Platt Bridge Closes Monday

 The 85 year old drawbridge, which carries thousands of motorists daily into downtown Tampa, will close Monday. It is scheduled to be reopened in January 2012.

 The 518 foot bridge, built by the same firm that created the Golden Gate Bridge, was given historic status five years ago. All the gears and motors have been custom machined and are ready for use in this $13.8 million rehab job. The new bridge will be an exact copy of the former.

Traffic snags are expected. We are advised to use the Lee Roy Selmon instead of Bayshore Blvd for trips  downtown. Northbound Bayshore Blvd. will be closed at Swann Avenue. You are advised to add extra time to your trips downtown.   

                       source: TBT 9/28/11

Bayside West Meeting Oct 10

The Bayside West Neighborhood Association and the Guernsey Estates Crime Watch will meet at  Regency

Cove on Monday October 10, 2011 at 7pm.

Representatives of the Tampa Police Department will be there to discuss any problems in the neighborhood.

Fire Chief Tom Forward and Operations Chief Scott Ehlers will be at the meeting to give a presentation about the Tampa Fire and Rescue Department.

City Councilman Harry Cohen, our district, will speak and answer questions about the latest happenings in Tampa and at City Council.

Article Pulled

 On August 31, a post was written describing  a  newspaper problem which was uncovered that day. Someone was picking up newspapers from homes around the park. The article was presented in a tongue-in-cheek manner, describing ridiculous scenarios for the disappearing newspapers. No accusations were made, and no one person was ever identified on this blog as the "culprit". 

Some residents apparently have issues discerning fact from fiction and have created their own spin on this  situation. Without wishing to create any more drama or make further explanations, I have deleted the post and all of the comments with it. I am sorry if any resident has been been unwittingly fingered and mistreated by any individuals who misunderstood that post.

Don't Read The Blooooog!

I really have to thank my dear friends (who love and have spent nearly a decade of their lives serving this community) for the information to keep this internet discourse going while I was involved in treatments in an attempt to remain on this planet for a few years longer. There are so many people in this wonderful community who have volunteered on  committees, club boards, or the association Board of Directors of Regency Cove. Its good to hear feedback from experienced residents.

I also love hearing from the faithful blog followers, some of you I barely know, but you send your comments and letters of encouragement to keep the information coming to your homes all over the country. Communication has ALWAYS been a primary concern with the residents of this park. Communication was the primary shareholder concern 3 to 5 years ago, while I served on the Board, as Communication chair. This blog was initiated in an attempt to produce a method of immediate communication with all the shareholders in the event of a catastrophe. This blog has never been particularly welcomed by any of the 5 presidents serving during our existence. This blog has been brought before the association attorney twice, that I'm aware of. Each time I have readily made the changes requested by the attorney to dissociate this blog from the association. 

Our president doesn't like my bloooooog. He has asked the residents not to read it. I agree with him completely. If you can't handle sarcasm, or a tongue-in-cheek post about a phantom newspaper raider, for God's sake, please don't come here. Read the wonderful Outlook.There is much wonderful and timely information.

If our Board would get onboard and begin their own immediate communication avenue (their OWN blog), I might be happy to close this blog down. But on the other hand, someone has to point out the problems and irregularities. 

We recently paid over $1700  to secure that 8 foot stretch of slippery slimey kayak ramp built illegally by a few residents at Pelican Point. The property does not belong to us. How are we insuring this little strip of slimey land, that doesn't belong to us? If we don't insure our beach, how do we  insure an illegal kayak ramp?

By law, any changes to our common grounds require a vote of the shareholders. BIG PROBLEM! I see why Dennis doesn't want anyone to read the BLOOOOOG.

Historically, the Board has controlled repetitive seasonal rentals when there are many homes for sale in the park. When questioned by a shareholder at the meeting, one board member loudly defended the current open rental policy for the folks who have multiple investment properties. I have a problem with this. The majority of shareholders are NOT multiple owners. The board should be representing the majority of shareholders, not the handful who own multiple shares.  The Board should do everything possible for the average shareholder to get the most for his investment.

BOD meeting 9/17/11

The meeting opened promptly at 10am with 89 people in attendance. It was a long meeting, not ending until 1:30pm. Elaine Belba resigned from the board because of her husbands physical problems, otherwise all 7 board members were present. After the Call to Order, Pledge of Allegiance, and silent prayer for Sept.11 incident, the board elected Dennis Kralick President, appointed Susan Dunphy temporary Secretary. Wes Rice, Parker Kimball, and R. Siddens ran for one of the other vacant seats. There was discussion, and that position is tabled till the next meeting. The board will be asking for more people to run for the openings. Minutes of July 20th meeting were approved and finnancial report was given by Reis. The subject of a new book keeping system was tabled till next meeting. Tim Reynolds and Warren Mansfield resigned from the infrastructure committee and were praised for their efforts. The Kayak launching area brought some discomfort as the cost to the park was over $1700.00. Because of the economy it was voted to lower the monthly cost for an upstairs apartment to $725.00, and a lower to $750.00. Some of the way some subject matter, on the "Blog" was presented was critizied and our President suggested that we don't read the "Blog", and discontinued the link from our website to the Blog. The no swimming signs brought alot of talk from the residents, and our manager will go back to the insurance company, to try to get the subject clearer. After all, for the same reason, shouldn't a sign by put at our swimming pool?????? More to come on this subject later. Our managers contract was approved by all board members with the exception of Paul McCumber. Having an "open house" weekend was discussed,and tabled. They wish to add a section for Home Sales to the website. $8/10 to list with 4 pictures and write-up.

Visiting an Illinois Museum

We had the opportunity on September 11 to visit a Fall Harvest Fest in the Chicago suburb of Wood Dale, just west of the city. There is an interesting museum contained in an old farm house from the 1800s in its original location. The site boasts a few acres of land, a stately 3 story home, an old barn with a silo, and the tiny little home which was the original farm house on that property. Residents dressed in vintage clothing sheared sheep, spun wool, and discussed Indian arrow heads found in the vicinity.

Mary Lou Mittel stands beside Yesterday's Farm Museum.

It may interest you to know, that Regency Cove resident Mary Lou Mittel spearheaded this historical project some 40 years ago. She convinced the family to donate their home to start the first ever Wood Dale Historical Society. Mary Lou served as curator for many years, constantly seeking donations to bring her dream to fruition.

Wood Dale residents have donated everything to Yesterday's Farm Museum. There's a room full of old typewriters and cameras, living and dining rooms, second story bedrooms and porch filled with memorabilia donated from residents of the town and area. The kitchen is as charming as it is authentic to the turn of century Midwest location.

This sentimental day was a difficult one for me and many other Americans as well. The Sunday sermon highlighted Forgiveness. My heart isn't quite ready to forgive the act of war that ended so many lives ten years ago. I can't stomach those who believe that the tragedy was actually the result of America's mistakes. I will not run out and volunteer for service as our president requested. I couldn't even find the words to write a post for that day. I chose instead to spend the day visiting a symbol of America's past built from hard-working, God-fearing, patriotic and generous people of our country.

New Waterfront Policy?

People are amazed at the new sign that showed up on our waterfront the other day. I think most of the board members were pretty surprised too!

Just imagine... a waterfront community, with several sets of stairs going down into the bay, putting up signs to keep the residents and their guests out of the water!


Who is enforcing this rule? What exactly is "swimming"? Is wading allowed? What are the stairs for?

President Dennis Kralick explained that the new association insurance stongly urged that the sign be installed.  Liability.
When asked for further comment, Dennis explained that the policy is now "Swim at your own risk". That's what the sign should say. As waterfront residents, we've always gone into the water at our own risk. Feet cut open by a razor sharp shells --- own own risk.Stepping on a buried treble hook lure--- our own risk. Our responsibility.

Are people really that  obsessed with greed and revenge that they might actually sue our lovely association? Of course they are! What's wrong with me?! I have been been threatened with lawyers and lawsuits just for reporting the happenings in the park. Just look at someone wrong, and they're threatening to call their lawyer. Enforce the rules? Some people cuss and gesture, and threaten to take you to court.

We were told by our attorney many times "Do not make rules you can't enforce". I believe there needs to be further discussion from the board or the manager. If you want people to swim at their own risk, please say so. I agree with you.

A Word About Irene

Power is finally being restored to our friends and neighbors up north. We're glad to have you back. I talked to a friend in New York yesterday who was cleaning out her freezers and throwing away all the wasted food. Instead of cooking it up when the power went off, she kept the freezer closed in hopes of saving it. No such luck.
We've sat in awe watching on TV the force of the storms and floods you've endured as tropical storm Irene devastated New England. Wowee, the damage is unbelievable! We hope you're all safe and dry, your lives are back in order, and you hurry back to Florida  where, for now, we're safe. Keep in touch, and let us know how you're doing.