New Ponds and Drought

Well we are enjoying the new ponds and looking forward to landscaping. The ponds were renovated because they were leaking. It was a hazard to foundations and a waste of water. But in our drought conscious world we realized a benefit that the leak had, it was watering the giant London Plane tree and other trees.  London Plane, like the the similar American sycamore, are riparian trees that require a lot of water, so now those trees have to be watered intentionally and according to our assistant manager require an enormous amount of water. Many of our trees have succumbed to the drought and have been removed and this concerns me. I'd like to see a tree landscaping study and replacement plan.

Improvements Participation and Family Pool

I just wanted to take a moment to say how happy I am to have Nancy Kontose as our new manager implementing so many positive changes. I recommend people to please participate in the online discussion topics available on the official website at lakeparkcondos.com under the "news" "message board". Be sure to check out the calander because it is more likely to be up to date than mine but I'll try to keep this one up now.

Among changes I've seen is a great attitude toward meeting requests and handling complaints from management. The change is subtle but I don't hear people constantly harping about things anymore when we gather at the pool. I like that the basketball hoop was straightened and that the tennis courts are kept clean and swept. (We still need to fix that broken light glass at the handball/basketball court.) I like that mowing takes place later in the day and not as often so I sleep a little better. I like the implementation of a website and encouragement for greater participation with the Neighborhood Watch program and committee meetings. So please participate!

I am hoping that the option to replace the "family pool" on the east end of the complex could possibly result in a community food garden. But that is not currently an option being considered. If you are interested please join the discussion on the message board at the official site under pets.

Welcome new members to the Lake Park Facebook Page

Hi Lake Park folks! Sorry for not posting in a long time. Some new people have joined the Facebook page which is great it is much easier to carry on a discussion... but don't hesitate to comment here either. Also, if you go to a meeting or you know of a committee meeting it would be great if you would post your notes here! I look forward to hearing from you and the opportunity to make Lake Park a more friendly place to live through our communication.

Information Pages

I've added some new pages to the blog. You'll see them listed on the right hand column. If you'd like to comment on that information you may do it here.

New Rules! Our opportunity for change!!!

Hi neighbors, Well, finally we have an opportunity to change the rules. We can comment at the November 8, 2011 Board of Directors Meeting. Let's present a united front and prioritize our concerns, debate changes and propose solutions in this blog. Once we have a few issues that more than one person cares about, and some open discussion, I will put up a poll that you can vote on (We already have a poll for the three guest rule). So we will have real solidarity at the meeting!

When you comment, please sign with your unit number and if you choose, also your name within your comment. (The option to post with your Google ID doesn't always work so remember to copy your text before you submit so you can paste it back in if you loose it, otherwise post as anonymous or use the name and URL option). Please tell your neighbors about the blog so we get wide representation.

Today was the annual HOA members meeting where the board listens to what the community has to say before going into a closed executive session. Here is a summary of the issues brought up by the members after the general manager's annual report. Zelma Hall, the general manager of Lake Park, thanked everyone for working with her on all the difficult issues that have faced Lake Park this year and said that they expect a new general manager to be in place by the new year. (She had planned to retire last year but due to her surgery and the fire, she was not able to) The board still has to interview the applicants.

The 1st Ammendment Free Speech!

Seriously folks, the purpose of a blog is so that we can communicate with one another. Fear of reprisal will not bring about change. But know you are not alone. Every post you see and several you don't were all "self-censored" by people who said to me that they were afraid of reprisal by our general manager. You may continue to e-mail me but I can't change anything by myself!

Community Garden

I thought the comment to "Recreation Room" that I copied below merits its own post and comments. I'm a big fan of gardening too. This is what it said:

I hope that a comment on a community garden is not out of place here. I don't play basketball, use the sauna, lift weights, or play tennis but I am happy these facilities are available to the owners. I do like to garden and a community garden would be wonderful for, not only me, but for both the minds and the bodies of a wide range of residents.

Lost and Found

I found a watch and a ring at the pool. Not at the same time or same place. If you have lost one of these items. You can claim it at the office if you can describe it accurately! Please comment here if you recover your item. Please post if you find something and turn it into the office.

Fire at Lake Park

After the fire here at Lake Park I got to thinking about a woman I worked with last year who lives here in La Mesa. She had a fire that didn't really damage her home a great deal but she had to leave for several days and everything was smoke damaged. So we had a work party,

I'm just getting started

If you have something to say, if you have a rubuttal a rant or a rave... this is the place to do it. Post it here. Any subject having to do with Lake Park. I have a lot more issues to cover and I'm looking forward to hearing what you have to say. Read the comments some of these issues may already have been resolved

Three guest limit

After we bought a home here in Lake Park telling our friends how we'd love to have them over for tennis and swimming, I read in the 352 page tome that came with the deed that we are not to have more than 3 guests visit at any one time.

Recreation Room

We got new felts for the pool tables in the recreation room this fall. I was really happy because now I could invite friends over without embarassment and enjoy playing pool.