For a long time Holliday Park has had a reputation for having beautiful grounds. This is due to a combination of members taking pride in their units, and the Building and Grounds policies. These policies were developed over time, and address the need for guidelines that work for everyone in the community.

We do not have the “yards” that home owners do, and we are very close to our neighbors; therefore, as in all of society, rules to maintain order are needed. No one wants to look at someone else’s mess. These policies in no way hamper the member from being a gardener or from expressing themselves in their landscape. If fact, you don’t even have to have any flowers or shrubs if that is what you choose. But, if you want to have flowers, shrubs, and/or vegetables, the policies explain where you can plant them and how you must maintain them.

These policies are very much like the policies I have seen for the subdivisions that have been built in the last 10-15 years, as well as condo communities. For instance, if you want to have vegetables, they must be planted in the back of your unit. Shrubs must be kept to no more than 5 feet in height, if they are for privacy around your patio, or 1 foot from the rain gutter if they are in the front of your unit. Flowers beds can be planted around your patio, around a tree if you have one, and across the front of your unit, but they must meet the measurements set by the established policies.

You may have decorations in your landscaping, but they may not be over 2 feet in height, if they are in the front of your unit. Birdbaths must be placed in the rear, and bird feeders must be 5 feet high and overhang your patio so that spilled seed can be swept up.

There are also policies regarding keeping things neat and tidy. Garden hoses must be rolled up on a holder when not in use, and gardening tools must be kept in the back of your unit. Patios may not be used for storage, only patio furniture, barbecues, and potted plants are permitted.

If this sounds like a lot, it really isn’t and it makes for a very neat, beautiful, creative place to live. I love to see all the color and texture that our members put into their flower beds, hanging baskets, and patio pots. Every summer my salads come alive with my neighbor’s wonderful “home grown” tomatoes and green peppers. Some members have expressed to me that having the grass cut and edged by maintenance has made them enjoy the gardening they do, even more.

A gardening contest is planned for this summer, and I am that sure many members will be getting involved. Six judges will be selecting a winner for the months of June, July and August. Nothing professional is required or wanted, so the prospective winner may even be a unit where a grandchild has planted some seeds that produced beautiful, colorful flowers. Pictures of the winning gardens will be placed on this website. Please look for them, or if you are in our neighborhood, come by and see all our beautiful grounds.

We are all aware of the need for an election process that is flawlessly error-proof. The types of voting allowed at Holliday Park, in congruence with our By-Laws, are by mail ballot, by walk-in ballot, or by proxy. Each year there is an election for Board Members who normally serve two-year terms. In the odd years, like 2009, three Board Members need to be elected or re-elected; in the even-numbered years, four of the seven Board Members need to be elected or re-elected.

Here at Holliday Park, there is a small group of people that is called up every spring to oversee the annual Board Member election. Even before the actual work is considered, the persons who make up the group are newly-chosen or chosen from past experience. Those are invited who have the ability to withstand the time-frame required to participate, and who have the qualities of character that give confidence to the members in casting their vote.

Preparatory meetings help the group members to focus on the task in a unified way, with agreement among the group as to procedure and manner. Ten to fifteen people are able to now accomplish in one day, the election event and the process of counting votes. First of all, the mail ballots are counted. The group then recesses. While staying confined to the Clubhouse, they then attend the Annual Meeting of which the in-person election is a part. During the election itself, each group-member carries out a certain role, for which he/she has prepared. Two challengers, previously instructed as to the parameters of their roles, are allowed. The election itself is usually completed within two hours. All the procedural work is honorably performed with a realization that strict confidentiality is required which prohibits disclosure of anything that occurred during the election or in the counting room. Understanding the role of confidentiality is the most necessary quality for any election worker or challenger.

The whole election process has been examined and discussed by members who have the well-being of Holliday Park at heart. The legally-established By-Laws, which served this well-functioning cooperative for many years, are strictly followed. An accompanying procedure is followed with the same exactitude.

Within a couple hours after the event of the election, the walk-in ballots are counted and totaled along with the previously counted mail ballots. The results are then announced to the membership re-assembled in the Clubhouse, and posted on the Holliday Park marquee.

Each time the work-group accomplishes this task, they experience the satisfaction of a job well-done, and honorably executed. New or remaining Board Members then set out to plan organizational meetings and get on with the business of the Cooperative.

One of the best-kept secrets is the existence of a housing complex — Holliday Park — that is nestled along the Nature Preserve and Rouge River at the northern end of Westland, Michigan. Holliday Park is a #1 place to live. The complex is well managed, and is financially sound – even in these tough economic times; and can also brag of having well-kept grounds and property.

Holliday Park went through many growing pains before it matured to the wonderful housing cooperative it is today. Let’s take a look backwards for a minute.

The Kaufman and Broad Contractors built Holliday Park in nine sections, over a period of 4 years. The original plan was to build about 400 units, along with a swimming pool, tennis courts, a fancy Clubhouse with a twenty-foot awning over the front entrance, and a 9-hole golf course on the north side of the property. The townehouses started to sell much faster than anticipated, so Kaufman and Broad decided to build approximately 300 more units where the golf course had been originally planned.

Because of the change in plans, and because the clubhouse burned during a fire, the builders changed the original name for the complex from Brandywine/Three Fountains Country Club to Holliday Park Townehouses.

As the construction of the units advanced, the builders hired a Management Firm to be the governing Board for the housing complex. After a few years, Holliday Park members realized that they were not satisfied with the Management Company. They felt there was not enough personal or individual attention being given to our Cooperative, as Management Firms were busy taking care of other housing complexes, too. The Board of Directors then hired an in-house Property Manager.

Our first experience with self-management was also a disappointment. An ad hoc Finance Committee discovered that the Co-op was in violation of our Mortgage Agreement by not paying into the Mandatory Reserves.

A new Board of Directors, with a new, very financially qualified Treasurer, took over. From that day on, all good things started to happen … an upturn which has continued to this day. A new Property Manger and Maintenance Supervisor were hired; a variety of committees were established; policies were revised and enforced; and long-awaited improvements were made to the interior and exterior of the property.

The most important item of business for the Board was to pay off our indebtedness to the Mandatory Reserves. After that, the Board worked on Budgets, and stuck to them. The slogan was: “Let’s control the controllable, and accept the uncontrollable only.”

Some factors that contributed to the many successful years that followed to the present time, were:

1. The Board remained the same for many years. Consistency in Board Members helped.
2. Board Members had a similar philosophy when it came to managing the Co-op’s money.
3.. The Board Members believed strongly in enforcing policy. Adhering to policy was, and still is, a pre-requisite to promoting peaceful co-existence among the membership.

Holliday Park can be very proud of its growth and maturity. Today, Holliday Park is financially solvent, has no mortgage and is a very successful housing Cooperative.

It is important that as happy residents of Holliday Park we must never forget that the quality of life in this place is one of our greatest assets. It is truly a financial blessing as well as a gift of community, if you really access your living conditions and all the friends, activities and amenities that Holliday Park provides for you and your family.

Recently a new member to our cooperative was asked how she likes living here. She responded by saying, “It’s everything I wished for … And I wished for a very long time.” This lady became an immediate volunteer on Night Patrol and as a bin-worker for the Grounds Committee. She is not only grateful to be here, but she fully understands that giving of her time, as so many others do, is the way to continue and insure the future of this well run, well kept, and mortgage- free cooperative.

Volunteers or co-operators at Holliday Park can be credited with making large contributions to the financial health of the community by keeping costs down. In their interactions with other residents, volunteers are also the creators of community bonds and social interaction. You do not ever have to feel alone in this place. When you volunteer, you get involved and bond with others in expansive activities that promote the peace and tranquility which are priceless for us all.

Having lived here for a short time or for years, members come to know that the success of the community continues to grow and thrive when each of us, intentionally, promotes respectfulness, caring and sharing. It is true that each of us is responsible for his or her own happiness; however we create it, by showing regard for others and for the welfare and future of this place that we affectionately call our home.

There are within this circle of 694 units, long-term volunteers who instruct, inspire, and motivate; they do deserve our special honor and gratitude although they do not seek it. For all of those who serve the greater good of Holliday Park and bring their hard work ethic, time, experience, creativity, money-saving solutions, bean-counting and so much more to this cooperative, here is a poem of thanks for all that you give, and all that you bring to each of us:

ODE TO VOLUNTEERS

Many will be shocked to find
When the Day of Judgment nears
That there’s a special place in Heaven
Set aside for volunteers.
Furnished with big comfy chairs
Satin couches and footstools
Where there’s no committee chairperson
No policies or rules.

No eager group that needs your help,
No bazaar and no bake sale,
There will be nothing there to staple,
Not one thing to mail.
Telephone lists will be outlawed,
But a finger-snap will bring
Cool drinks and gourmet dinners,
And rare treats fit for a Queen or King.

You ask, who’ll serve these privileged few,
And work for all they’re worth?
Why, all those who reaped the benefits,
but not once volunteered on earth.

Author Unknown (Poem Reprinted from SQ 1994)

If we think about the things that belong to us, we may come up with a lengthy, all inclusive list of items — cars, homes, jewelry, HD Televisions, computers, I-Pods, CD players, art work, antiques, books, and much more. However, if we reflect more deeply, we realize that the invisible realities which are constant, such as — time, comfort, emotional support, encouragement, good friendships, concern, and sharing — are more essential and have greater meaning for us than material things provide. These immaterial gifts are the lifeblood, the energy, the sustaining forces in interpersonal relationships, and in community and Co-op living.

Here at Holliday Park Townehouses, we are fortunate in possessing the material, as well as the intangible qualities of life. We are gifted with great generosity, magnanimous care and concern, and unflinching service from numerous members. Starting with the Board of Directors, we have members who serve unselfishly, day in and day out; they care for this community and lead us so that we can sustain and maintain both our material and immaterial possessions.

We also have the numerous committees with their host of members, who assist the Board and the cooperative, and generously give their time, knowledge, support, encouragement and compassion to every process that they undertake, in following the policies and procedures of this community.

Along with all of these volunteers, we are also grateful for the very responsible Property Manager, and our excellent maintenance department. It is such a great comfort to have on-site assistance for any kind of problem, from a dripping faucet to a squeaky door, or a little chirping bird sound, which turns out to be the battery in your smoke detector. These fine people are there for all of us, and they care.

This writing is a testament to everyone here who gives of themselves for the continued well- being of the membership. Let’s keep these numbers growing. Please join these volunteers in whatever way you can, whether it’s being a lot representative, or Night Patrol, or whatever fits your schedule and lifestyle — to share the material and immaterial realities that are a part of human existence, that are part of the great life we have at Holliday Park.

Remember, the invisible things – care, sharing, time – are the things we really keep; that are ours forever.

A Property Manager is responsible for “EVERYTHING” pertaining to the efficient day-to-day management and operation of the Co-op. The duties of the Property Manager are to be performed, so as not to violate or usurp any written policy and guidelines as set forth by the volunteer Holliday Park Board of Directors, and by various state and governmental agencies.

Because of the amount of knowledge that a Property Manager must have, as the Job Description clearly says — “EVERYTHING,” most Co-ops and Condo Associations usually hire a Management Company to fulfill this responsible position.

Here at Holliday Park, we started using Management Companies, but soon discovered that one day a week did not provide sufficient time to carefully handle our Co-op, as they represent many other Associations. Therefore, the Board decided to hire a Property Manager to report directly to the duly elected, volunteer Holliday Park Board of Directors.

The Board decided that any competent Property Manager must have “hands on” knowledge of the maintenance aspects which comprise most of the problems of any cooperative. Maintenance expenses make up most of the Annual Budget of our Co-op. The Board discovered such a unique personality in one of our maintenance staff.

The first thing the Board did was to promote an intelligent, energetic maintenance worker to the role of Maintenance Property Manager. At the same time, we hired a temporary Administrative Property Manager for the Office. The Maintenance Property Manager not only developed his maintenance supervision skills, but also his administrative skills; thus, qualifying him for promotion to full Property Manager, a job which he has held for 27 years.

Our Property Manager:
1. Develops the software for the Holliday Park computer system. Realizing the importance of having the detail and history on each of the 694 units in Holliday Park, in the maintenance area, he is responsible to keep a detailed database current.

2. On any given day, our Property Manager can produce for the Board of Directors, all data on individual appliances, water heaters, furnaces, roofs, garbage disposals, plumbing, kitchen cabinets, etc., detailing the age, the type, and other any pertinent information on maintenance; besides the normal administrative data.

3. Oversees the accounting, the maintenance, the purchasing, and the contracted services; as well as special projects, the resale of units, the pool, and informational technology that is always changing with the times.

4. Analyzes Financial Reserves necessary for our aging Co-op. His expertise enables Holliday Park to avoid special assessments for future needed projects.

5. Researches all governmental housing laws that are forever changing, such as the Boca Code and Legal Opinions; and composes Policies as directed by the Holliday Park Board of Directors, for the Board’s review and approval.

6. Is self motivating, and upgrades his skills by taking new courses in various matters needed for the efficient operation of our Co-op. His courses led him to become a Certified Property Manager.

7. Writes specs for major contracts when going out for bids on major projects, rather than having an engineering service do this for a fee. Among the latest projects, was the new energy efficient, vinyl siding contract that was completed in 2008. He is now planning for the new energy efficient, furnace replacement program for 2009.

8. Knows the ins and outs of all aspects of Holliday Park, to include the infrastructure of the Holliday Park underground plumbing, water, and electric.

9. He is responsible to hire and manage all other employees of Holliday Park; while the Property Manager, himself, works for the Board of Directors. In this regard, he is the “front man” for enforcing all Board Policies, which can sometimes put him in an unpopular position, even though he is just enforcing Board Policy.

10. Our Property Manager is a private person, who possesses an inner confidence which is needed for this position. He rightfully takes great pride in his work and his accomplishments.

Holliday Park is very, very fortunate to have such an able-bodied, unique, and knowledgeable Property Manager. He has been a great asset in the success of Holliday Park. We know of no Management Company that would spend the time, have the interest, and provide the personal service as our Property Manager does for its Board of Directors, and in the best interest of the membership.

Come and join us as a member of Holliday Park; and you will get to know and appreciate the qualifications and loyalty of our Property Manager.