HAWKES HAPPENINGS
The Newsletter of the Hawkes Bluff Homeowners' Association
Volume 8 Number 5 October, 1999
Annual Board Meeting and Election - Tuesday 26th October 1999 - promptly at 7.'30 p.m.
Fire-station Community Room - All residents are encouraged to attend
NOMINATIONS MEETING UPDATE
from your board
The most recent board meeting held September 28th at the Fire Station Community Room included nominations for the next board of directors. Several candidates were nominated and brief details of some of them can be found in this newsletter: The election will be held at the annual meeting on Tuesday 26th October 1999 at which time additional candidates may be nominated. Please take the time to consider carefully who you would like to represent your interests on your homeowner's board and consider volunteering yourself
Apart from the nominations the last meeting included news of progress on various items. Board President Howard Neu provided an update on the sign for the north end. The sign has been selected and we are now awaiting permits from the Town. Electricity has been run to the central median at the Stirling Road entrance and lighting will be installed there shortly.
In news of development in the areas around us, corresponding Secretary Jay Stahl provided an update on future development plans for Imagination Farms and Regency Square. The developer wants to change the land use for Imagination Farms from agricultural to commercial and this will come before the Town Planning and Zoning Board during October. At Regency Square there are plans to build two 3-story office buildings behind Publix unless a parking variance is not granted in which case the developer plans a 5-story office building.
Director John Pickett announced that with the cooler weather approaching making it easier to work outside,
some more of those friendly compliance notices would be going out. These notices will mostly be concerned with roofs, many of which are in desperate need of cleaning. Another compliance-related item discussed was the 2 empty lots under the power lines on Huntridge Road which have recently been sold. The board is trying to contact the new owner to get the lots cleared and properly maintained as they are currently quite an eyesore.
There was mention of the rash of recent robberies - cars stolen, cars broken into, etc. Police presence in the middle of the night is definitely a requirement. Homeowners who experience car theft or similar crimes are reminded to call the Davie Police immediately and insist on making out an incident report.
All residents are urged to plan to attend the annual election meeting. If you are unable to attend please pay careful attention to the absentee ballot you recently received in the mail together with the announcement of the annual meeting. An absentee ballot is not the same as the proxies used until last year and should be returned to the association as indicated prior to the meeting.
Homeowners are reminded that the board meets on the fourth Tuesday of every month. The next board meeting is the annual meeting with elections for the new board to be held on Tuesday October 26'h. Your board looks forward to seeing you at the election meeting where refreshments will as usual be available.
HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HALLOWEEN
ANNUAL PICNIC - SATURDAY NOVEMBER 20TH
CANDIDATES NOMINATED FOR THE BOARD
As in previous years here are a few details about the candidates nominated (shown in order of nomination)
Jeff Stoller: Jeff and his wife Carol have lived in the development since December 1989. They are the proud owners of the Jewelry Repair Centre in the Aventura Mall. They have 3 adult children: David, who is an immigration lawyer, Jeremy, who is a graduate GIA gemologist and Erica, who is married and works in administration.
John Pickett: John, who is a Director on the current board, has been a long time resident of Hawkes Bluff John has worked diligently in the past year on compliance and thanks to his efforts many residents have been attending to overdue maintenance tasks. John is an insurance executive and he and his wife Susan have 2 young daughters.
Howard Neu : Howard, who currently serves as President, is well known to most residents having served on several previous boards. Married to Barbara with son Ray, Howard is a lawyer who runs his own legal firm locally. Ray who attends Silver Trails is one of the many volunteers who helps deliver newsletters.
Mo Christie: Mo, who is currently Vice President, is also well known and served on several previous boards having been a homeowner here since February 1989. She writes this newsletter; assists with various association committees and co-ordinates contacts with other Ivanhoe Associations. A self-employed computer consultant Mo works mainly at a client in south Miami-Dade when she's not enjoying her hobbies of gardening, traveling or entertaining visitors.
Jay Stahl: Jay is well known to most residents having served on several previous boards and is currently Corresponding Secretary. Jay and his wife Carole have adult children and now enjoy being grandparents. Jay is keenly interested and very active in civic and community matters and serves on several local community boards such as the Davie Planning and Zoning board and the Water Advisory Board.
Mike Murphy: Mike and family have been residents here since 1989. Married to Barbara who is an ultrasound technician, with daughter Andrea who is a senior at FSU and son Mike who is a freshman at FSU. Mike, who is a Director on the current board, is Fire Chief for the City of Miramar.
Gretchen Farmer: Gretchen, who currently serves as Recording Secretary, has been a resident here since 1989 and has served on previous boards. Married to Fire Captain Doug, their son Paul is in his second year at the University of Miami school of nursing and daughter Jill is completing a 6-month internship at Disney before returning to continue studies at UF. Gretchen has been a legal secretary since 1969 and a paralegal since 1989.
Chester G!adue: Chester is a south Florida native who recently moved to this development from south Miami-Dade. Chester, who is sales manager for an international airline, enjoys traveling and entertaining, and is anxious to help make a difference in the community.
When contacted for this article other people nominated at the meeting (Fred Estevez, Jay Enten, Aude Franks, Alex Gonzalez, Carol Stoller) all declined to run. Don Elbert, Treasurer for the past two years, also declined.
Serving on the board is really not difficult and requires no special skills. The fairly light workload is divided up amongst board members so that no one is overloaded. Board-related tasks do not normally involve more than a few hours each month and a regular monthly meeting. Please give consideration to not only these potential candidates but also to any other persons you would like to see as board members Additional candidates may be nominated on election night. Please don't forget to vote either in person on Tuesday October 26th or by returning your absentee ballot prior to the election.
DYKES ROAD ENTRANCE MESS
For those wondering about the construction and huge mess at the Dykes Road entrance the work was related to the sewer line for the new Shiva Vishnu temple being built on Dykes Road. We were assured that everything would be made good by the construction folks, but since we are still faced with a messy entrance follow up action by the board may be needed shortly.
COMPLIANCE
As mentioned previously, now that the weather is a little cooler more of those friendly reminders about cleaning roofs, edging the front lawn, and other items will be on their way. Please, take this note as exactly what it is, a friendly reminder that your place is starting to need attention. While you're out there attending to the task in the notice you might also take a good look at what else may soon be in need of attention. Home ownership is like car ownership routine maintenance is a necessity. Why neglect your home? It's probably your biggest investment.
TREES AND SHRUBS
With this summer of recent storms and most recently Hurricane Irene there are plenty of trees and even some large shrubs in need of attention. In many cases Mother Nature has done her rough pruning which should serve as a reminder that these are the ones that need your attention first. Be careful when working ladders, heavy tree limbs and power tools can be a dangerous combination. Remember to bundle all cut limbs for garbage pick-up or ideally take the time to compost them.
COMPOSTING MADE EASY
Let it rot!! Which it does so well in this climate. The soil in our yards certainly needs some help as anyone who has planted anything in their yard knows. Instead of buying compost you can recycle your own yard waste to make rich dark compost on a regular basis. To start, select an area of about 3 square feet for your compost heap. Pile up dead tree limbs, shrub prunings and the like and cover with layers of cut grass. Keep building this up as you prune and mow the lawn for 3 months, then start another heap. After another 3 months look at the first heap. It should have rotted down to rich dirt and can be spread around plants where needed. There is also some kitchen waste that can be added - any fruit or vegetable peelings, coffee grounds, tea bags, egg shells are all excellent. NEVER add any animal parts - fish or meat bones or skin should NOT be used - these are what makes compost heaps smell and attract vermin. Keep the contents natural and animal protein free for smell-free compost
SEVENTH ANNUAL PICNIC
Doesn't time fly? Can it really be seven years since the first Hawkes Bluff picnic was held? Once again it's time for the annual picnic for our residents.
The seventh annual picnic is planned for
Saturday November 20th
at the Sable Palm pavilion in Tree Tops Park
The format will be the same as in previous years with the Association supplying meat, buns and fixings plus soft drinks. Homeowners are asked to bring a dish from a category based on the first letter of your last name (see flyer). Since this is a county park you may bring beer, wine or champagne but no hard liquor please. See the flyer enclosed with this newsletter for picnic details. To volunteer your assistance with preparations and shopping or to help on the day with set-up, clean-up, cooking, childrens' games, etc, please contact Keith Lowe at 434-7619 - thank you.
PLANT VEGETABLES NOW
With the summer heat almost over and the torrential rains almost gone, now is the time to start a vegetable garden. Start small - plant a couple of tomatoes, a green pepper, sow some carrots and beans, then water, watch and wait. It's great to eat fresh garden produce and a neat way to show children nature at work.
PEOPLE NEWS
Congratulations to Jill and Oscar Lavorano of Briarwood Way on the arrival of Oscar Jr. on September 18th. Healthy young Oscar weighed in at lO lbs 5 ozs and was last seen eating heartily.
Congratulations to Mike and Clara Phillips of Lancelot Lane, proud new grandparents of Michael Patrick Phillips born June 24th 1999 - 7lbs - 191/2"
IVANHOE CIVIC ASSOCIATION
At times the Ivanhoe Civic Association holds meetings to talk about items of interest to all of the nine Ivanhoe sub-divisions. As we become aware of such items they will be reported in this newsletter.
HALLOWEEN HUMOR
Q. Why do demons and ghouls hang out together? A. Because demons are a ghouls best friend!
NEWSLETTER DELIVERY
Volunteers always welcome
Please contact Mo Christie
434-8287 evenings/weekends
If you need a copy of the bylaws please read them on the web-site or contact your board for a copy, which will be provided at a nominal charge of 25¢ per page.
REMINDERS
Next bulk pick-up scheduled for... Monday November 22nd
NEWSLETTER
The next newsletter is planned for publication with election results in mid-November. Please have articles, advertisements and other items submitted by November 9th. As always all items will be handled on a first-come, space-permitting basis. PLEASE -let's have some people news. Also your thoughts, ideas, jokes, recipes and plans for upcoming occasions especially for any millennium celebrations on your street.
CONTACTING YOUR BOARD
The board encourages homeowners to put any queries or concerns in writing, to the address below please indicating Construction Approval, Newsletter, etc. as appropriate OR by sending e-mail. Since your board members are volunteers if you do phone please pick a considerate time, identify yourself as a Hawkes Bluff resident, be brief and keep to the point. Thanks.
PresidentHoward Neu434-4006
Vice PresidentMo Christie434-8287
SecretaryJay Stahl680-8686
TreasurerDon Elbert434-9598
Assistant SecretaryGretchen Farmer434-8337
Director at LargeJohn Pickett680-3835
Director at LargeMike Murphy434-9715
Please send any correspondence (comments, requests for construction approval, etc) via e-mail or to the mail box (located in the Regency Square Pak'n'Ship)
HAWKES BLUFF HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION
4839 SW 148th Ave Suite 400
Davie, FL 33330
Fax phone number • 680 8650
E-mail • hawkesbluff@juno.com
LOOK FOR US ON THE INTERNET
http://www.hawkesbluff.com