November 1998
A resident recently called your editor to report a problem with the operation of her garage door. She had wanted to call Curtis but it was a Saturday and she feared they were closed. Knowing that the doors came from Home Base, she called them. Unfortunately, the Base did not refer her to Golden State Garage Doors, the initial installer, but sent out another company. The homeowner concerned had tried to locate Golden State in the SD phone book but was unsuccessful--they're office is outside the city. In the course of the conversation, I asked if she read the MONTEREY MESSAGE. She said she never did. I then called her attention to a piece titled "GARAGE DOORS" in the July, 98 issue of the MESSAGE. It gives the Golden State number. Reading and retaining this publication might have saved the individual concerned time, frustration, and money. Oh yes, Curtis has an emergency answering service that is in operation 24 hours a day. The operator on duty will make the contacts needed toward resolving your problem.
Our greenbelts are among the most .attractive features of the HOA. And to insure they are attractive to all, our rules manual talks about their "right use".
What follows is an extract from a letter--the writer a new owner in Villa Monterey:
"The Greenbelt in front of my home is frequently used as a playground for children who want to yell, scream, and beat sticks against trees. All this while the parents are watching. I know that children must be children and we've all been there, but what disturbs me is that the parents don't seem t o respect the neighborhood..."Is the writer no more than a crank or is he/she a person with a legitimate concern that touches us all.
The minutes of February 1975 reveal that a stereo tape cartridge system was approved for the clubhouse--it is still in place. That April a wave of vandalism was reported in the clubhouse and your Board discussed the hiring of a guard system, but the latter idea was abandoned--as its cost might have led to an increase in the homeowners' common fees. The fountain the greenbelt between Rimview and Edge Park seems to have presented recurring challenges. However, when Ponderosa Homes declined to pay for any changes in this amenity, the Board decided to take it out. The latter was perhaps a wise decision as the moneys in the checking account, in reserves, and in savings totaled no more than $20,000.00 in June.
There will be a lot of landscape activity throughout Villa Monterey for the rest of the year. The emphasis will be on thinning and pruning trees and removing deadwood to improve healthy and existing trees. Tree removal will be minimum and primarily limited to safety requirements. Your Board has approved a vigorous plan to continue replacing and replanting shrubbery and upgrading frontages. As such, the program is designed to add some color and is timed to take advantage of the winter rains.
If readers have not received an answer to recent phone calls to Hugh Souder, the landscape chair, please call again. He has upgraded his system and promises not to misplace phone numbers from those who've called with questions.
The recent brush fire in the area reminds us that the HOA has a sprinkler system along the canyon rim. Weststar has a key to the system as does Hugh Souder. But turning it in in the event of a fire may well reduce the water pressure along the line-especially to fire fighters. Thus those with keys will activate the system only with the approval of the Fire Department.
In the past month, the same dog has been found running through our grounds on his own. He's not been off-lead but loose-his owner(s) at work. Fortunately, our grounds people were able to return him to his patio the first time; the second, they couldn't get near him. In this latter instance, the dog came up to one of our many walkers and caused her some distress. Owners--please be sure your pet is properly "housed" if you have to leave him for some period of time.
Heard before one of our Board meetings that Skip Kruszona's son, who graduated from San Diego State in June and is presently teaching at St. John's School, will depart San Diego this month. He's been accepted into the Army Aviation program. As you may know, our president is a Navy veteran while your editor is an Army veteran. I like to think the son made a wise choice, much to the chagrin of his father. In any event, we wish young Kruszona a safe and exciting tour of duty serving his country.
A number of letters went out this month to homeowners--all concerned with the same subject: trash containers. Please note that the latter can't be left out past the day of collection--in most cases, that's a Tuesday. Please do cooperate.
Those of us on the Board who are involved in various inspections keep seeing cars parked on garage aprons. Please note that parking on your apron is restricted to loading and unloading and to washing your vehicle. Otherwise, you are in violation of our rules. Please, you are creating a possible hazard on your street.
Thursday, November 26, 1998 Thanksgiving Day
© Copyright 1999 Villa Monterey HOA
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