periodico copy

The primary issue at the annual meeting was the Board proposal to institute a New Home Buyer’s Assessment. While the proposal received a majority of the votes cast, it fell short of the required 51% homeowner approval of 179 votes. The actual count was 152 in favor and 94 opposed. Over 100 homeowners did not submit ballots. The Board will now have to regroup, review planned major maintenance items and generally explore various financing options.

Scottie Blum was reelected to a new three-year term as a director. New rookie directors elected are Robert Frost and Ken Miller. We welcome them to the Board and their future contributions to the general betterment of Esperanza Estates.

The general discussion following the balloting and committee reports pointed out the need for the Board to do a more thorough job of communication. As an example, the budget for fiscal year 2003 was not distributed to homes. Such information is generally posted at our bulletin boards at the tennis court and the swimming pool but these locations are not convenient for many of our members. This particular Board has tried to be responsive to member concerns but obviously we need to do better .

During the course of the meeting, the many benefits of volunteerism were evident. Several different examples were cited. The meeting itself was staffed by about 10 volunteers in addition to the Board. One of our volunteers has generated an excellent dissertation on Esperanza Estates. You may access this by dialing the Coordinating Council web site and scrolling through the menu. We seem to be the only association with that exposure. You may wish to inform your relatives and others "back home" about this information, especially during the winter months. The address is www.gvccc.org and gives general information about Green Valley as well as specifics about Esperanza Estates.

Following the general meeting, the Board held an organizational session. As that great American League philosopher, Yogi Berra, once said, "deja vu all over again." All 2002 officers were reelected for another year.

As an aside, we note newspaper reports of increasing animal attacks on humans as a result of wildlife feeding. If you directly feed coyotes or javelina, you are at special risk as they lose their fear of humans and will expect to be fed. Spilled seed under bird feeders may also increase the risk of unwelcome confrontations. Most of us enjoy seeing birds in the area but we are not necessarily doing them a favor by artificial food stands. About four years back, the population of house finches came near dying off because of a virus spread largely through bird feeders. This also decimated the population of Cooper's hawks who enjoy snacking on small birds. Enough for now!

The Board has arranged with AAA Landscape Maintenance to continue as our landscape caretakers for an additional year, at no increase in rates. We have been generally satisfied with their work product over the past year, and feel it would be in the Associations best interests to continue with them for the additional period. By this time AAA's crews know our common areas, and require less supervision, making our arrangement with them more efficient. They have divided our common areas into zones, and work the zones on a rotating basis, handling specially requested matters on a priority basis. So far this has worked well.

The landscape crews are currently concentrating on the cutting back of our many Bird of Paradise shrubs, which need to be trimmed back yearly. Some of our common area Oleanders have been cut back severely, as a result of frost damage last year. This will promote their healthy return.

We occasionally receive requests to trim one of our taller palms. We budget to trim all common area palms once annually and, unfortunately are not in a position to cut them any more frequently. We have over 50 tall palms to take care of. Those up to 10 feet are trimmed by Triple A so are less of a problem to deal with more often.

Our gravel refurbishment program is in full swing, and so far has resulted in the replacement of approximately 55 yards since December. We plan on an additional 50 or so yards with this phase of the program. The areas receiving the new rock look much improved. It is contemplated that gravel replacement will be continuous in the future, as funds are available, until the areas needing attention have been completed.

Walter and Eileen Stremme have donated an additional 2 unusual cacti to our demonstration cactus garden in Mt. View Park. These are a Euphorbia milii (Crown of Thorns), and a Mammillaria elongata (Golden Stars). They join the approximately 20 additional cacti types in the garden. If you have not viewed this area, we invite you to do so. It is Impressive.

As always, please call me at 399-0455 if you have or observe problems in the common areas. We will do our best to get to them promptly.

Work continues to progress at our Sunset Park (west end of shuffleboard courts). Jane Ellingson (our head gardener), Eric Ellingson, Ben and Mona Sheffield and Lance Ewing brought small rock from the wash and outlined proposed walkways. A bottlebush tree, three compact myrtle shrubs and a beautiful Tombstone Rose (donated by Jane and Eric) were planted. This completes the "in ground" plantings. A large concrete planter has been donated by Dorothy Greene and George Kormas. Another large planter is needed -if someone would like to donate this, please call Jane at 625-7782. Two tables, eight chairs and four umbrellas have been added to the bricked patio. This whole area is looking great! Plan to go by and have a look at your recreation area. If you would like to use the tables at any time- the key to the locks on the "theft proof' cables around the chairs, is hanging on the door of the shuft1eboard shed. With the exception of the donations, all plantings and furniture were purchased with funds raised by the hard working Esperanza Estates Volunteers.

"R" stands for restrictions, as in "Thou shalt not." The vehicle parking code has basically three parts. First, no vehicle or trailer of any type under control of the resident shall be parked in any common area. Quad driveways are owned and maintained by the Association and are thus part of the common area. Second, certain types of vehicles are specifically listed and prohibited from outdoor parking anywhere in the sub-division, which includes driveways and the county-owned streets. The list includes pick-up trucks, panel trucks, motor homes, camping vehicles, trailers, and various other vehicles. Third, brief stops for loading or unloading such vehicles are permitted. Incidentally, the authority of an Association to enforce parking restrictions on streets owned by a city or county has been upheld in Arizona courts. Parking violations represent the largest source of complaints received by the Board, which finally enacted a fine of $50.00 for such violations.

Structural modifications visible from the outside, including your neighbor's backyard, require approval by the Board to insure that the original architectural patterns of the sub-division are maintained. Also, complete repainting requires approval of plans to insure compliance with the original color and finish. Touch-up painting does not require prior approval although you may wish to check with the Architectural Control Committee to verify your color and finish (flat finish is specified).

Advertising signs are prohibited except for one "For Sale" or "For Rent" sign of limited size. Because of homeowner complaints in the past, the Board has generally taken a narrow view of this restriction. While some homeowners have a natural desire to customize their front yards, the Board has generally discouraged such activity .

Tree planting in common areas is permissible under certain circumstances but you must receive prior approval from the Board. Certain types of trees, such as palms, are high- maintenance either through expensive trimming or general dirt clean-up. Also, some trees have been planted too close to property walls and have required removal because of damage to such walls.

Finally, your guests are free to use the recreational facilities, no day pass required.

Several people have suggested that there are some really unique changes that have been made to the homes in Espernza Estates. It makes this place unique in Green Valley since there were only 5 or 6 original models. It has been suggested that a group get together to do a tour for Esperanza residents. The first tour could possibly include a wine and cheese party.

This idea has real merit as a money making venture for the Concerned Volunteers but I have been unable to find anyone who has the expertise to head up a venture of this sort. I am sure there would be plenty of volunteers to help but we need a head honcho. IS THERE A BRAVE SOUL OUT THERE? Call Sheila Bennen at 399-0501

I would like to personally thank all of you fellow homeowners who participated in the meetings, called, or personally shared your views on the proposed Buy-In-Fee that was voted on at the annual meeting. Your thoughts were invaluable in the analysis of this project..

There is now a GVCCC web site you may want to send to your friends for info on Green Valley.

Rod Pearson has put his Esperanza site on it also. We are the first homeowners group to have a space. You can access it by www.gvccc.org

We are getting closer to our goal of contacting everyone in the sub-division and giving them an "Envelope of Life" from the fire department.

Most of the Neighborhood Watch captains have found the experience of talking to their neighbors rewarding.

I am hoping to have a representative of the Sheriff's Department address our members at the board meeting scheduled for February 17, 2003. The combination of Sheriff, Sheriffs Auxiliary Volunteers, Neighborhood Watch, and Homeland Security will be discussed.

The article in the Green Valley News dated January 22, 2003, concerning the robberies in the Green Valley area again reinforce our need to be watchful of our neighborhood and report suspicious activities.

The new 2003 Owner Directories were sold at the annual meeting. If you did not obtain a copy you may call the following people to get one.

They are $2.00 apiece. Please remember to update them from the Periodico. All new members and phone numbers are listed with each issue.

Party Alert! Let's gather at Esperanza Park to celebrate the Full Moon on Sunday, February 16, 2003, at 5:00 p.m. Moonrise is at 6:05 p.m.

We'll furnish the "smore" & hot dog roast, hot chocolate, coffee, tea, and hot water .

You bring, if you wish, choice of additional snacks & libations -- as well as folding chairs.

B – Beef fajitas with bell pepper and onions and side servings of lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, home made salsa and tortillas

Short Program – Western dancing performed by "Our Lady of the Valley" parish

Rex Ranch has a beautiful rose garden and we are welcome to walk through it.

EEHOA BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2003

President * A. David Lantz
Vice-President * Norma Stanley
Treasurer * Sheila Bennen
Secretary * Ben Sheffield
Scottie Blum
Thomas Cooke
Robert Frost
Ken Miller
Paul Rowland
Richard Zindrick

The Bylaws require these Officer positions be filled with Directors

Committee Chairs

Architectural Control
Paul Rowland
Ken Miller

Data Processing
Robert Frost

Operations / Maintenance
Tom Cooke and Ken Miller

Swimming Pool
Scottie Blum

Concerned Volunteers
Tom Cooke

Neighborhood Relations
Norma Stanley

Hospitality
Phyllis Johnson-Frost

Neighborhood Watch
Melodye Cooke

Other Personnel

Periodico Production
Bob Fallon

Periodico Distribution
Charl Petry

GVCCC Community Directory
Charl Petry

GVCCC Representative
Sheila Bennen

GVCCC Alternate
Helen Fallon

Board Meetings
3rd Monday at Bank of America Community Room,
LaCañada at Continental, 1 PM

February 17 at Madera Vista Recreation Center (Note change of place)
March 17
April 17