The Rancher
Spring 2002
Board Members Elected at Annual Meeting
Three property owners were elected to serve three year terms as Board members at the McCormick
Ranch Property Owners’ Association Annual Meeting held on February 19, 2002.
Richard H. Crain is owner of RH Crain & Associates, LLC, a commercial real estate firm
covering the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Dick and his wife, Mary, have been McCormick Ranch
residents since 1981.
Joetta Downs recently retired from the City of Phoenix after 27 years having worked in managerial
positions for various departments. The last 11 years had been spent with the Law Department
managing the Administrative Services Division. Joetta and her husband, Art, have been McCormick
Ranch residents since 1982.
Patrick M. D’Spain relocated to Arizona in 1973 from Kansas, and was manager of the Barrow’s
Furniture store in Tucson until his retirement in 1985. Since then, Pat has been a Board member
and past president of the Sands McCormick Townhomes Association located on McCormick Ranch.
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Mission Statement and Board Policies
Mission Statement
McCormick Ranch is a master planned community covering approximately 3,116 acres of residential
and commercial development in the City of Scottsdale, Arizona. In September of 1972, the Master
Developer formed a non-profit corporation, McCormick Ranch Property Owners’ Association, Inc.,
for the civic purposes of benefiting the Property, the Owners and Residents. The Association,
as agent and representative of the Owners, has the exclusive right to administer, enforce, and
to exercise the provisions of the By-Laws, the Articles of Incorporation, the Reservation of
Architectural Control, the Declaration of Covenants, Conditions & Reservations (CC&R’s), and the
Declaration of Restrictions and shall act, in its deliberations, decisions, and actions, for
the common good and benefit of the Property, the Owners and Residents.
Basic Board Policies
Policy 1 - Provide for the orderly development, maintenance, preservation and architectural
control of McCormick Ranch.
Policy 2 - Promote the safety and welfare of all Owners and Residents of McCormick Ranch.
Policy 3 - Periodically inform all Owners and Residents on matters of common interest and
concern by means of "The Rancher" and website.
Policy 4 - Solicit, when appropriate, opinions, comments, or suggestions concerning matters
affecting local neighborhoods as well as McCormick Ranch as a total community.
Policy 5 - Cause the affairs of McCormick Ranch to be managed in a cost-efficient and effective
manner.
Policy 6 - Act as a good neighbor to communities bordering McCormick Ranch.
Policy 7 - Be aware of city, county, state or other political subdivision activities that may
impact McCormick Ranch and participate constructively to preserve our community lifestyle and
ideals.
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POA Profile
Jaime Fitzpatrick has served as a key staff member of the Association since June of
1996. She was promoted to Office Administrator last August and currently oversees all billing,
payables and human resources for the Association.
In addition to her extremely busy days with the POA, Jaime is also attending the University of
Phoenix seeking her Master’s Degree in Management. She attained her BS in Business Administration
at ASU in 1999.
Since Jaime and her entire family were born and raised in the Valley of the Sun, she is a true
"native" Arizonian. In fact, Jaime’s great grandfather was one of the first deputy sheriffs of
Maricopa County, which included riding his horse from Phoenix to Gila Bend.
In the little spare time that she has, Jaime enjoys hiking, camping, softball and spending time
with her family.
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Spring is Fishin’ Time
With Spring in the air, many people get bitten by Spring fever, while the rest of us might be
more inclined to grab a fishing pole and folding chair.
Our lakes are a mecca for this group. Bass, crappie and catfish are regularly stocked in our
lakes. In March of 2002, 500 bass, and 1500 crappies were stocked. These fish will reach
catchable size within 12 months.
Residents must possess a McCormick Ranch fishing permit which is available, free of charge, at
the McCormick Ranch POA office located at 9248 N. 94th Street.
Fishing without a permit will get one a polite warning or evacuation by our McCormick Ranch Lake
Ranger.
Remember to pick up a short list of fishing rules and regulations when you get your permit.
Happy fishing!!
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From our mailbag...
...We received the following email from a concerned resident:
"...Recently I encountered 3 children on gas powered scooters while walking my dog on the
walking/bike path. We were behind the shopping center, near the bridge. They were going fast
around a curve, but of course we had gotten off the path since we heard them coming.
I'd like to know if these motorized scooters are prohibited from being on the walking paths.
I know it is posted at the park, that motorized vehicles are prohibited except in designated
areas, which there are none. I see these scooters at the park also, but am more concerned about
them on the walking areas.
If this is prohibited, I'd like to suggest this be addressed in the next newsletter Besides
being dangerous at times, I'm sure the residents whose yards back to the paths must find the
noise annoying.
Thank you, and we appreciate the great job you all do!"
Editor's Note: Motorized skateboards, or Go-Peds, are considered by Arizona Revised
Statutes as vehicles, but not motor vehicles. The following prohibitions DO exist:
Riding in an area posted NO GO-PEDS.
Riding on a city bike path, sidewalk, city park, or where otherwise prohibited. This includes
the multi-use path in the greenbelt.
We suggest that you contact the Scottsdale Police Department at 480.391.5000 to report any
incidents.
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
Debris and Brush Collection
The McCormick Ranch POA restricts indiscriminate
stockpiling of debris and brush. Items to be picked up must be placed in the appropriate
location no more than two (2) days prior to the collection week.
Violation notices will be issued to those residents placing their debris out earlier.
Garage Doors
Garage doors must be painted to match either the
trim or body color of the house.
Outside Lighting
Spot lights must be shielded and focused downward.
To see the entire set of our Rules and Regulations, check out our Rules and Regs page.
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What Do I Get For My Money?
With the recent budget approval for 2002, it might seem reasonable to ask, "What do I really
get for my 180 dollars?"
Well, depending on where you live might determine whether or not you think you’re getting your
money’s worth.
Those living on or near waterways certainly receive enjoyment from the dollars spent annually for
lake maintenance. Those who fish and boat probably get their money’s worth, while duck lovers
should sleep well at night assured that the world is in good hands.
Those living on or near one of the many lush paseos that are interwoven on the Ranch enjoy
jogging, walking or bicycling and Camelback Walk provides open space for all kinds of outdoor
activity. While few people actually derive personal benefit from the fountain at the corner of
McCormick Parkway and Scottsdale Road, most bring visitors from the airport to that entry point
before driving them to their homes.
At issue could be the dollars we spend for rye seed in the winter, but imagine what the Ranch
would look like with dead bermuda.
Without adequate equipment and employees, we would not be able to properly maintain the 250 acres
of grass and decomposed granite and trees and shrubs. Without automatic sprinkler systems, our
payroll would increase three-fold to provide manual watering.
Without a POA office, maintenance yard and mechanical workshop, equipment would be subject to
vandals and rust, and property owners would have no place to look for assistance or advice.
Without enforcement of the CC&R’s, there would be motor homes in the driveways, apparatuses of
all sorts on roof tops, unlandscaped or poorly maintained front yards, wooden or brick fences or
no fences at all, unapproved structures, speedboats, antennas, and, I wouldn’t be surprised --
traveling circuses!
Without a POA, there would be no assessment. With no assessment comes none of the things we
take for granted; aesthetic beauty; lakes and trees, green grass and all the amenities that make
McCormick Ranch "different"; i.e., decent neighborhoods, no junk cars in front yards, and no
chickens in the back.
Without a POA, we’d be just like everybody else and your home would be worth less money.
Without a POA, you’d probably have a lot to complain about, but nobody to complain to.
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