FRONT GATE BLUNDER

[sammy]

WHY WOULD THE ASSOCIATION OR ANYBODY PUT A BULLETIN BOARD AT THE FRONT GATE? IT LOOKS HORRIBLE.IT STANDS OUT LIKE A SORE THUMB. WHO'S BIG IDEA WAS THIS AND WHY DO WE NEED IT? IT TAKES AWAY FROM THE BEAUTY AND THE NATURAL SETTING OF MOUNTAIN COVE.

PLEASE GET RID OF IT. WE COULD USE SOME BENCH'S AROUND THE LODGE AND AROUND THE PARK AND NICE PICNIC TABLES, TRASH CONTAINERS ALONG THE TRAIL, WE DO NOT NEED THAT AT THE FRONT GATE.

[bamboo]

Who's big idea?
the same people that suggested the swimming pool fence,
I guess. ;D

[Neel]

I agree! The sign looks horrible. There's already way too many signs (no trespassing X10) on the way to the front gate. Just leave it natural and beautiful.

What a waste of our money! They should have asked us before putting it. It's a matter of time till it gets vandalized or blown down by the strong winds here.

[Hosermage]

Well, first of all, I hated when people post sign right on the front gate with their events. I keep saying to myself "the front gate is not a bulletin board!". Especially with the August Luau event coming up, they have just gone way too overboard. I know it's a big community event, but c'mon, i don't want to see that stupid sign on the front gate!

So what happens now, they put up a bulletin board by the front gate that makes it even more ugly and useless cuz it's locked so not everyone can post, and it'll be sure to get vandalized.

I believe that a better place for the bulletin board may be at the first island/drive-around thing after you enter the gate. That'll keep the front gate nice and clean, and it'll still be useful to post sign that everyone will see. Then either take the lock out or make it the same lock as the pool gate so that any resident can put their sign up.

Anyone else agree with me?

[Rocco]

Hosermage,

I completely agree with you. Listen, I like this community very much but I don't care about so and so's baby shower, or so and so's birthday party and I, too, find the Luau signs very obnoxious.

There are 300+ homeowners in this community and I would be very surprised if more than 25% of the homeowners will attend the luau...why do the rest of us need to be subjected to the stupid signs?

Personally, I have come across yellow sticky pads attached to the front entrance keypad, giving out the gate code in order to get in for so and so's party...I take them down each time.

The bulletin board is very unsightly and it should have never been put up in the first place but now that we have paid for it, it should be moved to the pool area.

[greylion]

I agree with everything that has been said. The bullitin board at the front gate is very ugly, and a very bad decision. How can we get the decision reversed and have the sign moved to a more appropriate location as has been suggested? Also, I agree why are we constantly subjected to the signs hanging on the gate, it seems very rude to me.

There is an election coming up for the Board, maybe it's time for a change.

[wildone]

I am GLAD that it wasn't just myself, and my wife that thought that that MESSAGE BOARD is so ridiculous, and a real BLIGHT to OUR community. As you drive into MT COVE, you see nice rock
walls, flowers, and iron gates, and NOW, a WHITE PLASTIC SIGN BOARD, that would fit in better in front of a rec room at a summer camp. Did the idiot or idiots that picked out that board realize, that anything in that board on a standard size piece of paper would NOT be readable from a vehicle. Its not bad enough that we get stuck at the gate with visitors that pull up to the gate and just stop, and wait for someone to open the gate for them, but now we will have the people that will stop and try to read the small print on postings. I have been thru the gates of alot of gated communities, but have NEVER EVER, seen as much junk posted on gates and walls, as I have seen in this community. I think the board should be REMOVED IMMEDIATELY, and NOT be put anywhere on the property, it (WHITE PLASTIC) just does not fit in. I would also like to know WHO APPROVES, THE CRAP POSTED ON THE GATES, those luau signs are terrible, and NOW the damn cutouts of HULA DANCERS. I think its time we as residents put are foot down, and clean up the gate, and use it only what its intended for (driving thru), and not and INFORMATIONAL AREA.

[Neel]

I see that I'm not the only one that feels that way about the message board.....why don't we all go to the next meeting and bring it up?? The more people the better. I really want them to take it down.

Yes..the Luau signs are a bit much too...but at least those will be gone after the luau and I guess they are just trying to get as many people as they can to attend...I can sort of understand that....but the bulletin board...ugh....

[Bill]

Regarding the Luau: my family and especially children enjoy the event every year. I have no problem with the temporary signs and appreciate all the effort the volunteers contribute every year. If you are new to the community or have never been to the event go this year and meet your neighbors and have some fun...

[Lester]

Hello,

I'm one of the volunteers for the luau event. I have removed the cut outs and one of the signs. The other sign will be removed after the event this Saturday. The signs on the gates were made and donated by a very nice generous neighbor.

I do apologize for going 'overboard.' It was not my intention. And I appreciate it when criticism is constructive.

I have heard some people in previous events tell us that they did not know that all residents could come. I have also heard people say that they forgot when the event was going to be so I was trying to find ways to remind people of the event and let them know that all residents are welcome.

As for the bulletin board, the decisions were made during HOA meetings. People could have spoken up at the meetings but most people do not even attend. I have been told that the board is aware that there are residents that do not want it at the gate so I'm sure that the issue will be discussed.

From what I have seen of the HOA board, they do their best to make the right decisions. They do listen to peoples input. You may be surprised at the variety of opinions and issues from over 300 homes. The board positions are volunteer positions. I appreciate the dedication of the board members. They have offered to manage the association, an often times thankless position without any benefits other than wanting to support the community that they live in. It is too bad that more people do not go to the meetings.

Your neighbor,
Lester

[momma]

I am AMAZED at what a SELF RIGJTEOUS and OPINIONATED group of people show up complaining and condemning on this message board. You ask, "Why would they put a bulletin board up?" and you complain, "They should have asked us."

Let me tell you .... I happened to be at the HOA meeting where the discussion was all about whether or not to put up the bulletin board. The discussion was also about where to put it.

WHERE WERE YOU AT THIS MEETING?? YOUR INPUT WAS WELCOME AND ASKED FOR!!!!!!

If you cannot make time in your life to attend the meetings and state your feelings BEFORE the money is spent -------- then you ought to be willing to live with the decisions made by the people who WERE willing to make the time in their life to attend the meetings!

Grow up! If you don't like the community spirit around here I personally invite you to move someplace else!

[momma]

Regarding the LUAU banners ... THOSE ARE BEAUTIFUL!!!

Do any of you "fuddy duddy" complainers have children?? Probably not. If you did you'd realize the excitement and pleasure so many of the resident children (of all ages) are experiencing in anticipation of this luau because of those banners.

Every city and town around here puts up banners weeks ahead of time advertising their community celebrations: Glendora, San Dimas, Via Verde, Pasadena, Monrovia, Duarte .... etc.... I'm sure those communities have their party-poopers, too, but it doesn't stop the rest of the community from planning ahead and enjoying the fun.

THE LUAU BANNERS ARE PERFECTLY APPROPRIATE RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE!

They are NOT even in the same category as traffic signs, tresspassing signs, or the little birthday party or miscellaneous other private party signs that get tied up to the gates. Please do not lump them together with those things!

I send my THANKS and APPRECIATION to the volunteers and contributors who are working so hard to plan and prepare this event. ALOHA to you and to all the Mountain Cove residents who plan on gathering for a warm summer evening of Island Paradise on the lawn.

For those of you who are just toooooo upset about it ........... why not consider life in a retirement community?

[Adrian]

Hi Adrian here....and my 2 cents

The banners put on the gates were meant to remind you kind folks about the community Luau event. Like it was said above, publicity and making sure people know about events in the community is a big challenge. Well, I ask you folks, since you are quite passionate about how horrid the signs are, well, you certainly remember when and where the Luau is going to be, right? Fact of the matter is, we could put up signs that you folks approve of, but someone in this community of 327 homes is going to say, "oh, it's tacky, take it down" With that logic, should we never put up any sort of publiciity?

I, as well as several hardworking volunteers are doing the best we can to ensure that EVERYONE in the community gets a chance to go to this event and plan to attend. We do these things with the best intentions in mind, and we certainly are willing to take the FLAK for it if necessary.

Also, in response to "There are 300+ homeowners in this community and I would be very surprised if more than 25% of the homeowners will attend the luau...why do the rest of us need to be subjected to the stupid signs?", You sound surprised that people actually like the events! Listen, these social events are not about US, it's about the COMMUNITY of MOuntain Cove, we're doing this for EVERYONE who lives here. Obviously, not everyone shares the sentiment that the signs are stupid. We can't please everybody, and besides, the signs are TEMPORARY anyway.

I would also like to reiterate what was said above regarding the bulletin board, and the signs. ATTEND THE MEETINGS. If you want to contribute to putting social events together and help out in any way, join the meetings. You folks are certainly vocal about how things are being done, channel that passion into helping out with the events.

Cheers

[momma]

::)Regarding the white bulletin board, it was SUPPOSED to be forest green, which would have blended in with the landscape much better.

It's my understanding that there are plans in the work to have it painted either that color or another coordinating earth tone. No one, not even the board, expected white.

[greylion]

Momma, I personally invite you to move if you don't like to hear different opinions.

[sammy]

I wrote about the Front Gate Bulletin Board, because I feel that it is a huge mistake to put it there. No matter what color it is. I love living in this community, but do not feel like I have to be at every meeting and just because I can not attend every meeting doesn't mean that I should have any less say so, about what or were our association money is spent . We pay are dues every month on time.

If the residents can't make the meeting it does not mean we do not care about what goes on around here, it means with having a family and kids there is always some place to be and sometimes we just can't make the meetings.

This web site is a great way for the association to let us know what is going on and if they are planning on something like this. I also appreciate the board members and what they do. But this sign is horrible and should be removed. Spend the money on park bench's, a cover for the two picnic tables so we can sit in the shade, more trash containers so the people who throw the trash any where they please might make a better choice and use a trash can.

I feel the signs that are for the Luau are great, somebody put allot of work into them and it does let everybody know about the event and the best thing about them is that they will go away unlike the bulletin board. DID ANY OF YOU GENESIS, THAT WERE AT THAT MEETING CONSIDER THAT IF ALL 300 RESIDENTS STOP TO READ THE B.B. WHAT A TRAFFIC JAM THERE WILL BE. EVEN IF AT DIFFERENT TIMES.

One more thing if I lived in a retirement home I would expect a B.B.,not in a beautiful residential area. Unlike some of you,allot of us do not need our community to plan are social lives. Adrian, maybe you should consider a retirement home, they will have activities all day long for you.

Sincerely,

Sammy

[jmay]

TO MOMMA, GET A LIFE, MOST PEOPLE BUY HOMES BECAUSE OF THERE LOCATION AND THE SAFETY OF THE NEIBORHOOD AND THE QUALITY OF THE SCHOOLS AND HOPEFULLY WE MOVE NEXT TO GOOD NEIGHBORS AND IN A GOOD COMMUNITY. IF YOUR CHILDREN NEED TASTELESS CRAPPY SIGNS ALL OVER THE PLACE TO GET THEM EXCITED, MOVE TO DISNEYLAND OR MAGIC MOUNTAIN OR PUT THESE SIGNS IN YOUR FRONT YARD SO ONLY YOUR POOR NEIGHBORS HAVE TO LOOK AT THEM.

WE MOVED HERE BECAUSE WE LOVED THE AREA, NOT SO, ARE HARD EARNED MONEY COULD BE SPENT ON GETTING YOUR CHILD EXCITED. I WAS AT THE LAST MEETING WHERE WERE YOU?

IT IS NICE THAT THE COMMUNITY GETS TOGETHER BUT JUST BECAUSE THIS ISN'T ARE ONLY SOURCE OF ENTERTAINMENT DOSEN'T GIVE YOU THE RIGHT TO TELL US TO MOVE, BECAUSE WE DO NOT BELIEVE OUR COMMUNITY SHOULD BE COVERED IN WITH SOCIAL BANNERS EVERYWHERE.

I AGREE WITH SAMMY THAT WE COULD USE MORE BENCHES AND TRASH CANS AROUND THE TRAILS AND THAT THE BOARD SHOULD PUT THEIR ATTENTION MORE ON THE LANDSCAPE AND THE DEAD BEATS THAT DO NOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR YARDS AND HOMES.

I ALSO FIND IT DISTRUBING THAT NOBODY REACTED TO THE FACT THAT TWO WEEKS AGO A DOG GOT SHOT BY A PELLET RIFLE AND WAS REALLY HURT AND A FEW MONTHS AGO THAT A DEER WAS SHOT TO DEATH BY HUNTERS ABOUT FIFTY FEET FROM THE ACCESS ROAD THAT GOES BEHIND OUR HOMES. NOBODY WAS OUTRAGED BY THIS , BUT PUT A SIGN UP AND EVERYBODY GOES NUTS.

AND FOR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SO CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES, DO YOU CARE ABOUT THE HOMELESS THAT ARE LIVING UNDER OUR BRIDGES, MOST OF THEM ARE NOT DEALING WITH A FULL DECK AND COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS TO OUR COMMUNITY. BUT, I DO NOT HEAR ANYBODY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS.

WELL I GUESS IF YOUR CHILDREN ARE HAVING FUN, YOU DO NOT HAVE TIME TO CONCIDER THERE SAFETY.

[wildone]

I wrote about the Front Gate Bulletin Board, because I feel that it is a huge mistake to put it there. No matter what color it is. I love living in this community, but do not feel like I have to be at every meeting and just because I can not attend every meeting doesn't mean that I should have any less say so, about what or were our association money is spent . We pay are dues every month on time.

If the residents can't make the meeting it does not mean we do not care about what goes on around here, it means with having a family and kids there is always some place to be and sometimes we just can't make the meetings.

This web site is a great way for the association to let us know what is going on and if they are planning on something like this. I also appreciate the board members and what they do. But this sign is horrible and should be removed. Spend the money on park bench's, a cover for the two picnic tables so we can sit in the shade, more trash containers so the people who throw the trash any where they please might make a better choice and use a trash can.

I feel the signs that are for the Luau are great, somebody put allot of work into them and it does let everybody know about the event and the best thing about them is that they will go away unlike the bulletin board. DID ANY OF YOU GENESIS, THAT WERE AT THAT MEETING CONSIDER THAT IF ALL 300 RESIDENTS STOP TO READ THE B.B. WHAT A TRAFFIC JAM THERE WILL BE. EVEN IF AT DIFFERENT TIMES.

One more thing if I lived in a retirement home I would expect a B.B.,not in a beautiful residential area. Unlike some of you,allot of us do not need our community to plan are social lives. Adrian, maybe you should consider a retirement home, they will have activities all day long for you.

Sincerely,

Sammy

I AM WITH YOU SAMMY !!!!!!!!

[bamboo]

Sammy's idea was great!!!

"WE COULD USE SOME BENCH'S AROUND THE LODGE AND AROUND THE PARK AND NICE PICNIC TABLES, TRASH CONTAINERS ALONG THE TRAIL.
"a cover for the two picnic tables so we can sit in the shade"

I am with you too Sammy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[momma]

To Sammy: With all sincerity ... I DO think that your idea of more park benches and more rubbish containers is a great idea. I wish you would make that a formal suggestion to the board. They probably would do something about it then.

To Jmay: Where did you EVER get the idea that I do not care about safety? Or that no one else cared about that dog being shot? Or that no one else is concerned that there are homeless people about that may be mentally unstable or just plain ill intended? And, btw, I do have "a life" so I don't need to "get one". It's already very full and productive. Thanks!

To All: If it were "my" way ... we would have NO traffic or tresspassing signs, NO street lights, NO unfinished yards, NO homeless anywhere, NO midnight intruders in the swimming pool, NO litter ... etc ... I would love to see EVERYONE clean up after their dogs, EVERYONE socialize their dogs, EVERYONE properly leash their dogs and EVERYONE have a big gorgeous fenced dog park where they could unleash their dogs for free play. I would love to see lots of wildlife safely wandering in and out of Mnt Cove without harm coming to anyone or any animal. I could go on and on and on ...

However, that stuff is really difficult to make happen in a world full of compromises.

I'm sorry that I so rudely invited anyone to more and that I so rudely suggested that anyone move to a nursing home. It seems to me, though, that the tone of so many of the posts on this topic have been so rude already. I guess I lost my cool in the process.

I seriously believe that those of you who think you can do a better job than the current board members should send in your application and run for the job yourselves. Maybe you can do a better job. I know that the applications were sent out very recently.

[morecowbell]

First of all let me thank "Momma" for her last posting. It's often easy to be besieged by the circumstances and end up locked into a feedback loop of tit-for-tat. “Momma’s” last posting clears much needed air.

Most folks are well intended and are quick to offer, often, unsolicited advice. And that's okay. We all want what we believe works best for the community. Personally, I don't care much for the BB's current placement and, unfortunately, my job doesn't allow me to be home until well after 7pm most nights. The opportunity to voice my concerns are lost (for me), but decisions do have to be made. This leads to "Mamma's" point with respect to compromises.

Okay, we now see many are not happy with the choice made. Perhaps the members of the board (a more thankless job is difficult to imagine) understanding this much might be open to some compromises on the issue.

One more thing, the board members are our neighbors and they are doing this out of civic duty, as a personal investment to better our community. Let's be gentle with them...who knows, perhaps one us will be called next to serve such an important function in the future and we must remember what treatment we would like accorded to us.

Just wanted to put in my two cents. I love this community where folks are always friendly and willing to chat. I was saddened and horrified to hear about my neighbor’s dog. What a shame. Finally, I hope to meet and see more of my neighbors this coming Saturday. Oh, yeah, and when the music starts playing please remember don’t forget about the cow bell!

[jmay]

Momma, If so concerned why was there no reply when it was posted from you or anybody else. I posted about the deer being shot in all are back yards nobody said anything. And since you were so outraged about people stating their opinion about the B.B. I was wondering why this didn't strike a nerve with you?

[beautifulhome1]

I have to comment that even if I cannot make meetings that does not mean I do not care. We have a family member with cancer and his care is our priority. We do pay dues and do care! This sign is a disaster. First the appearance, even if green, is more suited to a mobile home park than homes worth around $1,000,000. My daughter's boyfriend's family owns a local mortuary and will be happy to take it. A mortuary using it is more appropriate than our previously lovely gate area. Secondly are we to park and read? Are you kidding with this location? Why don't you have a mason build a beautiful structure by the lodge. For those who are interested and can't read the bulletin that comes to our house and can't log on, they can stop and read. Or since the bulletin does come to our house and since you can log on why don't you remove the eye-sore and cut our losses. Spend our money for benches, improved picnic areas and a guard. Oh a guard, that would improve our property values not diminish them like the sign. I'm sure the board members never knew that this would look this horrible and apparently never thought about someone parking their ass to read what already comes to the house. Return it to Home Depot or drop off at the local mortuary.

[beautifulhome1]

I also will agree with morecowbell that the members of the board are our neighbors and we should be "gentle" with them. I appologize if I was a little over the top but I was in shock that our beautiful front gate could be so destroyed in one decision. The money is not the problem we just need to remove it and get on with better ideas. I really do not see a need for any bulletin holder at all. I did think that the luau signs were great. For a luau bold and big are just fine and they are temporary. Those are reminders that are fine. For day to day stuff the bulletin at our boxes and our web site are perfect.

Thank you for your effort and work but please remove the bulletin holder.

[beautifulhome1]

By the way I do not see any posting regarding a deer being shot. I did get a flyer regarding the dog and I called the owner to get more info. I still go back to we need a guard and security. That should end 99% of this nonsense.

[Rocco]

Please share more information on the dog who was shot and if the assailant is known. As a dog owner this really pisses me off that someone in Mountain Cove would shoot one of their neighbors pets.