Feeding Frenzy on Palometa
Annual
Meeting
Our annual Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, March
8, at 10 a.m. at the Coast Guard Auxiliary to elect new directors and approve
the budget and deed restriction changes.
Please plan to attend.
Candidates for directors:
Alonzo
Merritt - Long-time Hernando County Resident; Also serves on
the HBPOA Board; He and his wife Melody are active in community functions;
Interested in preserving the character of our community and the environment.
Daniel
Kushmer – Active in the business community through his duties
in the Chamber of Commerce in the Ruskin area.
He and his wife Marsha are also actively involved in our Social
Committee.
Denis
Jessen - Past Treasurer; CPA; auditor for the state of Florida;
frequent contributor of poetry to our Newsletter; author.
Doug
Burgner - New Resident; Retired Military; Member of the
Architectural Committee; Member of the Legal Documents Review Committee.
Coney
Alligood – Chairman of the Waterways Improvement Committee; Also
works with the HBPOA for waterways improvement; Member of the Adopt-A-Road
Committee.
President’sMessage
Good
Neighbors don’t just live in a community; They work to make it better.
I am proud to say that because of our efforts to go
the extra mile, Hernando Beach South is being mentioned as one of the best
neighborhoods on the West Coast. Our
directors, officers, committees, and members make this association.
A current Hernando Beach South Resident Directory
was mailed to all homeowners in January 2003.
If you did not receive one, please call the Management Company at
686-7940.
A comment was recently received by a prospective
homeowner who was thinking about buying a home in Hernando Beach South. The sales agent told me I couldn’t put up a
fence or make an addition to my home without approval. This is taking away my rights as a
homeowner. I have been taught that my
home is my castle, and I can do with it as I want.
The response is your rights are not being taken
away. You are voluntarily relinquishing
some rights to benefit from the amenities and standards of the community. Communities with strict codes protect
property values better than communities without the codes. Isn’t that what we want? We want to protect our investment. Think before you buy.
We again ask all members to volunteer for one or two
committees. It is fun meeting your
neighbors, making new friends, and working for the betterment of Hernando Beach
South.
I hope to see all of you at the annual meeting, and
I hope all of your families remain healthy and happy in this new year.
“Tough times never last, but …tough people do.”
Lewis Johnson, President
Member
Meetings:
Our
meetings are held the third Thursday of each month at the coast Guard Auxiliary
building, 4340 Calienta St. Hernando Beach. We hope you can come and make us
strong!
Saturday, March 8, 2003,
Annual Meeting
Thursday, April 17, 2003
Thursday May 15, 2003
Please mark your
calendar because "The World is run by the
people who show up"
Board
of Directors:
President: Lewis Johnson,
Vice President: Brigitte Haag,
Secretary: Linda Prescott,
Treasurer: Denis Jessen, Directors: Melvin Sweat, Bob Muncy, Blair Blose. Board of Directors Meetings are
held every second Thursday at the Hernando Beach Recreation Center, 6340 Shoal
Line Blvd. The meetings are open to all members.
A Word from the Editor
I hope everybody mails their ballots in and comes to our
annual meeting on Saturday, March 8.
It looks like our sidewalk starting at Jewfish and ending
at the Coast Guard Building will be built this year.
You might have heard a committee was formed to find ways
to beautify Shoal Line Blvd in Hernando Beach by planting trees and shrubs.
Please read below the exiting News about this project.
Volunteers
throughout the years have stepped forward and continue to pay for Shoal Line
street lights, which contributes to everyone’s safety. More lights are needed to cover the
remainder of Shoal Line and Osowaw. More information in the Newsletter below.
All
100 percent of our last year’s assessments have been collected. It was not easy
with all the changes of ownership, foreclosure procedures and such things, but
our management company came through. Great Job! Thank you!
Brigitte
Haag, Vice President, Newsletter and Website Chair
Committee Reports
Adopt-A-Road
The Adopt-a- Road clean up meets on the third Saturday of each month at our
boat ramp entrance on Jewfish Drive. It generally takes about one hour. We
average about twelve full bags of trash per clean-up, the majority of which are
discarded soda cans, beer bottles and fast food containers--all the products of
people who have a “DON’T CARE’ ATTITUDE.” We will continue to ask the Sheriff’s
Department to help tighten the enforcement of the littering laws. In turn, we realize our proximity to the
West Hernando Transfer Station brings many vehicles down Shoal Line Blvd each
day to discard their trash. However, if people would be more mindful of their
responsibilities, such as properly containing their receptacles and strapping
down all tree and lawn waste, it would help greatly.
Jim Steed, Chairman
Architect
The following list includes projects that have been
approved and are in different stages of development as of February 4, 2003:
Pfeffer,
William & Mary 3407
Bluefish Dr: 134/24
O’Grady,
Theodore & Theresa 3487
Amberjack Dr: 133/15
Poulos
Construction 3448
Jewfish Dr: 139/45
Rau,
Walter & Virginia 4066
Sheephead Dr: 136/55
Saverese,
Tony & Sanita 4009
Amberjack Dr: 133/9
Pedi,
Bill & Sherrill 3352
Palometa Dr: 140/17
Briggs,
Perley & Beatrice 4040
Bluefish Dr: 134/56
Evans,
Ralph & Maude 3439
Bluefish Dr: 134/20
Persons,
Bill & Marie 3399
Triggerfish Dr: 137/26
Friche,
Henry 4034
Cobia Dr: 135/40
Marshall,
Richard & Jayne
3488 Cobia Dr: 135/31
Mel
Sweat, Chairman
Boat
Ramp
A
review of the boat ramp area has revealed that the parking lot has deteriorated
to the point that it requires resurfacing. Estimates from contractors have been
requested. So far two contractors have responded. Recapping cost will be
established with the 2003/2004 budget. The bulletin board and/or replacement
will be discussed in the following months. The ramp, post, chain and lock are
still in satisfactory condition.
Bob Muncy, Chairman
Crime
Watch
Crime
Statistics on the Beach: 12/22/02 to
1/25/03: Burglary – 1, Vandalism - 1
Annual
Crime Statistics on the Beach: 1/01/02
to 12/31/02
Grand
theft auto - 2, Burglaries – 17, Thefts -
17, Vandalism - 16
Jim Steed, Chairman
Deed Restrictions
After
following proper procedures, which included a note on the windshield, a letter
via regular mail and certified mail, sent to the homeowner, a resident’s car
was towed for parking on private property illegally. The charge to the resident
was $90 plus a daily storage charge of $15 per day. This unnecessary expense
could have easily been avoided by following the deed restrictions. The deed
restriction committee is diligent in following restriction guidelines to
maintain our property values. We appreciate any and all help from our community
residents.
Tom Westerberg,
Chairman
Garden
We
hope everybody enjoyed the poinsettias we planted for the holidays. A lot of
garden club work is coming up caused mostly by the freezing temperatures. We gladly welcomed three new garden club
volunteers: Diane St. Johns, Wanda Kneiss and Rita Carpenter. All ladies will soon be cleaning out the
dead plants and planting the spring and summer flowers.
Mildred Renfroe, 666-4350, Chairman
Grounds
Withlacoochee
Electric Company will install a light on Shoal Line Blvd. (left turn lane) and
Jewfish Drive for Hernando Beach South in February. This light will make it
safer for our members to turn left from Shoal Lind Blvd. to Jewfish Drive. It
will also light our Jewfish Entranceway sign all night, which will provide
additional protection, just like at the entrance of Bluefish. The county will
patch the pot holes in our streets in February. Soil, plastic and red rocks
were placed around the palms on Jewfish Drive. Light bulbs needed to be
replaced on both entrance signs. We will not cut grass on lots until March. The
cool weather kept the growth controlled. The county will replace all street
signs by February.
Blair Blose
Legal
The
final version of the revised Deed Restrictions has been approved by the Board
of Directors and the attorney and given to the printer for publication and has
been mailed for a much needed acceptance vote by you, the property owners.
Mel Sweat, Chairman
Newsletter
and Web site
Visit our Web site at www.hernandobeachsouth.org for the latest information and
pictures.
Political
Action
The Planning and Zoning Commission recently approved a
rezoning of approximately 300,000 square feet of retail commercial space next
to the Wal-Mart Supercenter on U.S. 19 and Osowaw. This is approximately 1 ½ times larger than the Wal-Mart. It also extends about 2400 feet south of
Osowaw Boulevard and is deeper than any other intensive development west of
U.S. 19 and south of Osowaw. If you
have concerns about this proposed development, plan to attend the BOCC meeting
on Wednesday, March 12 to voice your concerns.
The County is currently undergoing review of its
Comprehensive Plan. The State
Department of Community Affairs requires comprehensive plans to be evaluated
every seven years at the local level.
This is our opportunity to say what our county will look like in the
future. The county has scheduled
comprehensive plan related public workshops in all areas of the county. The coastal meeting is scheduled for Thursday,
March 6, at the Coast Guard Auxiliary from 5 to 8 p.m. “I hope the public gets involved and gives
us some direction,” said Hernando County planner Jim King, “because if they
don’t, the only people who will, will be the developers.” Mark your calendars and plan to attend to
let your voice be heard.
Linda Prescott, Chairman
Telephone
Committee
The
telephone committee phones its neighbors about up-coming events and the monthly
meetings of HBSPOA. Presently, we are in need of people to make calls on two of
our streets. Also with SNOW BIRD time fast approaching, one of our callers will
be heading up north reducing our ranks even further .It doesn’t take much time
if we pitch in to help each other. If you would like to join our team, please
contact DOLLY at 666-6997,
Dolly
Steed, Chairman
Social Committee
The
neighborhood looked really spectacular during the 2002 holiday season with many
of our houses beautifully decorated. The street with the most decorated
houses was Sheephead Drive with 60% of the houses decorated. Good job
Sheephead neighbors! Publix gift certificates were awarded to three lucky
residents for their hard work and efforts:
Best Newcomer Award - Mr. & Mrs. Nick Gentilquore, 3423
Amberjack Drive
Charming Christmas Award - Mr. & Mrs. Danny Kushmer,
3456 Cobia Drive
Simple Elegance Award - Mr. & Mrs. Pat Mulholland, 3399
Sheephead Drive
Honorable Mention/Previous Winners include:
Mr. & Mrs. Floren Graves, 3448 Croaker Drive
Mr. & Mrs. Ray Renfroe, 3471 Sheephead Drive
Mr. & Mrs. Lewis Johnson, 3504 Sheephead Drive
Mr. & Mrs. William Merritt, 3463 Amberjack Drive
Mr. & Mrs. Gerry Gilbert, 4058 Sheephead Drive
Great Job Everyone!
GARAGE SALE
The Annual Hernando Beach South Garage Sale was Sat. March 1st. Hopefully
everyone took advantage of the opportunity to clean out garages and closets and
make some money!!
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Egg
Hunt
Our
next scheduled event will be the Egg Hunt. It will be held on Sat. April
19th at 10:00 a.m. on the grassy area by the pond on Seabass Drive. All
neighborhood children and grandchildren are welcome to come for some egg
hunting fun with a special grand prize! To register your child or
grandchild call Denise 684-3217 or Juliette 684-0764 by Wed. April 16th.
Annual
Pot Luck Dinner
In May, the Annual Hernando Beach South Pot Luck Dinner will be held.
Every year we have a wide variety of foods prepared by all our neighbors.
It is a fun time to get together with your neighbors and sample delicious
foods. The date will be announced in April. Watch for the flier
delivered to your door!
Welcome Committee
Since the last newsletter we have been able to welcome three new neighbors:
Dennis and Rolaine Durling, 3415 Croaker Drive
Rich and Diane Overbeek, 4049 Jewfish Drive
Mary Lou Strohecker, 4049 Bluefish Drive
A warm welcome to Hernando Beach South!
The welcome committee prepares welcome bags for all new residents of Hernando
Beach South. If you know of any new neighbor who needs to be welcomed
call one of the members of the welcome committee.
Palometa - Tuti Blackstone - 666-2423, Jewfish - Jeane Vernon - 683-9762 ,
Croaker - Argith Sweat - 666-9244
Triggerfish - Juliette Muncy - 684-0764 , Sheephead - Jeanine Schmit -
688-0328, Cobia - Marsha Kushmer - 666-1321, Bluefish - Amy Fritsch - 684-4141
, Amberjack - Glory Westerberg - 666-0914
Denise Hoogland , Chairman
Waterways Maintenance Committee: As residents of HB South, we all
share a common love of being on the water and having a good view of the canals
and the area. One of the duties of the waterways maintenance committee of our
association (which I am chairman of) is try to keep our canals free of trash
and debris. Up until now I have attempted to do this by getting two members to
assist, and picking up the debris with nets or poles from the front of my
pontoon boat. This is not difficult, but it is very hard on the motor, which
must be shifted between forward, neutral, and reverse hundreds of times to
maneuver the boat into a position to pick up all the small pieces of paper,
cups, bags, etc.
Nearly all the
trash picked up has been from vacant lots. Most residents pick up the trash
near their seawalls. I would like to make some changes as follows: This
committee, I think, should have as many members as possible. While we urge
everyone to become involved in our association meetings, joining this
committee would not obligate anyone to attend any meetings or do anything they
don’t want to do. As of now I have 20 members including the “old” members, and the
responsibility for cleaning the Eastern ends of the canals has already been
designated. I plan to continue with water pickup on the western shores. Any major decisions like harvesting, or
spraying the weeds, adding more Carp, etc. will be made by the majority of this
committee who vote, and then passed to the Board of Directors for approval.
This is what I expect the members to do:
1-Once or twice a month, walk
across the vacant lots from your home to the next home, and pick up all the
trash you find. Most of the trash will be along the water’s edge. If enough
homeowners did this, our canals would stay clean. I understand this would
result in overlaps, but we could negotiate with our neighbors next door. If we
don’t have a vacant lot next-door, OK, we’re off the hook.
2- Send me you Name,
Address, and Phone # and indicate the lots you will be cleaning. Just the
number of lots E or W is fine. That way I can determine if any lots are not
covered and I will see that they are.
3-Vote on major decisions
when they arise.
My phone number is
683-0634. Street address is 3504
Croaker Drive. E-Mail coneya@earthlink.net
Thank You
Coney Alligood, Chairman
General Interest
The election of the new Officers
March 8 the new directors will be elected. Three new directors need to
be elected. Four directors were elected
in 2002. Once the directors are elected they will in return decide who will be
the officers. What qualifications should the new president have?
He/she should truly care for the neighborhood,
should be informed about the current issues of Hernando Beach South and all of
Hernando Beach, should be a team worker and available to support all the
committee chairs, should be present during the day to be available with all the
things happening all the time, should have connections to the other Hernando
Beach organizations, should be able to attend the Commissioners Meetings if
necessary to represent our neighborhood, should be known to the leading
politicians in Hernando County, should have good connections at the United
Communities (an organizations for property owners association).
Lewis, we are truly taking a loss, now that your term of office as President
has ended.
We cannot say enough good things about what a wonderful leader you are. Luckily
you will be around with Crime Watch and as future Committee Chair.
Mystery Yellow
Recently some neighbors discovered a yellow film on the canal water
surface on Jewfish. All kinds of theories of its origin were tossed around.
Buddy Palmer from the Hernando County Waterway Division and a policeman came in
an instance. Construction sites near by were examined to find a source of the
yellow. It was finally concluded that the wind and rain must have brought pollen of blooming trees, that settled on
the water surface and was then driven by wind into the dead end of the canal… ………………………………………………
Drive Slow
Please watch your speed in our Hernando Beach South
streets, watch your kids, our ducks, our Sandhill cranes. Thank you, Lewis
Johnson, President
Newspaper delivery
Did you notice a difference in the placement of our Tampa Bay Tribune
paper? The new delivery man does a wonderful job and we appreciate this. Lewis
Johnson
RadarGun
The
speed limit on Shoal Line Blvd has been recently reduced from 55 miles per hour
to 50. Because Shoal Line is narrow and so many people die every year, it
should be in the interest of everybody to make sure this speed limit is
maintained. Jim Steed has the idea to support our local deputies by providing
them with a Radar Gun. Please contact Jim Steed at 666-6997 for details and
donations.
Linda
Pederson Park
The park remains on hold and options continue to be investigated.
Dredge
After
bureaucratic delays and more delays, finally the promised meeting where 2
representatives of the Department of Environmental Protection, Commissioner
Nancy Robinson, a representative of the Army Corps of Engineers and Dave
Pointec representing the residents of Hernando Beach was set up.
One million dollar could be saved if the spoils of
the dredge could be dumped on or near the existing spoil islands. But the
dredge must have a permit from the DEP. The DEP officials found that there is
solid sea grass out there and a dumping of the spoils is out of the question.
The Corps, the fishing industry, and locals all want the canal to be dredged
deeper and wider. Unfortunately, the Corps never presented this intent to the
DEP. A compromise is now in the works. It is discussed that all spoil
materials, sand as well as rocks will be deposited at the reefs. We will see if
this compromise can be worked out after more studies are done.
So lucky to have our Deed Restrictions
You might have heard a mobile/manufactured/modular home was placed on
stilts in the Middle Beach. Many residents are upset and fear justifiably that
this will have a negative impact on their home values. A committee under the
leadship of Alonzo Merritt was formed to research what can be done. Original
deed restrictions had not been enforced in the past and expired. Ways are being
evaluated on how they can be revived. These types of homes are not subject to
county building requirements and are taxed quite differently. I heard they
don’t have to pay any property taxes at all. We are so lucky to have our restrictions.
We cannot discriminate against these types of homes in our neighborhood, but we
can require pitch angles and minimum square footage. We changed our new
proposed deed restrictions to this for better protection. We need our new deed
restrictions badly.
BoatLift
Attention Boatlift users! Please lower the cradle only so much that the boat
can slide on and off. Avoid hitting the ground because if you do it will
unravel the cables.
Also please be aware, when the weather is
cold the relays are working very slowly. Please be patient and give them time
to do their job. Getting angry and breaking the door to the power house will
not do anything, but create hassles for everyone involved.
No news on the repairs, we are still waiting
for the engineer’s approval.
Augie Peretti, Boatlift Chair
Sidewalk
Steve Diez, Transportation Planner from the MPO
spoke on the sidewalk at the recent HBPOA meeting. The survey results are
expected to be done in a few weeks. The County Engineer Charles Mixson will
then start with the actual design. He offered to meet with the Beautification
Committee and get our input. Construction could start in the summer. The
sidewalk could be our Christmas gift. We will have a great Hernando Beach wide
Fest with all the trimmings and celebrate the ribbon cutting.
Newspaper Recycling Bin
Fran Baird owner of Hernando Beach Motel and Condos
offered her motel driveway to host a Newspaper Recycling Bin. Please drop off
your Newspapers in this big metal box. The proceeds increase contributions to the
new Entranceway Sign at the corner of Shoal Line and Osowaw.
Blue Moon Ball
Try to make it next time if
you could not attend the last Grand Blue Moon Ball in the Palace Grand. What an
elegant affair it was, and we raised money for the new sign at the triangle
Ossowaw and Shoal Line.
Street Lights on Shoal Line Blvd.
These light contribute to our safety. You might not
be aware, but the electricity for each light is paid by individual residents of
the area. Lance and Sharon Sutter, Margo Sloan(currently living in Oregon),
Melody and Alonzo Merritt, John and Mary O’Brien, Bob and Jackie Mancuso,
B.J.Gators, Minnie and Jerry Yoerg, Sharon and Bob Romanek, Dan Carnley’s Tire
Service, Lynette and Roger Ball, Cecille Marquis, Dennis and Geri Slattery, Jim
and Debbie Bradley, Dolly and Chuck Brookings, Tom and Stormy Anderson, John
Batista, Jim and Dolly Steed, Gladys Moore, The Pointral Family, Pappy’s Galley
and Oyster Bar, Joan Lentini, Seaside Realty(10 lights), and recently Mike and Linda Prescott and our
organization decided to pay for a light at the Bluefish exit,. Another light is
ordered by Dorothy Evans. More lights are needed, if you feel like getting
involved, it’s about $5 per month after an initial setup fee of about $50 and
you can call one of the lights as yours. Call WREC at 596-4000 ext 3135 and ask
for Ron Larson, or call Joan Lentini for a Fax Form 597-3200.
Hernando Beach
Beautification
The sidewalk is coming soon.
Would it not be nice to stroll along this sidewalk in the shade of beautiful
trees?
A committee has been formed to
find ways how this can be accomplished. The idea is to invite the Shoal Line
property owners to choose and buy trees and bushes from a catalog. The
committee will then contribute 20% of the purchase price. Money for the first
round of about 30 tree contributions has already been raised. Both Hernando
Beach property owners associations and the Sutter and Morton families made this
possible. Negotiation for quantity pricing are concluded. Jim Evans from the
Evans Nursery who donated and planted already 8 trees and installed with his
friend Donny Briggs a new Hernando Beach sign will plant all trees along Shoal
Line Blvd. A 30 gallon tree, planted and mulched will cost $125.00. Thank you
Jim for this great price.
The support for this new
committee has been outstanding. Please read all about the project at the
Website: www.coastalhernando.com/shoalline
Here is a list of supporters:
Chairman:
Brigitte Haag, Vice President HBSPOA, Pelican Brief editor
Fran
Baird, Vice
President of the HBPOA, Owner of Hernando Beach Motel & Condos
Lucy Levine, Treasurer of the HBPOA, resident of Hernando Beach
Linda Prescott, resident of Hernando Beach South, Secretary of HBSPOA
Joan
Lentini,
Director of the Coastal Hernando Business Assn., Treasurer of the Entranceway
Committee, resident the Coast Line page in Hernando Today, owner of Fun Flags
Linda Nikander, resident of Hernando Beach
Gladys Moore, President of the HBPOA, Editor of the Beachcomber, Real
Estate Agent with REMAX
Lewis Johnson, President of the HBSPOA, resident of Hernando Beach
South, Director of Boat Lift and Crime Watch
Melody Merritt, owner of Seaside Realty, Chairman of the Entranceway
Committee of Hernando Beach,
Alonzo Merritt, candidate for HBSPOA Director
Wanda
Evans,
Hernando Beach Realty, Inc. with all staff
Gail Wooten, owner of Daffodil Hill
John O'Brien, Owner of O'Brien & Delzer Insurance Agency, Vice
President of the Coastal Hernando Business Assoc., and Shoal Line Property
Owner
Mary Aiken, our County Commissioner
Inge Macci, Hernando Beach resident
Sharon Sutter, Keller Williams Realty, Shoal Line Property Owner,
Secretary CHBA
Lance Sutter, Keller Williams Realty, Director HBPOA, Treasurer CHBA,
Shoal Line Property owner
Michael Duxstad, County Inspector
David Warman, owner of Warman Financial Services, Hernando Beach
resident, Treasurer HB Yacht Club, Board HBPOA
Chuck Morton, Coastline Realty, Weeki Wachee Landing, President of HELP,
HC Port Authority member, Crime Watch
Lucy Ambrose, owner of Snapper Marina
Jacqueline Morris, Hernando Beach resident, Executive Director of the
Greater Hernando Chamber of Commerce
Thomas Anderson and Bill Bourguignon, owners of Prestige Homes
Jim Steed, Crime Watch President, resident Hernando Beach South
Chuck
Remile,
owner of H.D.Redmile & Assoc. Real
Estat Appraisals
Jim
Evans, owner
of Jim Evans Nursery
About
Speeding
This will point out some of the ways you can avoid
added expenses and points on your license.
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission
concedes that driving five miles over the posted limit on a highway, generally,
won’t get you pulled over. The results
of a recent study in New Jersey seem to support that view. Over 36 months, 85% of the traffic on 65-mph
roads was traveling at 71-mph. Clearly,
the police can’t, and don’t, pick up everyone going over the limit.
On the other hand, Kentucky, North Dakota,
Rhode Island and Texas, have presumed speed limits. If you are clocked going 50-mph in a 40-mph zone, it is only
presumed that you were speeding. If you
can persuade a judge that your speed was safe given the conditions, you may get
off. Other states, including California,
Colorado, Massachusetts, Montana and Ohio, have a combination of absolute
limits for interstates and larger state roads, and presumed speed limits for
other roads. Read the back of the
ticket. It will probably outline a
number of ways you can proceed, from writing a check to going to court to
fight. The middle ground may include
taking a safe-driving course. If you
complete the course, the ticket won’t go on your record. Such a course can cost from $40 to more than
$100 (on top of any fine you may have to pay), and class typically lasts four
to eight hours. In Hernando County,
this course can range from $47.50 to $232.
In Florida, you can take the course on line. There is a limit, however, on how often you can use this option
to protect your record; once every 12 to 24 months is typical.
Generally, judges have the authority to keep a
ticket off your record, and away from insurers, if you fulfill certain
obligations. These may include paying
the fine and court costs; avoiding further violations for, say, six months to a
year, and possibly performing community service or attending a driver’s safety
school. To keep your record clean in
the Sunshine State, you must pay a fine, court costs and go to traffic
school. In turn, Florida will forgive one
moving violation a year, and up to five in a lifetime.
If such options are not available, you may still be
able to limit the damage by plea-bargaining.
Request a court date to present your case (perhaps to show your
speedometer was faulty) and then ask the prosecutor for a deal. To avoid clogging the docket, a prosecutor
may offer to reduce the fine and points, especially for first-time violators.
Remember if you do hire an attorney, and most
multi-offenders do, it will cost you anywhere from $300 to $1000 or more (if
you go to trial). Also, be sure to get
a lawyer familiar with the traffic laws and practices where you were ticketed.
If you are pulled over out-of-state, don’t
assume that paying the ticket promptly will prevent the infraction from being
reported to your home state, even if the officer suggests that this may be the
case. Just about all states share
information about driving infractions.
So, your insurance company will find out.
Of course, you can avoid all these expenses
and concerns by following all posted speed limits and upholding the law.
Jim Steed
Hernando
Beach Sidewalk
It might be our Christmas gift…
This
is our own Blair wearing the Hernando Beach street fish shirt. Can you guess
where??? Yes, in the Sahara, Africa
Hernando
Beach News
Hernando Beach’s streets got new blacktop, it looks so much better. The Hernando Beach public boat ramp just
got extended. A new Hernando Beach sign has been erected,
a donation of Jim Evans and Donny Briggs. O’Brien & Delzer Insurance moved
to the Beach into a building that once was built by John O’Brien, leter sold
and now repurchased.
Carp
Release
No sightings have been reported. No major effect on the
weeds can be detected. We will have to wait and see.
We need more carp. The Waterways Maintenance Committee
will make the decision if we use chemicals, carp or weed harvesting this year.
Brigitte
Haag
50th Sock Hop
Yes, there was another fundraiser for the
Entranceway sign in February. It was a great event, the music took you back in
time, you bought a Hamburger for $1.50, an ice cream for 50 ct. You got to watch
all these contests and everybody had a good time.
Real Estate Report
Not everything is, as it seems: Yes, it is true that
there has been plenty of real estate activity in Hernando Beach South this past
year. Lot prices have soared and homes have appreciated with them.
The lowest price for a vacant lot in the neighborhood for 2002 was $27,000 with
the highest being $155,000. However, anyone in the real estate business
knows there are always exceptions to the rule. The average price for lots
in the South for the entire year was approximately $46,000. Only during
the third and fourth quarter of the year did prices climb rapidly. The
total number of lot transactions totaled close to 100. This was not due
to a strong desire to live in the community but for investment gains.
A majority of the property owned in the neighborhood
is by people residing out-of-state or elsewhere in the state. Driven by
an insatiable hunger to recover stock market losses and the eagerness of
investors to buy and then immediately resell property has spurned an upward
spiral in prices. "You don't make any money from the bank, CD's, or
the market anymore", has been the slogan for property buyers. Since
most sellers are liquidating their lots at two or three times what they
themselves paid for them, this has led to the resell of some lots multiple
times in one year.
Homeowners have both benefited and suffered with the
quick increase in prices. The last year has brought thousands of dollars
in instant equity to the area but home sales have still remained anemic.
There has been less than 10 resale transactions in the South for 2002 with no
certainty that the homes already listed will be able to sell close to asking
price. The lowest price for a home was $140,000 topping out at $230,000.
As of February 2003, that figure has risen to between $200,000 and $375,000.
Existing homes are now competing with new construction and buyers are showing a
lesser interest in an older home when they can purchase new at a similar price.
The community may have reached the market threshold with the value of its
homes.
Property owners and residents of Hernando Beach South
need not worry. It is still one of the premier communities in Hernando
County for security, boating, and serenity. New construction of homes is
occurring bringing fresh members into the association. Quiet nights and
its location to the Gulf and the Weeki Wachee Preserve will make it a desirable
community into the future. Looking back on history, we have all learned
the ramifications of excessive exuberance. For more information feel free
to contact your neighbor,
Aaron M. Owsianiecki of Hernando Beach Realty.
Attention
The County will present its Comprehensive Plan for Hernando
County in Hernando Beach Thursday March 6 from 5pm to 8pm in the Coast Guard
Building.
Boat Lift Election of Officers is March 17
