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This is the newsletter published by the Woodstone Board. It is offered verbatim.

MANDATE FOR CHANGE----SURVEY RESULTS

At last year’s annual meeting, a vote was taken mandating your Board to conduct a survey to determine if a substantial number of our residents want to have a rule against yard signs that can be enforced. We conducted that survey this summer and found that the overwhelming number of respondents want such a rule.

The calls and comments back to me reflected the predominant feeling that residents don’t want Woodstone Drive to look like Lee Drive or Kenilworth Parkway during election season. Most of our residents want to be proactive in political affairs---but they want to do it in other ways than through yard signs.

Based on the results of the survey, your Board is proposing formal amendment options. You should get your certified mailing shortly if you do not already have it. Please VOTE---this has been an expensive and very time consuming project and we need your cooperation.

ENFORCEMENT TOOLS NEEDED THAT DON’T COST A FORTUNE

In the process of drafting the proposed amendment regarding signs, we realized that we also need some way to enforce our restrictions short of filing lawsuits. Right now that is the only enforcement tool we have----and its not one we relish. Not only do we want to reserve that as a last resort----it’ just too expensive a remedy unless absolutely necessary. For minor violations of subdivision rules, we ought to have some less drastic enforcement tool.

While doing research reviewing the restrictions in other upscale subdivisions such as Lakes at Highland, Walden, University Club, Bocage Lakes, and Country Club Crossing, we came to appreciate just how outdated our 30+ year old restrictions are. The higher dollar per square foot subdivisions have much tighter restrictions because people don’t want to invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into a home without some feeling of assurance that the neighborhood will hold its value. Many of these subdivisions give their Boards the authority to make rules that include the assessment of fines for minor infractions.

We really need to update our restrictions to allow this in order to have a practical way to enforce our restrictions. It’s just too expensive to hire lawyers and file law suits. On the other hand, when a resident is going forward with a building project after our elected Architectural Control Committee refuses to allow it, an injunction is the only thing that can be done. But at present our restrictions, unlike those of other subdivisions, do not give us the right to collect our attorneys’ fees if we win an injunction proceeding. This is a real problem!!!! We are facing this problem right now---read about the current injunction proceeding later in this newsletter.

In order to best insure that the value of all of our properties is maintained and enhanced, we ask that you please give your Board the tools to enforce the restrictions we already have in a way that makes sense financially.

And since this amendment process is such a rigorous undertaking, we are offering two additional proposals to address the complaints that have been ongoing for years----animals on the loose and parking on our streets. These rules would bring us in line with other upscale neighborhoods.

If anyone wants to see a copy of the very long and detailed restrictions in force in other upscale subdivisions, just call and visit. And remember that if any Board in the future should enact unpopular rules, you can elect a new Board that can repeal them.

Vote YES to those proposals that you favor. Leave them blank if you cannot support them. You can vote for some and not for others. But please VOTE. Read the information sheet that comes to you with your ballot carefully. And by all means VOTE.

NOT HOME to SIGN FOR YOUR certified MAILING???

If you are not home when your certified mail comes, there is a place on the side of the pink slip the mailman leaves authorizing the mail carrier to leave it the next time even if you are not at home---that way you do not have to go to the post office to pick it up.

RESTRICTION Vote DUE BY OCTOBER 26!!!!

Send your restriction vote in ASAP. It must be received no later than Oct. 26, 2007 to be counted. Many thanks especially to Kathi Walker, Karen Duncan, Angela Drone, Suzanne Jaubert, Sidney Oppotowsky and Jack Jaubert who helped assemble the mailing -- and to Dan Zito and Pennie Cotter who offered their time and suggestions.

You should get your certified mailing with an enclosed self-addressed envelope soon. In the event there is any mishap with the mail, we are also attaching the same documents to this newsletter for your convenience. If you wish, you can return your restriction ballot through the mail slot in the guardhouse door on the outgoing side as you leave the subdivision.

One vote is allowed per lot. If you have two lots, your vote will count twice. PLEASE VOTE--take part in this critically important vote for our subdivision. Help enhance our property values and protect our treasury.

CONTESTED BOARD ELECTION – OCT. 3

Our Woodstone Homeowners’ Ass. elections will be held October 3, 2007 at the Clubhouse at 7PM. All of the current Board members have agreed to run again but we also have two additional residents who have been nominated. This is the first time in a long time that we have had a contested election---so it is especially important that you vote. I hope to be able to e-mail bios on the candidates soon.

Attached is a proxy ballot to use in case you cannot be at the Oct. 3 meeting. We must have over 50% of the residents vote in order to have a valid election!!!!!!.

Return your election ballot in time for us to receive it by October 3----We don’t want your Board election vote to be delayed in the mail and we need to have it by the start of the Oct. 3 meeting for it to count. You can put your election ballot through the mail slot in the guardhouse door or you can bring it with you to the meeting.

Because of the proxy ballot system described in our by-laws, we can’t have nominations from the floor at the meeting---if we did, those names could not have been on the proxy ballot. We can have only nine Board members. One vote per lot---nine votes only for the Board and 3 votes only for the Architectural Control Committee.

OCT. 3 ANNUAL SOCIAL

Besides electing our new Board, we plan to pass a good time at our annual meeting. We will have wine and snacks and lots of opportunity to mix and socialize. Come at 6:30 PM to join the festivities. We will break for our meeting at 7 PM and resume socializing afterward.

Do come out and join us!!!!

ARCHITECTURAL CONTROL COMMITTEE AND BOARD ACTION

Recently, one of our families presented plans that involved adding living space to their home by enclosing a garage and attaching the garage to the main residence. The new wing to be created was originally presented as including a living area, bath, kitchenette, and storage room.

Our subdivision restrictions provide that an Architectural Control Committee composed of three elected homeowners must review any plans for exterior remodeling, additions, or renovations. No such alterations may take place without their approval.

By converting the garage to living space, the proposed construction would violate the set back between the side lot line and living area provided in Woodstone's restrictions. And although the city granted a variance from the city’s back lot line restrictions, the new wing would create living space closer to the back lot line than is in keeping with our neighborhood's general plan.

The Architecture Committee also felt that the enclosure of the garage presented parking issues for the family cars that could not be solved in an acceptable fashion, because there would be no acceptable covered parking available. Finally, the new wing could easily be converted to an apartment space in the future--a matter of special concern to some adjoining neighbors who moved to Woodstone to escape the increasing use of prime residential areas to house students. For these and other reasons, the Committee refused to grant approval for the proposed new wing of the home.

An overriding responsibility of the Committee and your Board is to safeguard compliance with the restrictions that regulate building in our subdivision for the benefit of all homeowners. Since construction was proceeding irrespective of the Committee’s ruling, and the owner ignored a written request to honor the Committee’s decision, the Board considered itself compelled to file suit seeking to enjoin the construction. A preliminary injunction was granted, and a trial date will be fixed in the near future to determine whether a permanent injunction will be granted.

Please know that neither the Committee nor the Board enjoys being put in the position of having to file suit against a neighbor. Nor do we enjoy having to pay legal fees out of the treasury reserves we have worked so hard to build. But we believe that it is our fiduciary responsibility as your elected Board, i.e., accountable to all Woodstone Homeowners.

Each homeowner, by operation of law, enters into a contract with the rest of the subdivision to honor subdivision restrictions when purchasing property in Woodstone. The restrictions do indeed keep us from doing exactly as we please with our property. Yet it is the bargain made with the existing homeowners when property is purchased in Woodstone.

BEWARE OF CAR BREAK-INS

Sometime during the wee hours of Sept. 11—probably around 3:00 AM., our subdivision fell victim to a rash of car break-ins. It appears that most or all of the cars victimized were either unlocked or had keys readily available. In some cases items were stolen. In other cases, the cars were just ransacked. Apparently the criminals were choosy!! They left large valuable items behind.

The ten families affected that I know of as of this printing are:

6337 Boone

436 E. Woodruff

431 W. Woodruff

400 W. Woodruff

6515 Millstone

6511 Sandstone

736 Woodstone

1044 Woodstone

6513 Boone

6423 Millstone

Among items taken were a pistol, a Treo, a purse and wallet discarded nearby, cash, and a credit card used later on Gardere Lane. This does not purport to be a full list---only what has been reported to me so far. If you were victimized, please give me the details and file a police report ASAP!!!

A bicycle was taken from the home of one of the victims and abandoned at the home at the corner of Boone and Woodstone. The items taken, the abandoned bike and the addresses of the houses hit has led the police to speculate that the criminal(s) probably came in on foot through the cut through to University Acres.

Please pull your cars up as far as possible in your drives and LOCK THEM. Consider motion lights if you do not already have them. Please leave at least some lights on at night. The police department has told us that criminals hate lights. A dark home is an inviting home!!!!

Easy targets are like bait. Put enough bait out and the criminals will return again and again. The next time they may not stop at ransacking cars!!!!

NEED A PLAYGROUP FOR YOUR LITTLE ONE???

Moms! Looking for a fun activity for your toddler during the week? Join the Woodstone Playgroup and spend some time visiting with neighborhood moms while your toddler spends time socializing with children kids his or her own age. Suzanne Eversberg and Aimee Shapiro are trying to determine a day and time that would be most popular with those moms who are interested. Please email your name and any days and times that would work for you to Suzanne Eversberg - suzanne316@cox.net or call Suzanne Eversberg at 761-8183 with any questions or concerns.

WOODSTONE WALKERS BUSHWHACKED Woodstone walkers report that they are getting bushwhacked---whacked by overhanging limbs of bushes and trees drooping over sidewalks. They ask that you please trim the offending branches as soon as you can. I can’t imagine walking is this heat---but to those that do, I salute you!!!!

ANT BAIT ATTACK COMING SOON

The fire ants are already rearing their ugly little antennae this fall. We have ordered the bait and will let you know when it is ready for distribution. Lately the bait has gone unclaimed by many families. Remember that your block captains keep it on their porches. Check the back of your directory to see who your block captain is. If everyone does not get the bait and spread it, the effect is much diminished.

Current Events to Calendar

October 3 – Annual Meeting and Election

October 23 – mail you restriction vote to be received by Oct. 26, 2007.

ANT Bait Drive---TBA

I hereby authorize current Board secretary Karen Duncan to cast my proxy ballot as indicated by my votes below.