The Rancher
Fall 2003
Board Sets 2004 Assessment Rates
At its meeting of October 22, 2003, the McCormick Ranch Property Owners’ Association Board of Directors set the 2004
Annual Assessment Rate at $180.00 which remains the same as the 2002 and 2003 rate.
Total income projected for 2004 is $2,589,000.00 with operating and capital expenditures budgeted at $2,589,000.00,
resulting in a “balanced budget”.
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Notice of 2004 Annual Meeting
The ANNUAL MEETING of the McCormick Ranch Property Owners’ Association will be February 17, 2004, at 7:30 p.m. in the
Lakeview Room of the Clubhouse at McCormick Ranch, 7505 E. McCormick Parkway, Scottsdale, AZ.
This year, three (3) directors will be elected by property owners of record.
Petition forms will be available at the POA office located at 9248 N. 94th Street on Monday, November 10, 2003. Completed
petitions must be returned to the POA office no later than 4:00 p.m., November 26, 2003.
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Problems With Pigeons?
Pigeon problems can come in many forms. Nesting and/or roosting in unwanted areas can create nuisance noise, sanitation
and maintenance problems, as well as potential health hazards on buildings and homes.
Bird droppings are unsightly, can cause staining or damage and promote the transmission of several diseases affecting man.
Prevention of nesting in or around air conditioning and heating units is especially important.
Pest Management Companies can offer the following solutions to unwanted pigeons.
Properly installed exclusion netting will deny pest birds access to almost any surface or area.
Spikes, either stainless steel or plastic, prevents birds from landing on it and thus provides a control solution for
keeping the birds off of specific target areas.
Volt barriers transmit a harmless pulsating current. Birds attempting to land on the track will receive a low voltage
shock which prevents them from roosting.
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Christmas Wreath Program to Start on December 16th
Now in it’s 21st very successful year, the POA’s wreath kit program will start on December 15. All McCormick Ranch
residents are again invited to pick up a free wreath kit at the POA office.
If you would like all the fixings to make a 12 to 20 inch wreath, free of charge, stop by the Association office located at
9248 N. 94th Street (east of Pima Road, south of Via Linda at the end of 94th Street).
Fresh cuttings of juniper shrubs and pine trees along with pine cones will be available starting Monday, December 15th.
Included with the kit will be assembly material and a tube frame with pre-cut holes for the branches. Also, written instructions
will guide first-timers through the easy assembly process.
The staff recommends that you bring a pair of gardening gloves with you to help in gathering up the fresh cuttings!
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“Urban” Wildlife
The following information was recently made available by the City of Scottsdale.
Scottsdale’s population continues to grow every year. That means that residents need to share the desert with our native
“urban” wildlife such as bobcats, coyotes, javelina, raccoons and skunks.
The City of Scottsdale and the Arizona Game & Fish Department alerts homeowners that these types of desert dwellers view
pets such as dogs, cats and rabbits as prey. Neither the City nor the Game & Fish Department trap or relocate native
wildlife, so please take the following necessary precautions in your neighborhood to protect you and your family.
Prevention Tips:
Pets should be kept on a leash or indoors.
Early mornings and evenings are the most likely times for wildlife to be looking for food.
The use of poisons and weapons is illegal.
The City of Scottsdale, the Arizona Game & Fish Department, and the McCormick Ranch Property Owners Association do not
capture urban wildlife.
To discourage “urban” wildlife from visiting your neighborhood:
DO NOT FEED ANY “URBAN” WILDLIFE!!
Keep all pets indoors.
Remove all outside pet food dishes.
Remove all water sources.
Create a ruckus — throw small rocks in their direction or spray them with a garden hose — BUT KEEP YOUR DISTANCE!
For more information, contact:
Arizona Game & Fish Department
(602) 942-3000
www.gf.state.az.us
City of Scottsdale’s Citizen & Neighborhood Resources Department
(480) 312-3111
www.scottsdaleaz.gov
Dave Reid, Director of Maintenance for the McCormick Ranch Property Owners Association, would like to add that coyotes and
a few javelinas have been seen in all areas of McCormick Ranch and are located in most areas of Scottsdale. Coyotes are
not normally a threat to humans.
The police and/or Game & Fish Department do like to be made aware of where the coyotes are raising their young.
And lastly, NEVER leave pets outside at night as coyotes can jump a six foot fence and take pets out of backyards.
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McCormick Ranch Women's’ Association
The McCormick Ranch Women’s Association held its first activity on April 4, 1978. It was a “Meet Your Neighbor” luncheon.
Now, over twenty years later, the goals are essentially the same; to meet our new neighbors and adhere to the original
statement of purpose: “The purpose shall be to foster community spirit, activities and projects to further the common
interests of members.”
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.
Please contact Barbara Paisant, Membership Chairman at (480) 991-3744, for more information.
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From our mailbag...
This quarter, we received several emails or faxes from concerned residents regarding either pigeons or coyotes.
This first fax addresses pigeons...
“I have a great concern as to the growing infestation of Pigeons in my neighborhood. The waste they leave on our
sidewalks, pool decks and our yard fountains is a serious health hazard to all of us as well as our pets. This will
get even worse when they start nesting on our homes. This problem spurs from Ranch residents feeding these culprits.
Can our P.O.A. help curb this sorry practice?
“Thank you for your help.”
The following email also addresses pigeons…
“Thanks to the folks at our Ranch POA. Keep up the good work. As ranch residents we highly agree all Palm Trees be
trimmed on an annual basis, which enhances the beauty of our neighborhoods.
“Another issue to be addressed is the growing number of Pigeons in our neighborhoods, due to Ranch residents routinely
feeding them.
“Please help stop this sorry practice!
“Thanks again!”
Editor’s Note: Please see the related article in this issue of The Rancher regarding Pigeons.
This next email was received from a concerned Ranch resident regarding coyotes…
“What if anything can we do about the coyotes seen running loose? I live near Cochise school and a coyote was on my
sidewalk last week at 5:30 a.m. as I was getting the morning paper. I have called game and fish and they have yet to
return my calls. I have small dogs and am concerned they will be in danger, even though I never let them out front.
I’m sure parents at the school would be very much concerned also. Has anyone else contacted you on this subject?”
This final email also addresses coyotes…
“In the last week we have either seen and/or heard about 6 coyotes wandering between San Marcos and Royal Palm east of
Hayden. We don’t know if they are the same ones that we keep seeing or if there is a large pack living among us. We have
seen them at 10:00 p.m. as well as 9:00 a.m. We would appreciate as homeowners at McCormick Ranch that you notify fellow
residents about the sightings. Many residents have small animals and young children that can be at risk.
“Thank you for your understanding and assistance.”
Editor’s Note: Please see the related article in this issue of The Rancher regarding “Urban Wildlife”. The City would
like to stress that the #1 reason there are coyotes on McCormick Ranch is because coyotes are being fed, usually by
accident, when owners leave pet/human food out in the back yard.
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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