January 2008 | The Ledger
Happy New Year!
Here is a list of your 2007-2008 Board of Trustees and their responsibilities:
John Rady | President – 440-572-4354
Bob Cantu | Vice-President | Common Ground – 440-878-9917
Sue DeFauw | Pool – 440-572-5621
Marion Tomasko | Architectural Review – 440-268-9303
Dick Lowrie | Architectural Review | Common Ground | Secretary | Treasurer – 440-238-6224
Janeen Leon | Clubhouse – 440-846-1393
John Rady | President
president@theledgewoodassociation.com
Here’s hoping that you experienced a wonderful holiday season and you had a chance to relax and enjoy time with family and friends. This communication kicks off another exciting year for the Ledgewood Homeowners Association. It would be shortsighted not to thank our outgoing board members Bob Folino, Sally Catt, and Rick Berger for their hard work. Each has made a significant impact in their roles and we are all fortunate to benefit from their volunteerism. It goes without saying that we are fortunate to have Marion, Janeen and Dick stepping up and committing their time and talents. A good friend once told me that volunteers don’t receive pay – because their contributions are priceless.
With a new board in place, it’s important to communicate our focus for 2008. Thanks to a number of unique opportunities during 2007, a lot of ‘big’ projects were completed (i.e., clubhouse renovation, roof replacement, tennis court drainage, etc.). Ledgewood was able to accomplish more than we scheduled from our capital improvements master plan at a cost that was lower than projections. For this coming year, many of you have provided your thoughts and ideas on how to make Ledgewood an even better place to live (thanks – and keep them coming!). One neighbor sent an eloquent letter that talked about the importance of paying attention to ‘the little things’ before they become ‘the big things.’ This year, the board’s activities will be based on the following three strategies:
SAVE – in 2007 we funded and completed capital projects that we intended to undertake in 2008 and beyond. With that said, this year we’ll scrutinize every dollar that is spent and look for ways to reduce our operating costs in order to accelerate paying down our existing debt. Every line item in the budget is ‘in play’ and we’ll look for ways to be significantly under budget for our 2008 expenses. At the end of 2008, our intention is to improve our balance sheet going into 2009.
SAFE – we have set money aside in 2008 to strengthen the security surrounding our Ledgewood assets. The clubhouse, pool, garage, and playground area all help make Ledgewood a unique and envied development. The cost of security 2 technology continues to decline. I have had conversation with several individuals including those from the Strongsville Recreation center who have recently upgraded their security -- especially the external perimeter and parking lots at surprisingly affordable costs. You’ll notice that two of our trustees will be dedicated to Architectural Review. While I’m admittedly biased, Ledgewood has to be the premier development for neighborhood walks. We’ll pay close attention to burned out street lights and anything that violates our covenants and restrictions. If you happen to receive a letter about an issue such as a burned out street light, don’t take it personally. It’s the board’s responsibility to enforce our covenants which we all agreed to abide by when we moved into Ledgewood. More on this later in upcoming issues.
SOCIAL – the final strategy that the board will undertake this year is to improve the neighborhood social calendar. In the past, Ledgewood held many different types of social gatherings for Association members. This year, the board intends to revisit various events that were held in the past and add an event or two to the social calendar giving neighbors an opportunity to meet neighbors. As always, your thoughts and ideas are not just welcome, but essential. Give me or any of the board members a call or drop us an e-mail. For those interested in an update on the Visconsi Property, call Hank Obojski at 440.572.8046.
Architectural Review | Marion Tomasko & Dick Lowrie
I hope everyone had a wonderful and restful holiday. My name is Marion Tomasko and I, along with Dick Lowrie, will be serving as the Architectural Review Committee. I’m proud to be apart of the Ledgewood community and I’m excited to be serving on the Board.
I have a few issues that need to be discussed. For most of you this is not new. However, there are many new residents joining us this year.
As most of you know, it is the responsibility of the Architectural Review Board to uphold the By Laws and Covenants of the Association. With the growing trend to increase privacy and add space to individual properties, I remind everyone that plans for fences, sheds, decks and additions must be submitted to the board for approval before being sent to the City. Ledgewood has a desirable, natural look that sets us apart from other developments in our area. The Board is in place to preserve that look. We are trying to blend with our surroundings. Please keep that in mind when choosing materials for your next project.
This past summer has taken a toll on the vegetation in our neighborhood. Neighbors, if your tree has been destroyed recently please have it removed as soon as possible and disposed of properly. Piles of decaying wood are a haven for many pests. Also, if you have rocks in your yard instead of grass, leaves still need to be cleared in the fall. Do not wait for a windstorm to blow them in your neighbor’s yard.
This neighborhood is great place to have a dog. It’s a great way to get out, enjoy the outdoors and meet new neighbors. The population of dogs in Ledgewood has noticeably grown. That is why it is terribly important to pick up after your dog. Many of you are very responsible for your pet, but a few are not. Walking your dog in the dark does not mean you are exempt from pick up duty. If you let your dog out the back 3 door and meet them back there in a half hour, please be mindful of where they go and be courteous to your neighbors. There have been complaints of non-dog owners having to pick up in their yard. The grounds crew would appreciate it too.
I cannot believe how many neighbors took the time to decorate their exteriors for the holidays. As the season comes to an end, please take your decorations down as soon as possible. Please do not wait until spring.
Please do not feel that the Board is here to pick on you. Ledgewood is an older community and if it is not kept up our property values will fall. It is a good thing to hear realtors say that they have buyers who are only interested in Ledgewood. I look forward to working together in the upcoming year. Please forward any questions or concerns to Dick or me. My email address is mmtomasko@wowway.com and my home phone is 268-9303.
Pool | Sue DeFauw
pool@theledgewoodassociation.com
Best wishes for the New Year. As we start planning the new season at the pool I would like to first introduce myself. I am Sue DeFauw and the Pool Trustee for this year. Hopefully after all the changes last year, this summer will run smoothly and efficiently. We will be hiring lifeguards and the pool manager in the near future. Please send a resume to myself at the address/email listed below if you are interested in either position. We have a few candidates interested in the manager position. We are looking for a mature individual with management skills, so if that is you please apply. Also the lifeguard positions are open as well. Please make sure your licenses are up to date before the start of the season. If you are new to life guarding there are a few different options to obtaining your lifeguarding license. There is a class offered through the rec center and also through Tri-C. Both are equal. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. E-mail is Defauw@adelphia.net. 17179 Ridge Point Circle.
Clubhouse Liaison & Ledgewood Social Activities | Janeen Leon
clubhouse@theledgewoodassociation.com
Happy New Year! Our lovely remodeled clubhouse has become an increasingly utilized asset for residents. Jain Baruth, Clubhouse Rental Manager, has remained very busy with 13 reservations for the months of December and January combined. A Clubhouse Availability Calendar has been added to the Ledgewood website at www.ledgewoodassociation.com. If you have Internet access, you may find it helpful to check available dates prior to calling Jain to set up your reservation.
Building on the success of resuming neighborhood social events, an enthusiastic group of neighborhood mothers met to plan special children events last summer. Attendance at the October 20th Halloween party exceeded all expectations with over 145 guests. Special thanks to Margaret Bosela-Klinzing, Kathy Cantu, Kristine Hawke and Marion Tomasko for taking on such an ambitious first event!
On December 1st, a Gingerbread House party was held for Ledgewood resident children and grandchildren. Forty-seven people attended this event and 24 gingerbread houses were created. Photos of this party can be seen at www.ledgewoodassociation.com. Special thanks to Kristine Hawke for designing and assembling the clever gingerbread house kits and to Margaret Bosela-Klinzing for her help in planning, setting up, and cleaning up after the event.
We are grateful that cleanup at both parties became a team effort with many residents staying to lend a hand. These types of events cannot happen without volunteers. Ledgewood is a sprawling community and volunteering is a great way to meet and to 4 build amicable relationships with your neighbors. I am actively seeking both adult and older children as volunteers to help plan neighborhood social events for residents of all ages this year.
Please contact me at Janeen.Leon@ledgewoodassociation.com or 440-846-1393 if you are interested in volunteering. Watch for event announcements in future issues of the Ledger and on signs posted at entrances and in front of the clubhouse. We look forward to seeing you!
Carleen Sundvall-Financial
The 2006-2007 association records were reviewed by Kiplinger & Co. Records and reconciled with no exceptions.
Your 2008 assessments are due as of January 1, 2008. All payments must be received no later than January 31, 2008. After January 31, homeowners who are delinquent with their payment will begin paying late charges and/or having a lien filed on their property. If you find that you cannot meet this deadline, please call Carleen Sundvall at 330-887-5753.
