February 2012 | The Ledger

Messages from the President | Bob Folino

House and condo drawings

We now have complete sets of drawings at the Ledgewood garage. They were purchased from Bob Schmitt Builders. They are available to look at and your contractor to copy for a nominal fee.

Clubhouse Parking lot

Between Thanksgiving and New Years there have been 2 out of state vehicles parked in the lot next to the clubhouse. All of our attempts to get the owners to remove them have failed. As a result we were forced to have them removed. The process is complicated and expensive to the owner. We have contracted with Rich’s Towing to handle problems like this in the future. We are required by law to post the lot using signs stating that vehicles left may be subject to tow. If we have them towed, they will be held by Rich’s in impound and the owner will have to pay towing fees and storage to get the vehicle back. We will only use this option as a last resort. In order to avoid this alternative, please observe the following: If you have visitors or a legitimate reason to leave a vehicle in the lot for more than a day, contact Jim at the maintenance garage and leave your name, phone number, license number, make and color of the vehicle. Tell him approximately how long it will be there. You can leave the information on the answering machine. Park the vehicle in the corner away from the clubhouse. Try to avoid interfering with the snow plow service.

The Log Splitter

The log splitter will not be delivered from the first of December through the end of winter. The cold temperatures turn the hydraulic fluid to syrup and there is a good chance of damaging the pump. Try to get your logs split in the spring, summer or fall.

Eliminating Partial Assessment Payments

Several years ago when we increased the annual assessment from $360 to $520 the board felt that the sudden rate hike would create a hardship on some of our residents who had not budgeted for the increase. In order to ease the burden, the board opted to allow the assessment to be paid in two installments. Since then, members have been assuming this is an available option every year. It is not. It has become a paperwork and bookkeeping nightmare for our Secretary- Treasurer as, unfortunately, some members avoid paying for months. It is time to discontinue the partial option. We will once again require full payment when due at the end of January.

Christmas

To paraphrase Charles Dickens, I know some of you want to “keep Christmas in your heart all year long” but come on people, take down the decorations.

Voting Results on the Covenant and Restrictions

According to our lawyers it is necessary to have 384 yes votes to pass each of the above requested changes to the C&Rs. Since we were unable to even come close to those totals by the 2011 annual meeting the changes could not be implemented in 2012. The next option was to continue gathering votes for the next 5 year renewal milestone so that the changes could be made in 2017. We have 7 people who voted no on every issue and 35 people voted no to removing the obsolete developer language that hasn’t been in effect in 30 years. To date we have a list of 111 residents who have ignored 2 sets of ballots and return envelopes mailed to them. There seems to be little hope of inspiring these individuals to actually vote. As you can see from the line “Yes % Based on # Responses Rec’d” the MAJORITY of the residents who care enough to vote are in favor of the changes and we thank you for your effort. Issue 12 regarding the wooden For Sale posts is the exception. That one is a toss up. With 111 votes outstanding we have come to stand still. It appears that the Ledgewood covenants and restrictions will be a stagnant document that may never be updated. If anyone has a solution to this dilemma, the board would be happy to hear it. Address Line 1 Ballot Rec'd Issue #1 - Developer Chgs Issue #2 - Himself Chgd to Member Issue #3 - Add Atty/Court Costs Issue #4 - Interest to 10% Issue #5 - Work in LW; City Ordinances Issue #6 - Exclude Above Grnd Pool, etc. Issue #7 - Architect Stds to Match LW style Issue #8 - Trucks, weight, logo Issue #9 - Signs General Issue #10 - Signs, LW Events Issue #11 - Signs, Renovate Issue #12 Signs, Disallow Realtor Post Type Issue #13 - Ext Maint, Paint Color, etc. Total Responses Received 377 Total Proxys Received 50 Total Ballots Received 327 Total Yes 323 344 305 302 316 324 311 322 306 331 322 192 284 Total No 35 23 57 61 52 49 59 45 68 43 51 170 83 Total Votes 358 367 362 363 368 373 370 367 374 374 373 362 367 % of Responses Received 73.6% Yes % Based on # Responses Rec'd 90.2% 93.7% 84.3% 83.2% 85.9% 86.9% 84.1% 87.7% 81.8% 88.5% 86.3% 53.0% 77.4% Voting Ballots 512 Verify total

Architectural Review – Mary Ellen Hill & Nancy Lowrei

architectural@theledgewoodassociation.com

I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas and will have a Happy and Healthy 2012. It was a pleasure to drive through Ledgewood this holiday season and see all the decorations. By this time all Christmas holiday decorations should be removed. There are many new residents joining us this year so I would like to put some issues in writing for all new Ledgewood residents and as a reminder to long time residents. Review Process: It is the responsibility of the Board of Directors to uphold the Bylaws and Covenants of the Association. Ledgewood has a lovely, natural look that sets us apart from other developments in our area. The Board is in place to preserve that look. If you are interested in installing and/or replacing a fence, wall, deck, shed or addition you must submit plans and specifications showing the nature, kind, shape, height, materials and location of your project to the Board for approval PRIOR to construction. Chain-link and synthetic materials are discouraged. The Board will review proposals within 30 days and respond in writing with consent or rejection of plans. The City requires homeowners to present a letter of approval in order to obtain permits. Remember, the Board retains the right to have any exterior structure removed that has been installed without approval. Signs: We would also like to mention our restriction on signs. Many contractors like to post signs advertising the improvements they made to your property. However, Ledgewood does not permit signs of any kind other than a realty sign. Please do not post any signs on your property unless you are selling your home. You will be asked to remove it. Lampposts: Some residents have received letters from the City of Strongsville in regard to lampposts that are not in working order. Thank you to those residents that responded by putting in a new light bulb or repairing the lamppost. In the future if you receive a letter from the City and your lamppost is in working order within 30 days you don’t need to do anything further. Along with working lampposts being a City ordinance, we also have many walkers/runners in our development and the lampposts are our only source of lighting. If you need minor repairs or a light bulb change you can contact our Maintenance Operations Manager, Jim Chmura, and for a fee Mr. Chmura will attempt your repair/replacement. He can be reached at (330) 225-3069. We look forward to working with you in the next year. Please feel free to contact either Mary Ellen Hill or Nancy Lowrie if you have any questions.

FRIDAY THE 13th PARTY

Circle Friday, April 13 for the Ledgewood Triskaidekaphobia Party. Our skeleton crew is planning a great neighborhood event, including barbecued bones and other fiendishly good stuff.

Join adult friends and their spirited guests at the Clubhouse from 7:13 pm until the clock tolls midnight. Plan to wear black and white – and be creative about your outfit. Shades of Jason and Freddy: the party menu will feature bloody marys, green-slime margaritas and other libations…or, you can bring your own poison. Lots of black-and white treats (including chocolate ones) will be served.

Tickets are just $13 per couple ($7 per person). Call Karen Anderson at 238-3781 to make your reservation. Make checks payable to “Ledgewood Association” and send them to 12226 Windcliff. Don’t be skunked…order your tickets early. Deadline is April 1 – no fooling! Every Saturday Morning at 8:30 Ledgewood Clubhouse 17761 Falling Water 6 week session/$60 (must pre-register) Bring a friend! If we can get 12 people the cost drops to $30!

Register now for the session beginning February 4th yogaclass@ledgewoodassociation.com or call 503-704-8580