SEPTEMBER 2007

THE SAGA CONTINUES

It's been almost seven months since the original Veranda Park News Website was first published. We are happy to say, that despite the legal action, we have continued to strive to provide accurate, updated information to Metrowest residents about the issues that affect us all. We feel it is time to give an update on the "Senseless Projects" that were first reported on what is now known as, "The Original Website".

We are happy to announce that the fountain, that graces the entrance to Veranda Park, does appear to be completed. The horses look very nice, and although the landscaping is very "plain looking" it does draw your attention. Maybe now we can get them to fix the brick road around the fountain.

THE CHANGES

FEBRUARY 2007

The cheap looking fountain at the entrance to "The Isles" is being reviewed by the New Metrowest Unit #5 Board. With over $2,000 spent last year in operation, repairs, and maintenance, the board is assessing the value of this monument as a fountain, and thinking of turning it into a Flower Box.

SEPTEMBER 2007

The first thought was to remove it altogether, but other ideas are now being considered. If you are a Metrowest Unit #5 resident, and have an opinion on this, please send us your thoughts.

THE TREES

We still do not have a reason why the Majestic Oaks that grace the large circle on Westpointe, were moved in the first place. Many people still ask but no one seems to know. The issue is further complicated in that it now appears that four of the eight huge oak trees that were moved have died. Several residents I know have contacted the Master Association for information but none is available.

The real question now is, "When are the trees (that appear to be dead) going to be removed or replaced? No one is sadder at the loss of those trees than I, but with storm season fast approaching, it's time to come up with a plan. I personally feel they should be replaced, but I understand, with an estimated replacement value of $50,000 each, it may just be cost prohibitive to do so. At least put some new small oaks in there in their place and let's start over. Ten years will go by fast if we get started now.

There does appear to be a couple of new small trees planted in the circle, but their selection of location leaves a lot to question. More on that later.

THE PALM TREES AND ROSE GARDEN

The single row of palms that were added is a minimal consolation and does seem to be the blunt of many jokes these days. My mother always told me, you laugh to keep from crying. The scrub palms (as I call them) do look okay, but (IN MY OPINION) the rose garden is disgusting. It just does not even come close to the manicured, picturesque, landscaping that Metrowest is known for. The simple theme throughout Metrowest of neatly trimmed grass, majestic oaks and palms, shrubbery, and colorful flowers, makes the rose garden stick out like a sore thumb. Maybe one day, we will again have those elegant, double row of towering palms, set in a manicured grass median, like the drive down the Rodeo Drive we once had.

We are also pleased to announce that we will "only" be receiving a 12% increase in our dues assessment from the Master Association this year. Our annual contribution from the Metrowest Unit #5 Homeowner's Association was increased from approx. $120,000 a year to approx. $135,000 a year. This figure represents 45% of the dues collected from the Unit #5 Homeowners.

All in all, Metrowest is still a great place to live, and we are optimistic for the future that many of these issues will be resolved by input from the residences and their participation.

Of course, we will continue to keep you posted on the progress and developments, as long as we possible can.

HOLD THAT THOUGHT

This just appeared in the Orlando Sentinel today. Maybe we've been misinformed by our management company about the increase by the Master Association.

"MetroWest's new law-and-order push has come at a price. Ken Simback of Veranda Partners LLC, MetroWest's developer, said the 1,800-acre planned community on Orlando's west side is spending as much as $35,000 a week on private police patrols. MetroWest's homeowners association began footing the bill for special law enforcement to combat a crime problem that some in the affluent area say didn't exist. Simback said the community is now patrolled round-the-clock. The only hitch: MetroWest homeowners are each kicking in as much as $220 a year to pay for protection, a 60 percent increase in the past year." Orlando Sentinel 10/01/07

Holy Cow, Batman! Let's do some figuring here! With 370 residences in Metrowest Unit #5, that's an increase of $81,400 a year for our neighborhood alone, on top of the $120,000 a year we are currently paying. That's over a 60% increase alone, just for the "Police Protection". We are currently paying $174.50 per quarter in Association dues, with 41% of this amount going to the Master Association. And for what? To cut the grass? Now we will each see an increase of $55 per quarter to $229.50, even before the increases we will be facing to run our own small association.

The comments on this page are strictly the opinions of Metrowest resident Larry Giles, and are in no way intended to imply any person, entity, or business is directly responsible for any wrongdoing or malicious acts.