Noella Santerre (2320 Goya) has been elected to the Board for her first term. In addition, four directors who successfully sought reelection will serve another term: Debe Van Pelt (405 Murillo); Harvey Grossman (401 Bellini); Ann Piscitelli (424 Bellini); and Diane Miller (304 Cavallini). Continuing in the second year of their two-year terms are Ron Wentworth (400 Bellini) and Angela Bisetti (1812 Bayshore). We congratulate those elected and thank them for their willingness to serve.

Officers elected by the Board of Directors are Angela Bisetti, President; Diane Miller, Vice President; Debe Van Pelt, Treasurer; and Ann Piscatelli, Secretary.

Our sincere thanks for services rendered by departing directors Nancy Rogers, who chose not to run again, and Joy Wentworth who resigned her position citing inability to attend meetings due to family illness.

WHERE: Sorrento South Clubhouse/Community Center
(Dante Circle next to the golf course office)

WHEN: February 26 at 6:30 p.m.

WHO: A notary, witnesses, and YOU

WHAT: The signing of a document to change the way in which our

covenants are amended. You are not voting on whether we should be deed-restricted (we already are) or what the revised covenants should say (we aren’t there yet). The vote is just to make the process of updating and amending covenants easier for all of us in the future.

HOW? The current method, a holdover from our 1960’s covenants, does not allow one vote per household. Rather, it allows those with the largest property frontage (such as a lot on a corner) to have a bigger say than those with less frontage. It’s an outmoded, complicated means of voting and the Association wants to simplify it and adopt the more equitable voting method typically found in 21st Century covenant language. Unfortunately, to make the change, we must vote following the present property frontage method within each unit. That requires each person on the deed to sign, and the signatures must be witnessed and notarized. The witnesses and notary are being provided for you on the 26th.

STATUS TO DATE: Of the five units in Sorrento South, only two have provided enough signatures/frontage to pass the amendment. Unit 5 (Cavallini) is close, as is Unit 3 (Murillo and Bayshore). Unit 2 (Picasso & Bellini) has less than half the votes/frontage required. If you live in one of these units and have not yet voted, we urge you to do so.

Those unable to take advantage of the opportunity on the 26th are asked to call a Board member so that other arrangements can be made to get your vote. We do house calls!

We regret to inform you of the death of Dillard Kuhlman, 431 Picasso, in November. Dillard was a World War II veteran who had earned the rank of major at the time of his discharge from the army. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dorothy, and his daughter Cynthia. Dillard was 96.

Condolences are also in order for Drs. Ann Piscitelli and Eric Lough (424 Bellini) on the loss of Ann’s mother, Carole Piscitelli, in December. Mrs. Piscitelli leaves her husband Nicholas, two daughters and sons-in-law, and three grandchildren.

Between the number of owners in attendance and those who were represented by proxy, there was a quorum. In addition to the election of directors announced in another article, minutes of the 2011 annual meeting were read, and reports were given by the Treasurer concerning finances, the covenant amendment process by the Vice President, and the Sorrento Dock Owners’ Association (SDOA) by Denny Korinek. President Debe Van Pelt reported on home sales, architectural plans that had been approved, maintenance on common areas, participation in community organizations, crimes reported by the Sarasota County Sheriff’s office, and communication with Sorrento South residents.

After everyone had an opportunity to ask questions and discuss old and new business, the meeting ended with a drawing for door prizes. Refreshments were available throughout. Who says annual meetings have to be boring? See you next November!

After a record 10 sales in 2011, the number of homes sold in Sorrento South leveled off to four in 2012. Prices ranged from $155,000 for a 1,536-square foot, 2-bedroom house built in 1972, to $472,500 for a 3-bedroom house with 2,000 square feet on a canal. (The home, which was built in 1978, sold for $588,000 in 2002.) Another canal home, with two
bedrooms and 1,845 square feet, sold for $360,000 – $30,000 more than the selling price in 2010. The most recent selling price was $230,000 for a 3-bedroom house (1,883 square feet) built in 1982. With the exception of the $155,000 house, all properties included a pool.

There currently are only three houses on the market in our 123-home community.

Section 720.401 of the Florida Statutes requires that sellers of property in a homeowners’ association (HOA) advise prospective purchasers about membership requirements, governing documents, dues amounts and dates, as well as any special assessments. You can review the disclosure summary online at http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes if your realtor doesn’t have one for your use.

Have we got a deal for you! Nancy Rogers, former member of the SSPO Board of Directors, is offering her services as a notary public free to Sorrento South owners. Nancy has years of experience as a notary and handles more than just documents involving our association. If you have need of notary services, you can call Nancy at 918-9292.

Sign on a plumber’s truck: “We repair what your husband fixed”

On an electrician’s truck: “Let us remove your shorts”

On a church’s billboard: “7 days without God makes one weak”