Updated: Mar 5, 2022
The meeting opened at 7:30. DaNell D’Alfonso gave the Pledge.
DPD reported 197 citations written for SWR…109 in Sunshine Ranches alone! These occurred mostly along Stirling, Luray, and Volunteer. So far, June has recorded 96 citations. The Chief has specifically requested DPD discuss/repeat the importance of locking car doors. Why? 14 vehicle burglaries have occurred in 8-9 days! How else can we express the importance of locked vehicles?? Folks are leaving valuables and firearms inside their cars, and the thieves are getting these. Councilman Allbritton mentioned cases of windows being smashed in order to get to belongings. DPD has a hotline for fireworks…remember, there are only three legal days (July 4th, December 31st & January 1st). Marianne Allen thanked DPD for everything they are doing!
Mayor Breitkreuz mentioned the Council resolution to oppose a north-bound turn signal at Sheridan and Volunteer. The Town thought the issue dead, but it has resurfaced. Davie’s position is neutral. He is meeting with Ivanhoe to discuss our position (he has spoken to the Ivanhoe commissioner). Chris said to make her phone number available to the neighboring Davie HOA’s if necessary. Jason recommends we send letters to the HOA presidents. We must reach out as soon as possible.
The mayor is planning a 9/11 20th anniversary memorial in partnership with the HOA’s. Marianne recommended a candlelight vigil at one of the parks.
Jason mentioned Wellington’s ban on fireworks…could we pursue? Michelle McBride concurs…helmet laws when horse riding began with the work of one person.
Vice-mayor Hartmann asked Chris if she has heard of any coyote issues in her area. She has not at this point. Regarding Waste Pro, he has spoken with managers and drivers per issues concerning pick-up and debris piles (the contract expires next year). Alina (resident) asked if the pile size could be adjusted (could result in higher fees); Sally (board member) mentioned the hole on 136th which is at least 2 feet deep! Also, per the canals, she asked who is responsible for keeping them free of debris and flowing. He concluded with reminding folks of the July 13th First Responders Photoshoot, whether working or retired, (if weather’s bad, then second date: 20th, third date: 27th). The event will include fire trucks, police vehicles, the mounted units, doctors, nurses, etc.
Councilman Allbritton thanks the HOAs and is looking forward to August for face-to-face meetings once again. DPD was made aware of the anti-Semitic vandalism at Equestrian Park. He wished all a great Fourth of July (his entire family will be down). Please be respectful of your neighbors while celebrating.
Councilman Kuczenski is feeling better following his surgery. He is upset to see the turn signal issue return as he thought it was resolved. Per the last legislative session, any reports of code violations will no longer be anonymous. He offered his cell as necessary (305.815.0990). The scholarship fundraising exceeded expectations this year…all 13 recipients will receive $2,500 each! David discussed the fire fee assessment. He reiterated SRHOA support of the volunteer firefighters. He would like to see the HOA get the t-shirts printed (cost were approved during his tenure as president). Let’s get the entryways painted before installing the new plaques. Call DPD should you suspect illegal fireworks usage.
Chris read Councilman Jablonski’s monthly report.
Marianne Allen is concerned over fire fees and requests further negotiating. She is not happy with bulk service/mess. Could the Comp Board consider more equestrian signage for our area?
Sally Broken mentioned issues with a concrete wall being constructed near her home on Holatee: painters are trespassing onto her property, and the construction is affecting the drive. She called the Town several times, but is yet to be called back. Bob asked if she had a return call from Julio (no). Steve mentioned the look of the wall must be nice on both sides, and must meet final inspection, but Code can do something in the meantime. She should have had a response to her call. Please call Rod. Per the trespassing, the Town cannot do anything, but she has the right to tell them to stay off her property, and she has the right to call DPD.
Jason Halberg discussed our Facebook campaigns and membership drive: currently, we are at 228 members (last year at this time it was 335); Facebook has grown from 160-300 followers! He shared our new membership letter/flyer. He has uploaded the database of new members…Vilma has new memberships pending and Judi reported six more as well. Advertisers have been submitting new payments.
Judi gave the treasurer’s report: the balance for both April 30th and May 31st remains at $20,566.64.
Hello dear neighbors. My message will be brief in order to provide space to print important articles pertaining to the fire assessment, horse safety, and membership. Also, the June minutes will be deferred until the next issue. Thank you for your understanding.
· The Village of Wellington recently approved through Florida legislation (HB 979) “banning the sale and use of fireworks within The Equestrian Preserve of The Village of Wellington all days of the year”. SRHOA has requested that the Town Council review this bill and its applicability to our equestrian community for similar legislative rulings. You may wonder why we would pursue this. Look at the following:
Fireworks near stables create loud noises, lights, and smoke. Horses are afraid of fire. The BHS reported 23 deaths and 166 injuries in horses due to fireworks incidences since 2010.
Fireworks may kill chickens due to heart attacks.
Fireworks can send wildlife running into roadways, flying into buildings, and/or abandoning nests and babies,
Fireworks can lead to a flight-or-fight response in pets, resulting in restlessness, panting, pacing, whining, hiding, and/or running away.
Fireworks particles have been linked to coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, asthma attacks and even heart attacks in humans. The noise can cause tinnitus and deafness. Epileptics may experience seizures.
Fireworks may trigger flashbacks and panic attacks in people suffering from PTSD and autism.
· We again face the issue of a proposed north-bound turn at Sheridan and Volunteer…in spite of our opposition and Council resolution. In order to garner support for our position, SRHOA is actively involved in an education campaign with our Davie neighbors west of Volunteer.
· SRHOA will have its August meeting in person at Town Hall! Refreshments will be provided, and the Davie Police Department will kick off our monthly speaker series with a presentation on personal and home security…look for a meeting announcement to follow.
· SRHOA gives its support and thanks to the members of the Volunteer Fire Department for their time and contributions to our community. Did you know…the VFD was originally housed within Sunshine Ranches?
· In our upcoming September issue, look for a wonderful letter from the Town expressing gratitude for your generosity in this year’s scholarship fundraising. Great details will follow.
· 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 Thursday of the month.
· Please stay connected… Email us at 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
Updated: Jul 20, 2021
Birthday of the Declaration of Independence
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, announcing the colonies’ separation from Great Britain.
Sunshine Ranches Homeowners Association (SRHOA) is my HOA…it is your HOA…it is OUR HOA. As many of you know, I have grown up here, so it is not only my home, but my community. I know a lot of wonderful, wonderful people. It is this sense of community which is the foundation of our HOA, a 50+ year association! When you become a member, or renew your membership, you are part of this community. The SRHOA officers and executive board have excellent relationships with the Town’s staff and council, as well as the Davie Police Department. It is these relationships, and commitment to community, which allow us to effectively address your concerns, solve your problems, and provide the information you need without delay. Several residents within our HOA volunteer on Town boards, thus strengthening the input toward policy decisions affecting residents. Monthly membership meetings provide one-on-one discussions with our/your councilmen…there is no “two-minute warning.” The SRHOA publication, The Waggler, is a respected (and coveted) magazine in which residents provide informative articles and share family news, and vital town-related information is conveyed.
So, you may wonder, why this lengthy opening? I/we wish to see all of you as members, whether new or returning, and for you to see the value of membership. My family has held membership in the SRHOA for several decades, as have many others. More of a civic group than homeowner association, our commitment is to community, safety and well-being of our residents (their families and animals), and the preservation of a beautiful rural lifestyle surrounded by nature. Yearly dues are only $50. Each residence is entitled to two votes per household on all motions and major decisions as designated by the SRHOA.
BECOME A MEMBER, OR PLEASE RENEW
As we enter July, we look forward to celebrating the 4th with family and friends. As a courtesy to our agricultural community, please be observant of the noise ordinance and respectful of the impact of fireworks on pets and livestock. The Town will post its holiday signs as a friendly reminder. Have fun, be safe, and take good care of our animal companions.
Mayor Breitkreuz’s July “Q & A with Mayor Steve Breitkreuz” will be on July 14th. Please join Steve’s Zoom meeting to enjoy a relaxed and collegial discussion concerning events and needs of the Southwest Ranches community.
The Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program (FFL) has a new campaign for 2021: Hire Florida-Friendly. This initiative will empower homeowners by teaching them how to determine whether their landscape professional follows FFL-based best management practices. The statewide outreach campaign will feature a TV public service announcement, radio spots, a website and social media posts that highlight the benefits of hiring Florida-Friendly landscape professionals. The website has general guidelines on what to look for when hiring a landscape professional, recommended certifications and a checklist of questions to ask when hiring a landscape professional. The guidelines and checklist are intended to augment the messages of the Hire Florida-Friendly campaign and help homeowners make informed decisions about their landscape service needs.
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 Brownlow