Updated: Oct 2, 2021
On September 11th, the mayor, along with other members of the council, town staff, fire and police departments, as well as many residents, commemorated the 20th anniversary of 9/11. It was heartfelt and beautiful. If you have not done so, please visit the memorial plaque which sits at the flagpole. Photographs are available on our Sunshine Ranches Facebook page.
The SRHOA supports the Davie Police Department in their recent donation efforts for Haiti. The department continues to encourage us to do the following:
Don’t leave anything in plain sight; don’t leave recently purchased gifts in plain view.
Never leave your purse unattended in your vehicle, even while you are pumping gas.
Park in a well-lit area at night.
Store packages out of sight in your locked trunk. If you want to continue shopping after stashing packages, move the car to another location.
Do not leave packages or valuables on the seat of your car. This creates a temptation for thieves. If you must leave something in the car, lock it in the trunk or put it out of sight.
While attending parties, be sure not to leave valuables in your vehicle.
Avoid parking next to vans, trucks with camper shells, or cars with tinted windows.
Our HOA has a healthy treasury. We are thinking of ways to utilize the funds as to benefit the community. For one, we are revamping the entryways. A holiday gathering is in the works for December 12th. It is time for a donation to the Scholarship Fund. Equestrian Park has some minor projects our HOA could support. We hope you like these ideas and welcome your input.
Speaking of funds, we have had some wonderful residents who have contributed to the SRHOA treasury. We would like to recognize the following members for their generosity:
The Moyers Family: Holatee Trail
The Grissen Family: Luray Road
The Taylor Family: Melaleuca Road
If you would like to become more involved in the SRHOA, we have committees which need volunteers. Feel free to contact the board with your interests.
Do you feel extra traffic or equestrian signage is needed on your street? If so, please reach out to Michelle McBride and Marianne Allen; the ladies are locating sites. This mapping will wrap-up soon, so do not hesitate.
Our town’s charter is up for review. A committee has been appointed by the council. One of our residents, Marianne Allen, is proudly serving on this committee and wishes to have our/your input. For your convenience, please utilize the following URL or QR code to access the charter:
Mayor Breitkreuz’s next “Q & A with Mayor Steve Breitkreuz” will be on October 13th. Please join Steve’s Zoom meeting to enjoy a relaxed and collegial discussion concerning events and needs of the Southwest Ranches community.
Remember, the Council now meets face-to-face at Town Hall on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month.
Please stay connected…join our SRHOA Gmail (sunshinerancheshoa@gmail.com), visit our website (www.sunshineranches.org), or view our posts at www.facebook.com/SunshineRanches.
As always be safe, be happy, and be loved.
Chris
In Loving Memory:
Rosemarie Ann Torlone,
38-year resident of Sunshine Ranches
Updated: Mar 5, 2022
The meeting was called to order at 7:36 PM by President Christina Brownlow, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Chris welcomed all and advised that next month’s meeting (September 29) will also be held via Zoom.
Davie Police/Crime Report: Detective Hobales provided an update for July: issued 143 citations, 105 in Sunshine Ranches (vs. June, 112 citations, 53 in Sunshine Ranches), which is an increase of about 80%. We did not have any reported crimes (burglary, thefts, etc.). This was an improvement over previous months, and he encouraged residents to LOCK car doors and turn on the lights at night and reminded all not to leave key fobs in cars! Also, he reminded all of the Davie Vacation Watch service, whereby residents can advise Davie Police of vacation schedules in order for officers to keep a watch over the property. Two board members used this service and were extremely satisfied with the attention provided by the Police Department.
Town Council Member Comments:
Mayor Steve Breitkreuz: We are at the 20th anniversary of 9/11. The Town has scheduled a remembrance event at Town Hall at 8:30 am. This is such a critical day, and we owe so much to so many that sacrificed so much together. He encouraged all to come. The event will be outside and will be brief.
Vice Mayor Bob Hartmann encouraged residents to come to the council meetings, specifically tomorrow’s meeting which will cover planning and agricultural updates.
Councilman Gary Jablonski recognized Bob for the First Responder photo that was in the Southwest Rancher. He gave public work updates: first drainage project, Hancock Rd. guard rails, flashing school beacon on 172 to be replaced, American rescue plan, and Waste Pro service level improvements. 2021-22 schedule for repaving program was approved w/ Broward County for $1.2MM, and this expense was taken off our tax rolls. First budget hearing is Sept. 13. All Advisory Board meetings are in Town Hall. Next meeting is Sept. 20 in Town Hall. Finally, new benefit for residents: we will be putting in a new camera system, and will soon be able to stream Live for meetings.
Chris brought up an item regarding the State of Florida is going through re-districting process and is asking for feedback for SWR. Gary said we are hiring consultants. Census data is available online (Census 2020 Southwest Ranches FL) and is quite interesting. We are required to look at this after every census. This will be done at Council level, then at county and state levels.
A homeowner’s question regarding recycling was addressed by Mayor Steve, who advised that there has been quite a change in the recycling industry over the past few years, which includes an uptick on the cost of recycling. This is on the agenda for review on the next contract negotiation with Waste Pro.
Council member David Kuczenski addressed the car thefts that happened this past weekend, since he was advised directly by one of the car owners. Leaving a car’s key fobs in car is a negligence that car insurance companies may reject on a claim. Sept. 1 is the meeting date for the first charter review committee. Jason is on the committee as well as Mary Ann Allen from SWR. There are important issues regarding our rural life style, and these will go before the voters. David encouraged us to keep our speeding down, and to attend the 9/11 remembrance event.
Jim Allbritton: The Town Council meetings will be in person and mask-mandated. If you attend, please bring your masks. The rural art board has looked at a preliminary rendering of the wall mural, and it is beautiful! It will be done later in the year. Also, please be mindful of speeding!! Davie Police is rotating where they go, and believe it or not, many of the same folks are getting pulled over. Please slow down!
Jason Halberg, HOA VP, provided an update on advertising, which is doing well. Also advised about our entrance signs: we got 3 quotes for painting, and received 1 offer from a company to do the labor gratis. We will be applying for the unification grant for the Town and are excited about all goings on. Finally, we made some updates to our website and also have a digital version of the Waggler online, along with the minutes and the President’s message.
Chris, HOA President, celebrated all of the progress.
Treasurer’s report: Balance of $29,828.45 as of June 30 vs. $20,566.64 as of June 1.
Membership update by Vilma Lopez: We have 306 members! We have had huge interest from the residents. Many residents have inquired about the equestrian signs (“Slow for Horses”) and have interest about these, especially if their homes are in an area that has a lot of horses. Chris asked about providing info about which residents would be willing to have them.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:50 PM.
September is a month with much history, remembrance, and reflection. We will celebrate Labor Day, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and our Constitution…we will also commemorate the 20th anniversary of 9/11. Let us do all of this with love and light (for more special dates, visit https://www.teachervision.com/calendar/holidays-and-seasonal-events/202109?field_nation_target_id=126811 ).
In this edition of the Waggler, you will find a thank you letter from the Town to all of you who donated to this year’s scholarship fund. Because of you, 13 well-deserving young men and women each received $2,500! This could not have been done without the generosity of friends within our wonderful community.
The SRHOA would like to thank the Davie Police Department for their constant presence in our area…we are seeing a significant change in driving behaviors! Also, residents have given ecstatic praise for the vacation watch program. Detective Hobales and DPD officers, we cannot tell you how much we appreciate you.
The HOA is embarking on a revamp of the entryways (cleaning, fresh paint & installation of plaques). We are pursuing a matching grant through the Town to assist with expenses and have received calls from folks interested in helping. We are excited and will keep you updated. (Thank you, DaNell D’Alfonso and Jason Halberg, for your work on this grant proposal.)
Congratulations to our very own Laura Warren on being chosen to design and paint the mural at Founder’s Park (just behind the CVS). Laura, we are excited to see what you have planned.
Per requests, the HOA received a map of Sunshine Ranches in order to look into potential locations for speed limit signs and equestrian signage. We wish to thank Michelle McBride and Marianne Allen for volunteering to talk to residents about placement sites.
On September 11th, join the mayor and members of the community for a 20th anniversary event commemorating the events of 9/11. For more details, please contact Town Hall (954.434.0008).
Mayor Breitkreuz’s next “Q & A with Mayor Steve Breitkreuz” will be on September 8th. Please join Steve’s Zoom meeting to enjoy a relaxed and collegial discussion concerning events and needs of the Southwest Ranches community.
Remember, the Council now meets face-to-face at Town Hall on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month.
Please stay connected…join our SRHOA Gmail (sunshinerancheshoa@gmail.com), visit our website (www.sunshineranches.org), or view our posts at www.facebook.com/SunshineRanches.
As always be safe, be happy, and be loved.
Chris
Our Facebook has a video from Memorial Healthcare. The current COVID numbers are truly frightening and aren’t slowing down. For anyone who remains unvaccinated at this point, I urge you with all my heart to get vaccinated, as soon as possible. Whatever you think the risk may be of the vaccination, it is clear the risk of the virus is far, far worse. Follow the science - it’s not perfect, but it is protecting almost 100% of people. Those few breakthrough cases are relatively mild in most people, while only the most vulnerable are experiencing more severe cases.
This virus is not going away anytime soon. If you remain unvaccinated, you will get it. It’s only a matter of time. Don’t be one of those begging for the vaccination while hospitalized; it’s too late then. Please take care of yourselves and each other.