Archives for November 07

Archives for November 2007

There will be a Community Association Board of Directors' meeting at 9 am on Tuesday December 4 in the Cypress Room. The agenda for the meeting is available on the Community Association web site (above) under the category MEETINGS & MINUTES. Community Password is the same as used by the Club's web site.

After the board meeting is adjourned, the members may address the board on any issue.

Jim Lackey

Doctor Sheldon Gilgore's note of November 11, 2007, is right on, but I think he didn't go far enough to explain the dilemma facing Eagle Creek and the entire Naples golfing scene. This dilemma is not solely a Naples problem, but one that faces all golfing retirement communities.

The " baby boomers " retiring in the next ten years, in my opinion, are not the same population that inhabit Eagle Creek today. By this I mean that many of us in Eagle Creek have a respect and love for the game of golf that future generations do not experience. Many of the men and women in this "bb" generation have not had golfing experiences that we've enjoyed because they have become weekend chauffeurs to soccer practice, swim team practice, and ballet or dance class that many of us in our era did not do for one reason or another. (Speaking personally my wife did most of the household chores as my job in the old days was to earn a living to enable us to live a nice life. Good or bad for the health of our family life my weekend mornings were spent on the golf course) Today husbands and wives both work long hours to keep up with the Jones, and wives expect an equal effort from their husbands since she brings home a pay check to rival her spouse's.

Today's "bb" also seem to enjoy other areas of interest like boating, tennis, fishing, and even fine dining that always took a back seat to the passion I exhibited toward golf and lowering the handicap.

Regards,

Roger Nedoba

P.S. This is one man's opinion of the future we face. I feel one answer may be to lower the golf initiation fee to $ 25,000. for a resident of Eagle Creek. I also feel we need to do something soon as every other club in town is thinking of a way to attract new blood. However no one seems to have the answer as yet. The sooner we get to what Dr Gilgore said the

better.

P.P.S. Also I hope all who read this understand that my forty year old daughter was once an All American golfer at the U of Florida which allowed her, my wife, and me to be a close knit golfing circle from her fourteenth birthday until tour qualifying.

P.P.P.S. My wife and I moved here two years ago, but we do not plan to die here. Something has to be done to allow people to leave if they so desire.

Okay, Folks. Can someone please answer this question? Do we have anyone here with any clout whatsoever (maybe the Board) who can talk Kite Realty into bringing a fish market to our marketplace?

I don't understand how a state that is literally a peninsula (do we not have water on three sides) can have such a difficult time supplying its residents with fresh fish.

Janet Shemligan

This is a reminder of some of the information that is available on the Community Association web site http://www.eaglecreekcommunityassociation.org/ Community Password is the same as the Club's web site.

If you wish to submit a work order or report a concern to Platinum Property Manager Ann Berger, there is a form titled REPORT A CONCERN, which goes directly to Ann and is entered into her management system. By using this form, corrective action is initiated immediately and your association representative is informed of any situation of concern.

If you wish to submit any propose improvement, alternation or addition to the Architectural Review Board, there is a form under GOVERNING DOCUMENTS entitled "Building & Exterior Change Request Form" which can be used to submit your request.

The next Community Association Board of Directors Meeting will be held 9 am Tuesday December 4 in the Cypress Room. The agenda for the meeting will be posted on the Community Association web site and on community mailboxes more that 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Members are invited to attend the meeting, and time is set aside, after the meeting is adjourned, for the board to respond to any questions or concerns that the members may have.

Jim Lackey

Dennis Farley:

That is a wonderful sentiment. You are truly a caring and unselfish person. Our best wishes to you and yours during this holiday season. May 2008 bring our children, grandchildren and us peace and health. Those are the two most important things in our lives.

Jack & Janet Shemligan

This is Thanksgiving day and as I sit here I am thinking of how thankful I am for finding Eagle Creek. This little diamond that we live in is like no other in Naples. When I stop to think of all the amenities we have, like playing golf any day of the week as long as we don't care about the time. And having governors that really care about EC. We have members and friends that care for one another. Just think a second about how you watch out for your neighbor and they watch out for you. Find that in another development. What about our staff that are personable and give great service.

We have been through a lot the last couple of years and now is the time to harvest all the future wonderful things that can only go on here at Eagle Creek. Our Club House, Golf Course, Friends, Staff and last but not least all the Governors who have served and who are serving. Thank you for all you hard work.

It seems funny after running Creek Chat for a few months that whenever something is done that doesn't live up to our expectation we get angry and upset. Sometimes I even forget about all the wonderful things that I have here at EC. Not to mention my wife and children, good health and all the dear friends I have met here.

And for this I am thankful. God Bless you all.

Dennis Farley

Apparently the most recent operating assessment which was assessed in April and due by the end of May is not included in the September 30 Financial Results. I don't understand why an assessment from over four months ago is not included in the September 30 Financial Results.. but it isn't. I apologize for not seeing the note on the bottom of the statement. Since this assessment is not included as revenue, and no one can see the impact of that assessment on revenue or cash in the financial statements it is impossible to tell what the current financial state of the club is but apparently that's how the Board wants it. The only thing I can tell with certainty is that the Board "budgeted" for a $158,000 loss for 2007..and missed that estimate by $252,000.which to me is unbelievable.

To avoid confusion, please delete my comment from November 18, with my sincere apology.

Jeff Felton

Sunday, November 18, 2007 10:44 AM

Felton message deleted.. See above

Saturday, November 17, 2007 4:27 PM

Information concerning the Developer's Contribution Agreement, i.e., improvements to the intersection of U.S. 41/C.R. 951, and the Shops of Eagle Creek Construction Agreement, i.e., construction of the Lowe's store, is available under NEWS on the Eagle Creek Community Association web site http://www.eaglecreekcommunityassociation.org/ Member Community Password is the same as the Club's web site.

Jim Lackey

Saturday, November 17, 2007 3:31 PM

Interesting, Rennie. I've heard the same thing from many people. Why is that? It's such an interesting forum even if questions don't usually get answered.

Jim Lackey: Thank you for your response regarding the front entrance.

Janet Shemligan

Saturday, November 17, 2007 6:13 AM

Noah Bess, Grounds Maintenance Director, Eagle Creek Golf & Country Club, has issued a Drought Report, which is available under NEWS on the Eagle Creek Community Association web site http://www.eaglecreekcommunityassociation.org/ Member Community Password is the same as the Club's web site.

Jim Lackey

Friday, November 16, 2007 12:25 PM

Chuck & Carrie Ball, this is in response to your question about "what are we paying for the front entrance."

The Community Association Board of Directors has authorized that up to $35,000 be spent on improving the front entrance, and that the money be taken from the $100,000 given to us by Wal-Mart. The membership will not be assessed any additional cost for the front entrance work, nor for the improvements along the 951 perimeter, which has also been paid from the Wal-Mart funds.

The contract for the waterfall was $28,500, and a lighted flagpole will be installed at a cost of $2,500, and there will be additional relatively minor costs for sodding, refurbishing the signs, etc.

Jim Lackey

Friday, November 16, 2007 12:08 PM

Front Entrance Progress Photo

Jim Lackey

Thursday, November 15, 2007 8:23 PM

Marietta, I think your idea of a limited menu is an excellent one, and I would also love to see an "official" e mail suggestion box whereby all members could make suggestions to "the board" and to the manager. You never know, WE might have some good ideas ! By the way, I do not mean to ignore this e mail site, I love it, it's just that, from what I understand, some board members do not acknowledge that it exists....Too bad...Rennie Leone

Lydia & Reynold

Thursday, November 15, 2007 6:36 PM

Can anyone tell what we are paying for the new entrance?

Chuck & Carrie Ball

Thursday, November 15, 2007 12:52 PM

Southwest Florida Golf Charities, Inc. will sponsor their 19th annual

Bill Owen Classic on January 14th.

Tournament Entry fee is $175 and payment should be made as soon as possible to ensure space is available to participate in the event, which is open to all. There are several sponsorship levels available and payment should be made by no later than December 1st to ensure inclusion in the program and on the tournament signage.

Ken Venturi will attend this charity event. Ken was the co-founder of Southwest Florida Golf Charities, Inc., and he was the instrumental in making the Bill Owen Classic charity event a reality.

Over the 18 years that the Bill Owen Classic charity golf events were held, more that $1 million has been gifted to high school students for college scholarships, high school girls and boys golf programs, middle school summer tennis and golf programs, Title One elementary and middle schools, matching funds for college scholarships, and numerous worthy organizations and individuals in need of financial support. All the donated money went to local colleges and schools, organizations and individuals.

Southwest Florida Golf Charities, Inc., a Florida Not-For-Profit 501(c)3 Exempt Corporation, is proud to continue the tradition in supporting of the local community with the 19th Annual Bill Owen Classic being held on January 14th.

If you would like more information concerning the event or would like a Tournament Entry Form and/or Sponsorship Agreement, contact any of the following:

Irv Sherwood   775-8642
Jim Lackey       732-7715
Pro Shop          774-2202

Thursday, November 15, 2007 1:31 PM

PLATINUM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SOUTH OFFICE RELOCATION

Please be advised that on December 3, 2007, Platinum Property Management will relocate and operate from a new South office facility location (Next Adjacent Building)

Platinum Property Management
12272 Tamaimi Trail East, Suite #403
Naples, Fl 34113

While PPM is expanding its number of office phone lines, the current office
phone number (239)774-5966 & fax number (239)775-1031 will remain the same.

PLATINUM PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC

Jim Lackey

Thursday, November 15, 2007 11:36 AM

Marietta, I think many of us would LOVE to be able to stay at the club after golf on Sundays and enjoy a drink and/or food (or both). If we can't have "eats", maybe we can order pizzas? (Or maybe not).!

Hope you will ask the Powers-That-Be to look into it. Thanks for bringing it up.

Kay Ryan

Wednesday, November 14, 2007 9:39 AM

I would love limited menu dining available on Sunday evenings--after golf...or just another chance to use our wonderful new dining room. Is this a possibility? Do others feel this need?

Marietta Hipskind

Monday, November 12, 2007 8:25 PM

I am very pleased to hear that the Gala was successful.

We had made reservations for a table of eight back in early October. Then, we found out that it was to be open seating. Also, it was to be "stations", which is a fancy name for buffet.

After much discussion, we canceled our reservations and proceeded to make other plans. Interestingly, I have learned that it was a sit down dinner after all. When was the change made and why wasn't it publicized?

Oh, well. There is always New Years Eve and January 12 with Billy Dean & Dawn.

Janet Shemligan

Monday, November 12, 2007 4:08 PM

Many thanks to all the Eagle Creek book lovers, who have contributed to our refurbished library. However, we are being "killed by kindness"! We would still appreciate a cherished book or two from you, but please don't drop off whole bagfulls at one time. We have no more room, and at this time, there has been no discussion about adding more book cases.

Sally Lackey

Sunday, November 11, 2007 11:41 AM

Our club board appears to be in a time warp--stuck in 1997, rather than 2007. The lack of long term strategic planning has never been more in evidence then it is now. National statistics could not be more clear. There are now more than 26 million tennis players, and 20 million golfers in the United States, with new tennis players exceeding new golfers annually. Instead of creating new programs to attract tennis players to our community, our board has eliminated programs that discourage our taking part in this paradigm shift (for example eliminating new social memberships, and eliminating tennis memberships). The net effect is forcing tennis players to Lely, or Fiddlers Creek for their real estate needs.

I have no ax to grind in this matter, as I am neither a golfer or tennis player, and have no plans to sell my homes at Eagle Creek. It is however painful to see our wonderful community hampered by the lack of vision of our board of governors. As Walt Whitman wrote "Where there is no vision, the people perish".

I sincerely hope that our future club boards have the wisdom, and vision to confront the realities of the 21st century.

Sheldon G. Gilgore M.D.

Sunday, November 11, 2007 11:19 AM

What a wonderful time was had by all who attended last nights Gala Club house opening celebration. When you entered through the front doors and walked down the new entrance way you know around the corner is going to be something special. Bang the whole club opens up to welcome you like open arms of an old friend.

The atmosphere of the house is so warm and inviting, not like the plaster board beams and square wall you see in other upscale club houses.

I want to extend a a warm thank you to Dr. Gilgore for all the work he did to bring this together. Those of you that also worked on the project thank you.

Each year that I return to Eagle Creek it becomes more like my home everyday. The friends I return to each year feel like I've known them for years.

Thank you staff for a job well done. For the first major function in the new house it went well.

The band played on and most everyone danced. What a great time.

Remember last year when we all had doubts and were complaining about this and that. It was all for naught.

One thing for sure we have a place to be excited about where we can continue build warm and personal relationships that will last for our remaining lifetime.

Dennis Farley

Friday, November 09, 2007 7:16 AM

Collier County has a 35 minute video entitled Homeowner Association Guide, which after the Collier County's intro portion of the video, has information on maintaining the community lakes, roads and vegetation that may be of interest.

This video is available on the Community Association web site http://www.eaglecreekcommunityassociation.org/

Password is the same as used by the Club's web site.

Jim Lackey

Friday, November 02, 2007 2:57 PM

Dennis,

I have been unaware that the chat "Blog" had been reinstated, therefore, not been up to date on almost anything! The front entrance is a disastrous effort for an entrance space as limited as ours. Also, one should be aware of the results of a "No Name" storm that moved the "Wrip-Wrap from in front of the Condos south of Residence Beach on Marco Island, upward, onto the lawns of said condos! The danger of the rocks at the entrance being moved by a "Big Wind" is very real. They could land in the entry and exit. That would, indeed, be disastrous.

Joan Hauptle