Letter: Good attitude will work wonders with homeowners

Friday, May 30, 1997 | 11:44 a.m.

Our complex is about 25 years old (50 percent owner-occupied and 50 percent rentals). Many are UNLV students. When we purchased our unit, the real selling points were the beautifully maintained lawns and tall lovely trees. In an effort to find my roots here in Las Vegas, I soon became involved with volunteer work for the association.

We have a "live" office and an open club house. In addition to our five volunteer board members, we have a staff of 10 employees plus our property manager, responsible for their supervision. Each year, we replace five roofs and paint at least 21 buildings (all thins for a $85 monthly association fee with no special assessments). We also provide security seven nights a week.

We don't fine residents for violations unless ample time has been allowed to remedy the problem. If a fine has to be issued, the violator is still welcome to pursue his situation by meeting with the board.

We're not trying to "toot our own horn." What we're saying, if all this good stuff is being done and services are being provided in an older complex of 100 buildings (397 units), it must also be happening in many other well-run associations. Why don't people start talking up these very positive aspects and stop threatening to assess the homeowners an unnecessary fee by passing legislation for state intervention by an already overburdened attorney general's office?

I'm sure there will always be a few malcontents who constantly criticize. However, I also pray there will always be dedicated volunteers and loyal employees such as those at University Crest, who can and do "take the heat and stay in the kitchen" for the betterment of their communities and themselves.

Anne M. Devaney