Wildwind Homeowners Association

WILD WIND HOA NEWSLETTER
August – September 2009

Letter from President
We have been seeking a place to have a HOA meeting and so far we have had no success. The Library does not rent out their meeting room anymore, and after contacting several churches we have not been able to find a suitable place that is available on Saturday or Sunday. We are still looking and if you know of a place please give us a call. We do feel that meetings are important and we still intend on having them at regular intervals. The City of Stockbridge is constructing a community meeting room but it will not be ready till next year.
Our total dues amount to $23,000.00 per year and we still have over $19,000.00 owed in for this year. We have offered to set up payment plans for as low as $15.00 per month so that those who do not have the full amount can pay over time. We have had about 15 residents accept this plan, but the majority of those who have not paid yet have neither contacted us nor expressed an interest in paying over time. Our recourse is to file a lien against those who have not paid and then proceed with civil lawsuits. This takes time and cost us additional money which we do get back when we go to court. It would be best if those who have not paid would make arraignments to do so……
I want to thank all those who live in this community that has taken the time and effort to cut their lawns, edge the drive and walkways, and taken the time to make their homes a showplace. You are really what it takes to have a community that we can be proud of and make others want to live here.

From the management company
During the past few months we have seen a number home that have gone into foreclosure. These homes present a triple threat to the community. First, we loose all the HOA dues or any back dues on the property. Second, the amount of time that it takes for the home to go thru the foreclosure system is on the average seven (7) to eight (8) months. During that time there is no one to take care of the yard so we have to cut the grass and do the edging of the walkways (which there is no re-imbursement) or let the property sit there. When the home is put up for sale it usually an investor who hopes to either sale the home or turn it into rental property.
The front fence is due to be replaced during Nov – Dec of this year. The cost of materials has risen and we should have all the funds necessary to do this then. The rear pond is still in the works and we are waiting on a new ruling from the EPA about the number of trees that we can leave in and around the pond area. We should be receiving this information any day now and then we can proceed with that project.
Our next big project that we want to undertake is the mail boxes. They present a bad picture when you enter the neighborhood and need to be addressed. We will update you on this when funds are available.

IF YOU HAVE NOT PAID YOUR HOMEOWNER DUES PLEASE MAKE ARRAINGMENTS TO SET UP A PAYMENT PLAN OR JUST PAY THEM IN FULL. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT TO MAKE THINGS HAPPEN.
BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR
Good neighbors are usually unappreciated, but that doesn’t mean that they’re unnoticed. They are usually just taken for granted. People usually don’t comment that they have a good neighbor, but they will comment when they have a bad one, or when they have a neighbor that doesn’t socialize. Are you a good neighbor or a bad neighbor? Do your neighbors comment on your behavior in a good or a bad way? Do you want to change how they look at you? Keep reading for tips on being a better neighbor.
First of all, what makes a bad neighbor? Loud music, blaring television sets, keeping odd hours, driving too fast, and not keeping a respectable lawn are some of the biggest things that bother other neighbors. But those are obvious faults. What else is cause for concern? Leaving trash cans at the curb for days after garbage pickup, not bringing in your paper, leaving on our outside lights all day long, and letting your dog go the bathroom or your front lawn and not cleaning it up. Those points are all self explanatory and east to stay away from doing.
Secondly, what makes a good neighbor? A nice lawn, quiet music, no loud parties, and driving the speed limit or below if there are children in the neighborhood. Those are obviously things that other neighbors appreciate. What else makes them smile in your direction/ Being helpful is probably the biggest thing that neighbors appreciate. When you see that your neighbor’s lawn is overfull of leaves and one of your neighbors is outside trying to single handedly rake them up, offer to lend a hand. When a new neighbor moves is, offer to help unload the truck. A neighbor just had a baby? Offer to make a meal one night so the new parents aren’t so stressed out. Those are also somewhat obvious tips. What else would make a good neighbor? If your neighbor hasn’t brought in his garbage cans yet, roll them back into his yard. When you’re outside make sure to smile and wave at your other neighbors. Start a conversation if you like. These are things that other neighbors love.
Lastly, what can you do to make new neighbors feel at home? Besides helping with moving in, be sure to introduce yourselves to the new neighbors. Also, find out if they have kids and if they do, tell them where all the children in the neighborhood live. Tell them where the good places to eat are and where the good places to shop are. If possible, take a dessert or a plate of cookies to make them feel welcome.
IT IS NOT TOO HARD TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR OR A BETTER NEIGHBOR. IT ALSO ISN’T VERY HARD TO WELCOME A NEW NEIGHBOR. AFTER ALL, DON’T YOU WANT YOUR NEIGHBORS TO BE GOOD NEIGHBORS?

COST OF NEWSLETTER?
The cost of a mailing for the newsletter is getting to be a major expense. It takes printing, folding, labeling, and postage! With the cost running in excess of $300.00 per mailing, it makes sense to look for other ways to deliver the newsletter. Since nearly everyone has a computer and an e-mail account we can save a lot of money by e-mailing the newsletter to everyone. Please e-mail us your name, address and email address so that we can get this set up and deliver all the news to you electronically. Another big advantage is when something happens in the neighborhood it allows us the opportunity to deliver the news faster. Our e-mail address is: wildwind_hoa@yahoo.com or wildwindhoa@gmail.com
Please help us out and e mail back your information. Thank you,

WWHOA
For those who are new to the community we are a covenant based community that follows certain rules and regulations to insure that our community maintains a certain standard to keep our home values from falling. We schedule weekly inspections of the property and from that inspection we notify you of any infractions that we see. You then have seven (7) days to correct the violation before the second notice. If the infraction still exists after the second notice, we will issue a violation fine for that infraction. This is done weekly and after the third violation fine we then will take legal action to settle the matter.
Our covenant is specific in how we handle violations and fines and the collection of said fines.
THE ONLY EXCEPTION IS FOR THE LAWN CARE. WE DO NOT SEND A NOTICE STATING THAT YOU NEED TO CUT YOUR GRASS, EDGE YOUR YARD OR TRIM YOUR SHRUBS. YOU SEE THESE WHEN EVER YOU LEAVE OR RETURN TO YOUR HOME. IF YOUR LAWN IS OVERGROWN, WE WILL SEND SOMEONE IN TO CUT, EDGE, AND BLOW OFF THE DRIVE AND WE WILL BILL YOU FOR THAT CHARGE.
****If you are unable to cut your grass, edge your yard, or blow off the drive, give us a call and we will help you out. Our aim is to keep the sub division looking good…………

MAIN ITEMS IN COVENANT
1)    Yard is to be cut every ten (10) days during the growing season. (We allow every fourteen (14) days)
2)    Sidewalk, curb, and driveway are to be edged at each cutting.
3)    Grass clippings must be picked up and removed from street, walkway, or drive. City will pick up clippings only if they are in the brown paper lawn bags.
4)    NO VEHICLE shall be parked on the grassy area of the property, nor is a vehicle allowed to be parked on the street.
5)    All front yards shall be kept free of miscellaneous items such as: kids’ toys, lawnmowers, trash, tires, glass, mirrors, paper, ect.
6)    Yard lights are to be operational and on between dusk and dawn.
7)    Loud music, disorderly conduct, or any other types of nuisance activities will not be permitted.

PLEASE HELP IN LOOKING OUT FOR OTHERS IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD
We have had some break-in’s of homes in this neighborhood. If you see anyone that does not belong, or acting suspicious please call the police. An ounce of prevention is all it takes to cure a problem.

How Much Do You Already Know About Keeping Your Child Safe From Gangs?

Today's gangs are no more violent or deadly than gangs were in the past.

FALSE
Gangs today are more violent and deadly than ever. It is easier to get weapons, there are more fights for territory (called "turf"), and more young people are joining gangs.
Gangs generally do not enlist children under age 12.

FALSE
Gangs are recruiting children at a record rate. It's becoming common for them to enlist elementary schoolchildren age 9 or younger.
Gaining money is the main goal of gangs.

TRUE
The main goal of gangs is to gain money through drug sales and other criminal acts.
Gangs are at work only in large inner-city areas.

FALSE
Gangs no longer exist only in large inner-city areas. They have spread to nearly every city and town in the country as they look for new "turf" for drug sales and other crimes.
Gangs give children attention and status they may not get at home or elsewhere.

TRUE
Gang members tend to come from homes where they get little attention. They may spend too much time on their own and may feel "forgotten" in the midst of the family's problems.
Children who use alcohol or other drugs are at greatest risk for joining a gang.

FALSE
Drug and alcohol abuse may be one sign of a child's gang membership but it is not the greatest risk factor. The main risk factor is living in an area where there are gangs. The second is a home life where the child does not develop a sense of self or feel support from the family.
Use of hand signals may be a sign that a child is in a gang.

TRUE
Each gang has its own forms of communication: code talk, graffiti, and hand signs. Using hand signals may be a sign of gang membership.
In an area where there are many gangs, parents can do little to keep their kids out of gangs.

FALSE
Even in areas where there are many gangs, every child does not join them. Parents can make the difference by: having the right attitude, being good role models, safeguarding their child, being involved in their child's life, and providing a solid foundation for making good, positive choices.