Norton Hills Estates Recreation Association

Summer 2004 Newsletter

Hello all NHERA members,

It is hard to believe how fast time flies and that summer is here and almost gone.

I felt it was time for a newsletter to let all members know what is happening in the neighborhood as well as what has happened since my last newsletter.

I hope all of the members take the time to read this newsletter, and I certainly hope everyone is having a nice relaxing summer.

J.D. Bond
NHERA President

ASSOCIATION DUES

There are still 7 Association members outstanding on the 2004 dues. Third notices are being sent via certified mail prior to the Association Board taking further legal action.

If anyone reading this newsletter has not paid his/her annual dues, please do so immediately to avoid additional costs associated with collection efforts. Dues may be remitted to: Stacy Sewick, Treasurer.

GARAGE SALE

I hope everyone that participated in the annual garage sale had a successful day. I did order an advertisement in the Chronicle to run for two weeks, but did not realize that the ad did not run the week of the sale. By the time I was notified of this, there was a scramble to get signs placed and I need to thank Barb Miesch for her quick action. I also placed several signs out and then thunderstorms and rain forced me to repair those signs on Friday and Saturday.

So again thanks Barb for your fast action.

BYLAWS RULES AND REGS

Stan Miller led a committee to revise the bylaws, rules, and regulations and every Association member is receiving a copy of the revisions along with the delivery of this newsletter.

I would like to thank the other committee members for their participation:

Dave Hekkema, Steve Hill, Joe McNarland and Dave Versalle, with prompt and timely assists from Stacy and Scott Sewick, Barb Miller, James Kobza and Jim Miller.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS

Now that summer is here please be cognizant of the speed limit in the neighborhood and remind your guests and young drivers of the same. We have many families with young children in the Association. And please do not be bashful of reporting offenders to the police department.

FIREWORKS: During my time in this position, I have received many complaints and suggestions regarding the use of celebratory fireworks. If you are a fireworks enthusiast, please be reasonable in the timing of your use of fireworks

All Association members are encouraged to contact local law enforcement for any disturbing firework use that occurs outside of reasonable times.

This is a twofold request:

To all the Association members who are walkers with dogs, PLEASE take a plastic bag or two along on your walk and CLEAN UP the droppings from your pup. I and others certainly do! (unless you would like the droppings of some 75+ pound dogs on your front lawn, like I have received!)

All Association members with dogs at home, PLEASE make sure your dogs are adequate restrained so that passers-by need not be concerned about their or their children's safety!!!

NUGENT SAND. All NHERA members are encouraged to contact the DEQ regarding their position on the discharge of Nugent Sand Company waste water into Lake Michigan. The only name and number I have is Michelle Hown (Hone)? 616-356-0204.

MAINTENANCE

The Board decided to retain the services of the lawn maintenance company used last year to maintain the common areas. There are no anticipated major improvements to the common grounds this year due to the park improvements last year and the need to replenish the Association coffers, so please bear with the Board while we attempt to maintain the common areas and prepare for future improvements.

NOTE OF THANKS

I would like to thank Phil and Sue Schuiteman for their tireless efforts in maintaining the drainage ditch. Phil planted new bushes and I anticipate the area will look very nice in the years to come. If you happen to see Phil and Sue, give them a wave in appreciation.

www.NHERA.org

The Association web site is up and running. All Association members are encouraged to check it out. We are hoping it will assist in the sale of member homes and increase interest in homeownership in our Association.

MEMORIAL DAY FLAGS

My thanks to Tom Sanocki for his generous donation and distribution of the Memorial Day flags to all NHERA members.

They added a very nice appearance to the neighborhood and I believe were well received.

Thanks again Tom.

ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting will be Tuesday, Sept. 28 at the House of Chan.

All members are encouraged to attend. Casual time with cash bar at 6:00 PM with meal and meeting to follow.

DUMPSTERS

O.K. It is my time to vent.

There were major problems with the dumpsters this year and I would like to do your next President a favor by offering dumpster advice!

First my thanks to my wife along with Lee Ann White and her sons for helping me load and level the dumpsters so they could be removed.

DO NOT OVERFILL the dumpsters. The hauler cannot transport the dumpsters if they cannot get the cover over them. Never leave anything extending above the top rim of the container. Also the Association had to pay for a third dumpster just to get all the trash removed.

DO NOT LEAVE YOUR CRAP ON THE CURB! If you cannot get it into the D*&N dumpster, who the H#LL do you expect to do it!! And next year show some appreciation for those living near the dumpsters. Who knows, maybe next year the dumpsters will be ON YOUR BLOCK!

Useable items (i.e. Awful green chairs and footstool, exercise equipment (apparently functional), garden equipment, and useable furniture) should be placed at the curb for the Goodwill. Why else do we arrange for Goodwill curbside pickup the Monday after the garage sale?

Corrugated cardboard, magazines, and books can be recycled. Why use up precious space with these type of items? Most of the trash haulers will recycle them.

Do not use the dumpsters for regular household trash! Why do you pay for weekly trash pickup anyway??

Half full paint cans should NEVER go in the dumpsters, they are not allowed in the dump.

Pack the dumpsters well. There is a lot of dead space in the bottoms of the dumpsters if you just throw your items over the top. Pack it like your suitcase and use every inch of space possible, but DO NOT LEAVE ITEMS HANGING OUT.

And who is it that cannot read? I put very large signs on the dumpsters that they were FULL, and some yahoo STILL put stuff in the dumpsters. Please learn to read.

If I offended anyone with my rant, well ... GOOD!

BOARD OFFICERS

At the time of the annual meeting, we will be electing new Board members.

We will be in need of residents of Pleasant Hill and Bellaire Court to stand up and be a part of the

Association. Please give this some consideration.

I will be stepping down as President, so we will also be in need of someone to take my position.

Proxy forms have been included in the new directories that everyone is receiving along with this letter and the updated bylaws, rules and regulations. For those unable to attend the meeting, please send your proxy forms with someone so that your vote will count.

COMMON COURTESIES

A few observations at the most recent Board meeting included:

People using just trash bags for their garbage. This does result in an unsightly appearance and leaves the trash vulnerable to the critters. Please think about using trash cans.

Please clean up after yourselves at the beach.

Please control your dogs on the beach and use leashes if your dogs are not well trained, and clean up after them if they relieve themselves at the beach.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Remember to mark your calendars for September 28, 2004 at 6:00 PM for the annual meeting at Chan's. We need an accurate count on those attending, so we have given all members until Tuesday September 14, 2004 to notify me, either by phone or email, on your plans to attend. REMEMBER, Tuesday September 14, 2004.

It has been my pleasure, mostly, to have served as President these last three years, but I believe in self imposed term limits, so now it is someone else's turn.

Respectfully, J.D. Bond