HomeMy WebLinkAbout79Sept12 Greek McDonald_ _.
McDONALD BROS.
GENERAL CONTRACTORS
7482 LEMHI ST. • BOISE, IDAHO 83709 •
September 12, 1979
Don Leavitt
Leavitt-NuPacific
10222 N. E. First St.
Bellevue, Washington 98004
Dear Mr. Leavitt:
PHONE (208) 375-8981
For quite some time I have been concerned over the condition of the
Cherry Lane Village Golf Course and its management. I was finally prompted to
write this letter because I feel I may have, as well as another builder, lost a
sale on my Parade Home due to the increasing deterioration of the course, the
club and its services.
I have placed many home buyers in homes in Cherry Lane, and it seems
many or all of them are approaching me with justified complaints. At the time
homes were sold and build-jobs put together T, as well as the realtors, convinced
these people of the growth and success of Cherry Lane Village. Now I find
myself listening to their complaints and then trying to make excuses for the
conditions.
The following are just a few of the complaints I have been confronted
with:
- Six of my home buyers in Block 5 on the folf course mow weeds
eding the folf course on property belonging to the golf course.
- These same people are watering golf .course trees adjacent to
their property. I personally replaced a dead tree adjacent to
my Parade Home to improve the appearance of the surroundings,
There are several, I would say more than half, of the trees
planted on the golf course that are dead simply from lack of
care and water.
- One thing we do have is plenty of flies and masquitoes. I realize
this is a problem that is almost impossible to conquer, however
attempts can be made. There are pools of standing stagnent water
that could be removed. Only in the last two weeks has any attempts
at spraying been made -- fugal attempts with a small Hudson type
sprayer. Members are signing up for 18 holes and only playing
three or four or going out on to the course armed as if going to war.
- Last week or so I was asked by the course personnel if my
construction equipment could be used to move some dirt and
fill in some holes. I relented for a one-time use only. I
feel the golf course should have their own equipment or be
in the position to hire it done and not rely on the building
contractors. I must adds it has been only in the last two
weeks that much if any maintenance has been done on the
course-all summer.
- There is now no pro. The operators told me that they fired
him and they have no replacement. The prospective buyers I
mentioned in the first paragraph came out to the club house
yesterday after talking to the Indian Lakes pro only to find
Cherry Lane Village not only was without a pro but without
food or coffee. The real estate office provided them with a
cup of coffee, and I doubt that they ever got anything to eat.
They were not received very graciously at the club house.
To quote the menu as such, " Ask About Sandwiches". When you
do ask, the reply is a hot dog (if they have any) in-the
microwave or a cold cheese. A member for whom I built a home
and who is a top executive chef in Idaho, formerly from the
Edgewater in your area, remarked, "You would be better to take
a sack lunch".
The operators mentioned to me that
club house - rather sleeping there
operators wife also mentioned that
to resume his employment in Michig,
operation herself. If this is so,
course becomes even bleaker.
they are now living at the
in sleeping bags. The
her husband would be leaving
sn leaving her to run the
the future for this golf
- Apparently, they have been airing their frustrations and
negatism to members and outsiders relating that they do not
have the funds to operate adequately. If this be the case,
they shouldn't be in the business.
Please understand, I am not being critical as to Leavitt-NuPacific,
only as to the golf course itself. It is impossible for me as a contractor
or the realtors to sell lots and homes with the questionable state of the course,
present and future.
I have over a million and one half dollar investment to date in Cherry
Lane Village, and I have plans of increased and continued building in this area
with more single family, townhouses and patio homes. Therefore, in the best
interest of my investment as well as yours, I respectfully suggest there be
a change in management of the golf course. I urge you to make an unexpected
U
visit to Cherry Lane Village and I will be glad to personally point out
these items to you.
,Because I believe the potential is right here in your development,
McDonald Brothers has been working in conjunction with Wliite-Riedel in
making this an attractive area for the potential home buyers. We built a
$160,000 Parade Home on the large estate lot with intentions of getting
buyers out into the subdivision. We did just that, but the golf course is
running off business faster than we can drum it up. We have plans to build
other $100,000+ homes, however must hold off until something is done.
Respectfully yours,
C. 'Greek" McDonald