Annual Meeting update!

Only 2 people outside of the HOA Board of Directors showed up to the annual meeting! I guess that means the Board is doing a good job and there are no complaints by residents!?!

Here are the highlights from the meeting.

The Presidents annual report is pasted below.
The Yard of the month will be extended 1 month this year from June - September.
Shinnette Richmond's was extended another 2 years.
Karrie Comatas was appointed to the Board.
Mailboxes continue to be a concern since the appearance of the neighborhood is a huge factor in property values.
There continues to be a need for active Block Captains for the security of our neighborhood.



HOA Board President’s Annual Report (2009):

The year 2009 marked the 7th year for the Grande Park Homeowners Association. The Homeowners Board has continued the established programs that were in place during previous years. The HOA Board consist of 6 members.

Present members are:
Don McFarland – President
Shinnette Richmond – Vice President
Cynthia Duval – Secretary
Carol Hammett – Member
Yvonne Wright – Member
Cas Duval – Member

Morgan Property Management continued to represent Grande Park and Sheryl Morgan’s contract was renewed for another year.

Newton’s Landscaping was renewed for another year. Newton’s Landscaping has continued doing an excellent job. Everyone seems to be very satisfied.

The Social Committee, chaired by Carol Hammett and Shinnette Richmond, continued with events and programs such as the Easter Egg Hunt, the yard sale, the National Night Out and Caroling/Food collection for the Durham Rescue Mission in December. The $25.00 gift certificate was given to Amy Ludwig for the best Christmas decorations. These events were successful due to the tireless efforts put forth by these two chairpersons. Our community owes them and all the other residents who contributed, thank you on behalf of our community!!!!

The Street Representatives, established in 2004, continued to play a critical role in representing the neighborhood and making sure needed information was distributed to their respective groups. As of this time we have all nine street representative positions filled. We need others to step up and help in this endeavor. Based on the most recent statistics crimes can occur in any neighborhood.

The Grande Park Blog, maintained by Carol Hammett, continued to keep the neighborhood informed of current events. Carol has done an outstanding job.
(http://grandeparkhoa.blogspot.com/)

The Architectural Improvement Committee (ARC) continues to keep our neighborhood in compliance with the Architectural Guidelines that were established and then revised in August 2003. Cas Duval has continued to do an excellent job.




Appearance: Thanks to most of Grande Park homeowners for the way they have maintained their property’s appearance. One problem area is the way some animal owners continue to let the animals use the bathroom along Bivins and Umstead roads and have not picked up the animal’s droppings. I have also received complaints from some homeowners within the neighborhood itself. Each person is responsible for the cleanup of their animals mess. This is a continuing problem.

Stolen Property and Malicious Vandalism: Several homeowners have informed me that they have had items stolen. These incidents have happened recently and seem to be escalating. These problems and some other incidents have created the immediate need for improving the Neighborhood Watch Program. Anyone seeing someone stealing or vandalizing property should call 911 immediately. You may request that you not be identified if that is your desire.

Neighborhood Needs
1. 2 individuals to serve on the ARC
2. 2 individual to serve on the Social Committee

Thanks to each member of the board and committees during the past year. Your tireless efforts did not go unnoticed. Without your time and efforts this neighborhood would not be the fine place it is.

It has been my pleasure to serve as your HOA Board President for the past year. I appreciated your support and input.


Donald McFarland, Board President
Grande Park Homeowners Association

ANNUAL MEETING

You should have received a notice of the Grande Park annual meeting in the mail by now. This is a mandatory meeting of the HOA and is a great opportunity for you to come out and voice your opinions, good or bad and bring ideas and thoughts on how we can improve Grande Park to make it an even better place to live.

The agenda for the meeting is as follows:
Election of open seats on Board of Directors
Reports from officers and Committees
Financial reports & presentation of the 2010 budget
Any other business deemed necessary or desired

The Board has proposed that the annual 2010 dues increase to $235 per year, an increase that does not require a homeowner vote. I will post the Presidents Message as well as an update to the annual meeting here.

HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

when: THURSDAY JANUARY 7, 2010 7PM

where: ALDERSGATE METHODIST CHURCH

what: GRANDE PARK ANNUAL MEETING

who : ALL GRANDE PARK RESIDENT THAT HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE WELL BEING OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SHOULD ATTEND!

ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL CAROLING FOR CANS EVENT

Despite the weather, many families participated in the Second Annual Grande Park Caroling for Cans Event! Much thanks to the Plymires and Comatas' for caroling with me! I brought the goods to the Rescue Mission today and as usual, they were soooo appreciative!

I hope we can have another good event next year! Thanks!

SAFETY FIRST! BREAK-INS REPORTED OUTSIDE OF GRANDEPARK

There have been several break-ins up and down Umstead Road recently, one as recent as Sunday night right across Umstead Rd at QueenFerry! They stole between 8-9k worth of equipment from a resident who owns his own yard work business; the merchandise was stole from his locked trailer.

To my knowledge no break-ins or attpems have been made in our neighborhood, but tis the season!!! Please keep your doors locked to our house and vehicles! Keep your garage door closed unless you are outside watching! If there is any opportunity, thieves will try them!

Please join the Second Annual Grande Park Caroling for Cans event

to benefit the Durham Rescue Mission.

On Saturday, December 19, 2009, please place a donation of canned food or other needed items beside your mailbox. A group of Grande Park Carolers will be Caroling at those houses that have put a donation out. We will collect the items and bring them to the Rescue Mission for those that can really use them at this time.

We will be Caroling around sunset, so please have your cans out by 5pm that evening. If you would like to place luminaries out to light our way, please do so!

I will be sending out a flier with all this information as well as a list of needed items hopefully next week!!!

We will also be scouting out the BEST HOLIDAY DECORATED HOME again this year! A $25 gift card to Lowes will be awarded by the HOA to the home with the most spirit this holiday season!

If you would like to ‘Carol’ with us, or if you have any questions about Caroling for Cans or Holiday decoration contest, call Carol at 341-1174.

We would love to have as many people join us as possible!

Thank you and have a joyous holiday season!

Need a Mailbox Makeover?

BEFORE

Is your mailbox faded, rusted, or dented? Want a new one?
For the low low cost of $35, you can get a brand new black with gold band mailbox that matches the rest of the neighborhood!
Just contact one of the HOA board members and we can order you one through our property management company. We can even help you install it! Just ask!

AFTER

Fall Back One Hour , Check Smoke Detectors

Use this semi-annual event as an opportunity to check and change the batteries in home smoke detectors. A working smoke detector in the home saves lives and doubles one's chances of surviving a home fire.