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7/29/2009

Every now and then we find ourselves needing help with some kind of maintenance around the home and don't know where to turn.  We ride around Lake Forest looking for people working on houses in hopes that we can find someone for the job and end up getting a guy who's only skill is slapping a magnetic sign on the side of his truck!  Well, as you know, your old Web Lord believes in sharing good info, so let me tell you about Michael Parker.  I needed some roof repair and Michael came to me highly recommended.  I negotiated the job with him and he quoted a very fair price and when the job was complete, he stood behind it.  This is a completely unsolicited and unpaid recommendation.  Just tell him I said to call.

Update!! Unfortunately, the earlier opinion has been lowered somewhat.  During the project the crew took the roofing off and went home for the evening.  It stormed and ruined a ceiling.  The contractor said he would replace the ceiling.  Later during subsequent rains we found that the roof still leaked.  It is now the end of February, 2010 and the ceiling has not been fixed and the roof still leaks.  This is after numerous attempts to contact the contractor.  I am about to file a claim with the insurance company.

7/23/2009

July 16, 2009 Greens Committee Report

Membership:

                We now have 118 annual golf members, up from 100 in 2008.

                Through June we had 16,459 golf rounds played in 2009. This is an increase of 4,133 (25%) over 2008.

Financials:

                I have no detailed financial report. Golf shop income is up $33,466 (21.4%) over the 1^st half of 2008. Golf Course operating expenses are down during the same period. We expect this trend to continue.          

Maintenance:

                We are under contract with HHH Construction to replace the collapsed bulkhead at #17 tee box. Work will commence soon and will take less than two weeks to complete. Cost is $5,960.

Junior Golf: The Lake Forest Junior Golf program is the most successful JG program in the Dixie Section.

                Paul Johnson has an average of 27 kids per week in his Junior Golf program. He conducts as many as 7 clinics a week for kids 3 1/2 to 17 years old. 94 kids have attended at least 3 clinics this year. Paul raised $1500 in his “Great 108” fund raiser when he played 108 holes (6 complete rounds) in one day. His average score was 73.2.  To further enhance the LFJG program Paul will commence a Junior Golf League this fall.

4 kids in the 2009 program finished with; all county honors on their HS teams; 1 full ride college scholarship; and 1 finished 22^nd in the Alabama State HS championship tournament. “Building the leaders of tomorrow one swing at a time” is their motto.

Superintendent’s Mid Year Report:

                “We have recently finished the first half of 2009, considering all the variables in this industry and at Lake Forest I believe we had a very successful first half. While there are things I would have liked to have completed by now, there are many things we have done that were not planned coming into 2009.

The greens are coming along great, we have done 2 of 3 aerifications, and the processes are getting smoother each time. We have been spiking, verti-cutting, brushing and topdressing on a regular basis. We have slowly lowered the height of cut on the greens; we are now mowing them at .105''. We are keeping the greens well fed from a nutrition stand point rotating foliar fertilizers with granular products. The program has allowed an average root depth of 8'' on our greens, considering Champion "is a poor rooting grass," I would have to consider our fertilization program a major success.  We are continuing to raise low spots on the greens and lower high spots on the collars, to date we have lowered collars on 2,6,7,8,11, and 12. 

The bunkers are slowly progressing, this year we have redone the front right bunker on 16, we will next be addressing the front right bunker on 18. We have been adding sand to various bunkers as the need arises. 

Tree removal has continued throughout the property to date we are up to 31 trees. 85% of these trees were dead or dying. When possible the goal is to save the trees. This number includes trees at the stables, and 1 at the new bathhouse. We currently have several dead dogwoods on the course that are out of play and currently home to multiple woodpecker families. This adds great color to our avian population.

We have commenced recovering non turf areas on the golf course through various means. We have roped off areas blocking cart traffic, such as 10, or have added sod to areas, such as the left of 7 green. We have also been dumping bunker edging and irrigation head trimmings in bare areas; this will help us get a turf stand in these areas. 

Other areas have taken up more time than anticipated this year. We have planted, and/or removed many plants from the front entrance. We have also helped move plants throughout the neighborhood. We have done major sod work at the new bathhouse, along with pipe repairs, fence removal and sprigging. We have helped install the plumbing and other things in the building itself. We have also cleaned the dam out twice this year. We have also completed a few small projects at the stables.”

If it wasn't shocking enough to read that Lake Forest only has 118 annual golf memberships, it's even worse to read that this number is up 18 memberships from last year!  There are 3000 members, give or take, in Lake Forest, over 9000 people! Out of that there are only 118 memberships!  16000+ rounds of golf sounds good, is it?  How much does a round of golf cost?

06/23/2009

The publishing of owners in arrears on payments is a practice the board was told violated the fair credit reporting act and certain privacy laws related to that. Until the board attorney changes that position, you should not expect to see the publication of names. As for the weblord's comment....to think that a board would act in a manner that would put themself or their family members' interest ahead of the association could only come from someone who maybe has done so.

Curious that when the previous board asked for an attorney's opinion on the legality of publishing those names, they got a different answer.  

06/22/2009

publish a list of the property owners that are in arrears in dues payments. There is no telling how many thousands of dollars that banks and real estate companies owe for back dues. It used to be published in the lake forest paper. Collect those dollars and it won't be necessary to put new assessments on the members each year. We deserve to know how much is owed by these deadbeats. I have lived here for 17 years and have always kept my dues current. Do your job, publish a list of those in arrears.

Actually, we did publish that list every month in the newsletter a few years ago.  A later board voted to stop it.  I always attributed that action to some of their supporters being on it. ;-)

06/22/2009

I totally agree with your comment regarding Karen Bowman. I could always count on Karen anytime I reported a problem or violation to respond swiftly and courteously with a solution, an explanation of what action was being taken or who the "go-to" guy from the City of Daphne she was conversing with to remedy the situation. We currently have a problem with our neighbor throwing automobile tires in his front yard by the mailbox and in front of his permanently closed garage door which faces the street. They also keep their garbage cans i n the front as well. I have reported this twice over the last 8-10 weeks and the tires and garbage cans remain. I would like to see a more aggressive campaign against these violators like we had in the past. As a LF resident herself, Karen Bowman displayed an eagerness to rectify problems as though the violator lived next door to her family. The current administration, in my opinion, lacks that personal commitment...

06/22/2009

The association should absolutely utilize the city in ALL instances where code violations exist. We should knoe that the City of Daphne has "Police Powers" that do not exist for the association. Our actions are limited to civil suits and so forth, where the city can actually arrest and fine individual violators. Perhaps this episode will foster a closer relationaship with the Architectural manager and the city code enforcement agency. It should, for there are many more avenues of getting what we want than depending solely on the covenants to be the vehicle.

6/20/2009

Some members of the Mobile Yacht Club have started a grassroots campaign to collect names of those interested in keeping Middle Bay Lighthouse in our bay.  If you could post the webaddress or send out to your members, I'll bring the list of names to the forums to be held on this coming Tuesday, June 23rd.  Because it is in the middle of a work day, a lot of people will not be able to attend.  If you sign up, I'll give you name to the AHC along with all of the others. www.middlebaylighthouse.org

Thank you!

06/19/2009

Our concern as a neighborhood should be that it took an individual action to get city action. Has our association lost all influence at city hall? How can our association not accomplish this and much more? It is time that our association took its responsibility more seriously. Don't we pay people to do these types of things? Surely our staff knew of this business activity some time ago, yet it only takes three days to get it fixed by individuals. That shows ineffectiveness on the part of the association. Where does the responsibility lie for this ineffectiveness? The GM? The board? The city or city council? What a shame that an association representing 10,000 citizens doesn't wield more influence. Something is wrong with that picture. And they wonder why people think they get less than they pay for.

  For one thing, I have been told that since Karen Bowman left the Architectural Department, there has been very little communication between Architectural and the Daphne Police Department Code Enforcement Officer.  They should be regular pen pals.

06/18/2009

Recently we have seen a number of contributions related to covenant violations.  One of our especially valued contributors took note of one of the cases in particular and responded with specific ordinances that he thought applied.  He went even further and contacted a major City of Daphne leader and asked him to investigate the situation for our other contributor.  The message below came in today.  Names of contributors have been removed from the comments here, but the note of appreciation in its entirety was forwarded as requested.

6/17/2009

It is nice to see some cities in Alabama benefiting from stimulus money.  Has anyone heard of the City of Daphne getting any?  I bet we could use some of it on our infrastructure in Lake Forest.  That would also actually create jobs, which only about half of the money cited in this story would seem to do. 

6/16/2009

A landscaping business run from a residence violates Article XXXI of the Daphne Land Use Code. It is a violation of Section 31-1 and Items 31-1(b), (c), and (e). For the city code enforcement officer to claim otherwise is clearly malfeasance, misfeasance, or nonfeasance. It should be reported as such to your councilman, since they handle the hiring, firing, and disciplining of employees of the city, now. Here is a link to the code: http://www.daphneal.com/legislative/upload/land%20use%20ordinance%20book.pdf

The landscaping business would also violate permitted uses in the residential zone. The use described would most closely fit the "Contractor's storage yard for vehicles, equipment and materials: " which is a use ONLY allowed by right in a B-2 or C-1 District. Therefore it is not a permitted use. A clear use violation of the zoning ordinance. So, to sum up, we have a use violation that does not comply with the home occupations provisions. it is an illegal use under the Daphne Land Use Code and should be stopped at once. If no action is taken at this point, the association attorney needs to give the city attorney a call. provided with these facts, the city has a duty to stop the activity and cite the violator. Doing nothing would subject the city to civil action by the neighbor. MAKE THEM DO THEIR JOB!!!!

6/15/2009

I listened to the President of the United States speak to the AMA today.  As usual, he was eloquent and much of what he said struck me as being reasonable.  I really don't think I could read a teleprompter nearly as well as he. 

Over the years, when I have received a copy of my insurance bill, I have noticed that it reported "Amount billed by the doctor/hospital, Amount paid by the insurance company, Doctor/hospital have agreed to accept the amount paid."  I always wonder, "Which of these amounts do those people who do not have insurance pay?"  I'm pretty sure that they pay the full amount.  For some reason, that just doesn't seem fair.  It also could be that some of them pay nothing and the rest of us make up for it with higher charges.    I also sympathize with those that have that awful "pre-existing condition."  It does seem like there could be some adjustments to our system that would improve it for everyone.  The President insists that, if we choose, we will be able to keep the insurance and doctor that we now have.  I wonder if that is true.  When there is a cheaper "public" option, will the insurance we now have even still be available? 

Also, as a baby boomer, who is not getting any younger, I am concerned that the same government that uses a "woman's right to choose" as a justification for killing babies, could someday be deciding if I have enough value to society left to justify that major and expensive medical procedure.  I remember as a child seeing one of those great westerns, that burned a memory in my mind that I have never lost.  In the story, the hero and his pals came upon an old Indian couple alone in the hills sitting on a blanket.  The hero asked "Why are they out here by themselves" to which his buddy replied that in that tribe's system, when people become too old to contribute to the tribe, they are left behind to die.  I don't want to be left behind in the hills, just because some bureaucrat thinks that I'm not worth the cost.

6/15/2009

There are some who still seem to be looking through "rose" colored glasses when it comes to the unsightly appearance of Lake Forest . . . we are NOT a conglomeration of neighborhoods rolled into one subdivision . . . we are one neighborhood and it's Lake Forest. Yes, there are very nice sections of Lake Forest - wish I could afford one of those nice, two-story big brick homes, but that shouldn't mean that my owning a 1500 sq. ft. house should be treated any differently. If you ever drive down my street (and you have my address) keep going to the higher numbers (125-160) and you'll find out what I'm talking about. No grass in front yards, commercial trucks/trailers/backhoes, etc. Garbage cans out 24/7. Houses needing exterior work. A/C units hanging out of windows. Personal autos parked all over the yards. So my question is . . . why are there nice areas of Lake Forest where there are hardly any - or no - covenant violations, but then there are other areas that have more than their fair share of violations . . . doesn't make sense to me. Maybe a survey needs to be done to figure out why particular areas lack the knowledge/intelligence of abiding by the covenants. As for the extension of the covenants, I was told after the meeting, that the covenants don't expire for another 17 years and that there's no use dealing with the problem of expiration now . . . but to focus on the enforcement of the covenants NOW! I really do think a lot of this has to do with renters . . . the property owners (usually out of state) and/or the real estate rental companies don't take the time to tell potential renters that there are covenants - much less give renters a copy of the covenants. That needs to change. For those who are not renters, I believe a much stronger effort needs to be made to reacquaint each property owner with a copy of the covenants. I believe that bringing attention to the enforcement of the covenants - i.e., through the Lake Forester and website - and any other means - maybe a flyer in the monthly statement - needs to be done. I recently found online a POA in Cordova, TN that actually posts photos and the addresses of neighborhood covenant violators . . . such a concept - maybe that's what we need to do. There's been enough time for violators to figure it out, much less those wise people who run this association. At least I now know that I have a potential of living here another 12 or so years before I need to move . . . too bad, I really love my home - just not the neighborhood.

I believe the covenants are dated 1973 and are valid for 50 years.  It is doubtful that they will ever be extended.  However you are correct, they do exist now and should be enforced.  Lake Forest, at least not too long ago, was the largest subdivision in the state with almost 3000 homes and it does appear to be a number of different neighborhoods rolled into one.  I am aware of your street and know that there are some problems in your neighborhood.  There are also some very well maintained homes on that street.  Unfortunately, the ones that are not, bring down the whole area and the publicized complaints about them reflect poorly on the whole subdivision.  The differences in appearance of neighborhoods within Lake Forest seem to be directly related to the minimum square footage requirements of the units.  It would seem that the Architectural Committee could make a dedicated effort to give special attention to those problem areas.  Still, on the whole, Lake Forest is an attract subdivision with well maintained homes.  Unfortunately, the streets, sewers, medians and runoff systems that are supposed to be maintained by the city are a different matter.

6/11/2009

6/11/2009

There was a meeting at the Lake Forest Country Club Tuesday night regarding covenants.  There were about 50 people in attendance.  Henry Lawson chaired the meeting and Stacy, the Architectural support person was also on the panel.  The meeting consisted mostly of people standing up and voicing their complaints about assorted failures in enforcement.  There were the usual complaints about barking dogs, ATV's being raced around the streets by kids, lawns not being properly maintained, homes needing work and so on.  Interestingly, there were also people there who had questions, but who also said that they did not have those other kinds of problems in their neighborhood.  Comments like those drive home the issue in a way that Lake Forest is huge and there are actually different kinds of neighborhoods with different kinds of problems all within the same subdivision.  We hear about problems with an aging community, but if one takes a drive around the subdivision, one will find that the vast majority of the homes are nice and well maintained.  That is not to say, though, that we should not be diligent in our efforts to keep attention on the proper maintenance of the community. 

There were a couple of items brought up that I think need clarification.  One person said that he had a neighbors who were not a members of the association and he wanted to know how they could be compelled to comply with the covenants.  The association and the covenants are two separate issues.  The covenants are tied to the property regardless of whether or not the owner is a member of the association.  That owner can still be forced to bring his property into compliance.  Stacy seemed to suggest that the person was talking about those homes in the Windsor entrance area, that were a part of the original Lake Forest.  She said that the covenants did not apply to those homes.  I'm not sure that is correct.  It is true that they are under a different set of covenants, but I believe that there are still covenants that apply to that area as well.  They can be compelled to bring their homes into compliance with those covenants.  There are some differences.  For example, the rules about having boats in the driveway are different.  The only other possibility would be that the covenants for that part of Lake Forest have expired.  I don't believe they have.

The issue of extending the covenants really only came up in passing.  As we have discussed before, this writer thinks that such an extension will be impossible.

What I did like to see was that we still have a nice clubhouse in which to hold meetings like this.  Also, the crowd in the Bayview Lounge made it difficult to hear, but the fact that there was such a large group in the bar was good to see.

6/8/2009

You had better hope the covenants are extended, if not, Lake Forest will become the Prichard of the Eastern Shore . . . I've lived here 17 years and during the past 6 years have seen the deterioration of the neighborhood due to people buying/renting property and not knowing, understanding, or not caring about the covenants. I know that on my street there are at least two renters who have personally told me that they are moving out because they have been "written up" . . . good, because I'm tired of looking at your commercial vehicles in your front yard and/or total disrespect for your neighbors property. And, then there are some homeowners who, either because of the economy or their lack of concern, do not keep up the appearance of their properties . . . case in point, further down my street there's a house that hasn't been painted in the 17 years that I've lived here . . . oh, they put in a new asphalt drive way earlier this year, big deal, the house looks like it's falling down! And, even further down the street there's a house with window A/C units hanging out of two windows! And, let's not forget about people parking in their yards and no grass. Personally, if the covenants are not renewed, then I'm moving out of here before I lose all the value of my property. What we need is a clearer understanding of the city/county regulations and a second look at the existing covenants and mesh the two together . . . So, instead of griping and wringing your hands, get involved and go to the Improvement Committee's covenant meeting June 9 and voice your concerns.

6/5/2009

The meeting about the covenants is the Improvement Committee's doing. It has nothing to do with the board of directors. At least that is the way it is portrayed in the paper and in the news. As for their extension. The majority of owners who vote want them extended. Some have suggested that the LFPOA begin legal remedy to their expiration. Can expiration be good? Consider the issues with businesses being run out of houses. It is also a violation of city zoning law, which would be the only remedy should the covenants expire. Could zoning law protect us better than an association? Has it? The extension of the covenants must occur to protect what neighborhood is left. Writing letters to the association about covenant enforcement is just too passive to see results. I would suggest a more pro-active approach, like face to face meetings with architectural manager and even the architectural board. If all else fails, you can ask the city to intervene as a zoning law enforcer. They may take more swift action.

The covenants do provide standards by which all property owners are obligated to maintain their homes.  Unfortunately, policing and enforcing those covenants is refused by city and county governments.  That enforcement is left to the residents, neighbors, themselves.  It is required that the neighbor initiate the complaint in the courts, which bears a significant cost.  The association has accepted that role of neighbor and has tried over the years with varying degrees of success to keep all of us in compliance.  One problem is that the covenants are vague in many areas and, therefore, there has been a lack of consistency in enforcement.  We have tried to solve that problem by establishing policies in our Architectural Policy manual that define certain community standards.  However, when an issue is taken to court, the judge will disregard those architectural policies and take the issue back to the original covenants, where the interpretation is often at the whim of a particular judge.  On the other hand, the city and county do have ordinances that spell out certain minimum standards for property zones.  Unlike the association, the city and county also have the power to enforce those standards in the form of fines.  In years past our Architectural Support Person has worked closely with the City of Daphne, by identifying and reporting those complaints that not only violated the covenants, but also violated city ordinance.  Those violations were usually remedied very quickly.  Operating a commercial enterprise out of a home is an example of that kind of violation.  I am told that the current support person does not work with the city code enforcement officer as much as his or her predecessor. That could be due to instructions from the Architectural Committee itself.  Extending the covenants will be next to impossible.  However, their eventual expiration will not necessarily mean doom and gloom for the community in the view of this writer.

6/4/2009

Just a note to answer the "we get what we pay for" blog. Do we really?? I am supposedly paying for better amenities, a more attractive and well-kept subdivision, and oh yes, the enforcement of Rules and Regulations to keep everything in line and running smoothly. That's a joke. I have written letters for months regarding a man who continues to run his landscaping business next door to me, yet nothing is being done. This immediate neighborhood depreciates each day with his mess, trucks and noise. Yet, the dues I pay and the occasional added fees are doing nothing to keep out those who could not care less about maintaining a subdivision according to the rules and regulations. What portion of the money I pay monthly goes toward the enforcement of Regulations?

Sorry for the delay in posting this one.  Your old weblord has been out of town for a while.  The association does, or at least did, have a full-time architectural support person, who is supposed to take measures to enforce the covenants.  When they do have to take a property owner to court, there is some expense related to that.  I would say that out of the $2,900,000 per year that the association receives from maintenance fees and user fees, they spend maybe $40K on enforcing rules and regulations.  On the high end that would be in the neighborhood of less than 1.5% of their revenue.

Speaking of all the value that the 3000 property owners in Lake Forest receive from their association, I see that there is a covenant meeting on the 9th at the Country Club.  I'm not sure what it is about, but assume it has to do with another scheme to extend the covenants.  Considering the way rules have been spun by recent boards and administration, this could be interesting.  The problem is that with covenants, one is talking about State law.  It's a little more difficult to spin the words when dealing with the law.  I used to think the same about by-laws, but in the last couple of years I've been given a lesson on that one. 

5/5/2009

Let's not let facts get in the way of your opinion. So, the members do not like the board to have the power that was specifically given them in the by-laws. Oh my, what a shock. The reality is that the board that allowed the dues to be raised only by the vote of membership acted contrary to the by-laws themselves by doing so. Even so, the membership accepted this restraint, obviously, for many years. Does that change the fact that the action itself violated the by-laws of the association at the time? We could get into an entire discussion about returning the by-laws to their original meaning concerning the board's authority to set dues. But, you do not care about the health of the association enough to recognize that the board's ability to plan, budget, and set dues is critical to the financial health of it. Why is it that declining services, declining property, and declining values are the only things that have come from the membership having this control over dues? I guess, if I want a neighborhood with modern amenities, great service, and respectable looking properties...I should expect to pay for those things. Well, guess what? We in Lake Forest do not. WE GET WHAT WE PAY FOR!!

There are facts and then there are opinions.  You have expressed some opinions, not facts.  Unfortunately, the problem is that in the opinion of most of the property owners in Lake Forest, they DON'T get what they pay for.  Therein lies our problem and we need to find a way to fix it.  That's my opinion.

5/1/2009

Believe it or not there are those among us that do not live and die for Golf. I purchased a home in Lake Forest because I wanted to live in a peaceful, quiet and unique neighborhood. After living here for a year or so, I discovered that a neighbor insists on running his landscaping business out of his home property with dump trucks, logo trucks, employees' cars parked everywhere and even though this is against rules and regulations, and I have requested that those rules be enforced, nothing is done to stop this activity. Then the $37.50 monthly dues to support the Association becomes charge upon charge whenever the Board feels the need. Sorry, but I feel like I am paying for something that I am not receiving and it will most likely become a bigger thorn in my side as time progresses. A happy and satisfied membership should be the goal of the Association, not to rebuild or renovate every last building until we are broke

The amenities are a significant part of the attractiveness of Lake Forest and should be maintained for everyone's benefit.  However, I agree that the goal of a property owners association is to serve all property owners and not just the ones who happen to use the amenities.  All property owners contribute to the upkeep of the amenities, but not everyone is able or willing to participate.  Does that mean that the attitude of the association should be that they are just out of luck?  I really don't think so.  Bluntly, throwing a bone to the non-user only makes sense.  They outnumber the users significantly.  I wish our leadership could look further down the road.  When the covenants expire in just a few years, what are they going to do to support those amenities then?  There is going to have to be some serious attitude adjustment on the part of the membership before then.

5/1/2009

Mitch, If you are agreeing with Nic Smokey, perhaps your views should be reviewed. While I respect his right to speak his mind, his ideas are unrealistic and just wrong in most cases. His letter to the editor was replete with misinterpretations of our by-laws. It is clear in the by-laws that "members shall be obligated to pay..charges..imposed by the association." What is so hard to understand?? Clearly, if, as Nic says, the word "charges" refers to user fees or costs of goods and services a member uses that is allowed to be billed on an account, the association could not be imposing those on our members. A charge imposed by the association is just that. A fire charge, a tax escrow charge, or even a food and beverage charge would all fall under that allowable and enforcable provision. Therefore, a "Charge" imposed by the association shall be paid by the member per the by-law. It really is that simple. Secondly, you should rightly point out to Mr. Smokey that the charging he is refering to is simply a privilege of a member, nothing more. And lastly, you should clearly know that a charge is legal because a previous board imposed one in the Tax Escrow Charge. The association imposed it, the members paid it, and the board also had the ability to assess the members on top of it. Did that board act improperly or illegally to impose that charge?? We still pay it!!! Look, here is the thing, if you want someone who will decrease dues, not assess, and never charge members for anything, then run them for the board and elect them. Isn't that what the rules provide for. I could go into the illegality of a by-law change that took the dues raising power from the board in the first place...but that argument may be needed another day. Now you can wax on..

The interpretation that you have just given is one that has not been accepted by members of this association for over 25 years.  It certainly falls in line with your previous opinion that the Board of Directors is perfectly within its rights to change the by-laws using Roberts Rules of Order.  I believe you are wrong on all counts.  As for the tax escrow issue, that was before my time and, therefore, I am not sure about the logic used to justify that one.  Of course, if no one chooses to challenge this most recent "charge" in court, the board will have dodged a bullet.  At the very least I expect a rash of amendments to be offered by members to clarify the language.  Then, I expect more of your kind of logic to be used by the board to prevent those amendments being voted on by the membership.  I find these kinds of actions and related justifications to be personally offensive. 

2/27/2009 What is wrong with the Lake Forest Property Owners Association?

  In a nutshell, it is not performing the duties of a property owners association.  It is performing the duties of a Country Club/Yacht Club board.  There appears to be no concern on the part of our board for the issues important to the vast majority of the community's property owners.  It seems that the efforts to enforce the covenants have diminished.  I'm seeing commercial vehicles parked out on the streets in front of houses all over Lake Forest at night and on the weekends.  Something that would not be tolerated in Timbercreek and other nice communities.  There is one contractor who parks two work vans on the vacant lot next to one of his houses on Rolling Hills.  If architectural is interested, it's the yellow house on the lower side of Rolling Hills.  Privileges that members once had as part of their basic membership were taken away.  And yet, when the golf course has a building burn down, they have no qualms about sending a "fire charge" to every property owner in Lake Forest. Something that is not allowed in spite of what they would like us to believe.  Yes, I know that everyone who owns property in Lake Forest is told up front that they will have to pay maintenance fees and yes, I know that everyone who owns property in Lake Forest supposedly benefits from higher property values because of the amenities.  Unfortunately, the amenities cannot keep property values up, when the city lets the streets fall apart.  Property owners simply have to live with subsidizing the amenities for another twelve years or so until the covenants expire.   We can hope that some day another board takes over that shows appreciation for that financial support and once again starts providing added value for the other property owners too.

2/27/2009

I'm feeling a little sick, just plain nauseated!  Nick Smokey, someone this old boy has absolutely no use for, wrote a letter to the editor the other day to the Mobile Register.  In it he pointed out why the $25 that we have been billed is not a legitimate charge.  What is making me ill is that I find myself having to agree with a sourpuss like Smokey.  I have heard that the general manager has convinced the Board of Directors that they can just slap a charge on the members at will.  Rather than calling this an assessment, they want to call it a charge.  If they do this, then they have solved the biggest problem that boards have struggled with for 25 years, how to operate within the limits of the revenue provided by the by-laws.  Now, all they have to do is say, "this is a charge, not a maintenance fee increase or an assessment."  The cooler in the Yacht Club goes out, let's send the members a cooler charge.  A tractor breaks down, viola, a tractor charge!  What a brainstorm!  No one is likely to do anything about it.  The association has plenty of money for legal services, so it can just let them sue.  No one will because it's just too expensive.  Isn't it amazing what you can do, if you don't let ethics get in the way?

April 2009 Greens Committee Report 

MEMBERSHIP:

We are currently at 107 paid members for 2009. This is 8 more than at the end of 2008.

These consist of:  74 Single Greens Fee Members, 33 Family Greens Fee Memberships, 25 Single Lease/ Rental Cars, 6 Family Lease/ Rental Cars and 60 Annual Trail Fee Memberships.                                                                                                          

FINANCIAL:       

For the first quarter all golf operations are $16,359 better than the same period in 2008. With the new golf members this will continue to increase. Since we budgeted off 2008 revenue we will make up more ground during the summer since we were closed last June and July.

MAINTENANCE:   

The growing season is here which means maintenance activity throughout Lake Forest is ramping up. The greens were treated for Mole Crickets this week. Another treatment is planned for early June.

Our 1stmajor greens aerification is scheduled for Monday April 27th. This procedure will be repeated in late June and late August and will be a major factor in greens health through the year. We will soon commence alternating weekly slicing and verticutting with light top dressing every second week. This will continue through the growing season.

LEASED EQUIPMENT:    

To date we have received; Two Triplex mowers, Two fairway mowers, Two rough mowers, Two greens mowers, One Truckster utility vehicle, One sod cutter, One buffalo blower, One top dresser and one set of verticutting attachments. This represents the majority of equipment on the new lease. The remaining lease equipment will be delivered after the new maintenance shed is completed.

4/17/2009

Roadways are funny things..if paid attention to and properly looked after, they will serve you longer and with better comfort. If ignored and little concerns not dealt with, a major expense or even life threatening failures can occur. The Donna Circle washout is a clear sign of the city's lack of proper inspection, maintenance, and care for its infrastructure. It would be interesting to know if a Donna Circle resident noticed signs of this developing over the last year and notified the city, just to be ignored or put on the back burner. The city has roadway issues throughout Daphne, not just in Lake Forest. But we instead fund.... recreation, a civic center, development interests, utility construction, and too much debt service. Daphne should get back to doing what basic services they are required to do. Maintain roads, police and fire, and building and planning responsibilities. The "quality of life" expenses in city government are taking its toll on our infrastructure.

Isn't it true, though, that most, if not all, of those "quality of life" expenses are funded by grants that should not impact significantly the infrastructure spending of the city?  Isn't it more likely that the problems are related to your first point that there is a "clear sign of the city's lack of proper inspection, maintenance, and care of its infrastructure"?  I do know that the problem on Rolling Hills Drive has been obvious for at least ten or fifteen years and remains a problem because they just refuse to bite the bullet and do it right.  Also, while I am sure that there are roadway issues throughout Daphne, I still believe a disproportionate share of them are in Lake Forest.

4/13/2009

Have you been by Donna Cr lately? Whole road had been washed out. There goes Lk Forest's city spending.

Did you see the recent post about the hole reappearing on Rolling Hills?  The city's been back out and threw some asphalt on it.  After last night's rain, it's probably gone again.  This is what we can expect, until we elect some people who will work for Lake Forest.

4/3/2009

Grounds Maint Fire Charge? What is this? Do you people not have insurance? If so, why on earth is your coverage not enough? This is crap charging residents $25. You already hit us for an extra $50 a year not to mention $37.50 a month. I WILL BE SO GLAD TO GET OUT OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD AND OUT FROM THIS ASSOCIATION. So exactly where does all this money go? Also, what in the world did you have in that ground maintence shed? I find it hard to believe, that shed and it's contents have a value of your insurance policy + the money you are gouging from the resi dents. The shed most only be for golf because the city does the maintence around the neighborhood.

You are correct.  Most of the maintenance is for golf, although they do take care of the other amenities as well.  The Greens Committee chairman gave a pretty good report on the losses, which you should be able to find in the recent Grapevine archives.  I thought that we had been assessed this year also, but I found out that I was mistaken, so the charge amounts to a legal assessment according to our by-laws.  That maintenance shed did have a lot of very expensive equipment in it, so the amount of the loss should not be too surprising. 

Most decent subdivisions have a property owners association and from what I understand, ours is no more intrusive than others. In fact, compared to say Timbercreek for example, the LFPOA is much less intrusive.   Lake Forest just happens to have more to offer than the others and, therefore, has a little higher maintenance fees.  However, for what is available, our fees are very reasonable.  If the property owner chooses not to use them, then that is a private matter.  I do agree, though, that the association should be able to offer more for our money.

4/3/2009

dear red neck,.. i have dislexia but at least i try...ive only lived here 3 months ...i hear long term members all complain ,...but thats all...just another reason iam moving..

Every community has its issues.  Lake Forest is no different.  It's kind of like a headache.  One's whole body can be in tiptop shape, but when you've got a headache, that is all you can think about at the moment.  You have to take a step back and look at the community in its entirety.  Lake Forest is a beautiful subdivision.  It is wooded with rolling hills, not some pasture that has had a bunch of homes built on it.  We are a hop skip and a jump from I10, which gives us quick access to Mobile and Pensacola, even though access to those towns is no big deal anymore.  We are in walking distance from a mall with theatres and restaurants.  We are in very short driving distance from a couple of other great malls.  Who needs Mobile?  Lake Forest has a lot going for it.  The association has had its ups and downs over the years.  Whatever view you have of it today, it may well change for the better or worse within a couple of years.  If you want to move up, go ahead.  Just be sure that the move really is up.  Good luck. 

4/3/2009

As A business owner, maybe the lights that are left on at the Yacht Club at the request of the Daphne Police Department, so on a drive-by they can see into the bar area.

4/2/2009

Wow, the April first edition surely lived up to its billing. It took less than three months for a member to realize that we do not invest in our properties wisely nor do proper maintenance and repair; That we run our place haphazardly and without standards. Whoduhthunkit? Reading that submission, though, (if it was not an April Fool's joke) was a painful reminder of who actually makes up our neighborhood. Can we possibly appeal to a less educated homeowner??? By the way...the new building at the Swim and Racquet Club is a testament to the poor planning and execution of projects that Lake Forest has tolerated for years. Maybe the board should micro-manage more stuff, after all. At least it would be somewhat managed. Oh, and would the last member to use the Yacht Club, please turn out the lights. My apologies in advance to any staff member who is offended by this opinion.

I would say "tolerated for a little over 3 years". 

I doubt that one can determine education level very easily from what is contributed these days to a blog.  Many have become accustomed to the very popular past-time of "text messaging", where no effort is made to use proper punctuation, capitalization, spell checking and so on.  Accidental switching of the spelling of words like there and their is not uncommon for even the most educated folks.  So, the issue should not be the grammar of the contribution, but whether or not the ideas presented were on the mark.  In this case as in most, some were and some were not.  Personally, I would have to disagree with most of yesterday's contribution. 

What's happening at the Swim & Racquet Club building that you are referring to?  I have heard that they cannot find the sewer line.  I believe it's at the south end of the pool boys.  A pipe runs along the west side of the pool from where the old building was located to a junction in the woods south of the pool.  There it meets a line coming down from Country Club Dr.

4/1/2009

after living here in lake forest for three months, i can honestly say, my husband and i our highly disappointed.. not just with the lack of amities'.. for normal family life ..but with the lack of a professional manner in which both the country club and yacht club are run. the whole community!! (if you can call it that) is out dated and run as a dictatorship by the lake forest housing association....putting on charges as they feel, passing bills as they like...i'm waiting for there kids collage bill!!!! enough is enough.... there should also be a reduction for the elderly and a more softer caring element to the whole community...i feel were just being bleed by leaches and not given a voice. there answer for a dying use of the country club,... is to tear it down!!!!how terrible silly,,,,...not develop , support and expand it...the board should be ashamed to call it a country club.. i've never witnessed such bad management,or lack of leadership in my whole life the lake forest home owners association should be removed from power.. OUR country club is a place WE bring our families, committees should enjoy and meet...yet, it stands sadly as a morsoleam to the past. and the 19th hole is a soup kitchen for the infirm. and while i enjoy golf, a country club should pride itself to offer more...for everyone!! the yacht club while does have its charm. its looking frayed and uncared for....the seat cushions damp and tatty also.. i would like too see a new american stars and stripes flying over the yacht club. the one you have now is a display to the laziness and lack of patriotisms,,its all ripped and battered. again lk homeowners association should be embarrassed.. shame on you ..WHAT ARE OUR DUES FOR!!! PLEASE TELL ME MORE THAN ..just GOLF.... there is plenty of community spirit left and it would not take much to rally the troops and we all pitch in ...i realise its a difficult time for everyone but its simply sad to see the place fall into such bad repair and loose the dream which was once lake forest country club ..lets be able to hold are heads high again...

4/1/2009

Our Fees in Lake Forest are already significantly higher than other local developments (ie. Chaimberlain $250 yr.). This is because of the amenities they say. But we still have to pay to play. We are assessed $50 a year "because they can". Then, when there is a "catastrophic event", they simply send us a bill (3089 members paying $25=$77,225.00: that's a hefty deductible). The restaurants lose hundreds of thousands of dollars a year so that a few members have a nice place to play cards. Nothing changes. In business, if you are unable to turn a loser into a winner in a reasonable amount of time, you cut your losses. We should sell the Yacht Club or at the very least try to find an experienced restaurant operator to lease the restaurant, making the public welcome. This would at least give it a chance to be profitable and stop obligating the members to cover the losses.

I'm a little curious as to how you happened to zero in on the Yacht Club.  Not too many years ago, 2004, a plan was submitted to the membership to not only sell the Yacht Club, but also dispose of the swimming pools, tennis courts and nine holes of the golf course.  The membership overwhelmingly rejected the proposal.

You may remember last December I was complaining about the pitiful shape of the street on Rolling Hills Dr.  Then, lo and behold, a few days later the city came out and patched it.  Believe me when I say, that was a coincidence.  My complaining has little affect on anyone.  Nevertheless, the patchwork was a typical City of Daphne halfway attempt at Lake Forest road repair.  Actually, halfway is being generous.  My wife, you may recall, gave the repair a week.  I had more faith and gave it a month or so.  Well, here we are about three months later and the holes are back.  We both underestimated them.  The patchwork made it about three months!  Now, let's not blame the recent rain storms.  The holes were back before they came. 

This example brings me to an issue that has been bothering me for some time.  I want to admit that a position I took during my tenure on the Lake Forest Board of Directors was wrong. I always thought that the association's responsibility was limited to its own property and its own services and that its participation in local politics was out of order otherwise.  In fact, I thought that such political activity was dangerous in that backing the wrong horse could leave us out in the cold for four years, when it came to getting city help for Lake Forest.  Well, as they say, hindsight is 20/20.  Playing nice with city fathers and mothers has gotten Lake Forest nowhere.  It is time for our community to start playing hardball along the lines of the Olde Town bunch.  Our streets are a mess.   Our drainage is a mess.  And we get the table scraps of city services in general.  Lake Forest people have failed to elect their own to council positions for the most part, and those few candidates that we have elected almost immediately forgot who they represented.  It's time for the association to start getting cranky.  It's time for Lake Forest to start flexing some muscle.  The Lake Forest Property Owners Association has money.  It can put some of that money to work getting good people elected to city offices.  It really wouldn't take much, only a little.  But, a little money spent on intelligent advertising and promotion of LAKE FOREST candidates could yield an outstanding return for our community.