Monday, December 27, 2010

Bayside West Announces Regency Cove Decoration Winners


Ann Frankhouser, Secretary of Bayside West Neighborhood Assn. awarded the Regency Cove maintenance crew a First Place Blue Ribbon for Best Neighborhood Decorations for their wonderful job of Christmas lighting this year. Bayside West Treasurer Sandy Ross was on hand to witness the honors.

An anonymous committee of judges viewed the park and designated the final winners.

Although many residents were considered in the judging of  Homes category, the La Cava residence won the honors. Unfortunately they were not at home when Ann delivered their Blue Ribbon prize this afternoon.

Congratulations to our staff and to the LaCavas, and to all the residents of Regency Cove who get to enjoy the beautiful and festive illuminations.

Pick Up Coupon Books

The Office staff is waiting for residents to pick up their new maintenance fee coupon books. Richard C. Commons, P.A., CPA has been engaged to handle our bookkeeping beginning Jan. 1st. Your payments will now be sent directly to First Community Bank. There was a slow start in the clubhouse as residents trickled in at noon today. Tomorrow will be the last day for this pick up, beginning at noon again. If you don't make it, we'll have to pay for the postage to deliver it.

Remember... do not mail your maintenance check to the office any more. Wait til your coupon book arrives. There will be no late fees charged this month as this transition occurs. Any questions on maintenance billing, call 727-461-9770.

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Christmas Quotes

“Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people once a year.” – Victor Borge




“I once bought my kids a set of batteries for Christmas with a note on it saying, toys not included.” – Bernard Manning



“I stopped believing in Santa Claus when I was six. Mother took me to see him in a department store and he asked for my autograph.” – Shirley Temple



“You know you’re getting old, when Santa starts looking younger.” – Robert Paul



“Oh, for the good old days when people would stop Christmas shopping when they ran out of money.” – Unknown Author



“What I don’t like about office Christmas parties is looking for a job the next day.” – Phyllis Diller



“The one thing women don’t want to find in their stockings on Christmas morning is their husband.” – Joan Rivers



“Christmas at my house is always at least six or seven times more pleasant than anywhere else. We start drinking early. And while everyone else is seeing only one Santa Claus, we’ll be seeing six or seven.” – W.C. Fields



“Mail your packages early so the post office can lose them in time for Christmas.” – Johnny Carson



“The worst gift is a fruitcake. There is only one fruitcake in the entire world, and people keep sending it to each other.” – Johnny Carson



“Aren’t we forgetting the true meaning of Christmas? You know… the birth of Santa.” – Bart Simpson, The Simpsons



“The proper behaviour all through the holiday season is to be drunk. This drunkenness culminates on New Year’s Eve, when you get so drunk you kiss the person you’re married to.” – P.J. O’Rouke

Cleaning For A Reason

Just received this email from a resident:
Cleaning for a Reason

If you know any woman currently undergoing chemotherapy, please pass the word to her that there is a cleaning service that provides FREE housecleaning - once per month for 4 months while she is in treatment. All she has to do is sign up and have her doctor fax a note confirming the treatment. Cleaning for a Reason will have a participating maid service in her zip code area arrange for the service. This organization serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners to help these women.
 It's our job to pass the word and let them know that there are people out there that care. Be a blessing to someone and pass this information along. http://www.cleaningforareason.org/

You may not know someone going through chemo, but someone on your email list might. Please pass this information on to your family & friends.




Saturday, December 18, 2010

Last Night of the Cruise

Regency Cove seems very far away. Regency Cove IS very far away. I am on the last few minutes of the internet connection package we purchased, on the last night of the 7 day cruise. The party is over, our bags are out in the hallway, or gone away already. We made new friends, and partied with old friends. All the hustle and preparation we made for this week, and now its a memory. We are still so far in the Gulf that no land is visible.

Hope things are alright at home. A few more days we'll share another Christmas holiday with our neighbors, and then another year will have ticked off the clock. I just can't believe how fast life is going. Must be having fun. Hope you are too. Merry Christmas. Caroling is tomorrow night. Hope to see many residents there.

Friday, December 10, 2010

Clubs Celebrate Christmas

Commodore Chuck Paramore  telephoned members of the Regency Cove Yacht Club to personally invite them to the complimentary Christmas luncheon this Saturday at noon. A delicious meal of Chicken Cordon Bleu will be served. This French delicacy involves a piece of chicken, stuffed with ham and cheese, and baked until it reaches perfection.. A dance will follow the meal, with entertainment by Fatu.

The Friendship Club's December Dinner on Dec 13th consists of baked ham with Regency Cove's secret raisin sauce. The dinner includes all the fixings, and a delightful ambrosia dessert. Members only need to contact Linda Siddens for ticket sales, or memberships for 2011.

Look ahead to the Annual Christmas Caroling event. Please sign up in the Info Room. If you are aware of a neighbor who has a difficult time getting out, please call Mary Willsey or Alice Disharoon. They will make certain that the carolers make a visit, and a goody bag is delivered by Santa and his "seasonal wife".  A party follows in the hall after the singing. Bring a $2 wrapped gift for the drawing, and of course, homemade cookie donations are ALWAYS appreciated.

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Board Meeting Today

Take a deep breath. Do it again. Can you smell it? Can you taste it? Its fresh air.

There was a wonderful breath of fresh air at the board meeting today. No long speeches. No lengthy explanations. No recap of all the wonderful things this board has done. Betty Ridge presided over the meeting and kept things moving well. Business was discussed efficiently. There was at least one contentious item regarding the employee Christmas bonus, but it was handled quickly with a board vote after some discussion.

Today's agenda actually included old and new business again. One item handled is that an enclosure will be put in the hot tub area, allowing residents to legally use the hot tub if the pool is closed. The hot tub will be accessible 24 hrs a day, which I think is absolutely NUTS, but that's my opinion. That's just asking for trouble. Besides, you and I are paying to heat it for the one or two people who may actually take a midnight soak. Remember last year's January freeze? Heck, if any fish start floating in the bay this year, we can pop them into the hot tub to warm them up a bit.

The boaters will finally get electricity at the storage yard so they can charge their boat batteries without bothering the neighbor next door. The annual meeting will be on March 16, 2011. And Chet Hindman was made Vice-President today! A few other things were discussed that would be better not mentioned in this open forum.

The Town Hall meeting will be publicized when the date has been determined. Keep looking for those coupon books. New payment options begin on January 1, 2011. Do NOT send your check to the Office.

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Support Your Local Board Members

Recently, there has been a change of command in our board of directors. Our VP Betty Ridge assumed the office of president after Paul's untimely resignation. There may be an election of the Board of Directors soon to establish a board-determined president to carry us through to the Annual Meeting in March. Or maybe not. We'll see what happens in the days to come.

I do have, however, a very strong recommendation to the shareholders of Regency Cove. Support your Board of Directors. They are forced to make unpopular decisions every month. Just think of yourself in that circumstance. Its a tough and unrewarding job. How would YOU handle the pressure of making decisions that just might put you out of favor with many of the residents? Their job is not to sit there and agree with eachother, but to make tough and  thoughtful decisions. That's why we voted for them.

Just in case a new vote for president happens soon, I can only recommend that an experienced and well-seasoned board member assumes the office of president. Inexperienced presidents cost us money with frequent calls to the corporate attorney, and board meeting mistakes. Let's cut it out. I hope the new board takes advantage of the educational opportunites available (ROC Forum, and CAI to a lesser degree). We want the board to make the best decisions for Regency Cove. To all nine of you...Keep up the good work!

Give a hearty Thank You to every board member you see in the days to come. In three more months there will be elections again, and no telling who might be on the board in March of 2011. We're always looking for a few good men and women.

Monday, November 29, 2010

Weather Record Broken Today

According to Channel 10 News at 6pm, we learned that a weather record was broken today. We officially hit 86 degrees this afternoon, breaking the 1985 record of 85. For you northerners, be advised that the humidity far exceeds the temperature.  The sun has set, its dark out there, and all the windows are open. Yeah...you betcha, this is Florida!

We Won The Grant!

An email has been lingering in my account that had been hacked dated Nov 24, congratulating us for winning the $2500 grant from the Office of Neighborhood Relations for new benches around the park! Yahoo!
Funds for restoring the existing benches was included in the grant as well. The purpose of the grant is to pull the neighborhood together while making a beautification improvement. As before on Blvd 7, volunteers are critical to the success of the project. They will be needed to sand, paint or stain the existing benches, and to assemble to new galvanized metal ones on the point.

 Suggestions are welcome how to begin and organize this project. The check will not be in the mail for probably a month.

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Christmas Decorating Party

Shown here are 35 of the fabulous residents who came out today to decorate the hall for Christmas. Its a great feeling to see so many sharing their talents. Alice Disharoon, soon to be new president of the Friendship Club, set up the memory tree yesterday. Pam and John Evans and Earlene Randolph set up the stage trees and tables for the party today. Almost 40 residents participated in some way in the decorating process, and everyone enjoyed the snacks and libations that followed. For more pictures go to the Friendship Club site at:
www.clubregency.blogspot.com.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Pre-Thanksgiving Party

There was a pre-Thanksgiving party at the point. A couple friends got together for a bite.

Thanksgiving is a time to celebrate our differences. Have a great day!

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Member's Meeting

Residents had the opportunity to meet Rick Commons, the CPA who will serve as the new Regency Cove accountant beginning Jan. 1, 2011. He described the coupons that will be mailed out shortly, and explained new payment options. You will  have to tear off a coupon, and mail it directly to First Community Bank, or set up an Auto-Pay account allowing the bank to debit your account on the day you specify. Rick fielded many questions from the shareholders. He will be back in December.

The Shareholders' meeting was called to order by President Paul McCumber at 2:13pm. It was well-attended, and it was great to see so many new faces in the room. The necessary Proof of Meeting Notice was read by Cheri. Paul did a t-h-o-r-o-u-g-h explanation of the need for the meeting, explaining fully funded and not fully funded reserves, and finally called for a motion from the membership. I move that the Homes of Regency Cove shareholders waive the reserves required by section 719.104 (4) (b) for the 2011 fiscal/calendar year. Ellen Nimon so moved, and Ron Jeffries seconded the motion. Proxies already counted numbered 325, and another dozen or more shareholdeers voted Yes at the meeting, firmly establishing a majority in favor of waiving. Marie Avant introduced the women who made phone calls to absent shareholders. After lots more discussion and comments from the members, this meeting adjourned.

A Board of Directors' Budget Meeting followed immediately at 2:50. Paul asked for approval of the 2010 Income Forecast and also the 2011 proposed budget. We would have thought that this was already agreed upon by the members of the board, but we learned otherwise. Rose questioned the new format used. Later Marie questioned the amount to pay down the loan, Patti commented on the utilities, and residents voiced many concerns. Some do not want to see excess pre-paying  the mortgage. Several defended the employees disliking their wage freeze and benefits reduction.

More than an hour of discussion and negotiations resulted in $3,000 set aside for employee Christmas bonuses, $38k to the mortgage, and a little over $30k to undesignated contingency.

At the meeting's conclusion, Paul made a startling announcement, and resigned from the office of president. He quietly explained that three grandchildren have moved into their home, and he will be unable to spend the time here in the park that the presidential office demands. He will remain on the board, however. Betty Ridge has assumed the office of president at the end of the meeting, and requested cooperation from all of the board.

Monday, November 22, 2010

Members' Meeting Tomorrow

The first emergency Members' Meeting in recent history will be held tomorrow and we will hear the results of the membership's choice for partial funding or full funding the reserves. I've heard unofficially that the Office has tabulated enough YES votes to guarantee that there will be no maintenance increase this year.

Someone asked why it wasn't posted on the sign out in front? Well, you did receive an official notice in your packet, right?

Temporary Difficulties

We were experiencing temporary difficulties for awhile there, unable to log on. Thought I lost the blog forever. Everything is OK now,and I have to learn to leave the settings ALONE!

Friday, November 12, 2010

Clearwater Ironman Closes Streets on Saturday

If your business is going to take you across the bridge into Pinellas or Clearwater on Saturday, be advised that the Foster Grant Ironman World Competition 70.3 will be held that day. Road closures begin as early as 3am on Saturday morning near the beaches, and into Pinellas by mid-morning.

The event begins with a 1.2-mile swim in the Gulf, followed by a 56-mile bicycle ride through northern and mid-Pinellas County and finishes with a 13.1-mile run through downtown Clearwater.


Here is a link to see the detailed street closures throughout the day:

http://www.baynews9.com/article/news/2010/november/171934/Clearwater-street-closures-for-Saturdays-Ironman

Hello From Madrid

Anyone who received an email from me earlier today was probably surprised to learn that I was mugged in Madrid, Spain yesterday, and lost all my money and credit cards. A few kind souls emailed me back immediately only to learn that "this was not a hoax, and that the hotel was refusing to let me use the telephone anymore." The embassy was giving me problems because my passport was stolen too, and I had no ID on me. A PO address in Madrid was given for all your generous loans, which I would pay back immediately, of course.
Anyone who really knows me knew it wasn't true.The language seemed funny, the i wasn't capitalized several times when talking about "me", and besides, Sandy couldn't write this whole sad story without at least a curse word or two.

After receiving my first phone call early this morning, I hoped to email my entire 125 addresses to warn of the hoax, but I couldn't get into my Hotmail account, because they changed the password. They also added a secondary email account, their own, so when I tried to change the password to regain control of the account again, the new password went off to their account. When I opened my Hotmail  account back in my internet dark ages, 1995, I didn't even know what a secondary email address was.

What to do? What to do?

I spent HOURS this afternoon, wading through Google links and Microsoft support sites hoping to restore my account. I learned today that Hotmail has been compromised many times in the last year. In one accident in Oct 2009, literally thousands of Hotmail passwords were sent off on the internet. Hackers continue to hack Hotmail daily, and their recovery support is dismal to non-existant. People wrote on various sites that they have been waiting weeks, months, for Microsoft support to contact them. I can't even close the account right now, if ever.

Later on this afternoon, I checked my Roadrunner email account, only to learn that a request had been made to change the password on my Facebook account. What the hell?!? Facebook? I hurriedly went to open my account... guess what? It was temporarily unavailable. Within 5 minutes, I navigated through menus and boxes, verified my account, identified a few "friends", and by crackey, I regained control of my Facebook. I was able to write out a message to my family and friends about the events of the day. Facebook asked me if I would like to see a record of the suspicious activity in the last 24 hours. Heck, yes! I was even shown a map of Eastern Africa, with a mark on Ghana. At 2:49 am today, a request came in to change my password, and alter some email addresses.  Facebook was smart enough to shut down my account temporarily. (Those darn Yale kids are so smart. I hope by now, you've seen the movie Social Network. See Oct 3 blog post for a review)
Hotmail, on the other hand, aside from ease of use, is useless in a crisis. If you are using Hotmail, or any other company, please list several alternate email addresses for yourself. If you don't have a second email address, list your kid's or a neighbor's. They can alert you when someone has changed your password, and you might stand a chance. I didn't. Delete my hotmail from your address book, if you have it.

In the meenwhile i hope dearly you continue to support my endeavor and send me u s dollars cash by Western Union to the address which i so lovingly included in the space below. You are always my friend and i will pay you back when i return to usa. Thank you very much.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Town Hall Meeting

The hall wasn't packed, but there were quite a few shareholders present for this important Town Hall meeting this afternoon. Our manager Cheri began by explaining the limited proxy that was included in the packet that you received, or will receive soon. Call the Office if you don't receive your packet in the next few days.
After you wade through the meeting notice, president's message, and several versions of the budget, you'll see a chartreuse paper (bright yellow-green) labeled "Limited Proxy". You only need to sign this if you will not be present at the November 23, 2010 meeting. If you do not want a 33% raise in monthly fees, vote YES. Yes means that you have given your approval to only partially fund the reserves this year, and there will be no maintainence fee increase.
This had to be explained several times, in several ways, until most everyone present finally understood that a YES vote will keep the maintenance fee at its present level for next year. Next year, we have to do it again. Every year, we will have to have this vote because we will never fully fund the reserves, because they are always evolving, getting spent, and then saved, over and over. One item has only 2 years of estimated remaining life, and another has 58 years of life remaining. Once they are done and paid for, we begin saving again. It will never stop.
Please, do the math on the paperwork that the board put into your packet. Many of the items listed on the back page table  that we were given to help us understand the need for this horrific increase, appear grossly over-estimated. There is another table, a four page table, which apparently explains the need for this increase. The board received this four page report, but the shareholders didn't. It wasn't printed in the Outlook, but it sure could have been. When asked who created this document, we were told that the numbers came from the old 1991 study that was done when the park was purchased. The 2008 GAB Robins Reserve Study also contributed to these numbers. No engineers were consulted this year, no reserve study was done in the last 6 months. When asked, Cheri refused to say who put the latest numbers together, because she "forgot who did it".  What an insult to our intelligence. The new reserve totals were put together by a group (or one) of the Infrastructure Committee. A resident did the computation, or maybe it was a board member. OMG, maybe it was the board president! It was announced at a board meeting and we were all asked to applaud the wonderful effort of the Infrastructure committee. Whatever.
For the remainder of today's meeting, two distinct groups became apparent in the hall. One group, with a few loudmouths, shouted for everyone present to shut up and vote yes, and don't consider the numbers. In the other group, a few people asked thoughtful questions and made conscientious comments. God bless the inspired, truely intelligent senior residents present who asked why this was being rushed, literally crammed down our throats without allowing time to fully digest all this new information. Another senior asked why neither our attorney nor the accounting firm we pay close to $10 grand annually has never pointed out any reserve deficits, and year after year offered glowing reports. The answer we received was really lame, boiling down to "You get what you pay for". Most people walked out while their neighbors were still making comments.

If you're still with me, let's get down to the bottom line: (if you can't handle swearing, go no further)

1. The general conscensus is "Vote YES". I've already witnessed shareholders/block captains going door-to-door to encourage the shut-ins who usually never participate, to fill out the proxy with a YES vote. YEA for you. Everyone in the park needs to get involved. Start calling or emailing your absent neighbors.

2. Readers up North... we encourage you to vote YES on the proxy, sign your name, give your address (First line), and put an X before the YES. Email it, fax it (813-839-5442), or mail it in the envelope provided, to the Office immediately. If we do not receive 203 YES votes, we will all suffer the 33% increase on January 1.

3. The board of directors needs to be fully transparent with the shareholders, and quit sending bogus forms and half-assed tables out for our inspection. If you, Board members, made your decision based on a 4 page form, then, by God, we should also see the four page form. One board member, Patty, made that request at the last recent budget meeting, and was apparently shot down. Thanks for asking, Patty. Someone appears to be representing the shareholders.

4. If we ask a question at a meeting, for God's sake, please answer us, and quit this bullshit of dodging directness. (Three times in the last three meetings my questions have been dodged!) Please respect the shareholders of this park. We're the ones who put you there.

FINALLY...
5. Whoever did the reserve computations, bringing the reserve totals to almost $7 million dollars from the measley under-estimated $3 million reported earlier, I applaud your accuracy. (Gee Tim, I can't thank you, because if it was you, Cheri couldn't remember your name.)
While I was serving on the board a few years ago, I attended every educational seminar I could, and encouraged the rest of the board to do likewise. I requested the first official HORC Reserve Study in 15 years. The idea was batted around for almost a year, and finally was agreed upon in the beginning of 2008. If my memory is correct, we paid slightly over $3,000 for this study. The results were astounding, and it was quickly cast aside. The results of the official  reserve study completed by GAB Robins, North America, Inc reported that Regency Cove should be annually contributing $394,035 to their reserves. That means a monthly contribution of $32,836, or a monthly per unit (based upon 400 units) of $82.09.
At that time in U.S. History, absolutely no one was challenging boards of directors of Florida Co-ops. Times have changed. A recession has hit the nation hard, and anyone managing "other-people's-money" has been called to the floor. Volunteer members of co-op boards have apparently been named in lawsuits for  "under-funding co-op reserves". I would hate to think that any volunteer board member has ever been held financially accountable for that, but I guess it is a possibility.
I don't want any undo stress on our current board members, because just the position itself elicits an unbelievable amount of stress. Ask ANYONE who has served.

Hey Board of Directors... not only do we NOT want this ridiculous increase, but we thank you for keeping our park current with the law. Please keep attending the seminars that keep you informed, and encourage every other board member to do likewise.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Notice of Shareholders' Meeting

Most of the park residents have received the packet that the block captains and alternates passed out yesterday afternoon and evening. Don't say I didn't warn ya!
The president's letter explains that the reserves could not be fully funded without an increase of 33% to the maintainance fees. One glaring question remains: "What is the official total of our future replacement costs, our reserves?"
At the end of the Godols & Solomon LLC Independent Auditor's Report dated December 31, 2009, the estimated future replacement costs of all of our "components" totaled $3,049,358. This report was completed on March 8, 2010, and presented to us at our Annual Meeting that month. There were no reserve studies contracted this past season, yet suddenly, the reserve total has more than doubled to $6,951,569. That number is shown on the back page, bottom line of your Notice. I would like some clarification as to which total is the official total of reserve money needed.
I am reminded of a statement made by our president at a board meeting a few months ago, declaring that he was going to stop funding the reserves and instead, pay down the debt. No president has the authority to make that decision. We have now been given the option to under-fund our reserves.
We recently learned what happens when reserves are under-funded, when the seawall was replaced. If that wall had been given an accurate life expectancy, and funded appropriately, we would not have a $2.6 million loan to repay today.
Rumor has it that there will be a Town Hall meeting tomorrow. Watch the sign out in front. Please be there to have all your questions answered.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Budget Meeting Continues

I lasted only 2 hours at today's budget meeting, as the board hammered out particulars. When I left, they had assigned destinations for the surplus expected at the end of the year. Rather than divulge numbers which may change again, I suggest that you carefully read the budget that you will be receiving soon. At highest count, seven residents sat observing this slow and sometimes painful process. I hear that the board members are meeting again tomorrow to wrap it up.
(Or maybe not.)

Hindman Honored

Two local Neighborhood Watch Coordinators, Chet Hindman (Regency Cove) and Jerry Frankhouser Bayside West Neighborhood Assn.), were honored this evening for their contributions to the Tampa Neighborhood Watch Program. Mayor Pam Iorio and Police Chief Jane Castor were present and spoke highly of all the Neighborhood Watch programs and their contributions to the decline in Tampa Crime. Both Chet and Jerry received certificates for their Outstanding Neighborhood Watch Groups. Job well done, Gentlemen. (Both are so humble, you'd never hear this from them.)

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Board Budget Meeting Today

The board voted to close the previously named mortgage loan payment account to move it into the operating account. They are preparing for the new accounting service which will begin in January. The discussion eventually went to the budget, and the need to fund our reserves.The real shock came when the president listed the options to prepare a budget.
First option: Increase the monthly maintenance fee by up to 33%.
Second option: Draft a budget with partially funded reserves. Fully funded reserves (as required by F.S.719) would require a payment of $381,941. A partially funded reserve, approx. $75,000, would allow the budget to be drafted with no maintenance increase.
Third option: A special assessment for every shareholder.

Without a doubt, the second option is most appealing. It is necessary, however, for the shareholders to vote not to fully fund the reserves. This must be done every year!! Notices will be delivered to every shareholder, either by block captain or US Mail, explaining the situation, with a copy of the budget, and a proxy to vote on this matter. On Nov. 23, 2010, a shareholders' meeting will be held to vote on the issue of fully funding the reserves, or not fully funding the reserves.

The president also discussed the matter of pooling the reserves, and eliminating the line item method of funding them. This was shot down almost immediately with a motion by Susan and seconded by Rose, and agreed upon by all present, except Paul.

The rest of this 3+ hour meeting discussed individual elements of the budget. Many motions were made to agree upon the final figures. Rose seemed intent on keeping the figures down, but several of her motions were not accepted. Agreed upon was the elimination of the part-time position in Office staff, beginning January 1, 2011. There will be no salary increase for employees, which was loudly protested by the two past presidents in attendance.
We learned that our water bill increased in October by a whopping 25%, so the budgeted amount for 2011 reflected that increase.

Despite a few disagreements presented today, the board is doing a great job of completing the budget by the Nov 6 deadline for mailout. It is essential that everyone attends the Nov 23 meeting, or completes a proxy for a neighbor to vote for you, or the secretary to vote for you. Perhaps there will be a ballot where you can just vote yourself. That wasn't made clear today. We do need 203 votes to partially fund the reserves, and avoid a SIGNIFICANT maintenance increase or assessment.

The meeting continues at 1:00 tomorrow (Thursday). Stay tuned.

Yacht Club Breakfast

Please support the Yacht Club at the first official breakfast of the season. This Saturday, Nov 6, 2010, you can have a full breakfast of biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, potatoes, coffee and orange juice for a mere $4.00. Please see Lucille Dillon for tickets, or pay at the door. Doors open at 7:30 am, and will close at 10:30am. You can't beat this price anywhere! Guaranteed you won't leave hungry!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Election Results

Florida Election Results: Marco Rubio wins
NBC has projected Republican Marco Rubio as the winner of the U.S. Senate race in Florida. See more at: http://www.thestatecolumn.com/blog/2010/11/florida-election-results-marco-rubio-wins/

And now for some irregularities:
Hillsborough election officials are manually uploading the results of 38,000 out of 70,000 early voting ballots cast over the past three days because of an issue with the memory card that stored the information. The ballots were cast at the Jan Platt, West Tampa, South Shore, Temple Terrace and Town N' Country polling stations.
Officials, who discovered the problem earlier today, said it may take five to six hours more.

Robert Picket, from Dominion Voting Systems Inc., the company that manufactures the equipment, said the problem was discovered earlier today. He said the company was not not sure what the problem is.

"We decided the best thing to do was to run those ballots again," he said. A last-minute rush to the polls in about half of Hillsborough's precincts marked the end of Election Day.Election officials say about 20 percent of precincts had substantial lines, but in all, about half of Hillsborough precincts had long lines.

TBO.com; Published: November 2, 2010; Updated: 29 min. ago

FAREWELL JOHN DINGFELDER! You didn't support us when South Tampa fought to keep the elevated expressway off Gandy Blvd.. You didn't listen to us when Regency Cove, Bayside West Neighborhood Assn, and all  the South Tampa Neighborhood Associations, and the Gandy businesses all voted to refuse the elevated expressway. We put you in office, John, and we took you out of office.

ATTN: Sandy Murman, Newly Elected County Commissioner, District 1
The ball is in your court. When you served as state rep. you learned what it means to represent the people who voted you into office. We are counting on you to support us in our struggle to keep our main street as it is. You are welcome to come visit and talk to us... ANYTIME!

Board Meeting Nov 3

Paul McCumber has called a Board of Directors' meeting for tomorrow Nov 3, 2010, at 2pm in Goodwin Hall. The agenda posted in the Information Room reads as follows:

Opening Remarks       President
Approval of Minutes   Secretary
Bank Loan Account    President
Shareholders' Meeting Nov 23, 2010   President
Draft Budgets              President

The board wants to get the budget approved. If you read his President's Message in the Nov. Outlook, you are aware of some significant changes that he is considering for this budget. Please come, listen, and be heard.

Photos Needed

Mary Willsey is asking if anyone has photos that were taken at last Monday's Friendship Club spaghetti dinner. She specifically wants photos of the children who performed. Please call Mary if you happen to have a few photos on your camera.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Why Did the Chicken Cross the Road?

(Every once in awhile, I feel compelled to post an email. Thanks Don.)
 P.S. Yes, I KNOW chickens are she and not he. I'm just the  messenger! Shut up.

SARAH PALIN: The chicken crossed the road because gosh-darn it, he's a maverick!


BARACK OBAMA: The chicken crossed the road because it was time for change! The chicken wanted change!

JOHN MC CAIN: My friends, that chicken crossed the road because he recognized the need to engage in cooperation and dialogue with all the chickens on the other side of the road.

HILLARY CLINTON: When I was First Lady, I personally helped that little chicken to cross the road. This experience makes me uniquely qualified to ensure right from Day One that every chicken in this country gets the chance it deserves to cross the road. But then, this really isn't about me.

GEORGE W. BUSH: We don't really care why the chicken crossed the road. We just want to know if the chicken is on our side of the road, or not. The chicken is either against us, or for us. There is no middle ground here.

DICK CHENEY: Where's my gun?

COLIN POWELL: Now to the left of the screen, you can clearly see the satellite image of the chicken crossing the road.

BILL CLINTON: I did not cross the road with that chicken. What is your definition of chicken?

AL GORE: I invented the chicken.

JOHN KERRY: Although I voted to let the chicken cross the road, I am now against it! It was the wrong road to cross, and I was misled about the chicken's intentions. I am not for it now, and will remain against it.

AL SHARPTON: Why are all the chickens white? We need some black chickens.

DR. PHIL: The problem we have here is that this chicken won't realize that he must first deal with the problem on this side of the road before it goes after the problem on the other side of the road. What we need to do is help him realize how stupid he's acting by not taking on his current problems before adding new problems.

OPRAH: Well, I understand that the chicken is having problems, which is why he wants to cross this road so bad. So instead of having the chicken learn from his mistakes and take falls, which is a part of life, I'm going to give this chicken a NEW CAR so that he can just drive across the road and not live his life like the rest of the chickens.

ANDERSON COOPER, CNN: We have reason to believe there is a chicken, but we have not yet been allowed to have access to the other side of the road.

NANCY GRACE: That chicken crossed the road because he's guilty! You can see it in his eyes and the way he walks.

PAT BUCHANAN: To steal the job of a decent, hardworking American.

MARTHA STEWART: No one called me to warn me which way that chicken was going. I had a standing order at the Farmer's Market to sell my eggs when the price dropped to a certain level. No little bird gave me any insider information.

DR SEUSS: Did the chicken cross the road? Did he cross it with a toad? Yes, the chicken crossed the road, but why it crossed I've not been told.

ERNEST HEMINGWAY: To die in the rain, alone.

JERRY FALWELL: Because the chicken was gay! Can't you people see the plain truth? That's why they call it the 'other side.' Yes, my friends, that chicken is gay. And if you eat that chicken, you will become gay too. I say we boycott all chickens until we sort out this abomination that the liberal media whitewashes with seemingly harmless phrases like 'the other side.' That chicken should not be crossing the road. It's as plain and as simple as that.

GRANDPA: In my day we didn't ask why the chicken crossed the road. Somebody told us the chicken crossed the road, and that was good enough.

BARBARA WALTERS: Isn't that interesting? In a few moments, we will be listening to the chicken tell, for the first time, the heartwarming story of how it experienced a serious case of molting, and went on to accomplish its lifelong dream of crossing the road.

ARISTOTLE: It is the nature of chickens to cross the road.

JOHN LENNON: Imagine all the chickens in the world crossing roads together, in peace.

BILL GATES: I have just released eChicken2010, which will not only cross roads, but will lay eggs, file your important documents, and balance your checkbook. Internet Explorer is an integral part of eChicken2010. This new platform is much more stable and will never reboot.

ALBERT EINSTEIN: Did the chicken really cross the road, or did the road move beneath the chicken?

COLONEL SANDERS: Did I miss one?


REGENCY COVE: Better watch out or you'll get run over by a speeder!

Skid Marks on Canal

 
Residents on Canal were alarmed early Saturday morning to hear the incomparable, nerve-shattering sound of tires screeching in front of their homes. We've all heard it, with clenched abs, waiting for the sickening crash of metal that occasionally follows.
Well, luckily, there was no crash following the screech of tires yesterday morning. The event, however, left a 20 foot skid mark on Canal Street, eastbound, a block before the Blvd. 7 four-way stop. (The photo here is not the actual skidmark.)
Now how fast do you think a vehicle would be going to leave a skid mark that long? I'm no forensic expert, but I can guarantee you, that car wasn't going ten miles an hour!
Over and over, drivers have been warned to slow down in this park. The certain outcome of speeding on our quiet streets and boulevards involves  nothing less than maiming or death. We hope and pray that never happens.

Contact the manager if you witness a driver traveling at dangerous speeds in our community! Give a full description of the car, and a tag number if possible. This is serious business!
Above all, please observe the posted speed limit! Remind your guests and deliverymen of our 10 mph limit. Let's make a community-wide effort to keep skidmarks where they belong.



Saturday, October 23, 2010

Yacht Club Lunch

The first Yacht Club luncheon of the fall season happens tomorrow afternoon at 12:30. Perfect Fit provides the music entertainment after the meal til 4:00. BYOB. This is going to be fun!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

October 2010 Board Meeting

Some last minute family business prompted my tardiness to the board meeting this afternoon. I was lucky to walk in during a presidential tirade coming from the black box on the board table, with the president loudly declaring that he is  "THE PRESIDENT!", as he further chastised the members of the board for not supporting a decision he made all by himself. The Boos from the audience were unbelievable!! Our president must understand that the members expect no one on the board to rubber stamp his ideas. We elected a diverse group so there will be diversity of opinion in all public discussions. His opinion is merely one of the nine. Besides, we're getting very tired of the talking box. Why the heck isn't the VP running the park in the president's absence?

It seems that our president attempted to pave the way to approve an under-age resident, without the proper board discussion and approval. I got the impression from statements made by several of the board members that emails were flying behind the scenes. I believe that several of the board members didn't want to even publicly discuss this hot topic. What should have been discussed is the proper procedure for a resident to request permission for an adult child to come into the park permanently or for just a long-term visit. No one, manager nor vice president, bothered to explain the procedure to the resident requesting the special consideration. This could have been done quietly, correctly, without public outcry at the meeting.

Every member of our board knows that it is illegal to conduct board business by email. With the president out of the country for more than half of the year, it is getting apparent that it is not in the best interest of the park for him to maintain his iron fist over the board.

The Infrastructure Committee reported to the members on the $96,000+ spent on the three completed capital improvement projects that I can't seem to find on the 2010 budget. Some of the money came from our reserves. The rest came from the "miracle contingency fund" formerly a mortgage fund, which few at the table seemed sure of, other than Rose and Susan, and of which some disagreement arose between Paul and Rose. Are you confused? Me too.

Kudos to Patti for her research on lawn care contracts. The four bids she provided to the board produced an interesting cost-saving option for the park. A motion was approved to accept Short Cuts Lawn Care, pending approval from  the manager, Ed Scobee, and the Infrastructure Committee (?)  I guess our contract review committee is defunct.

Another $1,000 was approved for new lighting under the newly completed shuffleboard roof. Your park dollars at work for you.

Regarding the publicized computer observance of the security system, no residents will be issued passwords to watch the security camera displays. Only three people will be allowed to view camera recordings, two Safety Committeemen, and the park manager. Real-time displays will continue in the Office,  so our gates can be opened and monitored by our Office staff. Supposedly, our president's monitor has been turned off. And that's a good thing.

The final hour of the 3+ hour board meeting was spent on the 2011 budget. Susan has been working well with Cheri. For some reason, Parker, not Rose, is a member of the Finance Committee. Rose has considerable experience and made valuable contributions to the budget discussion. No comment from Parker. I hope that the Finance Committee begins to work in earnest with the key players, and eliminates the unnecessary ones.

I really worry about Mr. McCumber's proposed reserve pooling. He needs to listen to his more experienced board colleagues, and  speak less.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Board Meeting Tomorrow

The board meeting is scheduled for 2:00 tomorrow. Be there. Be informed.

Election Comment

John Dingfelder will not support our community regarding our opposition to the overhead expressway down the middle of Gandy. He is running for election to the Hillsborough County Commission District 1 seat which represents our district.


You may want to take this into consideration when you vote. His opponent is Sandy Murman, and she is opposed to the overhead expressway.

Seffnerman
Bayside West Neighborhood Association

News from the election front.

At two meetings in the neighborhood, John Dingfelder made it clear that he will not support the residents south of Euclid in their ongoing efforts to keep an Overhead Bridge away from Gandy Blvd.

There is a long four page ballot for this election. There is still time to call the Board of Elections 813-744-5900 to get a ballot by mail. It only takes moment to call and the ballot will be mailed to your house in a day or two. Just a $.44 stamp and no waiting in long lines.

We are looking for familys to participate in the 4th Annual Neighborhood Garage Sale. I need to know how much advertising to buy. Please let me know if you will join us..

Jerry Frankhouser, President

Bayside West Neighborhood Association

www.baysidewest.50megs.com

savegandy@usa.com

813-507-9664

Friday, October 15, 2010

Great Neighborhood Garage Sale

It time for the fourth annual Garage sale. It is scheduled for the 6th of November from 8:00 to 2:00 or whenever you want to stop. We will have newspaper and web advertising and street signs. I will print out
maps like last year. This year their will be a $5.00 cost. Email me your name, address and phone number and I will put you on the map. When I bring you the maps I will collect the fee that Saturday morning.

I hope you will join us.

For those of you in Regency Cove who want to be in the sale, I have room on my lawn for your table. Contact me if you want to join us.



Jerry Frankhouser, President

Bayside West Neighborhood Association

www.baysidewest.50megs.com

savegandy@usa.com

813-507-9664

Monday, October 11, 2010

View From My Window

Life is good in the northern climes. People here in the Chicago area are experiencing the most gorgeous summer weather. Its good to leave the Tampa heat, and rake leaves, and just enjoy the breathtaking colors of fall. Above is the view from my kitchen window. There is life outside of Regency Cove. Savor it.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

The Facebook Movie

All of you Facebook fans out there should set a date to see the film The Social Network, which opened two days ago. The story is about Mark Zuckerberg and his best friend Eduardo Severin who partner together to create a new website after a rather insulting breakup that Mark experiences with his girlfriend. Mark rushes back to his dorm to trash his ex-GF on his blog, and while becoming more intoxicated, he creates a new website that pretty much trashes all the female students in the northeastern colleges.
Zuckerberg, a Harvard underclassman and computer programming genious with no social skills, becomes involved with other Harvard students who provide the seed for the eventual Facebook site. Within a very short time, Zuckerberg is involved in skirmishes with Harvard, with the dashing Winklevoss twins, and eventually his own best friend Eduardo. His introduction to Sean Parker, the young man who made and lost a fortune with his own Napster website, contributes to the decadence that leads to the multi-million dollar lawsuits. The college parties portrayed in the film resemble nothing close to any of the drinking parties I attended in my youth, and only reinforce my relief that I never had a daughter to send away to any campus.
Its absolutely amazing to see how Mark Zuckerberg has become the youngest billionaire in history. Its pathetic to watch Zuckenberg's inability to show any truely human emotion or humanity on any scale. Will this movie affect Facebook on any grand scale? Hell no.  Take care of your farms and Mafia wars, Facebook will live on for decades.

Photo: The real Mark Zuckerberg shown between the real Winkelvoss twins who recently won their real $65 million lawsuit.  Sheesh!

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Friendship Club Dinners Begin

The fall schedule for the Friendship Club's dinners and activities has been published on their website. See Linda Siddens for tickets and memberships.
link to
www.clubregency.blogspot.com

The Yacht Club's October luncheon tickets are also being sold. Check with Chuck Paramore.

Stuxnet Worm


There is no truth to the rumor that any Florida bloggers were responsible for creating the malicious computer worm that has targeted Iran's nuclear power plants, and computers throughout the middle East and Europe. Theories abound as to which sophisticated well-funded private agency or nation developed this unconventional weapon, but you can be sure it wasn't one of us. Unless the worm hits the security cameras....

Friday, September 24, 2010

Sealcoating Project Comes to an End

The final phase of the summer-long sealcoating project was completed, as the marine storage yard was emptied and coated. Thirty-seven vessels and trailers and one vehicle were carefully moved and stored overnight in various lots around the park. Marine committee chairman Ron Jeffries, other committee members, and the maintenance crew carefully relocated the vessels, keeping meticulous notes.
The entrance to the lot has been changed, providing easier ingress and egress from the yard. This morning, most everything is being replaced to its original location. A few minor parking changes were made, with the owners' consent. Another job well done.

2010 Hurricane and Health Conference

The conference materials have been published from the 2010 Hurricane and Healthcare Conference that took place in June of this year. This annual event, the Continuing Education Conference, was sponsored by the Hurricanes and Healthcare Coalition of Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties and St Petersburg College. The powerpoint presentations that were presented at the conference can be viewed at the site listed below.

From this site, you can also view an amazing 10 minute video which depicts a ficticious October hurricane named Phoenix, which devastates the greater Tampa Bay area, destroying or damaging over 650,000 homes. The Gandy Bridge and the Howard Franklin are destroyed, hindering rescue operations. It is a powerful presentation.

Click on link:
http://www.hurricanesandhealthcare.com/p/conference-agenda.html


Additional information is available at www.TampaBayCatPlan.org.

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Fallout from Sept 14 Board Meeting

After hearing on September 14 at the board meeting that our president has been watching us on the eight surveillance cameras located around the park (before the residents were notified of their exact locations), I sent an email to attorney Scott E. Gordon. Scott is a partner in the Sarasota FL office of Lutz, Bobo, Telfair, Eastman, Gabel & Lee, a firm that is known for its representation of owners and operators of manufactured housing communities throughout Florida. Scott has worked with resident-owned communities (ROCs) for well over a decade and devotes a substantial portion of his law practice helping ROC managers and directors deal with a vast variety of legal issues.
Scott decided to post much of my email on his legal blog. http://www.floridaroc.com/ Several comments have come in from other people. You might be interested to read those comments.

A policy for the cameras needs to be established, quickly, to determine who is entitled to view these recordings. In my opinion, either everyone has the right to view them in real time, or no one but the manager, during office hours, can observe them in real time. No passwords will be issued.

There are too many items not being discussed by the board in front of the membership: changes to the R&Rs, installation of cameras in common areas other than the gates, parking issues, and even use of the marine storage lot. Just who is running this place? We voted 9 people onto that board, and we expect 9 people to make every decision.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Women and Weight

With time, women gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies.

So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy. Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, “Good grief, look how smart I am!”


Women and Weight
Must be where “Smart Ass” came from!

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

World War Veterans

I feel we should honor our world war veterans (Male and Female) in some way, before they're all gone. I know, not mentioning any names, that we have a resident in our park that was a prisoner of war in Germany in World War 2. Another was a P38 pilot who shot down 3 Japanese Zeros. Another 94 year old has many stories. I am sure we have other stories from World War 2, The Korean and Vietnam War. Unfortunately, many of our heroes have left us already. Please contact me and we will attempt to record these feats. It would be great to have some kind of presentation on Veterans Day Thursday, Nov. 11. Ed Bedore 839-6776 . Lets make this a great day for Homes of Regency Cove. Thanks.

Final Potluck of 2010

The Friendship Club Dinners will begin next month on October 18, with a smashing Italian feast of spaghetti and meatballs, salad, garlic bread, dessert, and coffee. Tickets are already on sale. See Linda Siddens. Yacht Club luncheons and dances also begin in October.

However, tonight, we celebrated one of the time honored traditions of Regency Cove... the true potluck supper, the last of the season. Everyone is invited! Resident Peggy Saccente really pushed to organize these last two summer potlucks. Tonight the food was incredible! Lots and lots of southern fried chicken, a deep platter of baked ham, sloppy joes and buns, casseroles, salads, vegetables, and my-oh-my the desserts! No one left hungry!
The entertainment had the crowd howling. What a great evening with a great bunch of folks!

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the planning, Jessie and Terry for setting up, Chuck Paramore (Yacht Club) for tablecloths, and Mary Willsey (Friendship Club) for coffee, cups, and other supplies. Thanks also to those who wiped tables, hauled trash, and all the residents who brought such generous portions to the table so everyone had plenty to eat.

We celebrated a very special 87th (?) birthday of Regency Cove icon Helen Walker tonight. Robby Roberts accompanied the birthday singing with his harmonica. What a great evening, what a great place to live.

I wonder who was watching us on the camera tonight.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Board Meeting Sept 14

All motorcycle club kidding aside, there was some important business conducted at the board meeting the other day. Here is my spin on it.

Mr. President's opening statements included the following, "Everything is now stabilized, and changes will begin go into effect". Good Lord! We thought all the changes were done! It's discouraging to hear, essentially, that we ain't seen nothing yet. Mr. President elaborated little and moved on rather quickly. I dread to think what else he has in mind for us.

A new pedestrian gate code has been assigned. Residents must get the code from the Office, and in doing so, sign an agreement to keep the code private.

Funds to initiate a local foreclosure were unanimously agreed upon. The accounting firm that conducts our annual audit was unanimously agreed by the Board to continue for 2010.

The Board finally agreed to put power into the Marine Storage Yard for the group of boat owners who pay an annual fee of $500. They will now be able to charge their batteries without bothering the kind resident at Parkway 7 to subsidize this effort.

One of the most contentious items on the agenda concerned the new parking restrictions. One resident feels he deserves a designated spot on the common grounds for his truck. Much discussion followed, and many people in the audience appeared to be much against designated spots, and well as controlled parking in general. Again it was brought up that the rules are being grossly amended while the majority of our membership is away up North. More than 15 residents were assigned continuous parking permits by name and location.

The outsourcing of our financial books to a new accountant was voted upon in preparation for the new TOPS program will be be passed in October. The monthly fee for the program is $800 a month, with extra fees for set up and coupons. Monthly coupons for maintenance payments should be going into effect in January 2011 when all residents will receive the coupon payment books. No more checks will be written to our office at that time. Confused? I'm sure everything will be explained later.

Security cameras have been set up around the park. Without going into detail, the 2010 Hillsborough County Neighborhoods Grant, submitted by Chet Hindman, paid for the eight cameras, with very little cost to the community. We learned that our president in Canada has already been privately viewing residents' actions in the park, via the internet. While some expressed indignation to learn that they are already under surveillance, other residents in the audience expressed the desire to also have access to this feature, which could be accessed with a password. Several board members did not want this discussion to continue much further.

New Rules were recently distributed to all association members. Several rules in the packet were never publicly discussed or allowed shareholders' discussion in a public forum. No response was given to the question "Are motorcycles now allowed to be driven through the park?" Why was no response given?

A new stove was unanimously approved for the kitchen at a cost no more than $3,000. Later on, a kitchen renovation will happen. The same committee who studies our pipes and street conditions has been assigned the task of coordinating kitchen improvements. Maybe that can be rethought.

Next board meeting is October 20 at 2:00.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

A New Club



Later this week, applications will be available for membership to the new HOG CLUB of Regency Cove.

Since the board meeting yesterday when directly asked if motorcycles are now allowed to be driven in the park since old rule #5 was removed, the residing officer refused to answer the question, and decided to move on to another topic.


We know that we can't park them in our carports overnight, because our new R&Rs says so. During the day, while we are napping, our bikes can sit out on the street in front of our homes. After our drive through the park, (no need to fight all that traffic on Tampa's streets) we will park them in my spare home, now turned motorcycle parking garage.

I'll make sure that meetings won't conflict with the womens' exercise and bible study groups, giving you all a chance to join the fun!



Monday, September 13, 2010

Food For Thought

Resident Bob Simmons sent this over and requested that I post it. Here goes:

"In Germany first they came for the communists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a communist. Then, they came for the Jews and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me - and by that time no one was left to speak up. " Pastor Martin Niemoller (victim of Nazis)

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Board Meeting Tuesday

There will be a slight change this month with the board meeting. The Board of Directors will meet this Tuesday, September 14, for the monthly meeting so that all board members can participate. The meeting will be held at 2:00 in the clubhouse. Hope to see many of the residents there.

For Registered Voters

Candidate Forum

Tuesday, September 21st from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 4311 W. San Miguel St.
(near corner of Henderson & Manhattan)

Sponsored jointly by the following neighborhood associations which represent over 20,000 residents:

Sunset Park ● Virginia Park ● Culbreath Bayou
Gandy/Sun Bay South ● Palm Ceia ● Culbreath Heights
Palma Ceia West ● Bayside West ● Swann Estates ● Ballast Point
DO YOU KNOW WHO TO VOTE FOR IN THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS?
Come to this forum and meet the candidates in our district for the Florida Legislature and Hillsborough County Commission as well as countywide candidates for the County Commission.

This event will likely be your only opportunity to meet and talk with these candidates before the election!

Come and listen to their views, ask questions and decide for yourself. Be prepared!


Jerry Frankhouser, President
Bayside West Neighborhood Association
www.baysidewest.50megs.com
savegandy@usa.com
813-507-9664

Friday, September 10, 2010

September 11, 2010

There will be no public observance of the 9/11 ninth anniversary in Regency Cove. Perhaps next year. If you feel you want to do something, see below.

Taken directly from TBO.com:

PATRIOTS DAY CELEBRATION
Saturday, Sep 11 8:00a to 2:00p

at THE HEIGHTS-WATERFRONT on the Hillsborough River
1910 N. Ola Ave.
Tampa FL 33602


Price: FREE
Phone: (813) 380-1909

EMBRACING OUR PATRIOTISM, HONORING PATRIOTS WHO HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AND REMEMBERING OUR FELLOW AMERICANS LOST ON SEPT 11 2001. CENTERED AROUND A VERY COMPELLING SEPT 11 2001 PHOTO EXHIBIT BY A SEARCH AND RESCUE VOLUNTEER.

OPENING CEREMONIES AT 8AM WILL INCLUDE THE TPD, FTR AND MACDILL AFB HONOR GUARDS. THERE WILL BE MUSIC, FOOD, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND CHILDREN'S ACTIVITIES.

THIS EVENT WILL BENEFIT THE FAMILIES OF TPD'S MOST RECENT (3) OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. A SILENT AUCTION WILL BE HELD.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

True Potluck Sept 20

We were pleasantly surprised with the turnout last month at the August potluck. The food was plentiful and delicious. There were even a few pieces of baked ham and roast beef left over, to prove that everyone had plenty to eat. The entertainment, Ed Bedore's novelties, was quite a hit.
Due to the response of the group, the true potluck will be repeated on Sept 20. Please be as generous with your food. Don't forget to bring serving spoons and all your utensils and drinks.
Terry Fator, Live from Las Vegas, with his entourage of puppets, will be the featured entertainment after dinner. Terry was the finalist in America's Got Talent a few years ago. When we previewed this program on a Sunday afternoon in August, everyone present was delighted.
Please sign up in the Information Room, to insure that there is enough chairs. Please indicate what you plan to bring, so there will be a generous variety available. See you there.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Labor day Weekend

A very quiet holiday weekend has passed. Several soft rainfalls have come and gone, without the horrible displays of lightening and thunder. My goodness this place is quiet.

For anyone who cares ... the seagrass is doing its annual lifecycle thing. Its just now beginning to gather up on our western wall. Pretty soon, anyone walking by will wonder what that horrible smell is. Shucks, its the circle of life. Hakuna Matada.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

August 2010 Revised R&Rs



Today and tomorrow, a skeletal staff of block captains and alternates will be distributing to local residents the newest version of the park’s Rules and Regulations (R&Rs). (Hopefully our board members who are not spending their lives weeding, have offered to assist in this endeavor).
Other residents will soon be receiving their copies via US mail. Please read the rules carefully, certain sections have changed significantly. Specific changes are not designated on this new version.

A new rule #8 has been added to the section Home Site. Kayaks and canoes are no longer required to be hung from carport roofs. Five new stipulations have been added to storing these vessels on carports, none of which includes hanging them from the roof. Be advised that vessels must be secured (tied down) from high winds, and kayak and canoe owners cannot maintain cluttered or messy appearances on their grounds. Exactly who is the judge of “messy appearance” has not been determined in writing.

The most significant changes to the new version of our R&Rs occur in the Vehicles and Parking section. Based upon the March 2010 R&Rs, revision, modifications and/or additions have now been made to the new rules 1,2,4,5,6,7,8, and 12. (There may be more that I’ve missed. ) Read these carefully, because these rules go into effect as you read them today.

One rather curious or suspicious omission from this section is the old rule #5. The president did not mention this in his cover letter. The old rule, now missing, refers to the mandatory parking of motorcycles in the front of the park. Am I to assume that motorcycles are now allowed to run freely through our park?

I can guarantee you that there will be a majority of irate residents if this rule has intentionally been deleted. I have no recollection of this being approved by the board at a noticed meeting. Would someone please tell us that this is an error!!!

A new section called Marine Disaster Plan (Sept 2008) appears in the packet. Two Marine Committee members are referenced in rule #2, regarding attaching spring lines. Since Sept 2008, both of the mentioned committeemen have slowed down due to ailments. Perhaps it should have been referenced more generally that boat owners should contact the Marine Committee for assistance.

Just a Note:
Up until this year, a committee has been designated by the board to rewrite rule changes, and Rule Committee meetings were posted and open to all residents, and the committee itself was comprised of many residents. Lots of dialog occurred at these meetings. Whatever happened to this wonderful concept? Residents are more apt to buy into rule changes if they participate in the process. Fewer errors occur when many eyes review the proposed changes. Did our board have the opportunity to proofread these changes before they were published? Would someone please explain to me what the city of Tampa Bylaws are? (as referenced in Vehicles #13) There is no such document! In Tampa we have codes and ordinances. Can we please keep Canadian vernacular out of our documents? (See Wikipedia… topic “bylaws”)

Wonderful neighbors: Please sign the back page of the rules packet and return it to the Office. The Board is diligently working to make positive changes that reflect the general consensus. As Mr. McCumber put it, the new R&Rs "maximize the use of common areas for the benefit of the majority of residents in the park." Nicely worded, Mr. President. The park manager can now enforce rules that previously have been vague. Like it or not, this is a good thing for Regency Cove.

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Say YES to Amendment 4



A small group gathered at Whole Foods tonight and heard the pros and cons of the proposed Amendment 4 which will be statewide on the November ballot. Florida Hometown Democracy is the non-partisan grassroots group carrying the word around the state, because quite frankly, they have no funding to compete with the powers who oppose this amendment.

In a nutshell, Amendment 4 gives voters a chance to veto or approve changes of comprehensive land use. This has nothing to do with schools, libraries, water districts, or any other item. If a developer attempts to change the current county land use plan, anywhere in the state of Florida, the taxpayers will be allowed to vote on that change. If an area is currently zoned residential, there will be no changes allowing for another WalMart to be built there, without the approval of the taxpayers at the next election. No 1500 home developments will be quietly built in zoned agriculture areas, without the taxpayers' approval.

Currently, our politicians are making those decisions for us. There have been some questionable decisions made by our elected officials allowing for changes to the growth plan. Growth doesn’t pay for itself. Despite impact fees paid by developers, the burden of current development and growth has been on the shoulders of the taxpayers. While losing green spaces and wetlands to new construction, and suffering through increased traffic, the taxpayers shoulder the burden of water, sewer, garbage, school, and library expenses.

What do the taxpayers benefit from the land use changes? Usually, nothing. How do the politicians benefit? Simply put, they receive campaign contributions from the rich and powerful land developers. The figures quoted tonight at this presentation said that 35% of John Dingfelder’s campaign chest came from land use interests. The percentages went even higher with some county level officials. Another statistic presented tonight said that 92% of all amendments were approved by our elected officials. And 60% of the amendments were initiated by developers.

There is no reason to think that we will be curtailing all growth in Hillsborough County or the state. The current land use plan allows for an additional 35,000 new dwellings in our county within the next decade or less. Over the state, 100 million new dwellings are anticipated. Is there any reason on Earth for developers to increase those numbers? I don’t think so.

Very soon the air waves will be filled with ads promoting the defeat of the bill. The developers have lots of cash to pay for the ads. Facts may be distorted.

The Sierra Club is promoting this amendment. We should as well. In November, vote YES on Amendment 4. Spread the word.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Amendment 4

This is let you know that there is a meeting about Amendment 4 ,the Home Land development issue on the November 9th ballot.It will be held at the Whole Food Store on Dale Mabry across the street from Walmart on September 1 at 6:pm.
I hope you will be able to made this as this is a way to find out about the amendments on this year's ballot. There are 9 to think about. They will have refreshments.


Jerry Frankhouser, President Bayside West Neighborhood Association
www.baysidewest.50megs.com
savegandy@usa.com
813-507-9664

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Early FL Primary Results

Unofficially the early results of someone else's blog, lists today's primary results as follows:



FL primary results: Meek, Sink, Rubio declared winners
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by Jed Lewison
Tue Aug 24, 2010 at 05:31:00 PM PDT
There was never any question about the victors in the Democratic gubernatorial primary or the Republican senatorial primary and Alex Sink and Marco Rubio will be moving on to the November ballot respectively.
Kendrick Meek has also been declared the winner of the Democratic senatorial primary. With more than a third of precincts reporting, he's blowing out Jeff Greene by a 55-42 margin.
The gubernatorial primary is still close, with Rick Scott holding a surprising 2 point lead over Bill McCollum, the GOP insider who had been favored in many polls to win the primary. About 40 percent has reported in that race.
In House races: Taliban Dan Webster will be Alan Grayson's opponent and incumbent Democrat Alan Boyd has a tiny 2 point lead against challenger Al Lawson with about half the precincts reporting.
Update By Steve Singiser: One other House race in Florida is an upset in the making. Apparently the late ugliness between Ruths Chris CEO Craig Miller and Karen Diebel has allowed a candidate that spent half of what they did (state Rep. Sandy Adams) to move into a narrow lead with 62% of precincts reporting.