September 2025 Cascadian

Vol. 21, No. 8 A Publication of the Cascades at St. Lucie West Residents Association, Inc. SEPTEMBER 2025
A message from your
General Manager
Diane Blakeman, LCAM
Dear Residents of Cascades,
I hope you’ve had a relaxing and
enjoyable summer. The Board
and Management have been hard
at work on several important projects to improve and
maintain our beautiful community. Here are the latest
updates and accomplishments:
Pickleball Courts
We’ve submitted permit applications for two new
pickleball courts. After working with an electrical
engineer to determine light pole locations, the Board
approved Arlington Electric to collaborate with Sports
Services for the court construction.
Bocce Courts and Awnings
The bocce courts, completed in late spring by Papico,
were painted over the summer. We’re currently
researching new awnings for the bocce and tennis
areas, as outlined in the Reserve Study.
Tennis and Pickleball Programs
We’re excited to welcome John, our new Tennis
Manager. He brings expertise in both tennis and
pickleball and is eager to help residents learn and enjoy
both sports. Stop by to meet him and get involved!
Sidewalk and Wall Improvements
• Sidewalk replacements, originally planned for
2025, are expected to be completed in early
September, weather permitting.
•
A second pressure cleaning of the sidewalks was
completed, negotiated as part of our agreement
with Complete Spray Tech.
•
The community perimeter wall has been pressure
cleaned, painted, and had minor repairs addressed.
Landscaping and Tree Replacement
•
The oak tree replacement project continues under
the guidance of the Landscape Committee. Twenty-
eight new trees were motioned for installation this
… continued on page 14 A message from your
Association President
Tricia Gragg
District 6
As we move into Fall, we’ll be
welcoming our seasonal residents
returning and the number of
community activities picking up
again, increasing the number of folks at the amenities
and driving on our roads. As in any shared space—
be it neighborhoods, apartment buildings, or any
place where people live together—civility is the quiet
foundation that supports living in harmony.
In the last year we’ve noticed escalation in inappropriate
outbursts as well as issues with individuals’ intent
on deliberately creating mistrust and divisiveness
through circulating emails containing inaccurate and
misleading information.
Deliberately fostering divisiveness within a
homeowners’ association (HOA) community can be
profoundly damaging. Such actions undermine trust
among neighbors, erode a sense of shared purpose,
and create an environment where cooperation and
progress become nearly impossible. When individuals
intentionally sow discord, our community’s ability
to resolve issues amicably deteriorates and increases
direct costs in lost productivity time responding to
misinformation and consults with our attorney. This
discord can also lead to persistent conflicts, decreased
property values, and a decline in residents’ perceived
overall quality of life. Ultimately, a divided HOA loses
sight of its mission—to enhance and protect the well-
being of everyone who calls it home.
Being a good neighbor and resident means choosing
civility in every interaction: responding from a patient,
problem solving, win-win perspective, even when
frustration or misunderstanding tries to take hold.
Civility is more than just being polite; it’s a deliberate
commitment to speaking with others with respect,
… continued on page 26