"We Love Esperanza Estates" Green Valley, Arizona 85614

Owners...
Information for Homeowners

Periodico de Esperanza
Homeowners Newsletter
January 31, 2002

The Annual Meeting -- By Dave Lantz, President

The Annual Meeting of Homeowners was held on January 21 at the GVR Canoa Hills Center. Approximately 125 members were in attendance. The business session included no great surprises. Other officers will include summaries of their reports to the membership.

Mr. Paul Campbell, representing the Office of County Supervisor Ray Carroll, was present to hear comments relating to the County. Later, he made an appointment to have Tom Cooke escort him around this subdivision to pinpoint areas of concern.

Directors elected to three-year terms were: Sheila Bennen, Tom Cooke, and Dave Lantz. A short organizational meeting was held after the membership meeting. Board Officers elected for the coming year are: President — Dave Lantz; Vice-President — Norma Stanley; Secretary — Ben Sheffield; and Treasurer — Sheila Bennen.

Other -- By Dave Lantz

Care and maintenance of the common areas has been our largest category of expense. Some of this is the result of unauthorized or "bootleg" plantings by homeowners on Association property. Trees planted too close to property walls, with attendant future wall damage, is a severe problem. Other problems have come up as a result of alteration of natural drainage flows. Please do not make any planting on common property without authorization from the Board. If you elect to pay for an appropriate tree, the Association will do the planting in a proper location.

Similarly, we need to do major reconstruction along our joint boundary with Portillo Place because of drainage problems, some of which were caused by homeowner activity. Again, don’t alter the characteristics of common areas without authorization.

Hospitality Committee -- By Phyllis Johnson, Chair

As of the General Meeting, Jan. 21st, the Neighborhood Watch Committee--having been developed and activated as a sub-committee of the HoSpitality Committee for SECURITY-- has been "promoted" to an independent "standing committee" with Marilyn Harland as Chair.

The Hospitality Committee will continue to be active in planning SOCIAL EVENTS in our common areas, being enhanced so pleasantly by the Concerned Volunteers Committee, and in being alert to offering SUPPORT for newcomers; and when neighbors are experiencing grief or special need..

The Committee has compiled, from the Frost data base, the 2002 Directory of Homeowners, in a convenient format modeled by the former NEET Committee. This Directory was on sale at the General Meeting for $2.00, as well as the Information Packet delivered for the first time to Newcomers of 2001 for $1.00. Anyone wishing to order one or both, call the chair (399-9003) or Sheila Bennen (399-0501).

Committee members, please mark your calendars for Wednesday, February 6 at 1:30 p.m. to plan the next general social gathering, perhaps with a theme of Mardi Gras. Homeowners are invited to join the committee or to call with suggestions for our consideration. Let's enjoy!

EEHO Ladies Spring Luncheon -- By Patsy Lantz

Date: Wednesday — April 3, 2002

Place: Quail Creek Grill

Time: 12:00 Noon

Details to follow in the February Periodico.

Esperanza Bridge -- By Bob Fallon

Mark your calendars: Spring Party on April 25th at the Elks Club.

Also, please remember to pay your dues ($5 per person per year) for both regular and substitute players, regardless of the number of groups a player plays in. Checks may be made to EEHO Bridge and sent to Jim Dykgraaf at 871 Calle Del Regalo.

New GVCCC Directory Coming Soon ! -- By Charl Petry

The 2002 GVCCC Directory will be distributed on or after February 27th. Leave your gate open and be looking for it. The Periodico deliverers will bring it to your door. 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.

The Periodico Delivery Committee was very active during 200l, not only delivering Periodicos to your door, but also the Community Directory, and a number of important Board notices. The volunteers working on this committee make this a joyful, friendly, harmonious activity.

Neighborhood Watch -- By Marilyn Harland, Chair

The Neighborhood Watch Committee remembers block captain Helen Ferguson who recently passed away. Thank you Nancy Moore and Phillip Hopkins for volunteering to be assistant captains.

Block Captains, please get to know your neighbors.  Note on your call list any person who may need help in getting out in an emergency and call me (399-3291)  with this information for my master list.  And a REMINDER, to keep your list updated with changes published in our monthly Periodico.

Be sure you have an Assistant back-up during the time you are away from Esperanza Estates.  Thank you.

Historical Perspectives From Interviews 2001 -- By Phyllis Johnson

Helen Ferguson, in company with her husband Frank, had high praise for Green Valley and especially for the couple’s decision to leave Colorado on St. Valentine’s Day, l982:

. . . . It’s so green and it’s higher up from the desert. . . . We turned off on Esperanza Blvd. . . . . there were flags at intervals all the way down . . . . Nothing had the appeal that Esperanza had. . . . I think that Esperanza Estates has been very fortunate in getting people of considerable ability to accept office and manage the affairs of the association. One man was exceptionally good, Chuck Hill, retired Air Force Colonel. . . . I intend to live my life out in Green Valley, in this very house. . . .

Common Area Maintenance Committee -- By Tom Cooke, Chair

(The following is a summary of the Common Area Maintenance Committee report, given at the Annual Meeting January 21st)

The major news about our 20 acres of common areas is the change in landscapers, which took place in October. At that time, AAA Landscape Maintenance, a large regional company, took over our common areas from Donna's Landscaping, which the Association had employed for the past 3 years. Considerable dissatisfaction with the work being done by Donnas had resulted in the contract being put out to bid, and the results were that we received a much better bid from AAA than from Donnas and the other company that made a bid for the work. In addition, AAA offered chemical treatment for both weed eradication and pre-emergent care as part of the contract, whereas previously we had to pay extra for this service.

Since taking over the contract, AAA has performed very well, and substantial progress in getting our common areas back into good condition has been made. The Board's representative meets with AAA twice weekly to assign maintenance priorities and supervise the work being done. Within the next few months, we expect that AAA will have completed initial work in all the common areas in the subdivision, and that thereafter, regular maintenance will be much easier to keep up. All known common area palms have been trimmed, at a negotiated rate of $32 per tree. This was the best of several bids we received, and the work done by the contractor has been very good. We plan to have the same thing done annually in order to keep the trees looking their best. We have approximately 50 palm trees in our common areas.

A re-graveling program for the common areas has begun. Gravel refurbishment in the common areas which are graveled has not been done in years, and many of them were beginning to look poorly. Approximately 50 yards of gravel were spread this past year, and the program will be continued in the future as funds become available. Also, about an additional 40 feet of the Bridge Park wash has been rock-lined, to prevent more erosion from taking place.

The Board has approved a new policy for quad owners, which allows (and encourages) minor maintenance work in the quad yards. It is hoped that quad owners will respond, as that will both enhance the appearance of the subdivision and help keep our annual dues in check. As about half of our annual dues go to landscape maintenance, anything we can do to keep from having to pay outsiders to do this work, will be helpful to all.

The Board strongly wishes to remind subdivision residents of the policy prohibiting the planting of any type of vegetation in any common area without specific Board approval. Unauthorized plantings in the past are costing us a great deal now to have to contend with. In one case, we expect to have to spend in excess of $2300 to remove illegally planted  trees that have become too large. Even lesser vegetation is costly because of the constant trimming and cleanup required. Some of these past plantings will likely have to be removed in the future to avoid the continuation of this problem.

Persons having questions or concerns about our common areas can contact Tom Cooke, at 399-0455 for assistance.

Esperanza Estates Volunteers -- By Tom Cooke, Chair

(The following is a summary of the EE Volunteers report, given at the Annual Meeting January 21st)

The Esperanza Estates Volunteers is a "can do" group, made up of numerous persons who volunteer their time and talents to improving our subdivision. Over the past year, the Volunteers have donated innumerable hours and have completed many tasks, which have included breaking and removal of concrete, building of rip-rap in subdivision washes, rebuilding bridges, clean up of pool restrooms, running and connection of electrical and plumbing lines, painting picnic tables, installing fountains, sweeping and removal of sand from subdivision streets, placement and removal of Christmas decorations in common areas, and many, many more such accomplishments.

The primary Volunteers project underway is the refurbishment of the old putting green area near the shuffleboard courts. Water and electricity have now been installed in this area, the gravel removed, and a fountain installed. The ground has been leveled, and paver bricks are on order for installation just south of the shuffleboard courts. The "fountain area" has recently had a planting plan approved, and this will be implemented in the near future. It is expected that this will turn this area into a beautiful and functional place for EE residents to gather for enjoyment and recreation.

The Volunteers have additional projects "in the mill" for future implementation. These include the construction of a nature walk, rebuilding of certain of the common area drainage ways, painting some of our common area walls, and more.

The Volunteers are proud of the fact that all of their work and purchases on behalf of the subdivision are made from donations and money earned through "yard sale" efforts, and involve no Association funds.

Name This Space! The Board is seeking input from residents to name the common area situated on Holgado, between Excelso and Regalo. If you have thoughts for a name, please contact Sheila Bennen at 399-0501, or Tom Cooke at 399-0455.

Esperanza Trail — By Sheila Bennen

It was reported at the annual meeting that we are developing an Esperanza Walking Trail. I have designed a tentative plan and would like input on how to better improve it. The trail is approximately 1_ miles through many natural areas of the subdivision.

It is essentially complete and will require little work but suggestions are welcome. I will lead a walk through for anyone who is interested on Tuesday, February 5th at 1 P.M. Please meet me at the pool areas. For information, call Sheila Bennen at 399-0501.

Summary of the Treasurer’s Report -- By Sheila Bennen

Sheila Bennen, Treasurer, reported that we were under budget by $ 8,739.39 for the fiscal year 2001.

It was noted that this was after an authorized additional $5,000 expenditure for rock work in the arroyos and gravel work done in Esperanza Park and many areas in the quads and common areas.

We hope to continue improvements to the infrastructure and common areas in the next year. We hope to resurface the tennis court, replace the pool decking, and paint the entire pool area. With the completion of the driveway paving project we should have more money for additional projects. At the present time (January 22, 2002) we have in our treasury:

$ 50,000 CD — Reserve Fund

$ 20,000 Checking Account

$ 88,495 Savings Account

Directory -- By Sheila Bennen

With the issuance of the new Directory and the receipt of the information sheet with the dues payments, there are few changes to be made in your new Directory.

If you need to purchase a new Directory see the related article in this Periodico.

If you find any errors in the Directory, please call Sheila Bennen at 399-0501

New Phone Numbers -- By Sheila Bennen

Dukes, Frank 625-2159

Novack, Sylvia 399-3720

Pearson, Rod and Nancy 625-9242

Wallace, Patricia 648-0575

Spring Garage Sale — Esperanza Estates Volunteers

Thank you to all who contributed and worked on the recent Esperanza Estates Garage Sale. The sale was very successful and funds raised have been added to our special account for improving common areas.

We are now collecting for our spring garage sale March 16 and would like to remind new homeowners especially that we have a storage area and will pick up any items you would like to donate. For pickup call:

Bev Brow 625-7741

Tess Ewing 625-7353

Melodye Cooke 399-0455

Sheila Bennen 399-0501

Welcome to Newcomers -- By Sheila Bennen

James A. and Anne Kear
850 W. Vereda Calma

Robert and Janet Kawalski
1031 Calle Del Regalo
399-1047

Donald L. and Evelyn M. Winfrey
786 Calle Del Ensalmo

Gary DeDera
926 Calle Del Regalo

Linda Hoy
107 Circulo Napa