Could we please dream up a uniform way to identify dog owners, relieving their pets on or around our beautiful grounds. Do you recall the scene from the movie "Moonstruck' where the father-in-law walked the dogs...about 10 of them?

I saw it re-enacted yesterday with a lady entering the Colorado driveway with 3, count em 3 dogs.
Dogs(pets) being grandfathered in is a joke. Anyone who wants a dog goes out and purchases one.
The pet population explosion will never end unless it is put to an end.
I envision registered pet owners walking their pets, on the driveways from their buildings around the complex to the street, be required to wear some identfying number
(if that request would be within the confines of the C.C.R.'s) on a plastic/paper Lance Armstrong type vest for lack or a better visual. This numbered item could be issued by the office to all registered pet owners to be worn for occasions
of 'e' and 'e' (excercise and elimination).
If an infringement is happening as to where the animal is pottying, the number of animals per owner etc...anyone witnessing such an infraction could report it to the office without confronting the individual. However, if the animal companion is not wearing an identification...I would have no problem saying something to them or using my cell phone to help identify them. Let me know your thoughts on this.

Talk about quality of life at Stoneybrook

How would you like a State College Shuttle to and from Stoneybrook? Wouldn't that be an enhancement in quality of life for those of our residents who are a part of the college's activities?

We have attendees at the Senior University and those who help administer the program.

We have students both full and part time who attend classes at the college.

A shuttle every 15-minutes during school would make it a lot easier for those people to get to classes and avoid transportation and parking problems.

I'll bet all we have to do is ask and give a little information about how many would use it.

And while we are at it, let's put in a 'hot spot' in the Clubhouse so people can study there and do research on the Internet at the same time.

It has come to our attention that the ‘front office manager’ is aware of the internet web site that suggests Stoneybrook as a venue for entertainment, swimming, spa, and tennis, for students at UCLB.

As many students live here, access is easy or “climb over the fence”

Or just walk through the gate, following someone.

This is called trespassing.

It is a fact that groups of students, enter with cases of beer, igloos of alcoholic beverages, and use our facilities for Bar B Q, swimming, spa, and other unmentionable activities. This causes over use of our facilities, and prevents honest residents from using our facilities.

Some of us are now aware these trespassers know the Shield Security schedule, and names of the guards. And use our common areas after midnight. These poorly behaved individuals often retreat to the units of other students continuing raucous behavior until the police are called.

The general population here is unaware of the many calls to the guard service, hearings, complaints, and law suits due to the misbehavior of students.

Sadly a Press Telegram article reached parents suggesting Stoneybrook as more desirable that dorm life. And those parents, who can afford, buy here at Stoneybrook for their son or daughter. The children then advertise for roommate(s) who bring in boy (girl) friends to live with them. Eventually 6 or 8 or more are living, drinking, partying, next door, below and above, us. Very UNfortunate are we, when realtors receive offers of half million dollars cash to buy a unit for their child, while they attend college. And the above description happens.

Of course the front office advises the parent (sometimes present) that we have rules and regulations, but owners here are silent when the rules are not enforced. And this must stop. Out of state parents are unaware that the drinking age for persons under 21 is illegal in the state of California. One parent stated that she “didn’t care if her son drank here because he drank in his home state of South Carolina.”

We hear and see student cars in the garage driving 30 to 35 miles and hour, in the parking garage. Screeching around the corners, parking in the vendor parking for hours during the day, students playing football in the hallways and the light fixtures are broken, students, hanging out on the outside stairways, smoking, talking loud on mobile phones, and misbehavior in the spa, diving into the pool from the tree, wall, and lounges, expose us to tremendous liability.

Even the laundry room is being used by outsiders, who are “just visiting”.

The ideal is 1 or 2 quiet students in a unit, but this is not happening.

It is not our job to parent these immature, spoiled, rude students who are abusing our common areas.

We hear complaints from residents. The residents must call the Guard Service and report

these incidents, so that they may be dealt with.

Barking Up The Same Old Tree
The pet population, specifically those in the canine waste scattering anywhere one sees fit as long as someone else is not looking section has grown from the psychopathic mentality which seems to be the real culprit for defining increased canine feces, loud parties, broken amenities, speeding cars in our garages, willfull disregard for rules which are posted in plain sight. It appears that this new breed of resident here at Stoneybrook Villas seems to feel that since they are paying monthly association fees in addition to the principle already laid out for their villa that they are entitled to do whatever they please and ignore the rules and policies which govern the facilities which we live within and share together. This does not include the water spigots or electrical outlets no matter how closely they may be in alignment with your front door or balcony.
Before the fence around the main pool was installed the green identification key tags were issued. This worked temporarily for me until I left my tag in a pocket that went through the wash and came out melted. While each dog owner would be well outfitted with Lance Armstrong vests there may be some distention in the ranks about wearing such an item. Likely the only people who would a vest would be the people that either it does not apply to for it is a chore getting the existing group just to carry a baggy and a shovel to pick up after their favorite Fido's doo doo.
Soon, we will be experiencing a new technological safety edge here which has not been present previously. This innovation will be the cameras placed around the various access points and high crime commission areas. It may be these cameras catching pet violators on film that will ease some of the rampant violations that are occurring. The police are having good luck with the cameras at intersections and crashes are down.
Worse comes to worse, disposable cameras are cheap and readily available. If you see an infringement occurring you can snap a couple pictures of the dog and the owner and turn them in to the office for prosecution.
We also need to look at the size of the dogs coming in here. So far I have seen laboradors, rottweilers, great danes, standard poodles and yippettes.
Luckily amidst the dog problem and the darling college population we at least do not have a day care center for children established with playground equipment on what was previously part of the greenbelt. Someone might think about writing a letter to the Press Telegram about preparing your son or daughter for college and the importance of making all the arrangements for the upcoming semester to meet all deadlines that occur; specifically getting on campus dormitory housing which includes 3 meals a day, a bed and a parking spot rather than to burden the neighbors at this world class resort.



--Ward Johnson C.E.R.T.
<mailto:wjohnson17@msn.com>

A parking spot and 3-squares are not included in the cost of the dorm. There goes that theory.

When do you all go to a Senior Living Apartment? This is really annoying. I bet those
College Hooligans are also doing drugs and having unprotected sex! (sarcastic)

The truth is you can't do a thing about who buys or rents her, so why mention it like there is a way to stop it.

The problem of people using our pool. Is not isolated to college kids. Its also relatives and friends of residents. People get buzzed in and use the pool. People following other people or cars in. Many times I have observed loud and noisy children with the parents have have no or little control of them. It destroys the quiet oasis we have. These kids are noisy and disobey our rules. Could they be your Grandchildren?

And don't think that we simply need a bigger fence. That's a waste of money. Most of these crashers simply walk in or get buzzed. I live by a gate and it is very rare to see anyone climb it. Why would they? The gate is often opening and closing and even propped open for an Open House.

So go to a Senior Living Condo and stop being so negative to college kids. Your just too old to handle this place.
--Not afraid of college students!

I agree that the fence is a complete waste of money, and a knee jerk reaction. I don't think that college "kids" are the problem either (I am a grad student at csulb).

It is a matter of respect... all residents, regardless of age, should be respectful towards one another. This includes IE noise levels and putting your weights away in the fitness room.

p.s. can you please do something about the CSS formatting on this page? I bet you can get a college kid to help you out with that.
--r e s p e c t

For the cost of this fence, we could of hired a lifeguard. The lifeguard could check to see who is a resident, if the guests are accompanied by a resident and the number of guests per resident. Why is it that we keep putting up fences?

I would welcome anyone who could help with the "CSS formatting on this page". Contact me at deappleby@donevanappleby.com
--Don Evan Appleby
<mailto:deappleby@donevanappleby.com>

I was walking down to my car this morning 9/13 at around 10:10 am and I passed the laundry room in building 1. I heard Richard Jark yelling at a someone so I peeked around the corner to see what was going on. I observed Richard screaming at a woman in the laundry room about not having her key and how he was going to throw her off the premises. I think she lives here and had maybe propped the door open to run back up to her place real quick. I was astounded at his tone and demeanor toward this woman who was probably a resiedent(she was collecting laundry so she had apparently used the key card to pay for it). Richard Jark has become a tyrant and needs to be more respectful of others. He is on a crusade to do as he pleases no matter what the cost(we have all seen the eyesore he is calling a fence). He does not care what anyone else thinks about what he is doing around here. He also has secret meetings with some of the board members and excludes others. He is strong-arming everyone here and we need to not be so afraid of him anymore and be willing to stand up for what we believe is best for the whole association. He creates "projects" for himself to do becasue he does not have a job. I want to know who signs the checks and how he pays his dues. I am sick and tired of hearing everyone complain and I think soemthing needs to be done about his dictatorship and the possibiliy of him bankrupting us. I am still trying to figure out how he keeps getting elected if all I hear at the pool and other common areas is how bad of a job he is doing. The screaming at a resident this morning was the last straw. The time to act is now. In the upcoming election, we need to act as a group and finally vote him out.
--Resident

Think about it folks. Richard Jark has done and is continuing to do a lot for this community. We are fortunate to have the help of so talented a person. If you think you can do a better job then now is your chance. Send in your Candidate Application and plan to put in even half of the time that Richard Jark is, and you will be doing the community a great service. Bring with you some talents like Richard Jark brings to the table and the willingness to put them to work, like he has done. But don't just sit on the sidelines and gripe about things if you are not contributing.

Do armed guards come with this new fence? I feel like I am entering a prison. This can only hurt the property value of Stoneybrook.
--SB owner

I think it is time to clean up the board of directors. Richard Jark has got to go. Since moving in 2 months ago, I have heard nothing but bad things about this character. The fence is wholly ineffectual, and a waste of money. Plus I overheard one of the board members saying that it is illegal to build the fence along the PCH due to zoning. Is that why it isn't being finished? What a complete waste. I looked over the budget recently and it screams "find me new management". This fall we need to shake things up people.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON TONIGHTS MEETING 9/20 7PM AT THE CLUBHOUSE

Hi, is that true that stoneybrook will be repainted?...anyone know what color??

Hi, is that true that stoneybrook will be repainted?...anyone know what color??

There are color samples at the office that the Architectural Committee is using from which to make selections. You might be able to schedule some time for the on-site manager to let you view them.
--Don Evan Appleby

First of all I want to thank Don Appleby for puting this blog together. I can only imagine the time it took to do this. Has anyone taken the time to really, I mean really, look at what he has put together.??? Alot of time and thought was put into this site and thx to him we can vent our thoughts and make changes with where we live. I would really like you to look at this site, he has put together pics and financial statements from last year and the year before, and the yr before... now that I have your attention, I would like you to look at how much money we spent for SECURITY... HOW MUCH DO YOU THINK WAS SPENT??? wrong no it wasn't 40,000 no it wasnt 50,000 EIGHTY THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!thats right..... now I have owned my place since 93 and rented my condo just moved back her 2 yrs ago. It wasn't until my association fees started climbing and I took notice of the changes that g fence was all around the pool. Instead of going to the pool and reading without hearing MARCO POLO, OR screaming, crying, I realized that time was gone. I really loved the way it was before, now I hear MARCO POLO, MARCO POLO... SCREAMING ETC. I like kids dont get me wrong, but what a disappointment to have the BIG FENCE AND marco polo screaming, crying, and the calmness it used to have.
I think that Richard is on the right track as far as security. Come on people we are spending 80,000 dollars dont you think cameras and a higher fence would be the logical answer. I really think that he is on the right track... Come on the fence is already up lets get together as friendly stoneybrook owners and take action. Lets take control!!! The fence that Richard put up is actually a nice design, all it needs is amber lighting in front a some beautiful flowers. We can all vote on what color it should be painted.
LETS TAKE ACTION...... WHY LEAVE IT TO THE ARCHITECTURAL COMMITTEE TO PICK PAINT COLOR AND THEN BLAME THEM BECAUSE WE DONT LIKE COLOR. Isn't it time that we as home owners did something about where we live instead of letting other people do it for us only to blame them for not doing it right. MEETINGS BLAH BLAH BLAH, it just so happens some people who are home owners dont live at Stoneybrook, nor have the time to attend. EMAIL AND DON APPLEBY'S BLOG LETS TAKE ACTION AND VOTE ON PAINT COLOR Etc. instead of looking at the minority of the decision's after all aren't we the MAJORITY??? USE THIS BLOG TO VOTE ON COLOR OF FENCE ARE ANY OTHER CHANGES. WE DONT NEED OTHER PEOPLE TO MAKE THE CHANGE FOR US WE JUST NEED TO BE INFORMED AND VOTE WE ARE THE ONES THAT PAY THE DUES!!!!! SO DONT SIT BACK AND LOOK AT WHAT COULD OR SHOULD OF BEEN. did you know their thinking about painting the exterior brown? didnt think so. oh yeah lets also have a say on how much the bids are for painting etc. isnt it time we took charge????? Do you really know where your money is going?
s Thank you Don Appleby for spending the time you did on putting this blog together and having it available for Stoneybrook. Pls look at what he has put together and help him get this site as far as writing input alittle better. Any volunteers? after all he has been doing it for years, so................ come on Stoneybrook lets all work together and make this a beautiful place that it is
--Andria
<mailto:hypnosisbyandria@hotmail.com>

I like how you say the fence that RICHARD put up. That speaks volumes.

The following is an attempt by a signed author to clarify some anonymous submissions: My fellow neighbors,
Regarding the controversy about replacing obsolete or worn out assets there appears to be two trains of thought butting against one another.
What I fail to understand is that there were schematic drawings of what the fence was going to look like in the office for a month before the construction even began upon installing it. Then several weeks prior to the installation a small section of the new fence was erected by the front gate. No one said or wrote a word then, voiced any opposition to the board or the architecture committee. It was business as usual right up to the phase one materials arriving to be installed. Now that it is going in there are some concerns about appearance and factors relating to potential crime and litter. Just to make the point about trash accumulation, how many besides the Terra Verde gardeners, Rich Jark and me have gone out with a broom, dustpan and container and retrieved some of this debris that is an issue now with the new fence’s arrival? I have yet to find a vagrant on the property but assure you when I do I will remove the individual, his/her belongings and notify the authorities of his/her trespassing on private property. If we are paying the $500,000 to put in the new fence, then obviously someone did not get a bid from Big Lots. There is nothing worse than reporting the facts incorrectly to gain support against an issue. It would be nice if those in opposition would tell the story straight, even if it would likely mean no more signatures opposing something designed to protect our investments here in the first place as a new, higher and safer fence that is going to be doing for us soon. Although the completion of the first phase is being delayed as long as the occupancy ledger forms are not being completed and turned into the office as was requested two months ago.
Any of your concerns about fire, earthquake or other disaster: residents are reminded not to use the elevators and to evacuate the buildings. Please use stairways furthest away from source of trouble, exiting out quickly as possible and not returning until the authorities give us the all clear to do so. Use the driveways to further exit out to the street to safety. Generally you will not have to scale over the fence to evacuate. Both the American Red Cross and the fire department stress exiting in the safest manner possible as to avoid additional personal injuries. It might be a good idea to practice Exit Drills In The Home so you are better prepared in the event the worst occurs. Be sure to have several gallons of fresh drinking water, non-perishable food items, first aid kit, radio, flashlight, batteries, cell phone, change of clothing, toiletries and cash on hand in your disaster preparedness kit.
Ward Johnson, M.P.A.
C.E.R.T. Building 2 Captain

--Ward Johnson
<mailto:wjohnson17@msn.com>

To whom ever responded to the above HELLO ANONYMOUS...........IT WOULD BE NICE IF YOU PUT YOUR NAME AS I DID... what did u mean by RICHARD put up the fence, that speaks volumes?. Are you refering to fence around the pool which I absolutely hate, or fence that was just put up? All I am saying is that the FENCE IS UP ALREADY and we are going to have to live with it even if you dont like it. Lets do something to change the appearance of the entrance to 500 building for a start, and make it look beautiful. There is alot that we can do to make it look good. Amber lights directed on the trees, repainting it or vines going up the fence,and flowers) Its done, lets not cry over something that is going to probably cost more to take away. We could also put a vine its called buginvillia not sure of spelling oh well, that you see above the jacuzzi main pool. Its a vine that will cover the damn fence!!!!!! If any one likes that idea I can get the plants for wholesale and you will be able to see the invoice!!!!! So lets stop with this about the fence and do something about it. Pls tell me your not going to wait for the exterior of the building to turn black, or brown the color they are thinking about painting and bitch about that too?????????
--Andria
<mailto:hypnosisbyandria@hotmail.com>

When I drive to work and home everyday there are homeless men on the corner of PCH and 7th Street, which is a short block from our homes. They are there bright and early as I'm on the road at 6:20am, where do they sleep? I have also seen them at Ralphs across the street. If you look up Megan's law (meganslaw.com) and put in our zip code there 23 sex offenders in our immediate area. Giving them a place to hid out (in our soon to be exposed landscaping) isn't my way of protecting our residents. I agree with you that most pet owners pick up after their pets and those that don't should be reported. I also have a concern that the gate in front of the club house has open water exposed. This is a major risk as it doesn't take very much water to drown in. We have children in the complex and that come to visit, we have a lot of college students that come home drunk and could very easily fall and drown in this now open water. I asked the board at one of the meetings why we could not put this fence issue to the home owners to vote on and was told by Richard that wouldn't happen, that was followed by Lena saying they don't have to tell us as much as they are and maybe they should stop. The board on the few occasions I have been to the meetings have been incredible rude and evasive in their answers. I would love to go to a meeting and have it calm, civil, and appropriate. Yet that doesn't seem to happen as the board memebers call residents names and refuse to give direct answers. I have heard what it used to be like to live in Stoneybrook and would love for it to be that way again, right now I feel like I live in a dictatorship and am not allowed to live my life as a homeowner should. MOST of us don't live with our mothers and fathers anymore because we are adults and don't want to be ruled over. At the last meeting a homeowner asked if the fence would be painted (as it is hideous at this stage) Richard said they had not planned on that nor had they looked into that. Since according to Richard that wasn't in the plans how much more is that going to cost us, and what color are they going to paint it? I think the biggest question we all have is why did this fence get priority over the roofs, elevators, laundry rooms, and the plumbing? It didn't need to be replaced, yet the board will not answer that question. Also how much is this going to cost us? The board wont answer that question either, if you look at Richards drawings it is clear that there will need to be more than Two phases, yet the board will not answer us on how much. They are very smart in how they are approaching this, if they do a phase here and then another one later down the road it wont look like it's as much money as it really is. Unfortunately for them, most of us do know how to add and subtract even if there is a time lapse in the phases.

For all those that wanted to know the entire cost of phase 1 fence, Phil had the courage to speak up and anounce around $200,000 maybe a little over. This is for the new phase 1 fence, security, painting and gates.
--Matthew

Sorry, I miss read my notes. Phil did say over 200k. I was wrong when I said painting is included. I did get a breakdown here it is;
Security + Tax 112,000
Fence 78,000
Wave Design 3,375
Consulting 7,000
Total 200,375

This does not include painting. Not sure if it includes gates. I think some things are left out of this breakdown, but at least we got some of the info. The board clearly did not want to answer this question. All, but one member, tried to dodge this question.
--Matthew

Sorry, I miss read my notes. Phil did say over 200k. I was wrong when I said painting is included. I did get a breakdown here it is;
Security + Tax 112,000
Fence 78,000
Wave Design 3,375
Consulting 7,000
Total 200,375

This does not include painting. Not sure if it includes gates. I think some things are left out of this breakdown, but at least we got some of the info. The board clearly did not want to answer this question. All, but one member, tried to dodge this question.
--Matthew

If there is a fire or other disaster in Building 6 hallway, the first floor residents would not be able to get out safely through the hallway. The fence up against their building would prevent them from getting out safely because of those prongs. They would not be able to get to the stairs leading outside! Besides, they deserve their privacy Ward Johnson just as you have yours.
--Common Sense

Right now the power is out in parts of building 552 and all of 576 and have been out for 6 hours so far. I can see my neighbors stuck in the dark. I would surmise it was caused by the new Access Control installation, which is costing us over $100,000. Alarmingly, the emergency lights that are suposed to light up the hallways in both buildings are not working. All the car entry gates are propped open.

Also, there is a part of the old gate blocking the old emergency exit from building 552 to the streets. We have trenches and bright cones and barracades throughout our complex. The elevator permits have expired.

Our dues will increase again! How could anyone claim that our Association is doing such an amazing job? 5 years ago this place was beautiful. Now just look around.
--What happened to Stoneybrook?

Right now the power is out in parts of building 552 and all of 576 and have been out for 6 hours so far. I can see my neighbors stuck in the dark. I would surmise it was caused by the new Access Control installation, which is costing us over $100,000. Alarmingly, the emergency lights that are suposed to light up the hallways in both buildings are not working. All the car entry gates are propped open.

Also, there is a part of the old gate blocking the old emergency exit from building 552 to the streets. We have trenches and bright cones and barracades throughout our complex. The elevator permits have expired.

Our dues will increase again! How could anyone claim that our Association is doing such an amazing job? 5 years ago this place was beautiful. Now just look around.
--What happened to Stoneybrook?

What will be done first, the gate around the US border or the gate around Stoneybrook?

Rich Jark is not an owner, nor is he a renter. Yes, that's right neighbors he lives with his mother, keeps "his bedroom door locked with a key." This statement was heard by his mother in the clubhouse. Gossip, sure, but it is odd that Rich is in his 50's, living with his mother, has no job and hasn't for several years. Has a blog that he doesn't pay income taxes (if you don't believe me check it out) how in the heck does he get $. Very interesting and he's on the Board.
--The Truth

what's up with the association fee? Since we bought our place, the fee have risen three times. It is now hovering at about $350 for two bedroom. When is this going to stop, or are we looking at $400 in the next year?
--Anonymous