Normans News

Spring 2015

The sound of lawn mowers and leaf blowers

fill the air. Flowers and trees are blooming,
grass is growing, and we know its a
challenge to keep up with the yard work.
Please remember that our homeowner
covenants require yards to be maintained
so dont let the grass get too high! If you
need help with your yard, please reach out
to one of the HOA board members. We have
contacts for neighborhood teens that will
mow lawns or maybe you just need to borrow
a mower. Whatever we can do to help, just
give us a call!

Certified Wildlife Habitat

while shrubs,
The wooded area

since 1973. To become

encompassing the tennis

certified, an area must

courts and Knox Branch

provide food sources,

creek is now a Certified

water sources, cover, and

Wildlife Habitat, certified

places to raise young. For

by the National Wildlife

food, our area has mature

Federation which has

oaks, pines, and beeches,

encouraged individuals and

which have nuts and seeds.

communities to create and

Azaleas and jewelweed

groundcovers, and fallen

logs provide cover.
Sustainable gardening is
encouraged by the NWF,
such as the use of native
plants and no or limited
use of chemicals. To find
out more, go to
www.nwf.org.

Inside
this issue:
conserve
wildlife habitat
provide pollen and nectar,
Page 2 Little Free Library, Neighborhood Musings
Page 3 In remembrance of a Norman Downes resident
Page 4 - Save the date! Pool, Graduation Banner, Board of Director Election info, 2015 Spring
Yard Sale

Normans news Spring 2015

Norman Downes
newest addition:
Little Free Library

Neighborhood Musings
Its been almost 16 years since I first

saddened me to hear that one of our

moved to Norman Downes at the

neighbors has been harassed by an

urging of my godparents who were

incident that may be racially

grab a free book out of the new

already in the neighborhood. My

motivated. Whether our neighbors are

Little Free Library. Here you can

husband, Paul, and I were new parents

renters or owners, all are welcome!

of very young children and the beauty

Please take a moment to wave at the

of the neighborhood struck us

new neighbors, trade some recipes, or

from, both fiction and nonfiction

immediately. People were out

chat by the mailbox. Intolerance has

for kids and adults. Little Free

walking, yards were well-kept, and

no place in Norman Downes and its

Libraries are created by

schools were outstanding. Why look

up to us to make everyone feel a part

any further? While all of these

of this great neighborhood.

features are still true today, the

In the spirit of diversity, I would like

the country, where people can

neighborhood has changed. My

to encourage folks to try some of the

take a book for themselves or

godmother has passed away and my

new restaurants popping up in the

godfather is in a nursing home. I lost a

area. I recently ate at Caf Raik, a

dear neighbor to breast cancer.

new Middle Eastern/Mediterranean

Another neighbor became a US

restaurant across from the Home

organization began in 2009 in

citizen. People have moved out,

Depot on Old Peachtree. Named for

Wisconsin by two men whose

another generation of young parents

the owners young son, the restaurant

have moved in, and the neighborhood

serves up wonderful shwarma (think

has become culturally more

gyros), falafel, and lentil salads. The

and the love of reading by

diversified. Much like our

flavors are wonderful, so stop by and

building free book exchanges

surrounding county, Norman Downes

give it a try next time youre shopping

worldwide. You can find out

can celebrate the new traditions and

at the HD garden center. My next

experiences shared by our multi-

update will review the new Ramen

cultural neighbors.

Noodle shop behind the 5 Guys

littlefreelibrary.org, or simply

The strength of Norman Downes is

yum!

visit Norman Downes own Little

our vibrant community and it

Tired of watching TV? Then head

down to the pool parking lot and

find a variety of books to choose

individuals in communities across

leave a book for others to enjoy.

The Little Free Library

mission is to promote literacy

more by going to

Library.

Peggy Chandler

Normans news Spring 2015

In Remembrance of Norman Downes resident Shawn Tyrrell

Dear Norman Downes residents,

stay with me, Likewise, Susan and Rob

had probably begun years ago. But

As I come up upon marking a year and

Welch stayed long into the night with

because he was so fit and had

a half since the passing of my husband,

me to see me through. Over the next

absolutely no symptoms whatsoever,

Shawn Tyrrell, I would like to convey

days, neighbors such as Patrice and Jeff

he had not been to a doctor for

to Norman Downes residents how

Neaves, Jasmine and Ed Howdon,

a routine checkup for many, many

grateful and lucky I am to live in such a

Michelle and Ray King, David and

years.

wonderful community. For those of

Marlene Colburn and John and Laura

It's been very difficult to learn to live

you who do not know, Shawn and I

Ridderhof helped me out in many

alone, but I have been blessed with

moved into Norman Downes in 2006.

ways. I certainly couldn't have got

such a great neighborhood, and good

Shawn was a very outgoing person and

through the ensuing days without the

friends who have been kind and

we made a lot of friends here soon

help of so many people. Jasmine has

generous. I am hoping that I can

after moving in. Shawn could often be

been seeing me through and taking

continue to live in this community, but

seen running or biking in the

care of me non-stop.

I am not sure what future plans I may

neighborhood, often running with our

Shawn was in great physical shape; he

need to make. If there are any lessons

dog Siobhan. On July 30th, 2013, he

not only was a runner, biker and

to be learned from this experience,

was out on a training run at Peachtree

triathlete, he often would win his age

they would be to please, don't ever

Ridge High School when he suffered a

group in many races. In 2009, he was

take your health for granted; please get

massive heart attack and could not be

the overall Masters Men's champion at

regular check ups and lead a healthy

revived. Shawn was 49 years old.

the Duluth Fall Festival Race. When he

lifestyle. And please, if you go out

Because his car was not parked at the

did the Peachtree Road Race, he was

even for a short run or walk, take your

school, and because he had no ID on

always one of the sub-seeded runners,

ID with you. Shawn died only 2 miles

him, he was not identified until several

always way ahead of the masses of

from home, but I didn't find out until

hours later. I was home alone at about

other runners far behind. What we

many, many hours later. And finally,

8:30 in the evening when I found out.

didn't know was that he had

be thankful for the wonderful

I want to let you know that due to the

undiagnosed heart disease: his

community that we share here in

wonderful friends and neighbors here

coronary arteries were between 45%

Norman Downes, and please lend a

in Norman Downes, I did not have to

and 95% blocked. Sadly, just one week

helping hand to others in need. You

suffer through this alone. I have no

before he died, we found out that he

never know when you will need the

other family here in Georgia, but a

had high LDL cholesterol, and he had

help of your neighbors.

good network of friends. Immediately

been on a strict diet to lower it. This

after informing me of Shawn's passing,

was most likely a hereditary condition.

Fran Tyrrell

police went next door to neighbors

The coroner said that he likely had

2722 Kenwood Dr.

Kelly and Jeff Aldridge (who have

high cholesterol for many years;

Duluth, GA 30096

since moved) and Kelly came over to

likewise the blockage in his arteries

francesty@yahoo.com

Normans news Spring 2015

If you know someone who is

graduating from high school
or college this spring, let
Susan Welch know at
swelch1@ggc.edu, and that
persons name will be put
on a congratulations banner

Our pool will be opening on May

21st. As usual, we will have a Pool

at the neighborhood

Preview weekend on May 16th and

entrances. A small fee not to

17th. Norman Downes is looking for

a couple motivated helpers. One to

exceed $5.00 will apply.

open the pool at 8:00AM every day,

Yard sale!!

and another to close it at 10:00PM

every night, and straighten up any
pool furniture, gather any trash that
may have missed a receptacle, and
take the trash to the curb on Tuesday
nights. These are paying positions. If
interested, please contact
rob.welch@charter.net

Youll probably agree this is short notice,

but we will have our Spring Garage Sale
on April 25, with a preview for our
neighbors from 5 to 8 on April 24. If you
would like to take part, please contact
Rob Welch (rob.welch@charter.net) to
say that you will be taking part, and list a
few of the more significant items you will
be selling, or the categories of items,
such as Childrens clothing, Golf
equipment, etc.

Norman Downes Board of directors

ballots
This newsletter contains the ballots for our neighbors who have expressed interest

Certified Wildlife
Habitat

The wooded area encompassing the

tennis courts and Knox Branch creek
is now a Certified Wildlife Habitat,
certified by the National Wildlife
Federation which has encouraged
individuals and communities to
create and conserve wildlife habitat
since 1973. To become certified,
an area must provide food sources,
water sources, cover, and places to
raise young. For food, our area has
mature oaks, pines, and beeches,
which have nuts and seeds. Azaleas
and jewelweed provide pollen and
nectar, while shrubs, groundcovers,
and fallen logs provide cover.
Sustainable gardening is encouraged

in serving on the HOA Board of Directors. Please take a few minutes to read their

by the NWF, such as the use of

Bio and vote for the candidates. We have three positions open, so vote for the three

native plants and no or limited use

candidates you feel are most deserving. Our HOA consists of you, our neighbors,

of chemicals. To find out more, go

governed by a board of directors consisting of nine people. Each director serves a

to www.nwf.org.

three year term. The directors responsibilities include attending monthly board
meetings and voting on matters brought before the board, basing their decisions on
what they determine is essentially best for the neighborhood.

Norman Downes Homes Association, Inc.

Proposed Budget
For Calendar Year 2015

Operating Budget

Operating Expenses
Administrative
Communications
Development
General Maintenance, Playground and Lake Areas
Landscape Maintenance
Pool Maintenance
Tennis Maintenance

Total Operating Expenses

Capital Reserves Funding

Capital Improvements Budget

8,698
1,150
200
4,360
9,125
32,440
2,535
$58,508

10,120
$68,628

Capital Improvement Expenditures Planned for 2015

Capital Reserves to be Used for Capital Improvements

Total Proposed Budget

For 266 Properties $68,628

$22,000
$(22,000)

$68,628





Annual Assessment for Year 2015


$258


For 266 Homes $68,628

2015 2018 Board of Director Candidate Bios:

Clifford Curtis - I have lived in Norman Downs for 31 years, since Aug 1983. I have an MBA and retired
from Boeing where I was a business analyst. I also volunteer with the AARP Tax-Aide program, where I
am the local coordinator and a tax preparer.
Judy Taylor has lived in the neighborhood since 1996. She has a grown son and stepson. For several
years she has coordinated the block captain / neighborhood watch program in Norman Downes. She is a
former elementary school teacher.
Cheryl Smith My husband Barry and I have been members of the Norman Downes community since
2004. I am a former Montessori teacher and school administrator. I am currently the CFO of the
Draftech Technology Center in Lawrenceville. I am very active in the Norman Downes community. I
published Normans News, our last neighborhood directory, and worked alongside the HOA board
organizing community events, updating the Covenants and establishing written Neighborhood Standards
and Lake Norman usage regulations as well as working on other projects. I would like to serve as your
board member and help keep the focus on continuing to improve amenities, while retaining the beauty and
warm, friendly, neighborly feeling that attracts good families to Norman Downes.

The last page is the ballot itself. Please fill it out and put it in one of the suggestion boxes found at the Kensington Entrance, or at the
pool.

Ballot

For Calendar Year 2015

FOR ELECTION TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

of the terms expiring December 31, 2014

Term
Term Began Ends
1-Jan
31-Dec
2015
2017
2015
2017
2015
2017
2014
2016
2014
2016
2014
2016
2013
2015
2013
2015
2013
2015

Current Board of Directors




Open






Open






Open






Susan Holland





Rob Welch





Peggy Chandler (1)





Sam Carr





Andrew Miller





Rick Austin














Note (1) - Peggy Chandler assumed the unexpired board position of Peter VanArsdale.




















VOTE BY MARKING AN "X" WITHIN THE BOX

The following candidates will fill the positions expiring December 31, 2017






Please select THREE names from the list below:


Clifford Curtis
3323 Lancing Court



Judy Taylor
3103 Brookshire Way



Cheryl Smith
3308 Leeds Way










FOR THE
2015 ANNUAL





OPERATING BUDGET

Disapprove the 2015 Proposed Budget






FOR THE
2015 CAPITAL



IMPROVEMENTS

Approve the 2015 Proposed Budget

Disapprove the 2015 Proposed Budget

Approve the 2015 Proposed Budget

BUDGET

Norman Downes Homes Association, Inc.

PO Box 962
Duluth, GA 30096

Voting ballot inside!

Spring Garage Sale scheduled for April 25th.