I know that the general rule is to keep politics out of your social networking.  Politics are best kept discussed with family and close friends.  Because it is such a volatile subject, and every person has their own position and stance that may, or more likely MAY NOT, agree with your own.

But...I'm going to jump into the political water here for a moment to discuss the recent levy that passed in Lakengren Ohio, regarding having a Preble County Sheriffs car on patrol for the community.  I'm even going to go so far as to tell you how I voted on this issue.  I voted no.  Let me tell you why.

First of all, its not that I don't have concerns about crime.  Lakengren is a gated community.  That doesn't mean we are sheltered from crime or random acts of stupidity, not to mention speeding.  Somehow the road going right past my house has been unofficially declared the new "Indy 500 track".  I don't like it.  I don't like that my car, as well as my husbands, has been broken into.  I don't like that people have been robbed, or just had their property's messes with.  All of that is wrong, wrong, wrong.  So the thought is..lets get a sheriffs car in Lakengren to patrol and cut down on all of the hi jinx.  Fair enough.

But wait...Lakengren is part of Preble County.  Shouldn't our area be patrolled anyways?  WHY do I have to PAY for this service??

Lets take a closer look at this.  All of Preble County has the service of the Preble County Sheriffs department.  In one way or another, all of Preble County pays for this service.  But now, in order for me to have what should already be mine, I have to pay EXTRA?  OK, OK..I know its only $3.00 per month.  It's just the principal of the thing.

  Lakengren residents have been informed that when someone is ticketed in Lakengren, the money collected from the ticket does NOT go back to Lakengren, it goes to the County.  WHY?  Because Lakengren is a private community.  So when someone speeds in the Village of Gratis, the money collected goes BACK to the Village of Gratis.  Yet Lakengren doesn't get the same benefit, being a "private" community.   So the Village of Gratis gets this service for free.  And we now pay for the service.

Its no secret that Preble County Sheriffs Department has been running short-staffed for quite some time.  Matter of fact, did you know that the Preble County game warden is often called in for support from the sheriffs department, to serve warrants, for emergencies, etc?

Is it conceivable that the patrol car we now will be paying for might also be called out for back up to other areas of the county, all on our dime?

Not to mention that this is still only a service that will be provided 40 hours a week.  What about the other 128 hours of the week? 

It is my sincere hope that just the "idea" that a patrol car is in the Lakengren area will deter any future crimes, speeding and other hi jinx.  I just don't feel like this was totally thought through.  It's not the $3 bucks a month that's the issue at stake...it's the fact that Lakengren is paying for a service that should already be at our disposal, the same way it is for the rest of our little neck of the woods.

***By the way...I have NOTHING but the up-most respect for the Preble County Sheriffs dept.  I certainly DON'T drive a Buick Rendezvous, EVER speed, or heck...even live in Lakengren!  :)  ***

Wow!  Last night I took my 10 year old daughter to the Lakengren Halloween walk; an annual event held at the lodge offering Lakengren children the chance to trick-or-treat in a safe, fun environment. 

My daughter was on the fence about attending this year.  We hadn't been for a couple years.  Last time around, it was just a little too intense for young ones and my daughter had someone jump out at her with a scary mask on.  Granted..this was just a teenager having some fun, but for those of us who have kids that are scared by masks and the like...it was a pretty traumatic event.  What seemed to be more traumatic for me in the past was parking.  Ahh! 

We decided at the last hour yesterday to give it one more shot.  As we rounded Lakengren Drive with the lodge in site, I saw tons of cars and just started groaning.  Imagine my delight when a traffic officer directed me just a wee bit further down Lakengren Dr to park, and we could get a FREE hayride to the lodge!  My daughter was thrilled and I was already feeling much more relaxed about not having to fight my way into, or out of, the lodge parking lot.

So we arrived via hayride at the lodge.  Several mini-tents were set up outside in a circle, with kids going from tent to tent and loading up with candy.  This year it seemed much more kid-friendly; Disney music in the background, no candy-givers dressed in masks or scary apparel, and just well-organized all around.

After making rounds outdoors, we stood in a short line to enter the lodge.  Inside they had a photographer taking pics of each child, then a long table set up offering more candy, pretzels, cheese crakers, not to mention your choice of cookies, doughnuts and other goodies to eat right on site.  Round the corner and we were offered hot coffee, apple cider, apple juice or milk.  To boot, they even had boxes of mini-pumpkins and gourds, and let my daughter pick out a couple to take with her.

Back outside the Gasper Fire Department displayed the big yelleow fire truck and offered children the chance to climb on and try it out.

With her hands full of candy, pumpkins and other goodies, we loaded back up on the haywagon for the short ride back to our car, avoiding the headache of getting out of the parking lot and the worry of hitting little trick-or-treaters on the loose.

I was just so impressed with the wonderful job that Lakengren did with the Halloween walk, and more importantly, my daughter LOVED it, and wasn't scared at all.  If you have never gone to the Lakengren Halloween Walk, I encourage you to give it a try next year as it seems that Lakengren has finally got the rythym down on giving little ones a great, not-so-scary, Halloween experience.

Neaton Auto looking to second buyout?

Well, according to the Neaton rumor mill (which we all know is 100% fact-based), Neaton may be offering another buyout option come November or December 2009.  Could it be true?

I think yes.  Lets see..back this summer they (Neaton) hired back in many temporary employees who had all been let go back in December of 2008.  Production was up, orders coming in higher than ever, and some departments even working Fridays again (woo hoo!).  Even those that weren't offered Friday hours have been lucky enough to get in a full 40-hour week from Mon-Thurs.

Then...yet another halt.  Temps are once again being let go.  Just last Friday a couple members of upper management were "let go" and word is the the fat-trimming isn't over yet.

Friday overtime is being scaled back considerably again.  Did Neaton get ahead of themselves this summer?  Did the temps get called back maybe a little prematurely?

I feel bad for the temps but then again, a temp is just that....TEMPORARY.  What of the buyout rumors?  What does this mean for the future of Neaton?  The way I see it is this...any way to get rid of the higher paid asscociates for the long term will benefit Neaton as far as bottom line is concerned. 

I see some benefits of the buyout for those who are considering it.  I also see a BIG disadvantage...NO INSURANCE.  If that doesn't scare the tar out of people, I dont know what does.  So I guess time will tell.  Lets hope Neaton can find some stable ground, and all the good folks putting in a hard days work there can continue to get a 40 hour work week, and feel good about the company they work for!

**Just a quick disclaimer to CMA...I am NOT a Neaton employee nor ever have been.  This is my blog, and MY OPINION only.**

Well, word on the street is that the Eaton Library will be closing next week (September 20-26, 2009) due to lack of funding.  The Preble County district Libraries have seen belt-tightening for months now, and in an effort to cut expenses, I guess this is what has been decided.

I guess I'm a little nervous that the shut-down will go un-noticed.  It certainly wont by me and my family.  Self-professed book-worms; we try to get to the library on a regular basis, even in the summer time.

I know times have changed.  It's maybe easier sometimes to buy the magazine subscriptions, get the news on-line, read the latest novels on "Kindle", or order up some cheap used books on "Amazon".  Truth be told though, there is something inherently GOOD to be found in the narrow aisles of the local Library.

The silence of the rooms, the smell of the books, the tranquility that comes from just perusing the rows of books, even the excitement of spotting that new release you've been watching for.

Sort of sad really, that funding for something so integral to our health, wealth and well being as READING is one of the first things cut when pocketbooks get tight.  You don't notice any sports programs shutting down to cut expenses.  Just makes me wonder where peoples' priorities have gone.

Buyers nowadays have more choices than ever.  MORE homes to look over.  MORE options in how, when and where to buy that new home.  MORE places to search for homes.  MORE GOOD Realtors to assist them, as the market is weeding out the bad ones.  More financing programs and homebuyer benefits popping up weekly (did you get $8000 FREE from the government when you bought your first home cause I didn't!)  SO, what will it come down to to make YOUR home stand out of the crowd of more? 

Many things honestly.  But PRICE IS KEY.  Always has been, always will be.

Here are the facts...Overpricing the home will:

Reduce Realtor activity.  Professional Realtors see houses EVERY day.  We know an overpriced home when we see one.  I want my buyers to get the deal of the century, or at least the deal of the week!

Reduce advertising efforts and COST MONEY.  Ever had someone hang up on you when you quote the price of a home to them?  I have.  Potential buyers look for certain types of homes in a price range.  Today's buyers are SAVVY and well-read.  Overprice and you might just be skipped over, or hung up on!

Lose interested buyers.  Buyers pay for square footage.  They will feel they should be getting more for the price you are asking.

Help the competition.  A high-priced house makes the other houses look like a better deal.

Cause appraisal issues.  Appraisals are based upon recent sales of properties just like yours. 

Extends time on the market.  Most of the time the price ends up lower than it needed to be if had been priced RIGHT to begin with.

Inconveniences YOU.  I have a hard enough time getting my house clean for a get-together.  I perish the thought of having to KEEP it clean everyday on the hopes of a showing.  So don't.  Price it right.  Be done.  Move on.

Maybe a Gamblin' woman?  I dont profess to know much about gambling.  Last time I stepped foot in a Casino, I was 17 years old and on a family vacation in Vegas with my parents.  It IS a goal to get over sometime soon to check out the new Hollywood Casino, but the plan is to be cautious.

The reason I ask this question of you; if you are a gambling person, is because of something that sparked my interest in this subject recently.  A conversation I was a part of.

The subject was a seller and a buyer, trying to come to agreement about price.  It ALWAYS comes down to price.  The agent dealing with this was frustrated because the buyer and seller were only about $2000 apart, and she COULD NOT figure out how to get this deal together.  One of the owners here at Country Mile had a GREAT analogy, one that really resounded with me.

The sellers had a CLEAN offer of $198000.  They were argueing over $2000 bucks. 

So, lets say you went to the Casino.  You have $198,000 sitting in front of you.  Money in your pocket, ready to go.  Do you honestly think you would place that $198,000 back on the betting table in order to make $2000?  I doubt I would.  No, I KNOW I wouldn't take a chance like that.

Yet day after day, thats what people do.  Pride, emotions, memories, plans...it all gets in the way. 

It doesn't matter if the deal is $30,000 or 1 million.  Is it REALLY worth betting a sure thing in order to gain such a small amount, or worse yet, just as a matter of pride?

Would YOU bet $198,000 to prove a point?

A little off pace with my usual upbeat blogs, just to forewarn you.

I live in Lakengren.  We moved there in 2001 and I have to say that we have really enjoyed our years out here, overall.  I have friends and family that live in Lakengren as well.  I also sell real estate in Lakengren.  I have for years.  I'm not the "Queen" of Lakengren real estate...maybe I could be, but we already have a "King" of real estate, and honestly, how much royalty can one little gated community handle?

Here's what I DON'T Do though:

I DONT "BUY" LAKENGREN

My blogs about the community offer the good, bad and ugly.  I have never minced words regarding the goings-on in Lakengren, and dont plan to any time soon.

I refuse to put on a horse and pony show to the Lakengren community in the hopes that it will fatten my pocketbook.  That isn't my definition of true philantrophy.  In fact, here is the Wikipedia definition of that word:

Philanthropy derives from Ancient Greek, meaning "to love people". Philanthropy is the act of donating money, goods, services, time and/or effort to support a socially beneficial cause, with a defined objective and with no financial or material reward to the donor. In a more general sense, philanthropy may encompass any altruistic activity intended to promote good or improve human quality of life. One who practices philanthropy may be called a philanthropist. Although such individuals are often rich, people may perform philanthropic acts without possessing great wealth.

Give that one some thought....

I present Lakengren to my clients in true light.  I love the Lakengren community, and I truly believe it when I say to my buyers..."Give it a chance and you will be pleasantly surprised."  They almost always are.  I am not afraid however, to give them the cons of the the community, and YES, there ARE cons.  If you are looking for a shiny, glossy, rainbow colored picture of life on the lake, I may not be your gal.  You might want to talk to the King for sunshine and roses. 

I also refuse to butter up the powers-that-be for free advertising.  Maybe that makes me a fool.  But I can't even count now how many times I have approaced the "OFFICIAL" Lakengren website creators about adding a link to my blog, with me in turn extending the same favor back. 

No answer yet.  I suppose I know why.  My blog might be a little to "real" for Lakengren.  I dont have an "extravaganza" every other month to celebrate all that is Lakengren.  I DO live in Lakengren though, FULL TIME, as in ALL YEAR ROUND.  Its good enough for me to call home all the time.  I think it is for my clients as well.

Lakengren is a gorgeous community, full of wonderful people and a huge variety of great real estate.  But that I need to put on a super cape and pay my way into favor...I'm just not buying it.

Thanks for reading!

Kelley Weimer

a house "SOLD" name!

www.buypreblecounty.com

Professional real estate services for Preble County OH and beyond; including Eaton, Lakengren, Brookville, Germantown, Camden, West Alexandria and Lewisburg.

Greetings everybody!  Hard to believe that summer is almost over. At least for those of us in the Eaton School District.  Hate to be cruel here, but I MUST take a moment to yell out the standard "Parent's back-to-school battle cry":  Woo hoo!!!  OK, thanks.

So, here's what's happening for the month of August in Lakengren.  Once again, I'm a little late.  Time is getting away from me, like always...

August 10, 2009:  Lakengren Board meeting at 7pm at the Lodge.  ALL are welcome to attend.

August 13, 2009:  Lakengren Dragons Club meets at 7pm at Lodge.

 August 17, 2009:  Community Blood Drive.  Lakengren will be hosting the annual blood drive and the Busmobile will be located at the Lakengren Office; right up by front gates.  In the past, the annual goal has been 30 pints and the Lakengren Community has always met or exceeded that goal.  Each pint of blood is divided into three parts, so three different people can benefit from your donation.  Please remember that the blood you give stays in the community and you can even specify a person to get credit for your donation.

Admittedly, I am a chicken with a VERY weak stomach when it comes to this thing.  Truth be told, it is making me queasy just writing about it.  My husband however, donates blood whenever he can, and he's got a real good blood type too (o+) He even gets solicitations for his blood!

August 18, 2009:  Lakengren Garden Club meets at 7 pm at the Lodge.

August 20, 2009:  Safety Committee meeting at 6pm at the Lodge.

August 21, 2009:  Want anything in the September issue of the "Lakengren Viking"?  Today is the deadline for the September issue.

August 31, 2009:  Bar code rental fees are due.  Pay or be de-activated.  You have been warned!

For information on Lakengren happenings or Lakengren Real Estate of course, give me a call!

Thanks for reading!

Kelley Weimer

A house "SOLD" name

www.buypreblecounty.com

Professional Real Estate Services for Preble County OH and beyond; including Eaton, West Alexandria, Germantown, Brookville, Lakengren, Camden and Lewisburg.

I don't think Neaton is out of the woods just yet.  But gee, I hope there is an opening soon, and I think that associates can finally see a light at the end of the 8 month tunnel.

For a little back info on the trials of Neaton Auto, check out my past blogs.  This is really just meant as an update.  FINALLY, some good news.

1.  My husband, and many others, have been working 40 hour weeks again.  I'll tell you what...you never realize how much a 40 hour work week means to your livelihood until you get some of it taken away.  Suddenly a "regular" 40-hour work week becomes the blessing it should always be.

2.  People who took a voluntary lay-off about a month and a half back, have been called back to work.  Its not a lot of people.  The 100 plus temporaries let go last December are still gone.  But I still take it as a good sign. 

3.  Rumor has it....that production requests from Honda will increase come fall, as well as possibly new orders from other companies Neaton supplies to.  This COULD MEAN...40 hour work weeks the rest of the year.  It COULD POSSIBLY MEAN...dare I say it?  The potential for overtime this fall???

My family has been fortunate this year.  We have been making it.  It has not been easy.  And I'm sure there are lots of Neaton families out there that have had just as hard a year as we have, if not worse.  My thoughts and prayers are always with all of you.

I don't think Neaton is going anywhere.  I think the dark days will be behind us soon.  Just how soon I cant say, but Neaton Auto, and its employees, are survivors.

Kelley A. Weimer

a house "SOLD" name!

www.buypreblecounty.com

www.kelleysellspreble.com

Professional Real Estate Services for Preble County OH; including Eaton, Lewisburg, Germantown, Brookville, Camden, Lakengren and West Alexandria.

Welp, obviously summer is officially here because me and my family, like so many of you out there, have been away on vacation.  Hence the LATE blog about July activities in Lakengren.  So, my apologies.  Fortunately, there are still many great things coming up this month in the Lakengren Community and here they are;

July 16:  Safety Committee meeting at 6pm at the Lakengren Lodge.

July 18 12-4 pm:  The annual Jack Block Day.  This fun-filled day was started years ago and is put on each year by the Lakengren Dragons club.  Named for the late Jack Block, one of the original creators of the event, the event offers fun for the whole family.  There will be games and plenty of food, as well as a dunking booth, cake walk, pony rides, bike raffles and new for this year...a petting zoo!  Another highlight of this year is the Lakengren Camels, which word is you will be able to ride.  In addition, the Lakengren Ski club will perform at 3 pm.  Let's hope for sunny skies because it sounds like it should be a great occasion for the entire Lakengren community.

July 18:  Open Bass night tourney at 11pm.

July 19:  Bass Tourney ends at 7 am!

July 21:  Garden Club meeting at 7pm July 26 2-4 pm:  the "Friends of the walking path" club in Lakengren will hold a quarter donation auction at the Lakengren Lodge.  Proceeds will go towards new playground equipment.

July 28:  To Better Your Health, 12-2 pm at the Lakengren Lodge.

One last note!  Don't forget that the pool is open now and FINALLY the water has warmed up.  Adult swim is always the last 15 minutes of the hour, the water is clean and fun, and they keep the snack bar stocked with all the junk food your kids could ever desire!

Hope you are having a great summer and thanks for reading!

Kelley Weimer

A house "SOLD" name!

www.buypreblecounty.com

www.kelleysellspreble.com

Professional Real Estate Services for Preble County OH and beyond; including Eaton, West Alexandria, Canmden, Brookville, Germantown, Lakengren and Lewisburg.