GREENRIVERHIGHLANDS.COM

NEWSLETTER MAY 2008

Green River Highlands-POA

P.O. Box 968

Rutherfordton, NC 28139

MAY 2008 NEWSLETTER

It is that time of the year again and the 2008 Annual Meeting will be on held on Saturday June 14th at 1030 at the Green Creek Volunteer Fire House.

We are holding our meeting at the firehouse to support our local volunteer firefighters and to make everyone more aware of where they are and how they support our community. Information about the meeting and the agenda is included. We look forward to having as many members as possible attend.

PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE COVENANTS

The proposed changes to the covenants seem to be a never ending story…at this point we have received 60 returned notarized votes of record for the proposed changes. The proposed changes were presented at last year’s meeting and received strong support. The changes were mailed to membership for comment prior to the vote being sent out---there were no negative comments received from membership. If you do not vote you are not helping us get the changes incorporated into the covenants. The proposed changes do not seem to be controversial at all---merely making prudent changes to clarify/update the covenants but we need the recorded portion of the proposed changes signed and notarized to show you support the proposed changes. We realize that your votes have to be notarized, but unless we receive 67% approval from membership the changes can not be adopted.

We need your vote to proceed.

If there are any members who are licensed NC notaries who will be at the annual meeting and would be willing to notarize any votes members bring to the meeting it would be a help to accommodate those who have been unable to get their votes notarized. If you are a NC notary and would be willing to do this please contact Steve Martin so we can make arrangements for you to have a place to do the notarizing. If you need your form notarized, bring it with you in case we have a notary in attendance.

NC Community Act

Often when talking about our community and how the board operates we refer to the NC Community Act. Our covenants and this act provide the framework in which the community and board function. For those of you interested if you go to- http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/Statutes/StatutesTOC.pl?Chapter=0047F

you can pull it up on the internet.

SECURITY-reminder if you have a code that you have allowed contractors to use and they are done let us know so we can cancel the code. The more codes we have out, the less control of access we have.

Steve Martin is going to be taking over the security responsibilities.

If you have any questions or need to make any changes you can contact him at SMartin@polkNC.org or 828-288-8865.

IMPRINTED ITEMS

We still have items imprinted with the Green River Highlands logo-cups and shirts will be available to purchase at the annual meeting. Contact Pat Talty for information 828-287-0546.

RESIDENT SERVICES

At the annual meeting there will be A table available for residents to display information for services they offer that other members may be able to use.

ANNUAL LABOR DAY PICNIC

Last year we had our first annual picnic. It seemed well received and it was a great opportunity for neighbors to get together and we are planning on having another one this year. Anyone who is interested in helping please contact us.

ELECTIONS

2008-2009 Green River Highlands Property Owners Board

In the last newsletter we asked for input from anyone who would like to serve on the 2008-2009 GRH Board. We were contacted by two homeowners who said they were willing to serve on the upcoming board; the proposed board for 2008-2009 is:

President: John Gephart Vice President: Arthur King Secretary: Vicki Bonis

Treasurer: Michael Belle Alternate: Steve Martin

John Gephart who is currently serving as alternate on the current board wanted to give you some thoughts on how he and potential members of the board view their responsibilities:

This slate of homeowners is comprised of past board members-Art King served the past year as VP, Michael Belle was treasurer and served on past boards, Steve Martin is serving secretary and I was the alternate on the current board. Vicki Bonis who is now a full time resident of GRH has offered to fill the position of secretary.

As President, I have no intention of making decisions on behalf of the BOD but represent the consensus of the board to maintain and plan for the future of GRH. I believe the publishing of a planned budget for next year and forward years is a great step and Mike Belle is to be complemented for automating our accounting system. Steve Martin’s willingness to take over the gate and security will be seamless.

The board believes that our next need is a separate dedicated fund for major repairs and resurfacing our roads. Based on overwhelming membership support at last years annual meeting an assessment has been proposed. For the few who are opposed, we believe that the minimal annual fee will allow reserves to handle dedicated funds to prevent substantial assessments when needed. It would add a major value to property values, showing proactive thinking by GRH.

One other area of concern of the board is that some members believe the BOD has flexibility to bend the Covenants to meet individual exceptions. The Covenants were written to give continuity and thus protection to the homeowners and were provided to all owners in GRH as a condition of ownership. It has been mentioned but is also not commonly known that the North Carolina Planned Community Act, Chapter 47, supersedes our covenants if there is a conflict (available on the NC Gov web site). The reasoning is very sound as covenants prepared by developers are very vague and as in the case of GRH our covenants were used for other developments by our developer. The amendments proposed and being voted on are a very good example of some vague areas in the covenants we received as conditions of ownership in GRH which are being amended. If there are other areas that need to be addressed, and changes made, we are open to pursuing them in accordance with the covenants and NC Regulations. The BOD has directors insurance to protect the Board from actions taken within the authority of the covenants. The BOD as a group or as individuals are not insured for actions taken that are in conflict with the covenants and NC Statutes. The BOD has a legal and moral responsibility to work within the standards of GRH. Any changes need to be done orderly and through the process allowed.

We look forward to working with you and for you to ensure that our community continues to be all that we want it to be and maintain its beauty and protect our investments.

BEAR AWARENESS---there have been signs of bear activity in our community. Tracks have been seen and garbage containers have been dumped and ripped open. Simply observing a bear on your property is not cause for alarm; don’t forget this is their natural habitat. A good rule of thumb is do not provoke them or feed them and they will go their way.

One of the biggest ways to prevent bears from being attracted to an area is to eliminate food sources-garbage-discarded food-greasy BBQ’s-bird feeders-pet food, etc. Do not leave garbage out overnight and take in pet food and feeders in the evening. Most often bear presence is temporary; usually in the spring and summer when natural foods are not yet ripe or when they are searching for a mate. If you deny them a constant food source they usually move elsewhere.

Cleghorn Golf Club Memberships- Malena Belle told us that our neighbors at Cleghorn offer a special discount for pool and golf memberships to residents of GRH. If you are interested make sure you identify yourself to make sure you get the discounted pricing.

Agenda for the 2008-2009

Annual Green River Highlands POA Meeting

-OPEN THE MEETING

-MINUTES/FINANCIAL REPORT

-OVERVIEW 2007/2008

WEBSITE-PICINIC-WEARABLES-PARK IMPROVEMENTS-MOVIES IN THE PARK-ROADWAY MAINTENANCE-COVENANT COMPLIANCE-CONSTRUCTION-SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS-BUDGET

-OLD BUSINESS

-PROPOSED CHANGES TO COVENANTS

-CURRENT-update

-FUTURE

-SECURITY

-MAINTENANCE OF WATER FEATURE

-ROAD ASSESSMENT

-BACKGROUND-how determined/considerations/protecting funds

- STATUS

-COMMON AREA RULES--- Board has reviewed the rules pertaining to the use of the common areas as required by paragraph 24 of the Covenants and Restrictions see no need for any changes.

-NEW BUSINESS

-BUDGET

Now that we are on an automated accounting system it is easier to capture historical financial data and present a budget that easily displayed.

Budget projections are based on assuming that there will be a 5% increase in the current dues.

Projected 2009 Budget

Income-Annual Dues 38254.00

Total Projected Income 38254.00

Projected Expenses

Bank Service Charges 120.00

Insurance 4200.00

Landscaping 18000.00

Office Supplies 600.00

Postage/Delivery 300.00

Professional Fees 2000.00

Repairs 6000.00

Social Committee 600.00

Taxes 120.00

Telephone 1200.00

Utilities 5000.00

Total Expenses 38140.00

Net Income 140.00

-ELECTION OF 2008-2009 BOARD

Proposed Board

President John Gephart

Vice President Art King

Secretary Vicki Bonis

Treasurer Michael Belle

Alternate Steve Martin

P.O. Box 968

Rutherfordton, NC 28139-0939

Proxy Letter

For

Annual Meeting (June 14th 1030 AM)

We regret that we can not make the meeting in person, however we would like our

Voice heard. Therefore we assign our voting rights for lot # (s)

_________________________to* ___________________________________________

for the purpose of conducting the association’s business at this meeting. The covenants call for a quorum of 51% present (personally or through proxy) to conduct business. This proxy will be assigned for establishing a quorum and if noted the election of officers and committee members. Please complete and return the proxy form.

Form can also be returned electronically to SMartin@PolkNC.org or faxed to 828-287=9767.

It is important that we have a quorum of 51% to conduct business so please submit your form.

Thank You

Signature (s) _____________________________________________________________

Print Name/s

________________________________________________________________________

Address_________________________________________________________________

City/State/Zip/____________________________________________________________

Lot# (s) _________________________________________________________________

Comments or Issues I would like discussed or people I would like to vote for to serve on the GRH Board:

Feel free to fill in the name of Steve Martin,GRH Secretary or any other board

member if you don’t have someone else able to attend for you.

Meeting will be held at the Green Creek Fire House located on Hwy 9. Cold beverages will be available at the meeting site. To get to the firehouse-when you leave GRH turn right on Coxe Rd., go approx 5.1 miles to Route 9 (at a flashing light). Turn left on Hwy 9, go 2.3 miles to the Green Creek Firehouse (on the left). Park in available parking and come into the meeting room.

Please let us know if you plan on attending so we have adequate seating available.

Green River Highlands-POA