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.

We all take our water resources for granted. Nearly ninety seven per cent of the world’s water is salt water, and only about one per cent of our water is drinkable. With global warming a serious issue, we must do more to be water conservators, and we must do it NOW.

At Holliday Park here in Michigan, the Land of Lakes, we are committed to saving every drop of water that we can. According to the www.EPA/gov.safewater, the average American uses 90 gallons of water a day. We can reduce those numbers with simple quick fixes and being proactive.

Here in Westland, our cooperative is made up of caring individuals who want to help save water and energy, as well as, cleaning up our environment. Since we own a share in this corporation at Holliday Park, all that we do that has a positive effect on our planet, also protects our investment. This is why we are all participating in a simple plan to reduce water usage by purchasing the necessary plumbing quick fixes that have a great “mission green” result.

Conventional Shower heads use 3 to 8 gallons of water every minute. We all shower for at least five minutes or longer. It is essential that we all install shower heads that are capable of restricting water flow, and by that simple act, we can save 1,000 gallons of water per person per year. These shower heads are inexpensive and easy to install. We must also cut the time we spend in the shower, for an even greater impact on water reductions.

At Holliday Park we have a great Maintenance Staff, and we can call and report leaks, and get a work order number. If we report the leaky faucets and toilets the minute we notice the problem, we are saving many gallons of water. Holliday Park recently installed easy-to-use levers at the Main Water Value in each unit. In the event of any water related problem, or if a member plans to be away on vacation, it is simple to shut off the value with this flat ergonomically shaped lever. Future conservation plans include installing more “shut-off levers” under the sink, and in the bathrooms, to prevent any loss of water when a problem occurs in these locations.

At Holliday Park Co-op we are allowed to make upgrades and improvements. As long as we fill in the necessary forms and submit them to the Improvements Committee for approval, we can make environmentally friendly and other upgrades, which may allow us to add value to our unit, and stop us from wasting valuable resources at the same time. When we renovate our kitchens and baths, we are encouraged to replace old- fashioned faucets with a new type which is not expensive. These low flow aerator faucets save at least two percent more water than the old styles of faucets.

These simple fixes help Holliday Park residents make a difference in the world. We hope this focus on water conservation and “going green” action is contagious!!