Residents who have paid their civic association fees for 2007 have paid for trash and garbage service until December 31, 2007.  Effective January 1, 2008, the trash and garbage pickup service contract will be assigned to the Westador Municipal Utility District (WMUD).  No additional costs will be incurred by the residents and there is to be no change in service.  The civic association will continue to provide administrative services by acting as a liaison between residents and the contractor for such things as missed pickup.

The amount to be included as a part of the water bill for this service during 2008 is expected to be $11 per month. The trash contract is to be rebid or renewed in late 2008 for up to two years beginning January 1, 2009.

                Since the billing for trash pickup to residents after December 31, 2007 will be included as a part of the monthly water bill, it will no longer be a factor in the determining the civic association maintenance fees.  Residents will benefit from this change because:

• The annual maintenance fee will be substantially reduced by reason of the absence of previously budgeted trash services and will thus be easier for more residents to pay.
• Payment for trash services by residents will be monthly in 2008 rather than being paid annually in advance along with other budgeted maintenance fee items.
There will no longer be a need to suspend trash services to residences where the homeowner is delinquent in paying maintenance fees.  In the event of non payment of the water bill (which will include trash service) the WMUD may shut off the water service.

	Westwind Notices Graduating Seniors are to be featured in the June 16th issue.  The Westwind needs your biography and a picture to publish.  Mail (or drop off) your biography and picture to 1003 Marne or E-Mail both to JEDannerJr@Yahoo.Com. Get pool passes May 20 and temporary passes for Memorial Day Weekend on May 26 and 27.  Passes will be available only at Nanes for use at both pools

Nanes Pool Opens May 19th by BethAnne Lechmann

Nanes Pool Opens May 19^th at Noon

 Pool Pass Renewal At Nanes Pool May 20th 2 to 5 PM:  Residents who still need to renew their 2006 pool pass or residents who need a new 2007 pool pass will have an opportunity on Sunday May 20, from 2 to 5 PM at Nanes Pool.  There will be a finance committee representative present to check if Neighborhood Association Maintenance Fees have been paid in full.  Please bring driver’s license or proof of residency.  Children must be accompanied by their parents to get their pool passes new or renewed.  Pictures will be taken for new passes, and stickers will be issued on your 2006 pass for renewal.  If you plan to swim Memorial Day weekend, temporary pool passes will be issued from 1 to 4 PM ONLY on Saturday and Sunday at Nanes.  These passes can be used at both pools.  If you don't have an up to date pass, you can't enter the pool area.  LIFEGUARDS CAN'T issue pool passes; they are issued by the Pool Director, Finance Committee, and Resident Volunteers.

Saturday Voter Turnout Was Light by Casey Westell, Precinct 0550 Judge

Residents are Encouraged to Contact Civic Association Board Members

As always, in order to make Westador work, the Westador Civic Association (WCA) needs your help.  Join in as volunteers and good neighbors so that we all can continue to be proud of our neighborhood.

Please contact the appropriate board member with your suggestions and comments.  Board members contacted by a resident are asked to respond to such contact via return mail as soon as possible.  It is suggested that you address your message to the Board member responsible for that activity with a copy to the President.

Beware of Stereotypes by Denise Landers

• Women are detail-oriented.
• Men see the big picture.
• Women are better at multitasking.
• Men can only focus on one activity at a time.
• Women are more organized.
• Men are more productive.

The above statements are all examples of stereotypes, and most of us would claim we do not believe them, let alone allow them to affect our performance.  Yet there appears to be a strong, even if unconscious, link between our cognition and our emotion, and stereotyping can affect us even when we rationally dismiss it.

To prove this, an MRI brain scan was used to hone in on the typical stereotype that men have more spatial ability.  Women exposed to the negative stereotype of men doing better than women made 14% more errors, even as the women claimed they were not influenced by the statement.  On the same track, when women were told that a math test was gender-neutral, they did better than when reminded that “boys do better than girls in math”.

In 2005, Rutgers University conducted a survey and found that three fourths of women believe that they perform better when required to multitask.  In rebuttal, a neuroscientist from the University College in London found that there is no significant difference between the genders in this ability.  However, he too found that perceptions among the sexes do vary.  More details can be found in blog postings at WWW.KeyOrganization.Com.

If you want to develop the most productive environment, both in the office and for your children, be careful what messages you might send.  Also, be aware of any negative insinuations that may be directed toward you. 

AARP Driver Safety Class to be June 19 and 20 at Cali Clubhouse

There will be a two day AARP Driver Safety Class held at the Cali Clubhouse on June 19 and 20, 2007.  Classes will be held from 9 AM to 1 PM each day, and you MUST be present both days to receive your certificate.  The minimum age is 50 years and the cost is $10.  Checks should be made payable to AARP.

  Please arrive early the first day for registration and payment of this fee.  If you are interested in attending, please call Marie Braun.  The class is limited to 30, so call quickly to reserve your place. 

Some Homeowners Have Not Paid Their Annual Maintenance Assessments as of May 12, 2007

Homeowners who are delinquent on the annual maintenance fees incur interest, collection and legal fees, have lien notices filed on their property, and (including their renters, if any) are prohibited from using common facilities such as the tennis courts, pools, and clubhouses.  The following list of addresses reflects only those homeowners who have a Lien Notice filed on their property or are delinquent for more than one year as of May 12, 2007 (and are not making regular payments).               

Also, the Board has authorized stopping the trash and garbage collection service for homeowners who are delinquent for more than one year.  If delinquent homeowners are making monthly payments in accordance with an arranged payment plan, these homeowners’ addresses will not be listed and trash and garbage collection service will not be suspended unless they cease to comply with the arranged payment plan.

Westador Ramps Up Collection Filings by Richard Murphy, WCA Vice President

The Westador Civic Association recently approved filing Justice of the Peace Court Filings for non-payment of accounts that exceed $1,000 in maintenance fees and accumulated collection costs.  These can culminate in seizures and credit ramifications.  We have begun processing 16 cases.  We have had some response but are still in the early stages. Our plan is to aggressively pursue full collections in whatever manner prudent.  Our final option is to foreclose on a property and there is strong possibility we may have our first such case very soon.  It is with deep regret that we follow this course but the fees must be collected for the good of Westador.

Westador Welcomes New Residents

          On a monthly basis, Hays Utilities (contractor for the Westador Municipal Utility District) provides Bill Streidl with a listing of residences that have had their water turned on or off.  The purpose of this list is to assist the Civic Association in the maintenance of the residents’ directory, the electronic version of which is distributed quarterly.   The process is not totally accurate for a variety of reasons.

                The newcomer list for April 2007 will be combined with that of May in the June issue   

Telephone numbers often are subject to change since many new residents have the water turned on before move in and their new telephone numbers have not yet been obtained. Therefore, new residents are urged to contact Bill Streidl to update their information for the directory.  In any event, Westador welcomes its new neighbors.

Water Exercise Planned

Swim Team Practice Times

April 23 – June 1 Practice Times

June 4 to June 22 Practice Times

Waves Summer Schedule

 

Ponderosa Volunteer Fire Department Round Up

Fireworks:  Our recommendation is DON’T BUY THEM AND DON’T USE THEM.  History continues to prove that the improper use of fireworks causes injuries and fires.  Do not allow your kids to use fireworks without proper adult supervision.  We have seen the pain and destruction.

Swimming pool safety:  Be sure to watch your kids.  The utmost tragedy can occur very quickly.  Take a CPR and basic first aid course.  Never mix swimming pool chemicals.  Combining certain products causes an exothermic reaction (self-heating) and a fire can occur.

Summertime heat exhaustion:  Please be sure to hydrate, and that means drink more water.  Try to avoid direct sunlight, and when you are working in the heat, attempt to take frequent breaks to re-hydrate.  Heat exhaustion occurs when you feel faint or weak, your skin is flushed, and you may experience muscle cramping.  These are your warning signs to stop what you are doing and cool off immediately.  If you continue to overheat your body, you will experience a cessation of sweating, your core body temperature will rise quickly, and your mental status will decrease to unconsciousness.  This is a very serious and life threatening situation --- BE CAREFUL!

Pride Committee is in Process of Annual Inspection by Richard Murphy

Your Westador Pride Committee has been hard at work doing the yearly walkthrough and inspection of our fine subdivision.  Final reporting is not yet complete but suffice it to say, the vast majority of Westador looks very good.  We did notice a number of non-functioning gas lights that I would be happy to eliminate for free if you choose to take them out.  Should you choose to relight them and need help or repair you can contact Cunningham’s on Carrot Lane for professional assistance.  For the vast majority that received a “Blue Ribbon”, please accept my congratulations on your accomplishments.  You are the heart and soul of our beloved Westador, please keep it up.

The Information Sheet is Printed Quarterly

    The Westador information sheet is printed quarterly or more often in the event of some major changes.  Of special interest are the teen helpers anxious to baby-sit, to cook, and to do yard work while earning a buck, or two, in the process.