August 2007 | The Ledger

President | Financial | Bob Folino

president@theledgewoodassociation.com

Well, we have some good news and some bad news. Bad news, you have all probably seen the construction that just finished in the park area. It was a huge cost overrun for the city. A mistake by the boring contractor caused the Omni tennis courts to be trenched through to repair damaged sewer pipes under the courts. Most of the grass and half of the road pavement is totally gone. The net post on the court was crushed and the carpet peeled back.

The good news is that it not only doesn’t cost Ledgewood any money, but it has actually saved us some. We had a drainage problem with the Omni courts which had a $6000 task to remove and replace 2 sections of fence to get a Bobcat in the court. Well one man’s problem is another man’s opportunity. While the contractor had the fence down, we arranged for our landscaper to excavate between the court and the inside of the fence. We will be installing a French drain along that side of the court. And more good news is that the city has agreed to extend the French drain and run a drain pipe under the road between the court and the creek. This was also originally on our Ledgewood list of tasks. After that is done, the engineering department will repave the entire road and have the grass restored. We are at the mercy of the City as to when all of this will be completed. I would like to thank the inspectors and other people from the City who watched out for our Ledgewood interests while the contractors were working. They were very good about keeping me informed and making sure the repairs to the courts were done right.

Good news, the clubhouse renovation is complete and it has become a very popular rental property. Everyone who has seen it has been very complimentary. The bad news came before construction when we found that the roof was also leaking. We were obligated to replace it before we could install the new sound deadening ceiling. This pushed our budget this year over about $17,000. The good news is that the roof costs were scheduled in next year’s budget so the only hardship would be getting through November and December. Fortunately our relationship with Keybank and the line of credit we established two years ago will allow this transition with no inconvenience to Carleen or our vendors.

We also had to replace $2600 worth of pool heater parts. It should be good for at least 5 more years. It was originally scheduled for replacement in 2009. An ounce of prevention in this case.

Other than that, things have been running very smoothly this Summer and should continue into the Fall.

SWIM TEAM NEWS

Forest Park Swim Team is selling Entertainment books again this year. Anyone interested in purchasing a book can contact Chip Gonczy at 238-2171 or cdgonczy@wowway.com and Chip will deliver them to your home. They are still $25.00.

LEDGEWOOD: WE HAVE A PROBLEM! (Gypsy Moths)

By Rick Berger & Phil Stone

Serious gypsy moth activity has again been observed over the last few months in Ledgewood. Our last major infestation happened in 1999-2000. (Long-time residents may remember that Ohio and killed 48,000 acres of trees). Gypsy moth activity in the past few years has been kept to a minimum by wetter-than-normal springs. Once the moths have appeared, however, they never go away completely. In 1999, the Ledgewood epicenter of the moth invasion was Moss Point Rd.

What can we do?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service has an online booklet with photos that can be found here: http://na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/fidls/gypsymoth/gypsy.htm. Everything you need to know about gypsy moths can be found in this booklet. Currently, we are seeing gypsy moth egg masses, laid by the female, attached to the sides of houses, trees, fences, etc. The destructive phase of the life-cycle is the caterpillar phase, which they enter approximately in mid-April. We will need all Ledgewood residents to inspect their properties between now and the emergence time (the sooner the better!) and report any findings to: Phil Stone of the Gypsy Moth Committee (440) 238-5779.

Phil and his group can help you inspect and advise you as to how to collect and dispose of the masses. Please do not report before removing them since we need to have an accurate “map” of where moth activity is most prevalent. Also, do not remove the egg masses until the survey is complete! If we can document a notable concentration of masses, the state of Ohio may help by providing BT aerial spraying (considered safe) next May. [BT is NOT a chemical or pesticide. It is a bacterium that selectively attacks the digestive system of the moth]. So please, start looking around your property now. If you can take a look into common areas as well, that would be very helpful! We will try to have a presentation of some sort at the Annual Meeting. Other References: http://ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/2000/2174.html

LEDGEWOOD KIDDIE HALLOWEEN PARTY!

Where: Ledgewood Clubhouse

When: Saturday, October 20, 2007, 6:00p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Please join us for an evening of games, activities and Halloween fun at our renovated Ledgewood Clubhouse. Complimentary food and beverages will be provided during this children’s event. Please wear your Halloween costume and bring a bag for treats. Attention Grandparents, this is a great one for the grandchildren too. Please RSVP to Margaret Bosela-Klinzing at (440) 268-0457 or Janeen Leon (440) 846- 1393.

Ledgewood Board of Trustees:

Bob Folino | President – 238-4251

John Rady | Vice-President-Pool – 572-4354

Sally Catt | Architectural Review – 572-2644

Sue DeFauw | Clubhouse – 572-5621

Bob Cantu | Common Ground – 878-9917

Rick Berger | Communications – 878-0887

Carleen Sundvall | Recording Secretary-Treasurer – 330-887-5753