Savage Pacer - learning - Comments

What I also find frustrating

Ruth Anne Maddox — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:38:20 -0500

What I also find frustrating is that they are getting ready to replace the sod again now -- when the temps are hitting 90 degrees again. Last year, they did it in August during that hot stretch. It just doesn't make sense. The urine burn areas that we repaired in April and May are already lush and green. I always thought grass should be planted in the spring -- not in the heat of summer -- and my arguments are falling on deaf ears.

The landscape guy and the property manager came out last week and we all stood around looking at the dead grass trying to figure out what we should do. We don't want to pay for sod every year when the issue isn't something that we caused. The landscape guy insists that last year's sod took but I think he was eating crow when I casually, yet dramatically, peeled back and lifted one of those sod patches and showed them that there were no roots beneath it.

Turns out the problem could be a water issue from where our sump pump daylights? (We also had water in our finished basement last year that resulted in mushrooms growing in our carpet) So, now they want us to get the builder involved -- again -- and find out how/where the water comes out.

So we called the guy out and he took one look and said, "Dog damage." Then he went on to say that they weren't going to regrade the yard and the expense that goes with it. By the way, he also had no clue where the drainage is for the sump and sticking a hose down it didn't reveal a water outlet. He pretty much left telling us, "Too bad, so sad."

Next stop? Looks like the BBB and the Department of Commerce will be hearing from us. Those other moisture issues with the builder haven't been satisfactorily corrected since our carpet spends a lot of time peeled back with fans drying the underside. There was mold there, too (on a wall and under the carpet), so I think there's a liability factor for the builder, as well.

Yes, there were many in Mr.

Nancy Huddleston — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 12:08:03 -0500

Yes, there were many in Mr. Savage's barn, but none as famous as Dan Patch. However, there have been other great people and families that have had an impact on Savage over the years. They are visible in Savage in the street names and in many places, but are often invisible to the average resident. The column series we just did in regard to the state's 150th birthday that featured the Kearney Family is a great example. They came here before Dan Patch, sold some of their farm land to Mr. Savage, ran a grocery store in downtown for many years and are still having an impact on the city today.

Have there been any other

Joanna Miller — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:15:44 -0500

Have there been any other great race horses out of the Prior Lake-Savage Area since Dan Patch?

Have you gathered complaints

Joanna Miller — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:13:30 -0500

Have you gathered complaints from other neighbors? Taken photos of other lots that aren't draining correctly? I'd document everything, make your case to him, and if he won't hear it on his own and correct it, offer to make your case in court.

It sounds like he's the type of person who will need legal prodding to do the right thing.

Dan Patch isn't the only

Nancy Huddleston — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:47:19 -0500

Dan Patch isn't the only common thread in Savage, in fact, if you ask a new resident they might say "Dan who?" One of the greatest resources on Dan Patch and other history in Savage is the Heritage Room at the Savage Library. I urge anyone who might be interested to check it out, as it's a great place.

I think your association has

Keighla Schmidt — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:19:19 -0500

I think your association has some quota they already filled when it comes to sod. That's really strange, it obviously isn't from dogs.

Oddly enough, we called the

Ruth Anne Maddox — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:45:41 -0500

Oddly enough, we called the property manager several times and brought the matter before the homeowners' association board that he facilitates and he had yet to come out and look at it (We've been taking pictures periodically since there was still some snow on the ground).

Then, on Monday the landscape guys were outlining the intended replacement areas with spray paint and I stepped outside to talk to them. They told me the property manager told them to replace the sod and charge us for it -- they apparently walked the property a few days prior.

That's funny, I told him, we've been waiting for him to return our calls but he never does. So we told them to do whatever they needed to do and we'd contact the property manager. The next day, he left a voicemail on my husband's phone before we got a chance to call and, what do you know, my husband got a recording when he tried to call back...

Sounds like it could have

Joanna Miller — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 16:00:40 -0500

Sounds like it could have used more Miracle Grow (kidding). Did you send them the photo with your complaint. It seems pretty clear that it's more than a dog issue.

Dead sod or dog damage? I

Ruth Anne Maddox — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 13:06:17 -0500

Dead sod or dog damage?

I learned that complaining about poor drainage in my yard just gets my dogs accused of causing the damage and the homeowners' association telling me that I have to pay to replace the sod -- the same sod that was replaced last year that I say never took (the landscaper claims it did).

But I'm guessing the spongelike consistency of the lawn, the moss growing atop some of the dead brown grass and the still-visible cuts from the pieces of sod are more a drainage problem than a dog problem. What do you think?

P.S. They put the sod in during August and the sprinkler system wasn't working correctly.

It's it amazing what you can

Joanna Miller — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 12:20:39 -0500

It's it amazing what you can learn in a month. I got over my fear of landscaping this June. I learned that Miracle Grow really is a miracle, and that if you put it on most plants, along with some water now and then, it keeps things thriving - even if you lack a green thumb.

I'm with you there. I like

Keighla Schmidt — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:53:14 -0500

I'm with you there. I like having my bills hard copy, somehow I feel more organized than I would if I soley kept track of them electronically.

I learned to love my filing

Joanna Miller — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:42:29 -0500

I learned to love my filing cabinet.
It was well-worth the $30 investment at Target to have all of my insurance paperwork, car maintenance receipts and medical information filed and documented when I went through my car accident.
It paid off again when I filed taxes and had receipts from remodeling for energy credits.
Most companies are moving to electronic bills/forms, but I'll still keep file folders on hand.

I'm learning to slow down

Nancy Huddleston — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:00:37 -0500

I'm learning to slow down after surgery. I thought I could pick up where I left off after being out of work for 10 days for some routine surgery. Wrong. My first 3 hours back and work left me exhausted. I had to come home and take a nap! So, I'm learning to slow down -- not easy for someone like me.