February 2004 | The Ledger
The Board of Trustees organizational meeting was held on December 9, 2003. The following are this year’s officers and job responsibilities:
JimTurk | President -Pool (846-1447)
Mark Slavik | Vice-President-Pool (878-0027)
Marcia Folino | Architectural Review (238-4251)
Betty Anderson | Common Ground (238-7555)
Terry Cain | Common Ground Landscape & Recreation (878-4544)
Yvette Grants | Clubhouse (878-1927)
Any questions regarding assessments, requests for verification letters of payment of assessment when units are sold or liens, please contact Carleen Sundvall, Recording Secretary-Treasurer at (826-5662)
Message from the President
BRRRRRRRRR it has been cold. Good thing we are experiencing global warming. Imagine how cold it would be without it. All seriousness set aside, I’m back. I served on your board of trustees in the past and served as your president in 1997.
Last month terrorists have attacked more than a few light globes of our members. Through the efforts of Councilman-at-Large Pat Coyne a meeting with him, Chief Charlie Goss and the affected residents was held. The results of that meeting indicate the damage to our members property appears random and historically these types of acts are repeated and perpetrators are eventually apprehended. As in the past we will urge that the perpetrators be prosecuted and demand restitution. Other concerns were addressed at the meeting and Chief Goss encouraged members to call the police department to report anything out of the ordinary. Never assume someone else has notified the police or fire department. Our safety forces would rather check out suspicious situations than respond to Ledgewood after the fact. Also, February is Fire Prevention Awareness month. With the cold temperatures and furnaces working at maximum output – BOLO (Be On the Look Out) for furnace and chimney fires. If a fire hydrant is located in front of your property please keep it free from snow and accessible. If it is situated in front of one of our senior members residence, please be neighborly and clear it.
The retaining wall has been completed by the pool and is operational. Legal efforts are in progress in an attempt to recover funds from entities of higher elevation who we believe are a causative factor in the increased water volume and subsequent damage. I have asked VP Mark Slavik to head a committee to acquire crucial data from several design contractors necessary to retrofit the pool power plant. Once achieved, the target date for adaptations will be Fall 04. I have asked Marcia Folino to form a committee of past presidents of our association to review covenants and restrictions that govern our membership. I have asked that suggestions be brought forth to address out dated covenants and drafts created of current guideline needs. This criteria will be brought to the membership at the appropriate time that our covenants allow for addendum in 2006.
Lifeguards. It is hard to imagine relaxing pool side in February, however, we will need a letter of intent from all lifeguards requesting to return to employment from last summer. Newly certified lifeguards residing in Ledgewood are encouraged to request an application.
Contact me at the Association P. O. Box 360484, Strongsville Oh, 44136 (snailmail)
E-mail atpresident@theledgewoodassociation.com (P.S. Krut 7 – read Turk spelled backwards and 7 members of my gang).
Stay Well,
Jim
Common Ground | Betty Anderson
2003 was a very unusual weather year. Our grounds crew did a fantastic job maintaining the area despite the constant torrential rains we experienced. Just cutting the grass on our 13 plus acres of Common Ground was a challenge. So much rain fell the ground became saturated and many trees were lost. Their roots just could not “hold on”. The weeds loved all the watering they received growing and spreading at a record pace. “Hats off” to our crew for their hard work and dedication.
During 2003 these major items were addressed and acted upon.
Clubhouse parking lot and driveway maintenance. The lot and drive were crack-filled, sealed and the lot was striped. The process took longer than anticipated due to excessive rainfall. The area kept “pumping” water delaying the filling and sealing process. It took several weeks of relative dryness before the job could be finished.
Tennis court flooding. Working with the city’s service director and our council members we believe we found the source of this ongoing problem. The culvert pipe under the tennis court road was crushed. Instead of draining into the creek, ground water backed up and accumulated on courts 1 and 2. The culvert pipe was replaced (at no cost to the Association) and seems to be doing the job – we will watch the situation to determine if additional actions are needed. Apologies to our tennis supporters for any inconvenience in 2003. Hopefully there will be a full and active tennis season in 2004.
Retaining wall construction. We have faced severe erosion problems in the creek bed during the past year. The main area of concern is by the clubhouse. The speed at which this section has proceeded is astonishing. Our clubhouse driveway, service garage and pool operations were in jeopardy. The board met with the city’s service director and several members of city council on several occasions. Everyone agreed that something must be done to prevent further erosion. Recommendations were made by the service director, but no immediate assistance by the city was offered. Following discussion with our legal advisor the board made the decision to take action. We must protect the assets of the Association. New retaining walls have been added to those already installed. Adding the new sections will secure and protect the areas of immediate concern. The old walls have served us very well for many years. They will continue to do so for many more years with the installation of the new walls. E-mail: commongrounds@theledgewoodassociation.com
Architectural Review | Marcia Folino
Something to note and check on. If you own one of the homes in the development with gas heat, walk the perimeter of your home on a still day. If you notice the smell of gas, it may be due to a gas line that has cracked, caused by the settling of your home. It could also be the smell of cooked gas from incomplete combustion in your furnace. The incomplete combustion could cause dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your house.
We have had incidents of both problems reported in the neighborhood. Of course, if you do notice any problem, call the service number on your gas bill immediately. A special thanks to those of you who recently replaced broken lampposts. Your neighbors, and the Board, appreciate your efforts to keep Ledgewood both great looking and a safe neighborhood.
One other thing-please remember that your neighbors see not only the landscaping in the front and side of your house, but also the back of your property. Part of the charm of the neighborhood is the lovely wooded view from the back of one’s property and perhaps into the common ground areas. Remember that these areas are for the enjoyment of all and not dumping areas for dead branches and leaves. When the weather breaks, please make sure that these areas, too, are kept up. If you have been piling branches or grass up, make sure it gets hauled away. Thanks in advance for your assistance. E-Mail – architectural@theledgewoodassociation.com
Clubhouse – Yvette Grants
My job, summarized, is to “oversee the general maintenance and operation of the clubhouse and act as a liaison between the salaried employees and the board of trustees. It is also to serve as a liaison for complaints regarding the clubhouse.
The person to contact for Clubhouse Rentals again this year is Ray Geisler, Clubhouse Manager at 878-4273. He reports that 2002-03 rentals nearly matched those of 2001-02. Maintenance work continues on the clubhouse. We have just added more smoke alarms and fire extinguishers, and have begun the year by painting the entryway to the clubhouse. Routine repairs on tables, emergency lights etc. will continue, with the help of Ray Geisler, Ed Pohjala and his team.
I am very happy to be able to serve on the board of this beautiful community. If you have any questions about the clubhouse you can call me at 440-878-1927 or by e-mail at clubhouse@theledgewoodassociation.com
Ladies Golf – Spring Luncheon
The Ledgewood Golf League will hold its organizational meeting for the 2004 season Tuesday, April 13th, at 12:15 p.m. at TGIF’s in Strongsville (18400 Royalton Rd.). We are a nine-hole league and welcome all golfers at all ages. We will be playing at Emerald Woods Golf Course starting Tuesday, May 4th, and please bring your $30.00 league fee. If paying by check, make check payable to Ledgewood Golf League. For more information, please call Darlene at 238-3468 or Suzanne at 238-7503. Am looking forward to seeing you all there.
Swim Team News!
As you know we are already in the planning stages for the upcoming season. Forest Park will not be able to hold any swim meets at their pool, unfortunately they do not have any lane lines. Deb Rovniak and I are going to try and hold practices once a week together, if this is a big problem for any one let me know. I’m sure we can come up with a car pool of some sort. We have hired a new head coach, Tori Stepoway. She is in her first year at OU and has swam high school, as well as summer league. She also has her coaching license. We will be interviewing for the assistant coach, hopefully late March or early April.
Our team suits from the last two (2) years have been discontinued. We are presently trying to find a similar suit for the upcoming season. I will have that information for you by sign-ups. Sign-ups will take place during the garage sale on April 29th. The cost will be the same as last year. We need to have the forms in to the SSL by May 18th with the monies for insurance, therefore, there will be a late fee for any registration after that date. If you will not be available to register at the garage sale, please feel free to contact me.
The garage sales set-up is Wednesday, April 28th, please remember to drop off and if you can help set up it would be greatly appreciated. Contact Joan Thwaite, she is organizing the sale.
We have our schedule for home meets, June 15, June 17, June 29 and July 1. Champs will be July 17, and the banquet after at the clubhouse. Our bye is July 8, it seemed to work out to be a good day for the field trip last year. Anyone with suggestions for the trip this year, let me know so we can get started on the planning.
Sue DeFauw – 572-5621
