Volunteers updated the bulletin board today. They swept away the cobwebs, spiders and other creepy crawlies and sprayed bug spray. Notices that were in good shape with names and lot numbers were dated today. Other notices that were faded or had no name or lot number were removed. They are in a box in the security office if you would like to retrieve it and update it to go back on the board. In order to keep our bulletin board up to date, please check your sign every 30 days and update it.

Since April 18th I've been barking up this tree and now I am ready to make some noise. The Classifieds are back. This is the first version of the new software with many more changes to come. I'm sorry it took so long to get this online but as I tested the software I found more features and filters that needed to be added. It is now available for it's first run. The current version does not have photo capabilities but this will be added. I want to test the software up to this point to see what if any changes need to be made. I also want to see if anyone is even going to use the Classifieds software before I continue writing this program.

Registration is NOT necessary. Unlike social media, you may read and post on the Classifieds without having to join any secret societies, reveal your life history or give a DNA sample. Items are listed from newest (top) to oldest (bottom). Click on an item to see complete details. Posts will display online for 60 days from the time they were created or the last time they were edited. You can edit, delete or mark you post as sold any time you wish. There are Help files throughout the program to answer questions you may have.

Feedback
I am very interested to hear what you have to say about the program so far. Let me know what you like or dislike, features you wish to see in the future (photo capability is coming) and/or any suggestions you may have.

Please use the Contact Tab at the top of the page to send your feedback.

The question came up about if and how a property owner can change their vote once they have marked their Absentee Ballot. In order to maintain the integrity of the voting process and ensure that there is no appearance of impropriety, there are no procedures or circumstances in the election rules that allow for changing a vote once the Absentee Ballot has been filled-out. However, the property owner can elect to NOT MAIL the Absentee Ballot, and instead he/she may come to the In-House Voting on 17 August and cast their vote in person. Please remember, you cannot vote both by Absentee Ballot and In-House Ballot; doing so will invalidate both ballots.

1. Ballots must be filled out in INK
2. DO NOT put ballots through mail slot at office. BALLOTS MUST BE MAILED.

The 2019 Election Notice of Annual Meeting and Absentee Ballots have been mailed out.

There have been several questions raised about the space for "Lot #" on the Absentee Ballot return envelope. The Election Committee uses this to sort the envelopes by village before they are opened. The roster we receive from the River Ridge Admin office is divided by village, so the lot number on the envelope makes the verification process go faster. If a property owner does not want to write their lot number on the envelope, there is NO PENALTY. Their ballot will still be counted. This is the same procedure that has been followed for the past several years.

The Notice Of Annual Meeting for the 2019 election is ready to be mailed. This includes the "letter of intent" from each of the candidates below. You should receive these within a few days... or you can get a pre mailed preview here..

On Saturday, August 10, 2019 at 10:00 AM River Ridge will have their annual property auction. Click here for the auction list, terms of sales and contact information.

Check this list periodically for updates. If debts are collected the property will be removed from the auction. Properties no longer for sale will have a red line through them.

This year's election will be held on August 17, 2019. The election committee this year is as follows:

• Chairperson: Gary McKown
• Co-Chairperson: Terry Milligan
• Co-Chairperson: Donna Milligan

There are two (2) positions to be filled at this election, Ollie Dunn and Ray Shepard. The following River Ridge Residents have submitted their names as candidates: (listed alphabetically)

• Kevin Jetter
• Donna Noell
• Howard Powell
• Darlene Quesenberry
• Connie Suddueth
• John Womack

All candidates have pledged to support and follow the rules of the election. Click here to view rules for the candidates.

Absentee ballots, Notice of Annual Meeting and Election, and Candidate Letters are currently at the printer. We will post a notice on this website when they are mailed out. Please note that Grapevine Now is the Official River Ridge Website. Nothing official will be posted on social media.

It is with great sadness that I post this bit of news. The River Ridge Ways and Means officially announced (letter below) their disbandment at the board meeting held this past Saturday (May 11th). Ways and Means is a group of volunteers who raise money throughout the year and this money is put back into River Ridge. This following is a list of a few of the things the Ways and Means has contributed to our community.

All the lights at the entrance way, wire, poles, receptacles, labor, etc.
Fence dividing the River Ridge Golf course from private rental properties
Fence from Association office to the Security office
Roof over mailboxes
Put vinyl siding on gable ends
Put in soffits and wrapped poles supporting front side of clubhouse
Paid for bridge over spillway at dam (pond)
Put up poles, lights, electrical boxes at the basketball court
Original Ways and Means building erected at no cost to River Ridge
Large picnic pavilion erected at Clubhouse
Paid for bridge over spillway at dam (pond)
Donate annually to River Ridge Chapel Bible School
Donate annually to Toys for Tots
Donate to kids parties, Easter, Halloween, Christmas, etc.
Sponsored the Memorial Day and Labor Day Craft and Yard Sales
Sponsored the 4th of July Golf Cart Parade
Sponsored a FREE spaghetti dinner each year to thank everyone for their support

Kountry Kitchen:
Deck in back
Put in border timbers and flower beds
Ways and Means and the River Ridge Chapel put vinyl siding on the Kountry Kitchen
Furnished the stove, refrigerator and half of a freezer (River Ridge paid for other half of freezer)
All the cabinets
Vinyl splash guard behind sink and all of walls
Covered all support posts and top plate in metal
Painted inside twice
Put in both French doors
Donated American flag and staff
Bought 8 (8') table and 64 chairs in the Kountry Kitchen

Pool:
Put tables upstairs and downstairs (twice)
Chairs purchased for the rec room
Purchased lounge chairs for pool area (twice)
Donated shelters on both sides of pool and baby pool (carports)


Here is the letter read at the board meeting on Saturday.

The servers were recently upgraded requiring software changes. I write the code for the entire website with the exception of the forum, which is a third party program. When the server changes went into effect everything worked except for the forum. I have been unable to get the forum operational and have given up. To be honest with everyone, the forum has been a pain to maintain since day one.

Don't panic! My records show that the forum was mainly used for classifieds so I am currently in the process of writing a program for a Classifieds Ad section on our website. You will be able to post property and items for sale, or something you are looking to purchase. You will also be able to post services such as yard work, babysitting, etc.

The new Classifieds can be viewed by anyone and you will not be required to register to post your ads. I'm also hoping to have upload capabilities so you can post photos with your ad. I have the upload portion written but have not tested it on the server so keep your fingers crossed. Please be patient as this will take some time, but it will happen.

The Board of Directors has selected a committee to review and update our Covenants. This is a great opportunity for Property Owners to get involved in the rules that protect, preserve, and enhance our livelihood and property values in River Ridge. The members are:

• Terry Milligan
• Ollie Dunn
• Donnie Beck
• Howard Powell
• Al Freer

The Covenant Committee welcomes your input and suggestions. Contact any member directly or leave a message at the office. You may also send your suggestions to rr_office@bitbroadband.com.

Be careful of what you are putting into the dumpster. Maintenance and security have been cracking down on illegal dumping. The green dumpsters outside our gate are for household garbage only. This is county policy, not River Ridge, and violator's are being reported to the county!

Brush, stumps, wires, tires, bedding, furniture, appliances, carpet, building materials, metal, or liquids are NOT allowed. The county will not pick up these items and River Ridge has to pay to have them hauled to the proper dump site(s). This is costing all of us. Property owners in violation are issued a ticket and non property owners are reported to the county. A ticket will result in a Saturday in front of the Tribunal and a $50.00 fine.

Find out where you can dispose of everything from household garbage and yard debris to that rickety old stove or used oil. This page will explain where you can legally take these items, hours of operation and a map to the remote dump site. Click here for a list of River Ridge and remote dump sites.

If you see someone dumping illegally, please take a photo (or 2) and contact Security at (434) 636-5536 immediately to report the violation.