April 2008

3/29/2008

Since the pools have been in discussion ... it is rumored that the pool fees are going to be $200.00 this summer. Can this be true? I guess since the $75.00 fee last summer went over sooooo well, the members wouldn't mind paying an extra $125.00 for the use of now only 2 pools right?

  On the "official" website under User Fees, they report that a family membership is $75 and a single membership is $60.  If memory serves me right, the association gets about $6,000 from the swim team for the use of our facility for the summer.  If that earlier report about the Port-a-potties is right, they are thinking about spending $2,000/month for five months for a total of $10,000.  That's not including chemicals, maintenance, etc.  Let's see.  We will bring in $6,000 and pay out over $10,000 for a group that is reported to be made up of mostly non-members.  Kind of makes you wonder who our Board of Directors is working for, doesn't it.

3/29/2008

I don't think they can just close an amenity for private use with people that don't even live in Lake Forest. I certanly hope that all the swimmers that do not live in Lake Forest are paying the Non-Member dues in order to swim on our team and represent Lake Forest. If they are not paying dues they should not be representing Lake Forest.  That means if they give swimmers a free ride without paying dues, then anyone can use or facilities without paying dues.

                Sorry, Pardner.  They can do anything the please.

3/29/2008

Losing a Pool. That last contribution to the grapevine is a perfect example of why everyone in Lake Forest should VOTE.  530 plus people only vote out of thousands.  So what do you have?  Look what's in office now...Yahoos.

3/27/2008

In case you haven’t heard what was said at the board meeting the other night, let me bring you up to date.  They voted to limit the use of the main Swim and Racquet Club pool to the swim team only.  Isn’t 90% of that team from outside Lake Forest?  So, they are going to maintain and man a pool for predominantly non-members.  They said they would adjust the hours at the other pools to accommodate members.  You know that there are only so many hours in the day, so how do you accommodate when you drop the available pools from three to two?  They also discussed knocking down the old Swim and Racquet Club building and putting up fancy port-a-potties for use as dressing rooms at the rate of $2000/month.  They said that it would only be necessary for about 5 months.  That’s another $10,000 a year down the drain for a group that has been unable to operate within their income for the last two years. Someone asked why they just didn’t build a new restroom facility and they said, “You don’t build a new facility at a pool you’re planning to close.”  I guess that means that their survey last year was just a joke.  The members said overwhelmingly that they wanted to keep all the pools and they do not want any new facilities.  So much for that expensive survey that they plan to ignore.  Knocking down that building would have to cost a bundle.  They also said that since Friday Construction will not go along with them on changing the by-laws to allow them to borrow several million dollars for their great plans for new facilities, that they will just do an accessment every year and borrow a hundred thousand dollars every year and do it all gradually.  They didn’t mention anything about how they plan to pay those loans back.  Once again, they haven’t been able to live within their means for two years.  How in the world do the plan to take on the extra debt service!  I know why Friday refuses to go along with them!  They don’t want to see their investment go up in smoke when the property owners association goes bankrupt!  We’ve been sitting around for a couple of years letting them do what they want, but if we care for Lake Forest, we sure better start getting involved soon!  You people are going to lose your pools and tennis courts and the rest of the amenities won’t be far behind!

3/27/2008

The greens redo is a "No-Till Installation". The contract for 18 holes is around $50K. There will be irrigation and other work required on our part to insure they do well. We are not rebuilding the greens, but changing grass types. The newer grasses offer more drought resistance, better putting surface, and other advantages. The play will increase due to this action and we may even increase the number of annual members. This work will create revenue for our association. No doubt about it.

3/27/2008

I'll make a deal with you webmaster, if someone sues over the fines issue , You bring the Hot dogs  I'll bring the Beer.

  You're on.

3/27/2008

You said, I would prefer that they accomplish the task by following proper procedures to the max? I don't think there is an "or-else" clause in our agreement to live in Lake Forrest. Say I choose to ignore the rules. Without fines, what can I expect?

  In a sense there is an "or else".  Lake Forest is a deed restricted community with covenants that have a few more years to go.  As a property owner in the community, you or I have the right to petition the court for a judgment enforcing those covenants.  Once granted, the violator must correct the problem.  The association also has the right to make that petition.  That is what has been happening for years.  There are two problems.  One, it takes a long time to go through all the hoops.  And, second, the place is so large the architectural committee may not see violations for a long time.  Neither of these problems will be solved by the fines.

3/26/2008

Bobby spent 50,000 to redo 17 and 17 only, this time they are redoing all 18 holes for the same price. I also believe Bobby redid 17 twice!

  My memory may be failing me, but that number for the cost of rebuilding the 17th green by Bobby does not seem right.  Having seen how much money a superintendent can spend rebuilding a green, I have a hard time believing that they can do it to all 18 for that amount of money.

3/26/2008

I don't see a problem with the fines, I think something had to be done. If you follow the rules, then what is there to worry about? Unsightly properties can be hard to nail down because what looks bad to one, may be OK for another. But other things like utility trailers, campers, and boats are obvious violations. I have a utility trailer myself, but you never see it, because I respect the rules. Hats off to the folks making strides to keep Lake Forrest the way it should be. And for those who choose not to follow the rules, pay up!

  I agree with the sentiment.  However, it's a slippery slope.  You talk about those "who choose not to follow the rules", but the rules, our covenants, do not give the Architectural Committee the authority to levy fines.  Actually, the Board of Directors is the body that has authorized those fines and I don't believe they have that authority either.  Therefore, I would prefer that they accomplish the task by following proper procedures to the max.  Someone will sue them over it and they'll end up having to give all back anyway. 

3/25/2008

  Is it just me or does the Adopt-A-Medium program seem to be fading out?  I've not seen or heard anything about it in a while and I've not seen anyone working out there either. 

Speaking of appearances, the Architectural Committee will start fining members on April 1st.  I don't think they have the authority to do that, but until someone objects in court, they may be able to get away with it.  I have mixed feelings.  On the one hand, I want to applaud them for taking strong action to keep our community looking good.  On the other hand, knowing some of the people involved, there is a good chance that they can make a mess of it and open up a real can of worms in the process.  The Architectural Committee has the same right that you and I do.  That is to ask the court for a judgment requiring the violator to correct the problem.  Nowhere in the covenants does it say that they can levy fines.  

3/25/2008

Hey Mitch, I'm opposed to LF spending $50,000 on the golf course if they are just going to reseed, etc. I am for spending the $ if they completely redo some of the holes that are really ugly and bad. That's what Bobby did when he was here on Hole #17. Have not heard exactly what they are going to do, but know you can spend lots of money on the course every year. Will it bring in more revenue? I doubt it!

            That golf course is one of our most valuable assets.  They do need to keep it up and that is expensive.

3/21/2008

3/13/2008

Where are you?  Almost St. Pat's and you're still showing "Happy Valentine's Day" on the opening page? What's up?

  Sorry about that.  The main page has been updated.  I haven't seen anything coming in for awhile, so I just assumed that once Henry was off the board and Steve was managing the place that everyone was just keeping quiet.  Today, I went to the host and found your message and a couple of others that for some reason were not forwarded to me.  I'll try to pay closer attention to that, although, there were still only a handful of messages.  I know how much we all enjoy reading the Grapevine, especially a few of our directors. ;-)

3/6/2008

Steve & Alisha????? Is that allowed???

3/4/2008

YAWNNNNNN-LOL