PRESIDENT’S FORUM

The Board of Directors has worked hard to bring a web site to the homeowners of Marcus Pointe.  We have succeeded and we are hoping that everyone has had a chance to review it.  The web site is www.marcus-pointe.com in case that you missed the sign at the front entrance.    This is the official web site and offers many features such as the Covenants and by-law and the Architectural guidelines, Architectural submittal form, Comments for the Board and Golf and restaurant information.  Please visit the web site and send us your comments on how we can improve.  If you do not have access to the web site please call and leave me a message with your name and address (857-1181) and we will mail you a copy of the newsletter. Our newsletter will be posted quarterly on the web site but for those that do not have a computer, we will be glad to send you a copy by mail.  Just call anyone on the Board of Directors and leave your name and address.

As I said in the last newsletter our entrance sign is close to reality.  We have submitted a lot of paperwork to the county and Jack Ham has spent many hours talking to contractors that will be putting in the electricity and a water source for our irrigation system.   We had to at clearing up some legal issues before request could even go before the County Commissioners.  With the Lease Agreement finally signed and submitted to the County the passage of the Lease Agreement was finally approved at the Board of County Commissioner Meeting May 1st.  This paves the way for us to order the sign and start construction.  As we have already negotiated with the electrician and sprinkler installation companies, this long awaited project is finally coming to fruition through the hard work of Jack Ham and assistance from Vann Milheim.  This might have seemed like a small project to some but we have had to surpass many hurtles to get this project completed, I am sure that the Homeowner’s will be pleased once they see the sign grace the entrance of our sub-division.  

No Trespassing signs were requested at the annual Homeowner’s Meeting in February and steps are in place to have them posted at all Marcus Pointe Common Areas that contain Gulf Power easement lines.  The Sheriff’s Department has been notified  and violators will be prosecuted.

By Larry Clarke

Fine Dining at Marcus Pointe (chefs)

Marcus Pointe is very fortunate to have a beautiful, well groomed golf course in our community for all to enjoy, whether you are a golfer or not. Many do not know that the golf club house has a very fine restaurant.
While the main focus of the restaurant over past years has been breakfast (open 7-10:30 AM) and lunch (open 11:00 -3:00 PM), they also serve dinner every Friday night from 5-8:00 PM.
Chefs hosts a complimentary wine tasting the 1st Friday of each month from 6-7 PM.
Cooking classes are taught the 2nd Tuesday of each month for $30.00 per person.
My wife, Carol, and I have dined at chefs some four times over the past few months and all meals were delicious. One evening the weather was so nice we sat on the porch overlooking the putting green.
Come and enjoy delightful casual dining close to home in a professional but friendly atmosphere.
You can make a reservation on-line at the Marcus Point Homeowners Association web site www.marcus-pointe.com/chefs_home.php or by calling 476-7776.
A picture of many of the specials is included on the homeowner's association web page, as well as the Friday night Menu.

Spring Planting Tips

Okay, the warm weather seems to be here.  And with that, many of us are fighting the urge to “to get our hands dirty”.   As so many of us are about to embark upon this endeavor, here are a few tips for what to plant where and why. 

1. This is the best time to get started with planting.  It has been a dry spring so far, as well as a relatively warm one.  The ground is certainly warm and workable, so get busy!  Plus, May is supposed to be our wettest month, but June can be rainy, to – might as well take advantage if we get a little late-spring moisture!
2. All signs point to another dry summer.  Think about taking a stab at re-setting that irrigation system?  The trick is to water fewer times in the week, but for longer durations. This will prevent fungus problems that so many homeowners here noticed in our area. A good long drink will allow for water to penetrate deeper into the soil, and encourage root systems to follow.  The deeper the root system, the more drought-resistant they become, as they are protected somewhat beneath the dried-out upper soil layers. 

The Panhandle Charitable Open will take place in Marcus Pointe September 28-29th and all homeowners are invited to participate in the Silent Auction at the Marcus Pointe Clubhouse.  Stay and enjoy the live music Friday, September 28th.  Take advantage of this free offer to listen to the band and bid on the Silent Auction if you chose.
www.pcogolf.org

Comments From the Architectural Review Committee (ARC)~~~~~~~

Architecture Review Committee (ARC) is one of the most confusing and misunderstood functions in Marcus Pointe.  It is also one of the hardest volunteer jobs around.  Let’s face, no one wants to hear something that they think is attractive has to be modified or just can’t be built.  Or, a project they budgeted for a long time is now going to cost more money because it needs to be changed.  Nevertheless, the ARC is here to help all homeowners in our community.

First of all, the ARC is charged with making sure all exterior changes to existing homes, or new construction in Marcus Pointe adhere to the covenants and that can be challenging from time to time.  To help with this process Marcus Pointe ARC guidelines and Covenants, can be found on the www.marcus-pointe.com website.  Most submittals to the ARC are approved by the committee as submitted, sometimes with only minor changes.  But, some homeowners wonder why the ARC may ask for revisions, or in some instances the request is turned down completely.  Just as the covenants and restrictions are in place to preserve the lifestyle and property values of our neighborhood, so is the ARC.   The ARC is asked to take a very subjective task and made it as objective as possible.  We do this not to make style judgements on our community, but to protect all homeowner’s property value.  While one person may be disappointed by the decision of the ARC to deny a project, the neighboring homes will in the long run benefit from a decision that may affect the value of their homes.

So, why are some projects that may be considered in poor taste allowed to proceed?  Well, that is a question that involves the community’s willingness to get involved.  Do not assume that if you see a project underway, that it is necessarily approved.  I know we all assume that our neighbors adhere to the same covenants and rules that we all do, but I can assure you that frequently driving through Marcus Pointe we see homes that have been repainted or trees being removed and our Committee knows that we never received a request from the homeowner.  If you see something that clearly looks inappropriate, please call an ARC member or submit the request through the Marcus Pointe web site to make sure the committee has approved what you are seeing.  Your inquiry will be confidential.

We all have a vested interest in how our community looks, and how the homes within our neighborhood look.  We all have property values to protect.  While serving on the ARC may not be an easy task, it is a task we feel is important for our community.

Committee Members are:
Carol Wilson, 857-1181
Steve Gillette, 475-8972
Dan Sadivnychy, 494-0019
David Remy, 473-9426