Thanks to every homeowner who attended the September 12th annual meeting either in person or by proxy. Our committee's goal was to have all homeowners present to vote on our project and assessment proposal. Without Drees Homes' lot count, 102 homes were represented. We were thrilled with the large turnout!

With 102 present, 68 approval votes were needed to pass the assessment for development of the rec lot. The results were as follows:

With 75% approval, Drees Homes then cast their vote in favor of the assessment.

So, what happens next?
We wait for homeowners to pay their $150 assessment. How quickly the assessment money is collected will determine how fast the development takes place. By Spring, we hope to have a wonderful place in which to gather, play, and socialize. We are very excited about the enhancements this area will provide to our community.

If you have any questions, contact Karen Randle. The Charleston Village Webpages (www.CharlestonVillage.org) will be updated with the Recreation Lot's progress, so please visit the site often for updates.

Recreation Lot Committee

We had a great attendance at our annual meeting this year. For those of you who missed the annual meeting on September 12, here are some highlights, Rob Dixon and David Randle were elected and will now join the Board of Directors. The Recreation Lot Special Assessment vote was passed. The Board discussed their structure and "system" for taking care of business. We have 7 committees for the homeowners to join and in these committees is "where the magic happens." The committees research new and proposed projects and report plans to the Board for final approval. Issues arising in the neighborhood should first be directed toward the appropriate committee to investigate and present to the Board. If there is no particular committee, then the homeowner should contact HRW and be placed on the agenda for the next Board meeting. Financially, we are in great shape and dues will not be raised for 2002. In 2002, we will paint the clubhouse and pool fence and purchase a large amount of pool furniture. These items will be covered within our 2002 budget. Hope to see you in attendance at next year's meeting!!

Don't want to brave the malls this season? Do your holiday shopping at the clubhouse on Saturday, November 3 from 11:00-4:00.

Vendors present will include Creative Memories, Discovery Toys, Longaberger Baskets, Mary Kay, The Pampered Chef, Stampin' Up, Tupperware, and Usborne Books (children's books). Shop for friends, family, or yourself! Fill out Wish Lists to make it easy for your friends and family to know what you'd really like this year. Hope to see you there!

Contact Theresa Rubes with questions.

The Charleston Village Grounds Committee holds meetings open to all homeowners on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at the clubhouse at 7:30 P.M. We encourage you to join us. For information on any of the Grounds Committee topics in this newsletter, see our Website. Contact the CV Webmaster with any grounds-related issues.

Dumping in Common Areas
Neighbors trying to enjoy our common areas have reported seeing yard debris such as branches and grass clippings dumped along the paths and in creek beds. Please do not dump yard debris in the common areas. There are no places in Charleston Village where you should be dumping yard debris. There are many ways to dispose of yard debris that are less obtrusive. For example, the Town of Apex will pick up several types of yard debris. If you need help finding a way to dispose of yard debris, we can help. Contact the CV Webmaster.

Free Soil Tests and Other Programs
Fifteen neighbors participated in the free September soil test program sponsored by the Grounds Committee. For information on this and other programs such as renting lawn equipment as a community, a plant/seed swap, and community-wide treatments see our Website.

Irrigation System Repairs
The Grounds Committee has worked with Drees Homes to arrange for the repair of the irrigation system at the entrance to Charleston Village. Drees homes is paying more than $6,000 for these repairs. Please join us in thanking Drees Homes for helping us get the irrigation system back online.

Mulch in Early October
In early October, mulch heavily to block the light winter annual weeds need to germinate. This is a good alternative to using pre-emergents. If you use pre-emergents, they must be applied before weeds sprout.

The Board of Directors has approved a budget for getting our own Web space and domain name. Right now, the site is on a free Yahoo account, and we have to abide by the Yahoo Terms of Service and accept advertising. Having our own space will allow us to do pretty much what we want. The new domain name will be easier to remember. We will hopefully be able to get something like www.CharlestonVillage.org. Visit the current site at http://www.geocities.com/cvgrounds for the latest information for Charleston Village and the surrounding community.

Thanks to everyone who has visited the site and provided feedback. If you have ideas/content for the site or want to volunteer to help with the design/content, e-mail the CV Webmaster. Any and all feedback is appreciated and will help guide this site into something you hopefully will want and use.

The power is in the neighborhood committees. Want to see different or more social activities, want more landscaping, want more activities at the pool, or do you want to see the clubhouse run differently? Join a committee and spread your great ideas. Listed below are our 7 committees and their scheduled meeting times. Pick a committee, come to the meeting, and see what it is all about.

All meetings are at the clubhouse. If you can't make a meeting but want to join, contact Barbara Key to be put on the roster and called for the next meeting.

Thanks to all of those who made the Back-To-School Bash and the August Ladies Night Out a success. It's fun times like these that make our community a neighborly place to live.

Upcoming Events
Halloween Parade: Saturday October 27 from 11:30-1:00pm; Meet at the clubhouse for a parade down the greenway and back along the sidewalk. If you don't want to be in the parade, come out to cheer on our little ghosts and goblins.
1st Annual Food Drive: beginning November 1
Ladies Holiday Social: Monday, December 3rd starting at 7pm; Dinner, Cookie exchange, White Elephant gift exchange
2nd Annual Toys for Tots Drive: December 8, 2001 from 11:00-1:00; Clubhouse with refreshments served

If you are interested in joining the committee or have ideas, please contact Suzanne Dixon. Meetings are held the first Monday of the month at 7pm at the clubhouse. See our Website

As you might have read on page one, two new Board members were elected at the annual homeowners meeting. This is just to let you know a little about them.

Rob Dixon - Rob is an Arkansas native and has lived in Charleston Village for 2 years. He graduated from ASU with an Agriculture and Economics degree and has worked for BASF for the past 13 years. He participates with the Apex Jaycees by coaching T-Ball and has helped out when needed in our community. He is married to Suzanne, and they have three children ages 6, 4, and 2.
Unfortunately for Charleston Village, Rob has been transferred back to Arkansas and has had to resign from the Board. The By-Laws: Officers and Their Duties, Sections 5 and 6 state that the remaining Board members are to select a replacement Board member to complete the term. Watch this Website for the latest developments.

David Randle - David has lived in Wake County for 13 years and in Charleston Village for 5 years. He has helped our community through his work on the Architectural, Grounds, and Web Committees. David also participates in larger issues affecting our community such as opposing a nearby dense residential development, opposing the proposed 540 corridor that would have split our neighborhood, and building KidsTowne. He joined the Board to "help lead the transition of our community from builder control to our control" and is interested in hearing your ideas and comments concerning our community. Please e-mail David. David is married to Karen, and they have two children ages 4 and 2. David works for SAS.

Thank you to all who have volunteered to help deliver the newsletter. We still have about half of the streets, however, that do not have representatives. Depending on the size of your street, it only takes 30 minutes to an hour 4 times a year. If you see your street below and could use an extra 3 hours of exercise a year delivering newsletters, please contact Laura Trubey.