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Letter from the President
I love Southbridge in the Springtime! Every year I am delighted
by the beautiful trees that bloom so exuberantly at our entrance-way
and welcome us into this great community.
I feel blessed to live here and am grateful to serve as your elected
representative. We’ve had a busy month and have very full
plates through the summer, and I have some thoughts I want to share
with you.
First, the neighborhood watch meeting. We had a stronger turnout
at the March 11 meeting, but we still need more volunteers to ensure
full community coverage.
I read an article in the Community Advisor (a publication for homeowners
associations) that made a very interesting point. The writer suggested
that residents in communities that have police patrols, home alarm
systems and other deterrent devices in place become very complacent.
They think the police are supposed to take care of their property,
so they stop paying attention.
In a community our size, there’s no way the police can be
everywhere. People with home alarm systems think they don’t
have to turn them on because their exterior sign will deter the
criminals. I think we’ve all seen that this approach doesn’t
work.
I hope you see where I’m going with this. WE have to support
our neighborhood watch program because WE are responsible for the
security of our own homes! All the extra patrols in the world won’t
help us if we, the homeowners, are not proactive and consistent
in securing our homes.
I also want to touch on the subject of matters that are and are
not for HOA involvement. Basically, we are here to enforce covenants,
oversee the maintenance of our community to the standards you expect,
and be good stewards of the HOA dues.
But in recent weeks we’ve received calls about issues that
are simply not our responsibility, and I wonder if the complacency
point applies here, as well.
Apparently, there are areas within Southbridge where residents don't
talk to each other. People think that since we have a HOA, then
it must be the Board’s responsibility to address neighbor-to-neighbor
issues, so they don’t have to.
Once again, an incorrect assumption. The HOA board cannot get involved
with disputes between
neighbors. It’s not our job to ask your neighbor to pick up
their dog’s poop or keep their children from screaming while
you’re trying to relax in the evenings.
If you will approach one another with respect, reason, and kindness,
there’s almost nothing that can’t
be worked out. Life is just too short, and one never knows when
we might need to depend on each other for help.
We have other calls from people who are being fined for covenant
violations and act surprised and hurt that we would fine THEM.
Well, we treat everyone the same. When you moved into Southbridge
you were aware that this is
a covenant-enforced community. So please - abide by the covenants,
don’t get angry with us when we won’t make your violations
disappear, and please don’t ask for exceptions. It’s
business, so please don’t take it personally!
Finally, I urge each of you to get involved! Whether it’s
Neighborhood Watch, coming to the next HOA Meeting (MAY 6), or volunteering
to help with an upcoming community activity - try it! I guarantee
you’ll get back much more than you put in.
Enjoy the beautiful weather, and let’s all be kind to one
another.
Until next time, may the Lord bless and keep you.
Leah Gross, President
Leah
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