LOCK IT OR LOSE IT
There should be an article in this issue from the Security Director, Keith Echols. The City is again experiencing problems with theft. While typical theft is as a result of vehicle (or home) doors left unlocked, there have been a few incidences of sliding glass doors being pried open and small items stolen.
Please remember to lock your vehicle and your home and SET YOUR HOME ALARM! Crime exists everywhere so please do your part to secure your property and be alert. If you see suspicious people, don’t be afraid to call security and, if you are truly concerned or see a crime in progress call the police.
THE STUPID GATE WON’T OPEN
If you are having difficulties getting in (especially or only at the Northlake entry) it could be that your barcode sticker is worn out. Sometimes rumors spread that the barcode is too high, too low, or that it is raining or the sun is at the wrong angle, etc. I promise you that is not the case; it is a laser that reads the barcode from 24” off the ground to 65” from the ground so unless you have a barcode on a skateboard or a tractor trailer, it should read fine.
If you look at the decal and it is gray and black (or all black) and no longer has black and white stripes then it is time to replace it. Likewise, if there are any tears or holes, it won’t work. Barcodes should never be peeled off one vehicle and put on another. Not only will our data base be wrong but the barcode may not work (or not for long). The Northlake Blvd reader is the most sensitive so when your barcode is starting to go bad, that is the gate where it will start failing first.
To get a new barcode, bring your vehicle registration, $5.00 and, of course, the car to the POA office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday and we will replace it for you. Please note that only PGA owners and authorized renters are permitted to have barcodes. Also, because we put the barcode on the car (and not you) the vehicle must be registered to the owner or renter.
Yes, we need to see the registration even though you showed it the first time you got a barcode and we are sorry for the inconvenience. The car may have been registered to someone else in the interim and, more often than not, the license plate may have changed since it was first issued and we’d like to have the correct information. We try to follow procedures carefully so if the POA ever gets full time access control, we don’t have to start completely over in rebuilding a data base for 5,000 homes and issue all new barcodes. We sincerely appreciate your understanding in this regard.
WE THE “YOU PEOPLE”
I admit (with appreciation!) that we haven’t been called a “you people” in quite some time. When speaking with your property management company (whether at the POA or your neighborhood) please remember that the management staff takes direction from, and follows the policies of, your elected Board members. The staff are employees of an independent company and are often blamed…but we have big shoulders so it is all good.
The POA gets calls and visits from residents who are upset that something isn’t being addressed by their neighborhood association to that resident’s satisfaction. We explain that the POA can’t assist with the way an individual neighborhood association is run. Each community elects a Board to handle the matters of the association. That Board hires a management company or an individual manager to handle the day to day affairs and ensure that policies and procedures of the association are carried out. It is just like any business; the staff cannot fire a company or a person who is hired by someone else (in this case, the Board for the Association). Complaints and concerns need to be brought to the Board’s attention. Of course, the POA will continue to do what we can – often it is just passing along your request.
IT ISN’T ALL ABOUT MONEY
It is time for the annual assessment to the POA. The invoices were mailed on June 1 st and anyone with a prior balance or credit should have a note explaining same with the coupon. Likewise, those who signed up for “direct debit” will receive a budget and a note reminding why no coupon is enclosed. Remember, the POA assessment notice comes in a large flat envelope with the operating budget. The coupon is on the bottom of the letter and a return envelope is enclosed for your convenience. Assessments are due July 1 st to avoid interest charges.
If you are interested in signing up for Direct Debit (so the assessment is taken directly from your account each year) forms are available at pga-poa.com under the “Documents & Forms” heading. If you want to start this procedure for the upcoming assessment, the form must be completed and returned before June 20th .
As always, if you have any questions, just call us at (561) 627-2800
STORM SEASON
This is it! The official start of storm season was June 1st so I can’t use the “H” word for a few months. As a reminder, this website (pga-poa.com) has some helpful information regarding preparations before, during and after storms.
Every year I get calls about a “generator on wheels” outside various fenced areas along the main PGA National roads. The most noted seems to be the one on Avenue of the Masters at Masters Park. Those are, in fact, generators placed by Seacoast Utilities and the fenced areas are “Lift Stations” (i.e.: the equipment that keeps the sewage systems working). It is important that they be run by generators if power is out. After Jeannie, Francis and Wilma a few years ago, Seacoast started placing the generators. They are installed until the end of November when the storm season officially ends. They may not be pretty but it is a whole lot better than what it might look like if they weren’t there to work when power is out! Your understanding is appreciated.
HAPPY SUMMER
Wishing all of you a happy month with good friends and in good health.