January 2017
willow_creek_dispatch_2017_1.pdf |
Past Newsletters
August 2016
willow_creek_dispatch.pdf |
PLEASE MIND YOUR DOG
In recent years we have received increasing numbers of complaints about aggressive dogs in the neighborhood. In several cases the aggressive dogs have attacked other leashed dogs as they were being walked. This really can’t be allowed to happen. The dog that makes an unprovoked attack on another dog has demonstrated an aggressive nature that can easily escalate into an attack on a person, especially a small child, with disastrous results. You may say, “My dog would never do that!”, but there is a lot of evidence to the contrary and almost weekly accounts in the news.
As you will see in the information below, the various levels of regulation dealing with dogs are specific and each has its own effect. Perhaps the most important aspect of having a dog that may injure someone is your potential liability. If your dog has a record of demonstrating aggressive behaviors and then bites or injures someone you will likely be defending a law suit. Even if you win the lawsuit, the defense costs can be expensive. If you keep such a dog you should have a talk with your attorney and insurance agent.
Our CCRs-
Section 7.2 Animals.
(d) No permitted household pet may be allowed to cause or create a nuisance or unreasonable disturbance or noise.
(e) All dogs must be carried or controlled by a leash while outside a Home or enclosed part of a Lot. No cat, dog or other permitted household pet may be allowed to run at large or otherwise to be or become a nuisance or source of annoyance to other residents.
(f) Any inconvenience, damage or unpleasantness caused by animals is the responsibility of the respective Owner of the animal. Owners are responsible for the removal of all waste of their animals.
(h) Pursuant to Section 7.15 below, the Board of Directors may adopt by resolution rules to implement this subsection. The rules may, without limitation:
(B) Require the removal of any animal that the Board, in the exercise of reasonable discretion, finds is unreasonably disturbing or posing an unreasonable risk to occupants of Homes. The Board may exercise this authority for specific animals even though other animals are permitted to remain.
City/County Ordinances
The City of Canby refers dog control problems to Clackamas County
Clackamas County Dog Laws
County Laws (Title 5, Animals): Clackamas County dog owners must obey county code. A revised code went into effect October 1, 2010.
609.095 Dog as public nuisance; public nuisance prohibited; complaint.
(1) A dog is a public nuisance if it:
(a) Chases persons or vehicles on premises other than premises from which the keeper of the dog may lawfully exclude others;
(b) Damages or destroys property of persons other than the keeper of the dog;
(c) Scatters garbage on premises other than premises from which the keeper of the dog may lawfully exclude others;
(d) Trespasses on private property of persons other than the keeper of the dog;
(e) Disturbs any person by frequent or prolonged noises;
(f) Is a female in heat and running at large; or
(g) Is a potentially dangerous dog, but is not a dangerous dog as defined in ORS 609.098.
(2) The keeper of a dog in a county or city that is subject to ORS 609.030 and 609.035 to 609.110 maintains a public nuisance if the dog commits an act described under subsection (1) of this section. Maintaining a dog that is a public nuisance is a violation.
(3) A keeper of a dog maintains a public nuisance if the keeper fails to comply with reasonable restrictions imposed under ORS 609.990 or if a keeper fails to provide acceptable proof of compliance to the court on or before the 10th day after issuance of the order imposing the restrictions. If the court finds the proof submitted by the keeper unacceptable, the court shall send notice of that finding to the keeper no later than five days after the proof is received.
(4) Any person who has cause to believe a keeper is maintaining a dog that is a public nuisance may complain, either orally or in writing, to the county or city. The receipt of any complaint is sufficient cause for the county or city to investigate the matter and determine whether the keeper of the dog is in violation of subsection (2) or (3) of this section. [1973 c.655 §2; 1977 c.802 §7; 1999 c.658 §8; 1999 c.756 §18; 2001 c.636 §9; 2001 c.926 §15; 2005 c.840 §7; 2011 c.607 §16]
609.098 Maintaining dangerous dog. (1) As used in this section, “dangerous dog” means a dog that:
(a) Without provocation and in an aggressive manner inflicts serious physical injury, as defined in ORS 161.015, on a person or kills a person;
(b) Acts as a potentially dangerous dog, as defined in ORS 609.035, after having previously committed an act as a potentially dangerous dog that resulted in the keeper being found to have violated ORS 609.095; or
(c) Is used as a weapon in the commission of a crime.
(2) A person commits the crime of maintaining a dangerous dog if the person is the keeper of a dog and the person, with criminal negligence, fails to prevent the dog from engaging in an act described in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) Maintaining a dangerous dog is punishable as described in ORS 609.990. [2005 c.840 §2]
609.035 Definitions
4) “Menaces” means lunging, growling, snarling or other behavior by a dog that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety.
(5) “Potentially dangerous dog” means a dog that:
(a) Without provocation and while not on premises from which the keeper may lawfully exclude others, menaces a person;
(b) Without provocation, inflicts physical injury on a person that is less severe than a serious physical injury; or
(c) Without provocation and while not on premises from which the keeper may lawfully exclude others, inflicts physical injury on or kills a domestic animal as defined in ORS 167.310.
In recent years we have received increasing numbers of complaints about aggressive dogs in the neighborhood. In several cases the aggressive dogs have attacked other leashed dogs as they were being walked. This really can’t be allowed to happen. The dog that makes an unprovoked attack on another dog has demonstrated an aggressive nature that can easily escalate into an attack on a person, especially a small child, with disastrous results. You may say, “My dog would never do that!”, but there is a lot of evidence to the contrary and almost weekly accounts in the news.
As you will see in the information below, the various levels of regulation dealing with dogs are specific and each has its own effect. Perhaps the most important aspect of having a dog that may injure someone is your potential liability. If your dog has a record of demonstrating aggressive behaviors and then bites or injures someone you will likely be defending a law suit. Even if you win the lawsuit, the defense costs can be expensive. If you keep such a dog you should have a talk with your attorney and insurance agent.
Our CCRs-
Section 7.2 Animals.
(d) No permitted household pet may be allowed to cause or create a nuisance or unreasonable disturbance or noise.
(e) All dogs must be carried or controlled by a leash while outside a Home or enclosed part of a Lot. No cat, dog or other permitted household pet may be allowed to run at large or otherwise to be or become a nuisance or source of annoyance to other residents.
(f) Any inconvenience, damage or unpleasantness caused by animals is the responsibility of the respective Owner of the animal. Owners are responsible for the removal of all waste of their animals.
(h) Pursuant to Section 7.15 below, the Board of Directors may adopt by resolution rules to implement this subsection. The rules may, without limitation:
(B) Require the removal of any animal that the Board, in the exercise of reasonable discretion, finds is unreasonably disturbing or posing an unreasonable risk to occupants of Homes. The Board may exercise this authority for specific animals even though other animals are permitted to remain.
City/County Ordinances
The City of Canby refers dog control problems to Clackamas County
Clackamas County Dog Laws
County Laws (Title 5, Animals): Clackamas County dog owners must obey county code. A revised code went into effect October 1, 2010.
- County Laws on Preventive Fences: It is unlawful for dogs to run at large in Clackamas County. Any Peace Officer or Dog Services Officer may impound a dog that is found running at large.
- State Laws on Disease Control
- State Laws on Animal Control: A dog is a public nuisance per ORS 609.095 if it..
- Chases vehicles or people.
- Damages or destroys property of others.
- Scatters garbage.
- Trespasses on private property.
- Disturbs any person by frequent or prolonged noise.
- Is a female in heat and running at large.
- State Laws on Dogs and Livestock.
- No dog owner or keeper of a dog shall permit a dog to chase, kill, wound or injure livestock not belonging to the owner or keeper of such dog.
- The owner or keeper of a dog that has injured or killed livestock is responsible for any amount up to double the amount of damages.
- Any dog (whether licensed or not) which; while off premises owned or under the control of its owner; kills, wounds, or injures any livestock not belonging to the master of such dog is a public nuisance and may be killed immediately by any person. (ORS 609.150)
609.095 Dog as public nuisance; public nuisance prohibited; complaint.
(1) A dog is a public nuisance if it:
(a) Chases persons or vehicles on premises other than premises from which the keeper of the dog may lawfully exclude others;
(b) Damages or destroys property of persons other than the keeper of the dog;
(c) Scatters garbage on premises other than premises from which the keeper of the dog may lawfully exclude others;
(d) Trespasses on private property of persons other than the keeper of the dog;
(e) Disturbs any person by frequent or prolonged noises;
(f) Is a female in heat and running at large; or
(g) Is a potentially dangerous dog, but is not a dangerous dog as defined in ORS 609.098.
(2) The keeper of a dog in a county or city that is subject to ORS 609.030 and 609.035 to 609.110 maintains a public nuisance if the dog commits an act described under subsection (1) of this section. Maintaining a dog that is a public nuisance is a violation.
(3) A keeper of a dog maintains a public nuisance if the keeper fails to comply with reasonable restrictions imposed under ORS 609.990 or if a keeper fails to provide acceptable proof of compliance to the court on or before the 10th day after issuance of the order imposing the restrictions. If the court finds the proof submitted by the keeper unacceptable, the court shall send notice of that finding to the keeper no later than five days after the proof is received.
(4) Any person who has cause to believe a keeper is maintaining a dog that is a public nuisance may complain, either orally or in writing, to the county or city. The receipt of any complaint is sufficient cause for the county or city to investigate the matter and determine whether the keeper of the dog is in violation of subsection (2) or (3) of this section. [1973 c.655 §2; 1977 c.802 §7; 1999 c.658 §8; 1999 c.756 §18; 2001 c.636 §9; 2001 c.926 §15; 2005 c.840 §7; 2011 c.607 §16]
609.098 Maintaining dangerous dog. (1) As used in this section, “dangerous dog” means a dog that:
(a) Without provocation and in an aggressive manner inflicts serious physical injury, as defined in ORS 161.015, on a person or kills a person;
(b) Acts as a potentially dangerous dog, as defined in ORS 609.035, after having previously committed an act as a potentially dangerous dog that resulted in the keeper being found to have violated ORS 609.095; or
(c) Is used as a weapon in the commission of a crime.
(2) A person commits the crime of maintaining a dangerous dog if the person is the keeper of a dog and the person, with criminal negligence, fails to prevent the dog from engaging in an act described in subsection (1) of this section.
(3) Maintaining a dangerous dog is punishable as described in ORS 609.990. [2005 c.840 §2]
609.035 Definitions
4) “Menaces” means lunging, growling, snarling or other behavior by a dog that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety.
(5) “Potentially dangerous dog” means a dog that:
(a) Without provocation and while not on premises from which the keeper may lawfully exclude others, menaces a person;
(b) Without provocation, inflicts physical injury on a person that is less severe than a serious physical injury; or
(c) Without provocation and while not on premises from which the keeper may lawfully exclude others, inflicts physical injury on or kills a domestic animal as defined in ORS 167.310.
Summer 2013 Newsletter
NEWSLETTER SUMMER 2013
WILLOW CREEK ESTATES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
PO Box 77, Canby, OR 97013 www.willowcreekhomeowners.com
wcehoaboard@gmail.com
YARD WORK PAYS OFF
Tradition has it that yard awards are presented to the many hard working, creative garden enthusiasts here in Willow Creek. Results of your labors result in giving our neighborhood that elegant, well-groomed look. Six volunteers independently roamed the neighborhood, rating yards on the finer points of yard beauty. Congratulations to Bruce and Kim Blake who received the "Best Yard" award and a $100 gift card to Wilco, followed by Jesse and Patti Villarreal, Sally Kloosterman, Rick and Charlene Martin and Keith and Cara Hawkins in places 2nd through 5th. They each received a $25 gift card, also to Wilco. We did have to skip over a few potential winners since they were not present. We hope they heard their name was called and that they will join us next year at the BBQ!
ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOOD BBQ FUN FOR ALL
The summer BBQ at our park on July 12th was attended by about 60 residents of Willow Creek enjoying lots of good food and conversation. We would like to acknowledge and thank Carol Caudle for volunteering to plan, organize and host this year's event. Kevin Capelle cooked up his "Hittin' the Sauce" pulled pork for us, a trial to see how folks liked the addition to our hamburgers/Polish dogs offerings. The pork was popular and we had great feedback. We would welcome yours also on that menu addition. Kevin also graciously loaned us his Traeger for cooking our burgers and dogs. Big thanks to Kevin! We are reminded yearly that Willow Creek has a bunch of great cooks! Frank Hosford was our grill master, so dedicated that we are not sure he even got to eat dinner.
Thank You to all who helped set up and take down. You made this event easy and fun.
SIDEWALK CONCERNS- PLEASE KEEP IT CLEAR
Whether admiring the view out your front window or working outside in your yard, chances are
pretty good you’‛ll encounter walkers or joggers passing by on your sidewalk. It’‛s hard to find a nicer setting for outdoor exercise than our beautiful Willow Creek Estates.
Recently, the Board has received complaints that there are many areas where overgrown shrubs or plants are encroaching on the sidewalk or tree branches are hanging low, obstructing the walkway and sometimes forcing pedestrians off the sidewalk. Trees, shrubs and yard components, whether rocks, mud or bark dust, become walking hazards when intruding on the sidewalk area.
Sidewalk maintenance is governed under Chapter 12 of Canby Code of Ordinances, which reads: It shall be the duty of all landowners in the city to maintain in good repair all sidewalks now existing or hereafter constructed in front of, along or abutting their land. We have been advised by Canby Code Enforcement that this includes obstruction of sidewalks by vegetation and they will remove the encroachments if not removed by the homeowner.
Please take a moment and walk the sidewalk in front of your home to be sure that your landscape is not spilling onto the sidewalk and you are providing ample, safe clearance for pedestrians. Thanks for making Willow Creek Estates a safe and pleasant community for residents and visitors!
WILLOW CREEK WORK PARTY
SPRUCES UP COMMON AREAS
A great big THANK YOU goes out to everyone who pitched in to spread bark dust on Saturday, June 1st. With volunteers from 14 WCE households, 20 units of bark were spread around the park common areas in a little over two hours. This not only translates to a big savings for our HOA, but provides a beautiful green space for all residents to enjoy and helps in increasing home values. It is great to see the pride of ownership in our wonderful neighborhood.
The Board has received comments that the park area is at it’s peak. Credit goes to Dave Kelly of E.O.L.C. landscaping. Dave has repaired and updated our irrigation system, which was old and inefficient, translating to a cost savings for our HOA. E.O.L.C. has gone the extra mile to rid the grass of weeds and keep the beds groomed. Our appreciation goes out to Dave and his team.
INTERIM BOARD MEMBERS APPOINTED
Unfortunately, Jesse Villarreal, Sr., and Laurel Lukesh resigned from the HOA Board in June. In accordance with WCE governing documents, the Board appointed two interim members to fill these vacated positions until the election of new board members next January. We welcome Lori Andersen as treasurer and Carol Caudle as member-at-large. Ken Simmons has taken on the role of vice president. These ladies will be a great asset to the HOA Board and we would like to express our appreciation for providing this great service for the HOA.
we hope you all enjoy a fun and safe summer. As always, your 2013 HOA Board welcomes your comments and suggestions.
WILLOW CREEK ESTATES HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
PO Box 77, Canby, OR 97013 www.willowcreekhomeowners.com
wcehoaboard@gmail.com
YARD WORK PAYS OFF
Tradition has it that yard awards are presented to the many hard working, creative garden enthusiasts here in Willow Creek. Results of your labors result in giving our neighborhood that elegant, well-groomed look. Six volunteers independently roamed the neighborhood, rating yards on the finer points of yard beauty. Congratulations to Bruce and Kim Blake who received the "Best Yard" award and a $100 gift card to Wilco, followed by Jesse and Patti Villarreal, Sally Kloosterman, Rick and Charlene Martin and Keith and Cara Hawkins in places 2nd through 5th. They each received a $25 gift card, also to Wilco. We did have to skip over a few potential winners since they were not present. We hope they heard their name was called and that they will join us next year at the BBQ!
ANNUAL NEIGHBORHOOD BBQ FUN FOR ALL
The summer BBQ at our park on July 12th was attended by about 60 residents of Willow Creek enjoying lots of good food and conversation. We would like to acknowledge and thank Carol Caudle for volunteering to plan, organize and host this year's event. Kevin Capelle cooked up his "Hittin' the Sauce" pulled pork for us, a trial to see how folks liked the addition to our hamburgers/Polish dogs offerings. The pork was popular and we had great feedback. We would welcome yours also on that menu addition. Kevin also graciously loaned us his Traeger for cooking our burgers and dogs. Big thanks to Kevin! We are reminded yearly that Willow Creek has a bunch of great cooks! Frank Hosford was our grill master, so dedicated that we are not sure he even got to eat dinner.
Thank You to all who helped set up and take down. You made this event easy and fun.
SIDEWALK CONCERNS- PLEASE KEEP IT CLEAR
Whether admiring the view out your front window or working outside in your yard, chances are
pretty good you’‛ll encounter walkers or joggers passing by on your sidewalk. It’‛s hard to find a nicer setting for outdoor exercise than our beautiful Willow Creek Estates.
Recently, the Board has received complaints that there are many areas where overgrown shrubs or plants are encroaching on the sidewalk or tree branches are hanging low, obstructing the walkway and sometimes forcing pedestrians off the sidewalk. Trees, shrubs and yard components, whether rocks, mud or bark dust, become walking hazards when intruding on the sidewalk area.
Sidewalk maintenance is governed under Chapter 12 of Canby Code of Ordinances, which reads: It shall be the duty of all landowners in the city to maintain in good repair all sidewalks now existing or hereafter constructed in front of, along or abutting their land. We have been advised by Canby Code Enforcement that this includes obstruction of sidewalks by vegetation and they will remove the encroachments if not removed by the homeowner.
Please take a moment and walk the sidewalk in front of your home to be sure that your landscape is not spilling onto the sidewalk and you are providing ample, safe clearance for pedestrians. Thanks for making Willow Creek Estates a safe and pleasant community for residents and visitors!
WILLOW CREEK WORK PARTY
SPRUCES UP COMMON AREAS
A great big THANK YOU goes out to everyone who pitched in to spread bark dust on Saturday, June 1st. With volunteers from 14 WCE households, 20 units of bark were spread around the park common areas in a little over two hours. This not only translates to a big savings for our HOA, but provides a beautiful green space for all residents to enjoy and helps in increasing home values. It is great to see the pride of ownership in our wonderful neighborhood.
The Board has received comments that the park area is at it’s peak. Credit goes to Dave Kelly of E.O.L.C. landscaping. Dave has repaired and updated our irrigation system, which was old and inefficient, translating to a cost savings for our HOA. E.O.L.C. has gone the extra mile to rid the grass of weeds and keep the beds groomed. Our appreciation goes out to Dave and his team.
INTERIM BOARD MEMBERS APPOINTED
Unfortunately, Jesse Villarreal, Sr., and Laurel Lukesh resigned from the HOA Board in June. In accordance with WCE governing documents, the Board appointed two interim members to fill these vacated positions until the election of new board members next January. We welcome Lori Andersen as treasurer and Carol Caudle as member-at-large. Ken Simmons has taken on the role of vice president. These ladies will be a great asset to the HOA Board and we would like to express our appreciation for providing this great service for the HOA.
we hope you all enjoy a fun and safe summer. As always, your 2013 HOA Board welcomes your comments and suggestions.
Spring 2013 Newsletter
wce_spring_2013_newsletter.pdf |
October 31, 2012
oct_31_2012 |
Preparing your yard for winter by Dave Kelly
preparing_yards_for_winter_-_dave_kelly |
May 2, 2012
Greetings Neighbors!
We hope this letter finds you enjoying our beautiful, albeit wet, spring weather! The grass is a growin’, of course not as fast as the weeds; and the flowers are a bloomin’. Hope you get a chance to get out there and get your toes in the dirt! Those of you that were able to make it to the annual meeting know that we had plans for yard work of our own. We unanimously voted to remove the photinia hedge and start over. Ken Simmons and Keith Hawkins were kind enough to lend their strong backs to the task at hand and in one afternoon pulled all of the bushes. We have scheduled a drop box for Friday, May 4th and all of the bushes will be gone. Carol Caudle has completed her generous offer to research possible replacements and we hope to get to planting in the very near future.
In our consultations with the attorney hired to complete the CC&R preparation, we found that Willow Creek Homeowners Association is a name already registered and therefore we are not able to use. Currently, our Association is registered under W.C.E. Homeowners Association Incorporated, but we have used Willow Creek Homeowners Association in our CC&Rs. We will have to change that and from this point forward will use W.C.E. Homeowners Association Incorporated. This is simply a clerical point and will not affect the name of our neighborhood.
In the interest of being green as well as saving the neighborhood a little green, we will now be emailing all of the informational letters and newsletters. If you do not currently receive the emailed newsletters please send an email to Cara@Canby.com and you will be added to the list. If you do not have a computer and do not use email, please contact Cara Hawkins @ 503.263.2259 and request that you continue to receive hard copies through the mail. All newsletters and informational items will continue to be posted on the website at www.WillowCreekHomeowners.com. All billing statements will continue to be sent hard copy through the mail unless you would like to sign up for paperless billing; that request would also go to Cara@Canby.com.
The annual Garage Sale date has been changed. It will now be the first weekend in June. This is a permanent change. Over the years we have received many requests to change the date, that combined with the fickle weather we get mid May has inspired us to make the change. While the first weekend in June is no guarantee of better weather, we may be slightly less likely to suffer through bouts of hail! So, this year we will be holding the garage sale on June 1 & 2. Thursday night, May 31st is the preview night. If you would like to offer your wares to your neighbors in advance of the general public, just roll up those doors as you are preparing and folks will stop by. The cost to participate is $3, contact Cara Hawkins to let her know so that we will have an accurate count for the newspaper ads.
The annual BBQ will be held the third Friday in July - which this year will be the 20th. Neighbors whose name starts with A-L will bring a dessert and M-Z will bring a salad or side dish. This is a great time to get to know your neighbors so don’t be shy, come on down! Bring a chair or blanket to sit on, we will be providing hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks. We are hoping to have music but have not had a volunteer step forward yet. If you have the capability to broadcast music, we have the CD’s and would gratefully accept your generous offer, please contact a Board member. The big change this year will be the yard awards. In the past we have selected specific yards for specific awards. This year we will be choosing 20 yards and ranking them from 1 – 20. But, you must be present to win! The Homeowner present, whose name is called, will receive a certificate of appreciation and a years’ free dues!! That’s a hundred and eighty buckaroos, heck yeah! So make sure to mark the date on your calendar, July 20. We will be choosing the top 20 houses in the week before the BBQ so get that weeding done early and we will see you Friday night, 5PM!
Recently, we found a beach towel and pink flip flops at the chain link fence near the brick spill way. Also, a neighbor has reported that children have been seen “swimming” in the pond. Parents, please be aware that the spillway is a very dangerous area and caution your children to stay away from it! It is a large amount of water pouring out of the pond, easily capable of sweeping a child off their feet. The weather will soon be warm and we don’t want to see something tragic happen, talk to your kids today.
And finally, what newsletter would be complete without a dissertation on dog poop?! We are still receiving complaints of dog poop in yards and on sidewalks. Also, the planting strip is not okay to allow your dog to urinate in. Dog urine will turn the grass yellow and each homeowner spends a great deal of time and attention to keep their grass green, please be respectful of, not only yards but, planting strips. Now I hope you didn’t stop reading right there because this year, we have a twist, did you guess it? Cat pee! Turns out there are some of our fine feline friends that are making a nuisance of themselves by peeing in your neighbors yards. This is particularly offensive when it is near the front door or an area that is frequently walked by. While we make fun of this topic (if we didn’t laugh, we’d cry) this is very serious to those adversely affected by waste left by pets. The CC&R’s, as well as the City ordinance, require that you maintain control of your pet at all times. Please, please clean up after your pet and if your cat has an inclination to mark, please change his Facebook status to “house cat”. I know this is not convenient but your neighbor didn’t choose to get a cat, you did. Thank you all for your help and cooperation!
Well, that about sums it up. If you need something, have a question, comment or concern, your Board is here to help! Contact us;
Cara Hawkins Cara@Canby.com 503263.2259
Mariann Schindler Mariann.schindler@yahoo.com 503.799.6152
Nancy Meyer Meyer2779@Canby.com 503.266.7408
Laurel Lukesh Laurel.lukesh@gmail.com 503.515.6918
Viki Carlin Webecarlin@yahoo.com 503.592.9192
We hope this letter finds you enjoying our beautiful, albeit wet, spring weather! The grass is a growin’, of course not as fast as the weeds; and the flowers are a bloomin’. Hope you get a chance to get out there and get your toes in the dirt! Those of you that were able to make it to the annual meeting know that we had plans for yard work of our own. We unanimously voted to remove the photinia hedge and start over. Ken Simmons and Keith Hawkins were kind enough to lend their strong backs to the task at hand and in one afternoon pulled all of the bushes. We have scheduled a drop box for Friday, May 4th and all of the bushes will be gone. Carol Caudle has completed her generous offer to research possible replacements and we hope to get to planting in the very near future.
In our consultations with the attorney hired to complete the CC&R preparation, we found that Willow Creek Homeowners Association is a name already registered and therefore we are not able to use. Currently, our Association is registered under W.C.E. Homeowners Association Incorporated, but we have used Willow Creek Homeowners Association in our CC&Rs. We will have to change that and from this point forward will use W.C.E. Homeowners Association Incorporated. This is simply a clerical point and will not affect the name of our neighborhood.
In the interest of being green as well as saving the neighborhood a little green, we will now be emailing all of the informational letters and newsletters. If you do not currently receive the emailed newsletters please send an email to Cara@Canby.com and you will be added to the list. If you do not have a computer and do not use email, please contact Cara Hawkins @ 503.263.2259 and request that you continue to receive hard copies through the mail. All newsletters and informational items will continue to be posted on the website at www.WillowCreekHomeowners.com. All billing statements will continue to be sent hard copy through the mail unless you would like to sign up for paperless billing; that request would also go to Cara@Canby.com.
The annual Garage Sale date has been changed. It will now be the first weekend in June. This is a permanent change. Over the years we have received many requests to change the date, that combined with the fickle weather we get mid May has inspired us to make the change. While the first weekend in June is no guarantee of better weather, we may be slightly less likely to suffer through bouts of hail! So, this year we will be holding the garage sale on June 1 & 2. Thursday night, May 31st is the preview night. If you would like to offer your wares to your neighbors in advance of the general public, just roll up those doors as you are preparing and folks will stop by. The cost to participate is $3, contact Cara Hawkins to let her know so that we will have an accurate count for the newspaper ads.
The annual BBQ will be held the third Friday in July - which this year will be the 20th. Neighbors whose name starts with A-L will bring a dessert and M-Z will bring a salad or side dish. This is a great time to get to know your neighbors so don’t be shy, come on down! Bring a chair or blanket to sit on, we will be providing hamburgers, hot dogs, chips and drinks. We are hoping to have music but have not had a volunteer step forward yet. If you have the capability to broadcast music, we have the CD’s and would gratefully accept your generous offer, please contact a Board member. The big change this year will be the yard awards. In the past we have selected specific yards for specific awards. This year we will be choosing 20 yards and ranking them from 1 – 20. But, you must be present to win! The Homeowner present, whose name is called, will receive a certificate of appreciation and a years’ free dues!! That’s a hundred and eighty buckaroos, heck yeah! So make sure to mark the date on your calendar, July 20. We will be choosing the top 20 houses in the week before the BBQ so get that weeding done early and we will see you Friday night, 5PM!
Recently, we found a beach towel and pink flip flops at the chain link fence near the brick spill way. Also, a neighbor has reported that children have been seen “swimming” in the pond. Parents, please be aware that the spillway is a very dangerous area and caution your children to stay away from it! It is a large amount of water pouring out of the pond, easily capable of sweeping a child off their feet. The weather will soon be warm and we don’t want to see something tragic happen, talk to your kids today.
And finally, what newsletter would be complete without a dissertation on dog poop?! We are still receiving complaints of dog poop in yards and on sidewalks. Also, the planting strip is not okay to allow your dog to urinate in. Dog urine will turn the grass yellow and each homeowner spends a great deal of time and attention to keep their grass green, please be respectful of, not only yards but, planting strips. Now I hope you didn’t stop reading right there because this year, we have a twist, did you guess it? Cat pee! Turns out there are some of our fine feline friends that are making a nuisance of themselves by peeing in your neighbors yards. This is particularly offensive when it is near the front door or an area that is frequently walked by. While we make fun of this topic (if we didn’t laugh, we’d cry) this is very serious to those adversely affected by waste left by pets. The CC&R’s, as well as the City ordinance, require that you maintain control of your pet at all times. Please, please clean up after your pet and if your cat has an inclination to mark, please change his Facebook status to “house cat”. I know this is not convenient but your neighbor didn’t choose to get a cat, you did. Thank you all for your help and cooperation!
Well, that about sums it up. If you need something, have a question, comment or concern, your Board is here to help! Contact us;
Cara Hawkins Cara@Canby.com 503263.2259
Mariann Schindler Mariann.schindler@yahoo.com 503.799.6152
Nancy Meyer Meyer2779@Canby.com 503.266.7408
Laurel Lukesh Laurel.lukesh@gmail.com 503.515.6918
Viki Carlin Webecarlin@yahoo.com 503.592.9192