Willowlake
Community Newsletter www.willowlake.siteblast.com
May 2008
Volume 4, Issue 5
The Official Publication of the Willowlake Homeowners Association
COMMUNITY WEBSITE
Due in part to the services (or lack thereof) we’ve been receiving as of late with our mail delivery, we are looking to make greater and more frequent use of our Willowlake website (www.willowlake.siteblast.com) for relevant info and other up-to-date news related to our community. If you don’t already have Internet access at your home, please consider using the free Internet services at your local library. Please also note that access to the monthly Willowlake Newsletter (current issue as well as issues dating back to a year ago) is also available from our website via a link to Peel, Inc. (www.peelinc.com) which is our publisher for the no cost newsletter. If you’re still receiving late mail, please contact the Postal Superintendent (Willow Place Post Office) at (281) 890-2392 and voice your complaints.
WillowLake Luau
Come join the fun!
Kick off the Summer with us at the “Willowlake Luau” at the pool, Sunday, May 18th from 1 to 4 p.m. Bring your bathing suits and come for fun and games. There will be snow cones, popcorn and tropical treats! Don’t forget your sunscreen and towels! For questions call 281-798-6729 or email Kim Thompson at
[email protected]
First Splash of Summer
Party & Fun at the pool Friday, May 30th. Let’s celebrate the kids getting out of School for the Summer! Bring a sack lunch and a towel and let’s enjoy the first “Splash of Summer” from 12:30 to 3:30 at the Willowlake neighborhood pool. Everyone is invited! Mark your calendars today!
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POOL REGISTRATION INFORMATION The pool will be open daily May 2 thru September 20, 2008; Mondays 5pm- 8pm and Tuesday - Sunday 8am - 8pm. POOL WILL BE OPEN WITH NO GUARDS, SWIM AT YOUR OWN RISK. Registration forms have been mailed - please complete and return as soon as possible to receive your key card! · You must sign the registration form acknowledging your receipt and understanding of the pool rules! · Each family will be issued one (1) card. Additional cards can be obtained at a cost of $5.00. · Replacement cards can be purchased at a cost of $5.00. · KEEP THE CARD FOR FUTURE SWIM SEASONS!!! · You must be a member of the Association. Members may invite up to six (6) guests per family · You must be current on all Maintenance Fees in order to receive and/or activate the entry card · Forms not received before June 1, 2008 will incur a processing charge of $10.00 per household · The pool card will be mailed upon receipt of your application plus the processing fee if the application is received on or after June 1, 2008 PLEASE NOTE: Any unauthorized use of the pool by nonresidents, residents not in good standing, unregistered residents or individuals not strictly adhering to pool rules and/or policy may result in loss of privileges of the pool as well as possible fines and other penalties. Pool closes at 8:00 pm. Any unauthorized usage after 8:00 pm could be considered trespassing resulting in loss of pool privileges, fines or criminal charges. POOL HOURS SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Willowlake Community Newsletter - May 2008
Willowlake Important Numbers
All Emergencies................................................................... 911 Aquatic Management............................................281-446-5003 Cypress-Fairbanks Hospital..................................281-897-3300 Harris County Sheriff............................................713-221-6000 Department of Public Safety.................................713-681-6187 Fire Department (non-emergency)........................713-466-6161 Center Point Energy- Power Outages Only...........713-207-7777 ENTEX Gas..........................................................713-659-2111 Harris County Animal Control..............................281-999-3191 Memorial City Hospital........................................713-932-3000 MUD #11..............................................................281-807-9500 Poison Control Center...........................................800-222-1222 Post Office Central................................................800-275-8777 Newsletter Publisher Peel, Inc.................................................................888-687-6444 Sales
[email protected], 888-687-6444
Your SCS Management Team............ 281-463-1777 Association Manager Terrie
[email protected], ext. 7121 Service Manager Alicia
[email protected], ext. 7134 Deed Restriction Coordinator Laurie
[email protected],ext. 7110 Accounting Representative Mayra Jarquin......................
[email protected], ext. 7130 For information on your homeowner’s assessments, deed restriction violations or questions in general please contact: SCS Management Services 7170 Cherry Park Drive ; Houston, Texas 77095 281-463-1777 • www.scsmgmt.com
Committees 2007 Architectural Control Committee Mark Lackey....................................................281-970-4671 Social Events Kim Thompson......................
[email protected] Newsletter - SCS Terrie Brown...................................281-463-1777, ext. 7121 Yard of the Month Scott and Rita McKenzie...........
[email protected] Security Chairman Fred Flores.............................................................................. Block Captains OPEN ..................................................................................... Mom's Group OPEN ..................................................................................... Gazebo Rental - SCS SCS Management..............................................281-463-1777 Pool Chairman . ............................................................................................. Park Chairman ...............................................................................................
Willowlake Community Newsletter - May 2008
Board of Directors Board's E-mail..............................
[email protected] President Bob Ngao.........................................................281-249-2431 Vice President Debi Bon.........................................
[email protected] Secretary Monica Ward...................................................281-890-4804 Treasurer John
[email protected] Director Annette Rathgeber.................................................................
Advertising Information Please support the businesses that advertise in the Willowlake Community Newsletter. Their advertising dollars make it possible for all Willowlake residents to receive the monthly newsletter at no charge. No homeowners association funds are used to produce or mail the newsletters. If you would like to support the Willowlake Community Newsletter by advertising, please contact our Sales Office at 888-687-6444 or advertising@PEELinc. com. The advertising deadline is the 10th of each month for the following month's newsletter.
41 USA
You should receive your newsletter no later than the 15th of the month. If you have received this after the 15th please call the Willow Place Post Office. 281-890-2392
KELLY PEEL
512-989-8905, Ext. 22
[email protected]
Sales Manager
Peel, Inc. www.PEELinc.com
203 West Main Street, Suite D Pflugerville, Texas 78660
PH. 512-989-8905 Fax 512-989-8946
Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
Willowlake IMPORTANT - 2008 Swim Season Information
As some of you may be aware, plans are in place for Willowlake to go from having a lifeguard-supervised pool to one in which no lifeguards are present. The Willowlake HOA Board of Directors, believed this to be the best option based on the following reasons: The first, obviously, is cost. In the past twelve years, we have had to increase our community fees from $400 in 1996 to the present amount of $600 in 2008 simply because the cost for various services have increased and continue to do so. Budgets are developed each year with the main portion of our fees going towards electricity for our common areas, street lights, lawn service for our parks and other common areas, trash pick-up, security patrol as well as our pool maintenance & lifeguard services. In order to cut costs we believe to be justifiable & reasonable, we looked closely at going to a non-life guarded pool. Yes, we will incur fees associated with the initial setup of the electronic system, additional signs etc but that cost will be off set with the ongoing lower cost of pool management. Second, from direct information we’ve received from our own residents, the lifeguard services we’ve received have been less than desirable. For instance, the personnel on duty would not take the necessary effort to verify if the person coming in was legitimately a resident of Willowlake. In some cases, the lifeguard has been distracted in other ways such as DVD’s, music and engaging in conversations with friends. Regardless of our attempts to remedy the situation our complaints have not materialized into proper recourse action. Going to yet another pool management company, in our opinion, would not remedy our basic needs. Third, our obligation as an HOA is not to provide “free babysitting” services thru open pool hours. In other words, currently, if a parent wanted to drop their kids off at the pool (12 and over), that opportunity has been available. However, in addition to older children being dropped off, some families have felt comfortable allowing their grade school Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
children to attend the pool unsupervised by them simply because of the presence of the lifeguards. Knowing how hectic our lives are these days, the temptation is certainly there to do so. Our fourth reason for going to the new option is to allow the pool to be opened longer during the year. Currently, we open the swim season during the Memorial Day weekend and close it approximately the weekend after Labor Day. With our Houston climate, we are certainly capable of having the swim season extended for a longer period during the summer as well as significantly extend the hours each day that the pool will be open, and therefore make more use of our amenities. While we wholeheartedly believe that the life of a person (namely a child) is precious, not to mention priceless, we do not believe that going from having lifeguards present to that of having none will greatly endanger our young ones. We are requiring that children 12 and under be supervised by an adult over 18 at all times. As mandated by Harris County code, an outdoor phone will be provided for both emergency & non-emergency purposes. We ask that you please call 911 for immediate needs and 713-221-6000 for the Sheriff’s Department to report suspicious activities. Additionally, the gate to the pool will be electronically locked during non-pool hours. Even though a gated, but non-life guarded swimming pool could potentially be a danger zone for children, you should also recognize that our community’s lake presents similar hazards, if not more so, but we’ve not had an incident in the twelve years that I can immediately recall. Similarly, many apartment complexes and hotel chains do not have lifeguard supervision at their pools. Please note that we are still covered by the same insurance carrier for liability issues for our association and have not decreased our limits. Again, we hope you recognize that we are doing what we believe to be in the best interest of our community. We look forward to a wonderful swim season in 2008! The Willowlake Board of Directors
Don't want to wait for the mail? View the current issue of the Willowlake Area Neighborhood Newsletter on the 1st day of each month at www.PEELinc.com
DISCLAIMER: Articles and ads in this newsletter express the opinions of their authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Peel, Inc. or its employees. Peel, Inc. is not responsible for the accuracy of any facts stated in articles submitted by others. The publisher also assumes no responsibility for the advertising content with this publication. All warranties and representations made in the advertising content are solely that of the advertiser and any such claims regarding its content should be taken up with the advertiser. * The publisher assumes no liability with regard to its advertisers for misprints or failure to place advertising in this publication except for the actual cost of such advertising. * Although every effort is taken to avoid mistakes and/or misprints, the publisher assumes no responsibility for any errors of information or typographical mistakes, except as limited to the cost of advertising as stated above or in the case of misinformation, a printed retraction/ correction. * Under no circumstances shall the publisher be held liable for incidental or consequential damages, inconvenience, loss of business or services, or any other liabilities from failure to publish, or from failure to publish in a timely manner, except as limited to liabilities stated above.
Willowlake Community Newsletter - May 2008
Willowlake ASSESSMENT COLLECTION SCHEDULE:
Original Statement Mailed November Assessments Due January Late Penalty Charged February** Notice of Delinquency March** Notice of Liens Filed May** Attorney Demand Letters July** Suits Filed September** **Incur charges 2008 Assessments are due, late penalties will be added after the 1st of February! To avoid continued collection fees make your payments as soon as possible. *****To set up an installment plan please call SCS Management at 281-463-1777.
Classified Ads
Personal classifieds (one time sell items, such as a used bike...) run at no charge to Willowlake residents, limit 30 words, please e-mail
[email protected] Business classifieds (offering a service or product line for profit) are $50, limit 40 words, please contact Peel, Inc. Sales at 888687-6444 or
[email protected].
The Foot Wellness Center
YMCA Swim Safety Presentation Saturday, May 31, 2008 – 6:30 PM Willowlake Pool
The hot Texas summer is quickly approaching and everyone will want to cool off in the water. If you have a pool in your backyard or plan on taking advantage of the Willowlake pool, you will not want to miss this “Water Wise” presentation. The Clay road family YMCA will be here May 31st at 6:30PM to help educate parents and children about playing it safe in and around water. Please join us at the pool for safety awareness, family fun activities, social time and refreshments!!
DON’T FORGET!
If you are planning any home improvements, addition or exterior change, please contact SCS for an Architectural Review application. Upon receipt of your form, the association will respond as quickly as possible. Compliance with our community guidelines is greatly appreciated. To obtain an application, call 281-463-1777 or go to our website at scsmgmt.com To Report those breaking the law by putting trash, grass clippings and other materials down the sewer drains call 713-290-3000. REMINDER: Trash cans should not be put out any earlier than the night before the pick up day.
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Willowlake Community Newsletter - May 2008
For streetlight outage:
http:\\www.centerpointenergy.com-outage
Trash Recycling
Recycling is a service offered to the community at no charge by Royal Disposal. Pick up days are the first and Third Fridays of each month. If for any reason your recycling is missed please just put it back until the next recycling day. Royal Disposal makes every effort to pick up the recycling but may at times, due to cost constraints, miss a pick up day. Thank you for your cooperation and patience in this matter! Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
Willowlake HARRIS COUNTY RULES TO CONTROL RABIES (THE LEASH LAW)
The Harris County Rules to Control Rabies were designed to protect the health and welfare of Harris County residents. These regulations were adopted by Harris County Commissioner’s Court and are enforced by the Harris County Public Health And Environmental Services, Veterinary Public Health Division. This law requires the current rabies vaccination of all dogs and cats four months of age and older. Currently Vaccinated means Vaccinated within the last twelve months, or; Vaccinated within the last 36 months provided that the animal was vaccinated twice within 12 months and the last vaccination was with a licensed 3-year vaccine. The leash law requires that all dogs and cats be physically restrained at all times, without access to sidewalks or streets. The owner may also be issued citations for violations of the leash law. Violators of any provision of this order are guilty of a Class C misdemeanor, punishable in a Justice of the Peace Court. If you have any questions concerning these regulations or would like to report violations please call HCPHES Veterinary Public Health at 281-999-3191. Please be a good neighbor and a responsible pet owner - keep your pet confined in your yard. If you have lost your pet, please contact HCPHES at 281-999-3191. Perhaps Animal Control has picked up your pet during one of their routine visits?
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Willowlake Community Newsletter - May 2008
We Challenge What You Pay For Electricity! Willowlake If SparkPowerBank isn’t your current electricity provider…chances are you're paying too much!
www.sparkpowerbank.com I’m Texas Energy Analyst Alan Lammey. Maybe you’ve heard me on the radio talking about the market forces that drive energy prices. I’m here to tell you that you’re not stuck paying those high prices to big electric companies anymore! Stop it. Some electric companies talk about “Simple” rate plans – that just means it costs you more! Others brag that they’ll “Send you a Rebate” – that just means you’re already paying too much!!
Come to the Power Bank – www.SparkPowerBank.com Why pay more than you have to? Those days are over! Why would you want to go with an electric provider that charges you more, when you can go to www.sparkpowerbank.com and pay far less for the same electricity?
Make sense?
www.sparkpowerbank.com
SIGN-UP TODAY Right Online!
Please choose "Newsletter Ad" as your referral on the SparkPowerBank.com website.
Willowlake Community Newsletter - May 2008
Copyright © 2008 Peel, Inc.
Willowlake Looking for new or lost pets? Check out: www.countypets.com Harris County Rabies/Animal Control 612 Canino Road Houston, Texas 77076 281-999-3191 281-847-1911 (fax)
Baseball Field Usage
Baseball fields are for the use of the Willowlake Residents only. If you would like to reserve the field please contact Alicia Newby at 281-463-1777 ext 7134 for reservations. A confirmation form will be mailed to you with the date and time of your field usage.
Please support the businesses that advertise in your newsletter. Their advertising dollars make it possible to provide your newsletter to all the residents in your subdivision at no charge. No homeowners association dollars were used to produce this newsletter.
Willowlake HOA Residential Waste Service Royal Disposal & Recycle Office: 713-526-1536 Fax: 281-346-2961 Route Collection Times: Tuesday and Friday 7:00am - 7:00pm Harris County Household Hazardous Waste Information 713-290-3000 or www.cleanwaterclearchoice.org
Gazebo Rental
Rental and use of the gazebo is for residents only. To schedule use of the gazebo, please contact Liz Pettit at 281-463-1777 ext 7134. A deposit of $250 is required. Deposit refund is issued only after inspection of the gazebo reveals no damage to the premises.
At no time will any source be allowed to use the Willowlake contents, or loan said contents, to others in anyway, shape or form, nor in any media, website, print, film, e-mail, electrostatic copy, fax, or etc. for the purpose of solicitation, commercial use, or any use for profit, political campaigns, or other self amplification, under penalty of law without written or expressed permission from the Willowlake Homeowners Association and Peel, Inc. The information in the Willowlake Community Newsletter is exclusively for the private use of Willowlake residents only.
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Willowlake Community Newsletter - May 2008
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Willowlake Community Newsletter - May 2008
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