President's Report

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Beginning this month, I start my fifth year as your president. Our family moved into Tuscawilla in July of 1997. I soon became involved in the Chelsea Woods Homeowners Association and for several years served as their president. I was first elected to the Tuscawilla Board of Directors in September of 2007 and in 2021 became President. Each board member has a one-year term and after that year is up, they can be reelected. I am in my eighteenth year. I enjoy being an active part of our great community. The Tuscawilla Homeowners Association was formed in 1977, so when I joined it, it was already in its thirtieth year. Over these years I have seen and learned a great deal about our community and its residents. Allow me to make the following observation.

I feel that we might be suffering from what I call the second or third generation effect. When I lived in Rockford, Illinois, I saw this first-hand. There were many family-owned businesses in the city, and the first generation who started them had energy, commitment, and drive to make their businesses succeed. When their children took over many of them did not have the same dedication as their parents who founded the business. In many cases they did not grow, and many started a slow decline. The Tuscawilla Homeowners Association is a voluntary HOA. When it was founded almost everyone was a member. Yes, the dues were less, but don’t tell me that anyone living here cannot afford our current fee of $40 a year. The Tuscawilla community has been a leader in the city since its beginning. Over the years, many of the original owners have aged and moved away. Their homes were sold to new folks. I think many of these new residents don’t understand or appreciate the purpose of the HOA which is to keep this a wonderful place to live. When I joined the board in 2007 over half of the residents were members. As each year came and went, more people sold their homes and as others moved in, there was a decreased interest in HOA membership. The board has wrestled with this situation every year. We feel community involvement is key to keeping Tuscawilla a desirable place to live.

As your president, I would like to remind all of you that this is one of the premiere planned communities in Seminole County. Homes sell almost as soon as they are on the market. We have wonderful natural reserves, a bike trail, parks, and walking trails. There is kindness and compassion among neighbors and local HOAs. The Tuscawilla community is an island amid advancing urban sprawl. I am asking you to join us in our work to keep this a treasured community. Please support your association by being a member.  

Dr. Kurt Miericke

THOA President

Publisher, Tuscawilla Today

Email: THOAws20@gmail.com