Creekside Place November Newsletter The holiday season is fast approaching. The weather has finally cooled down and given us somewhat of a break from the boring and often unbearable heat and humidity. Happy days are here again! The lawn mowers and weedeaters can begin to take a well deserved break, and thoughts of roasting chestnuts by an open fire are coming to life after a long rest. Things here continue to improve. Jose and company are beginning our winter projects. The plantings are well under way, and the newly acquired Crepe Myrtles along Dowdell Road and the mailboxes are showing some life. The entrance lighting is complete, and the park has high efficiency LED lighting. Our gazebo will undergo some renovations making it more user friendly for the kids awaiting the buses, especially in the rain. As usual, vandalism continues to be a problem but has subsided a bit since school is back in session. The basket ball goals remain a big hit with the kids, and more recently someone’s “Grandma” is shooting hoops! Our next area of improvement will be the unsightly mailboxes. Now that the concrete steps are in place along with some landscaping, a form of handrail will be the next addition. We have some “left over” white vinyl fencing from the park renovation and it’s use is being considered. Don and Jose are trying their best to do these things economically. They have waited for the “fall 70% off sale” for plantings and other construction materials. Jose was successful in buying what we thought was 180 Crepe Myrtle plants for a substantial savings and actually received in excess of 200 plants. He’s been accused of using his “secret language” to do these magical things. We should be grateful that Jose continues to maintain our properties. He constantly apologizes for the time it takes to accomplish these things, but the savings we enjoy are well worth the wait. He often does things at no cost to the association simply because he says “we live here too”. As always, improvements are made with the betterment of the community in mind. We are now realizing that it has a direct influence on our property values. Homes in the area are at a premium. Our community is leading the way within the Dowdell community, and there are actually folks inquiring as to when a home may become available. The current Board of Directors is beginning to show some wear and tear. Hopefully, we will soon have a “town hall” style meeting in our park to discuss some important community issues. The main topic promises to be one of seeking help and replacements of some board members. Being self-managed has proven to be extremely beneficial, but it is taking it’s toll. Richard has had some serious surgery, and recovery has been both slow and difficult. Don is having his knees replaced, one in November and the other in January, and that leaves Tina. She can’t do it all! Help, help, help, the white flag is flying. It is fair to suggest that it takes time, is demanding, and is not for the faint of heart. But, the experience of the current board will still be available. That courtesy is something which has not been true in the past. Professional experience is a plus, and organizational skills are necessary. Those in retirement may be interested. As usual, the “forever request” for social community related committees would be an asset and hopefully an enjoyable experience for all. Many decisions have been made in the past without reassuring support from property owners, but once completed, many have the time to express their “we should have done it this way” opinion. As everyone is now aware, the 2014 assessments are due. The change in trash collection has prompted a discontinuance of the quarterly payment for that service. That has proven to be a blessing in disguise. It was costly and almost unmanageable. Postage, statements, constant phone calls and complaints were not in the offering. It is amazing that some folks think they do not have to pay and yet receive the service at their neighbor’s expense. We wonder if they feel that way with regards to their utilities and the county tax office. As most are aware, the HOA has obligations, and unfortunately we are collectively responsible for meeting those obligations. Our annual assessment is a bargain compared to others, and ours includes the trash. Other communities are paying for one month what we pay for a quarter for our trash collection. One huge change and factor to remember, the assessments ($500) are due in their entirety by January 1st. Those becoming delinquent will have the trash service discontinued, and those accounts will be sent to a collection agency for collection. All penalties, fees and service renewal obligations will be borne solely by the property owner creating the delinquency. Believe it or not, there are a few who are very, very seriously behind in their payment(s). For all to know, they owe our association in excess of $10,000, and it is our obligation to collect. Those accounts will be held responsible, and every effort permitted by law will be applied to collect in our behalf. Any account delinquent over 90 days will also fall within that category, and the same methods for collection will apply. As a point of information for those receiving the additional payment for their share of the perimeter fence repair, yes you can make payments on the amount along with your normal assessment. In numerical terms, $500 (2014 assessment) + $135 (fence assessment) = $635. $635/4=$158.75, all of which is due by January 1st. Some have also been billed the remainder of the trash collection for the last quarter of 2013 and that is due now to continue your collection. That is not related to the 2014 assessment(s). A “payment plan” after the fact is not being offered, and that is the reason for the early assessment notices. Property owners have the opportunity of payments before the fact without penalty. Our Covenants and Deed Restrictions outline our assessment requirements and we are obligated by law to comply. For those who “did not get a copy” at closing, you have the option of demanding one from your closing agent or checking our community website creeksideplacecai for a copy. Anyone wishing to make their payment in full may do so before January 1st. Just simply note the amount being paid on your payment voucher. Remember, the Board of Directors do not, can not, and will not accept any form of payment. To preclude any penalties or fees, the payment must be received and posted before credit to your account will be applied. A number of inquires have been made reference the assessment for the repair of the perimeter fencing. As explained and discussed, the wooden portion of the perimeter fence is the responsibility of the property owner as defined in the Covenants and Deed Restrictions. The HOA is responsible for the masonry portions and has accepted the additional requirement for the paint. The total cost of repair/replacement was over $13,000 for which the HOA paid $7,000 for the painting. Several calls indicated that they were unaware of the requirement or the plan to accomplish the repair. It was discussed at a special meeting held at the park. Unfortunately, only a few were in attendance. Our General Membership meeting was also a “disgrace”. Five (5) households were represented and three (3) of those were board members. The cost to the HOA for postage (which nobody receives!) and rental for “our” facility at Schultz Elementary is another unnecessary loss on our balance sheet. Numerous compliments have been received regarding improvements. There are of course a few complaints, but as usual, they come from folks who seem never to have anything good to say. Often it relates to the way money is being spent. But again, they do not offer any constructive criticism nor have any of them offered to step forward and give their time. More often than not, they are the ones who are either the proud owner of a delinquent account or late to pay for trash collection. And of course, it is never their fault. Also, we’ll not mention their noticeable absence at meetings! Unfortunately, human nature explodes, and after several of these comments from the same people, one wonders just why they live here! In short, if you can’t afford to live here, maybe you should look elsewhere. It is not your neighbor’s responsibility to support you. It is gratifying to have our efforts noticed and appreciated. We all participate in one way or another, and it is the board’s sincere desire that we all will benefit from our efforts. It is also worth noting several compliments are coming from outside our little community, and we enjoy the reputation of the “little engine that could”. Don has made our community desires and complaints well known. He attends several community related meetings to “protect our interests” and get things done which we, as taxpayers, should not only expect but demand. Frankly, he is not well liked by some elected officials but has been successful in demanding that they do their job. Remember, they work for us. He is attempting to stay abreast of all the planning, development, permitting, and current construction projects. Briefly there is going to be a significant change in the immediate area, and fortunately it will be a benefit to us all. There are plans for over 350 retail outlets between FM 2920 and Creekside Park in The Woodlands. HEB and Kroger are going to be major attractions, and plans for over 75 new restaurants are in the offering. The Grand Parkway has begun, and the addition of the Exxon Mobile campus has created another housing boom. Currently, there is a demand for an increase of 20,000 new faces in the close proximity. This is going to be an exciting time, and hopefully we will be an active participant. Our community involvement is now more than ever demanded to assure our wants, wishes and desires are met. Well enough for this time. Things are progressing as planned. Keep your eyes and ears open. Our crime rate is non-existent, and we need to keep it that way. The Constables direct line is 281-376-3472 . If you see something, please call them, not the HOA. Your board is NOT in the law enforcement business. The delay in calling them will only make matters worse. Oh yea, the Constables work for us too! Your tired but determined Board of Directors, Richard, Don and Tina
Posted on: Wed, 20 Nov 2013 02:27:40 +0000