Dear Lake Forest Estates,
This is the first “official” email sent out to the neighborhood from the newly elected HOA Board. There are 97 emails on the list, which covers 84 homes and 6 empty lots. The plan is to include all the home and lot owners on any emails coming from us. So if you happen to be talking with a neighbor and they did not receive this email, please have them email us at lakeforesthoa@gmail.com and we will add them to the list. Furthermore, this is, to our knowledge, the most updated and complete list. If you feel the need to contact the neighborhood, feel free to use this list.
Although this may be our first “official” email, it contents are unofficial. We are sending a formal request, through the mail, to invite the neighborhood and all land owners to the budget meeting being held January 29th at 7:00pm at Macedonia City Hall.  We thought we should get a head start on getting the information out to as many people as possible. We also felt we should get the information out by as many ways as possible too, hence this email.
There are 4 attachments to this email which will make for some less then exciting reading. However it is very important that all the information is reviewed before the meeting on the 29th. Intentionally or unintentionally we, your HOA Board, did not do a whole lot of spending in 2013.  With the controversies surrounding the legality of the Board at the beginning of the year, we missed close to half of the year. We did not start collected dues until June, and the only major project we did fund was the cleaning of the entry way signs. However, with your help, we are very excited about the direction that this neighborhood will take in 2014.
Attachment 1. The State of Lake Forest Estates: This is a recap of the transactions and overall census of the neighborhood. We hope that the information will give you a feel of the transformation that the neighborhood went through in 2013. The information provided was completed towards the end of November. Some of the information may not reflect some of the recent changes that have taking place since then. However, the overall goal of the census is to provide you with information. We believe that goal has been met.
Attachment 2. Invitation to the Budget Meeting: The Board has approved a budget for next year. Please read the letter regarding the direction your Board is heading and the explanation for the increase in dues.
Attachment 3. The 2014 Budget: Although there is a proposed increase in the annual dues from years past, we feel that it is on par with other neighborhoods in the area and will allow for many positive changes to Lake Forest Estates in 2014 and beyond. We believe that $300 per the calendar year is not asking to much from each lot owner because it will be spent with much due diligence, and not be just a number we came up. Each project will be researched to the fullest, and will ultimately enhance our neighborhood. We truly believe that our visions of Lake Forest will increase the overall value of each home and lot.
Attachment 4. 2014 Proposed Amendments: Please review the 4 amendments that we will be proposing at the meeting in January.
As you will see, although we have been relatively quiet, we have been working very hard behind the scenes to make Lake Forest Estates into the premier neighborhood in the area.
Thank you for your time, please respond with any questions, comments, or information.
The Lake Forest HOA
P.S. The 2013 Budget Recap & Approved Fencing documents (if approved) will be sent out prior to the January meeting, but are not on this email. Sorry.