January 2012 Newsletter

The board of directors of TBPOA hopes everyone had a very Merry Christmas and will have a safe and Happy New Year!!!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR 2012

Next meeting date: January 10, 2012 7:30 Beacher’s Lodge

Look for the signs, just in case there is a date change!

The Board has decided to only hold quarterly meetings next year. The first one will be on January 10th, the other dates will be included in our next newsletter. Each quarterly meeting will be a “pot luck”.

At the November meeting new board members were elected and are as follows:

President: Paula Murphy
1st Vice President: Irwin Hall (Doc Hall) Doc is an attorney and Contractor.
2nd Vice President: Sharon McIlhenney
Recording Secretary: Rich Grubb
Treasurer: Charlie Novak


VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DINNER

Wow! What a success! The dinner was held in the party room at Applebee’s and we still didn’t have enough room!

When the board saw all of our volunteers in one room it was overwhelming! TBPOA cannot survive without our volunteers! Being a volunteer isn’t hard…just decide what skill or talent you have to offer and let us know what you would like to do.

One thing I have noticed is that a lot of people don’t know that you are not supposed to put your trash out until Sunday after 6:00 p.m. If your neighbor is putting their trash out early, please kindly mention to them that it should not go out until Sunday night. This reduces the time animals have to get into the trash and spread it all over.

TBPOA CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!

This year’s Christmas Party was held at the home of Joe and Betty Fell. (It hasn’t happened yet….so I can’t tell you what a great time we had!) Joe and Betty are long time residents of Treasure Beach and were very instrumental in making TB the community that it is today!

CANAL COMMITTEE

The canal committee will be meeting in early January to discuss solutions to the extremely low water levels in some of our canals. If you or someone you know has experience in this area or has a company that dredges canals, please let me know as soon as possible.

ANNUAL DUES LETTER

As many of you know, the annual dues letter has been mailed. If you are a property owner and have any questions regarding TB, please don’t hesitate to contact me at 904-461-4356.

And……if you own property for sale in TB and you live out of town…..please call me if you would like to know the names and phone numbers of mowing companies that can keep your property looking nice while you are trying to sell it.

Thanks to all of you in TB who have been very supportive through the years.

From the board……HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!


Paula, Doc, Sharon, Rich and Charlie

December 2011 Newsletter

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER

TBPOA CHRISTMAS PARTY – 12/10/2011 – 6:00 PM – Beacher’s Lodge

January Community Meeting: 01/10/2012 – 7:30 – Beacher’s Lodge

Thanksgiving is on the way and will be over by the time you receive this letter. I hope everyone had a happy day with family and/or friends. Thanksgiving and Christmas are good times of the year to remember people less fortunate than ourselves. There are many organizations that need money and donations at this time of the year. Please think about supporting one of them with your donation.

Also…don’t forget that some of our neighbors in Treasure Beach are on social security or disability and may need some help.

CHRISTMAS PARTY DETAILS!!!!!!! CALL GISELA – 471-9496

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Don’t forget to purchase your party tickets from Gisela Prange for $5.00 each (such a deal!). Gisela needs to know who is coming so she knows how much food to order. This year our food will be catered by Woody’s Barbecue. No need for anyone to supply any food…..just your favorite beverage. All plates, cups, utensils, etc. will be provided. Coffee and soft drinks will also be provided.

We will have our usual gift exchange except this year YOU WON’T HAVE TO LET ANYONE TRADE WITH YOU!!! IF YOU PICK IT…IT’S YOURS! (Unless, of course, you don’t like it and someone wants to trade with you!) Please keep the gift cost under $10.00.

There will be music, singing, laughing and maybe dancing….

This Christmas Party is for renters and owners!!!!! Come one, come all!!!!


WALKWAY NEWS

Still pending……………………hoping to be settled by December 1st, 2011!

TBPOA IN 2012

The board has voted to make some necessary changes in the number of community meetings held and the number of board meetings held. These changes have (by now) been discussed at the November 15th community meeting. Details to follow.

ANNUAL DUES LETTER

Look for the dues letter within the next 30 days!

THE PRESIDENT’S RANT

I cannot believe it is near the end of 2011!!! Why does the time fly when you reach the “golden years”? When I was still working I can remember thinking……when will this day end???? Now that I am retired, I find myself thinking….how can it be 6:00 p.m. already? What did I get accomplished today? Is that normal?

I have to admit…I do like retirement better. As you all know by now, the November community meeting had to be changed from 11/8/11 to 11/15/11. That was because Ron and I scheduled our 10th wedding anniversary cruise! (OK…..I scheduled it and invited him to come along! LOL) It was kind of a last minute thing on Cruises.com. This year we splurged and went on the new Royal Caribbean’s ship The Allure. In my next newsletter I’ll give you some highlights of the ship. So far I only know that the ship holds 6300 people, has 6 different “neighborhoods”, and you have to reserve your show times on line when you book the cruise (or you may not get to see a show!) I wanted a room with a balcony…until I saw the cost…..so we settled for an interior room. But, our room overlooks “Central Park” so Ron thinks we will have a good time watching people being mugged and the police chasing down crooks.

Respectfully submitted,

The Board of TBPOA
Paula Murphy, Sharon McIlhenney, Rich Grubb, Barbara Warman and Doug Berndt

The 3 men who pulled down Wall Street

Be sure to read the "where they are now" at the end !! Here's a quick look into the three former Fannie Mae executives who brought down Wall Street. Franklin Raines was a Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at Fannie Mae. Raines was forced to retire from his position with Fannie Mae when auditing discovered severe irregularities in Fannie Mae's accounting activities. At the time of his departure The Wall Street Journal noted, " Raines, who long defended the company's accounting despite mounting evidence that it wasn't proper, issued a statement late Tuesday conceding that "mistakes were made" and saying he would assume responsibility as he had earlier promised. News reports indicate the company was under growing pressure from regulators to shake up its management in the wake of findings that the company's books ran afoul of generally accepted accounting principles for four years." Fannie Mae had to reduce its surplus by $9 billion. Raines left with a "golden parachute valued at $240 Million in benefits. The Government filed suit against Raines when the depth of the accounting scandal became clear. http://housingdoom.com/2006/12/18/fannie-charges/ . The Government noted, "The 101 charges reveal how the individuals improperly manipulated earnings to maximize their bonuses, while knowingly neglecting accounting systems and internal controls, misapplying over twenty accounting principles and misleading the regulator and the public. The Notice explains how they submitted six years of misleading and inaccurate accounting statements and inaccurate capital reports that enabled them to grow Fannie Mae in an unsafe and unsound manner."  These charges were made in 2006. The Court ordered Raines to return $50 Million Dollars he received in bonuses based on the miss-stated Fannie Mae profits. Net windfall . . . $190 million! Tim Howard - Was the Chief Financial Officer of Fannie Mae. Howard "was a strong internal proponent of using accounting strategies that would ensure a "stable pattern of earnings" at Fannie. In everyday English - he was cooking the books. The Government Investigation determined that, "Chief Financial Officer, Tim Howard, failed to provide adequate oversight to key control and reporting functions within Fannie Mae," On June 16, 2006, Rep. Richard Baker, R-La., asked the Justice Department to investigate his allegations that two former Fannie Mae executives lied to Congress in October 2004 when they denied manipulating the mortgage-finance giant's income statement to achieve management pay bonuses. Investigations by federal regulators and the company's board of directors since concluded that management did manipulate 1998 earnings to trigger bonuses. Raines and Howard resigned under pressure in late 2004. Howard's Golden Parachute was estimated at $20 Million! Jim Johnson - A former executive at Lehman Brothers and who was later forced from his position as Fannie Mae CEO. A look at the Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight's May 2006 report on mismanagement and corruption inside Fannie Mae, and you'll see some interesting things about Johnson. Investigators found that Fannie Mae had hidden a substantial amount of Johnson's 1998 compensation from the public, reporting that it was between $6 million and $7 million when it fact it was $21 million." Johnson is currently under investigation for taking illegal loans from Countrywide while serving as CEO of Fannie Mae. Johnson's Golden Parachute was estimated at $28 Million. WHERE ARE THEY NOW? FRANKLIN RAINES?  Raines works for the Obama Campaign as his Chief Economic Advisor. TIM HOWARD? Howard is a Chief Economic Advisor to Obama under Franklin Raines. JIM JOHNSON? Johnson was hired as a Senior Obama Finance Advisor and was selected to run Obama's Vice Presidential Search Committee. IF OBAMA PLANS ON CLEANING UP THE MESS - HIS ADVISORS CERTAINLY HAVE THE EXPERTISE - THEY MADE THE MESS IN THE FIRST PLACE. Would you trust the men who tore Wall Street down to build the New Wall Street back up? I don't think so ! ! !

September 2011 Newsletter

MEETING REMINDERS
September 13,2011 - 6:30 P. M. Beacher’s Lodge

Remember, this meeting is a “pitch-in” or “pot-luck” – whatever you’re used to calling it!
Bring a dish to share and your own table servings. Treasure Beach will furnish plates, napkins and drinks. Pot luck meals are always a great time and a good way to see friends you haven’t seen all summer and to make new friends.

If you have thinking about attending one of our community meetings, this is the way to start! These meetings are open to owners AND renters.

GUEST SPEAKER(S)

I have invited Karen Bruner and/or James Acosta to this meeting to bring us to up date on code enforcement. I hope one or both of them can attend. I’m just waiting for a confirmation. Put your thinking caps on and come up with some good questions.

October 11,2011- 7:30 P. M. Beacher’s Lodge

As I mentioned in my last newsletter…..this is a VERY important meeting. October is the month we nominate board members for the following year. If you are a Treasure Beach property owner, think about how you, and/or one of your neighbors, may be able to help our community by being a board member. We have current members that have served on the board for quite a long time and are ready to hand over the reins!

Being on the board is not a difficult job….no special degrees required! (Well, a degree is patience may be needed!)

First – Our Bylaws

The purpose of the TBPOA bylaws is to promote the general interests of property owners and other residents in Treasure Beach in cooperation with the proper officials in St. Johns County, property owners and residents to the end that the Treasure Beach Community shall be a desirable place for better living.

President

The president shall be the chief executive officer of the Association. He/she shall have all of the power and duties usually vested in the office of President of an association, including, but not limited to, the power to appoint committees from among the members from time to time to assist in the conduct of the affairs of the Association.

1st Vice-President

In the absence or disability of the President, the 1st Vice President shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of the President. He/she shall also assist and perform such other duties as shall be prescribed by the Executive Board. He/she shall also be Chairman of Membership and appoint his/her committee.

2nd Vice-President

In the absence or disability of the President, and the 1st Vice President, the 2nd Vice President shall exercise the powers and perform the duties of the President. He/she shall also assist and perform such other duties as shall be prescribed by the Executive Board. He/she shall be Chairman of the Entertainment and Fund Raising and appoint his/her committee.

Recording Secretary

The Recording Secretary shall keep the minutes of all proceedings of the meetings of members of the Executive Board.

Treasurer

He/She shall have custody of all property of the Association, including funds, securities and evidences of indebtedness. He/she shall keep the books of the Association in accordance with good accounting practices and shall perform all other duties as prescribed by the Executive Board or President.

Rules and Regulations

Inasmuch as each resident of Treasure Beach Community is affected in his daily living, and the value of all property is reflected by the attitude and actions of his neighbors, the following are set forth as rules and/or policies for a quality home development and the enforcement of such shall be promoted by the development and the enforcement of such shall be promoted by the Association.

The rules, regulations and By Laws, together with restrictions set forth in St. Johns County Ordinances, regulations and by laws; such shall include but not be limited to Zoning Ordinances, Code Enforcement, Building Regulations, Health Regulations, County Noise laws and County Animal Leash laws.

WHO TURNED THE LIGHTS ON????

Hopefully you all have noticed the new spot lights at our front entrance walls. The lights seem to light up the walls nicely and make it easier for people to see the entrance to our community (and….miss the wall when they are turning in!).

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT??????

I’m sorry…..I couldn’t help myself. Ever since I saw the movie “Men in Black” I laugh at that song.

But…on a serious note….please always be prepared to pick up your dog’s waste. (Of course I mean #2, not #1.) Even in front of a vacant lot or along the east side of Costenaro. That’s a great way to put those Publix and Winn Dixie grocery bags to good use. Here are 2 tricks I learned: 1. Always “double bag”. There always seems to be a small hole in the bag by the time I get it home. Invariably, that’s where my finger goes through. UGH! If you double bag you cut your chance of getting #2 on your finger!
2. Pick up the doo-doo, then pull the bags over your hand so they can be tied. Viola….no doo-doo on the ground and none on your hand!

WORD OF WARNING ABOUT PETS

Some residents have to use deadly chemicals to get rid of “canal rats”. (Are they different than regular rats?) If a domestic dog or cat gets into some of that poison, it can be fatal.

VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION DINNER

We will be planning another Volunteer Appreciation dinner for October. The actual place has not yet been decided by the board. Last year’s dinner was held at Stephen’s Fine Foods and it was great food and great company! (It’s worth volunteering for something just to get the dinner!)

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. We could not survive without our awesome volunteers!

WALKWAY NEWS
You will see (or may have already seen) repair work being done on the walkway to the beach. Please be extra careful during these times to prevent injury.

To give you a “heads up”. There will be a new sign posted that will advise everyone: THIS WALKWAY IS FOR THE USE OF TREASURE BEACH AND SEYCHELLES RESIDENTS ONLY

NO SKATES OR SKATEBOARDING, NO ROLLER BLADES, NO BICYCLE RIDING. (Walking your bike to and from the beach is fine.)

I know it sounds like TBPOA and SCA are trying to take the fun out of everything. Not true! We are, however, trying to prevent any injuries occurring while using the walkway for access to the beach.

I hope everyone is surviving this terrible heat. If a resident is having air conditioning problems, please let a board member know. We may be able to offer some help.

Sincerely,

TREASURE BEACH PROPERTY OWNERS ASSN.
www.treasurebeachflorida.com


Paula Murphy (paula@tbpoa.com), Sharon McIlhenney, Richard Grubb, Barbara Warman and Doug Berndt

July 4th

Hello Everyone, The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office would like to wish you a safe and happy Fourth of July. We would like to remind everyone we are still under an Emergency Fireworks and Burn Ban. Division of Forestry has worked over 3600 wildfires in the state since January 73 have been in St Johns County since June. Under the burn ban you can not: ¨ Use or discharge fireworks, sparklers, trick noise makers or any other items listed in FS791.01 (4) (c). ¨ Use explosives or any other combustible compounds or Flares. ¨ Use any other outdoor burning devices or Campfires. ¨ Any other outdoor burning (lawn, debris, trash etc). Exempt from the Burn Ban are campfires in a metal fire ring located in a state park or licensed campground and the use of barbeque grill, hibachi or other similar devices specifically intended for cooking. Like all major holidays the Sheriff's Office always has a vast increase in calls and will have extra patrols on the road. We are asking for assistance with voluntary compliance but wish to remind everyone this is a criminal offense that could result in an arrest. Corporal Diana Bryant St Johns County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention __._,_.___   __,_._,___

July 4th

Hello Everyone, The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office would like to wish you a safe and happy Fourth of July. We would like to remind everyone we are still under an Emergency Fireworks and Burn Ban. Division of Forestry has worked over 3600 wildfires in the state since January 73 have been in St Johns County since June. Under the burn ban you can not: ¨ Use or discharge fireworks, sparklers, trick noise makers or any other items listed in FS791.01 (4) (c). ¨ Use explosives or any other combustible compounds or Flares. ¨ Use any other outdoor burning devices or Campfires. ¨ Any other outdoor burning (lawn, debris, trash etc). Exempt from the Burn Ban are campfires in a metal fire ring located in a state park or licensed campground and the use of barbeque grill, hibachi or other similar devices specifically intended for cooking. Like all major holidays the Sheriff's Office always has a vast increase in calls and will have extra patrols on the road. We are asking for assistance with voluntary compliance but wish to remind everyone this is a criminal offense that could result in an arrest. Corporal Diana Bryant St Johns County Sheriff's Office Crime Prevention __._,_.___   __,_._,___

Help locate missing 16 year-old boy

The St. Augustine Police Department is asking local residents for help in locating a 16 year old missing runway from 12 Nesbit Avenue in St. Augustine.



The juvenile, Robert Christopher Clark, walked away from his home and has had very little contact with his mother since leaving.

It is believed that Clark is still in the St. Augustine area, his last known whereabouts was at Whispering Pines apartments, Building 200, Apartment #4.

If anyone has seen or knows the whereabouts of this juvenile, please contact your local law enforcement agency.

St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Impliments On-line Reporting for Low-Level Crimes

http://www.sjso.org/

Direct link to Sheriff's Office crime reporting page:  http://sjso.org/reporting.aspx

Press Release:  http://www.sjso.org/media/On%20Line%20Reporting.pdf

In an effort to both be convenient for our citizens and to help reduce costs to the Sheriff’s Office, St. Johns County Sheriff David Shoar announced the implementation of “Online Reporting” for select incidents. “The challenge of this endeavor,” Shoar said, “is to maximize efficiencies and effectiveness, and at the same time, not sacrifice public safety or the quality of life our community deserves.”

Sheriff Shoar directed his management team to discover options that will allow for more discretionary patrol time and to give additional flexibility in how deputies are deployed. One of those options was Online Reporting, which allows citizens to file and receive a copy of a report without leaving their home. The types of reports that can be generated online are limited to low level crimes where no evidence or suspect information exists, thus saving thousands of tax dollars each year.

At the present time you will be able to file online reports for lost property, vandalism, thefts of not more than $300, identity theft, vehicle burglaries and harassing phone calls. With over 3,100 reports of these types of calls over the past year we could anticipate a significant savings if some of these cases were reported online, according to Shoar. It is important to note that all online reports will be reviewed and approved by a law enforcement supervisor.

Sheriff Shoar stressed that online reporting is simply an option our citizens may utilize to assist them in  documenting a crime and is NOT mandatory. He added, “As always our deputies will continue to respond and meet with any citizen for any reason when they are requested.”

If you would like to learn more about online reporting, please visit the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office website at www.sjso.org, and click on the logo for online reporting.

Another burn ban has been enacted in St. Johns County

As of 6-1-2011

To read the press release: 
http://www.sjso.org/media/emergency%20order.pdf


It's a second degree misdemeanor for violations.

February 2011 Newsletter

WOW! I can’t believe how the time is flying. 2011 already! When I was much younger, I thought by this time we’d all be getting back and forth to work like the Jestsons did!! (I hope most of you remember watching the Jetsons’ cartoons.) Think about it…..a lot of space programs we watched as children are a reality today!

A new year is the time to think about ways to enrich our lives. Think of ways you can reduce your stress.

• Turn off the television
• Take time to read. Whether you’re reading for pleasure or to learn something, it’s a peaceful time. (I highly recommend the Bible. It has everything; love, sex, murder, adultery, war and redemption.)
• Be thankful for what you have. It can always get worse.
• If you have children, spend more quality time with them. They grow too fast.
• If you’re fortunate enough to still have your parents, spend more time with them. They can be a wealth of information.
• “Stay in your own lane.” (Quoted by Paula Dean). What does that mean? Not every problem has to become your problem. Learn which ones should involve you and which ones should not. I’m sure we all thought life would get easier as we floated into retirement age. I know I did. Well, I’m learning to become a better driver and “stay in my own lane”.

COMMUNITY MEETINGS

Mark your calendars now! We will not be holding monthly meetings in 2011.

TBPOA Event Calendar

• March 8, 2011 - 7:30 p.m.
• June 14, 2011 - 7:30 p.m.
• September 13, 2011 – 6:30 p.m.
  – Covered Dish Meeting and Nomination of Board Members for 2012.
• November 8 – 7:30 p.m.
  – Vote for Board Members for 2012
• Volunteers Appreciation Dinner - TBA
• December, 2011 – Christmas Party - TBA (Gisela already has the meat dish picked out!!)

IMPORTANT NUMBERS TO KEEP HANDY

Non-emergency Sheriff’s Dept. 904-824-8304

Non-emergency Fire Dept. 904-829-2226

Florida Highway Patrol 904-825-5080

St. Augustine Beach Police Dept 904-471-3600

FP & L 800-226-3545

Hurricane Evacuation (assistance) 904-824-5550

Roads and Bridges 904-209-0246

School Information 904-547-7500

Solid Waste Dept. (appliances, large furniture, etc) 904-827-6980

St. Johns Public Library 904-827-6900

St. Johns County Utility Dept (Water & Sewer) 904-209-2700

Sunshine Bus Co. 904-209-3716

Recycling Dept. 904-827-1005

St. John’s County Wildlife Control 888-404-3922

One of the most important numbers is the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Dept. Keep it handy. If you see suspicious activity you must call the police. Not a board member after the fact. It’s good to make someone on the board aware of any illegal situation and the fact that the police were notified.

Remember…..each street is its own “neighborhood watch program”.

OPEN HOUSE CHARITY EVENT FOR HORSE RESCUE FARM

JUST HORSING AROUND

Charity Horse Farm Open to the Public

Saturday, February 5, 2010

11:00am-3:00pm

Awaiting Justice Equine Welfare

Diamonds in the Rough Farm

4411 Rues Landing Road (off SR 16 West)

St. Augustine, FL 32092

904-347-6542 – Diane Walsh

904-315-3172

$20 per car donation

This is an opportunity to see Serafina, also known as “Awaiting Justice”, who is the great- granddaughter of Triple Crown Winner Secretariat.

FREE CLEANING SERVICE FOR CHEMO PATIENTS

Cleaning for a Reason (www.cleaningforareason.org) is an organization that will provide free cleaning (once per month for 4 months), for anyone who is currently receiving Chemotherapy treatment. This organization “Cleaning for a Reason” serves the entire USA and currently has 547 partners nationwide to participate in this program. All you need to do is go online to sign up and have your doctor fax a note confirming your treatment.

DUES LETTER

By now you should have (or will shortly) receive the 2011 dues letter. I hope you took the time to read the letter from the board members. Please pay your dues ASAP! Kudos to the people who have already paid their dues without being reminded!!

The TBPOA Board is open to suggestions as to ways to improve Treasure Beach. Please e-mail me at rpm2121@bellsouth.net.

ARTICLES IN THE FIRST COAST JOURNAL

It is my understanding that anyone can put an article in the First Coast Communities Journal.

There are only two articles that are sanctioned by the TBPOA Board. The ones written by me and by Sharon McIlhenney. Any other articles are submitted by individuals expressing their own personal opinions. They are neither approved by or are the express opinions of the TBPOA Board.

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Last, but not least. Around the end of every month, the First Coast Communities Journal is delivered to you (free of charge) in an orange plastic bag. I think some people think this is an advertisement so they toss it without even looking at it. It has information in it regarding Treasure Beach…..please read it. It is not an advertisement.

Sincerely,

Paula Murphy, President

Treasure Beach Property Owners Assn.