We regret to confirm the resignation of Maintenance Department Head Jim Diehl who had been employed by HeatherRidge since he applied in 1982 for a landscape position.  Jim explained that for a number of years he had been had been thinking of going into the maintenance business on a full-time basis for himself, and current customers and generous offers convinced him that if he ever was going to make the career move, it’s now or maybe never.  We can thank Jim for looking after the care and improvement of many amenities here, including paved streets, retaining walls, lighting systems, storm drains, pools, recreation centers, tennis courts, heating and cooling systems, street name signs, and much more.  The recently completed Waterfall Lounge and patio is a tribute to his ability to see a complex rehabilitation job to completion in a workman-like manner.  Jim is a Gurnee native and has served as president of the homeowners’ association where he lived.  We expect we will continue too see Jim hereabouts in his new career as an independent businessman.  Jason Shamrock, who has worked at HeatherRidge for a decade (intermittently) will now be leading the maintenance team;  good luck to both men.

For those who have more fun with numbers, here are some:

·         28,358-  Logged Security Department entries in 2005 including building checks, calls answered, suspicious activities, etc.

·         248-  Security Department 2005 incident reports including resident assists, ambulance calls, reported problems, etc.

·         3,672-   Pool checks made during swim season only.

·         36,701-  Miles traveled by Security Department vehicle on patrol.

Pending purchasing contract HUA board decisions include:

·         Proximity lock systems for StoneyBrook/Cambridge and CoveredBridge rec centers.

·         Boundary surveys

·         Maintenance truck

·         Pond four retaining wall

·         Pond cleaning

Supplemental air conditioning at the club house will also be considered before hot weather returns.  Plantings for 2006 are being ordered by the Landscape department.  Other current projects include dormant pruning, walk salting, and clean-up duties.

Oliver Merriam, General Manager