May 2017

May 2017.
Hi KLEnians,
We tried a newsletter some time back without any enthusiastic response. Perhaps the
community was so small that there wasn’t anything new and everyone was up to speed on all
happenings!
We believe that our numbers have increased to the point where communication is very
important and your management committee has therefore decided to publish a regular
newsletter. The idea is to aim for a quarterly issue timed after quarterly meetings of the
KLEHOA Trustees (hereinafter referred to as the Committee) so as to bring our members
abreast of the main issues.
Please note that the Developer has published “KLE News” every so often and these are placed
on the website www.kle.co.za These news sheets are of a sales nature and sent to a wide
audience of members and prospective buyers.
We will obviously bring our members more “nitty gritty” pertaining to life on the Estate.
Ultimately this newsletter will be published electronically and we aim also to have a live
“notice board” and other useful bits and pieces like a live “Bird list” and other ideas that we
feel sure our members will develop. Those not on computers need not worry, we will cater
for you with a delivered hard copy!!

Homeowner issues:
Please note that all emails, telephone queries etc. should be addressed to Kirstie at
hoa@kle.co.za You are welcome to copy all or some of the Committee members so that
we are aware of your issues and can ensure that they are handled but correspondence with
individuals in the first instance can lead to miscommunication. We will ensure that queries
are placed on the agenda of the next Committee meeting and handled appropriately. Of
course matters of urgent nature need not wait for a meeting and Kirstie will ensure action
when required. Perhaps the biggest change in this regard is that the many queries directed at
Grant should go to Kirstie if they pertain to Homeowner’s Estate matters freeing Grant to
attend to his huge workload! (Remember he is paid by the Developer and “on loan” to Homeowners!)

Wheelie bins:
Aware of the huge threat of baboon invasions (they clearly have a diary and timepieces judging by their Monday presence along Welbedacht!) we did once appeal to residents to PLEASE obtain wheelie bins and ensure that they are vermin proof (feel free to stop by the sales office to see an example) to place on the pavements for refuse removal on Mondays. This appeal needs to be repeated. Please get one!!! Available from the Municipality at about R700 we understand. The appeal is motivated by a smart observation by the McMahon’s at 79. They noted rubbish bags ripped apart and contents all over the place. Baboons? (we had them once before) Dogs? Rooikat? (an occasional visitor who demolished a guinea fowl on the clubhouse lawn). NO, none of the above. Crows were observed doing the dirty deed! All the more reason to tidy up folks, as once the problem develops there is no end to unsightly and ultimately dangerous invasions by those hairy guys!!!

Faster Computers:
Grant and Mike Griffiths are currently teamed up to assess various options for the installation of fibre optic cables and all the wonderful things that this technology brings. We are in no doubt that the Estate should go this route but need careful consideration of benefit and cost firstly to the Estate as a whole, but also obviously for us as individual homeowners. We have 3 options on the table and will keep you abreast of developments.

Pathways and Trails:
Members will have seen the rough plans of the probable layout. We are differentiating between formal pathways and trails which will be pleasant but have some steeper sections and steps. They will also be narrower and done in the same manner as the existing trial path that was laid from the Healthcare Centre to the Clubhouse. That pathway, having proved its viability, will now be replaced with a broader, solid surface pathway. The walkway plan needs to be read alongside the layout plan of the open areas that we released recently. By the way, you will notice that as the roadway develops that there are more and more opportunities for pleasant walks along the roads and even a short cycle. As a starter, and there are many more combinations, from the circle (with the Coral tree) just above the guardhouse at the main gate and then heading west; past the sales office and straight on as far as one can go before the road bends left and down the hill; up past the Healthcare main entrance and immediately
right thro’ the Healthcare parking and then following the footpath up and past the Clubhouse (stop for coffee or a beer with Terrance?) and back to the Circle to complete the loop is as near to 1 Km as doesn’t matter. Enjoy! Please be aware and drive carefully as we anticipate more and more walkers and riders on these roads.
Anyone for tennis?
The Developer has announced that construction of the tennis court and an adjacent boule’s court will shortly commence. Thanks to our developer as they deliver on yet another promise ahead of time. Not promised, but he has also given us an indication that he is looking at the final stage of the Clubhouse approximately toward the middle of Phase 4 development. We have seen first draft Plan of the extension and can assure members that our needs are being catered for in that it is a multifunctional space with options for dining spaces (small informal coffee shop type to full dining room) as well as two or three options on activity spaces. Grant is currently looking at storage facility as part of the development too. The closer parking bays will be allocated to mobile chairs and suitable railing can be erected as required. The small step into the foyer is being removed and replaced with a wheelchair friendly ramp. In the interim Members are encouraged to make use of existing lounge and foyer space for various activities such as the Mahjong and bridge groups. Furniture may be moved. Please arrange with Terrance remembering that after use we need the Clubhouse to be presentable to show prospective clients.

Snooker:
The first round of the KLE championship league is well underway under the auspices of Will Palmer (thanks Will!) We are sure that the rules can accommodate any interested players. Contact Will on 1004.
Mahjong
Ever thought about playing the ancient Chinese game of Mahjong? The game is becoming increasingly popular and a number of ladies on the estate regularly play. If you are interested contact Elaine Elliot on 1024. Beginners are welcome.
Beginners Bridge
We have a small group on the estate interested in learning to play Bridge, if you are interested in joining the group contact Mike Griffiths on 1002.

AGM:
Our AGM will be held in the Clubhouse on 27th June. Formal notice will go out shortly. One important issue that will be raised and that will require a change to the Constitution, is to allow the fitting of specific blinds to patios. It would be fair to say that this issue has been the most contested in our short history with many expressing the need for some protection, particularly on north and west facing patios and our Constitution forbidding such alterations. Your committee has worked hard at a resolution and found what we think is a very suitable solution, approved by our architect and acceptable to all on the Committee. We are aware that some members may still feel strongly that no blinds should be allowed. In truth the solution gets away from the negative opinions generated by experience of multi coloured, canvas, roll up blinds informed by history and brings a positive colour co-ordinated choice (match your paintwork) in a modern material and professionally fitted option. The committee urges members to adopt the change to our Constitution.

Trailers, Caravans and Boats:
Our rules are sensibly framed to limit parking on verges and in driveways. Many members find the need to park, for short periods, vehicles, boats, caravans and trailers to accommodate visitors and/or to clean, load and unload etc. Members have been very accommodating to date but your committee is looking at this rule with the view to allowing short term deviations from the rule. Please communicate any strong feelings to Kirstie.

Trees:
You are aware that there is a list of acceptable indigenous trees that members may plant. We are all keen to uphold the indigenous philosophy but as the Estate develops we are learning some hard truths. Many on our chosen list simply don’t grow as you will see, for example, by the dead and dying Yellow woods on our approach road. It seems we may have to broaden our list a little to include some exotic non- invasive trees and Grant and Mike Vlok are reviewing the list. We are also keen to encourage Fynbos, which is the true historical natural biome applicable before much farming activity on the land, but fynbos is difficult to plant and virtually has to be seeded.
Gardening on our Estate is a challenge due to the clay soil and lack of the dune sand soil so common in other parts of Knysna. Nevertheless, our gardens look very good and are nurtured by many residents. We are aware of some complaints regarding the maintenance and Grant, with Ray, are addressing these contract issues. The tension is always between efficiency, cost and acceptable quality level. The Committee has been clear on a basic level of “garden service” maintenance to date with owners able to “upgrade” with their own arrangements.

Water:
Some residents accommodated built in water tanks in their building process. Some are keen to retro fit water storage. We have examined all the options and implications and come to the conclusion that water storage tanks may be established provided they are obscured from view. It is acceptable to place a tank in your courtyard provided the tank is obscured by the wall height. Grant is establishing exact specifications. This is a complex issue as catchment area, overflow and sometimes pump installation have to be considered. Considerable storage volume is required to be able to water through our sprinkler systems and so generally the stored water may assist in selective garden watering. But these long drought periods certainly make us rethink our water usage.
On a lighter note, perhaps if some kind soul finances one for an unnamed committee member who assures us that the rains will come like the electricity did when he spent a fortune on batteries and inverters etc!!!!!!

Finance:
Your Committee devotes ongoing attention to our financial position and we are happy to report that we are performing well, generally within our budgets, and able to accumulate a small surplus. You will see the full position in the annual accounts to be posted with the AGM papers shortly.

Cows:
Lifetime ambitions to farm were almost fulfilled for some Members when a good herd of prime beef broke a fence between the Greeff property and the Estate and grazed happily on our lawns and were attracted to our dams for some liquid refreshment (they don’t know where the Clubhouse is!). Trouble is that, as cattle are wont to do their toilet habits, it left something to be desired and some lawns were left suitably fertilised but rather unsightly! Apologies to those residents. The fence has been repaired, the mess cleared up and we hope the problem solved. Thanks to Bertie Greeff for prompt response.
Your Good Health!
Our Healthcare facility is often somewhat taken for granted. It is a very significant part of our total cost and so we are constantly evaluating the performance. Sister van der Walt produces a comprehensive monthly report which your Committee members review. The Centre is run on very professional lines and the care given is outstanding, especially when one considers the difficulties of providing services to frail and elderly folk. We are delighted to share that we receive very positive feedback and our thanks are due to Sister Petra and the staff.
There are many ways that the Centre can and does assist residents and it may be useful to remind you of some:
1 Blood Pressure Monitoring
2 Home Based Care (meals, house cleaning, laundry etc.)
3 Consultations
4 Administering Injections
Contact Kirstie if you are not aware of the cost of these services.
Given all of the above, please remember that there could be frail folk, perhaps those “singles” in particular, living on the Estate who for one reason or another need help but may not call for it. We encourage all residents to be aware and to look out for each other. Call the Healthcare Centre if you suspect they can intervene in any way.
With warm good wishes to all our Members and Residents. Keep warm this winter. See you all at the AGM. What a wonderful privilege to be a KLEnian!!!!