As the year draws to an end I’d like to thank all the Umbrella Board members who put in their time and effort to help make Riva Ridge a better place to live.

Tom Hanson has served as Treasurer for the past few years and again brought us in on budget and without an increase in Umbrella dues for the next fiscal year. David Dabney has done an excellent job in the thankless task of working with our landscapers keeping our lawns, bushes and trees in great condition.

I’d also like to thank George Gillespie and Bob Poole for lending their expertise to our walkway, driveway and lamppost issues. Ron Semptrean and Bill Emmenegger provided insightful input during our discussions concerning Umbrella business. Our Vice President, Cliff Sanderson, also has shared his expertise on a number of issues with the Board and was responsible for producing this newsletter, which is no easy task.

Marylyn Fiduccia, while not a Board member this year, attended our meetings in order to record the minutes and kept us all in line by ensuring we followed the correct Board procedures and regulations. Her past experience has been a godsend. Of course, a special thanks goes to Carole Gregor of ASI for her invaluable service to Riva Ridge.

We will be seeking new Board Members early next year. We meet every other month for a couple of hours. It is only fair that every resident attempt to volunteer their time at least once.

The holiday season will be made more festive by our Riva Ridge residents. We want our community to twinkle with lights and bright colors in a tasteful manner. The Board wishes to thank home owners for their efforts in advance for cooperating with the rules and regulations regarding decorations and their removal by January 9^th.

Email: Clifford_Sanderson@msn.com

At our last Board of Directors Meeting the subject of who is responsible for maintaining the quality of our community came up. My personal desire to become a BOD member was to insure our community is kept in the outstanding condition it is today. I have lived in the immediate area for over forty years and have seen all the development take place and do not want the quality of our community to do nothing but increase. The Umbrella Association has that responsibility. In our discussion, past BOD member Marilyn Fiduccia stated we have been negligent in that area over the past couple years but legal precedent has been taken to maintain architectural control by previous Umbrella Boards.

If you refer to Page 11 — Paragraph 5.01 through 5.03 of the Riva Ridge Umbrella Declaration the duties and responsibilities of the Board are clearly spelled out. Section 18.5 of the Illinois Condominium Property Act, as amended effective June 2002 defines Board of Directors responsibilities. The Board is obligated to operate within the confines of these guidelines.

Your Umbrella Board of Directors will continue to exercise Architectural Control which will be in the best interest of "All" Riva Ridge Homeowners. The desire to change the exterior of Riva Ridge building must be submitted in writing to both the Resident One or Two Boards and the Umbrella BOD for approval. If a change is permitted or denied in one it is automatically permitted or denied in all.

Architectural Control assures the highest possible resale values, and the integrity of the original aesthetics of the development. It also assures fairness by requiring both Residential Associations to continue the same overall appearance of our complex and treat all homeowners alike.

We have had several residents whom have failed to clean up after their pets. It is not only unbecoming but a violation of Village Ordinance. The BOD has fined two individuals who have not followed the rules on this subject. A fine will become a lien on the property if not paid.