CORPORATION NEWS
Thanks to all of you who contributed food and hygiene items for Interfaith. Their need is on a continuing basis, so we will leave the bins in the clubhouses; if you care to contribute anything, we will see that it gets to the food bank.
Our 5-member committee will be meeting with ELS management early in November; if you have items you wish us to discuss with them in addition to the ad valorum tax, please let one of our board members know, preferably in writing. We will schedule a session with all residents when we have something to report to you. Board members are Ray Chapin, Bud Sabin, Sandie Leibee, Pam Foster, Ivan Kuhnes and Gene Kutun.
We are scheduling a coffee to provide information from Hospice of Marion County on how to let your family or those close to you know your final wishes. We hope you find this information helpful.
Why Hospice you may ask.
When I stopped at the Hospice office to ask for a copy of the booklet, 5 WISHES, I said I had a friend who was terminal, and her reply, "We are ALL terminal" made me realize that she was right; we all need to be prepared to let those around us know what our final wishes are. Their booklet, 5 WISHES does just that. It contains a health care surrogate form (who will make decisions when you can't), a Do Not Resuscitate Order form, and information you need to make known to your family or friends.
Join us for coffee, goodies, and information from Hospice of Marion County at 10 AM Wednesday, November 14 at Taylor Hall.
Helen Peek, President
for October 2012
CORPORATION NEWS
Thanks to all who attended our September meeting with questions for Yahadine; she is still following up on some of them. When we meet on October 1, I'm sure you will have questions about the letter from ELS regarding next year's lease. As I pointed out last month, we asked that the ad velorum tax NOT be estimated in the letter; this request was denied. However, it is my understanding that the ESTIMATE is considerably larger than last year; try not to panic. You will receive a notice later in the year as to the exact amount due; please DO NOT pay it until then.
Our board will be studying the Rules & Regulations in effect in our community, as well as the current Prospectus and the methods for changing either of these, and will report to you at upcoming meetings.
We maintain a small food pantry for needs in our community. If you know of a neighbor who needs assistance, please call Sandie Leibee @ xxx-xxxx. The information will be held confidential. Please help us "Bring Home the Harvest" for Interfaith by contributing food and hygiene items. Thanks in advance!
We thank ELS for partially covering the cost of printing this newsletter; we also thank our advertisers, and hope you find the ads helpful.
Helen Peek, President
FOOD DRIVE
We will be helping "Bring in the Harvest" for Interfaith Emergency Services food pantry the first week of October. Please bring items to either clubhouse from October 1 through 5; their food pantry is in need of the following items:
Canned vegetables or beans Pasta, rice
Canned fruit, soup Macaroni and cheese
Canned meats (tuna, chicken) Cereal, oatmeal
Peanut butter, jelly (plastic please) Coffee, tea
Also needed are hygiene items:
Shampoo, conditioner Bar soap, combs
Deodorant Shaving Cream, razors
Toilet paper Toothpaste, toothbrushes
Sanitary pads Diapers, baby wipes
Thanks for your help for others in need!
CRUISE TO ALASKA
Check the bulletin boards for details on the cruise leaving Seattle May 26 for 7 days, including a full day cruising Glacier Bay, a spectacular sight! Need details? Call me.
Helen Peek (Voices for Children)
Ronald McDonald House
Foxy Ladies recycle the pull tabs from soda can soup can and pet food cans. They use the money to support the Ronald McDonald House in Gainesville. They have boxes at both Club Houses. Please help them by recycle your tabs.
for July/August 2012
PLEASE fill in the form included in last month's newsletter, especially if you will need help in case a hurricane forces us to evacuate. I can fill it out for you by phone (732-5579) or someone will come to your home to help you. The information will be held confidential.
Reminder--start collecting items for our food drive in October. Interfaith has also let us know that they are in need of soap, toothpaste, shampoo and deodorant, so add these to your shopping list. THANK YOU for thinking of those in need.
Thanks to park management for hooking up the Taylor Hall computer to the internet and for those of you who use WI-FI. Thanks also for their financial help to produce this newsletter. Management has also agreed to look into placing recycling containers in the park.
Thanks to Carol Van deVelde for updating the pamphlet outlining the various organizations here in our community. If a copy is not included in this newsletter, please call her to receive one. They will be provided to new residents as they are welcomed to our community.
Just a reminder--your Corporation board members are available to listen to your concerns, and to pass them on to management. We meet with them regularly. Board members who are not away for the summer are Bud Sabin, Ivan Kuhnes, Gene Kutun and myself.
Helen Peek, President
CRUISE ANYONE?
VOICES FOR CHILDREN, the non-profit organization which raises money to help children in the court system, is considering sponsoring a cruise to Alaska next year; the trip would include travel by air from Tampa to Seattle and a 7-day cruise to Alaskan ports. Details are not yet available; let me know if you would like details as they become available.
Helen Peek
for June 2012
The enclosed form may look familiar–some of you filled it in last year–THANK YOU. With hurricane season starting June 1, we need to update the information for use in case of an evacuation order. Please return them to Bud Sabin or me; if you need help in filling out the form, call me (xxx-xxxx) or Bud (xxx-xxxx). We can also supply you with the Sheriff’s Department form if you wish to register with their Emergency Management Team. Thanks for your help.
If you will be away during hurricane season, please put away outdoor items, and leave your contact information with the office or a neighbor.
We don’t plan to hold meetings during the summer months, just as the social organization does not hold business meetings during the summer; in September both
organizations plan to hold meetings on the same night (2nd Monday) to make it more convenient for residents to attend.FYI - Foxwood Social Organization is in charge of social activities and scheduling use of the club-houses; Foxwood Residents, Inc. (the corporation) is your legal representative interfacing with man-agement.
A word of caution - there is a no soliciting rule in our community; if you are solicited, either by phone or at your door, please let the office know (try to get a name and/or phone number).
Helen Peek, President
RECYCLING
Management is looking into having bins placed here in our community. In the meantime, you can drop off recycling materials (cans, glass, plastics, paper) at Ocala Recycling on 4th Street, off 27th Avenue. Please continue to put aluminum cans in the containers furnished near the mailboxes, and in the clubhouses; these bring income to FSO for your activities. Newspapers can be placed in the bin already in our community. Thanks for your efforts for our environment.
for April 2012
Thanks to all residents who attended our March 12 meeting and who voiced (or wrote) your concerns. Thanks also to Annee Angst and Karolina Camacho from ELS who fielded all those questions and did their best to answer them. They ask that when you bring a problem to their attention, that you please provide your name and telephone number so that they can contact you.
Susan Amadeus has returned from her leave of absence to be our park manager. Welcome back, Susan. We look forward to working with her and Karolina.
The internet has been connected to the computer in Taylor Hall. Marge Morosko (867-xxxx) will be glad to help if you need assistance.
We maintain a small food bank for residents. If you know of a neighbor who needs help, please contact Sandie Leibee (509-xxxx). The information will be kept confidential. In the fall, we will be holding a food drive for Interfaith Emergency Ser-vices. Watch for further information in September.
Alice Sweigart, one of our board members, has found it necessary to resign due to health problems. Bud Sabin has volunteered to serve the remainder of her term, which runs until February of 2013. Thank you, Bud.
for March 2012
FOXWOOD RESIDENTS INC.
Our next meeting will be held at the Community Center on Monday, March 12. Come for coffee, tea & goodies at 6:30, with the meeting at 7:00 PM. We will update you on the status of items discussed with management at our January meeting, such as leaf pickup, remodeling of Taylor Hall, and the internet connection. Gary Nelson will speak to us about organizing a food drive week for Interfaith Emergency Services, together with other parks.
Hope to see you there.
Helen Peek, President
This is my last article to summarize the happenings of Foxwood Residents, Inc. so it seems most appropriate that I begin with a heartfelt thank you to all the people who worked so hard while I served as your president. The board members who offered guidance and advice over the last three years include: Ray Chapin, Norma Oliver, Helen Peek, Roberta Germain, Al Madore, Ivan Kuhnes, Alice Sweigart, Jim Vande Velde, Bona Green and Sandie Liebe. Then we decided to take over the Foxtales and I was blessed to have Barb Popp offer to edit and put it together. Pat Graham proof- reads it. Brian Smith put it online and Carolyn Keith, Norma Bullock, Cathy Case, Penn Littleton, Bill Truman, Robert Champagne and Carole Vande Velde have delivered it. Finally, I thank all the residents of the park who have offered kind words and encouragement despite my mistakes.
Helen Peek reported on the continuing struggle to determine who is really responsible for the trees. It seems that if the tree is truly dead, the park will remove it, but otherwise the resident is responsible for trimming or removing a tree on their lot if they obtain permission.
Residents were urged to join the FMO, a state organization which lobbies for the manufactured home owners in the state of Florida.
A brief summary of the January 29th meeting of parks owned by ELS.
A reminder that you must be 14 years old to drive a golf cart.
The speaker was Lee J. Colling, a lawyer who confines his practice to 723 cases.
He noted that we have our house on their land and this creates an unequal bargaining relationship since we have no meaningful choice, so 723 is vital.
ELS is offering parks a long term rental agreement which has been considered unfair by the parks who have been offered it. For example it says this agreement would supersede 723. It also wants the right to increase the rent to market value at the time of sale.
You have a lifetime lease unless one of the following occurs: a. nonpayment of rent
b. Lying on the application ,
c. Violating a health and safety rule on the first violation,
d. Violating a park rule on the second violation,
e. Land use change which is the most common reason homeowners must move from a park.
Mediation is nonbinding. The purpose of the mediator is to facilitate a settlement.
Our park is designated a 55 & older park. To maintain this 80% of the homes must be occupied by 1 person 55 or older. The survey to prove this must be done again in the park in September 2012.
Changes to the prospectus must be given to the HOA before they are filed with the DBPR.
A motion was made and passed to pay the expenses of board members attending the ELS meetings. It was also decided to look into a providing a plaque which would recognize those who have served on the board of the Foxwood Farms Residents, Inc.
The candidates for the board, Pam Foster and Gene Kutun were elected by acclamation. The new board then elected officers for the coming year. They are: President – Helen Peek, Vice President – Pam Foster, Secretary – Sandie Liebe, and Treasure – Gene Kutun. The other board members are Ray Chapin, Ivan Kuhnes and Alice Sweigart.
My good wishes to the new officers and board members.
for February 2012
The next meeting of Foxwood Residents, Inc. will be February 13th, 2012 at 7:00 PM with coffee and cookies at 6:30. The primary purpose will be the election of two new board members. Two residents have volunteered to run for the board. These candidates are Pam Foster and Joel Kutun. If anyone else would like to run, we will take nominations from the floor.
Darlene Whitkanack, President
FMO MEETING AT FOXWOOD
Foxwood Farms will host the February FMO (Federation of Manufactured Home Owners) regional meeting on Wednesday, February 22. Come for coffee and goodies at 1PM, with the meeting at 1:30PM. Speaker will be Richard Twort, a member of Team DBPR (Division of Business and Professional Regulations) who will explain the process for filing complaints with this state agency.
for January 2012
The Foxwood Homeowners Association met on December 12th at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Sandie Leibee, was introduced as our newest board member. She will be finishing the term of Bona Green.
We have a list of residents who have requested a newsletter. If you would like to have one delivered to your home, please call me, or we will have a few in the clubhouses and at the Office.
The following items were the results of the Board’s meeting with Jarod Lambert and Susan Amadeus:
Taylor Hall will be remodeled in stages. The first item on the list is to remodel the bathrooms. They will also be putting a table and chairs in the library which may be used for small committee meetings.
The trees that were reported were all assessed by a professional tree trimmer, and as a result were either removed, trimmed or determined to still be live trees and not elegible to be removed.
The sewer pipes behind the park will be removed gradually as they are very long and difficult to move.
There was a reminder that pets need to be kept on leashes and under control. Larger pets or multiple pets should be approved. If problems are reported to the office, you may be asked to remove the pet from the property. There is no need for this to happen if residents take care of their pets.
The Park will be putting up "No Thru Traffic" signs as you enter the Park and Exit directional signs, to help service vehicles out of the park. It is suggested that we return to the policy of moving your vehicle out the driveway and turning on the headlights if you are awaiting an emergency vehicle. This will help them find you and get close to the house to take care of residents needing their care.
The fountain in the lake has been repaired and is working well.
A reminder that noisy work can be done in the park from 8 AM to 8 PM.
The entrance to the Park off 44th street is on hold, probably until there is progress on the development on the other side of the road.
Jarod is looking into getting a machine to vacuum leaves.
The street light that is not working will be fixed. If there is a problem with a street light near you, please call the Office.
In response to the concerns about homes being rented, ELS stated that their policy is to sell, not rent the homes which they own. However due to the state of the economy, they are temporarily resorting to renting homes. These residents also undergo a background check as you did.
We raised the issue of the ad valorem being too high, but were told that it was correct. Residents in the Park have persisted in questioning this and the ad valorem has been adusted. If you have paid more than this, see the Office about getting an adjustment on your next month’s rent.
AD VALOREM TAX AMENDED TO $50.95
There was an amendment to the bylaws to allow payment of dues on the night of the election. In order to vote in the February election, you need to pay the $10 dues per household by the February meeting. The major item of business was the selection of the nominating committee to find candidates for the election in February 2012. Instead, we had two residents volunteer to run for the Board. These Candidates are Pam Foster and Joel Kutun. If anyone else would like to nominate themselves, contact anyone on the Board.
The next meeting will be February 13th 2012. The primary purpose will be the election of two new Board members.
Darlene Whitkanack, President
for December 2011
The Foxwood Homeowners Association will meet on December 12th at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Come for cookies and coffee at 6:30 and meet our newest board member, Sandie Leibee, who will serve the rest of Bona Green’s term. Our new manager, Susan Amadeus, and Regional ELS manager, Jarod Lambert will also join us.
The major item of business will be the selection of the nominating committee to find candidates for the election in February 2012.
Two items that were mentioned at the last board meeting concern problems of noise. If you ride a motorcycle, please be respectful of your neighbors. If you are working on your home, the prospectus allows you to do that from 8AM to 8 PM. Your consideration is appreciated by everyone.
Darlene Whitkanack, President
(352) xxx-xxxx
The Foxwood Homeowners Association met on October 17th at 7:00 p.m. at the Community Center. Members were able to see the poster we presented at the meeting of the ELS communities in Plant City in September. The big discussions at this meeting were that the prospectus was submitted to the State at the time the community was conceived, so your prospectus goes with the lot. We have two prospectuses since Phase 1 and Phase 2 were developed at different times. These may only be changed by a 100% agreement of the homeowners. (There have been a few attempts to do this, but the board has always voted this down.) If you do not have a prospectus, you can call the DBPR at 850-488-1122 and request one on a CD. They also repeated ELS prefers that problems be pre-sented to the community manager, then the regional manager, then the State manager and finally Brad Nelson at the ELS office in Chicago. We were also told that there is such a thing as park closing insurance if you are afraid the park will be closed and you will have to move. (Thanks to Jim VandeVelde for his notes.)
This brings up the current attempt by the legislature to end passing the prospectus to the next owner of your home. Senate Bill 386 and House Bill 271 are currently in the Justice Committee and will be voted on quickly in January when the legislature resumes session. It is imperative to send an email or make a phone call to legislators to get this bill dropped. Call me with an email address and I will send you a form letter you can use. This is the second Alert from FMO this year. Their lobbyist is working to preserve our rights. For $20 a year this is a worthy organization to join.
It is with great sadness we learned of three resignations. Rita and Howard Mathis left us 0n Friday Oct. 21st, and Bona Green moved on Monday October 24th.They will all be sadly missed. If you would be interested in serving the rest of Bona’s term on the board, please call me.
On a happier note, we want to give a big Thank You to Pam Foster for her hard work in our library.
The CPI was 3.6% for the yearly average, so our 2% increase is legal for all contracts. We asked residents to report any problems they would like to see addressed in our meeting with ELS. If you did not fill out the card, call me and add your concerns to our list. The meeting will occur sometime in November.
I attended the district FMO meeting at Spanish Oaks on Wed. October 19th. The speaker was Stan McClain, a Marion county commissioner. He discussed the road projects and the effort to return Silver Springs to county control. It was interesting to know that our county does not borrow money. Every project must be funded by tax revenue or some other source before it is begun. Should we send these guys to Washington?
Darlene Whitkanack, President
NEW CHANGES REGARDING THE NEWSLETTER
We want everyone in the park to enjoy our newsletter. It was therefore very sad at the end of September to have to throw away over 50 newsletters which were never picked up. We are going to do several things to prevent this. In December we will print enough newsletters for those who have requested them. If you definitely would like a printed newsletter, call me and leave your name and lot number and tell me that you want a newsletter by Nov. 20th. If I am not home leave a message on the machine at 352 xxx-xxxx
Elsewhere in the newsletter is a reference on how to access the newsletter online. One of the nice things about this is we can make corrections if you let us know and other announcements in the park can be posted here. This will be a read only site.
We will also leave newsletters in the Community Center to enjoy while you lounge on the sofa and Pam Foster will keep one available in the library in Taylor Hall for you convenience.
Finally we will post a copy of the calendar and events on the bulletin boards in the clubhouses and by the mailboxes. Keep in the know by finding a convenient method to read a great newsletter. Barb Popp does an excellent job. What would I do without her!
from October 2011
CORPORATION NEWS
There will be a meeting of the Foxwood Homeowners Association on October 17that 7:00 PM at the Community Center.
Come at 6:30 PM for coffee, cookie and Halloween treats. Please note that this is one week later than our regularly scheduled meeting. This is an important meeting since we will have received our notices for the rent amounts and we need your input about problems in the park that need to be addressed in negotiations. Several layers of management are invited to attend this meeting to answer questions as well.
Board members will also report on a meeting of ELS communities in Plant City. We have been invited to attend and see what life is like in a number of other ELS communities.
Those of you who use the pool regularly have already seen the improvements to the pool deck. We thank Howard and Rita for getting this done before Hometown vacates the premises. If you haven't seen it yet, stop by and admire!
In September we had a couple who once again planned an event in their yard. This time they provided a touching remembrance for the victims of 9/11 and many have told me how much they were affected by this tribute. They are doing another event in October. If you attended their Halloween nights last year you have an inkling of what you are in for. Why not come out to 2373 NW 47th Circle (that's Mom-Ma's Garden) and celebrate with Donna and Lonnie Annes in style. There wilt be a candle burning for you.
As many of you know, the many activities in Foxwood are generally taken on by organizations. We sometimes forget that the officers of these organizations are unpaid but spend many hours and often their own money to provide a time and place for residents to gather, chat, eat and enjoy many activities and even good works. It's been a while since I said thanks to my board, FSO, Foxy Ladies, Bingo, the ROMEOS, the regional groups, Sew and Sew, CERTS, Parkwatch, etc. We do appreciate it. We are really fortunate that we also have friends like Donna and Lonnie who contribute to the quality of life in Foxwood.
Darlene Whitkanack, President
