"We Love Esperanza Estates" Green Valley, Arizona 85614

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Information for Homeowners

Periodico de Esperanza
Homeowners Newsletter
December 24, 2002

December Musings
— By Dave Lantz, President

Within the last several weeks, I have had conversations with Board Members/Officers of five other homeowner associations regarding the willingness of homeowners to participate and contribute to the governance of their Association. One, about twice our size, is considering hiring homeowner members to serve on the Board as they are unable to recruit volunteers. Two others are considering the hiring of an executive director to conduct their affairs. I reminded them that they would still need a Board to hire and oversee the executive while paying a substantial salary for probably inferior response to individual homeowner concerns. One needs look no further than GVR to see the problems inherent in isolating the governance from the membership.

In that regard, I believe that Esperanza Estates is unusual, possibly unique in Green Valley, in the contributions of volunteers. Because of their number, I will not attempt to identify the many people who have contributed time, money, and effort to the betterment of our sub-division. From the group painting effort of a member’s house to the many improvements of our common areas to the beautiful seasonal decorations, we can all be appreciative of these efforts. They have been helpful in lifting our spirits during this season of long dark nights and too-short days. We are thankful for their efforts.

Back to business. Please mark your calendar for a reminder to attend the annual meeting of the Association on January 20,2003. We will be back at East Center this year — it was not available last year because of their renovation project. Registration begins at noon with the meeting scheduled to start at 1 :00 PM. Please come armed with your Lot Number and address along with your name. In addition to the usual agenda, the Board has proposed a revision to the CC&Rs. Ben Sheffield has more to say about that later in this issue. Also, our usual reminder to stay informed about the CC&Rs Scan through them occasionally so that you are familiar with the conditions you endorsed when you purchased a property here. One homeowner called -long distance yet -to register a complaint from her tenant about our parking regulations. When I referred her to the CC&Rs, she said “what’s that?” Was a rather tedious conversation! Most of our problems concern unauthorized architectural additions or parking violations.

By the time you get this issue, there are only a few days before a new year begins. Have a happy and healthy —especially healthy —2003.

Common Areas Committee
— By Tom Cooke, Chair

The major news for our common areas is the beginning of the gravel refurbishment program. We have identified the worst areas, which will require approximately 75 yards of new gravel for the first phase. This will begin in December. We expect to spread about 20 yards this month, and then the balance of the first phase in January. Thereafter, we will begin the second phase, and continue until our allocated funds are used. We expect to be able to do about 100 yards this time, which should spruce up our common areas considerably. Areas to be included will be a number of the quad yards , which the Association is obligated to maintain under our CC&R’s. Dorothy Sharp has kindly donated a couple of yards of river rock for the program. Jack and Marion O’Donnell have contributed financially to accomplish the same thing. Both have our thanks.

Although there doesn’t seem to be any definitive historical record on gravel placement in the EE common areas, the best “oral” tradition suggests that it has been quite a number of years since most of these areas were originally graveled. As a result, it has gotten pretty “thin” in numerous places, and we hope to bring it back to a state of good appearance. Attractive common areas benefit all of us.

One of the 3 concrete benches in Mt. View Park has been relocated to the EE “monument” area, at the request of a few walkers, who needed a place to rest after walking up the Esperanza Blvd. hill. Pima County will be installing another bench in the Mt. View Park vicinity as part of the Arroyo 9 improvements, which should fill the need for benches in this area.

If you are interested in seeing how an area can be beautified, take a walk from Portillo down along Arroyo 9 to Mt. View Park. An attractive rock border has been placed along the entire length of the Arroyo, and the cacti therein cultivated and groomed. On the other side of the walkway, the drainage way has been rebuilt in a most attractive manner. Nearer the Park, the border stones have been replaced and restored, and numerous new cacti planted. It is reported to me that Don White and Steve Brown have largely accomplished these tasks on their own, although if there were others who assisted, we want to include the Associations thanks for these efforts. Lance Ewing and Dick Zindrick have been busy doing maintenance and beautification in Sunset Park (the former putting green area). Thanks to their efforts the fountain is operational and a new planter has been constructed in the adjacent wash. The plantings made last spring have been spruced up and the rock lining in the wash largely rebuilt.

Also, as you have no doubt noticed, the monument, EE Park, and pool areas have been decorated by the volunteers with Christmas lights, and look great. We are all indebted to these and all of our other volunteers whose efforts make our community such a great place to live.

Neighborhood Watch Committee
— By Melodye Cooke, Chair

The events of 9-11 have changed all of our lives. Things that we never thought of are now a part of our daily lives. We also are changing everyday, getting older, sicker, or losing a spouse. We need our friends and neighbors to help us through the new times.

The Neighborhood Watch is all of us watching and caring for our neighbors without interfering. It is a fine line. The block captains and assistants are providing an Envelope of Life for every resident of Esperanza Estates. This should be filled out and kept on you refrigerator, to provide information to medical personnel in the case of a emergency. If you have not received yours please call your neighborhood watch captain or contact me (Melodye) at 399-0455.

Please consider giving an extra key to a friend or relative in the event of an entrance need. We urge residents that live alone to make sure that someone that you trust could open your house in the case of a fall or illness. All suspicious activities that are seen should be reported to911. Better to be safe than sorry.

We respect the wish of residents that do not wish to participate, but hope that you will take advantage of the Envelope of Life. Remember that the block captains and (or) assistants are donating their time and your courtesy to them would be greatly appreciated. If anyone has any questions, ideas, or may wish to help, please contact Melodye Cooke at 399-0455.

Neighborhood Relations Committee
— By Norma Stanley, Chair

Only one letter was sent out in December regarding landscape maintenance. So far, so good!!! Was out driving in the neighborhood the other night, and I must say, I have never seen it looking so festive--the park, the pool area, the entrance area all look wonderful, not to mention all the individual light poles. In fact, it looked so great several of us are going out to take another look. So thanks, residents, and thanks, volunteers who “spiffed” up the public areas for the holidays!!!!!

New Owners (Previous Owners)
— By Sheila Bennen

Charles S. and Karen R. Augustine (Frank and Juanita Dukes)
785 Circulo Napa

Gregory K. Gramstad and Barbara J. Cottrell (Lennox Schoppelry)
1190 Circulo del Norte

Tim J. Braun (William Mulcahy)
774 Calle del Ensalmo

Charles Kausler (Benjamin Schaeffer)
1119 Calle Excelso

Yard Sale
— By Sheila Bennen

The Esperanza Estates Volunteer sale held on November 16th was a huge success. The volunteers had collected items for several months and total sum collected was $739.52.

We are beginning to collect for the next sale so please call:

Sheila Bennen 399-0501

Melodye Cooke 399-0455

Tess Ewing 625-7353 . . .if you have items you wish to donate.

Christmas Lights
— By Sheila Bennen

A huge thank you goes to the wonderful volunteers that so beautifully decorated Esperanza Estates for the Christmas season. Dick Wahl and Sheila Bennen did the park. Dick Wahl, Lance Ewing, Steve Brown, and Ben Sheffield did the pool area and entrance, Thanks also to all of the homeowners who decorated their lamp posts and houses. Esperanza Estates is very festive indeed.

Proposed Buy-In-Fee
— By Ben Sheffield
Phone: 625-3797

The Board passed a motion to amend the CC&Rs to make provisions for a Buy-In-Fee, to be paid by the buyer, on all future sales of residences in Esperanza Estates. The funds generated from these fees are restricted for repair, replacement, and acquistion of our Capital Assets. This amendment requires a vote by 51% of the Homeowners in Esperanza Estates. In order to answer your questions more efficiently we will be conducting open meetings on the following dates at 201 Circulo Napa:

Friday January 10 at 1:00, 2:00, & 3:00

Monday January 13 at 1:00, 2:00, & 3:00