The PINECREST COMMUNITY HOMEOWNER's ASSOCIATION of Athens, Georgia
held its annually mandated membership meeting in the community room
of the nearby Fire Station #7 on 21 January. After the introduction
of the attending members of the board by the President Bradley
Langford,
the treasurer Dan Johnson submitted and discussed the 2015 financial
report which is posted on the website. It was noted that because
income exceeded total expenses [$16,535.07 - $16,500.45 = $34.62
surplus] the United States Federal government could learn a lesson
from the PINECREST HOA. Collection of dues and liens for non-payment
of dues were discussed - [don't mess with the IRS.] The expense of
curbside house number painting is justified on the basis of the need
for emergency vehicles to find an address - [the Constitution
provides for the defense of the citizens.] Tree branches overhanging
sidewalks were trimmed - [the Constitution provides for the health
and welfare of the citizens.] Payment of the electric bill for the
entrance sign saving $500 annually was transferred to the developer
- [“Read my lips.”] The By-laws were amended to encourage more
participation in the governance of PINECREST. An empty board member
opening is available for anybody interested - [vote and be counted].
The agenda of the meeting was (1). a review of the 2015 activities
(2). current issues and (3). possible 2016 activities. The review,
issues, and possible activities overlapped because many of today's
and tomorrow's issues are recurring problems from past years.
Parking, speeding, unmaintained yards, pet owners not picking up
after their “Poopers,” suspected drug related activities by
non-residents at the pavilion, etc. were raised. It was repeatedly
stated that because there is no enforcement clause in the PINECREST
COVENANTS which are on file with the city-county that the board
members are powerless to impose fines as a remedy to noncompliance.
Furthermore, there is no provision to amend the covenants so that
they could be enforced at the community level without resorting to
an expensive court trial. The primary remedy is for residents and/or
board members to attempt to reason with the miscreants or to call
the ACC police non-emergency number at 706-613-3345 where
appropriate.
To attempt to alleviate recurring problems there were proposals
voiced that will be taken up at future board meetings. For example:
Posting signs to “pick up after your pet” [the signs will
disappear?]. Spotting plastic bags at strategic locations on the
streets so that
there is no excuse for offenders not to pick up their pet's
potentially health hazardous waste [the bags will go unused?].
Provide a site on the PINECREST HOA web to document offenders in the
hope that the guilty persons will be publicly shamed into relenting
[offenders are illiterate and cannot read?]. Send email to scofflaws
of ordinances and reminders to the owners and/or tenants [landlords
and offenders are illiterate and therefore do not read email?]
Other matters to be discussed at future meetings include: a proposal
to paint shutters [current quotes of $40.00 to $50.00 per window
seemed high; continue to fund the Family Fun Day (which accounts for
20 percent of the budget or use the funds for a different project);
promote more use of the pavilion; a dog park at the pavilion;
formalize pavilion reservation procedures (possibly with a community
billboard), and other matters to improve our shared community.
Secretary Dan Blaylock has been replaced by J Cornelius whose
contact number is 706-227-1286.
Interested HOA members are encouraged to particpate in future
meetings. The meetings time and place will be posted on the
community website at www.pinecrestathens.org. Come, let your voice
be heard, and vote.