Periodico de Esperanza
Homeowners Newsletter
May 23, 2005

President’s Report – By Max Perry

By now the ice has broken on the Santa Cruz River and we can all hunker down for the usual long hot summer. But that brings more opportunities to enjoy our beautiful Esperanza pool. Which is my way of inviting everyone to stop in soon and see the great progress we're making on the renovation of the bathrooms and expansion of the storage shed. Ken Miller and Ben Sheffield have been keeping track of those projects and they're doing a terrific job. Everything should be finished soon. It'll be a great spot for our Fourth of July activities.

 Speaking of great jobs, I hope all of you with internet access have visited Rod Pearson's wonderful Esperanza Estates web site. It really is an exceptional look at our beautiful neighborhood. Included in the site is a forum on which announcements can be posted. I have used it several times and would like to continue using it to get the word out as widely as possible. So, please, check out the site at EsperanzaEstates.com.

We have received about 80 responses to our parking survey and I want to ask anyone who hasn't responded to please do so. I will collect the data for the Board to use in the fall as we begin examining this issue. So far, about 83% of the respondents believe the CC and R's should be revised as they pertain to parking. But, as the old saying goes, the devil is in the details. There are MANY varied opinions on the subject and the task will be daunting. Until that time, though, the parking regulations will be enforced. So, please consult your copy of the CC and R's and adhere to the requirements found there. It will make everyone's life a little easier.

 Your Board is made up of many capable and dedicated directors. It is my pleasure to work with every one of them. Listed in the back of the Peridico is each director's name and phone number. Many have special responsibility for specific areas like Neighborhood Relations, Recreational Facilities, Architecture and Common Area Maintenance. They've spent a lot of time working in these areas and are the true experts. If you have questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact the appropriate person. They'll be glad to help.

Common Areas – By Tom Cooke, Chair

Phase two of the regraveling program for this year has nearly come to a close, having completed the spreading of about 200 additional yards. All of our alleyways have now received attention, along with numerous smaller areas around the subdivision. We can report that our quad yards are now in pretty good shape, and some major rehabilitation work has been completed in the Ensalmo cul-de-sac. We have also completed a walkway from Placita Nueva through to an area right across from the swimming pool recreational area, for better access. This path is adjacent to 751 Placita Nueva.

Our future expenses for gravel should be substantially lessened, now that most (but unfortunately not all) of the common areas requiring attention have received it. This has been a major Board program for the past three years, largely due to the neglect these areas had suffered in the past because there was no program in place to assure their regular maintenance. This has now changed. We will continue in the future doing primarily maintenance work on the graveled areas, along with completion of smaller areas still requiring refurbishment. We have a major investment in our graveled areas, and intend to take good care of them in future years. Your Board believes the enhancement of these areas contributes substantially to the enjoyability of our subdivision, as well as to the maintenance of our property values.

It has recently been necessary to remove one of our large, old Mesquite trees. It was situated in a common area adjacent to a quad, and had become a health hazard for a resident due to bird droppings and other problems associated witii the tree. We dislike removal of mature trees from our common areas, but occasionally it simply becomes necessary. In addition, the Board Resolution recently enacted regarding the maintenance of trees, also binds the Board to the same standards as far as the common areas are concerned.

If you have not had a chance to see the new rest rooms-shower areas at the pool, be sure to do so. They have been totally updated and refurbished, and look great. We will have no further problems with termites in that building— there is nothing for them to eat any longer. All wooden walls have been replaced with masonry.

Annual common area palm tree trimming will begin in late May or early June. If you have palms in your yard that need trimming, this is a good time to do it. We have had good luck with our trimmer, Rob McCord of Trimmings, etc. His phone is 721-9472. He will generally give private owners the same rate he charges the Association (which is still under negotiation this year, but which we have always found to be competitive). Rob has all of the required state licenses, being one of the very few in this business we have found who do, and we have been pleased with his work.

A number of new cactus species have been planted in Mt. View Park, the funds for which were graciously provided by the EE Volunteers. The actual digging was done courtesy of Board member Steve Brown. Several of the existing species which had not survived, were replaced. We have a lot of interesting varieties of cacti there, and its worth a look.

Elsewhere in this issue of the Periodico is an article by Bill Milne on the Esperanza Estates Heart, on Esperanza Blvd., and a project for its renewal. Please read it, as I believe you may find it of interest.

As always, be sure to call me (399-0455) if you have or observe problems in the common areas.

Tom Cooke
840 Circulo Napa
Green Valley, AZ 85614
tecooke1@cox.net

Resolution by the Board

Whereas the Board of Directors of Esperanza Estates has authority under Article IX of its duly enacted Bylaws to appoint such committees as it deems appropriate, and

Whereas the Board finds that the appointment of two such committees will enhance the operations of the subdivision by enabling said committees to better perform their respective functions by having formalized committee structure, including the right of access to funding raised by them in the course of their activities, and

Whereas the Board now desires to formalize the foregoing by enactment of this resolution,

Now, Therefore, it is RESOLVED:

1. There are hereby established two committees within Esperanza Estates, to be known as The Esperanza Estates Hospitality Committee and The Esperanza Estates Volunteers Committee.

2. Each said committee shall determine its own structure and choose its own officers. Membership of said committees shall be limited to owners within the subdivision. Membership by an owner in both committees is authorized and encouraged.

3. All activities of both of said committees shall be considered to be under the auspices of the Board, and neither committee shall engage in any activity within the subdivision without first obtaining Board permission; provided, however, that activities which are routine and recurrent may be approved by blanket approval on an annual basis. The Board shall have the authority, however, to cancel any committee activity, at any time, for reasons it deems appropriate. This shall include even an activity previously approved.

4. Each committee shall have authority to establish its own bank account, and to deposit therein proceeds of its own fundraising activities, and to control the same; provided, however, that funds raised by activities within the subdivision shall be used only for purposes within the subdivision as approved by the Board. Provided further that none of such funds shall inure to the personal benefit of any committee member. In the event either of said committees shall ever go out of existence, or be dissolved by Board or other action, any remaining funds shall become the property of the Board.

Each committee understands that it will be self supporting, and shall receive no financial appropriation from the Board.

5. Each committee shall file a monthly report with the Board, providing details of its fund raising, expenditures, funds on hand, and activities. A copy shall be provided by the committee to the Periodico, for publication in each issue.

6. Each committee shall appoint a formal representative to the Board, who shall be the committee spokesperson, and who shall have authority delegated by the committee to deal with the Board on all matters.

7. This Resolution shall be subject to modification from time to time, in the discretion of the Board. The Board shall also have the authority to dissolve or abolish either committee, and to declare this Resolution terminated.

In witness whereof, this Resolution has been approved this 16th Day of May, 2005, at a regular meeting of the Board, at which a quorum was present.

Esperanza Estates Home Owners Assn. Inc.

Max Perry, President
Attest: Sheila Bennen, Secretary

Esperanza’s Heart – By Bill Milne

Back in the 1978 or 1979 time period the Esperanza homes were being built at a rapid pace. About a hundred a year was the demanding requirement. In this time period a major flaw showed up. The homes along the north side of Placita Nueva had been erected with a floor level eight to twelve inches higher than their front curb according to the architect’s plans. The flaw showed up when rain water that started at the Esperanza Boulevard sidewalk flowed down and into the back gates of these homes. From there it went across the yards, around or through the homes and out into Placita Nueva. There was no solution but to backhoe a drainage ditch outside and lower than the back gates all the way down to a drainage ditch near the model homes area. The new ditch was five feet wide and three or four feet deep. The dirt piles were more than a city block long.

These very ugly piles of dirt and gravel were standing alone until the middle 1980's. When Esperanza Estates chose its own Board of Directors, a lot of new changes were made possible.

It was decided at this time to beautify this Esperanza Boulevard area because after all it was the "Front-door" of the Esperanza Estates subdivision.

The decision was to change the ugly piles into several landscaped mounds and this was soon accomplished. A spiral, a horseshoe, a series of tiers, a crescent, some no-names, and the one that had, by far, the most reasons for being there was a large heart which soon showed up.

At last Esperanza Estates had a heart of its own!

Arizona's own Statehood Day came on Valentines Day in 1912. These Days combine to give this heart mound a double reason to be in existence. Two large scripted white stone "E"s put out the message: We love our Esperanza Estates. We also love to live here.

Another love offering was the fact that Mary Kneif was our Board President during the time of these mound planings and designings and even though she was on her death-bed, she freely gave of her time to help design and also provide the funds to make this all possible. Her help and aid were quite valuable. She has earned a special place because her heart in her work was every bit as large as the heart she helped to create. Bless you, Mary. In several of our minds this heart mound is also a memorial to Mary.

Because of a lack of knowledge of the fore-going facts a certain number of changes have taken place. The new Board President and the Maintenance Committee Chairman need help to correct these items. Call them and/or Bill Milne to help out in any way. Max 331-2973, Tom 399-0455, Bill 648-0014

WHY IS THE "HEART" SHAPE ON THE "ARIZONA" MOUND?

Because it has a strong connection to Arizona such as:

1. ARIZONA became a state on valentines day 1912 so our ADMISSION DAY  and VALENTINES DAY are celebrated as one.

2. Two white "E.E.s" say WE LOVE ESPERANZA ESTATES.

 3. They also say "WE LOVE LIVING HERE."

4. MARY KNEIF was the first lady to serve a term as president on our Board of Directors. She had a special love for our association. She also helped design and provided the funding for this special mound. Memories of her accomplishments alone would make this mound special.

5. This mound commemorates all of this.

Letter to the Editor

To: Charl Petry and/or Ye Editor of Periodico

Charl is the one who brings the monthly issues of the sine qua non Peiodico to my door and she is the one who mails them to me whilst I am away. So, as I now prepare to depart for the summer months, I have notified her about the timing of our absence from Green Valley and I address this letter, in part, to her.

Had I known of the Board's intent to honor Bill Milne for his unselfish, skillful hard work as a volunteer, I would have been there to add my voice to that of the Selection Committee. When Frances and I first occupied 1011 Calle del Regalo good old Bill was Bill-on-the-spot with names of tradesmen and assorted wisdom he has accumulated and stored in that old gray head of his. In addition to being everybody's choice for volunteer of the year—Bill has also written a sterling history of Esperanza Estates—who built it—and how— and how the home owners learned to work together to make Esperanza Estates the best place to live in Green Valley. I know he gave at least one copy to the EEHOA archives—so, if you have not read it and wish to, go to our archives or the Green Valley Library. You will be inspired by how fortunate we have been in the leadership we have elected. Ben Franklin would have been cheered by the example set by Bill.

So to Charl and any others who are interested we say au revoir, auf wiedersehen, and goodbye for now.

Howard F. Cook
Frances T. Anderson
4-26-05

New / Former Owners – By Sheila Bennen

New: Kristin G. Laughlin & Robin R. Lockwood
1203 Circulo Del Norte
Former: Mary Reeves

New: Thomas M. & Balarie A. Chapman
748 Calle del Ensalmo
Former: Jean Moser

New: Jean Moser
748 Placita Nueva
Former: Thomas M. Sprangers

New: Charles L. & Dana B. Parsons
734 Calle Regalo
Former: Virginia Hollister

New: Sue R. Cosby
1125 Circulo del Norte
Former Robert Morrison

New: Edward K. & Regis J. Stauffer
687 Placita Nueva
Former: Donna Noonan Kaura

Hazardous Waste – By Sheila Bennen

A big thanks to Hal McMickle for transporting 17 residents waste to the pick-up site. It was the best effort by any Green Valley HOA to transport their waste in one vechicle. Hal has volunteered to do this twice now and I hope he will continue. There will be another pick-up in the fall so begin sorting out all of your waste now. Thanks, Hal.

Advertisements – By Sheila Bennen

We would encourage each of you to ask any "trade person" that you feel does an excellent job to place an ad in the Periodico. We would like our homeowners to have a list of reliable people to call. We would like a copy ready ad. Please call Sheila Bennen at 399-0501 for more information.

The cost structure is as follows: Full page 3 months $100, ½ page 3 months $ 50, ¼ page 3 months $ 25

Hospitality – By Lavonne Corral, Co-Chair

The Hospitality Committee hosted a successful Cinco De Mayo gathering with 70+ in attendance. Guests enjoyed sharing the tasty Mexican dishes of their neighbors, breaking the pinta, and winning a serape and gift certificates to areas restaurants.

The sale of raffle tickets on the latter items netted $55.52 with the proceeds to be used to offset expenses for future parties. Mark your calendars to attend a July 4th outing at the Pool Ramada.

HOSPITALITY MISSION

To extend the hand of friendship in our Esperanza Estates community in a social setting that offers an opportunity for ALL to gather in a congenial atmosphere with the intention of providing FUN & FOOD & FELLOWSHIP

Recreational Facilities – By Bruce Liljegren, Chair

This is just a reminder that now that the heat has arrived we still want to keep the spa cover on when not in use and the pool cover on at night. Saves energy. Saves money.

 Showering is also very important for our health and to keep contaminants out of the water. We must shower before using either the pool or the spa. If you haven't been there recently you might want to check out the new restrooms and showers. They look great.