From the President’s Corner

As Hurricane Katrina did her devastation to the Gulf Coast area, we must remember those in our prayers, our pocketbooks, and whatever else we can do to help them out. We have people in our community that have had evacuees in their homes for a while and those who have volunteered their time and talents for a good cause. God Bless them all.   Both the office and I at home have received calls relating to this issue. Some have been kind, some not so kind. We even had people request of us who or whom people can have in their homes. Isn’t that a nice thing to say! What are we coming to? Not too long ago, I received the following, don’t know the author, but it is important.

 THIS IS A WAY OF THINKING. Watch your Thoughts, they become your words. Watch your Words, they become actions. Watch your Actions, they became habits. Watch your Habits, they became character. Watch your Character, for it becomes your Destiny. GET OUT OF YOUR OWN WAY!

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 has been repaired. We just received TECQ’s report on the Dam Inspection and what they feel we need to do ASAP. This report has 34 pages, 13 for the report and 21 pages of pictures and graphs, etc. Both HHPOIA and CLPOIA must answer this report by October 14^th to TECQ. It talks about the erosion on the inside of the lake, which we knew about. Now they want just for starters, the stumps removed, a fence around the whole Dam on FM 2339, a grate or gate on the end of the flume, a hydrologic and hydraulic study needs to be done, along with other items in the report. Most of the items that they want done; TECQ has requested that we have an approved engineer look at the problems. It appears that we didn’t lose many fish, which is a good thing.  As stated before, since we had to lower the lake level it was decided to secure bids on the best way to take care of the erosion on the inside of the lake. 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, (today, not next year – don’t know the cost) on at least two (2) different ways to do the project, split equal with Callender Lake POIA. Presently we (HHPOIA) have spent over $56,000 on the flume repairs, Causeway, and Boat Ramp. What we are looking at for next year is around $28,000 (based upon today’s price, not next years price) for the inside erosion repairs along with some security issues for the Dam, like more fencing

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. However, with the growth of vegetation around the island and by the back bathhouse and North Lake Drive, we have asked Stan Smith to look at the best way to approach this problem. With Stan Smith, HHPOIA and CLPOIA, we came up with the following suggestions. 1) Secure bid on having a helicopter drop some type of treatment which if done would reduce next years cost. 2) Burn the growth, look out for the boat docks and walkways. 3) Wait until next year and then hit them. 4) Hire Stan Smith to do it now, his cost would be greater then the helicopter as it would take him over two (2) weeks to do 60 acres. It was agreed upon to do the helicopter approach between September 1, 2005 and October 10, 2005. Also secure Grass Carp for the lake at a cost of $5,000, ($2.00 per fish) plus $15.00 for the permit. This does not include the cost to buy the fish itself.

Maintenance Fees:

Just so you are aware, Your Association is looking at the following items for next year; 1) Loan repayment of $15,000, 2) Scag Wildcat payment $3,000, 3) Stan Smith Lake Management $20,000, 4) Inside Lake erosion $28,000, (today’s price, not next years price), 5) TECQ potential problems $10,000. This totals $76,000. I believe that we may have to raise the Maintenance Fees for next year to pay for these items. The Board is presently looking at all avenues for funds and will vote on this issue at the Board meeting on Saturday September 17^th, please come to the meeting. The office has been asked where we stand on those turned over for collection. The first list of property owners totaled 69 owners that were turned over to our attorney for collection for $36,451.24. Once the letters were received, 32 paid their balance of $15,000, 8 are making monthly. Of that total 29 have done nothing and will be served soon as our suit was filed in VZ County Court, we are awaiting a court date. These property owners will be in for a big surprise.

At our Annual Meeting of May 21^st, the Membership voted to send and additional list of past due property owners to the attorney to start a new suit and collection efforts. Letters of our intended action has been sent 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 Board would also like to THANK the following people for their time and talent given to the Association: Ronnie Brasseaux, Ed Deane, Barbara Mortela, Art Mucci and Ted Schroeder. 

Street Signs:

Your Association has 28 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 have thus far paid for the project. 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.

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. Your Association just sold Lot 22 Block 7 on East Sycamore Lane for $2,000. The proceeds from these sales will go toward the purchase of additional street signs. Any help is appreciated.

Maintenance:

We have purchased a Scag Wildcat Finishing Mower and two (2) Stihl Weed Eaters.  They have been busy since purchased.   We need to brush hog the ditches before we can use the finishing mower in some of the ditches.   We do have a brush hog, but our ditches do not allow for the tractor to get into them and then get out.   It is going to be a slow process to get all the ditches prepared for the use of the finishing mower.  Also, if there is trash in the ditches, the mower cannot get into them to do the mowing.  Most of the intersections have been cleared of brush.  This allows you to see what may be coming down the street. Some of the new street signs have been put up.  More will be up soon.  More STOP signs are being ordered. 

The lights for the front Hickory Hills sign have been smashed and the broken glass scattered all over the area.  These lights have been repaired and replaced six (6) times this summer.  These parts and light bulbs are not cheap.  At the last Board meeting, the Board of Directors has authorized a $200.00 Reward for the Arrest and Conviction of anyone damaging Hickory Hills Property. We will prosecute any and all persons including youngsters. If anyone sees any of these things being done, they should let the office know. 

      At the dumpsters, we are still getting things that do not qualify for HOUSEHOLD trash.  We try to have a dumpster in here every 3 months for things that are not Household trash.  I have seen people come in off the street and go to the dumpsters to dump their trash.  Our dumpsters are for HOUSEHOLD trash that is generated inside Hickory Hills.

The maintenance men are trying to keep this a clean place, but we need everyone to help. Do not throw your trash out your car windows.   Put your trash into the dumpster and not on the ground for someone else to put it in.  The Garbage man will not pick it up before emptying the dumpster.  

Help pick up the trash; Keep your community clean!

     On Sept. 29^th or 30^th there should be a dumpster brought in.  It would help a lot if everyone would pick up the trash in your yard.  If your neighbor does not live here, it would be nice if you would pick up the trash in their ditch also.  Lets see if we can all make this a more pleasing place to live!!   Thanks to everyone who keeps his or her ditches mowed and free of trash.      Freddie Scaggs

Architectural Control Committee (ACC):

I would like to thank the people who responded to the letters on cleaning up their yards. However those who haven’t you will be receiving a second letter from the Board of Directors. This second letter is serious and tells what will happen if clean up is not done. If you have a problem, please call the office and advise. There will be a roll off dumpster here on Thursday September 29^th or Friday September 30^th. Hickory Hills is turning around and we have many new homes with permanent residences coming in. We have over 250 families living here full time plus many more on weekends.

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:

Layne DeSandre, President.

Help:

Your Association has been 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 there 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. 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.

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 is awaiting a proposal from the Policy and Procedures Committee that will address the issue. Part of the problem is the hazardous way they drive on the streets, driving on other Property Owners lots, not obeying the speed signs, not stopping at corners specially when one can’t see around the corner. Van Zandt County is also addressing this issue as the county has much the same problems.

Your Invitation to Monthly Board Meeting:

Come to the Board meeting, the 3^rd Saturday of each month. We do listen to the Community, get involved.

The Art of Living

Many men know the laws of mathematics and are skilled in the arts, but most men know very little about the laws governing life, the art of living. One may be able to build an airplane and circle the globe and yet be entirely ignorant of the simple art of how to be happy, successful and content. When studying the arts, place first upon the list the art of living. (Author Unknown)