From Prism Real Estate Services:

Homeowners want information about their community associations, how is the Association (HOA) accountable to me, and what is my accountability to the HOA? Most of the answers to these questions are found in the Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions for the Community (the CCRs). The creation and purpose of the HOA are usually found within the declarations contained on the first or second page of the CCRs. Typically language regarding the creation of the HOA reads "to preserve, protect and enhance the subdivision and to maintain and upkeep landscaping easements and common areas."

How does the Association go about preserving, protecting and enhancing the community? By setting standards for the homeowners to abide by, usually called "Use Restrictions" in the CCRs, and by establishing operating and maintenance procedures for common areas and common easements. The HOA may also adopt rules and regulations that define or expound specific provisions within the CCRs, such as "neat appearance". When Prism inspects the property "neat appearance" is, but not limited to:

HOMES WITHIN THE COMMUNITY

• Keeping the front of the home free of debris, household items, clutter, garbage, garbage cans, etc., until the day before a scheduled pickup. Garbage cans are to be returned to a screened location after pickup (Garbage corrals may be located in the rear or side yard.)
  
• That routine lawn maintenance is being performed in order to keep grass at a height not to exceed 6 inches, along with necessary weed eating and/or edging. Dead shrubs, trees and other vegetation are promptly removed.
  
• That apparent damage or maintenance issues concerning the exterior of a home be addressed in a timely manner. (e.g. shutters reattached after being blown off, roof damage, unstable fences, etc.)
  
• Inoperable vehicles (vehicles with flat tires, broken out windows, expired tags, expired safety inspection) are prohibited.
  On street parking that is either excessive or prevents safe passage on the street.
  
• There may be times when a violation issued is questionable. If you happen to receive a violation and you feel it was in error, or there are extenuating circumstances, please call Prism immediately. We will ask you to respond in writing (to avoid any miscommunication).

MEMBER ACCOUNTABILITY TO ASSOCIATION

Now, what is the members' accountability to the Association?

• To assist in preserving and protecting property values by keeping their homes in good repair, and lawns properly maintained.
  
• To pay assessments in a timely manner so that there are no financial burdens unfairly placed on the Association and other members resulting in the collection of a delinquent assessment.
  
• To have a copy of the Covenants, Conditions & Restrictions and abide by them.
  
• To take an interest in the community. To become active with the Association in
  reaching community objectives.
  
• To be a good neighbor. Meet your neighbors and their children. Discuss changes or improvements you are planning to make with them. Don't block driveways, mailboxes or garbage cans when there is no option but to park on the street. Clean up after your pets. Check to see if your pets are creating a nuisance. This is not an exhaustive list and it basically is thoughtful, considerate behavior. As Archbishop Desmund Tutu so beautifully stated "My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together."

All in all the success of the community is measured through the accountability on everyone's part.

CURB APPEAL DESERVES TOP PRIORITY

Its difficult to look at our own home in the same way a potential homebuyer will. We often get used to how things look and function and overlook flaws. Decide right now to stop looking at your property as your home, but as a commodity you would want to sell at its highest value. Or ask a friend to give you their impression. Try this exercise - next time you come home, park down the street and view your home and surroundings. What is your first impression of the house and lawn area? What are the best exterior features of your home and lawn? How can you maximize them? What are the worst exterior features? How can you improve them?

Here are some basic curb appeal starters:

• Kill mold and mildew on the house, sidewalks, roof and gutters and driveways
  
• Stowe away unnecessary garden implements and tools.
  
• Clean windows and gutters.
  
• Pressure wash dirty siding.
  
• Keep sidewalks and driveways clean.
  
• Edge sidewalks and remove vegetation growing through concrete sections & bricks.
• Mow the lawn regularly and get rid of weeds.
• Trim tree limbs near or touching the roof.
• Replace plain door hardware with something more decorative.
  
• Replace worn mailboxes.
  
• Paint trim, shutters and front door.

Curb appeal can be the difference between a house sitting on the market for months or weeks. If purchasers don't like what is on the outside, they will never walk inside. These are inexpensive ideas that make a tremendous difference! ! !

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Don’t Shear Your Grass - Many Griers Fork residents shear their fescue grass down to stubble and then avoid mowing again until it has grown quite tall (even to the eyesore level). This is unhealthy for the grass and promotes weed invasion. Fescue should be cut no shorter than 3 to 3-1/2 inches and no more than a third of its height should be cut at once.

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Crime Watch Alert

During early fall 2005, there has been a noticeable increase in storage shed breaking and entering crimes in the lower Southwest corner of the county. This has occurred in numerous neighborhoods. In most of these cases there is little to no suspect information available and little to no evidence to pursue. In some of the cases we believe that the suspects may be coming from the neighborhoods in which the crimes occur. In other cases, it appears that the suspects are coming from outside the neighborhoods. In an effort to reduce these crimes and assist in the solving of these cases I am asking that you do the following:

• Record the serial numbers of your items
  
• Update the security on your storage shed so that locks are not easily cut with bolt cutters
  
• Improve the lighting around your storage shed
  
• Inform your neighbors of this crime trend
  
• Call 911 to report suspicious people or activity in your neighborhood

If you have any information about these crimes, please contact me or Crime Stoppers at 704-334-1600.

Officer T.G. Pardue
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police
Adam 1 / Division 21 Community Coordinator
704-336-7865
TPardue@cmpd.org

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Library Donation - The Griers Fork Homeowners Association donated $100 to the Steele Creek Library
Association’s fund drive last year. If you haven’t been there, please visit the new library on Highway 160 (in
front of Southwest Middle School, just north of the Highway 49 intersection and Harris- Teeter). It is a
marvelous asset to the community.

Christmas Decorations - In 2004, lights were left off the front entrance decorations because the electric outlet did not work. The outlet was repaired before the 2005 season, but it went out again and the lights were dark for most of the holidays. If you have ideas for decorations for 2005, please e-mail contact@griersfork.org or contact Prism Realty at 704-535-8558.

Board Elections - In addition to discussions of speed humps, greenways, and other community issues,
members will elect three board members for 2005. In order to ensure a quorum, please plan to attend or
provide your proxy to Prism or any board member.

Abbreviated Newsletters - Newsletters have been abbreviated and less frequent for the last year but
should pick up for 2005. Advertising also will return. If you are interested in free advertising, please contact
Dave Wiggins at 704-504-5403 or contact@griersfork.org.

Directions to Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church  Head south on Sandy Porter Road
toward Food Lion. Turn right onto S Tryon Street. Continue through the blinker at the fire station and make
a U-turn at the light at Westinghouse Boulevard. Immediately turn into the parking lot. The Fellowship Hall
is in the 1-story building behind the parking lot.

Please do not contribute to sign clutter - Please do not place real estate or other signs at the front
entrance or elsewhere outside your own yard. Not only do these detract from the appearance of the
neighborhood, but they also violate city ordinances and neighborhood covenants. Allowable exceptions
include temporary signs on weekends for open houses or yard sales. The association also may post signs for community events from time to time. If you find your sign missing, you might look for it behind the
monument.

Moped Laws - It is illegal for any person under the age of 16 to operate a moped, minibike, or similar
motorized vehicle on a public street. Additonally, operators and passengers are required to wear protective
helmets. Not only are children inexperienced, but motorists also may have a difficult time seeing them.
Please think SAFETY for yourselves and your children.

STOP!

North Carolina General Statute § 20-158. (b) (1) When a stop sign has been erected or installed at an intersection, it shall be unlawful for the driver of any vehicle to fail to stop in obedience thereto and yield the right-of-way to vehicles operating on the designated main-traveled or through highway. When stop signs have been erected at three or more entrances to an intersection, the driver, after stopping in obedience thereto, may proceed with caution.

The association had multi-way stops installed at two intersections to help control hazardous driving within the community. However, motorists routinely run the stop signs. Some actually slow down but many just whiz through. Please come to a full stop and check for other cars, pedestrians, and bicyclists, especially children, before continuing through.

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Please Do not Clutter the Neighborhood with Tacky Signs

Real estate signs continue to appear at the front entrance and on various street corners. Some residents
also have placed advertising signs in their yards. Someone even taped notices about some square dancing group on stop signs throughout the neighborhood. The signs are tacky eyesores and violate association covenants as well as local zoning ordinances. Please limit your “For Sale” and “For Rent” signs to your own yard. Weekend open house signs are tolerable, but only while the open house actually is taking place.

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Fireworks are Dangerous! (and illegal)

A resident recently discovered a small fire in the mulch around a neighbor’s tree. Fortunately he easily put out the fire, and there was no damage other than a few singed pine needles. However, if the fire had been in mulch near a house, or on the house itself, the result could have been quite different. The homeowner found pieces of spent fireworks near the tree. Other residents have reported finding fireworks residue in their yards and even on their roofs! Please be careful and make sure YOU are not responsible for a disaster at a neighbor’s or your own house!

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Garbage Happens, but.... We’d like to see as little of it as possible.

Everyone has garbage to get rid of, but your neighbors would prefer not to see any more of yours than they
absolutely have to. Please keep the following in mind:

1. Keep your garbage cans out of sight in your garage or back yard, or keep them screened. Many people
   continue to keep their cans at the front corner of their houses next to the garage door. Your house (and the neighborhood) would look better if your cans were not left out where everyone had to look at them.
2. Don’t put your cans out before Sunday evening, and remove them promptly Monday evening after collection. The collectors sometimes get behind and don’t pick up garbage until the next day. If this happens, leave your cans out until they’re emptied. But if you notice that your can is the only one on the street still out, you probably put yours out too late that morning and will have to wait until the next Monday. DO NOT leave a full can out all week. No one will empty it for you.
3. Secure your garbage. When the trucks empty the cans, loose paper and other lightweight materials can fall out into the street. To prevent this, please make sure everything is in tied trash bags so that it all will fall into the truck together and not litter the street.
4. Place grease and other liquids in sealed containers. The trucks are not watertight. If grease leaks into the truck, it likely will also leak onto the street. Many of our streets have dribble stains where liquids have leaked as the trucks came through.
5. Do not put paint, cleaners, or other chemicals in your garbage. Contact Charlotte Solid Waste about
   disposing hazardous chemicals.
6. Collectors will not take anything that’s outside the cans. Contact Charlotte Solid Waste to schedule
   collection of bulky items.
7. Follow city guidelines for recycling and yard waste. These are collected on the same days as regular
   garbage.

Direct questions to Solid Waste Customer Service at 704-336-2673 or visit their web page at:
http://www.charmeck.nc.us/Departments/Solid+Waste/Home.htm

City Garbage Collection Holiday Schedule for 2004

The City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services sanitation crews observe three holidays: Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Residents whose collection day falls on an observed holiday will receive service the next business day.

Garbage, recycling, and yard waste will be collected on all other holidays on a normal schedule. Bulky items can be scheduled for collection and will be collected on holidays other than those noted above.

Since collection day in Griers Fork is on Monday and Martin Luther King Jr. Day is the only Monday holiday observed by sanitation crews, it’s the only day when the schedule will be changed (until 2006).

Therefore, garbage collection will be on Mondays throughout 2004 except for Tuesday, January 20.

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It’s time to work on your lawn

Fall is the best time to reseed fescue lawns. Seeds germinate best once it gets cool, and the new grass has time to get established before the summer heat. Aerating and fertilizing will help it to flourish! This is the time to work on those unsightly bare spots.

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Traffic Alerts:

2003 School Year Begins August 18

If you have children in school, you probably are aware of their schools’ opening and closing times for the upcoming year, but if you don’t, be aware that local traffic will increase beginning August 18, especially up the hill at Gallant Lane, which leads to Steele Creek Elementary and Kennedy Middle Schools. You might want to start out a little early on August 18 until you get a feel for the school traffic patterns.

Here are the school times for the three local schools:

Steele Creek Elementary School
7:30 am-1:45 pm

Kennedy Middle School
8:00 am-3:00 pm

Olympic High School
7:15 am-2:15 pm

Shopton Road Closed for Three Weeks

Shopton Road will be closed for three weeks between Steele Creek Road (Hwy 160) and Sandy Porter
Road beginning about August 9, 2003. Traffic will be detoured to Brown-Grier Road, which already has started backing up.

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Garbage Stinks!

But it happens. Please do not put your garbage out too soon on Sunday evening, but place it out promptly before 6:30 am on Monday morning so that you don’t miss pick up and it won’t remain uncollected for another week. Secure trash in bags so that it doesn’t become litter when the cans are emptied. Secure liquids so that they won’t leak out into the street. Take oil, paint, and other hazardous chemicals to the recycling center—do not put it in your can.

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Take Pride in Your Neighborhood!

Police officers who attended the homeowners association meeting in January 2003 commented on how well property owners take care of their yards and houses in Griers Fork. They said that they get fewer calls in neighborhoods such as ours where residents take pride in the neighborhood and keep their yards and homes well maintained. 

It is true that many homeowners have made quite an effort to keep their yards and homes attractive...and Griers Fork certainly looks better than some neighboring areas. But that doesn't mean that everyone is doing as well as they can. Come spring, grass and various other plants will come popping up in yards. When this happens, the plants need to be mowed. 

If you have bermuda grass, your yard will look better if the weeds are cut back to the height of the grass. If you have fescue, keep it cut to 3 to 3-1/2 inches. If you have bare spots, throw out some seed and fertilizer. And you need to do this regularly and consistently. 

Your neighbors will appreciate it!

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More Parking Tips

Please do not block mailboxes during delivery hours. Mail carriers will not get out of their vehicles to deliver mail to blocked mailboxes. Instead, they will return the mail to the post office and provide a notice of inability to deliver mail on the next delivery day.

Although association documents state that parking on streets is prohibited, the streets are owned by the City of Charlotte, and the association cannot regulate parking. (A flyer left on cars parked on McGloughlin Way Court several months ago was not from the association.) You may direct questions about parking on city streets to Shirlee Dillard, south area field investigator with the Charlotte Department of Transportation at 704-336-3890.

Sanitation workers do not always return garbage cans to the curb. You probably should place cans at the corner of your driveway away from your mailbox so that they will not block the mail carrier if left overturned. Direct complaints about garbage collections to the Solid Waste Customer Services at 704-336-2673.

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Crime Prevention Tips

Crooks prefer easy, hassle-free targets. To avoid being a theft victim, remember the following:

-Unlocked cars are easy targets, even in driveways. Of particular interest are remote garage door openers, which typically are kept in cars and can be used later to access your garage and its contents.

-Never leave your car unattended with the engine running. Your interior may have a comfortable temperature when you're ready to leave, but someone else may be enjoying it.

-Small items can be stolen easily and quickly from an open, unattended garage.

-Burglars prefer houses without alarm systems since they would have more time to search for valuables before being detected.

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Fall Aeration, Fertilization, and Reseeding is Recommended for Fescue Lawns

Fescue lawns will benefit from aeration, fertilizing, and reseeding in the fall when cool-weather grasses are recovering from their summer heat dormancy and are ready to flourish. Aeration removes small plugs of soil and alleviates compaction.

Do not aerate or fertilize bermuda grass lawns now, as these are becoming dormant for the winter. Treat these in the spring. (See http://www.mecklenburg-plants.org/)

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Courtesy Should be Rule When Parking Cars on Streets

One problem of modern society is that the increasing number of cars puts a strain on the space available for parking. Many Griers Fork households have two or three or even more cars, plus those of visitors, that spill out of their driveways onto the streets. Please be courteous to your neighbors and follow these guidelines.

* Avoid parking on the street. Use your driveways and garages whenever possible.
* Do not block access into or out of any driveways.
* Do not park in the grass, especially in the lawn at the front entranceway or in a neighbor's yard. You may be towed.
* Do not obstruct traffic flows. This not only impedes other drivers but is a safety issue if emergency vehicles cannot get through or turn around.
* If cars are parked along one side of the street, do not park on the other side. Leave enough room for cars to pass each other safely.
* Do not double park.
* Avoid parking in cul-de-sacs that would limit other drivers' ability to turn around.
* When having a guests over, especially for a large party, make sure they park courteously. Include parking suggestions with your invitation.

Your neighbors will appreciate your cooperation.

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Please Keep Garbage Cans out of Sight

As required by the Griers Fork Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions, garbage cans and recycling bins must be kept out of sight in enclosures, at the back of the house, or behind screens. Place cans at the curb no sooner than 7:00 p.m. on the day before pickup and remove them by 11:30 p.m. on the day of pickup. Contact your collection service provider concerning collection of large items.

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Call Before You Dig

Call the North Carolina One Call Center at 1-800-632-4949 before you dig holes for fence posts, plants, or other purposes. This free service will locate all underground utilities (electricity, gas, telephone, cable, etc.) in the areas you request.

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Mulch, Compost Available from Compost Central

Gardeners can purchase compost and several kinds of mulch at Mecklenburg County's Compost Central on West Boulevard just south of the airport. Customers can bring a truck and load their own, buy by the bag, or get delivery. They also accept yard waste and Christmas trees. Visit their web site for more information on prices and products.
http://www.co.mecklenburg.nc.us/coeng/Recycle/Mulch.asp

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Looking for a Post Office with Late Hours?

The lobby counter at the Airport Post Office has the following hours

Week Days 06:00AM-11:00PM
Saturday 08:00AM-04:30PM
Sunday 08:00AM-04:30PM

The address is 4800 Express Dr, Charlotte, NC 28219

It's on the south side of the airport near the old passenger terminal. From West Boulevard, take Yorkmont Road north through the cargo area. Look for the signs directing you to the post office on the left of the road.

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Handy Homeowner Hint #1 - Electrical Outlets in the Garage

Is a lack of electrical outlets in your garage a problem? If you have a garage door opener prewire, get a retractable cord reel, hang it from the ceiling, and plug it in to the ceiling outlet. Pull down the cord whenever you need electricity.

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2001 Volunteer Fire Department Membership Drive

April 2001 - The Steele Creek Volunteer Fire Department provides fire and rescue services to the unincorporated area of southwest Mecklenburg County. The department asked each resident for a 2001 annual membership dues payment of at least $25.

Voluntary contribution may be sent to Steele Creek Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Services, Inc., 2721 Kennetuck Court, Charlotte, NC 28273.

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Even Adults Aren't Safe in the Streets

* 39 YR OLD MALE STRUCK BY CITY BUS. RODE BICYCLE IN FRONT OF BUS. 2000 LONGLEAF DR.
* 48 YR OLD FEMALE INJURED WHILE ROLLER BLADING. KNOCKED UNCONSCIOUS. 2500 SAYRE RD
* 17 YR OLD TEEN STRUCK BY CAR WHILE PLAYING IN STREET. 2709 PITTS DR

The accidents listed above 1 are excerpts from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police log distributed to the media. What's really amazing is that they all occurred on July 23rd! If three adults can suffer potentially life threatening injuries while playing in the street, what are the chances of your children getting hurt?

Each year in this city, hundreds of pedestrians are struck while walking, bicycling, skating, jogging, or playing in or near the street. In 1999, 17 pedestrians lost their lives as a result of accidents with vehicles. In 2001, the number of lives lost was 20. Year-to-date, only 2 pedestrians have been killed. One was a six-year-old, and the other an adult!

Charlotte City Council has passed the following ordinances related to the conduct of persons on a City street:

Sec. 19.38. Playing games in streets.
"It shall be unlawful for any person to play any game on any public street in the city."

Sec. 14.154. Walking along roadways.
a) "Where sidewalks are provided, it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway."
b) "Where sidewalks are not provided any pedestrian walking along and upon a highway shall when practicable walk only upon the left side of the roadway or its shoulder facing traffic which may be approaching from the opposite direction."

Sec. 14-9. Coasters, roller skates and similar devices; use restricted.
"No person upon roller skates, or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicles, or similar devices, shall go upon any roadway except while crossing a street or sidewalk."

Sec. 19-26. Congregating; exceptions.
"It shall be unlawful for any persons to congregate, crowd together, stand around or move slowly about so as to impede, hamper, interfere or obstruct the free passage or movement of pedestrians along or upon any sidewalk within the city; provided, however, that the provisions of this section shall not be construed to prohibit peaceful and lawful picketing."

Violations are Class 3 misdemeanors.

Under state law:
G.S. 20-174.1. Standing, sitting or lying upon highways or streets prohibited.
"(a) No person shall willfully stand, sit, or lie upon the highway or street in such a manner as to impede the regular flow of traffic.
b) Violation of this section is a Class 2 misdemeanor."

A violation requires a mandatory court appearance.

City law also states that the speed limit (unless otherwise noted) is 35 MPH within the City Limits. This would include our neighborhood. However, for the sake our children, we recommend that you observe a 25 MPH limit within the community. Also, pay close attention when passing parked vehicles and be prepared to stop. You never know when a child or pet may dart out from behind a vehicle. This is one reason that cars are never to be parked on the roadway. City ordinance also prohibits vehicle in the street if either emergency vehicles or two-way traffic cannot safely pass through.

For the safety of all involved, park in your driveway, slow down within the community, and watch out for kids.

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