Bartram Oaks Perspective

It seems that some folks that live here in Bartram Oaks have read this blog. So far all I have recieved are compliments about it. One or two have hinted that I'm "not doing my job" as a BOD member and Chair of the ARC.

Since they seem to read this blog rather than speak directly with ME, these comments are directed towards those that wish to express dissatisfaction:

The Architectural Review Committee, (ARC), is NOT a "police force". We BOD members, me included, do NOT drive around the community and actively "seek" violations. Our function is to address complaints and concerns of members when they register a signed,written complaint. More "obvious" infractions such as boats in a front yard, a car up on blocks etc is something we usually see but not always. I do not cruise the community on a regular basis. We rely on our residents to report flagrant violations of our Code, Covenants and Restrictions, (CC&R's).

Because you may live next door to a violator and see it everyday doesn't mean that someone on the ARC or the BOD sees it everyday. Someone saw fit to make the remark, (anonymously, of course), that I should "do my job" as ARC on the board. I would gladly speak with this person if they would be so kind as to identify themselves. We are all neighbors, and most are friends with one another or at least "friendly" towards our fellow members. There is no reason to remain "anonymous".

Additionally, If anyone feels that they could do a better job, by all means - RUN FOR THE BOARD - if you are elected, as I was, then YOU can show us your stuff! I'll step down anytime someone else steps forward and says that they want the job, no problem!

Of course, if it's a case of just wanting to be nosy or pushy with no real desire to make things better and get along with your neighbors, a lack of response will answer that in the affirmative.

Some agency, (county? FDOT?), re-painted the double lines on SR 13 from the Shands CR 16 intersection northward past the first entrance to Bartram Oaks community! GREAT START! I believe it would be more effective if the trianglular "NO PASSING ZONE" signs were added! Too bad they didn't extend the no passing up to "The Reel Man's" place. There are a dozen or so entrances/exits from housing along that stretch.

Now when I video tape the roadway, the folks passing on the double lines will have no excuse for doing so.

NOTE: I apologise, I cannot get the paragraphs to break so just bear with this, ok?THANKS! The following is an email I sent to our County Commissioners and the FDOT supervisor for this area of St Johns County. It speaks for itself.Even if you do not LIVE on this stretch of road, you may travel it often enough for this to be a REAL CONCERN for your SAFETY! It is absolutely ridiculas for the speed limit to be 45, then55 for a half to 3/4 mile and then back to 45 MPH again. This is a contributing factor to someone nearly getting KILLED!DO YOU CARE ENOUGH TO WRITE, CALL OR EMAIL in support of this issue?(My last name/address blanked out for obvious reasons so I could post this here.)Dear Sirs and Madame,My name is Claude XX and I live atXX in the Bartram Oaks community near the SR 13/CR16 Shands end intersection.I spoke with a Mark Despot today. He lives across SR 13 from our community and has been circulating a petition to have the stretch of SR 13 from that intersection above made a NO PASSING ZONE and to lower the speed limit BACK to it's original 45 MPH. He stated that it used to BE 45 MPH but when FDOT replaced the speed limit sign that was destroyed, they UPPED the speed limit to 55 MPH! This is a relatively short stretch of road from the 45 MPH speed zone that starts at the REEL MAN'S business up to the CR 16 intersection and has MANY driveways and at least THREE subdivisions/community entrances and exits.This past SUNDAY afternoon a perfect example of the FOLLY of RAISING the speed limit to 55 MPH was demonstrated. As a vehicle was attempting a left turn into Bartram Oaks with two other vehicles slowing behind them, a fourth vehicle traveling Southbound rear ended the last vehicle in line doing over 50 MPH! There was much damage to the vehicles, at least one TOTALED. Several people were injured, one man was near death and had to be LIFE FLIGHTED to Shands. He survived with multiple broken bones and a punctured lung! His car was the one totaled!According to Mark Despot it was a mere THREE MONTHS AGO that the speed limit was raised to 55 MPH and ALREADY we have had a near fatal, multi-vehicle accident on this short stretch of road that FDOT saw fit to raise the speed limit on despite protests by many residents along this roadway.It is way past time that this section, (and others), on SR 13, a designated "Scenic Highway" by the Florida Legislature, are made NO PASSING ZONES and the speed limit LOWERED to 45 MPH or LOWER! Had the speed limit been lower, perhaps this accident wouldn't have happened, or at the least, been less severe than it was!As always, I retain email copies for future reference in the event of more of these kinds of incidents for the purppose of showing that this was brought to the attention, in writing, of the persons that can effect a positive change to correct/improve upon this DANGEROUS SITUATION.Additionally, I am encouraging everyone in this community to contact you all with their concerns about this situation.As Always, Sincerely,Claude XXXXXXSt Augustine, FL 32092Bartram Oaks Home Owners Association ARC Committe ChairmanThis is NOT an official email representing the BOHA, however we have this concern addressed in our our HOA Board meeting notes and will address it again in our newsletter and at our next BOD meeting on Sept. 11th, 2007

When we purchased our doublewide home, we registered it as "Real Property" and we pay regular, real property taxes on it. It was financed as a "real property home".

Although we have a pretty good mortgage rate, we are LOCKED OUT of obtaining an even better rate by the declaration by the mortgage industry that our home is a "mobile home". It IS NOT a "mobile" home by any stretch of the imagination. The construction standards are HUD approved and the site mounting is of a PERMANENT nature. We pay the same property tax per sq ft assessment as any site built home in the state. This home is "as resistant" to wind damage as any site built home. Our insurance rates are the same as a site built home. The mortgage discrimination is blatant and I believe should be addressed by the State of Florida. My emails are in progress as I type this!

Every so often I am reminded how lucky the wife and me are to be the people we turned out to be.

I was entered into a charity golf outting this week over at Queen's Harbor Golf and Yacht Community. I played in the event last year as well. The people at Queen's Harbor Golf Club are great folks! They always make the event enjoyable for everyone and the Lighthouse Charity. The food, the people, the golf is always great!

But MY day wasn't without it's trying times! Last year I was given a handicapped flag for my cart since I have a bad heart and a severe lung condition. I fatigue very easily but I do manage to play golf if I use a cart. Even then I'm exhausted at the end of the round. Anyway, when I arrived at the clubhouse I parked in one of the Handicapped parking spaces and displayed my Handicapped placard. I was asked by the cart staging folks to move so they could use the space to stage carts for the event. They told me to park in the adjacent parking space that used to be a disabled spot, (the marking were on the pavement still), but there was a "reserved for the female club champion" sign there. When I pointed that out to them I was told that "...oh...don't mind, she isn't coming here today so it's no problem." Now, on to the golf round:

I spoke with the Marshalls and the golf pro about the course conditions. (I LOVE GOLF and I treat every course as I would my own.) The course was VERY WET from all of our recent rains. No problem. Holes 4 thru 9 were Cart Path Only and the rest were 90 degree crossing and avoid the "wet areas". No problem. I was told that even on 4 thry 9 if I avoided the wet areas I could drive closer to my ball. No problem.  Well....somewhere around the end of the front 9 my group noticed a car driving by on the main road and blowing it's horn continuously for about 45 seconds! There were some small kids on bikes on the road so we figured they were blowing at them. We played on. It was a best ball format so when I pulled my approach shot left into the greenside rough across the cartpath, I drove over to pick up my ball. It was heavy rough and solid, (not wet & soggy). Then I noticed a Silver SUV, (a Murano I think), and a middleaged woman walking around the back of the vehicle wearing a wide brimmed straw hat and sun glasses. She started SCREAMING AT ME AT THE TOP OF HER LUNGS! She was yelling because it was "cart path only" and she wanted to let ME know it. I pointed to my Blue Disabled flag and she said, "I don't care WHAT you have on that cart! It's cart path ONLY!!" And then she got back in her car in a huff.

I was a "good boy" and resisted to tell this woman where to go or to F off! The other three people in my foursome, one a nice lady that was riding with me, thought that the screamer was out of line. She WAS out of line. She didn't want to hear anything I had to say. Too Bad, she could have had it explained to her that I had PERMISSION to drive my cart on the course. And YES, I WAS being VERY CAREFUL! But she was obviously a resident and club member that felt that she could approach anyone and say anything she wanted to, no matter what! (Rich folks are like that...snooty snobs etc.) I did my best to forget her outburst and enjoy the rest of the day.

We made the turn and I mentioned this incident to a Marshall. Two were standing there and both thought they knew exactly whom this lady was. Both agreed that she was a PITA to everyone! Then a third Marshall drove up and told me that I had to tuck in my shirttail since that was the dress code at Queen's Harbor. Normally I would have apologised and tucked in my shirttail, HOWEVER: Out of the 80 or so folkls in this event, about 60+ had on shorts and shirts simular to mind and all had their shirttails out. NO ONE ELSE was approached about this dress code issue except ME. WHY? Seems this nosy, pushy screamer had taken the time and trouble to complain about ME and ME only. So now I'm pissed. And it takes ALOT to get me wriled! Shirttail? Sure, when everyone else complies, so will I. Otherwise, tell the screamer she can kiss my......! (You get the picture!)

The rest of the day was uneventfull. Everyone had a good time and we all sat down for a hot meal and the after event awards, door prizes etc. It was a GOOD DAY for the Lighthouse Charity. Some nice prizes were awarded and won. (My wife and I donated a Skycaddie2 for the cause.) Finally it was time to go.

Out in the parking lot I find this huge RED SIGN under my wiper blade that informed me that this is not a handicapped spot but a reserved parking spot!!! (With all the bold writing and exclamation marks.) It was NOT on my windshield when the event ended so the person that left it was too gutless to come inside and simply ask whose truck that was. At that point they could have been referred to the club pro that the cart guys work for because THEY told me to park there!

The wife and I live where we do largely because of some of the things I had to put up with at this charity event in a gated community. We could afford to live in one of these places, but we KNOW how MANY of the residents are: If they determine you are not on THEIR "social level" or "income level", then you are looked down upon etc. Not only that, but one of the marshalls said that the pro shop recieves several calls a day from reesidents at Queen's Harbor that have nothing better to do than sit on their porches with binoculars and note if someone's shirttail was out, or some other dress code infraction, someone didn't sand a divot to their liking and on & on. One woman even complained about her neighbor across the way that had a million dollar + YACHT moored to his dock. She thought it was huge and gawdy etc. HELLO!!! You live in a YACHT CLUB COMMUNITY!!! You getting the picture?

We wouldn't change the place we live for anything. We love it here in Bartram Oaks. Great neighbors, a nice community, peaceful and very quiet. Everyone, for the most part, gets along superbly with one another. Places like Queen's Harbor? I'm certain that most of their residents are swell folks. But MANY of them...I'll be a gentleman at this point and reframe from speaking what I really think of those few snobs!

  That's actually a funny story!  Wonder what that rich old lady does for a living?  I'll bet the farm she mooches off of hubby's paycheck and lives a life of luxury.  My way of looking at it, if you didn't do anything to get where you are, keep your damn mouth shut and enjoy the ride!  I can't stand snobby people.  I don't mind rich, but not snobs.

jjones...you and I would probably get along just GRAND!

I'm the kind that likes everyone. I don't begrudge rich folks their money, afterall they EARNED it. (Well, MOST did anyway!) I don't envy the rich either. I've always been what I consider "poor" but others would say that income wise that I was closer to "lower middle class". Whatever. I live life and try to enjoy it. I'm not a huge "risk taker" although in my younger days I did some pretty risky things that nearly cost my life! (We won't talk about the lungs, brain and liver...ok?!LOL)

 I've always had a roof over my head, clothes to wear, a car to drive, food to eat and except for short runs, a job. I used to desire "things" alot, but I've out grown that foolishness, many moons ago. I couldn't care less about "social status". The only folks that do care about that are usually best friends with the person in the mirror.

 My doc put me on Zoloft last year and recently doubled my dosage. I suppose that's why I can ignore folks like that uppity woman at Queen's Harbor instead of cursing her out or snatching off her head and crapping down her neck! (LOL) Oh, I still get "upset" sometimes, but it usually fades in about 30 seconds or less. Lucky for the people and ME, since I have no desire to spend a few years in prison!

Perhaps we can get together with the wives and do dinner out sometime? There is a new Japanese place on CR 210 called GAYA...and it is great!!! Good food, portions good, service is friendly and good. They have a lot of the grill tables and have a great sushi menu, although I don't eat sushi. (I'm like Terry Bradshaw when it comes to sushi, "Where I come from they call that BAIT!")LOL If your interested, let me know and we'll hook up one afternoon/evening..ok?

This is just to incredible to believe!

While it's not an issue in St Johns County, it COULD be, and may be and we just don't know about it.

The wife and I often go to the McDonalds in Green Cove Springs for lunch on Fridays. We usually have a couple of #10's and drive over to the Govenor's Creek boat ramp to eat and watch the river. Well, last Friday, we were sitting there having our lunch and watching the "crab guy" recover his boat. Afterwards he drove past us up towards the north end of the parking lot near the river side. He started tossing out what appeared to be old crab bait or dead crabs/fish or "something". Well, all of a sudden there was a stampede of CATS coming out of the wooded area to dine on his scraps. I counted 15 to 20 cats. They all appeared to be wild. Old ones, younger ones, a full range of colors and sizes!

I love cats, dogs and most all animals. I owned a wonderful cat when the wife and I met but we had to find a home for Scooter because the wife is highly allergic to cats. I fully understand how some people can be "cat crazy" when it comes to cats and others are the same way about dogs or other traditional "pet" animals.

I called Clay County Animal Control to see if they were aware of all of these cats living in that woods near the boat ramp. THEY ARE very aware of them and the young woman on the phone told me that they are "legally prevented" from doing anything about them! Apparently there is someone that "takes care" of all of those cats. They feed them daily, (according to the person at Animal Control), and they have captured all of the cats at one time or another and had them all spayed or neutered, again, according to what she told me on the phone. She verified that all of the cats ARE indeed ferral/wild cats.

I have a few concerns for these cats running "wild" within the city limits:

One - For the CATS! These are domestic breeds, and while they may be good "mousers", meaning they can hunt their own food, to me it's unconscienable to have these cats fending for themselves as they are. I consider it cruel to the cats.

Two- For the public health concerns. Cats can carry a variety of diseases. A rare few effect humans but the others can infect other pets!

At any rate, something just seems wrong about allowing these cats to colonize like that. Sooner or later OTHER cats will join in the colony and they will not be spayed/neutered. They will breed and more and more cats will be born and wild.

Now, I'm as much a cat lover as the next person, but this is just WRONG! This is NOT Hemmingway's house in Key West! I can't imagine how any "legal" condition exists to prevent the collection of these animals, but according to CCAC there IS. They are frustrated by this too and she stated that there are "several ferral colonies" of cats in GCS. All I can say is: I'm glad I live in St Johns County away from this mess!

  it's the same all over.  JCP has cats around the golf course people apparently feed, Mandarin Park has a HUGE population of wild cats that some crazy, homeless looking woman feeds.  She yelled at me when I kicked her ratty container of food off the hiking trail I was on.  I told the dumbass that was called littering, but she didn't care. She ranted they were "her" cats, blah, blah, blah.  The whole place smells like a litterbox, and we all know cat crap stinks!  Your hands are tied, you can't exterminate them, that would be construed as cruelty to animals.  You can't have animal control get them, because they are "owned".  The whole "Oh, I spayed them all" is crap!  You CAN'T spay them all!  And who could?  I work at an animal hospital, spaying and neutering ain't cheap, last time I checked!  You got all that spare change floating around, send it my way, honey!  I say there should be an open season on cats, just like big squirrels.  If it's off your PERSONAL property, it's fair game.  BTW, I hate cats.

Just thought I would remind everyone, especially you gals, that this is the time of year that purse snatchings go WAY UP!

We had one in our community just last night! VERY uncommon for our little niche out here! But IT HAPPENED!

A lady pulled into her driveway about 8 PM or so. When she got out of her car, a guy with a ski mask on ran at her from around the corner of her house, snatched her purse, throwing her to the ground in the process, and ran away on foot.

Another "common" method for snatching purses is to drive up behind someone walking in a parking lot, reach out and grab the purse straps and floor the car! This usually results in injury to the person being snatched from...so BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS! Especially this time of year!

There is much, much more I could post but most of you are pretty sharp so I'll past on the PSA for now!

It's a sad state of affairs, I know. But this is the world we live in. Take care out there!

The lady that was robbed in our community had just stopped at a convienence store to buy something. She admitted that she opened her purse and in doing so exposed a sizable sum of CASH.

When she left the store she noticed a vehicle, an SUV?, following her closely behind. When she pulled into her driveway the vehicle continued on and she thought it was just someone visiting a neighbor.

When she exited her car, a male bull rushed her and snatched her purse and throwing her to the ground in the process. He did NOT have a ski mask on but DID have a hooded sweatshirt top with the hood on. He ran up the street and jumped into the waiting vehicle and they sped off. It happened very fast, so fast that the woman said she couldn't tell what race they were or anything else other than it was a male.

BEWARE of vehicles that appear to be following you! Once they have your things, which will include all your personal info, credit cards, HOUSE KEYS/CAR KEYS etc....getting all of the stopped/changed can be a real chore! PLUS she has to have all the locks changed on her doors and, if she's smart, her car ignition too!

This is for the "Wal-Mart haters" out there:

Wal-Mart haters can knock Wal-Mart all they wish, but Wal-Mart is OK in MY BOOK! They came through when we needed them too!

 Without Walmart, a large population of middle class America would be without a decent paying job, nor would they be able to purchase many of the "luxuries" that some of us take for granted.  Say what you will, but I see no reason to pay extra money for an item I can get cheaper at Walmart.  I honestly don't care what people in China or India are making per hour assembling the stuff I buy there.  If they don't like it, quit or legally enter our country... and get a job at Walmart!

  Maybe the reason you noticed is because it was an attractive female?  Hey, at least it gives us poor schmoes something to look at, eh?  Just kidding. Face it, the entire state of Florida DOES NOT KNOW HOW TO DRIVE!  I love being at a four way,(most do not know what this is anyway)  No one knows who goes first, so it's every man for themselves.  I know, and I take my right to go.  If some idiot hits me because they're ignorant, all the worse for them.  Turn signals?  I think it's an expensive option on cars in Florida which no one buys.  Also, I believe it's a rule in Florida, if there is any open space on the road that you want to get into, just go right ahead.  The other jerk should already know that you are going to cut him off to squeeze into 4 feet of space.  Additionally, while parking, if you believe your car is better than others, feel freet to park crosswise or take up two spots.  We don't mind.  Handicapped parking is just a suggestion, if your fat ass can't find a spot with feet of the front door, go ahead, take the handicap spot.  Ah well, without all the asses and jerks in the world, I'd have to try a lot harder to look good.  Thank you!

jjones, I didn't "see" the driver until I caught up with her on I95. The car had dark tint windows. She cut in about 2 cars ahead. I got her tag # and model out on the highway.

The thing is, when I got to my doctor's appointment, one of the girls in the office looked just like the one I saw in the car driving!!! (No, I didn't ask her what kind of car she drives...LOL)

A couple of times a week I use CR 210 to go to NAS JAX via I95 & I295. I usually hit the intersection in the morning rush hour and that's when I see the CONTINUING lane jumpers that rush up the right lane and then line jump across the double lines to cut in to the I95 Northbound turn lane.

Begining today, with edits to add other days, I am going to post every line jumper/lane cutter I see and am able to get their tag number/make/model of car along with a physical description of the driver. Nothing illegal, tag numbers are public record...so if you see YOUR tag# here....THINK!

Dec 5, 2007, approx 6:45 AM -- Black BMW 530i, tag # (Jaguars) J84BY, Tom Bush tag holder, attractive young black woman driving. Cut in the middle of the intersection.

 Dec 13, 2007, approx 8:00 AM -- Black Nissan Murano, tag # GTQ0F GATOR tag. White female driver. Cut in at mid intersection.

All too often we see folks walking on the side of the road. They are wearing old clothes, males unshaven, women with bad hair and raggity clothes. They are obviously "poor" and they walk because, you would assume, that they do not own a car.

We passed just such a "couple" this afternoon as we were driving back from St Augustine on CR 16. But you know what? DESPITE their shabby appearance and appearing "poor"...they sure had that 12 PACK OF BEER swinging beside them!!!

Call me heartless I suppose, but I just can't muster much sympathy and compassion for folks that have virtually nothing but always find money to buy alcohol and cigarettes. Incredible but true!

Here it is December 31st, 2007. New Years Eve.

Since neither of us drink anymore, we plan to stay home, have some party treats and perhaps a soda. We plan to watch some TV and probably go to bed around 9 or 9:30 PM. (And yes, our phone will be turned OFF!..LOL)

This past year has brought us some sad moments, but the happy ones far outnumber the sad ones so we figure we're ahead of the game.

Tomorrow, while the majority of folks are nursing a hangover and sleeping in, I'll be on the golf course enjoying what I like most.

 HAPPY NEW YEAR to all!!! May your new year bring you as much peace and happiness as you can stand!

Just so jjones and others in JCP will know that WE here at Bartram Oaks aren't without our own little "problems".

Recently one of the residents that live on the larger of our two retention ponds, called the police on a couple of kids fishing on the bank behind her home. The problem is, it's NOT her property but the HOA common area around the pond. She INSISTED that it was her property all the way down to the waters edge. Since she didn't want to talk to ME, a BOD member, I told the sheriff's deputy that we would have the property lines surveyed and end the dispute once and for all. Kink in her armor: She had her son dig out the HOA common area, (which I witnessed him doing it), all the way back to her property line. She even requested "NO TRESPASSING" signs and had the installed on HOA property! This, in effect made it her property to the water, right? WRONG!

The HOA never authorized the digging and the area dug out belongs to the HOA, not her. The surveyor came out today. After he was finished, it clearly showed that she was WRONG, 100%. The further action of the BOD will be decided at our July meeting. We will most likely require her to re-fill in the areas that she had dug out since the digging destroyed the HOA common area in total for a large section.

 Had this woman not been such a belligerent ass she would have realized that I AGREE WITH HER! However, all residents pay fees and those fees maintain the pond all the way around it. Therefore, they may be "rude or inconsiderate" to fish where they know they aren't wanted, but they have a RIGHT to be on the common area. It's a sad case of a schoolyard type peeing contest.

Bottomline: The real line has been officially surveyed and marked. The VP and me both took lots of pictures of the markers and the line today so if the markers get "mysteriously moved", we KNOW where they are supposed to be and what the line is.

The lesson here is: TALK to your neighbors! BE CIVIL and they are usually civil in return! If one side or the other jumps down someone's throat fro the git go, what the Hell do they expect as a response?

Board members are volunteers. We try to ensure that we represent ALL members equally, no "favorites". If that pisses some folks off, I'm sorry. In the past they complained I wasn't doing my job because I wasn't a roving "cop" looking for violators. NOW that an issue arrises and I take action, (along with a unamimous vote of the BOD), I'm the bad guy then too! Geez...and folks wonder why good natured volunteers QUIT all the time! Me? I'm not quitting. The HOA is in the right, the rest will just have to deal with their angst! I recommend Zoloft..100mg a day! Works for ME!

That homeowner sounds like a real joy to deal with.  I am glad you put her in her place.

I do beleive in JCP people are not allowed on the pond banks that back up to peoples property, there are signs posted by JCP that this is not allowed.  I suppose this is just a difference in rules between the two communities.

  True, there are signs up, but I believe that is the boards way of pacifying the homeowners complaining about people hanging out and fishing literally in their backyards.  I think it is as Claude states, that the HOA has a right of way around the ponds.  What isn't legal is trespassing on someone's property to GET to the pond.  I believe you can walk from the common/public area of the pond, around to the areas behind the houses, if you wish.  C'mon, though.  Who the hell wants to see a bunch of kids who probably don't even live in JCP playing around behind their homes?  These people paid a premium for "lakefront", why should it be o.k. for others to benefit and enjoy what you paid for, without your explicit permission?  In addition, what's to stop a kid or adult from that matter, from stepping an inch over onto your property, injuring himself, and suing your butt off?  The solution apparently has been to fence your property, sad, but neccessary in today's sue happy world.  Just a note to anyone reading this, there is realy no reason to park behind someones house and fish, there are plenty of other places that aren't directly behind someone's house.  The fishing isn't better "on the other side", trust me, I know.  All you need to do is chum or bait the water where you want to "fish", and you will have yourself a nice sized bass in no time.  Release it, by the way.  I can guarantee no one in JCP knows how to fillet a freshly caught fish anyway.  If you can, my bad.  Here's food for thought:  on a pond in JCP, a family stores their small sailboat on common ground, does that mean it's there for everyone to use? 

I don't know the rules and covenents of JCP, but I'd wager that they aren't THAT much different from anyother HOA since we are ALL incorporated under FS 720.

Here, in OUR community, the CC&R's were written by the original developer/owner long before I ever knew this place existed.

FACT: There is no "prohibition" to fish in the ponds, anywhere on the ponds.

FACT: All residents pay HOA fees and those fees are used to maintain the "common areas". Because their money is no different than anyone else's, they have access to the common areas to walk, fish, sunbath, whatever.

FACT: The 9 people that bought lots on the pond, ME INCLUDED, knew that they didn't own the land down to the water. NOW they want to cry foul if other members occasionally fish behind their homes.(Except me and 7 other owners..lol)

Sorry. If the fishermen are inconsiderate, there is no rule/prohibition against their being there. NOW that this ONE person has made such a HUGE ISSUE out of this, and LOST, she may find that the people that she was so rude to may decide that they want to fish behind her home ALL THE TIME, if for no other reason than to piss her off! And, you know what? They have every right to be on the common area and she'll just have to be pissed off. If she calls the cops again, she will find that the ones she calls them on will insist that SHE be cited for making false reports to a law enforcement agency.

Talking to your neighbors is much, much easier than starting a "no win" war with them. I am suggesting to the BOD at our next meeting that fishing on the ponds be restricted to "dawn to dusk". No one needs to be around the ponds ANYWHERE after dark. We have a good sized population of water moccasins and it is dangerous to be out there anytime, especially at night. These snakes are mostly nocturnal and very aggressive. It's mating season!

We had a special meeting, (2 actually), and have decided to change the CC&R's so people cannot fish in the ponds behind private property without the owner's permission. 3 out of 9 don't like folks fishing behind their houses so those 3 will not allow it.

The rest of us on the pond? We couldn't care less and we're actually thinking of having a "Bartram Oaks 1st Annual Fishing Tourney" for the neighborhood! (Of course, no one will fish behind the 3 scrooge's homes.)

 I was out voted 4 to 1, so I just made it 5 to 0. Also, fishing is restricted to be allowed only between dawn to dusk.

People CAN "walk" around the ponds behind homes, but they can't stop, linger to fish etc.

I hope this ends the "Hatfield/McCoy" peeing contest now!!!

It seems that the BOD jumped the gun and started something that is NOT legal!

I was correct all along. The BOD needs to address the CC&R violations and NOT pander to a couple of people that just want to "get their way"! It seems that a covenent change needs to be at a "general meeting" of the entire membership and cannot be passed without #1.- a quorum and THEN #2.- by proxy or presence, a 75% minimum vote of ALL members to carry a change.

It isn't going to happen! Period. We can call a meeting, but it will never pass because 75% of our members have NEVER attended nor voted at a GM...30 or 40 at the best.

So...the original SIX VIOLATIONS by the one person WILL be enforced by the BOD. We should do this on the 4th of July...the "fireworks" will be GREAT!

Claude91098 for president!  Here's a guy who will stick it to 'em when and where it needs to be stuck! 

jjones,

 I ACCEPT!!! Being a conservative Libertarian Constitutionalist, I will never dissappoint anyone. I'm a write in candidate this November. I have no money, don't want any either. I cannot be bought, swayed nor influenced by anything that is not in the Constitution, (nationally speaking, of course).

I have an agenda: #1. Repeal the 16th Admendment. #2.- Pass the Fair Tax. #3.- close our Southern border and not reopen it until 100% control can be maintained. #4.- Bring all our troops home, from EVERYWHERE! Europe has their "Union" now, they don't need us THERE to make good on our treaties. #5.- Pass a National Death Penalty for capital crimes. (As President I feel it only just that "I" throw the switch on ALL executees.) Two year appeal limit for all capital appeals, then "good night!"

 I have more, but I don't want to tease the voters too much. They'll think I'm kidding...I'M NOT!!!

  I am a Libertarian, also.  I have some differing views, but every "which party are you" test I take puts me smack dab in the middle of Libertarianism.  Everyone always says, "Oh, those ideas will never work."  Well, let's try them and see!  No one thought an actor whose best movie starred a monkey would end up (In my opinion) one of our greatest presidents.  Income tax money is by and large pissed away with pork barrel politics.  NO ONE can possibly comprehend the amount of money that is wasted, lost, and stolen by our government.  Why do you think congress men fight like hell to stay in power for all those years?  The pay?  Nope, the perks and "other stuff" that goes along with it.  Eliminating income tax will do nothing to diminish our country, only the schmucks that run it.

I could start a new blog each time I write something for this journal, but I prefer to keep everything together so it can be read in context. With the trand nowadays being to "quote people out of context", I feel this is the best way.

Our "problem" along the retention pond has "almost" gone away. A few days ago the illegal dock was removed, but the pilings for it are still there. Hopefully they will be removed as well. I sent a letter to the owner warning her that if anyone got injured on her dock or fell in the pond where she had it dug out, that SHE would be the one liable for damages or any law suits from it. Since she has been notified in writing by the HOA, it should carry "some weight" in court if it ever comes up. Our lawyer agrees.

On another note: This is a small community. We have something like 86 owners and 96 lots. The HOA is responsible for maintaining the common areas, (landscaping etc), paying the electric bills for the pond bubbler and the street lights. The BOD also ensures the CC&R's are obeyed/complied with. ALL Board members are neighbors that volunteered to serve their community. The HOA is non-profit and positins non-paid. For the meger services that are provided, the HOA fees are a mere $10. per month. Despite the small amount, there are 21+ people that are a combined total of over THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN ARREARS!!! This is ridiculas!!!

Some say that they "never got a bill", other say that they "didn't know" there was an HOA or fees. EXCUSES ALL! EVERYONE is advised this is an HOA before they buy here and that there is an HOA fee of $10. due at the end/first of every month. There is a special lock box located in the center of the community for people to drop their payments into. Those payments are collected everyday and posted at the end of the following month on our books. We just had a special "Finance" meeting last week. THIS MUST END!!! Everyone is getting a 1st notice, then a second ultimatum notice and the third is a notification that they are being turned over to a COLLECTION AGENCY! This will take place over a 2 week period. Any member that is NOT in good standing, (meaning in debt to the HOA), loses their RIGHT TO VOTE at the HOA meetings. They can ATTEND, but they have no rights to speak nor vote. Additionally, they CANNOT run for any Board positions.

Being on a community Board and trying to serve your community can sometimes give you heartburn, ulcers and make you lose faith in your fellow man! It is a CHORE that SHOULD BE a "pleasure" and APPRECIATED by your neighbors. Too bad for "some", that is not the case. ALL properties in arrears will be LIENED with the County until the debts are paid. BEFORE any owner trying to sell can close, the Title Insurance Company MUST clear the property title with the HOA. When the debt is cleared/paid, the HOA will release clearance. ALL homes in here WILL SELL, someday. So if the HOA can survive the deficit, and it will, THEY SHALL PAY SOMEDAY.

The worst part of all this is that their neighbors are shouldering the load for them in the meantime. It's not fair to the rest of us that love this place and plan to live here until death does us part...(Me & the wife for two). These people should be ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES!!! We know some have "problems" and if they would JUST COMMUNICATE with their neighbors, we would work with them. But they don't and that makes it impossible for us to be "nice". Sorry.

In the event that some of our neighbors read this blog, they should note that the HOA, ARC Chairman, (me), did something good! The storm drain across the street from us had claimed the life of an armidillo. Apparently he drown. The smell was horrendous! I called the county yesterday, Road & Bridges, they are the ones that take care of storm drains, and today they sent out a truck and a crew to clean the drain out. The guys, (I felt so sorry for them), were coughing and gagging so badly because of the smell. That critter was RIPE!!! Problem all gone now!

NOW, if I can just think of a nice way to convince our deadbeat members to get off their collective asses and PAY THEIR DUES!!! (The Board is taking steps...trust me!)

I have recently come out from an Alcohol Rehab Cente so things aren't that clear to me. Can you introduce me into the subject? I need more details.

http://kwentongpinas.wordpress.com/2008/10/03/drugaddiction/