A PUBLICATION OF THE SILVER RIDGE HOMEOWNERS’ ASSOCIATION, INC. ORLANDO, FLORIDA

SILVER RIDGE - A DEED RESTRICTED COMMUNITY

The Association’s most important event of the year, the annual meeting and election of Directors will be held on Tuesday March 26, 1996, at the Oasis Community Church, 2332 North Hiawassee Road (just south of Silver Star Road.) All members are urged to attend, or return the proxy form which was mailed earlier this month. There must be a quorum (10%) of members present or represented by proxy, so that the Association can conduct this important meeting.

An election will be held at this meeting to fill three of the five Board of Director’s positions. A Directors will be chosen for each of three terms of office: one three-year term, one two year term, and a one-year term.

The terms of office held by Sam Branch, Ed Garcia, and the position vacated after Rick Kepler’s resignation will expire on March 26. Currently, Sam Branch is serving as Vice-President, and Ed Garcia is serving as Treasurer.

With three of the five positions up for vote, this election will significantly effect the composition of the Association’s Board. Therefore it is important for each member to participate, to help set the direction the Association will take in the coming year.

See the inside pages for an explanation of our election process.

From the Desk of the President

At the General Meeting on March 26, the Members of the Homeowners Association will elect three people to fill the expiring positions of Directors. This may terminate one of the most effective Board of Directors this HOA has ever had. I’m not saying that we haven’t had good people or had effective Boards before. What I’m saying is, this group of dedicated homeowners has accomplished more this year, accomplishments that directly affect this neighborhood, than any of the Boards for the past ten years. I feel that the impact will be felt for many years to come. The following are some of these accomplishments:

1. This was the year that the HOA was required to either accept or reject the Architectural Control. This Board worked long hours to solicit unanimous approval. This approval assures us that the HOA will have final authority as to the appearance of our neighborhood.
2. Our neighborhood was faced with the encroachment of two story apartments being built too close to property lines. The Directors solicited the affected properties and went to the public hearing and caused the building proposals to be altered.
3. The Board of Directors hired an electrician to re-wire the front island and install colored lights, adding attractiveness to the front entrance.
4. The Sprinkler system has been updated, eliminating costly water bills.
5. We canceled our old lawn service,. We now have an excellent, more cost-effective lawn service. This move allows us to reduce our largest recurring expense, and use our funds more wisely.
6. A major change came about when we switched management groups. Don Asher & Associates brought with them a form of professionalism and "get the job done" attitude that has improved our HOA.
7. The Board of Directors took a hard-nosed attitude about its HOA dues that were very delinquent. We had HOA members that were as much as 5 years behind in their dues. With the help of our Attorney, we have collected much of the overdue assessments. More to be said in another column.
8. The Board of Directors has installed informational signs at the front and rear entrance. The signs indicate very clearly the stand we now take, "A Deed Restricted Community."
9. At the writing of this newsletter, three things are in the making. They are:

1. Work on the large retention pond is about to start. As soon as fences are removed, the concrete 3 foot wall will be built. This will prevent erosion of the adjacent lots and the outside perimeter of the pond.
2. As soon as Orange County approves the lane markings and speed limit marking on Silver Ridge Drive, the work will begin. The Board has studied various ways to control the speed through our neighborhood and feel this will slow traffic down, and will also save property and perhaps lives. This will add value to our homes.

The Board of Directors have worked very closely with the thought that "people will want to move to our neighborhood, rather than want to leave it."

Architectural Control

The Board of Directors again have taken a stern approach toward the enforcement of Architectural Control. Many items are getting out of hand in our neighborhood. Boats stored in driveways, antennas on chimneys, commercial vehicles parked in the neighborhood overnight, etc. Not long ago, it cost a homeowner approximately. $5000 in legal fees, because we went to court to correct an architectural control violation. We do not want to resort to bringing our attorney into resolving violations, but we are determined to correct certain problems in our neighborhood.

Deed Restrictions

We are "head strong" in the enforcement of deed restrictions. If we want to add VALUE to our homes, then something must be done. I understand that some people may not have money to make improvement or do some repairs, but it doesn’t cost anything to be clean.

Now that Spring is here…..get rid of that dead tree or bush. Fix that fence. Put that lid on the mail box. Cut that unused basketball goal post off at the base. Don’t let it be a deadly hazard to a small child. Hang that water hose behind the fence. Park those cars on the drive, not on the grass. And the list goes on…….

Have you noticed how Mr. & Mrs. Homeowner always fix and clean up for the new buyer?

Silver Ridge Speedway May Be Shut Down Soon

Our subdivision has become something of a raceway in recent years, as outsiders take shortcuts through our neighborhood to avoid the traffic lights and congestion at Hiawassee and Silver Star Road. This poses a safety threat to our residents and visitors, and makes our main streets busy and less pleasant.

At its March 12 meeting, the Association’s Board of Directors voted to proceed with plans to improve the speed control signs and markings within our subdivision.

These improvements must be approved by Orange County before they can be installed. Once approval is received, the Association’s Board of Directors will vote on a bid to install the improved signs and markings.

$500 REWARD

The HOA has a standing $500.00 reward for anyone supplying information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of anyone stealing, vandalizing, or performing just about any criminal act within the boundaries of our neighborhood. We are anxious to give the reward.

Since we put the new colored lights in the island, someone has taken at least 25 bulbs. We stopped replacing them until we purchased protective wire light covers. However, after we installed the covers, someone let us know that that wouldn’t stop them from taking the lights. They destroyed the entire light fixture to take two more bulbs.

If I lived close to the front entrance, I believe it wouldn’t take long before I collected the reward!

Association Dues

In the Fall of 95 the Board of Directors took a "hard-nosed" attitude with the delinquent dues. We felt that many things needed to be done to the neighborhood, but there was no moneys. It was shocking to discover how far things had gotten out of hand. With the guidance of Don Asher & Associates, we have eliminated much of the problem. For many homeowners, we have had to start foreclosure proceedings in order to collect overdue assessments.

This year we started enforcing late fees. Some homeowners have not included these fees in their dues payment. These fees will remain on account, and collect interest. The Association cannot waive these fees.

For those who have not paid their 1995 dues, take heed - lien notices have been mailed. If after ten days the dues are still not paid, these accounts are turned over to the attorney. Once legal collections start, the overdue homeowner faces additional costs. Being late just one day in sending payment to the attorney will cost the delinquent homeowner an additional $350.00 - above and beyond the dues that are owed. If foreclosure is initiated, the extra expenses will range from $600.00 and up. These additional costs are for legal fees and collection expenses, and do not go to the Association’s treasury. For those who haven’t paid their dues - this is a serious matter.

Real Estate in Silver Ridge

Years ago I sold real estate. Lowering the price for a quick sale was a tactic used by salesmen then as it is now. Its simple. You can sell it faster.

Home prices in Silver Ridge have been undervalued for the last 10 years. If you don’t believe me, then look at the prices for which our homes are now selling. I have seen homes sell in this neighborhood for the same money they sold for 10 years ago. When I purchased 10 years ago, the lowest priced house was $79,000. By comparison, last week I worked on a house that just sold for $86,000 which originally sold for $10,000 in the 1960’s. This house did not have modern air conditioning or updated windows. There was nothing special about the house or neighborhood.

I believe that if Silver Ridge owners selling their homes looked around for a house similar to theirs and what they have to pay for it - they would start pricing accordingly..

I ran into a former resident the other day. He said he was sorry he sold. He paid $15,000 more for his new house than for what he sold his old house, and it wasn’t as nice a house as he had here. On top of that, his monthly HOA dues were $46.00. He had passed through the neighborhood and stated that his new HOA wasn’t doing anything for his neighborhood like we were. Things to think about….

Have You Cruised the Trail?

No, I don’t mean the "entertainment" clubs on South Orange Blossom Trail. I’m referring to the West Orange Trail, a park opened by Orange County a little over a year ago. The West Orange Trail is part of the expanding network of "rails-to-trails" projects around the state of Florida.

Rails-To-Trails is a program which converts unused railroad corridors into long, narrow parks, usually with a 15 ft wide paved surface. The trails are closed to motorized traffic, and therefore provide a haven for pedestrians, inline skaters, and bicyclists.

The West Orange Trail is of special interest to residents of Silver Ridge, because it’s only 10 minutes drive, west on Silver Star Road, in downtown Winter Garden. The trail extends almost 5 miles west of Winter Garden, to the border between Orange County and Lake County.

From Winter Garden, the trail runs about 2 and a half miles to the sleepy town of Oakland. Along the way, there are remnants of the citrus industry which was once so vital to western Orange County. There are also views of Lake Apoka, in the distance. If you have time, cruise a few side streets through Oakland - its large, old houses have a sort of faded elegance. You can even walk down to the edge of the lake on certain side streets.

West of Oakland, the land becomes rolling hills , and has a more wide-open feel. The trail crosses a bridge above the Florida Turnpike. At the end of the trail, where SR 50 crosses into Lake County, is the County Line Station, which provides picnic pavilions, rest rooms, water fountains, vending machines, and a bicycle and skate rental shop.

The trail also provides water fountains in Oakland, along with numerous park benches and trash cans along the length of the trail. The trail is open during daylight hours 365 days a year.

The eastern end of the trail is supposed to be extended soon, east to Ocoee and northward approximately 12 miles to Wekiwa State Park.

Other even longer trails can be found in west Central Florida. The one which intrigues me most is the Pinellas Trail, which when completed (it may already be complete) will travel the length of Pinellas County, from Tarpon Springs, 47 miles south to St. Petersburg .

I have skated, bicycled and walked the West Orange Trail several times since it opened. It’s not Yellowstone Park, but it’s close by, it’s free, and it’s a nice way to spend a few hours on those sunny afternoons which are too beautiful to stay inside.

Procedure for the Election of Board of Directors

The following information is provided to help homeowners understand the election process which occurs at each annual meeting, so that the process goes more smoothly.

Term of Office: According to Article IV, Section 2 of the Bylaws of the Association, directors are elected to varying terms of office. Three directors' terms are for three years, one director's term is for two years, and the remaining director's term is for one year. Because of this staggering, not all positions are up for election each year. This year, three of the directors' positions are open for election.

In the event a director resigns, he/she is replaced by a person chosen by the remaining Board members. Any replacement director serves the remainder of the term of the director he/she replaces.

Nomination Process: According to Article IV, Section 3 of the Bylaws, the Board of Directors must appoint a nominating committee. The nominating committee is responsible for making at least one nomination for each expired director's position. Nominations may also be made from the floor during the annual meeting, by any member.

Election of Directors: The members of the Board of Directors are elected directly by the members (homeowners.) According to Article IV, Section 4 of the Bylaws, the votes are cast by secret written ballot. Each member (homeowner) may cast one vote (per property member owns within Silver Ridge) for each expired director's position.

Election of Officers: The President of the Association is required to be a member of the Board of Directors (Article VII, Section 1 of the Bylaws.) The other officers of the Association may or may not be members of the Board of Directors. The officers of the association are elected by the Board of Directors (not the members at large - Article VII, Section 2 of the Bylaws) after each annual meeting.

Who Do You Call When You Need HOA Help?

Suppose you have a question about the payment of your homeowner’s dues. Who should you call? The answer is, for dues payment and billing questions, call our management and bookkeeping agent, Don Asher & Associates, at 425-4561. Make sure you tell them you are a homeowner in Silver Ridge, because they handle bookkeeping for other neighborhoods as well.

Suppose you want to get approval from the Association to do some exterior home improvements. Who do you call then? The answer is, for Architectural Control, Deed Restrictions, and other questions and complaints, call our 24 hour voice mailbox, at 263-7502, and leave a message. The messages are checked daily. One of the volunteer Board members will answer your question as soon as he/she can.

Why does the Association use a phone mail system, rather than a direct phone line which is answered by a human being? There are several reasons. First, to keep expenses low, the Association does not maintain a physical office, and we have no full-time employees. The Association is a run by a group of volunteers, including the Board of Directors. Second, because old volunteers are constantly leaving and being replaced by new ones, it would be too confusing to try to publish the phone numbers of the Board members. Instead, we publish the number for the phone mailbox, along with our Post Office box address. The phone number and address haven’t changed for years, so that our members always know how to get in touch with the Association. For your convenience, these addresses and phone numbers are listed in one of the shaded boxes within this newsletter. Clip the list out and save it for future reference.

Good News Dept.

Passing the front entrance the other day, I watched Mr. Henry Morgan with a plastic bag picking up trash from and around the front island. Good job, Henry. We need more of you. It’s really appreciated.

Have you noticed how many owners have taken the initiative to clean the mildew and stains that have built up on the driveways over the years? Take a look - there are a lot of sparkling clean driveways showing up. It’s a wonderful way to freshen the look of your home. Usually a good pressure cleaning will do the trick. Several neighbors can get together to rent a pressure washer machine from one of the local equipment rental shops. Or check the Yellow Pages, under the heading "Cleaning - Roof, Siding, Patio, Sidewalk, Etc." for cleaning services which will do the work for you.

Financial Summary- Income and Expenses, 1/1/96 through 2/29/96

The year-to-date income and expense figures, as of February 29, are shown in the following table: