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A Publication of the Emerald Lake Homeowners Association
P.O. Box 620449 Woodside, CA 94062
19 February 2003
Receive Your Newsletter Via email
More than 230 homeowners now receive their newsletters via email rather than via U.S. mail. That’s a significant cost savings, but it represents less than 10% of our community. To get your newsletter faster and help us save money on printing and postage, please send your email and street addresses to the editor. Your email address will be kept private and used only by ELHA, unless you give permission otherwise. And if you have an idea for an alternate method of delivery, we want to hear from you, too!
New ELHA By-Laws, on the Web Site
Visit our Web site to see the proposed By-Laws changes that we will be voting on at our Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 26. While you're there, check out our area history, maps, government & services contact numbers, schools & parks info, and other community documents (Roads Plan, etc.). If you have a particular suggestion about how we can make the site more useful, drop an email or phone call to Lee Lukehart at (Lee.Lukehart(at)emeraldhills.org, 650-366-5335).
Please Donate... Now by Credit Card!
It’s that time of year when we ask for your annual donations to help continue paying for the newsletters, notices, trees, and various expenses of your homeowners association. We are now able to accept your Visa or Mastercard! Please use the back page to send in your donation, or take action now and contact our Treasurer, Carolyn Chaney (Carolyn.Chaney(at)emeraldhills.org, 650-364-5477) with your credit card number & expiry date, your name and address. The charge will appear on your credit card statement as "fund@emeraldhills.org". Thanks!!
Legal Help Wanted
The ELHA is seeking a pro-bono attorney to occasionally assist with various legal, corporate, and contractual matters. If you can provide gratis legal aid to our not-for-profit organization, please call or email our Secretary, Lee Lukehart (Lee.Lukehart(at)emeraldhills.org, 650-366-5335).
Notice of Annual Meeting
The 2003 ELHA Annual Meeting will be held on 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 26 at the Elks Lodge (938 Wilmington Way, x Jefferson).
On the agenda are voting on the proposed revision of the ELHA By-Laws (see our Web site for details) and the election of board members.
1) Vote on amended By-Laws.
A review of our bylaws (originated in 1992) revealed weaknesses in protecting confidentiality of member information and in expediting Board business. The Board recommends all members review and vote to approve the proposed bylaws. For public record, current and proposed bylaws are posted on the ELHA Web site. For ease in comparing the two documents, a Microsoft Word document is also provided that shows the differences (be sure the "track changes" feature is turned on in MS-Word).
2) Election of Board Members.
As of the annual meeting, six board seats will have become vacant. David Klausner resigned the board effective 6 February, citing increased personal demands and subsequent shortage of available time for board activities. Board members with expiring terms are Doug Davis, Laura Dowling, and Carole Henley. Laura Dowling has decided to not run for reelection.
Nominees for the Board are Doug Davis, Carole Henley, Tim Chappelle, Sallie Martin, Phillip Quan, Dr. Michael Sterns, and Deborah Wallach.
New Nominees’ statements follow:
Tim Chappelle – "My wife and I stumbled across Emerald Hills seven years ago and fell in love with the natural beauty of the region. We designed/built our own home 2 years ago with the intent to raise our children here. I believe Emerald Hills is a unique, rural community that needs to preserve its natural beauty. I want to make sure that this charming neighborhood is preserved and nurtured in the years to come. I have 10 years of architectural experience."
Sallie Martin – "My husband, Mike, and I moved to Emerald Hills in the summer of 1998. I was raised in Montana and accustomed to the scenic beauty of the mountains. Maintaining natural beauty while in harmony with the reality of peninsula living is an accomplishment that I strives for, and I would value the opportunity to help the community of Emerald Hills flourish."
Phillip Quan – "As a homeowner in Emerald Hills since 1988, I would like to help in anyway I can to preserve the beautiful/unique area we live in. I would like the opportunity to give something back to the community that I live in. I would feel that it would be a privilege to be a member of the Board. I am committed to integrity and doing the ‘right thing.’"
Dr. Michael Sterns – "I am a 10 year resident of Emerald Hills, and prior to moving to the hills, was an equine veterinarian for 5 years. My wife, Marti, and I have 3 children, Alyssa, age 7, and the infamous twins, Brett and Lauren, age 3. We love Emerald Hills, frequent Edgewood Park. We love our neighbors and "hood" on Wilmington Way and look forward to the next twenty years in Emerald Hills and to preserving the neighborhood feeling of the area."
Deborah Wallach – "I've lived in EH since 1998, and I would like to feel more empowered about decisions which will affect me and my home. I believe that through the use of electronic communication, residents who wish to be more active can effectively participate. For example, County notices about plans can be immediately distributed to concerned residents. Recently, I have been running the campaign to pressure the County to reconsider the "no left turn" sign installed at Edgewood & Cordilleras."
Thank You Elks Lodge #1991
The ELHA would like to thank the Elks Lodge for donating their facilities for our annual meeting. We suggest you consider Elks Lodge and Edge Catering <http://ww.edgefoodservice.com> for your next event.
Unleashed Dogs Violate the Law
Recently, some residents permitting their dogs to go without a leash were visited by Animal Control, and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department because of neighbors reporting their violations of the law. In one case, a friendly dog knocked a walker to the ground with injuries. The dog owner is liable. The ELHA Board strongly advocates contacting Animal Control (650-340-8200) to pick up loose dogs after warning the owners and the owners take no action to leash/confine their pets. Loose dogs often become aggressive and are a threat to residents and to the dogs themselves when cars pass them. There is a leash law in force in Emerald Hills. Owners are legally responsible for their pets and may be sued. Attacks may result in Sheriffs’ citations, legal suits, as well as all medical and veterinary costs. In extreme cases involving severe injuries the animal may be impounded and put to sleep. Dogs must be kept either in an enclosed area, or on a leash while being walked. Protect your pets and neighbors.
Concerned About Cats?
Find out what a Emerald Hills resident is doing to help cats lead longer, happier, and healthier lives through unique web and community based assistance and education programs. Visit <http://www.21cats.org>.
New Home Proposals Must Go Through Design Review
The Zoning Regulations of San Mateo County require the review of all proposed homes for our area by the Bayside Design Review Committee. You can object to and appeal proposals. Get active in helping us to keep the quality of our neighborhood. Call any board member for more information.
Grass Roots Action to Plant Trees
We're looking for volunteers to help our community coordinate and explore opportunities with the California ReLeaf Network.
California ReLeaf is a statewide campaign to expand, enhance, and preserve urban and community forests -- making our cities and communities more livable, improving the global environment, and connecting people to the land and to each other. Founded in 1989, California ReLeaf is the urban forestry division of the Trust for Public Land-California.
Urban forestry has become a rallying point for people ready to do something positive and significant for their communities. California ReLeaf is working to build and transform this enthusiasm into action around the state. The program's three principal areas of focus are: promoting high standards for growing, planting and caring for trees; building alliances among citizens, businesses, and government, helping all to understand the role they can play in greening our communities; and supporting community-based action and environmental stewardship through planting and caring for trees.
Network members range from well-established, nonprofit organizations with paid staff to small groups of dedicated individuals working after hours to improve their communities. Activities range from planting and caring for street trees to restoring native oak habitat in open space areas, from helping their cities develop progressive tree policies to distributing surplus bare root fruit trees to children for backyard planting. Whatever the size and whatever the focus, all of these groups rely on volunteers. To date, close to 400,000 volunteers have participated in the planting and care of more than 550,000 trees through the efforts of network groups.
If you are interested, check out the ReLeaf Web site (<http://www.tpl.org>, search for "releaf"), then email Lee Lukehart (Lee.Lukehart@emeraldhills.org) to discuss a course of action.
Yes! I will help preserve Emerald Hills.
___ I’d like to contribute the standard membership dues of $25.
___ I can spare a bit more to help. Here is my donation for $40.
___ I’m a resident of one of the most desirable neighborhoods on the Peninsula, and I want to keep it that way. Here is my contribution of $_______ to help fight the good fight.
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___ My check is enclosed.
___ Please charge my Visa or Mastercard: (All personal information is kept confidential.)
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ELHA
P.O. Box 620449
Woodside, CA 94062
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