Message from the President

August 27, 2011

I just returned from a morning bicycle ride around Daybreak. It was early, so traffic was sparse and allowed me the chance to look at all the homes, yards, and various landscaping efforts. Some people go all out with flowers and trimmed bushes and perfect green lawns. Homeowners of these yards are willing and able to spend the time and money to make them worthy of the "Yard of the Month" designation. Other's yards seem to say that the residents of these homes have too much to do to or too many places to be. They elect to spend their time and money elsewhere.

While I sit on my porch and admire my own green grass and just trimmed bushes, I am one of the lucky people who own a townhome in the Townhome 1 Association of Daybreak. I don't have to worry about the right amount of water or when to trim the lawn, or if bugs are infesting my bushes. I notice one poor bush that although I have given him extra water and fertilizer, is looking rather poorly. I rather doubt that he will survive the rest of the summer. It will probably need replacing next year.

Which leads my thoughts to the last open Association meeting that was held on August 25 at the Community Center. I am one of 6 people who have volunteered to serve on the board and because no one else wanted the job, I took on the role of President. One of the homeowners who attended the meeting, suggested that we use a BLOG to let other people in the Association know just what is going on with our homes, yards, snow removal, insurance, etc. The Homeowners continue to have issues with the care of our yards and also rising quarterly fees. I have agreed to write a monthly message to our Homeowners after our Board meetings.

It seems like we have between 2 and 15 people at our quarterly open Board meetings. Rarely do we see the same people at more than one meeting. We have over 340 Townhomes in our Association so attendance is poor. It is unfortunate that more people don't attend so that we, as a Board, could better assess the viewpoints of those in the community. Complaining to neighbors about the poor service and the high fees that everyone pays is going to achieve little more than an upset stomach for both of you. However, when we have an open meeting where we discuss ways to provide each of us with the service that we expect and brainstorm ways to achieve it, most Homeowners don't have the time or desire to attend.

Earlier in the month, I received a survey on my porch composed and distributed by A resident, who owns a Townhome in Eastlake. They are concerned about the cost of our HOA fees and took it upon themselves to investigate monthly fees charged by other HOA management companies. The Board was encouraged that they took initiative to do research regarding a concern of theirs. However, the Board was distressed that this Owner had not felt secure enough to contact us. The Board encourages Homeowners to contact the management company with your general HOA ideas or suggestions. Melissa, Erin, or Shirley will let us know of your contact and one of us will personally acknowledge relevant resident issues via email or a phone call.

Our next meeting is October 13 at 7:00. You will be getting emails regarding this important meeting. This is your chance to participate with the development our 2012 budget. If you are concerned about your home and our community, please take an hour out of your day to attend the open meetings.

Michele Hodgkins, President