May 2011 | The Ledger
Financial | Bob Folino
treasurer@theledgewoodassociation.com
Everything is very quiet in Ledgewood right now and we like it to stay that way. We had one issue come up over the signs posted at the stop signs on Falling Water. We only allow signs advertising Ledgewood/Swim Team functions. And they must be within 30 days of the function. It seems we had one resident who shall remain nameless (unless he bothers me again) who felt the need to complain to the city. Last year the city passed an ordinance banning a lot of local signage but they do not enforce it for the local swim teams unless someone complains. We negotiated a compromise with the city. We can post our signs on exit side of the islands at each entrance on Falling Water and they will be undisturbed. This is actually a better situation since the lights are so long you have time to read and copy the signs if you want to. I hope this is the last I hear of the sign issue.
This next item is for the all electric home owners. As you are all aware, First Energy is fighting to eliminate the 35% discount that all electric homes now enjoy. An organization (CKAP www.AllElectricHomes.Info )headed by Sue Steigerwald has been fighting this increase. Several Bob Schmitt Homes (BSH) Association Presidents, Kevin Corcoran, and Sue Steigerwald met with Glacial Energy to discuss forming an all electric home aggregation to purchase electric generation at a discount. The aggregation/association would be run through CKAP, which would need to be incorporated as a non-profit. Assuming a conservative estimate of 20,000 kilowatts used per year, we’d need approximately 3,000 homeowners to initially join to make this a reality, and the initial focus for signup would be with BSH developments. After the initial sign up, the offer would be available to all electric homeowners in Ohio who are serviced by FirstEnergy. The benefit to the all electric homeowner would be to purchase generation at a much lower rate than they currently can through FirstEnergy, FES, or NOPEC. The rate available is still being determined, but would be near “commercial level” rates, and at least a penny less than current residential rates. This discount would be IN ADDITION to whatever all electric credits the homeowner would be granted as a result of the PUCO case. To quote Sue “This is big news friends. Together with whatever part of the discount credits we win from the PUCO Case, this could make it affordable for people to continue to live in their all electric homes.” The Glacial people are currently formulating the terms of an offer based on the discussions in our meeting . More to come on this one as it develops.
Pool | John Herold
pool@theledgewoodassociation.com
We are less than a month from Memorial Day and the opening of the Ledgewood pool. The wheels are already turning to make sure we are ready for all the families and their children who can’t wait to get into the water. The cover is off now and the process is in high gear readying the pool for opening day. Jim Chmura, who among his many duties maintaining our development plays a major role in the start up of the pool. He will be starting the boilers, making repairs and or replacing any of the broken down or old parts of the pool along with organizing the opening of the pool.
This year we have a new pool Manager. Dan Christian is a Strongsville resident, who will graduate in May with a Masters Degree in Recreation/Sports Management. He just completed an Internship at the Strongsville Rec center as part of his masters. In April he was busy interviewing lifeguards for this summer and he will be stepping up his involvement over the month of May to ensure that the he and the guards will be ready for the pools’ opening Memorial Day weekend.
Recently the Ledgewood swim team had their sign ups. Our development combines with that of Forest Park and together they form the LedgePark swim team. Typically LedgePark will swim two meets at the Ledgewood Pool and two at the Forest Park pool along with 4 meets at other Strongsville developments prior to coming together for the Strongsville Swim League Champs meet at the Rec Center on a Saturday in Mid July. On behalf of the Ledgewood Trustee’s I would like to wish all of you a warm and wonderful summer and I hope to see you at the pool soon.
Architectural Review | Mary Ellen Hill & Nancy Lowrei
architectural@theledgewoodassociation.com
April didn't exactly bring Spring to Ledgewood - so hopefully May will - which means home maintenance and yard work season is here!
We have some lovely landscaping in the neighborhood and the Association appreciates all the effort it takes to keep the grass mowed and the landscaping trimmed and tidy.
This year we are doing something different for the annual walkthrough. In the past all of the board members were involved in the walkthrough. They would each take a few streets and go through the checklist individually. This year we will have two board members and a resident volunteer do the entire development as a team. The team will examine each house together. By using a team concept we feel it will make the decisions more equitable. From mid-June to the end of June the team will conduct the walkthrough. At this time we will also initiate Phase II of the sidewalk concrete leveling issue. We will make an effort to get the same deal as we did last year with a concrete leveling company to do the work. Further information on that subject will be forthcoming. We’ll also check for overgrown bushes and trees as well as weeds, broken light posts and other items. Take a minute or two to review the items below and decide if anything on your property is on the list and should be attended to. Your attention to your home and yard affects not only your property, but also that of your neighbors. When going through the list you will want to keep in mind the view from your backyard neighbors. Neglecting your property is also a violation of the Association’s Covenants and Restrictions and a City of Strongsville ordinance. You will be notified by letter of any violations.
Are trees or shrubs encroaching on the sidewalk? In other words, can you walk past with out tripping or having your face scratched from stray branches? • Is the concrete walk tilted or sunken more than 1 inch?
Is the lamppost rusted off or broken? It must have a black post and the standard Ledgewood globe. If you are in need of a globe check in with Jim at the maintenance garage. Be sure the vegetation does not obscure the light. This is a safety issue for neighbors walking by.
Mailbox condition. Most of the original “bird house” types have rotted away and been replaced by a variety of styles. If you have to replace yours, please stay with the wooden post and a style that blends with the house. The plastic, molded types are not very “natural”. • Are there dead trees and shrubs in the yard that need removal or trimming?
Are retaining walls in good condition? Most of those original railroad ties have rotted away.
Is the lawn in reasonable condition? Not only are weeds an eyesore but they tend to migrate onto neighboring properties.
Is there clutter in the yard or beside your home? The side of your house is not an open-air storage area for ladders, yard furniture and general clutter.
Are fences in good condition and painted? Are screens in good repair?
Are the gutters in good condition, free of sticks, leaves and baby plants?
Are the roof tiles in good, moss and plant free condition?
Could the house or any fencing stand a new coat of paint or stain?
And last but not least, the catchall “Are there any other eyesores?”
Again, we wish to thank all those homeowners who continue to make us proud to live Ledgewood.
LEDGEWOOD EASTER PARTY
On April 17th, the Ledgewood kids celebrated Easter at the clubhouse. They were greeted by the Easter bunny and then had the opportunity to have their photo taken with him. After that they were off to either snack on donuts and juice or make one of the many crafts. From making the cute Easter bunny photo frame craft, to decorating an Easter egg, or coloring the Easter bunny picture for the prize drawing at the end to name only a few, they were already having fun. After the crafts it was time to play some games. It was hard to choose between "bunny bulls eye", "pin the tail on the bunny", "bunny hop", or "bunny ear toss" but the best part was getting candy every time you played a game. In between crafts and games the kids made their way over to hug the Easter bunny one more time - he was definitely the highlight of the party! I would like to thank some of our own Ledgewood teenagers - Makenzie Wallace, Danny Herold, Maggie Murphy, Andrea Fowler, Dana Fowler, Victoria Race and Justin Herold who helped to make this first annual Easter party a huge success and to the Ledgewood Board for making it possible! Mariette Herold.
2011 NEIGHBORHOOD FOOD DRIVE
Ledgewood residents and the Ledgewood Swim Team are coordinating the fourth annual, neighborhood food drive for Saturday, June 25th. We are collecting non-perishable food items to be donated to the Strongsville Emergency Food Bank and the SCAN Hunger Center Pantry that services Strongsville and five other local communities. We have been very successful for the past three years in our efforts to help with the extra summer demand for food when children are not receiving meals at the school. Both food banks have been extremely grateful for our contributions. If you want to donate but are unable to drop food off at the various collection sites on June 25th, please phone the Coniam's at (440) 572-4808 to arrange a pick up at your convenience. More details to follow.
The Ledgewood Swim Team will be having a Garage Sale Fundraiser this month.
Please consider donating any and all items!
Spring cleaning? Need to get rid of the stuff in your closets and garage?
Please DONATE THEM TO: Ledgewood Neighborhood Garage Sale
Thursday May 19th 9am -4pm
Ledgewood Clubhouse Please DROP OFF all donations at the Ledgewood Clubhouse!
Drop Off Times: Tuesday May 17th ~ 10am-4pm Wednesday May 18th ~ 10am-4pm and 6pm-8pm
Or WE WILL COME PICK UP YOUR STUFF!!!
Please call Mariette at: 440-476- 4130 to arrange for a PICK UP! Benefit for the Ledgewood Swim Team. See attachment for details
COME TO THE PARTY!
Our annual Ledgewood Wine & Cheese party is set for June 10 from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Clubhouse. Come renew old acquaintances, meet new neighbors and make new friends. Tickets remain $6.00 per person ($12.00 per couple) and include wine tasting, (bring a bottle of your favorite to share), beer for those so inclined, setups and finger foods. If you have a personal favorite drink, bring it along and we'll keep it on ice or provide a mixer.
Bring the sweet tooth, too. We'll be tasting some sumptuous desserts with coffee toward the end of the evening. We do have a limit of 100 people and three of the last four years we've sold out. So drop off cash or a check (The Ledgewood Association) to Denise or Jay Coniam at 12519 The Bluffs before June 5th. You can contact them at 440-572-4808.
The committee members - Mary & Wally Mahke, Rick Berger, Denise & Jay Coniam, Cindy & George Smith, and Margie & Curt Harler -- all hope to see you there.
Ledgewood Board of Trustees
Bob Folino | President – 238-4251
John Herold | Vice- President – Pool – 216-513-7684
Mary Ellen Hill | Architectural Review – 238-9697
Nancy Lowrie | Architectural Review – 238-6224
Paul Chupek | Common Ground – 440-212-0114
Nancy Picard | Clubhouse – 238-4784
P.O. Box 360484, Strongsville, OH 44136 www.ledgewoodassociation.com Garage Phone 440 238-6000
