FROM THE PRESIDENT  

The Board would like to thank all those who attended the annual meeting. The presentation of a newly renovated clubhouse had everyone excited about the future of our wonderful neighborhood. I would like to thank Rob MacGregor and the renovation committee for their hard work and dedication to see this project through. This much needed update to our clubhouse will help keep Springlakes competitive among the new subdivisions in Columbia County. I would like to welcome our new Board and Committee members and our new Association Manager, Lisa Thompson, who replaced Marianne Petras.  The Board would like to thank Marianne for her years of dedicated service to our neighborhood.  We need volunteers to serve on various committees in our neighborhood, if you are interested please notify Lisa Thompson or myself and we will put your talents to good use. Springlakes has stood the test of time through the dedication of our volunteers.  

As your President, my primary goal and that of the Board is to insure we remain one of the best neighborhoods in Columbia County and keep our property values up, and this can only be accomplished with your help and support. Our pool, clubhouse, tennis courts and other amenities keep our property values high, but only if they are maintained properly, so your support is needed to keep these areas clean and running efficiently. We also protect our neighborhood through strict adherence to Covenants, (which is one of the toughest jobs to serve in), and I would like to thank the Covenants Committee along with Jay Jennings for their dedication and hard work of keeping our standards high in this area. I look forward to serving with you this year.  

I also want to thank Tom Cook for serving as President these last couple of years, his continued work on the Board for so many years, and for being a friend - Thanks Tom! I hope I didn’t miss anyone and I look forward to serving with the rest of you this year. My door is always open so don’t hesitate to call.

Chris Epps  

2008 ASSOCIATION BOARD MEMBERS  

The Springlakes Association elected the following Board Members at the annual meeting on January 8, 2008. We thank these members for volunteering to serve our community.  

Chris Epps, President     Joe Entrekin      Cindy Hennigan     Jennifer Miller       Nancy Pierce John Capes      Gene Futch         Earl Hilson           Bob Petras          Joy Scott        John Wehr    

The board meets at least quarterly and is interested in addressing concerns and topics any resident would like to have discussed. To make your wishes known, please submit in writing to the association at PO Box 211112, Martinez, GA 30917. An agenda is prepared prior to each meeting; please give members adequate time to research and study items to be discussed.  

ASSOCIATION MANAGER’S ANNOTATIONS

I want to first start out by thanking the 2007 Board of Directors for giving me the opportunity to serve our neighborhood.  I love our subdivision and the great residents that live here.  It has been a wonderful place to raise our three children and I look forward to meeting those of you whose path I haven’t crossed.  

I also want to thank Marianne Petras for her years of service to Springlakes and for her assistance transitioning me into this position.   She has done an excellent job for us and her efforts are so appreciated.  THANKS Marianne!!  

Assessments were mailed out on January 22, 2008 and are due on or before March 15, 2008. A $20 late penalty will be charged for any assessment received after March 15.  If you did not receive an invoice, please contact me at (706) 855-7987. Assessments are $194 per residential dwelling and $21 per residential lot. Lisa Thompson    

SPRINGLAKES DIRECTORIES  

It has been brought to our attention that there were some directories printed that were not assembled correctly.  If you have a directory that was not put together correctly, please contact Lisa Thompson at (706) 855-7987 or email her at associationmanager@springlakes.org.  We’ll get a replacement directory to you.  

CLUBHOUSE NEWS    

Following a very busy holiday rental season, winter use of the clubhouse is still    strong.  Since renovation plans are underway, it seems wise to only take requests    for rentals through Saturday, May 31. Please call 706-399-5178 or e-mail    clubhouse@springlakes.org to inquire on updates/changes in these plans or to schedule the clubhouse for use before then.  Please note that there was a printing error in the directory regarding the clubhouse.  Please DO NOT use phone number ending in ***-5178. That is a private cell phone. Club House Reservations—706 399 5178         

Cindy Hennigan  

SWIMMING POOL COMMITTEE

The mid-winter pool meeting will be February 21 at 7:00 at the Clubhouse. All 2007 Pool members are invited.  Invoices will go out at the end of March to all 2007 pool members.  If you have not belonged to the pool before, and are interested in joining, e-mail pool@springlakes.org.  Since mailings have become quite costly, we are hoping to communicate via e-mail this year, so we need e-mail addresses of all members.  We are also still looking for Pool Committee members.  If you have a bit of spare time you can volunteer to this, please call or e-mail Ed Miller or Bob Petras.    

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS  

The Neighborhood is always in need of volunteers.  Springlakes is kept up by volunteers.  We are looking for people who want to make a difference in our community and can help out.  New residents might consider this sort of involvement to be “in the know” and to meet some neighbors.  Call 706 855 7987—the Association phone—to offer your service.  You’ll be put in touch with a grateful committee chairman.    

SPRINGLAKES WINE TASTERS  

The wine tasting season is here so mark your calendars! The next Springlakes Wine Tasting will be Friday, March 21 at 7PM.  Join your neighbors and friends at the clubhouse where we will sip and chat. Our gathering is informal (more of a wine drinking than a wine tasting) so just bring your favorite wine and hors d’oeuvre or dessert. If you are not on the wine tasting mailing list and would like to be, just send an email to coordinator Paul Romero at romerop@bellsouth.net. You can also call Paul at home 650-7946 or work 793-8805. Remember, this event is not just for Springlakes residents so please invite your friends.  

BASKET WEAVING CLASS  

Are you interested in learning to weave your own basket?  Past participants have had a great time and taken home a nice piece of art.  If you are interested, please contact Randy Barrs at 706-799-1262.   February 16 and March 8 are the upcoming dates and classes will be held at the Springlakes Clubhouse. There is a fee to cover cost of materials and I’ll have everything there and ready for you.                   

Randy Barrs     116 Reed Creek Road    Martinez, Georgia  30907      

NEIGHBORHOOD YARD SALE
March 15    7am – 11am  

We will hold a Spring Neighborhood Yard Sale on Saturday, March 15.  The Springlakes Association will advertise in the newspaper and put signs and flyers at the entrances.  Please put a balloon on your mailbox if you are participating.  Residents will be responsible for setting up items for sale in their own yards or driveways.  Also, if you would like your house to be listed in the flyers located at the entrances to the subdivision, contact the Association at (706)855-7987or email associationmanager@springlakes.org.    If you put up advertising of your own, PLEASE make sure it’s taken down by the end of the day of the sale.  

SWIM TEAM

It will be here before we know it—SWIM TEAM SEASON!!!  Swim Team sign up will be April 26 from 1-3 pm at the clubhouse/pool.  We encourage everyone ages 4-18 years to come out  and swim. This a  youth summer recreation league that encourages socializing with neighbors and allows the kids some physical activity.  Kids are not expected to be “pros” to participate.  There will be lots of teaching and learning as the season progresses.  This season we hope to start evening practices May 12 and morning practices May 27.  The last meet will be June 29th.  We will still be in Division 3 and will have 5 dual swim meets, the relay meet, divisionals and all stars. 

We are currently looking for swim team coaches.  We need coaches who can be available during the time period listed above for all evening and morning practices and all meets.  We also will have one Thursday meet June 12th which is a little bit different.

If you or if you know someone interested in being a Springlakes swim team coach please send a letter/email to Marianne Petras expressing why you want to be coach and your list of swimming/coaching/ teaching experience.

The Springlakes Swim Team represents our neighborhood in local swim meets and the cost to participate is mostly borne by members of the team and their parents.  The Association has offered an opportunity for residents who wish to advertise their business in this publication a way to help support the Swim Team as well.  For a minimal charge a business card can be duplicated in the newsletter.  Contact Marianne Petras for more details.   

COVENANTS  

Fall and Winter have come and gone and Spring is just about upon us. Spring usually brings Home Improvement Projects. Remember that any home improvement project that alters and/or changes the exterior appearance of your Lot in anyway must receive prior written approval before beginning. If you have any doubts whether or not covenants approval is required, please take a minute and call to discuss.  

Neat Yards, Driveways & Curb Appearance make a big impact in the overall effect of the neighborhood.  All of us should be looking at these areas on a weekly basis. We certainly don’t believe that every yard should be picture perfect, but at the same time you don’t need anyone to tell you that your grass needs cutting, weeds in your flower beds need pulling or your driveway needs to be cleaned of debris. Please take some time over the next couple of weeks to pick up all those leaves that have accumulated on lawns and in gutters and on the street directly in front of your home.  Check your driveway for visible debris, wood piles, plastic containers, grills, garbage receptacles, etc. What a big difference this will make for everyone!  

Tree Houses are something we all grew up with as kids and it only makes sense that we want our kids to have the same experience.  However, some of the tree houses in our neighborhood look very unsafe and unsightly. Wood is rotten, steps are missing, and perhaps the children who once used them are no longer living at home.  If your tree house is unused or unsafe, please consider removing it.  

Someone recently noticed a commercial yard service working on a resident’s yard. In particular, he noticed that they were blowing the leaves/debris from the yard into the street and curb in front of the house. This certainly made the front yard of the house look nice, for the moment. However; the street was a mess and once a wind comes along everything will blow right back in the yard.   Not sure if that resident was getting his full money’s worth from the lawn service.  If you happen to have a yard service, please consider talking with them about this. It only takes a few extra minutes to have them pick up and remove leaves and debris.  

If you have questions about our covenants or just want to report a possible violation, please feel free to call or e-mail Covenants Committee chairman (706) 860-0383 or jenninjj@aol.com.  We have a beautiful neighborhood. All of us should be proud to have people drive through or want to live and raise a family here. It really takes all of our efforts to help maintain the standards we currently enjoy.                                                                                                                              

Jay Jennings  

2008 DIRECTORY MISPRINT

MISPRINT IN THE DIRECTORY ON PAGE 2.  There are 2 different phone numbers for the CLUBHOUSE MANAGER on this page.  The correct one  is (706) 399-5178.  

CLUBHOUSE RENOVATION  

The Springlakes Clubhouse Renovations Committee is moving forward with great enthusiasm and optimism.  More than a year ago the Springlakes Home Owners Association Board of Directors “commissioned” a clubhouse renovations committee and gave them the authority and responsibility to move forward with a complete renovation of the clubhouse.  Since the process began, the committee has determined the scope of the project, a tentative time line, how to pay for the project, worked with Studio 3 Design Group (an architecture firm) to develop and refine detailed plans, and received bids for the work from four contractors.  

Early in the process it was determined that the sale of property owned by the Association would be a great way to fund the project. The Association owns three lots on Knollcrest Circle (across the street from and near the “Horse Barn” ) and 7.4 acres off of Cofield Circle. The Cofield property has been appraised and the Knollcrest Circle lots are in the process of being appraised. The idea and concept of selling the property and renovating the clubhouse was presented, reviewed and discussed at the 2007 and 2008 Springlakes Home Owners Association Annual Meetings. At the 2008 meeting the architect reviewed the plans and answered questions. The Renovation Committee feels that everything presented has had a very favorable response from the residents .  

Since the beginning of the process the Association attorney has provided guidance and direction to insure we are in full compliance with the by-laws of the Home Owners Association. We recently completed a thorough review with the attorney in preparation for moving forward. The next step is a called meeting of the Home Owners Association. This meeting will be of the same format as an annual meeting and falls within the same by-law requirements as an annual meeting.  Each home owner in Springlakes will soon receive notification of this meeting as specified in the by-laws of the Springlakes Homeowners Association.  The purpose of this meeting will be to vote for or against selling the property and using the sale proceeds to fund the clubhouse renovation.        

If the Association members approve proceeding with the property sale, the next step will be to negotiate a contract with one of the contractors that bid on the project. We would then expect renovation work to begin in June.  We anticipate completion of the work in mid September, however this is contingent on the start date. Currently reservations for renting the clubhouse are being accepted through May 31. This time may be extended based on a firm start date.  

The purpose of this article is to provide the Springlakes homeowners a general overview and status report of the project. There are many details that the committee have and are continuing to address and work out.   The committee consists of seven members. Rob MacGregor (chair), John Fender, Cindy Hennigan (Club House Manager), Kathy Potocik, Kelly Gates Kelly, Tom Cook and Jimmy Jennings.   

Rob MacGregor  

YOUR SPRINGLAKES ASSOCIATION AT WORK  

You might enjoy knowing what your association has done and is doing for the neighborhood.

CALENDAR YEAR 2007 ACCOMPLISHMENTS  

ASSOCIATION GOALS FOR 2008  

· Conduct vote of residents concerning remodeling of clubhouse
· Sell empty lots owned by Springlakes to finance remodeling of clubhouse
· Remodel community clubhouse
· Widen drains snack bar at the pool
· Re-grade pool/clubhouse parking lot as required
· Continue landscaping improvements at entrances
· Maintain Springlakes website
· Issue updates on Flowing Wells road widening plans and schedule
· Publish new directory
· Publish and mail newsletters
· Sponsor annual picnic in summer
· Sponsor children’s Christmas party and Easter egg hunt
· Maintain all common property—entrances, Association-owned lots, park/playground
· Maintain an active Crime Watch Program
· Maintain active Covenants Committee and support enforcement of covenants
· Continue Neighborhood Welcome Program · Set up a welcome/directory table at the annual picnic this year.
· Organize another Neighborhood Yard Sale
· Offer private advertisements in newsletter and directory to benefit swim team
· Obtain permits and complete club house boardwalk.
· Lower lake next winter--weather permitting.
· Place sterile grass carp in lake for vegetation control.  

We recently noticed a problem with members receiving email using the www.springlakes.org website.  This problem has hopefully been corrected.  However, if you should send an email and we do not respond to you in 2-3 days, please follow up with a phone call. Thanks.