Changing the subject, a resident chided us for having our sprinklers on along Hunt Club after a big rain.  As many of you know, having attended our annual meeting, we have a total of 106 zones, many of these zones are along Hunt Club, along with 35 time clocks.  The Board has never seriously thought about employing someone to turn off these zones every time it rains.  Any volunteers?     

Summer is in full swing…Hot, muggy and rainy!   And, as I drive around the community I see so many beautiful landscaped yards, whether it is a lush lawn or a beautifully landscaped yard with plantings of flowers, shrubs and trees. The weather certainly has changed the look of the landscaping from a month ago.  Remember the dry months of April and May, and the lawns looked so stressed!  Now with all the recent rain we have beautiful landscaping to look at again – Thank you Mother Nature!   

The Covenant Enforcement Committee is looking for new members. Do you have a couple of hours a month to join this important committee?  This is the committee that checks the community to identify a home that could use a reminder about the rules, whether it is for lawn care, commercial vehicles, bike paths and other items.  Can you spare some time?  If you are interested in helping your community, please call me at 407-774-6111.

It’s budget time . . . can you believe I am already working on the 2009 budgets! The 2009 Budget Committee members were approved by the Board at their meeting in June.  Now, the works begins!  I will start working on preparing the 2009 proposed budgets which will then go to the Budget Committee for review and changes, and then it is on to the Board for their input, changes, etc.  You can look for a copy of the proposed 2009 Budget in the October newsletter.  

Enjoy the rest of the summer…hopefully without hurricanes! 

The Seminole County Sheriff’s Office has responded to eleven residential burglaries where entry was made through kicked in front doors during daytime hours. The majority of these burglaries occurred east and west of Bear Lake Road with the exception of one occurring near Sand Lake Road. No clear suspect or vehicle description is available at this time. Burglars may be knocking on doors or ringing doorbells to determine if a residence is unoccupied. Remember, burglars do not want to be seen, heard or apprehended so they will choose residences that appear to be unoccupied at the time. 

Residents are reminded to take the following steps in order to reduce the chances of being targeted and assist us in the apprehension of these burglars;  

1. Activate alarms when not at home.  

2. Teach your children who are home alone that if someone knocks on the door to call out in a loud voice for their mom or dad to answer the door, which will give the appearance that an adult is home. If the person is still loitering around the home, then the child should call 911.  

3. Be alert for and report any suspicious persons and vehicles at all times by calling 911, particularly if and when your neighbor’s alarm system sounds. 

4. Call the Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Unit to learn how to secure and log valuables within your home as well as to schedule a free security assessment of your home. 

5. If you are going away on vacation, have a Deputy check on your house while you’re away by signing up for House Watch. To sign up for House Watch call the Sheriff’s Office SNP South Region at (407) 665-1700.   

6. Remember, organized and alert citizens, such as Neighborhood Watch members, who report what they see and hear to the Sheriff’s Office will be the key in apprehending these criminals. For more information on starting a Neighborhood Watch in your area, call the Crime Preve                      ntion Unit. 

For those of you who are over 65 and those with visual impairment there is now a transportation service that could be available in our area.  If there is enough interest for this service negotiations could be implemented to provide this service to Wekiva residents.  The agency, ITN Orlando provided dignified transportation alternatives for older people who can no longer drive.  They provide a private car, 24 hours a day 365 days a year, with drivers who are trained to ensure your safety and comfort.  They give door-to-door service with help negotiating stairs and slippery walks, assist with packages, walkers, seta belts, etc.  The drivers arrive at your schedule and deliver you at your stated area. 

If you would like additional information regarding this service please contact Helen Tishman at 407-862-1722 

One of our residents recently sent us an email regarding our White Crested Pekin ducks here in Wekiva.  Did you know that feeding them bread is the worst thing to feed them?  It is said to become like cement in their digestive systems.  So, while we love to feed them and bread is so convenient, inexpensive, and easy for the little ones to handle, you might want to consider feeding them grains, cracked corn, or alfalfa pellets.  These items can be purchased at the local feed stores in Apopka on 5th street.

BEARS

If you see a bear in your community here are some helpful safety tips. 

Remain calm and stay away from the bear.  The mere presence of a black bear does not necessarily represent a problem.  The bear is most likely passing through and, if it doesn’t find food, will simply move on.

The Board of Directors met on June 26, 2008.  The meeting was called to order and the following are highlights of items voted on at the meeting 

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Chapter 9 and 9.05 of the Codified Rules states “Storage or utility buildings (Sheds) and Gazebos are strictly prohibited in the following areas of Wekiva:  Wekiva Hills Sections 3 -10; Wekiva Club Estates Sections 1 – 10; Wekiva Fairway Townhomes and Wekiva Orange County Sections 1 – 5.  All other areas of Wekiva are required to receive approval from the Architectural Control Committee prior to installing a shed. 

·Chapter 6 of the Codified Rules states, “ALL Fence and wall installations, additions and removal shall require the prior approval of the Architectural Control Committee”. 

And did you also know….. 

Chapter 9, 9.07 DECORATIVE YARD ACCESSORIES  The following restrictions shall apply to the installation or keeping of non-seasonal, decorative yard accessories in Wekiva.   

The following guidelines apply: 

General:  The material, location and design of all decorative yard accessories, i.e. decorative water fountains and statutes, shall be subject to the approval of the Architectural Control Committee.  You must submit an ACC form, site plan showing the location of the structure, structure materials, color, height and style.