LAWS AS THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF LIVING IN THIS DEED RESTRICTED COMMUNITY!!!

LAKE ACCESS: Reminder - there is no right of way around the perimeter of our neighborhood ponds/lakes, so please be respectful of property lines - otherwise you will be trespassing on private property.

Parking on the street. It is inconsiderate and unsafe. Children have been known to dart out into the travel lane and not be seen as they came from in front of a parked car. We all know the kids do not think about safety issues so this is a job for YOU. Also when there is parking on the street, a lot of times it occurs on both sides of the street and getting to your own home then becomes a ride through an obstacle course. An emergency vehicle CAN NOT maneuver through some areas and the cars being parked there just might stand in the way of the needed immediate care.
PLEASE BE CONSIDERATE OF YOUR NEIGHBORS!

The speed limit along the Thoreau Way horseshoe is 20 mph. Please adhere to it. We would hate to have an accident involving a child being hurt. This should need NO FURTHER EXPLANATION.

ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL
We have had numerous complaints about dogs barking, and defecating on other people?’s lawns. The city has updated its ordinance as of June 22, 2004. The board encourages those who this affects to contact Animal Care and Control and report the offense, 630- 2489. The fines are hefty. $250.00 or up to $500.00.

NEIGHOBRHOOD CLEAN UP
We would like to thank George Kuczmarski for picking up the trash around the neighborhood while he is walking his dogs. Every little bit helps and we want him to know we have noticed and are VERY grateful! Thanks George!

LOSS OF BOARD MEMBERS
Bill Osborne, who has been the treasurer for the board for the last 10 years is stepping down. He has been vital to the board and he will be missed. It is time for him to move on. THANK YOU BILL!

For those of you who have e-mail, you are aware of the resignation of the president Shelly Kissel. I have served as president for the last 5 years and cannot continue. Most of you are not aware of what it takes to make this neighborhood one of the best neighborhoods off of Losco road. We are distinct because we care about how things look, and go above and beyond to keep it that way. To do this requires MANY hours and a lot of times it fell upon my shoulders to make things happen. I did my best to open the lines of communication to each of you. The newsletter, e-mails, and just getting to know most of you. My family was many times put on the back burner while I did things for Walden Wood. I did what I could to better the neighborhood, working together with past board member Regina Spivey, we got neighborhood grants so we could improve the neighborhood for half the cost, as the city matched what we put in. Bluzette Carline, Bill, Osborne and I worked on another city grant to get the sign and all the planting at the front entrance, that was a BIG job!!! I work outside the home and the job of president was just as many hours (if not more), and I did it for no pay, just because I wanted to make things better for each of us. I have had the opportunity to get to know some really neat people, those on the board and those in the neighborhood. Many times we asked for people to come on the board and given time some did, but for a lot of the time we had about 3 functioning members. I want them all to know how much I appreciate them and the help they gave. THANK YOU!

The board at this time has no alternative other than to hire a management company to take over the day-to-day business of the neighborhood. We will still need a board to vote on what needs to be attended to, but the actual making things happen will now be in the hands of the management company. The dues will have to be increased in order to make up for the cost of the management company, but the board finds this necessary. We have not had the privilege of an abundant number of board members to take over when we lose one. I always run into the general answer ?“I would love to help, but don?’t have the time.?” Well I no longer have the time or the heart to give what needs to be given. I thank you all for the opportunity to get to know you all and for the trust you put in me to be president of the board. I will be putting out a new directory this summer, so if you have not supplied me with your current information of phone number or e-mail address, please do so ASAP. Wyfl5561@sprintmail.com
I also do the newsletter so I do not know if you will be receiving any further information about the goings on of the neighborhood. I can still put out e-mails as I have the database for the neighborhood (it is far from complete, but I know some of you rely upon this). This will no longer be from the board; it will be neighbor to neighbor. We also have a neighbor Khaled Elsehsah who is working on a website that we can go to and write input for everyone to see and comment on. The address is www.jax.com. Thank you Khaled!

Thank you for the opportunity.
Shelly Kissel