May 3, 2010

                                Churchill Falls Homeowners Association Newsletter

Hello everyone and welcome to the Churchill Falls Homeowners Association.  Spring has definitely sprung and we can look forward to a very active summer.

The association has been very busy since the last newsletter.  We had a bonfire with chili cook-off, Easter egg hunt, rebuilt the wall around the entrance on Chartwell Drive and had a successful community garage sale.

I want to take the opportunity to thank Todd Flanagan (VP Grounds) for his work on rebuilding the wall at the Chartwell Drive entrance.  Todd volunteered his time and labor to procure the material and rebuild the wall.  He did an outstanding job while staying under the budgeted amount – please thank him when you get the opportunity.

Leslie Greifinger (VP Social) has done a superb job in organizing the social activities and garage sale.  Leslie works very hard to provide rewarding activities for the community while staying under budget.

Once again it is time to pay our dues for the homeowners association.  Remember, renters are welcome to participate in homeowner association activities as well as dues.  Our dues are only fifty dollars per household.  These dues cover the activities and maintenance for the entrance.  If you plan to pay your dues, please do so promptly.  Alternatively, if you cannot afford the dues, please update the name, address and e-mail information in the dues notification, state that you will not be paying your dues, and return in the envelope provided.  Remember, the board is comprised of volunteers with families, careers and other obligations as well.  We would prefer to spend our time in constructive activities for the community.  Thanks to those homeowners who have paid their dues in a timely manner – we really appreciate the courtesy.

People are still contacting board members regarding code violations.  While we do not have covenants that are enforceable, Cobb County does have codes that will be enforced when reported.  We also have a list of recommended covenants that will be provided.  To report a county code violation, please go to http://comdev.cobbcountyga.gov/code.htm or call Cobb County Code Enforcement Division at 770-528-2180.  The on-line form is very easy to use and they are very responsive.  Many common complaints are parking along the street, parking commercial vehicles along the street, abandoned vehicles, lawn maintenance, and noise.  Of these complaints, parking is probably the most dangerous and most frequent offender.  The board encourages residents to report violations to Cobb County using the web site or phone number provided above – the board cannot submit complaints on your behalf.

If you cannot park your vehicle in your driveway, please park as close to the curb as possible with the flow of traffic.  Common parking violations include parking in such a manner as to create blind curves, restrict access to emergency vehicles, school buses or garbage trucks.  Naturally, the preference is for people to correct the issue their selves – we do not want to have a tragic accident that is easily avoidable. 

Another resource is the Police E-Mail Notification System, or PENS.  The website is http://police.cobbcountyga.gov/pens/about-us.htm and provides lists of concerns and questions and answers.  Recent crime trends are reported in the question and answer section.  The majority of crimes committed are break-ins involving unlocked cars.  If you do not have access to the internet, please contact one of the board members or add a note to your dues notice and we will make sure the information is provided to you.

We look forward to seeing you at future meetings.  However, if you cannot attend or have a question or comment that cannot wait, please e-mail or call us at the contacts page of the website www.churchillfallsha.org.

Joe Pendergrast

President - Churchill Falls Homeowners Association

chfha@churchillfallsha.org