HICKORY HILLS NEWSLETTER

 

Volume 1   ~~~  January 2006

 

 

 

From the President's Corner

 

The Christmas Season is upon us. Are we ready for it? 'Our Time as Christians Has Come ..' When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flock, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among brothers, to make music in the heart. By Howard Thurman, from the book "Reflections" by our own Edmund Deane.

 

Here is what has and/or is happening at HHPOIA.

 

The Lake:

 

Here is where we are on the Lake. The outside of the Dam at the flume has been repaired. The report we received from TECQ's on the Dam Inspection and what they feel we need to do has been granted a grace period till April 14, 2006 to respond. We are taking care of the little items to show positive steps being taken. This report is 34 pages. Both CLPOIA and HHPOIA must answer this report to the State. Presently we have spent over $71,000 this year on the flume repairs, Causeway, Boat Ramp, spraying, and culvert on Hickory Hills Drive by the back Bathhouse. What we are looking at for next year is around $28,000 (based upon today's price not next year's price) for the inside erosion repairs.

 

We along with CLPOIA have postponed until next spring to start a three (3) year plan from Aquatic Management Services (Stan Smith) to control all the vegetation growing on our Lake. However, with the growth of vegetation around the island and by the back bathhouse and North Lake Drive, we have hired Weed Pro to spray this area and it has been done in October. More updates coming on the lake in the next newsletter.

 

The Lake Committee would like to THANK the following businesses that supported the Fish Fry this past October. They are: Callender Lake Store, Beans & Burgers, Blue Moon Gardens, East of Edom Haircare, Edom Bakery & Grill, Edom Marketplace, Hottco Tire & Lube, Lake Athens Marina, Mary Ellen's-Edom, Marti's Gifts-Edom, Miss Piggy's Bar­ B-Q, Scott's Crossing, The Shed Cafe-Edom, Splawn Sales, Super Food Mart-Edom, Autographs & Collectibles, and H & R Distributors-Tyler.

 

 

 

 

Maintenance Fees:

 

Just so you are aware, Your Association has raised the Maintenance Fees effective January 1, 2006 to pay for the expenditures that we are faced with. This was voted on and approved at the September Board Meeting. Letter of our intended action for those Past Due on Maintenance Fees have been- sent to these property owners. If you are one and would like to A VOID the minimum 45% attorney fees, you need to put in writing your intend to satisfy the past due.

 

Thank You: Your Board would like to THANK the following people for their time and talent given to the Association: David Boulter, Ronnie Brasseaux, John Crawford, Ed Deane, Robert Lovegrove, Art Mucci, David Poole, Ted Schroeder, and Stanley Smola.

 

From Clay and La Verne Vaden: We wish to send a special Thank You to the residents of HH for your prayers, cards, phone calls, visits and Get Well Wishes during Clay's surgery, hospital stay and recuperation at home.

 

 

A Special Thanks: to Linda Burnett, Jane and Art Mucci for all there years of service to the community by way of the Lake Committee, the Fish Fry's. They will be missed. This trio leaves the Lake & Fish Committee as of December 31, 2005.

 

Deepest Sympathy:

 

We want to extend our deepest sympathy to Carolyn Rea Roberson on the loss of her brother Don McMichael.

 

That's the happenings of the Board, till next time, Godspeed.

 

Your Association has a Lot For Sale:

 

If you know of someone who might be interested in a Lot at Hickory Hills, please have them call the office. The Association has Lot 4 on Rosebud Lane For Sale for $2,000.

 

Candidates and Election:

 

It is time to start thinking about running for the Board and serving on the Election Committee. The terms of Gary Averitt and Arnold DeSandre are expiring and you will have the opportunity to elect two (2) directors to fill these chairs. We want to encourage you to be a candidate for the Board of Directors. More to follow in the next newsletter, however there will be a very short turn around time; that is why we want you to START THINKING NOW. If you would like to serve on the Election Committee, please notify the Office. Thanks.

 

 

Maintenance:

Most of the intersections have been cleared of weeds and/or brush. If you have an area on your street that needs to be taken care of, notify the office and state where the problem is. Another problem is around the dumpster. I have also noticed that there is garbage and trash sitting outside of the first dumpsters, but the ones on toward the south are still completely empty. I don't think it is asking too much to walk a few feet and put your garbage in the empty containers. Every time that you do not put your trash inside the dumpster, means the maintenance personal has to do it. This is wasting the time of the maintenance personal and wasting the money that is being spent doing this job.

 

They could be doing some of the things that really need to be done. I have heard "that is the job of the maintenance". It should not be their job to clean up after others. We need all the help we can get to make this a better place.

 

The Maintenance personnel want to wish all a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

 

Freddie Scaggs.

 

 

Scrap Iron and Metal:

 

Your Association has made arrangements with a party that will pick up all scrap iron and metal. All you as a property owner has to do is bring the item(s) down to a selected area near where the quarterly roll off dumpster will be. If you don't have a means to haul the item(s) to this area, please call the office and we will make the arrangements to pick the metal. This is a good time to get rid of all metal etc in the bar ditches. The Roll Off Dumpster should be here either Thursday December 29th or Friday the 30th.

 

Architectural Control Committee (ACC):

 

I would like to thank the people who continue to keep their yards clean. However there are those who haven't and we need to encourage them to live up to the Deed Restrictions. If you don't have a copy, please call the office and one will be sent to you. There will be a Dumpster here the end (12/29) of December for the lot trash. Don't forget, we have the burn pile for those items that are BURANBLE only by the back Bathhouse.

 

Let's talk about Building Permits.

Per our restrictions, paragraph 3, Architectural Control, states: "No construction of any building, fence, or other permanent structure of any kind may begin on any lot until two (2) copies of the building plans and specifications have been submitted to and approved in writing (Building Permit issued) by the Architectural Control Committee."

 

Remember, these permits are free; they are needed to keep GOOD RECORDS for each property. Layne DeSandre, Chairman

 

Ladies Club:

 

The Ladies Club has had another GREAT year. I wish to thank everyone who helped make our year and club a great success.

 

We were able to donate funds to the Edom Fire Department, and to the HH Board for Street Signs, and Hurricane Relief. The new officers for 2006 are: Donna Holz, President, Julie Van Der Meer Secretary Treasurer, and Betty Miller, Sunshine Chairman. The Calling Committee is Linda Chambers and Frankie Hardy. We welcome all ladies in our community to come and join us. We meet at the pavilion on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 12:00 Noon for a meeting and potluck luncheon.  Our Christmas Party was held at Bev Keleminic home. Everyone had a great time. Thanks Bev for everything. Layne DeSandre, President.

 

Help:

 

Your Association has been working with the East Texas Council of Governments on 911 maps for Van Zandt and more specific Hickory Hills. We have found errors in the mapping for a number of our full time residences that are not listed on the map. Without this, 911 would not know where to go by the phone number, as it would NOT be listed for Hickory Hills. This is another reason why we asked a number of times who lives where in our Community regarding renter's names etc. Knowing that renters move freely within our community, it would be a BIG HELP to our office if we knew their names. We do send a Newsletter to the renters on file so that they know what is going on in the community. If you have Renters, we would appreciate receiving their Name, Address, and Phone Number. If your renters move, we would appreciate receiving that also. Thanks.

 

HH Web Site:

 

Ed Deane, one of our property owners who is an expert in Web Page Design and its application has got our web page up and running. Go to www.Hickory-hills.com and see a GREAT web page about HHPOIA. To get into the 'property owners' part, the pass word presently is 'Arnie" which you will be asked for at two (2) different times. We believe it is a GREAT tool, listing the minutes, financials, and deed restrictions. Also we have the ability to list different items for sale, like lots and homes, for a donation to HHPOIA.

 

Tailgating Problems:

 

Folks, we are still having a lot of tailgating problems. There are a number of property owners that tailgate, why not use your 'card' and do it right. Why not to tailgate, your actions could and have impaired the Gate electronics to the point that the Gate stays 3/4 open or 3/4 closed and one can't do anything with it until repairs are made. HHPOIA does not want to be responsible for Police, Fire or EMS not able to get into Hickory Hills for some emergency. Lets all do our part. Thanks.

 

Policy and Procedures:

 

Your Board with the help of a committee is in the process of reviewing and updating the policy and Procedures for Hickory Hills. Once this process is done, these procedures will be sent to our attorney for his review. Once that review is done, they will be sent to all the Property Owners to be voted on. Remember, this is your Community and we ask all to participate.

 

Vandalism:

 

Your Community has had a rash of vandalism the last six (6) weeks or so. This has happened at the Office area, the Guard House, and as of this writing at least seven (7) homes. If you see anything at all, report it to the Sheriff s Department. It appears one suspect wears a size 12 Starter shoe with white paint on it. Also one of these suspects has taken the Board Meeting sign from the Guard Shack. Your Board had authorized a $200.00 REWARD FOR THE ARREST AND CONVICTION OF ANY OF THESE PERSONS.

 

Come to the Board meeting, the 31'd Saturday of each month. We do listen to the Community, come and get involved.

 

 

Remember:

 

Remember to keep CHRIST in CHRISTMAS. The best Christmas gift came wrapped in a manager. May the Christmas season bring you joyful moments, warm memories and very special happiness.