WHAT WERE THOSE SIGNS?
There were a number of rumors about why there were signs at each entry last month and what it was all about. I heard a lot of interesting rumors (some were downright scary!) but the fact is that the signs were required by the City so PGA POA could amend the “PCD”. When each community in PGA National was originally constructed, certain setbacks were established. In short, this determines how close to your property line you can construct the walls of your home, your screen enclosure, your pool, etc. Because of the way the original language was filed with
the City, these setbacks changed over the years (ie: whenever the City’s setbacks changed for all of Palm Beach Gardens they changed PGA’s setbacks too). This had the potential to cause problems if your pool screen needed to be replaced and you may not have been able to put it back where it always was.
The POA and City Staff worked hard reviewing almost thirty years worth of site plans, surveys, aerial photos and other documents to ensure that the setbacks were accurate for each of the approximately 40 communities in PGA. A “spread sheet” listing setbacks for each community was created so all data is available on one document and both the POA Architectural Review Committee and the City’s Permit Department could both work from the same document. City Council approved the setbacks and all is once again well in our world!
AUGUST IS TIME FOR:
Really HOT days! Believe it or not, you are now a month away from the height of “H” (storm) season …sorry but we don’t use “the H Word” this time of the year! If you don’t already have a supply of batteries, water, non-perishable food items and other things you may need to survive a week or more without electricity, it is time to get things organized! You can find information on how to prepare before, during and after a storm elsewhere on this website.
It is also time for you to get a reminder letter telling you that if you haven’t paid your annual assessment to PGA POA, your account is now in arrears and interest penalties have begun to accrue. Please mail or deliver your payment.
CRAFTY PEOPLE
While staying in the air conditioning, you can work on your arts and crafts project and make some extra money! The POA Special Events Committee started an Annual Arts & Crafts festival each December. You don’t need to be a professional artist to participate so go to the above website to get more information and an application. It is a one day event being held on Saturday, December 11th so even if you don’t participate you should plan to attend!
THE PGA POA BOARD OF GOVERNORS
Your Board is governed by nine members of the community whom you elect for a two year term. You will elect four members to the Board in January of 2011 but it is now time to find candidates. If you are interested in serving on the Board or know someone who may be interested, please ask them to call Dawn at 561-627-2800.
DON’T TELL AND SEARCH LIKE HECK (well, I lost the rhyme but I hate it when I get my mouth washed out with soap for using “bad words”)
The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department often sends us notices regarding protecting your property and they let us know about the latest “scams”. We post information here on the POA website.
The “bad guys” are really getting creative now that the internet allows people easy access to all kinds of information about you. By going “on line” I can find out where you live, your phone number(s), the names of your family members, your bank, your mortgage company and all kinds of other things. I can then call you and claim to represent one of the agencies (such as your mortgage company) and get all kinds of personal information
under the guise of “confirming your information in our records”.
It surprises me how willing people are to give out their date of birth, drivers license number, and even their social security number!
Please, if anyone calls you on the phone, do NOT give them any information. If it is a legitimate call, they will already have the information they are asking you to “confirm”.
There are also those who go door-to-door offering to do work at your home because they are “in the neighborhood” and can give you a great deal “if you sign up now”. First, soliciting of any type in PGA National is against the rules and you should immediately call security (627-1600). Second, many of these people do not have a license or insurance and in many cases, you will sign an official looking document, pay a deposit then never hear from them again.
The answer: BE CAREFUL AND CHECK THEM OUT (search like heck)! If you are hiring a contractor, you can call (561) 233-5525 to see if they have a Certificate of Competency.
Anyone who provides services in the following trades MUST have a certificate from the State of Florida: Plumbing, Electrical, Air Conditioning, Burglar Alarms, Concrete work, Drywall, Fabric Awnings, Fences, Garage Doors, Windows, “H” Shutters, Irrigation, Roofing, Pools, etc. You can go to SunBiz.org to look up the name of a company (by officer name, corporate name, etc) to see if they are registered with the state. Whether the company is incorporated, a Limited Liability Corporation or a Partnership, you should find information at this site.
You can also contact the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed. The City Building Department may be able to tell you whether the company has permits pulled and may be able to answer some of your questions. Talk to your friends and neighbors to find out who they hired and remember that any changes to the outside of your home need prior approval by the POA Architectural Review Committee.
ALWAYS get a Certificate of Insurance from your contractor so you can verify they have general liability and workers compensation coverage. Otherwise, if they are hurt on your property, your insurance will be paying!
IN OUR THOUGHTS
In the more than 12 years I have been privileged to work at PGA, the community has lost many good people who left us quietly and while in our thoughts and prayers, they are (unfortunately) seldom mentioned here.
Before I came to PGA Property Owners Association, The man in charge was Mr. Bill Foley. He looked after the residents of PGA National for many, many years while the community was still under Developer control. After transition from the developer, Mr. Foley agreed to come out of retirement to work part time to ensure that everything was being properly covered since PGA National is the size of a city. Everyone in the PGA community knew Bill Foley and he was well liked and well respected by residents, contractors and employees.
The PGA POA Transition Committee, Board of Governors and management staff send our sincere condolences to Mr. Foley’s wife and family – he will be sadly missed.