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PARK NEWS

updated on 01/20/2012

  February CCHOA Newsletter
  2012 CCHOA Newsletters
  2011 Newsletters, archived
Clearwater Cascades Chronicle offsite from Monthly Media Newsletters (large files)

February 2012 CCHOA News

Congratulations to the two new Board of Directors Members, Buddy Little and Peter Manahan. I would also like to say Thank You to Diane McGann and Bill Jay for submitting their name to remain on the Board of Directors’. I look forward to working with each of you.

The Board is made up of non-paid homeowners. Therefore, please remember they are entitled to the same quiet enjoyment of the park and its facilities as any other member. Please refrain from discussing concerns or problems with members of the Board at social events, poolside, etc. Problems or complaints should be addressed, IN WRITING, to the Park office. Thank you for your consideration in this matter. (Please see Clearwater Cascade’s Rules and Regulations, page 3; section I; number 1.)

I would like to thank everyone that volunteered their time during the Annual Meeting. Everyone did an excellent job!

I have ordered the 2012 Maintenance Fee Coupon Books. The first coupon will be for March. I will post a notice on the bulletin boards when the coupon books are ready for pick up. Please call the office at (727) 544-8111 if you can not pick up your coupon booklet and I will mail them to you.

If you are planning on renting your home for the season please read the following sections of the Clearwater Cascade Rules and Regulations:
• Section II.; Page 3; Numbers 1, 2, 4 and 5
• Section XII; page 10 of the Rules and Regulations   --They are as follows:

II REQUIREMENTS
1. At least one person residing in each home shall be a minimum of fifty-five (55) years of age. Proof of age is mandatory per HUD guidelines posted within the park office. A second resident accompanying a resident that is 55 years old or older must be at least thirty five (35) years of age. It is the co-op's intent to have homes occupied by one family consisting of not more than three adult residents. This does not apply to a caregiver certified by a licensed physician.
2. All prospective residents must be approved by the Board of Directors for occupancy and agree to the rules and regulations in writing.
4. All prospective residents shall submit to a background/credit check at a cost of $100.00 (one hundred US Dollars) payable in advance.
5. Final approval of occupancy must be given by the Board before residency is granted. Such approval will not be unreasonably withheld.

I. SEASONAL RENTING
1. Seasonal renting will be permitted for a minimum three (3) month period and maximum six (6) month period. Renting will be limited to one time per year (October 1 through September 30). Renting will be permitted as long as there is no outstanding debt to the Co-op. Renters must be approved by the Board prior to occupancy. This, however, does not in any way alleviate the responsibility of the member regarding the rules of the Co-op. Should renter be in violation of Rules and Regulations, Co-op may look to member to remedy situation.

2. Prospective renters must read and complete an application for residency with the Co-op office and be accepted in writing before occupancy. Renters must comply with age requirements.

3. Prospective renters must receive and sign for a copy of current rules and regulations.

4. Homeowner shall be responsible for all violations of the rules and regulations.

5. The Co-op management shall direct its complaints and other notices regarding renters to the member.

6. Renters shall not sub-let or split rental time with others.

7. It is the responsibility of the homeowner to inform Co-op management of their intention to rent and for having renters complete all necessary paperwork for the Co-op.

8. If a resident rents his or her home, they relinquish their rights to all common areas in the Co-op.

If a renter comes in and resides in your unit without the acknowledgement of the Board of Directors’ and this office and has not been approved, they can and will be asked to leave (evicted) until the appropriate procedures have been met. The Board does not wish to adopt such a harsh position in regards to enforcement; therefore, we ask for cooperation.

Don’t forget that someone special for Valentine’s Day!
 

Our home here at Clearwater Cascades is not a winter cottage it is one of our two homes and we love them both.

When we were interviewed 15 years ago the president of the day welcomed us by saying we love to see snowbirds choose Clearwater Cascades because they usually purchase older units and then proceed to invest in refurbishing them inside and out thereby breathing new life into the Park.

A great many of today's residents are snowbirds and have invested very substantially in improvements to their homes, as well as being very active in planning, organizing and participating in Park activities throughout the winter.

We have been made to feel welcome by our neighbors, be they American, Canadian, winter or permanent residents.

We, and I am sure other snowbirds, greatly appreciate the efforts of full time residents in preserving our beautiful Park while we are absent.

I have heard it said, perhaps carelessly, that we don't have the same interest in Clearwater Cascades as those who are here year round. Personally we and obviously other snowbirds care a great deal about our home here and arrange for its upkeep while we are away for the benefit of our neighbors.

Please don't sell us short, we love and care for Clearwater Cascades as much as anyone and plan to spend many more winters here, the good lord willing and the creek don't rise.

By the way, we were originally visitors who were made to feel welcome and as a result invested here. This happens over and over with visitors and renters who become owners.
What a great place to live.

I hope everyone had a merry Christmas and a happy New Year and will have a healthy and prosperous 2012.

Most of the people who went north for the holidays have returned and the social calendar is beginning to get filled. The annual Christmas party featuring the Choral group directed by Dory Rice was well attended. Thanks to all who helped prepare the food and the liquid libations. The January Breakfast hosted by the Aylesworths and their crew was attended by 125 people. At this writing, the Tartan Dance hosted by the Scottish lads and lassies will take place on January 21st and there is a Benefit Spaghetti Dinner on January 15th.

Upcoming events for February are the breakfast hosted by the Hecht's on the 4th, the horse race on the 11th, and “An Evening in Paris” Dinner Dance featuring the music of "The Two of Us" on the 18th. The 24th and 25th will be the outdoor Yard Sale. Watch the Bulletin Boards for more information on these events. March will feature a breakfast, a dance and we will end up the year with our Annual Park Picnic.

I would like to thank the new people who have joined the board; Ruth Sisson as VP, Betty Aylesworth as Secretary, and Harold Aylesworth as Treasurer. Russ Spearman has decided to stay on the board and for that I am grateful. Thanks also to Mary McLelland, Dick Sisson, Pat Little and Carol Blair for their many years of devotion and dedication to keep the club running. You will be missed.

Thanks to the ticket sellers, too. Without them we would have no functions.

We would still like to have more board members. If you are interested contact me at tblair1938@aol.com; or by phone at 549 0542 or in person at Lot 72. I am open for new ideas and constructive criticism. If you have a problem, come to me and we can solve it together. We can always use more help and suggestions.

Thanks for listening.
 

Unlike the Rummage Sale in January, the Annual Park Yard/Driveway Sale is the last weekend of February, and personally benefits those residents who wish to participate. You keep what funds you receive for your sales.

This is my third year of organizing and marketing the event and each year has been more successful and has had more resident participation. For a donation of $2.00 I put an ad in the newsletter with the publisher, make up maps and mark those units that have donated to the marketing and place an ad in the St. Petersburg Times if the funds stretch that far. You can pay me anytime before the actual sale date to get your unit marked on the maps distributed to those coming into the Park.

It’s not too early to start getting your items ready for the 2012 Annual Park Yard/Driveway Sale. We are holding it for 2 days again this year on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 24th and 25th, 2012.

Mark your calendars now, but watch for more information. Please contact me at Lot 430 if you have any questions.
 

Citrus picking season is upon us once more. This year I will again be picking up bagged fruit to drop off at the RCS Food Bank in Clearwater. Thank you to Barbara and Robert Broadbent for taking over for me last year while I recuperated from surgery.

Pick up will be on Tuesdays -- just leave your bagged fruit near the end of your driveway on Tuesday mornings by 10 am, rain or shine. Call me, Doreen Fournier, at Lot #61, at (727) 541 7444 with your name and lot # to be put on the pick up list.

Let's try to donate more than last year's 3,000 plus pounds of citrus to the food bank. This is such an important community service, helping families to enjoy the health benefits of our citrus fruit, that otherwise would go uneaten.

Thanks to all who participate.
 

Two quick notes: First, until March 30, 2012 the Park office will be open until 4:00pm. At that time the Board will re-evaluate keeping the extended hours.

Also, the “Meet Your Neighbor(s)” article in the monthly newsletter seems popular but requires volunteers to provide their story and picture. This is not a by invitation only opportunity and requires at least 12 participants per year. In the summer I prefer to double up on the feature, so that requires 5-6 more volunteers. And for the summer months, I collect the necessary information before mid April. If no one steps forward, I try to locate someone to present. I like to include a mix of residents, some couples, some singles, some long-term residents and some new residents.

If you are interested in volunteering to be featured, let me know by putting your name, phone number & lot number on a piece of paper and either giving it to me or by putting it in the hanging note catcher on my side door knob at Lot #4. The requirements from participants are a picture I will take with my digital camera and an article about yourself, either written by you or by me after interviewing you – your choice.

Happy New Year to all!!

Curbside Recycling, Easy Reference Guide in a single page, easy to print format
Hurricane Information Correction/Update

Clearwater Cascade, 9790 66th St. North, Pinellas Park, FL  33782
Phone:  727.544-8111  |  Fax:  727.541-1438
Office Hours: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm until March 31, 2012
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