President’s Report - By Ben Sheffield

We welcome back all who spent the Holidays away and our members who choose to arrive after the New Year begins.

Our Annual Meeting, held January 17, 2005 at the Desert Hills Recreation Center, was well attended. With 100 residents present the Board appreciated a full house for the meeting. There were 190 of the 351 homes in Esperanza Estates represented either by Proxy or in person. There were 196 Ballots cast and the results were as follows:

Sheila Bennen 186 votes; Tom Cooke 191 votes; Max Perry 186 votes and three write in votes, one each for Hope Allen, Mike Cricksman and John Meek.

When tallying the Ballots it was obvious that not all who sent in a Ballot sent in a Proxy and likewise Proxy's were mailed in without Ballots.

There were 181 Advisory Votes turned in and the audited results were as follows:

Yes 145 No 33 and 3 with comments only. One of these had voted Y & N.

During the Member comments portion of the agenda there was considerable discussion regarding the landscaping issue on the Advisory Vote. It was brought out that there were NO view lots sold when Wigham developed the sub-division. This was probably true at the time of development; however, when you are looking for property listed for sale by a local realtor and it has a view, it is advertised as such. I personally believe that many of us have purchased homes here that were sold as view properties. I am sure this is the kind of stuff that keeps our legal system running.

The meeting went smoothly with a synopsis of the years activities by the Committee Chairs in their reports. Please find their reports on the following pages.

After the general meeting the Board met for an organizational meeting for the year 2005. The following officers were elected: President, Max Perry; Vice President Norma Stanley; Secretary/Treasurer, Sheila Bennen. Committee Chairs remained the same as last year. You will find them on page 11 of the Periodico.

Our December 31, 2004 monthly Financial Statements are included in this issue and when we receive our Annual Statement from the CPA it will be published. At year end we were $732 under projection to fund our Capital Expenditures; however, our Capital Expenditures were $5,910 less than projected.

During a conversation with one of our homeowners it was brought up that it would be nice if we placed something heavy on the top of our Recycle Bins on Tuesdays. These fine people spent most of their morning walk chasing loose plastic bottles and paper products do to the strong winds that day.

Just a reminder, if you have not paid your dues as yet they are now past due. They may be mailed in the envelope provided with your statement or dropped off at 201 S Circulo Napa if that is more convenient. If not paid by January 31st we will impose the penalties and interest allowed.

At this time I would like to thank my fellow Board members and all of you members at large for your support these past 18 months. It made my job much easier and I know you will show the same support to our incoming President, Max Perry. We are all volunteers and need the support of one another to make it all happen. Since this job does not come with an office there is no way I can tell Max where to look for the aspirin.

Common Area Maintenance – By Tom Cooke, Chair

The beginning of a new year is the traditional time when we take stock of the old one, and look back to reflect on what has been accomplished.

We have had a busy and largely productive year here in Esperanza Estates, and have completed a great deal. Let me share with you a brief summary of what has been done as far as our common areas are concerned.

Painting

Substantially all common area structures have now been repainted. These include perimeter walls along Vereda Calma and Del Sur, the tennis shed, shuffleboard, Sunset Park and pool enclosures, pool ramada, and entrance monument.

Graveling

With our ongoing re-graveling program this year, we will have spread approximately 500 yards of new gravel in our common areas, including the quad units. Many of the areas where this work has been done had not been touched in years, and were sorely in need of refurbishment. We think there has been a vast improvement in the overall appearance of the subdivision through this program. It is the intention to continue it in the future, although perhaps on somewhat of a smaller scale than has been the case in the past two years.

Pool Area Improvements

There have been a number of improvements to the swimming pool area, in addition to the repainting mentioned previously. These include replacing some of the previously graveled areas with brick pavers to enhance their usability, rebuilding the soffit and portions of the roof on the storage and archives building, relocating and rebuilding the secondary entrance gate, and a complete electrical rewiring of the Ramada patio.

Also, although having been just completed in January, the two previous south shuffleboard courts have now been bricked over and included in the gathering area west of the Ramada, and the drainage system has been re-engineered and rebuilt to prevent the problems we have experienced here in the past. This latter project has been largely completed and paid for by the Esperanza Estates Volunteers, at little or no expense to the residents.

Bridge Park Wash

Considerable additional work has been accomplished in the Bridge Park Wash. This includes work on erosion control in the Wash itself, as well as the construction of retaining walls, steps, cactus bed rock outlines, and rebuilding portions of the Esperanza Estates Trail in this area. There was also a major cleanup and tree trim along the Wash. The bulk of this work was completed by the Volunteers, at no cost to the Association.

Donations

We were the recipients of several nice donations this past year. These included five additional benches, making a total of nineteen. Additional desert plantings along Vereda Calma, a bar-b-que for the Esperanza Estates Park, and two nice statuary sculptures for the pool area, all given to us by our residents.

Miscellaneous Items

In addition to the above, a number of smaller accomplishments include a campaign to remove the mistletoe from our common area trees, a cleanup of leftover items and materials that had been left in our alleyways for years, and the construction of a rock garden and sundial in Mt. View Park.

Landscaping Contract

Our landscape maintenance contract with triple A was renewed for an additional year at the same rate. They have done our maintenance work here for the past 3 years and are performing at an acceptable level in taking care of our 22 acres of common property. They spend 32-40 man hours weekly here, under Board supervision.

In summary, although work in the common areas is never ending, we are making progress in keeping Esperanza Estates looking attractive, and this past year was fairly productive in accomplishments. We welcome the input and comments of our residents, and hope that you agree your Board is working hard to protect our property values, and to make Esperanza Estates a good place to live.

Neighborhood Watch – By Melodye Cooke, Chair

Our sub-division is one of the best in Green Valley for Neighborhood Watch participation.

I have sent letters concerning the Neighborhood Watch to a small number of residents that have been previously missed. If you have received one, please reply, even if you decide not to participate . Please let me know if you need a Newcomer Package.

The information of an emergency contact has proven very helpful when winter visitors have left and something at their home has needed immediate attention (broken water system, etc.). The extra key or emergency number has assisted when it appears a resident may be in need of help (newspapers not picked up, etc.) If you have concerns about a resident please feel free to call me (399-0455) and we will try to help. Remember to call 911 if anything appears out of the ordinary, if you cannot contact me.

Lets watch out for each other and our community.

Home Tour – By Joan Moreaux, Committee Chair

Our Home Tour is scheduled for Sunday, April 3, 2005.

Start out the New Year by joining us and helping with the home tour. We will have a meeting on Thursday, February 3, at 10 A.M. at Joan White’s home. If you are interested in having your home included in the tour or being a home greeter and helping out, please contact Joan Moreaux at 648-7515.

New Owners/Former Owners – By Sheila Bennen

New Owner: Bruce R. & Carolyn A. Liljegren (with Idella Blake)
179 Circulo Napa
Phone: 829-6690
Former Owner: Melvin R. Schoenfelder

New Owner: Roger L. & Jane M. Milliman
672 Placita Nueva
Former Owner: Eugene Swayk

New Owner: Richard W. Craig
941 Circulo Napa
Former Owner: James & Cheryl Jennings

New Owner: Kemp W. Landford
1160 Circulo del Norte
Former Owner: Richard Dick

Esperanza Estates Tours By: Jerry and Dolores McCall

Pack your suitcases, the Copper Canyon, Mexico, tour is a go. We now have thirty people, and fourteen of these are from Esperanza Estates.

This trip will depart from the Esperanza Estates Pool, February 27th, at 7:30 A.M., returning March 6th. Cost is $969.00 per person, double occupancy. This includes 8 days, seven nights, motor coach, hotel, fourteen meals, tours, and Visa, As a reminder for those of you who have already made your $100 deposit, the final payment is due January 27th. At that time, you will receive more information from the Travel Agent.

If you are making a last minute decision to take this trip, we still have more packets. For Information: Contact: Jerry and Dolores McCall 751 Calle Del Regalo, Phone: 399-3984; Sheila Bennen, Phone: – 399-0501

Capital Projects – Robert Frost

The Capital Budget for 2004 shows expenditures of $19,090.18. $14,362.00 was spent for Common Area Gravel. This project will continue through 2005 with an expected $11,500 expense. In the future, the board plans to maintain the common area gravel under Common Area Maintenance.

The pool area was improved through installation of pavers to level the area east of the pool building. An Arch Gate was installed. $1,500 was carried over for shuffleboard courts and $5,000 was carried over for Quad driveway repairs for a total of $10,000 budgeted for Quad driveway repair this year.

Replacement of the pool cover, the pool heat exchanger, and a pump for the spa was necessary this past year. This unbudgeted expense was $3,168. The 2005 capital budget includes $3,750 as a contingent fund for capital expenditures.

Street lamp deterioration led to a desire for a replacement standard since the original lamps are no longer available. Also, extension of the pool ramada over the area south of the shuffleboard court has been discussed.

During the annual meeting, the issue of tennis court resurfacing came up. This task was projected for 2006. If it is determined that there is a need to have this done during 2005, other capital projects may be able to be adjusted to enable this project to be completed in 2005.

Hospitality Committee – By Phyllis Johnson-Frost

The committee in 2004 continued on its history of shaping and reshaping itself. We lost four members and gained eight: Jonnie Authier, Nancy Brown, Audrey Boffa, Kay Miller, Edith Speasl, with Tom Cooke (steward of bonfires at the park), Trish Rodemeyer, and Sam Barnard joining the new cookout sub-committee. The old timers are Sheila Bennen, Melodye Cooke, Claire Coon, Robert Frost, Phyllis Johnson-Frost, Chair, Barbara & John Lauber, Norma Stanley, Nona Sykes, and Joan Zebroski. The committee now adds up to l8!

We initiated and published a new long-term schedule of socials: Oktoberfest; November Full Moon; (the most recent) February Chili & Sing-along (Flyer attached); Cinco de Mayo, Fourth of July; and Labor Day. Some of these gatherings are now designated as" reasonably priced "cook-outs," rather than our customary "potluck" hors d'oeuvres. The gatherings will be variously sited at the pool or in the park.

We thank the Volunteers for correcting the uneven surface of our pool ramada area with new pavers.

The 2005 Directory is now on sale for $3.00. This new and improved edition lists homeowners, both alphabetically and by street address. It is available by calling Sheila Bennen (399-0502); Melodye Cooke (399-0455); or Phyllis Johnson-Frost (399-9003).

Green Valley Directory –By Charl Petry

The 2005 GVCCC Directory will be delivered to your door on Wednesday, February 23rd. Please leave your gate open and be looking for it. Directories will not be left at an unoccupied or vacant house. If you haven't received your copy by the end of February, please give me a call at 648-2541. If it is pouring rain on the 23rd, it will be delivered the 24th.

Periodico Delivery Committee – By Charl Petry

Another year of dedicated volunteer service by the Periodico deliverers who bring the Periodico to your door every month and deliver the Green Valley directory every February deserves a big round of applause for a job well done. Several deliverers have been on the job for a number of years, and others are our ever ready substitutes. In no special order (and including substitutes) they are: Arlene Riggert, Audrey Ware, Sheila Bennen, Bob Thees, Dolores & Jerry McCall, Ginny & Jim Wulliman, Ferne Pearson, John Moore, Ron Schoenfelder, Mary Zindrick, Ginny Wiley, Phyllis Johnson-Frost, Jim Dykgraff, Stina Gerzezitz, Steve Hawley. A BIG THANK YOU TO YOU ALL.

Volunteers of Esperanza Estates - Joan Zebroski, Co-Chair

During this past year we raised funds through garage & bake sales, an auction, donations, and shared projects with Hospitality.

With these and other funds held we have purchased an additional five tables and thirty two chairs which are placed at the Pool Ramada area. And just completed this past weekend you will find that red brick pavers have been reset and expanded across the two most southerly shuffleboard courts. This area will now handle more people comfortably than in the past and you will notice that you are now on one level. Yes, it is party time.

With this last bit of work the Volunteers have spent over $11,000. for materials and hired labor plus an untold number of volunteered hours of labor for the betterment of our community.

We wish to thank all of our neighbors who have so generously supported our fund raising projects.

Recreation Facilities - 2004 for Scottie Blum

During this past year we have had several improvements to the pool area that have resulted in a more user friendly place for our members.

The Volunteers of Esperanza Estates installed a toggle switch on the pool cover control which now allows members to open and close the pool when they are the only ones there. This is a great help in controlling heat loss and keeping out dust when we have our windy days.

The association also installed brick pavers in gravel areas thereby expanding our seating area and allowing easier access to the pool from the shower area. At the same time this work was done the gate was removed from the South wall and a new gate was installed on the West wall making the area more accessible to more of our members.

Last September a new pool cover was installed, these covers last about five years. We also had some unforeseen problems in the equipment room which were taken care of. We added a few chairs at the Tennis Courts and there were no major expenses there.

GVCCC Report – By Sheila Bennen, Board Representative

It was reported that identity theft is on the rise and is the number one crime in Arizona. You are cautioned not to place envelopes containing checks or payment information in your mailbox. If at all possible, take your outgoing mail to a secure mailbox.

Vision 2020 Project– There will be a meeting covering the "master plan" for multi-use lanes and trails at 4:00 P.M. on February 3 at the Canoa Hills Recreation Center, 3616 S. Camino del Sol. For further information, contact Bill Adamson at 648-6340.

"LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO 'ROUND"

February 13, 4:00 p.m. Happy Hour, 5:00 Dinner, Furnished:

CRACKED ICE; PAPER PLATES AND NAPKINS; PLASTIC GLASSES, HOT CUPS, AND SPOONS; CHILI—REGULAR OR VEGETARIAN--SALSA & CHIPS, CORNBREAD, DESSERT, SOFT DRINKS, HOT COFFEE & TEA.

You Bring: A beverage or cocktails of choice; PERHAPS A guitar to accompany the sing-along?

New Directories will be available for $3.00 each.

SPONSORED BY THE HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE

NOTE: In the event of inclement weather, the party will be rescheduled.
"Most people walk in and out of our lives, but friends leave foot prints on our hearts."