Crime Alert!

Discounting the fireworks around our neighborhood, I stumbled across this item the other day and thought I should pass it along with the caveat that so far, it's a rumor.

East Livingston and Lonsdale

At the corner of E. Livingston and Lonsdale Ave., one or more unsupervised youth are running up to a targeted car while it's stopped for a red light, and smashing one of the windows with a brick.  No one has been injured - so far.

My first thought is that this is a brand new form of vandalism - something inspired by the knock out game.  But thinking this over, it's entirely likely that the attack is designed to get someone to chase the attacker - right into an ambush where they can be robbed.

Please be aware of your surroundings, and if this happens to you, report it to the police.

Association Fee Increase

I expect that by now everyone has received a letter like this one, complete with the good news - our association fees have been increased.

If your old rate was $164, your new rate is $194; an increase of $30 or 18.3%.
If your old rate was $177, your new rate is $213; an increase of $36 or 20.3%.

This increase is effective as of July 1^st, 2020.  But the fun isn't over!

A second rate increase of $20 will be effective as of January 1^st, 2021 - and a very happy new year to you, too.  If you believe our board of directors and property manager Tom Jones, these increases will bring the residents closer to the amount deemed necessary by the reserve study.  Translation: Plan on future increases, and plan for these increases to be significant.

For anyone who isn't familiar with this reserve study, let me begin by stating that we, the residents of McNaughten Village, paid for it.  The reserve study cost us three thousand dollars ($3000).  The original study stated that McNaughten Village was in good shape, financially speaking, and no increases in association fees were necessary beyond a normal cost of living increase - 3% to 5%.  When that result didn't satisfy the board of directors and the property manager, the study was revised and resubmitted so as to justify an increase in fees.

Again, we paid for this study (both studies, actually) yet we haven't been sent a copy of the study, and for $3000 I, for one, believe the board of directors should have been much more transparent about this.  I also believe that if our association rates increase by 20%, the residents should have had the opportunity to review a list of maintenance items and costs that were incurred last year, along with the maintenance and improvement plan for the following two years.

One resident suggested that a general meeting was in order, one that included everyone who lives here.  If we assembled, maybe we could address this increase in fees along with other problems that are unresolved.

Official Letter

Annual Meeting for 2019

Our annual meeting for the year of 2019 will be held on Monday, January 27th, 2020.  The meeting will start at 6:00 PM and run until 7:00.  The meeting will be held at Donatos Pizza, 1815 Brice Road, Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

Important!

There will be free pizza and free soft drinks at the meeting.  If nothing else, come and enjoy the pizza.

Elections!

Almost as important as the free pizza, but not quite.

There are three vacancies on the McNaughten Village Association Board of Directors.  In particular:

Bob Jackson (1841 Misty Way) has come to the end of his three year term.  During the past three years Bob has managed to step on enough toes to fill a podiatrist's office several times over, but that's just a part of his charm.  As of this writing, it is unknown if Bob will run for office again, but we certainly hope he does.

Joanne Kitchen (1862 Misty Way) has come to the end of her three year term.  Joanne has served on the Board of Directors for about 80 years, much of that time as President, and has been gracious enough to host the board meetings in her own home - for which the board thanks her.  Thanks Joanne!  Although we are uncertain of Joanne's determination to run for yet another three year term, and thus to nobly suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take up arms against a maelstrom of migraines and by opposing, end them, we wish her good fortune and encouragement.

Terry Hogan (1857 Misty Way) has officially turned in his resignation for reasons best known to himself.  Terry was willing to serve for a short time when Sandra Mathews unexpectedly resigned from the board, and for that he has our thanks.  Thanks Terry!  Terry's term would normally have ended on December, 2021, so the board now has an extra slot to fill.

While The Board of Directors certainly hopes everyone who lives in McNaughten Village will attend this meeting, we also hope you'll let us know you're coming.  We don't want to run out of pizza prematurely, for one thing.  For another, this is your chance to ask The Board any questions you might have about the way your money is being spent.  Remember, this meeting is for everyone, even those residents that The Board hates with a passion!

See you all at the meeting!