CHRONICLE

COLONIA VERDE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION

June 2008

www.coloniaverdehoa.com

Issue 113

CVHOA BOARD MEETING –WEDNESDAY JUNE 18 @ 4PM MESSAGE FROM MIKE ZONNEFELD - PRESIDENT CVHOA BOARD

We live in a very unique community that has been successfully self-managed for some 36 years now with full time on-site management staff. JJ has now been here some 15 years looking after our community’s needs and in some cases homeowner’s needs. He is on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There was some discussion some months back about going to an outside property management company, and the idea as such, was soundly rejected by the members of this community, with the proviso that this board would evaluate the overall community situation and financial status with a detailed report and a recommendation to be made to the general membership at the next General Meeting, which will be in February, 2009. Such a decision is not to be made lightly, because typically there is no turning back if this is not a satisfactory solution. With that in mind, a motion was made and passed by the Board to do just that and that work is in process with the bulk of it being done by Mr. Driesbock and Mr. Sipp, both professionals in this area, and our permanent staff. At the May meeting the first report was read into the minutes. It is

the board’s plan to have the final study available December 1st for your review prior to the general meeting. The Board has received criticism from a small contingent of residents that we are not doing any thing yet etc., etc. For instance, we have not moved immediately to replace resigning members, etc! However a review of activity will reveal that in spite of the critical emails floating around amongst some of the residents, a number of things have been accomplished: 1. The reserve funds have been placed in a higher return account for our benefit. 2. Former banking fees that should not have been applied to our HOA accounts have been removed and a potential refund of those fees is being considered by the bank. 3. The median extension at the south end of Camino Valle Verde and the road traffic restriction curbs have been approved by the city and are going to be permanently installed. 4. The bonding for the staff has been raised to cover a more realistic environment. 5. Business practices have been streamlined slightly to make it more professional. 6. Contractors that are routinely on property have been required to submit suitable insurance certificates. 7. A court action has been enacted against a delinquent dues paying homeowner to insure that we receive our HOA dues from this property. 8. The main community entry ways are being refurbished. 9. Board officers are making arrangements to back each other up in the event of business or personal requirements requiring their absence. 10. In response to our community, the clubhouse hours are now 9:00 AM to 12:00 Noon every day, not just four days a week as previously done . Many things are happening, and issues are being addressed, for the betterment of the community. This Board is committed to being a friendly and open organization, dedicated to improving our community. I am willing to listen to anyone with their concerns and have made myself available at all times for a conversation, email, or discussions of issues that you feel should be brought before the board for consideration. I believe all current board members share that attitude. I am open to criticism as well, and have received some, but I have received far more compliments on our Board and its accomplishments. The Board thanks each of you who have taken the time to make a positive statement of support. If you have something positive to assist in this board’s activity, please let us know, if you have criticism that you wish to share with me, please do so. Let’s all concentrate on being good neighbors, and enjoy our wonderful community. Summer is upon us, enjoy it with the best wishes from your Board of Directors and your President. The Board and I thank you for your support.

OUR COMMUNITY NEWS! Notes from the Landscape Chairman – Bob Ferguson

The western perimeter of Colonia Verde has a hedge of oleander plants. These were planted some time ago for the purpose of noise reduction from the traffic, as well as affording some privacy. Maintaining these plants is a responsibility of the Landscape Chairman and most particularly the Association Manager. There is an irrigation system through the length of the perimeter which is set on a timer controlled by JJ. The schedule of watering has been set to water for one hour once a week. This is considered adequate for these plants as they are very drought resistant and watering in excess of this is not beneficial. Oleanders do best in soil that is well drained, such as our sandy soil. Homeowners who have oleander plants on their porches or patios are urged to limit the water to those plants to no more than one gallon per plant per week.

Notes From Your Librarian Magazines:

There seems to be a general misunderstanding about donations to our magazine rack. Space is limited, please limit donations to current issues not older than 3 months and less for weeklies. We have no space to store your donations except for the possibility of Tucson History magazines. Remember that all the magazines are here for the taking to read at your leisure. Books: As always and forever, please place all returned and newly donated books in the basket in the hall. And if you are Spring cleaning and find you still have some of our books (possibly even from years ago!) please feel free to return them – we’ll never know who you are! FYI - New residents you may not know that the audio collection is in the 2nd and 3rd drawers of the buffet to the right of the large bookcase in the dining room. We are establishing an area for Large Print books on the bottom shelf of that same large bookcase. Donations to this effort are most welcome (in the basket in the hall)! To the new as well as the established residents alike, have an easy, comfortable summer.

From Sue Carter: Curious about what has happened with our old neighbor El Dorado? Information about one of the new residents in the building is posted in the clubhouse. Tucson Medical Center Senior Services is offering year-round wellness for seniors. Check out the flyers and the May-June calendar. Sign up if you are interested and a tour will be organized. More info in July.

Obituary for Lilias H. Churchill – By Alex Churchill Lilias H Churchill, wife of Alex B Churchill of 7211 E Camino Valle Verde, left us to go be with her Lord on Sunday, May 18. Born and raised in Greenock, Scotland, Lilias graduated from Kean University (NJ) in 1951 with a degree in elementary education and speech therapy. She used her training in speech therapy to teach a youth who had never spoken one word how to speak, and to teach Alex how to say, "I love you," whom she married in 1954. After many years in New Jersey, Rochester, NY, and St. Louis, MO, they came to Tucson in 1983 to alleviate Lilias' suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. They bought their home in Colonia Verde in March

of 1986. While she continued with a modicum of health, she spent a great many hours on behalf of the quality of life here in Colonia Verde, including several years as Chairperson of the CV Women's Association, creating the first set of job descriptions for the members of the CV Board of Directors, and updating and upgrading the CV Clubhouse. Lilias was instrumental in starting a Christian school in Chesterfield, MO, which has grown from one teacher and six students to 354 students and 26 teachers. In Tucson she tutored English as a second language. One student told her, "You have given me a marriage!" Another told her after passing her exam for citizenship, "They told me I speak very good English!" She delighted in her exquisite garden, as Scottish as can be. She shared her delicious homemade pies and Scottish shortbread with many treasured friends. She is survived by her husband Alex and two children, John S. Churchill of Birmingham, AL, and Esther C. Heck of Wasilla, AK, five grandchildren, and a great granddaughter. A primary purpose in life was to make others feel comfortable and loved. Her humor, kindness, wisdom and love will be greatly missed by all who were privileged to know her.

LET'S CELEBRATE JULY 4TH - FRI AT 5:30

BRING YOUR MEAT TO GRILL, SIDE DISH OR DESSERT TO SHARE. ICE CREAM & LEMONADE WILL BE PROVIDED. HOSTED BY NANCY BINGMAN, MINDY, GREG, & STEVIE ANN FAULKNER, RYAN, LISA, & LAUREN WIEDEBUSH.

Join your neighbors in the annual July 4th celebration on Friday, July 4th at 5:30. As in the past, please bring meat to put on the grill and a side dish or dessert to share. Ice cream and lemonade will be provided, but if you want something stronger BYOB. $ 2.00 per adult will cover the cost of clean up. Children/grand children are encouraged to join in the fun. The ping-pong table will be available and pool will be open for swimming. Parents must be responsible for their children around the pool. Our Board President, Mike

Zonnefeld, has consented to bring his guitar and top off the evening with a sing-along of patriotic songs.

CVWA are deep into planning dinners and coffees for the 2008/2009 season. Watch for cocktail/buffets on different nights hoping to attract those who can't attend on Friday. Some dinners will also have entertainment The programs for the coffees include several guests that will be of interest to the men as well as the women. Speakers for the fall will include Councilman Rodney Glassman and David Fitzsimmons, the editorial cartoonist for the AZ Star. A neighborhood home tour is being planned for January. More information about all programs will follow in the Chronicle as the season progresses.