Keep Watch

Good morning all. As the year marchs on there are things around our community that are continually changing and there are other things that remain the same. There are several homes that have been finished up and become the homes of new residents. There are several more that are just beginning as Treasure Beach is becoming the "last" affordable canal front community that people are choosing to sink their families roots in. As we watch the changing face of our little community there are several other things we must also watch. As the economy has quite recovered and many people are faced with the lack of employment and the such "vandalism" and petty theft seems to occupy peoples time a little more than before. While we went out one morning to find that one of cars had been gone through and the items found missing were a gas card and several winning scratch off lottery tickets I was informed that our neighbor has also had gas stolen from several vehicles as well as their lawn tractor. So as well as making sure your vehicle is locked it might be a thought to purchase a locking gas cap as the price of gasoline is slowly creeping up making it a costly item to replace.            It is also that time of the year when the temperatures a slowly dropping giving your air conditioner a little deserved break from the summer. It is the time when you might think about getting your air contioner serviced and maintained while getting you heating unit "tuned up" also as the cooler temperatures will soon be upon us. It is also that time of the year when vacant homes might become the target of people looking for a place to "hang out" or what ever as the real estate market has taken a hit in our area as it has in so many others. We have had our share of forclosures as well as homes not selling due to the bubble bursting in that industry. If you should notice a vacant house in your area and notice unusual activety there at unusual hours with no residents in sight possible make the sheriff's department aware as to what you have seen. You are here all the time--They're Not!

Back to the Future

Treasure Beach is back to the Future   In the wake of our global economics I would like to focus homeward bound this month. You might want to save this article for the future or just to make a bright day and share some thoughts with our locals about our future.   This past month we all received our property tax assessment, the news was good and bad. Sure your taxes went down, but so did your home values. Somehow this has been met with most locals getting happy but asking a lot of questions about value. It might not sound like an issue unless you're selling a home, but if you're going to re-mortgage, or apply for an equity loan, its suddenly a stick in the mud for most now. After doing some research and some soul searching too, its a market value that I've seen before. The real estate offices nearby are all doom and gloom on our selling prices. You know, there isn't a day goes by, that someone locally in or around TB doesn't tell me about getting beat'in down by a local real estate agent and told their place is worth far less than they can even imagine. A few residents have told me about applying for an equity loan with the banks saying, worthless property in Treasure Beach. Its almost become a sick and a very short sighted joke with the area. Yes, the market demand for our area has dropped, but what we seem to miss is the future here. Property value is a key issue and yet everyone, real estate agents included are not even talking positive about it. The future of this area is still great ! So, lets look this month at the past and into the future for the area and what's missing from the gloomy picture we are told about that keeps our prices down. First off there is more commercial operations on A1A around us than ever before, with newer and bigger stores than in the past. From the plaza out front of TB we see new businesses like the Palm's Grill doing well enough that his open hours have been extended to include dinners. Now just up the road is the Dollar General in the new plaza, and more new commercial stores are getting open. If you think about our past, this represents growth and should add value to the area. But before you say, hey big deal ! There is another area that runs about the same line and yet we are not looking at it. Treasure Beach and this area sits on an island. Some how we need to understand something before the developer's and low ball buyers figure out we're in a limited area of real estate here. A few years ago, the last largest land track of land for development on Anastasia Island was sold to a developer. In the long term of time, this island has limited property and its disappearing, or filling in if you like. This one and single issue should hit any islander's home if you look towards the future, it means a virtual land shortage. In terms of waterfront we are not only limited in supply but the area itself is an island with more and more developments being built on it, so for the long term of investment TB and its area are sitting quietly today but supply is running out. In the past few island properties can rival the prices and changes of Manhattan Island for an extreme example, but I hope my point is well taken. To say the least supply and demand are both important factors. Now lets put another item on the market here that is also yet to show up, but they say its coming. In a lot of newspapers up North from Toronto to New York, studies are showing that the peak of the famous baby boomer era is drawing closer. If we check the peak, most of the baby boomers are now in their low to mid 50s of age and are getting ready to seek retirement properties, and a nice place in the sun. To date, this item may have stalled due to our global economic changes, but the peak is still years away. If we consider that a large number of them might go into early retirement than we can expect a surge for Florida property in the next 7 to 10 years. If this is not enough for your smile, than think about this next item. This past year national home magazines and travel placed Saint Augustine in the top ten cities to live in !  Wow, did you fall off your chair yet ? One of the many reasons points the national magazines picked Saint Augustine Florida included the boating and fishing activities available to the area residents ! Ok, now you who live in TB can fall off your chair. TB has canals and water access, so this adds national value to each and everyone that lives here. From our humble start as a retirement single wide trailer community, we've grown. Some of the oldest single wide trailers have left and in place we are seeing slab constructed homes. In most developments I cannot even chart this change. Its normal for a few new homes to say pop up in an older area, but Treasure Beach is seeing older low cost homes removed and has for some time. This factor means the overall "worth" of all homes in Treasure Beach should be going up. Most streets still have a few empty lots that for one reason or another have not sold or are just waiting to finance a new home to be built on them, but we are getting close now to zero lots left on each street. This is just another point I want to make this month, but driving around Treasure Beach say ten years ago, and driving around it now, you'd almost faint at the difference. We have been said to be under the radar for waterfront seeking buyers for many years, but we've been under construction for some time now. This year we've seen several new homes built again, and a handful of residents are "planning" for the near future to build slab homes here. Unlike any development around us, Treasure Beach has been going through this change for some time now, and it only adds to the value to each property within. About 7 years ago the development showed a total of 5% slab homes to trailers ratio. Just looking at Ventura Rd in Treasure Beach today, it is now at 50% slab to trailers ratio. Changes that seem to go unnoticed, yet it happened quietly. Several of the street residents report they are planning on building within the next 2 to 3 years. Bottom line ? Next time you are told about value for a loan, or to sell your home, ask them to read this article and " don't let the door " .....on their way out. The future is bright for long term investment no matter what the global economy is doing. Smile, you're in Treasure Beach.   L.A. Panchuk ( Author: The Devils Magnet ) Reporter : Xzone radio Writer: DS news services

Things to Do in St Augustine

A link has been added on the CALENDARS page that brings you to a page listing all the events that are happening in and around Saint Augustine. With our city's birthday celebration going on and the many different activities and venues that are happening this link will help everyone to be aware as to what's happening and when.     http://go.staugustine.com

Sexual Predator Neighborhood Alert

Two sexual predators released (late 2009) from custody now live at 6306 Gomez Rd. in Treasure Beach.

According to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, Charles Edward Foy, 54, was convicted of sexual battery/coerce of a child by an adult in St. Johns County in March, 2001.

He filed for appeal in June of 2002:

Charles Edward Foy vs. State of Florida (.pdf)

He served his sentence and was released from state custody Thursday, September3, 2009.

From the Florida Department of Corrections:
Supervised Population Information Details - Charles Edward Foy

• DC Number: V12340
• Name: FOY, CHARLES EDWARD
• Race: WHITE
• Sex: MALE
• Hair Color: BROWN
• Eye Color: BLUE
• Height: 5'06''
• Weight: 195 lbs.
• Birth Date: 06/25/1955
• Supervision Begin Date: 09/03/2009
• Current Status: ACTIVE
• Supervision Type: SEX OFFENDER PROBATION
• Scheduled Termination Date: 09/02/2019

In accordance with state law, the Sheriff's Office issued a news release to notify the public that Foy currently lives at 6306 Gomez Rd: First Coast News Alert - Charles Edward Foy

Florida Department of Law Enforcement:
Sexual Offender / Predator Flyer - Charles Edward Foy

RONALD LEE MCCUNE

Convicted of Lewd or lascivious exhibition (victim under 16 years old, offender 18 or older) and Sexual Battery By Adult (Victim under 12)

October 24, 2009 Public Police Report

RONALD LEE MCCUNE , 47, was convicted in 2003 of Lewd or lascivious exhibition (victim under 16 years old, offender 18 or older) and Sexual Battery By Adult (Victim under 12) The offense occurred in Marion County, February 2000.

McCune was released from prison on Sept. 4, 2009 and is residing at 6306 Gomez Rd. in Treasure Beach.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement:
Sexual Offender / Predator Flyer -Ronald Lee Mccune

• DC Number: U17165
• Name: MCCUNE, RONALD L
• Race: WHITE
• Sex: MALE
• Hair Color: BROWN
• Eye Color: HAZEL
• Height: 5'10''
• Weight: 248 lbs.
• Birth Date: 07/17/1962
• Release Facility: R.M.C.- MAIN UNIT
• Custody: CLOSE
• Release Date: 09/04/2008
  

Registered Sexual Offenders & Predators in St. Johns County

To see the registered offenders in your area please search the OffenderWatch or FDLE Sexual Predator and Offender database for the most accurate and up to date information.

Florida Statute 943.043 provides for a toll-free number for public information on Sexual Offenders/Sexual Predators. FDLE has established a toll-free number 1-888-FL-PREDATOR
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Website also offers a wealth of information for the community. (1-888-357-7332) that allows the public to request information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week about Sexual Predators and Sex Offenders living in their communities and around the state.

If you have any questions regarding Sexual Offenders and Predators in St. Johns County, please contact Detective Charles Brantley cbrantley@sjso.org or Lynda Mobley lmobley@sjso.org at 904-810-6767.

Sexual Predator Neighborhood Alert

A sexual predator who was just released from custody now lives at 6306 Gomez Rd. in Treasure Beach.

According to the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office, Charles Edward Foy, 54, was convicted of sexual battery/coerce of a child by an adult in St. Johns County in March, 2001.

He filed for appeal in June of 2002 and lost.

Charles Edward Foy vs. State of Florida (.pdf)

He served his sentence and was released from state custody Thursday, September 3, 2009.

From the Florida Department of Corrections:
Supervised Population Information Details - Charles Edward Foy

• DC Number: V12340


• Name: FOY, CHARLES EDWARD


• Race: WHITE


• Sex: MALE


• Hair Color: BROWN


• Eye Color: BLUE


• Height: 5'06''


• Weight: 195 lbs.


• Birth Date: 06/25/1955


• Supervision Begin Date: 09/03/2009


• Current Status: ACTIVE


• Supervision Type: SEX OFFENDER PROBATION


• Scheduled Termination Date: 09/02/2019

Florida Department of Law Enforcement:
Sexual Offender / Predator Flyer - Charles Edward Foy

In accordance with state law, the Sheriff's Office issued a news release to notify the public that Foy currently lives at 6306 Gomez Rd: First Coast News Alert - Charles Edward Foy

Registered Sexual Offenders & Predators in St. Johns County

To see the registered offenders in your area please search the OffenderWatch or FDLE Sexual Predator and Offender database for the most accurate and up to date information.

Florida Statute 943.043 provides for a toll-free number for public information on Sexual Offenders/Sexual Predators. FDLE has established a toll-free number 1-888-FL-PREDATOR
Florida Department of Law Enforcement Website also offers a wealth of information for the community. (1-888-357-7332) that allows the public to request information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week about Sexual Predators and Sex Offenders living in their communities and around the state. The

If you have any questions regarding Sexual Offenders and Predators in St. Johns County, please contact Detective Charles Brantley cbrantley@sjso.org or Lynda Mobley lmobley@sjso.org at
904-810-6767.

IMPORTANT - Notice of Correction
Correction of material published September 2009 under Treasure Beach in First Coast Communities Journal, page 11.

Please accept my apologies for posting inaccurate information last month concerning the following:

Claim: An 1895 graduation examination for public school students demonstrates a shocking decline in education standards.

Status: FALSE

I did receive this 1895 exam originally in an email and neglected to go to www.snopes.com to certify its authenticity. If this is the first time you are hearing about this website, perhaps you too, will be learning something new. Before you forward that next email, you may want to check this source to see if it’s accurate information or a False claim.

Verification of this issue was acquired from
http://www.snopes.com/language/doucment/1895exam.asp?

Website

Good morning all. In an effort to keep everyone on the same page we have upgraded our website a little. We have added PayPal which gives people the asbility to pay their membership dues ONLINE! Either use a PayPal account or any credit card (Visa, Master Charge, Discpver, AE) and follow the directions. It's safe and secure.  It is a feature becoming so prevalent now a days, particularily with rising postal rates, checking costs, and just plain convience. Check out the members info page, As more and more people decide to BUILD here and call Treasure Beach home there is a larger need for people to join the TBPOA. We do incur such expenses as the front entrance beautification, walkway maintence (which is in everyone's deed), electricity for the seasonal lights and the list goes on. We will be updating this feature so as to be able to donate money to specified areas. Check back

The History of Labor Day

The History of Labor Day
(Resource: http://www.dol.gov/opa/aboutdol/laborday.htm

Labor Day: How it Came About; What it Means
Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

Founder of Labor Day
More than 100 years after the first Labor Day observance, there is still some doubt as to who first proposed the holiday for workers.
Some records show that Peter J. McGuire, general secretary of the Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners and a cofounder of the American Federation of Labor, was first in suggesting a day to honor those "who from rude nature have delved and carved all the grandeur we behold."
But Peter McGuire's place in Labor Day history has not gone unchallenged. Many believe that Matthew Maguire, a machinist, not Peter McGuire, founded the holiday. Recent research seems to support the contention that Matthew Maguire, later the secretary of Local 344 of the International Association of Machinists in Paterson, N.J., proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. What is clear is that the Central Labor Union adopted a Labor Day proposal and appointed a committee to plan a demonstration and picnic.


The First Labor Day
The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on Tuesday, September 5, 1882, in New York City, in accordance with the plans of the Central Labor Union. The Central Labor Union held its second Labor Day holiday just a year later, on September 5, 1883.
In 1884 the first Monday in September was selected as the holiday, as originally proposed, and the Central Labor Union urged similar organizations in other cities to follow the example of New York and celebrate a "workingmen's holiday" on that date. The idea spread with the growth of labor organizations, and in 1885 Labor Day was celebrated in many industrial centers of the country.


A Nationwide Holiday
The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. The character of the Labor Day celebration has undergone a change in recent years, especially in large industrial centers where mass displays and huge parades have proved a problem. This change, however, is more a shift in emphasis and medium of expression. Labor Day addresses by leading union officials, industrialists, educators, clerics and government officials are given wide coverage in newspapers, radio, and television.


The vital force of labor added materially to the highest standard of living and the greatest production the world has ever known and has brought us closer to the realization of our traditional ideals of economic and political democracy. It is appropriate, therefore, that the nation pays tribute on Labor Day to the creator of so much of the nation's strength, freedom, and leadership — the American worker.