APRIL 2014
Heather
Pointe Homeowners Association
A message from its President:
I want to
welcome and thank the Board Members who so graciously volunteered to be on the
board. Together we all are looking forward to a good year.
Special thanks
to Liz Reiff for her outstanding job for
the past 6 years. It takes a lot of patience, understanding and guts, to
volunteer to serve 197 families, without pay, and with little thanks. As most,
whom have been in that position in the past, we usually vow to never do it
again. Because of my concerns for Heather Pointe the past work that has
been done, and the love for my home, I felt the need to step up and volunteer
to be on the board.
It has been
exactly 30 years since I volunteered to be on a Homeowners Association Board. Past experience has shown me what all it takes, the amount and types of
problems, decisions and changes that would come about during the 7+ years that
followed my tenure. This included (successfully I might add), litigation that
lasted for 3 years, a change in my former Association’s By-Laws with a 75% vote
in favor of the changes we had to make. A much greater challenge than we
currently have here at Heather Pointe (I hope), which brings me back to Liz
Reiff.
While Liz
was our President, not only did she have the normal feat of getting homeowners
involved, but she took on the challenge of motivating the Board and some of the
homeowners who were interested in our community, to go out and speak with the
other owners to vote and approve the hiring of a management company to help
with running the association, answering our questions, getting bids and
collecting the maintenance fees. Heather Pointe was having problems with
homeowners paying and collecting dues. Bills weren’t being paid, street
lights had been turned off, and we were having break-ins throughout our
neighborhood.
Liz, the
other board members, and those who volunteered got the job done, worked to
resolve the issues that had to be faced. They met with the homeowners,
got the votes, and hired Metcalf Realty Co. Inc., our current management
company, who volunteered to loan us the money upfront to get the lights turned back
on and to pay our past due bills They also took on the unrewarding job of notifying and
collecting the past due maintenance fees, along with the new and increased
fees.
I could go
on and list all the accomplishments Liz, the board members, and Metcalf, did
during the past 6 years. But most of all I want all of our homeowners to
be thankful to their services and for taking on the challenge of having our
streets surfaced to meet Jefferson
County’s codes, that the
developer failed to do. They got Jefferson County involved and then the
City of Pinson, who came to our rescue and had Heather Pointe’s streets
surfaced at no expense to us, the homeowners, saving each and every homeowner
the expense of at least $750, and possibly close to $1,000, not including any
legal fees, by taking over the necessary litigation of suing the developer at
the city’s expense.
Liz, the
Board, and Metcalf’s continued dedication to our association/neighborhood is
why we are in a better situation than we were a few years ago. Let’s
agree to continue to do the right thing for Heather Pointe and our neighbors.
Let’s
remember that the person or family living next door may not be your best
friend, but that they are, after all, your neighbor. Say, “Hi”. See how
they’re doing, if they have a need and if you or someone can help.
Also, PLEASE SLOW DOWN. We have children to
watch out for, your neighbor’s car, as well as your own children and cars.
May this
year and the next couple of years be warmer ones, to you and to all our
neighbors. Thank you, Carol Halderman.
DON’T TEXT AND DRIVE;
PULL OVER TO USE YOUR PHONE; AND SET ASIDE A TIME TO RESPOND TO CALLS AND
TEXTS.
The Board and Metcalf Realty
are looking at a new landscaping company
to take care of the front entrance and common areas. Whole Blooming Yard
may possibly be installing rose bushes and some other blooming flowers for the
front (to add
some much needed color), along with pine straw.
The lights have already been repaired by Webster Electric. Bids for the repair of the
irrigation system with a timer installed is being explored.
SLOW DOWN 
