Newsletter: 3rd Quarter 2016

10/30/16 – Download the PDF

Letter from the President

We are reaching the end of the fiscal year and there are still several events taking place before the year is over. There are two very important events for which the Board historically gets very little or no support. The first is the preparation and submission of the fiscal year 2017 Budget, which will be presented during the November 14 board meeting. Second, the CLHOA Annual Elections (Meet & Greet) which takes place on Sunday, December 11, 2016, at Christ Episcopal Church from 4-6pm.  These are both very important events that decide the upcoming and future plans for our community. We encourage you to make every effort to attend these events, so please mark your calendars and support your HOA. You will get a taste of the challenges facing your association. We are working for you, but to see the changes you hope for, we must hear your voice!

In the last newsletter we announced the board’s initiative to bring all delinquent accounts into good standing. To achieve the initiative, we acquired the services of the Law Firm of Andres, Bongar, Gormley & Clagett. As of September 30, 2016, CLHA has transferred the first batch of delinquent accounts for collection to the Law Firm. Be aware that once the delinquent account has been transferred, the Law Firm has full control of the collection process. This is a reminder to make every effort to bring your dues current as soon as possible.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact Ms. Kim Beachy, dues Manager at propertymanagement@clha.org or 301-904-8114.

Kindest Regards,

Cesar Afanador
President
Country Lakes Homeowners Association

Trunk or Treat Details

We will celebrate on Halloween, October 31 from 6-8pm at the park. There will be a bonfire and plenty of candy for the kids. Someone will be on-hand at 5:30 to direct traffic to the parking area for residents that participate in handing out candy.  Otherwise, please use the main parking lot.  Please watch out for cars!

National Night Out Report

This popular event was on Tuesday, August 2nd at the park. It is an annual event held in conjunction with other National Night Out events across the country. Approximately 100 Country Lakes residents and guests were in attendance.

Special guests were the Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, SMECO, the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department, the Maryland State Police – Leonardtown Barracks, and the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Department. SMECO brought one of their line trucks and the fire department performed a “spray-down” in a nearby ball field. Thank you to all of these groups for talking to guests, handing out literature, and doing demonstrations featuring their vehicles and/or equipment.

Thank you to the CLHA board members & others who volunteered their time & efforts to bring food, drinks, desserts, snacks, condiments, supplies and games. A special thank you to our grill-masters who cooked hamburgers & hotdogs for all to enjoy.

The CLHA board also wants to thank the following local businesses that donated door prizes for this event: Clay Creations of Mechanicsville, the Pax River Naval Air Museum in Lexington Park, and Pizza Hotline in Charlotte Hall.  We hope to see everyone again at the Country Lakes’ National Night Out event in 2017!

Community Clean up Report

This year we had five community service workers and four residents helping to clean up the community roads and common areas. There were approximately eighteen (18) bags of trash picked up along Tin Top, Yowaski Mill, and at the bottom of the hill on Asher (at the guardrails).Thanks to those that managed this event and all that participated. Our next community clean up event will be in the Spring of 2017. Stay tuned for the date.

Walking Trail at the Park

Our walking path at the park is about 3/5 of a mile and now that the weather is cooler, it is a great time to get out and exercise.  The walking path is level and made with recycled asphalt.  Take advantage of it.  Your pets are welcome too, but please bring a garbage bag to clean up after your pets.

See our events page for the remaining activities for 2016!