The Rancher
Summer 2001
Microburst Creates Havoc on McCormick Ranch
On July 14th, a microburst with wind speeds reported as high as 85 mph dropped suddenly out of
the sky, bringing hail, ripping off roofs, uprooting trees and downing power lines. McCormick
Ranch bore the brunt of this storm.
The devastation left behind equates to the third most damaging storm on McCormick Ranch in over
20 years. The loss to the Association, measured in terms of common area plant material, was
approximately 35 major eucalyptus, elm, pine and olive trees, which were all destroyed. Another
15 large trees lost major portions of their limbs or had the tops of the tree completely sheared
off by the high winds. Check out photos of the storm damage.
We’d like to thank all property owners for their patience and understanding during and
immediately after the microburst damage.
Damage Prevention Tips
This time of the year (roughly July through September) brings special seasonal challenges to your
landscape. A little preventative work can sometimes eliminate unnecessary costs.
Large trees, especially eucalyptus and pine species, will sometimes blow over and/or lose large
limbs during the high winds associated with the storms. Damage to buildings or vehicles is
common. Personal injury is also a risk.
A long-term campaign of tree work for your large trees can reduce these possibly devastating
expenses. Engaging a certified arborist and a qualified tree care company is a wise investment,
protecting the value of your trees as well as reducing risk throughout the property. These
professionals can evaluate danger areas and make corrections before the season hits.
Appropriate pruning of small trees to open and thin the canopies can reduce the "sail" effect and
keep those trees from blowing over. This work is generally part of a good maintenance contract
for trees under 15 feet in height. Removing tree stakes as quickly as possible after planting
makes the tree more likely to develop appropriate flexibility and taper to withstand high winds.
Leaving tree stakes in place too long increases the likelihood of major problems with tree
development, and creates the potential for loss.
Heavy rains associated with these storms can destroy your granite/rocked areas and your
groundcover and shrub beds. All downspouts from rooftops and gutters should have some type of
splash pad or rock to disperse the impact of water on the ground. Areas that naturally channel
water should be converted to an aesthetically pleasing dry stream bed that is specifically
designed to handle runoff.
Lightning strikes can wreak havoc on your irrigation controller system. Problems ranging from
program loss to fried controllers are common. Your landscape professional should see that fresh
batteries are installed. In the event of an electrical power loss, these batteries will retain
the program and assure proper timing of cycles when the power returns. Surge protection devices
can be installed to save your controllers from complete destruction. The cost to protect your
clocks is usually less than ten percent of the cost of replacement.
As a general rule, these monsoons bring cooling relief and life back to our desert environment
and landscape. The damaging effects of high winds, lightning, and heavy rain can be minimized
with some up-front planning and investment.
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New Office Hours and Procedures
Starting on August 8th, our telephone office hours will be 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday thru
Friday.
We are also implementing a new phone system that will immediately direct all incoming calls to
the proper person without delay.
Incoming calls will be handled as follows. Upon calling our office during the above listed
hours, you will hear the following options, "If your call is in regards to a violation or
infraction of the rules, or if you would like to make any kind of architectural change to your
property, please press "1". If your call is in regards to billing, accounts payable, or the sale
or purchase of your home, please press "2". If you have a question or concern regarding the
maintenance of the common areas, please press "3". All other callers please press "0" for the
receptionist."
After hours, you will be able to leave a message with the department you wish to contact, or,
in case of an emergency, you will be given instructions on how to contact our 24 hour on-call
staff member.
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Farewell to MRPOA Staff Member
The Administrative Office regretfully announces the resignation of our Payroll/Personnel and
Accounts Payable Coordinator, Denise Wanner.
Denise has worked for the POA for a total of 10 years having started out as our receptionist
back in 1989. Promoted to the Billing Department in 1991, Denise was a very dedicated employee
for 5 more years before leaving with her fiancée to start a new life in Florida. Three years ago,
she returned to Arizona and was immediately rehired at the POA to take over the Payroll/Personnel
and Accounts Payable departments.
Denise has made the decision to return to Florida to start her own business. We wish you the
best of luck in your endeavors Denise!!
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McCormick Ranch Women's’ Association
The McCormick Ranch Women's’ Association is an Association for women on McCormick Ranch and
invites all women to join them as a new member.
Their activities include bridge, book discussions, golf, water aerobics, etc. They have a
luncheon/meeting on the third Thursday of each month which is held at various valley resorts,
country clubs and restaurants. Each luncheon has a social hour preceding the luncheon and an
interesting program following with speakers on art, politics, fashion shows and community affairs.
With membership dues of $25.00 annually, you will receive their monthly newsletter (September to
May) and their yearly Membership Directory. Please contact Carol Bellamy at (480) 951-0562, for
more information.
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From our mailbag...
We received the following note from our new website:
"My wife and I want to express our appreciation for the very quick and efficient manner in which
you have responded to the massive damage done by the recent storm. In our almost 26 years on the
Ranch, there has only been one other storm in our opinion that was as destructive. Each time
your crews have done a wonderful "clean up" in regards to the toppled trees, damage, and debris.
Thank you!"
The following card was recently received in our office:
"I am a homeowner on McCormick Ranch for several years and I think it one of the most beautiful,
well kept places I have ever seen, and it is so consistently clean and attractive.
"I walk several times a week along Royal Palm and 87th Street to Via Linda and each time it
upsets me to no end to see the dog dirt every where I look. Sometimes it has just been raked
and picked up. The next time the dog dirt is everywhere. I have actually seen people walking
2 leads with 2 dogs, and I certainly know nothing will be cleaned up -- because they don’t have
so much as a paper towel.
"We had a dog for over 11 years along with seven children. Every time that dog was walked we
asked ‘did you clean up’, if not they went back and we made sure.
"Without a doubt these people all live in homes off of Royal Palm and 87th. However, they would
not think of walking them on their own street because their neighbors wouldn’t stand for it.
"I wonder if you might answer in your next newsletter, instead of a $100 fine for not cleaning up
(which these people ignore completely), signs imposing a $100 fine for walking dogs along Royal
Palm and 87th. This would force these dog owners to clean up because it would be on their own
street and that would never fly!
"I realize this may not be legal, but if it is, couldn’t it be enforced as many places do not
allow motorized skateboards or scooters? This would really take care of unnecessary work for
the landscapers and would eliminate the terrible sight every few feet.
"Sincerely,
A very satisfied McCormick Ranch Homeowner"
Editors note: We can appreciate the concerns you have regarding the unsightly mess of dog
droppings, however, we have no jurisdiction in our rules and regulations over where residents
are allowed to walk their dogs.
Letters, notes, comments, suggestions, etc. can be sent to the staff at 9248 N. 94th St.,
Scottsdale, AZ 85258, or emailed to karenbenson@mccormickranchpoa.com.
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Rules and Regs of McCormick Ranch
Parking Beside Driveways
Parking any portion of a vehicle on an unpaved
area is not permitted. Grass or decomposed granite areas adjacent to driveways are considered
unpaved areas.
Dogs
City of Scottsdale Ordinances prohibit dogs running
at large and require that litter be picked up immediately by owner.
Complaints regarding this issue should be directed to the City of Scottsdale at (480) 312-5000.
Debris and Brush Collection
The City of Scottsdale’s Sanitation Division picks up brush debris and large throwaway bulk items
on McCormick Ranch. Collection schedules for the rest of 2001 can be accessed by clicking here.
- Items must be placed just inside your property line.
- Items should be in place no later than 5:00 a.m. on Monday of the scheduled collection week.
- Tree limbs must be less than six feet (6’) long.
- Cuttings must be piled in the same direction.
- Loose or small items must be bagged or boxed.
- Non-collectibles are construction waste including rocks, brick and scrap materials and remodeling
materials.
The POA restricts indiscriminate stockpiling of such debris.
Items to be picked up should be placed in the above described locations no more than two (2) days prior
to the scheduled collection week.
To see the entire set of our Rules and Regulations, check out our Rules and Regs page.
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