Welcome to spring, and with it please accept the SRHOA wishes for a wonderful Passover and Easter celebration with those you love. We are not “foolin” either. Also, welcome to the returning, and newly-elected, officers of our HOA. There is much we plan to accomplish this year with your help.
Now, for our items of note/concern:
We are receiving an inordinate amount of complaints regarding construction issues. You are right to be concerned and unhappy; you have the right to be heard and have your concerns addressed! As a taxpayer, town officials are paid to assist you, so do not hesitate to call (954-434-0008) and lodge your complaints/concerns. You are more than welcome to contact the officers of your SRHOA and include us in your discussions or emails. We want to know you have been properly spoken to and/or visited. We are upset over the issues taking place lately and want our residents respected. Trust me when I tell you we are communicating with town officials on a regular basis to ensure this. Staff is assigned to review site plans, monitor construction process and fill permits, and oversee residents’ rights. Let’s make sure this happens.
Please be alert to scams via texts, calls, emails, and/or mail. Do not put out-going mail in your personal mailbox; utilize the official federal post-office boxes located at either Town Hall or our Publix at 148th/Griffin.
Officials from Waste Pro will join our April SRHOA meeting. Please attend (monthly meetings are still via Zoom)…talk to Ken and Sam…feel free to ask questions and engage in round-table discussion.
The Town is currently developing a strategic plan to address both short-term and long-term goals of the Town. To this extent, a survey has been designed for our input. The survey was included in the March issue of The Southwest Rancher; please complete and return by April 15th (there is a drop-box outside of the Town Hall door). Answer honestly, openly, and candidly…be heard.
Once again, the area of Master’s Academy is being considered for development. At this point, it is only in discussion; no plans have been submitted. The developer wishes to address the SRHOA. I have suggested either the May meeting or an advertised Zoom meeting. I let the developer know our position, as based on our previous experience with the Toll Brothers: nothing less than an RR designation will do. If there are further communications, you will know immediately.
The Town is offering COVID-19 testing. Hopes are this will evolve into vaccinations. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
Please bring new or gently used shoes to the designated drop-box at Town Hall, as we are supporting Archbishop McCarthy’s shoe drive.
Flamingo flocking is still taking place. If you receive a visit from our “fine-feathered friends,” donate generously to the SWR Scholarship Fund and know you are helping a child from our community complete their post-secondary education.
February… Groundhog Day, Super Bowl Sunday, Chinese New Year, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, and Mardi Gras… dates for celebration and happiness. We need these special days. So much has been going on.
Let me take a moment to express our condolences to December Lauretano-Haines, Russell Muniz, and Detective Jeff Hobales, three wonderful members of our town’s staff. As some of you know, each lost family members. No matter the cause of the loss or the age of the individual, the pain is no less diminished. Please keep them in your hearts, and perhaps talk football or send a Valentine wish this coming month.
I would be remiss in not mentioning the loss of Esther Wellington, long-time resident, and HOA member. Esther had moved to Charlotte, NC. She was a respected nurse, and loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. The HOA will honor her name with a donation to the Christian Opportunity Center in Pella, Iowa.
Sunshine Ranches HOA has been in existence since November of 1968… wow! The Articles of Incorporation (we are a Not for Profit) were signed by Robert Pettus, James Williams, Edward Wolfe, Leon Grabowski, and Vincent Falletta. What a treat to review this now historical document. Thank you Jason Halberg for helping us procure the paperwork. Our HOA will have its annual elections this March, a slate of candidates has been submitted by the nominating committee and published within this Waggler issue. Thank you to the individuals volunteering to serve, and for caring to continue the legacy of our community and the SRHOA.
Your safety, and that of your family and pets, as well as the security of your home are paramount. Please read the Waggler and Southwest Rancher for important updates (particularly with respect to vaccination scheduling), view our Facebook page, and join our email. Help us with measures to reduce speeding. Report any sign of reckless driving, or cases in which animals have been hit by vehicles. Keep your belongings secured in your garages. Close your gates. Do not leave valuables in unlocked vehicles. Advise Davie PD when you will travel. All of these tips will help towards maintaining a safe community.
Our next meeting will occur on February 24th, 7:30pm. It will be via Zoom, so please look for the virtual attendance details. So many of you have concerns regarding fill, construction activities, upcoming election procedures, etc. Our meeting format provides a wonderful and comfortable venue for discussing concerns and having an opportunity to address council members directly. Please attend.
Be safe and be loved.
Chris
The general HOA meeting started at 7:36 pm. President Christina Brownlow opened the meeting with police reports from Officer Salston and Officer Elliot: 18 citations and 2 crimes with golf carts; mailbox theft. Again, they reiterated along with officer Laguna to lock the cars, doors, garages, secure golf carts, and prevent mail theft by using the boxes with locks. If a resident doesn’t call a plumber or electrician, even if an FPL person shows up or calls, find out if it is legit in order to avoid contractor fraud.
The Town purchased a laser, and officer Christy mentioned using it; Council Member Allbritton mentioned the laser works amazingly well. An FDLE grant was used to purchase the laser.
Mayor Steve Breitkreuz proposed getting a mail box installed at Town Hall; there is also one available for residents at Publix. Tony mentioned the link the HOA page has for lockboxes.
Council Member David Kuczenski reported on roads to be resurfaced under the TSDOR project: SW 128, 130, 132, Lupo (Griffin), Holatee from Stirling to Old Sheridan; the County is reviewing the classification.
Council Member Jablonski reported on the Green Meadows project from DEP; the Town was awarded funds for additional projects on drainage. The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (FDEO) awarded a 20-million-dollar grant with $0 dollars from the Town for a storm water plan for the entire Town.
TSDOR (Transportation Surface Drainage & Ongoing Rehabilitation) projects in the Town are continuing. Flow mobile remains suspended. The Town has a shoe box which is to be used for dropping off used or new shoes, which will be recycled for people with needs, charities, etc. Ring cameras are easy to jam, and the easiest way to know that they are jammed is when they stop ringing or monitoring.
Mayor Breitkreuz mentioned the quasi-judicial process in 3 areas: rezoning, site plan, division of land. In the next 10 years, 500 homes are projected for the entire Town. We have in the Town two types of zoning: Rural Estates and Rural Ranches. On the Town’s website, information can be found on the waiver of plats, which can be done only once. Look for property designations at the BCPA for the Town site. The Mayor also proposed a change for specifically rezoning rural and ranch estates. Rezoning only to lower density with 2 acres minimum will help protect the rural space.
Residents can make reservations at CVS for COVID-19 vaccinations; reserve even if you are not ready yet because when it comes, you are at the top of the list.
Council Member Hartmann sent a PDF link for zoning which he also posted on the FB page. Mayor Breitkreuz invited everyone for a meeting on 2/25 at 6 pm for a presentation. He also advised to prepare for a storm of a large magnitude, things we can do to improve, options for animals; they had a group of professionals and drainage districts to respond to questions.
Mr. Kuczenski and Mr. Breitkreuz mentioned a Town survey that is covering a lot of issues and questions for the residents to respond to.
SRHOA president Chris Brownlow thanked the council members and the mayor for their responses to the issues brought before them, and we are very much appreciative of their support in addressing concerns. She also introduced the 2021 slate of officers and the two new candidates for the Board who introduced themselves: Patty and DaNell; they are most welcome.
Mr. Jason Halberg lost his father; we offered our condolences. He also reiterated to focus on communication, FB, events. Treasury reported $19,751.66; also reported about issues with mail.
The meeting ended at 9:05 pm. Next meeting will be on April 28; March is election month for the new board, and residents are encouraged to vote. It will be drive-by only, with no contact, to elect the new board.