ASPOA | Good Word of Mouth | Discussion Forum at Delphi | Links O' Plenty | A Heathen's Perspective
______________________________________________
THE APACHE SHORES WARRIOR
_____________________________________________
January 1, 2007
Annual Note of Thanks, Hudson Bend Fire Dept., Station #1, Gen. Williamson Dr, Travis County, TX.
_____________________________
June 16, 2006
Marj Whitehead ~ Apache Shores Lost a Great Neighbor
Marj Whitehead passed away in her sleep on May 22nd. Her loving husband of 54 years, Jim Whitehead, was by her side, along with many other family members. Marj had battled through several bouts with cancer, won most of them, and was at peace at the time of her passing
A fine pianist and chidlren's advocate, Marj is already missed terribly by those of us who knew and loved her. At the Texas Medical Center in Houston, Marj designed and became director of one the country's first 24 hour, 7 day-a-week child care centers. Over 400 infants and children were enrolled, and many similar centers have been designed around Marj's approach to child care.
Marj is survived by her husband, Jim, several adult children, and lots of grandchildren,. I consider all of them lucky to have had her in their lives, just as I am to have had Marj in my life.
~~~~~
In lieu of flowers, please honor Marj with a donation to the Marjorie Whitehead Children's Fund, P.O. Box 345014, Austin, TX 78734
~~~~~
May, 2006
You may have noticed the confusing language in our ASPOA newsletters. To begin with, unlike most publications, the important information you need to check is on the cover - not on the inside of the newsletter, except for expenditures of course. And they continue to interchange the terms "assessments" with "maintenance fees" in a way that would lead one to believe that ALL property owners are paying LESS than they used to here in Apache Shores. Not so...my maintenance fees have remained the same, but my "assessments" have gone up by 700% annually for my homestead (one improved, 6 adjoining unimproved lots). And, when I moved out here some eleven years ago, I had ONE VOTE PER LOT, improved or unimproved. You can see how, today, it might feel a bit like taxation without representation to an old LakeSnake like me.
February 1, 2006
SPECIAL ALERT
The latest newsletter from the ASPOA is now out, and on the cover you may notice that the Board plans to include the same "designated assessment" of $50.00 PER LOT, rather than PER IMPROVED LOT as has been our history here in Apache Shores.
VOTE "NO" ON ANY ASSESSMENT ON THIS YEAR'S BALLOT, AND VOTE. PLEASE, DON'T SIMPLY TOSS YOUR BALLOT IN THE TRASH. FILL IT OUT AND MAIL IT IN IF YOU'RE NOT PLANNING ON ATTENDING THE ANNUAL MEETING.
Look for an online petition you can download and print later this month.
Both the Board and Pioneer are fully aware that a single legal challenge to their ruling that PER LOT ASSESSMENTS are perfectly fine will cause our Association's insurance rates to rise, AGAIN. Ask yourself: How do they justify ignoring the Addendum to our Bylaws which lays out specific figures for both maintenance fees and assessments, in every case charging assessments ONLY on a PER IMPROVED LOT basis?
How did last year's road improvements work out for you? Was your road worked on? Or did you notice more work done along the roads where all the Mini McMansions are being built? In the past, it hasn't been an unusual practice for a Board to ignore calls to repair certain roads simply because a Board member or two had a personal grudge against someone who lived on that road. I think it's vital that all of us, all 1550 paid Members of the ASPOA remember that the Board serves at OUR pleasure. Pioneer is paid by you and me. A Lakeway wannabe approach will never work in Apache Shores. Our subdivision is way too diverse to apply any cookie cutter model on our Bylaws and other rules and regulations. We are NOT part of Lakeway. We are NOT part of Austin, except for the areas under Austin's ETJ's. We ARE simply a subdivision of Travis County. We get protection from the Travis County Sheriff's Dept. We have Station #1 of The Hudson Bend Fire Dept. right up the road. We get our electricity from the City of Austin Utilities. We get our water from Water District 17. We're covered! And, as the last bargain in Lake Travis, we sure as hell DON'T NEED people in office who'd like to "gentrify" Apache Shores. Many homesteaders out here moved here simply to be LEFT ALONE. So I ask the Board ~ LEAVE US ALONE! Take the "assessment" OUT OF THIS YEAR'S BALLOT.
-----
January 9, 2006
Please see January 4th's entry, and click your way to a better understanding of my position regarding the ASPOA/PIONEER MANAGEMENT Matter. Thanks, John Woodle. You may also click "Discussion Forum at Delphi" above for the most recent entries concerning the effect last year's "ASSESSMENT" had on long-time homesteaders here in Apache Shores.
-----
Jnuary 4, 2006
ATTENTION, MULTIPLE LOT HOMEOWNERS/HOMESTEADERS:
Beginning January 7th, Click HERE for a printer-friendly fax cover page and single page document demanding your refund, partial or in total, for the "ASSESSMENT" on the 2005 ballot.
-----
January 1, 2006
No check arrived in the mail on Saturday. The Mail Stop is closed on Monday, but the mail will be put up. Unless a check for $285.00 arrives in the mail by the end of business hours, January 6, 2006, both the Board of Directors, ASPOA, and Pioneer Property Management should be aware that any further communication of any kind from either party must be on a lawyer-to-lawyer basis ONLY. John Woodle
-----
December 30, 2005
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO THE BOARD, A.S.P.O.A., AND OUR MANAGEMENT COMPANY:
THE ENTRY ABOVE, DATED DECEMBER 30, 2005, HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM ITS FTP DIRECTORY AT APPROXIMATELY 5:09 p.m. CST TODAY. IT WAS UPLOADED SIMPLY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE WEB ACCESS TO ALL PARTIES, AND POTENTIAL PARTIES INVOLVED. John Woodle
-----
November 8, 2005
Election Results
If you're online this evening, Click Here for updated results, state-wide, Travis County only, or Texas, county-by-county. Click Here for final results from the Travis County Clerk's Office on today's election.
-----
October 25, 2005
PAY UP OR SHUT UP
October 25, 2005
Below is an unedited version of my Letter to the Editor at the Lake Travis View, published in the paper on August 4, 2005. I haven't heard a word from the president or board member of the ASPOA.
This Letter, along with the ASPOA Letter published in The View as a response to my original Letter published in The View earlier this year, are now in the public domain.
Because I haven't had a response from the Board, and because they did not show me the courtesy of sending me a copy of their Letter, as I did for the Board prior to my first Letter, I have made the following decision:
I hereby formally request The Apache Shores Property Owners Association to refund me a total of $300.00, the check to be issued no later than December 31st, 2005. I accept the ASPOA's argument that a Designated or Special Assessment is important, and hereby agree to pay the $50.00 fee, but on an IMPROVED LOT ONLY basis. The check I mailed to the ASPOA earlier this year was for $350.00, and was sent via US mail. It was cashed by the ASPOA. Should I not receive a response by December 31, 2005, I'll turn the matter over to my personal attorney, Robert Kaminski.
Very Truly Yours,
John C. Woodle. owner, lots 19,20,21,22,1,2,3, Block A, Section 5, of the final plat of Apache Shores, a subdivision of Travis County.
-----
Letter to the Editor,
July 29, 2005
NEVER SAY "NEVER"
In the June 30th edition of The Lake Travis View, the president of the
ASPOA stated that we "never" had free garbage pickup here at Apache
Shores. A simple phone call to Peter Lohman, or any homeowner who's lived
here for nine years or more would have confirmed that we indeed had
garbage pickup as part of our regular procedures, for more years than
we've been paying for it. In fact, if you'll look back at previous
newsletters, you'll find a notice that free garbage pickup was being
discontinued, with several companies recommended for trash pickup. Later,
the Board negotiated an exclusive contract with Texas Disposal Systems.
The Letter to the Editor also "invited" people with 7 lots (like me) to
sell out and basically move on to some new place. Then, at the end of the
Letter, they "invited" me to get involved with committees etc. My
personality fits that of a watchdog much better than a politician. Perhaps
the new Board has forgotten the Archer* Administration, in which he claimed
that we had successfully bought the dilapidated water utility from the
original private water utility. That was followed with the Archer
Administration's attempt to block Water District 17 from taking over our
water supply which was our only hope to keep our subdivision viable. As
for the section of Article IV they cited in the Letter, I still did not
receive an answer to the Addendum that spelled out clearly that SPECIAL OR
DESIGNATED ASSESSMENTS pertained to IMPROVED LOTS ONLY.
I suspect that by dropping the SPECIAL ASSESSMENT down from $65.00 per
IMPROVED LOT to $50.00 PER LOT, IMPROVED OR UNIMPROVED, the Board was
hoping to make the ASSESSMENT more attractive to single lot homeowners. We
who own multiple lots, for the most part, are NOT people of means, but
decided long ago to provide a bit of open space here, or protect a small
canyon from further development. We're certainly NOT developers,
contractors, or realtors like some of our recent Board members.
I call upon both the Board and Pioneer Management to mail me the entire
original Codicils, Bylaws, amendments, and minutes justifying their
decision to charge SPECIAL OR DESIGNATED ASSESSMENTS on a PER LOT basis
for the first time in history. I await a response...JW
John Woodle, Apache Shores, 78734
*the name "Archer" edited out of the View's August 4th, 2005 issue, in the Viewpoints section, under the headline: "Homeowners in Apache Shores pay more, receive fewer services."
-----
July 29, 2005
NEVER SAY "NEVER"
In the June 30th edition of The Lake Travis View, the president of the ASPOA stated that we "never" had free garbage pickup here at Apache Shores. A simple phone call to Peter Lohman, or any homeowner who's lived here for nine years or more would have confirmed that we indeed had garbage pickup as part of our regular procedures, for more years than we've been paying for it. In fact, if you'll look back at previous newsletters, you'll find a notice that free garbage pickup was being discontinued, with several companies recommended for trash pickup. Later, the Board negotiated an exclusive contract with Texas Disposal Systems.
The Letter to the Editor also "invited" people with 7 lots (like me) to sell out and basically move on to some new place. Then, at the end of the Letter, they "invited" me to get involved with committees etc. My personality fits that of a watchdog much better than a politician. Perhaps the new Board has forgotten the Archer Administration, in which he claimed that we had successfully bought the dilapidated water utility from the original private water utility. That was followed with the Archer Administration's attempt to block Water District 17 from taking over our water supply which was our only hope to keep our subdivision viable. As for the section of Article IV they cited in the Letter, I still did not receive an answer to the Addendum that spelled out clearly that SPECIAL OR DESIGNATED ASSESSMENTS pertained to IMPROVED LOTS ONLY.
I suspect that by dropping the SPECIAL ASSESSMENT down from $65.00 per IMPROVED LOT to $50.00 PER LOT, IMPROVED OR UNIMPROVED, the Board was hoping to make the ASSESSMENT more attractive to single lot homeowners. We who own multiple lots, for the most part, are NOT people of means, but decided long ago to provide a bit of open space here, or protect a small canyon from further development. We're certainly NOT developers, contractors, or realtors like some of our recent Board members.
I call upon both the Board and Pioneer Management to mail me the entire original Codicils, Bylaws, amendments, and minutes justifying their decision to charge SPECIAL OR DESIGNATED ASSESSMENTS on a PER LOT basis for the first time in history. I await a response...JW
(slightly edited version appears in the August 4th, 2005 issue of The Lake Travis View, in the Viewpoints section, under the headline, "Homeowners in Apache Shores pay more, receive fewer services.")
---
(Special note: Look for the ASPOA's response to my June 11th post below (published in the June 16th View) in June 30th's issue of The Lake Travis View)
---
June 11, 2005
BITING THE BULLET, OR BITING BACK?
After a phone call with Pioneer Management, it was explained again to me that the DESIGNATED ASSESSMENT for 2005 applied on a per lot basis, not an IMPROVED LOT ONLY basis as has been charged throughout our subdivision's history. In this case I've chosen to bite the bullet, having already sent in my check for all 7 of my homesteaded lots ($350). However, according to our Bylaws, the following provisions were included
ARTICLE IV
"...Special assessments (in addition to annual maintenance fees) for specified purposes may be levied against each lot if approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (not a simple majority, as was quoted to me) of all of the members of the Association then eligible to vote..."
Later in Article IV it states "...Special assessments (in addition to annual dues) for specified purposes may be levied as provided hereunder if approved by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all members of the Association at any annual meeting, or at any special meeting if notice of the proposed action be contained in the notices of said meeting. (See Addendum A concerning Assessments.)
Confusing isn't it? Two-thirds of all members ELIGIBLE TO VOTE? Or two-thirds of all members present at any annual or special meeting? Which one is correct? You tell me.
ADDENDUM A
Along with straightforward definitions of Lots, Maintenance Fees, Special Assessments, Residences, and Improved Lots, Addendum A goes on to say that each property owner will be billed:
A. One maintenance fee plus one special assessment fee for one lot ($35.00 + $65.00 =$100.00)
B. If more than one lot is owned, each additional UNIMPROVED LOT would be billed one maintenance fee ($35.00)
C. If more than one lot is owned, each IMPROVED LOT would be billed one minuteness fee plus ONE ADDITIONAL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT fee ($35.00 + $65.00 =$100.00)
D. If a residence is built over two or more lot lines, one maintenance fee plus ONE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT fee would be billed for the first lot, and one maintenance fee would be fill for each additional lot. (Example: One house on two lots: $35.00 + $65.00 + $35.00 = $135.00)
__________
By providing specific examples, I can't see how the Board was able to justify charging a SPECIAL or DESIGNATED ASSESSMENT on a PER LOT basis, rather than on an IMPROVED LOT basis. For homesteaders and other multiple lot owners except for realtors and developers, I consider this not only unjust, but an invitation to membership alienation and the selling of homesteaded lots in order to afford to continue paying these outrageous charges. I call on the both the Board and Pioneer to provide me with the total vote count on the 2005 ballot, the name of the election judge, and to include any provisions they believe trump the Bylaws I've listed above. Until then I remain skeptical, and ready to challenge their right to charge me anything beyond ONE $50.00 SPECIAL ASSESSMENT for my single IMPROVED LOT.
A BIT OF HISTORY
When I moved to Apache Shores we had the following:
Garbage pickup included at no extra cost
One vote per lot, whether improved or unimproved (for me it was 7 lots, 7 votes)
A longtime Designated Assessment of $65.00 per improved lot only, not subject to annual voting
No management company
As you can see, all of this has changed. How is it that I and others can be charged these suspect assessments, possibly contrary to our own Bylaws, without even having a vote on all of my lots? What could more clearly demonstrate taxation without representation? While this might not affect single lot owners directly, I urge you to examine this issue in an effort to prevent future erosion of our rights as property owners and any litigation that might arise as the result of this year's ballot.
Published in the June 16th, 2005 issue of The Lake Travis View, in the Viewpoints section, under the headline, "Many see red over Apache Shores fees."
-----
DESIGNATED ASSESSMENTS HAVE ALWAYS APPLIED TO IMPROVED LOTS ONLY (from June 8th)
Quoting from the ASPOA Web site: Members who own more than one improved lot will pay an additional assessment fee for each improved lot. An improved lot is any lot that contains a residence with utilities in place.
Historically, we used to pay an annual designated assessment of $65.00 per IMPROVED LOT ONLY. Later, it was decided that the membership would vote on these annually. However, for multiple lot homesteaders, this new practice of charging designated assessments PER LOT, whether improved on unimproved has begun what I consider an alienation of many multiple lot homesteaders, and begun a slippery slope on overcharging us, alienating many members, and possibly creating, through a poor reading of our bylaws a confusing and destructive path towards voting against these assessments in the future. In my case, rather than paying $50.00 for my improved lot, I was forced to pay $350.00 for all 7 of my homesteaded lots for the first time in history. It's unheard of. It's deceptive, possibly illegal, and could lead to kind of bogus liens we experienced during the Archer Administration. Liens that had to be removed by the new Board over the course of a year or more of untangling the mess after Archer with the County Courthouse. I'd like Pioneer and the Board to show me why I must pay a designated assessment for UNIMPROVED LOTS. I've protested this with Pioneer, and have asked that both the management company and the Board provide me with proof that they have the authority to make these assessments for the first time in our history. Unsatisfactory answers could well lead to a formal challenge, even litigation against the Board's decision. This is no way to write an honest ballot, and a poor excuse for explaining how it is that UNIMPROVED LOTS became part of our DESIGNATED ASSESSMENTS. I await an answer before taking any further action.
Again, with the assessment earmarked for road improvements, take my case. I have 4 and a half lots that are county-maintained. I have 2 and half lots on White Bead that could profit from the roadworks mentioned in this year's program. How to configure these questions? You tell me. Along with other members, I believe a full explanation is order, and I await a full explanation as soon as possible.
-----
HEREIN LIES CONFUSION (May 15, 2005) posted from the official ASPOA Web site, I've included two notes in brackets and made the confusing statement bold and in a larger font)
Dues
Maintenance - New property owners in Apache Shores become instantly members of Apache Shores Property Owners Association (ASPOA). An annual maintenance fee of $35/lot has been established in the association documents and must be paid by all members. The maintenance fees are collected early in the Spring. Payment notifications will be sent via regular mail and a reminder will be posted online. Maintenance Fees are due 3/1/05.
Assessment - To improve the quality of life in Apache Shores, the ASPOA Board of Directors proposes an annual designated assessment to cover expenses for specific tasks/items such as road maintenance, professional management, security patrol, right-of-way mowing and litter control, etc.
[note: this paragraph seems to imply that the fee applies to improved lots only]
This proposal is subject to approval at the annual membership meeting by the majority of votes, in person or by ballot, of eligible voting members*. Once approved, each member is required to pay one assessment fee, even if lots owned are not improved. Members who own more than one improved lot will pay an additional assessment fee for each improved lot. An improved lot is any lot that contains a residence with utilities in place.
[note: this paragraph seems to say we owe $50 on ALL lots, improved or not]
The 2005 designated assessment of $50.00/lot was approved at the Annual Membership Meeting. Designated assessment is due before July 1, 2005.
As of July 1, 2005 late fees will be added to unpaid assessment for the 2004 Special Assessment. Unpaid lot fees for 2005, also have late fees added to their accounts. Members are urged to pay their accounts if they haven't done so already. If you have questions about your account, please call or email the office.
* Members who are current in their payments of all fees, dues, and charges.
---
Awaiting Clarification on new Assessment for Improved Lots (from May 12th)
Along with a post at the Delphi Forums, I've contacted both the ASPOA, Pioneer Management Company, and Michael Schless, election judge, in an attempt to clarify whether or not the new approved assessments apply ONLY to improved lots rather than to all lots owned, whether improved or unimproved. I'll post their answer here as soon as possible.
After contacting Mike Schless's office and having them fax me all of their records, I found they had election records for 2003-2004 only. In those records the designated assessments were for IMPROVED LOTS ONLY. If you happen to have a 2005 ballot and any other info, please either leave the info at the Delphi Forums or call me at 626-1862. Thanks...JW
---
Results From the 2005 Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting held on March 19th included a proposal to approve the annual designated assessment for improved lots ONLY to $50.00 per year, along with the election of new board directors. According to the ASPOA Web site, here are this year's meeting's results: Recent info from ASPOA says that the $50 applies to all lots owned, whether improved or not. Please request a copy of this year's ballot in order to clarify this, as my understanding was that the $50 ONLY applied to improved lots.
There were 187 ballots cast at the meeting; 12 disqualified for various reasons.
Proposed Assessment Results: 101 votes for & 64 against - Motion passed. (raised annual designated assessments)
Directors elected: Karl Van Norstand; Tom Kirtz; Thomas Delaney; Nicki Roberts; Jesse Maniccia; Corinna Reed
---
You Need This Issue of The Lake Travis View (from March 28, 2005)
In case you don't subscribe to The Lake Travis View, you really should call them at 263-1100 and ask for a copy of their March 17th issue. It includes editor Gary Dinges' comprehensive piece, "Breaking Down Barriers," which addresses your rights to access public records, all part of the "Sunshine Week: Your Right to Know" campaign. Along with The View's own investigative work, you'll find plenty of online sites and tools for keeping yourself aware of what's going on in the Lake Travis, Travis County, State, and federal levels concerning your own future. The mean old Warrior makes this Issue a Strong Buy!
---
Hats Off to Jerry Stewart and Friends (from March 22, 2005)
Many of us remember just how far into disrepair the boat docks and picnic areas at Apache Shores fell over the years. Not so anymore. The cost-effective improvements made there have already turned the docks into a welcome place to visit, tie off your fishing boat, or simply take a break from a busy day. Among others who continue to make this a new reality is your neighbor, Jerry Stewart. Working more in the spirit of a labor of love than an outside contractor, Jerry and his friends deserve to be recognized for the hard work they've done, and continue to do. More improvements are still in the works. And in my opinion, everyone in Apache Shores should be proud to know they've got a neighbor like Jerry Stewart.
---
ANNUAL MEETING HELD SATURDAY, MARCH 19th
The Apache Shores Annual Meeting was held on Saturday. Along with a list of new candidates for the board of directors was a vote to increase the designated assessment per improved lot to $50.00, with the additional monies going to road and amenities improvements. My thanks go out to Judy Wilcox-Phelps, our outgoing president, for the hard work she and others have done to get our house back in order. If I had my way, Judy would be elected Mayor of Apache Shores! Check the forums link above or the ASPOA site for election results.
-----
New Leash Law Now In Effect (from March 15th)
KVUE TV reported this evening (March 15, 2005) that the new leash law is now in effect here in Travis County. Due, in part, to the public outcry following the attack on Apache Shores resident Arian Ritche by a pack of stray dogs, the new leash law requires that dogs remain on their owner's property or on a leash when out in the neighborhood. Animal Control has full authority to pick up dogs on the loose and fine their owners up to $500. Impounded dogs are subject to a $40 impound fee as well as a $50 deposit in the event their dog has not been spayed. Thanks go out to the many residents of Apache Shores who expressed their views to the Travis County Commissioners, helping the new leash law become a reality.
-----
Annual Meeting, Who's Got the Schedule?
In case you didn't notice, the official mailed ballots for this year's Annual Meeting were mailed out on about March 4th, meaning that they most likely arrived in your mailbox on March 7th. Inside the announcement and ballot was a deadline for returning your signed ballots of March 11th. That gave you four days in which to evaluate, vote, and mail your ballots back to the election judge. In my opinion, that's a ridiculous timetable.
As of today, the official ASPOA Web site, as well as the unofficial discussion forum don't seem to confirm the tentative date for this year's Annual Meeting, proposed as March 19th, 2005. Check both the official site and the discussion forum linked above to get more info.
-----
SOS Alert (click the SOS text link for updates on the proposed Galleria at Bee Cave)
It looks like we're bound to have a new round in the Bee Cave Battle of The Big Box:
THE "HILL COUNTRY GALLERIA" IS BAAAACK AT BEE CAVE - HELP NOW!
The long-delayed "Hill Country Galleria" is rearing its paved head again in the Village of Bee Cave. The developers of this proposed shopping center are responsible for pollution of Little Barton Creek last fall during construction of the "Shops at the Galleria." You can see photos of the storm runoff at www.StopLowes.com. TCEQ has cited the development for "illegal discharge" into waters of the State.
This latest Galleria proposal, also in the Little Barton Creek watershed, is for 55% impervious cover and more than 1.5 million square feet of commercial development. The developers are going back to the Village of Bee Cave to try to get zoning changes and another multimillion dollar tax rebate, as well as variances from Bee Cave's water quality regulations.
The proposal will be heard at the Bee Cave Planning and Zoning Commission on February 15th and at the Board of Aldermen's meeting February 22nd. Both meetings will be held in the evening at the Bee Cave town hall on Highway 71 just west of the Backyard Amphitheatre.
Help now! Contact the Village of Bee Cave at jfisher@beecavetexas.com and ask Bee Cave officials to enforce existing water quality regulations and NOT to give million dollar tax breaks to known polluters of Barton Creek.
-----
Arian Ritchie Home from Hospital
According to the January 20th issue of The Lake Travis View Arian Ritchie was released from the hospital on Friday, January 14th. Family friend Karen Bonin told the View, "Everyone's doing great. We're just so happy to have her home. She looks great." According to Ms. Bonin, Arian still has to have frequent injury dressing changes, and remains on antibiotics to treat an infection. The Ritchies are hoping for a temporary home bound teacher for Arian until she's well enough to attend classes again. A revised set of pet ownership regulations for Travis County that may include a leash law (if practical in a county with many landowners with so much acreage) is now under advisement with Judge Biscoe, sparked in large part by Arian's attack.
A discussion on Arian Ritchies's recovery is available at the "Unofficial Apache Shores Forum" linked to below.
Apache Shores Girl Mauled by Stray Dogs (from December 29, 2004)
A story from the December 23rd edition of the Lake Travis View reported that eight year old Arian Ritchie was attacked by a pack of five dogs while riding her bike in her front yard on Osage Point. She is said to be recovering, but still in intensive care at Children's Hospital of Austin. Three of the dogs have been captured. A fourth was shot but not found, and traps have been set for the fifth dog. While the Ritchie family has Medicaid, it most likely will not cover some of the plastic surgery Arian will need. If you'd like to help the Ritchie family, please click the ASPOA link here or below and ask how you can help. For a copy of the Dec. 23rd issue of the View, call 263-1100 or email the newsroom at news@ltview.com. Arian's mother, Tanya Ritchie works for Speedy Stop, and an account has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank to help offset medical costs. You can also make a donation at the Speedy Stop on the corner of RR 620 North & Hudson Bend Rd. or the Speedy Stop at Four Points (620 & 2222).
-----
New Unofficial Apache Shores Forum Now Open
Tim Grivas, who started the very first Apache Shores Web site years ago is back! Click the link above to view or join in the discussions, including one on Arian Ritchie. You should first see the familiar "Delphi Forums" logo in the upper left-hand corner, and an advertisement on the page. Click the "No Thanks" button on the ad and proceed to the Apache Shores Forum, hosted by Tim. Register for free if you'd like to join in the discussions. We recommend you do. Many times a neighborhood issue will come up that wouldn't be "appropriate" for an official Property Owners Association Web site, but still needs attention - neighbor to neighbor. Tim has opened just such a place, so join in, be courteous, and speak your mind.
-----
official property owners' Web site: ASPOA
Apache Shores Property Owners Association, 14919 General Williamson Drive, Austin, TX 78734. Telephone: (512) 266-2719 Fax: (512) 266-3910. ASPOA email: office@apacheshores.com Property Management Concerns: Pioneer Property Management, 447-4496
-----
Recommended Products and Services from the Neighborhood
-----
SAVE OUR SPRINGS INFO:
Save Our Springs Alliance (www.sosalliance.org) is an extremely effective watchdog group dedicated to protecting our watershed and holding over development to a minimum. Click the link above for their latest action alerts, including the Big Box Galleria Stores slated for Bee Cave.
You may also contact the Village of Bee Cave Aldermen at http://www.beecavetexas.com/ask.php.
The Warrior recommends attending any hearings suggested by SOS in order to help hold the developers to their word that they'll behave as good corporate citizens. If it's not possible for you to attend, please consider expressing your opinions to both developers and the village of Bee Cave (links above).
-----
March 23, 2004 (results of this year's Annual Meeting)
Official election results have been posted at the ASPOA Web site. Click "Board" on the top brown bar for confirmation.
The Proposed Bylaw calling for a burn ban failed.
The $65.00 assessment for improved lots, 2004 passed.
-----
New Board members (updated October, 2004) include:
Judy Phelps
William Mitchell
Renee Crowder
Peter Lohmann
Terri Stewart
Pam Lougee
Chris Cokins
Karl Van Nostrand
-----
Mr. Heckler was not re-elected.
Ms. Decker's term expired.
____________________
The Apache Shores Warrior supports the recommendations contained in the most recent SOC (Save Our Community) mail out, and generally supports their views and concerns for our community.
-----
Mailing Address for Annual Ballots:
Mike Schless, Election Judge
476-5507
1301 West 25th Street, Suite 550
Austin, TX 78705
(please use "TX" rather than the "Texas" shown on the Official Ballot's white page marked "Items on the Agenda")
(also recommend mailing your official ballot certified mail, return receipt requested)
On-site ballots must be cast or delivered to the Election Judge no later than 1:00 p.m. the day of the Annual Meeting,:
ANNUAL MEETINGS ARE USUALLY HELD DURING MARCH, AND BEGIN AT 12:00 noon at the Party Barn, 14919 General Williamson Drive. Visit the ASPOA Web site for scheduling info.
-----
(old news that still has some value)
Also on the agenda: Annual $65.00 designated assessment per IMPROVED LOT only. Vote YES if you feel the current Board and/or the incoming Board are now, and will continue to do a good job for Apache Shores. Vote NO if you disagree with the direction the Board has taken or the new Board is planning to take. This "pocket book issue" is perhaps the most powerful tool available to Members who'd like to get the Board's attention, year in and year out.
_______________
Our Congressman since the first round of redistricting following the 2000 Census has been Lamar Smith. Click his name in order to learn more about Lamar, as well as his voting record and views on matters that may directly affect you.
Apache Shores residents vote in the 21st Congressional District, not the 25th, or the 10th, and have since before the 2002 mid-term elections. Click Here or below at "Links O' Plenty!" for more Travis County, Texas, and federal Web sites.
_______________
LINKS O' PLENTY click here or scroll down the page for media, government, and advocacy links.
____________________
note: some links below may be "dead." Haven't had time to verify them all as of today...JW