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Hickory Hills Newsletter Volume 2 – July 2005
From the President’s Corner
The Summer Season is almost upon us. About this time every year, I think of what Ralph
Waldo Emerson said some time ago. “Do what we can, summer will have its flies. If we
walk in the woods, we must feed mosquitoes.” How true. Don’t forget what July is.
Fourth of July Ode. Our fathers fought for Liberty, they struggled long and well, history
of their deeds can tell- but did they leave us free? Are we free to speak our thought, to be
happy, and be poor, free to enter Heaven’s door, to live and labor, as we ought? Are we
then made free at last from the fear of what men say, free to reverence To-day, free from
slavery of the past? Our fathers fought for liberty, they struggled long and well, history of
their deeds can tell-but, ourselves must set us free. By James R. Lowell, 1819 – 1891.
Here is what has and/or is happening at HHPOIA.
The Lake:
Here is where we are on the Lake. The Neoprene J-Bulb Seal has been replaced and the
lake level is on the rise. We have a long way to go to be back were we where. It appears
that we didn’t lose many fish, which is a good thing. The construction on the outside of
the flume toward FM 2339 will be done within the next week as the concrete has been
poured. All that is left is to clean up the construction site and that part of the project is
finished and blessed by TECQ. Since we had to lower the lake it was decided to secure
bids on a retaining wall on the inside of the lake to take care of the erosion there. There is
about 800 feet of the inside dam wall that needs to be done. It has been decided to put
this project off till next year, as we don’t have the funds to do it. We have received bids
on this part of the project, which appears to be around $55,000, split equal with Callender
Lake POIA. Presently we have spent $10,000 on the flume repairs with the bulk of the
bills to come with in the next two (2) weeks, around $40,000.
We repaired the erosion at the Causeway for the tune of $10,500. This included pump
rental, equipment, concrete, culverts, and soil charges.
We repaired the Boat Ramp for a cost of $1,300 net of a large donation by one of our
own fisherman. This includes concrete; pump rental, rock and labor. Robert Lovegrove
donated ALL his labor for both the Boat Ramp and the causeway. Thanks Bob. Dave
Brown donated a lot of his labor also for both projects. Thanks Dave. Maybe others will
donate funds for this cause also?
We along with CLPOIA have postpone until next year for a three (3) year plan from
Aquatic Management Services to control all the vegetation growing on our Lake. Do to
the fact that we have to lower the lake we agreed to postpone starting the aquatic
management service until after the lake starts filling up. We believe that this approach is
best for both parties.
While I am talking about the Lake, I need to tell you that we are in process of borrowing
$30,000 to pay for the Dam repairs as we are almost out of funds. We are in need of
around $40,000 for the Dam, $15,000 for insurance policies. If anyone has ANY
QUESTIONS regarding these issues, please either write or call the office and we will
respond to your request(s).
Maintenance Fees:
As was stated in the last Newsletter even with the increase in maintenance fees, we may
NOT have enough funds to cover HHPOIA share of the costs associated with the repairs
that have to be made. Well we don’t have the funds needed to operate and pay all bills.
The first list of property owners totaled 67 owners that were turned over to our attorney
for collection. Once the letters we received, 28 paid their balance, 10 are making monthly
payments. Of that total 29 have done nothing and will be served soon as our suit will be
filed in VZ County Court. At our Annual Meeting of May 21st, the Membership present
voted to send 19 new past due property owners to the attorney to start a new suit and
collection efforts. Letter of our intended action has notified these property owners. If you
are one and would like to AVOID the minimum 45% attorney fees, you need to put in
writing your intend to satisfy the past due. Your Board will listen to any and all requests
and respond back to you with our decision. Absent that we are going forward as
requested. Any questions, please talk with us.
Donations:
Your Association would like to take this opportunity to thank Allen Richard for his
donation toward the repairs of the Boat Ramp. Curtis and Doris Campbell for the
refrigerator for the kitchen. Donald and Joan Branch for their donation for Street Signs.
Your Board would also like to THANK the following people for their time and talent
given to the Association: David Boulter, Ronnie Brasseaux, Dave Brown, Ed Deane,
Robert Lovegrove, Barbara Mortela, Art Mucci and Ted Schroeder.
Deepest Sympathy:
We want to extend our deepest sympathy to Clodine Voyles on the loss of her husband
Erbie.
Street Signs:
Your Association has 25 new Street Signs that will be installed as soon as we have the
funds for the posts. It costs just shy of $100 per complete sign and post. Funds from the
dinners, sale of HHPOIA shirts, and donations from the Lake Committee and from the
Ladies Club as well as donations from property owners have paid thus far for the project.
If and when we sell the property we own on Sycamore Lane or Rosebud Lane we will
almost have enough to finish our Community. These signs will have the street name on
both sides and be reflective at night.
Your Board attended a special meeting on Thursday June 9th with VZ County
Commissioners’ Court to discuss 9-1-1 addressing issues. The representatives from 9-1-1
wanted to change our street names to Private Roads numbers. After much discussion with
the commissioners, reps and us, Ron Carroll moved to let HH keep its road names as it is.
Any new roads will have PR # to be in compliance with county policy.
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 Janis Eggert at Rose Realty, 903-567-5267. We have Lot 22, Block 7 on East
Sycamore Lane for sale at $5,900. The Association also has Lot 4 on Rosebud Lane for
sale for $4,000. The proceeds from these sales will go toward the purchase of additional
street signs. Any help is appreciated.
Maintenance:
I would like to take this opportunity to THANK everyone who has helped to keep the
trash picked up around Hickory Hills. This helps make the Community look nicer.
A lot of time has been spent trying to keep the culverts from two branches that flow into
the lake cleared. This in itself is time consuming.
Freddie Scaggs
Roads:
People keep asking,” just when are we going to get the roads fixed?” I wish there was a
good answer to that question as that subject has been researched several times. The
answer keeps being that it will cost over a MILLION dollars to resurface the entire 13
miles of road we have in Hickory Hills. We try to patch the potholes as we can. In the
wintertime you cannot patch when the temperature is less than 70 degrees. The patching
material will not hold together. If you will notice most of the rough roads are on curves
and at street crossings. People are driving and making turns much too fast. Our “sand
and dirt” roads are only made for 25 MPH speeds. When making turns faster than that
you are tearing up the road. With everyone’s help we can make the roads drivable but
that is about all.
Architectural Control Committee (ACC):
It is clean up time again. There will be a roll off dumpster here on Thursday June 30th or
Friday July 1st. For those who received letters and have already taken care of their
problem, we say THANKS. For those whom haven’t we appreciate in advance that you
will comply with the request and follow thru. If you have a problem, please call the
office and advise. Hickory Hills is turning around and we have many new homes with
permanent residences coming in.
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.”
The restrictions further state that “No Mobil Camper, Portable Camper, Mobil Home,
Motor Home, Storage Building, Tent or other movable structure of any kind shall be
erected, placed or maintained on any lot, nor brought into the subdivision, until the
Architectural Control Committee has approved, the design, appearance and condition of
same and has issued a Permit.” Remember, these permits are free; they are needed to
keep GOOD RECORDS for each property. Layne DeSandre, Chairman
Pets…Again:
Remember the Restrictions state ‘Your pet must be contained in your yard or on a leash
at all times’. In talking with the Sheriff’s Department, unless the animal bites someone
there is nothing they can do. If the animal comes in your yard and appears to want to
attack you, you have the right to shoot it.
Ladies Club:
We have had a good year so far. Easter Egg Hunt went well and our Garage Sale was a
great success. We do not meet over the summer so our next meeting will be Wednesday
September 14th at 12:00 at the pavilion. We would like to invite any and all ladies of HH
to attend our meetings. We would love to have you anytime, just come and visit and I
think you will find we are a fun group of ladies.
If you have any questions about the club please feel free to call me, Layne DeSandre at
903-469-3235.
Layne DeSandre, President.
Help:
Your Association has been asked a number of times who lives where in our Community
regarding renter’s names etc. Presently we are working with 9-1-1 Communications on
people living in Hickory Hills permanently and those that are here on week ends only. If
you have Renters, we would appreciate receiving their Name, Address, and Phone
Number. If your renters move, we would appreciate receiving that also. We are
developing a list to help us in the office and would appreciate your help in this matter.
Some of you have come forward and we appreciate your help. Thanks.
Hickory Hills Shirts:
Your Association is selling Hickory Hills T-Shirts for $10.00 each. They are available in
all sizes and can be purchased at the office.
Bar B Q time: Your Board sponsored a Bar B Q Dinner on Saturday June 11th. After all
bills are paid, it appears that we made just under $300. The funds raised will go towards
Street Signs for our community. The Board would like to thank all those that came to
support this project and also thank all those who volunteered to serve. We also want to
thank those who made desserts, slaw and potato salad. A BIG THANKS to Mike Pugh
(Callender Lake Store) for the donation of ice thanks Mike we appreciate it very much.
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. Pictures of some of the different events that have taken place at HHPOIA are
there. Also we have the ability to list different items for sale for a donation to HHPOIA.
Please look at it and give us your opinion, your comments are welcome, the site is
YOURS.
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. Know before one asks about
security for the gate, the present cost for 24 7 is slightly over $100,000. There is no way
we can afford that kind of money. However, we could all do our part. Maybe people
would volunteer to man the gate for a time and record the make of vehicle, color, and
license number. After a person tailgates more then once in a short period of time we can
file a compliant with the sheriff’s department and have a trespassing citation issued. Why
not to tailgate, your actions could and have impaired the Gate electronics to the point that
the Gate stays ¾ open or ¾ 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.
Four Wheelers: Your Board and the office have received a number of complaints about
4 Wheelers and the way that they drive in here. The Board has talked with a number of 4
wheeler drivers to some avail but for others they appear not to care. This not caring has
caused a problem that will be addressed at our August 20th meeting. Part of the problems
is the hazardous way they drive on the streets, not obeying the speed signs, not stopping
at corners specially when one can see around the corner. Part of the problem is that
HHPOIA could be held liable if they’re where to be an injury accident. I believe that that
will happen. There are two (2) sides to every story, please prepare your comments and
send them to the office (don’t have to sign if you don’t want to) or come to the meeting.
Emergency Help: We STRONGLY suggest that when you call for 9-1-1 service for an
ambulance, ask for Edom Fire Dept also as they can stabilize the patient until EMS
arrives. The Fire Dept can be in contact with EMS to be sure they come to the right
address. You should state that you live in the Hickory Hills subdivision.
Swimming Pool: We are very sorry that the pool has not been able to be open. The
instructions for winterizing the pool were followed. One of the pool pumps stopped
working. A new pump/motor has been purchased and installed for $600. Meanwhile
algae began growing profusely. We are now trying to clear up a phosphate problem.
Maybe by the time you get this newsletter, we will have the chemicals and algae under
control and the pool open. If you have not gotten your Pool Pass it is in the office. The
ones who are current with their Maintenance Fees will be issued a Pool Pass.
Come to the Board meeting, the 3rd Saturday of each month. We do listen to the
Community, get involved.
Does everyone agree on all things? Certainly not, but does every member of every family
always agree on everything? Absolutely not! We are all individuals with different goals,
ideas, and dreams and regardless of personal differences, I believe everyone here at
Hickory Hills has the same overall desire and that is to make Hickory Hills subdivision a
better place than we found it.
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