As we enter 2010 I’d like to mention a few things the board is working on, but first I’d like to thank Jeanne Rubin and Brian Reinhardt for the last 3 years of service they have provided to the community.  They chose not to run for re-election,  but we’re fortunate they have agreed to stay on as volunteers for a couple of our committees.  Thanks!!

I’d also like to introduce our new board members.

Jamie Lockwood was appointed to the board last summer when Eric Ciminski left; he completed Eric’s term and was recently re-elected.

Ariel Ortegon was our beautification Chair for the last 3 years and was elected to her first term on the board.

Ty Treadway is a local real estate agent and was also elected to his first term on the board.

Each year after the elections the board votes on its officers, the new officers are:

Bill Woodard, Board Chair and Safety Committee Liaison

Cliff Sosamon, President and Pool Committee Liaison

Jamie Lockwood, Vice president and Social Committee Liaison

Bill Milford, Treasurer and Covenants Control Committee Liaison

Ty Treadway, Secretary and Pool Committee Liaison

Chris Showman, Director and Communications Committee Liaison

Ariel Ortegon, Director and Beautification Committee Liaison

This past year Panther Creek Estates like most of North Texas and the rest of the country has faced some challenges including increased foreclosures and the bankruptcy of Beuscher homes in late 2008.  In the last few months we have seen  fewer delinquencies from foreclosures and an increase in home re-sales in the neighborhood.  Additionally Meritage has begun selling new homes again and Summeer homes has purchased some of the incomplete Beuscher homes and is working on finishing them out. These are positive signs for the neighborhood and we’re hopeful to see this trend continue next year.  On a positive note we have been able to maintain our capital reserves at the level recommended by the reserve study that was completed 2 years ago.  This is a positive for our neighborhood as we have funds available in the event there was a significant capital replacement project that would need to be funded.  Additionally with the budget recently approved by the board there is no increase to any fees this year and we do not expect to increase fees in the foreseeable future.

Some of the larger projects we had looked at in prior years were put on hold last year due to the uncertainties with the Beuscher bankruptcy and other economic factors.  The board is now starting to look at some of those projects again.

One specific item we put into place, that will affect the pool for the upcoming season, is a new card reader system.  With the hiring of the security monitoring firm the last 2 summers we found the system for tracking and retaining pool keys was inadequate.  The new system will allow for better tracking as well as the ability to disable cards that have been lost or stolen, or not returned when a home is sold.  The other option would have been to re-key the pool periodically.  The board felt the new card system is a better long term investment for the community, particularly given the monitoring advantages it offers that a key system does not.  We expect to be able to start issuing the cards in the next month or two, so please watch the web site for details on that.

Two of the bigger projects we are looking at now are the possibilities of increased facilities at the pool as well as additional landscaping along Hillcrest just north of our Hillsboro Entrance. 

For the area on Hillcrest we’ve hired a company to assist with the design of the area, as well as complete a tree survey that would be required by the city before improvements can be done to the area.  Once the plans are complete we expect the project to be implemented in phases as funds allow.

The possibility of a pool expansion had been placed on hold due to the uncertainties of the economy in the last year.  We are once again looking at possible projects.  Since this would be a large undertaking we are asking for volunteers to work with the pool committee on this specific project.  If you are interested in participating in that project please contact our pool committee for additional information at Pool Committee

I want to also thank all of the volunteers we’ve had over the last year.  The projects, social gatherings and other events in the community couldn’t happen without the outstanding and hard work by all of the committee volunteers.  If anyone is interested in a specific project or committee please contact that committee or email the board with your comments.  We’ll generally respond to questions within 24-48 hours.

Happy New Year,

Bill Woodard

Board Chair.

December 14th, 2009 | Category: General |