Hi Everyone!
It's been a long time since the last post. I must admit I was a bit stumped for ideas for a while. If you have any ideas for blog posts, just let me know in the comments section below.
Anyhoo, as I am out walking my pug, I periodically notice sprinkler system leaks. These can be a source of "lost" water. That is, we are paying for it, but it is not doing anybody any good. In fact, it is literally going down the drain (and sometimes messing up the landscape in the process). Our landscaping company Epic can come out here and fix these leaks, but they need to know about it.
You might say, "Why doesn't Epic check for leaks when they are mowing?" I can't say with 100% certainty, but my current understanding is that the person doing the mowing is often not associated with the people who fix the sprinkler system. Since they are so focused only on mowing, they often do not notice the tell-tale signs of a leak.
We, the residents, have the advantage of knowing what our property is supposed to look like, and we see it every day. A change that may be suspected as "just a puddle," may raise our suspicions after it persists for more than 24 hours, especially in dry conditions.
What are some signs of sprinkler system leaks?
1. Standing water. Again, in dry conditions, the likelihood of water just hanging around is low. A puddle, especially a big one, becomes suspicious quickly.
2. Running water. This is often seen as water springing out of "nowhere" and then running down the nearest drain. Sometimes it appears to be coming out of the cracks in the curb or over the curb itself.
3. "It's always wet here." If you find yourself saying this, you may be seeing a sprinkler system leak that has been around a while and has not been taken care of. I've heard that we have water springs on the property, but to be honest I don't know if this is true. It is best to have Epic check it out just in case.
What should I do if I suspect a sprinkler system leak?
Call Nancy in the office at 913-663-1103. She will then call the appropriate people at Epic, who will come investigate. The signs that Epic has been there and working on the issue usually include dug-up ground and a drying up of the water. If you don't see these after a few business days, it probably doesn't hurt to call Nancy back, just to confirm Epic got the message. She may tell you that Epic said that there is a natural spring there, and then you can rest assured that we are not pouring money down the drain!
Until Next Time,
Blogmeister
Thursday, August 30, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
The Blogmeister's Opinion
Dear Board of Directors,
I am writing to express my grave concerns regarding re-institution of the key service. First and foremost, you CANNOT abdicate all decision-making responsibility and put the burden of this decision on Bill. He is NOT in a position to refuse due to the inherent power difference between you, the Board, and him, the employee. You, the Board, must make this decision. And if you still insist on "leaving the decision up to Bill," then you have made a decision: to force him to give up his weekend nights to be at the beck and call of drunkards and ousted boyfriends.
I understand that this Board wishes to provide a service for the residents, even though no one has complained about the lack of the service. However, I do not believe we should sacrifice safety, even for the sake of that oh-so-important American value, convenience.
I believe it is dangerously naive to think that since this service is voluntary, nothing bad can happen. Let me unpack two common scenarios.
1. Ousted boyfriend wants back into his girlfriend's unit where he has been staying. She has locked him out tonight. Let's take the best case scenario and assume that the Board has required a list of persons allowed to enter the unit to be submitted when the key was given to the office. Although this list could potentially be changed by the unit owner at any time, the said boyfriend has become drunk and/or abusive beginning Friday evening after the office closed. What happens when the boyfriend calls Bill wanting to be let in? Bill has been told by the Board that the policy is to let in everyone on the list. Since Bill is not the police, he must let this fellow into the unit. As a result, the boyfriend severely beats or kills the girlfriend. She may even have obtained a restraining order Friday night, but since the boyfriend is still on the list, Bill must let him in. Again, Bill is not a lawyer or a police officer.
Or - she could be waiting inside with a gun, and, believing herself to be in danger, shoots the boyfriend and/or Bill.
Or - Bill, because he does have good sense, refuses to let in the boyfriend, in direct violation to his employer's directive. As a result, the boyfriend severely beats and/or shoots Bill.
In all of these scenarios, we as a community, but especially this Board, would be morally, legally, and financially liable.
2. Another common scenario is the drunkard. This person drank so much, s/he has either lost their keys or can't figure out how to open their door. Instead of asking them to be responsible adults and to call a locksmith, keep a key with a neighbor, or stay with a friend that night, we are enabling and encouraging their drunken behavior. And again, do not underestimate the potential danger to Bill, especially if he cannot let them in because they either do not have a key on file, or because he is no longer, by policy, going to drill their door open. Again, the moral, legal, and financial liability would be ours.
In closing, I would note that I hold three peoples' unit keys. And we have someone hold ours. Another friend is planning on getting a lock box or hollow rock to put somewhere outside someone else's home. Even if her key is obtained by a potential home invader, they won't be able to trace the key to her home. This is the way responsible home owners behave. All Tomahawk Creek residents are fully capable of so acting. Instituting a key service not only implies otherwise, it exposes us to unnecessary liability.
Very Sincerely,
Jori Church
Friday, January 6, 2012
Board Members for 2012
Tomahawk Creek Condominium Association
Jennifer Breece – President/Nomination and Social Committee-Term Expires 2013
11605-d Tomahawk Creek Pkwy
Leawood, KS 66211
913-486-9068
John McKelvey – Vice President/Covenants Committee-Term Expires 2012
11603-A&B Tomahawk Creek Pkwy
Leawood, KS 66211
913-327-7440
jmckelvey3@kc.rr.com
Jason Purinton – Secretary/Social and ARC Committee-Term Expires 2013
11616-F Tomahawk Creek Pkwy
Leawood, KS 66211
913-484-4346
Jason_purinton@yahoo.com
Michelle Buchanan – Treasurer/Landscape Committee-Term Expires 2013
11618-E Tomahawk Creek Pkwy
Leawood, KS 66211
913-406-2545
mbuchanan@kc.rr.com
Rochelle Mitz – Member at Large/ARC Committee-Term Expires 2012
11616-A Tomahawk Creek Pkwy
Leawood, KS 66211
913-491-0684
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