Tinker military housing upholds standard Published May 28, 2009 By Brandice J. Armstrong Brandice J. Armstrong TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Military members are often encouraged to do their best in the workplace. Housing officials say the same mentality should be applied to the home front, especially for residents within Tinker's military housing community. Balfour Beatty Communities, Tinker's housing manager, is working to ensure the Tinker neighborhoods maintain a respectable standard, reflecting a clean environment. To do so, Balfour Beatty is overseeing the construction of 660 new and renovated homes in the next three years, as part of the housing privatization project. The company is also performing landscaping duties. Despite their efforts, some responsibility lies with tenants. And, tenants who meet Balfour Beatty goals may be rewarded with more than bragging rights. "We are still a military community who should take pride in our community," said Gene Gallogly, 72nd Civil Engineer Directorate director. "It's all of our responsibility to keep the yards up, maintain a clean exterior and do our part to ensure our families and neighbors can enjoy their homes." Balfour Beatty will preserve exterior maintenance and landscaping of residents' properties. That includes mowing lawns found outside of fences, edging yards, performing semi-annual weed control, seasonal tree-trimming and fall leaf removal. Balfour Beatty also provides a "self-help" center for residents who request free mulch, grass seed or a lawn mower to borrow. A tenant is responsible for maintaining the interior lawn, found between a fence and the house. Should a resident be away from the property, it is the individual's responsibility to inform a Balfour Beatty official, so the yard can be cared for in their absence, said Kathleen Grim, Balfour Beatty senior vice president of Marketing and Communications. Tenants are informed of their responsibilities prior to signing a lease and reminded at move-in. Information may also be found in the resident guide. "We take pride in our communities and in all that we do," Ms. Grim said. "By having standards in place that keep our neighborhoods looking their best, we will create a welcoming environment where our resident families will enjoy raising their families." If guidelines are not followed, Ms. Grim said tenants will be issued discrepancy notices asking them to comply. If the issues remain unsolved, eventually the member's chain-of-command will be asked for assistance. Tenants with attractive yards may qualify for the "Yard of the Month" contest, in which Balfour Beatty representatives drive through neighborhoods choosing the most appealing property based on curb appeal and plantings. Winners will receive a $50 gift card and a "Yard of the Month" sign to post in their front yard.