THE RESIDENTS ARE WATCHING!-----A POSITIVE FACTOR!

THE PERIOD BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND JUNE WAS A TRYING TIME FOR ALL FAIRWAYS RESIDENTS
The 20 burglaries, during this period took it's toll on the nerves of all residents.---BUT--- There were some positive factors! Residents became involved--they started watching and calling on suspicious sightings and happenings. There were many security and monitoring systems installed.
  And last, but not least, after 19 burglaries,HTA woke up and did what should have been done much earlier.The HTA home office,entered into a contract with the Orange County Sheriff's office for off duty deputies to patrol at odd hours. These officers did a great job in curtailing the out of control situation that had existed for months.
  We would hope that HTA will not soon forget what basically solved the ''nightmare'' of the 2015 spring
  Fairways Watch was more than pleased at the response to our first ''National Night Out'' on October 6. In the coming year, we are not only looking forward to a second REAL Night Out--but also some additional programs from OCSO in our NEW Masters clubhouse!
 With the announced new projection and electronics equipment in the Masters,--we can have better security programs and presentations than ever before!
  One last note---We are waiting on the announcement of our new crime prevention officer for sector 2.
 Deputy 1/c Belmont has transferred over to the special project division of sector 2. Melissa joins Deputy Jason Murrill in that office. We have used the special projects officer ,numerous times for situations, not easily handled through 911.
   

''MONKEY SEE---MONKEY DO!''

    SOMEBODY IS GOING TO GET KILLED!

The safety issues at our front entrance area has already been discussed and ''cussed'', so many times!
 The sad irony of it is the left turn violations, seem to be getting worse and more frequent.
  Last evening,about 6 PM, I was preparing to enter the Fairways from the west bound right turn lane.All of the west bound traffic signals were green!----''Lo and behold'' there was a 6 car ''convoy'' turning into the Fairways from the EAST bound turn lane--one after another--''the blind leading the blind''
  NO--not all were residents--there were 2 pizza delivery vehicles, in the mix.---These 6 vehicles were turning into the face of 3 lanes of west bound traffic. It is estimated that most of the west bound cars were traveling at about 50 mph.
  At the last HOA resident meeting,--we had officials from FDOT attend and give a presentation. Even with the extra appreciated attention,--it is only getting worse.
The changes on up the road at the Racetrack, has also turned into a safety night mare.
  The one suggestion that we can make at this time is to request a more visible presence of law enforcement vehicles, around the entrance area. I know for a fact, both the FHP and our Sector2 deputies are stretched thin in this area.
  As our ''snow birds'' return,--be sure and caution them also on the lane and light changes.
  One last thought---We know from 2 1/2 years of experience,with this blog---we have some very intelligent readers and participants. From time to time we get comments from folks with engineering experience and design skills. If any reader has a plausible thought, as to how to improve the safety on the makeshift, temporary signal system up on Colonial,--do this --Dave Halperin has established a relationship with some FDOT officials--contact Dave about passing your idea's on to the people that may be able to change things for the better---Just a thought!

'' GRANDPA'S GOLF CART''

      AN ACCIDENT, WAITING TO HAPPEN!

On Saturday evening, at approximately 6:45PM, we were out on our normal evening community check.
While down by the west dog walk on Warwick Hills dr., we noticed 2 young boys driving around the area on a nice, well kept Club Car cart.
The cart seemed to be a 48 volt with a ''performance motor''. 
 The younger boy, estimated age of 10 years was driving at full speed. The cart was driven around the very rough grass area, near the west pond, at top speed.
 After circling the pond, the boys took off down and around Warwick Hills circle, again at speed!
 We waited for the boys to come back around the circle. We stepped out onto the road and stopped them. We politely asked them about the cart and where they were visiting.----YEP----you guessed it---It was ''grandpa's cart.''
  I advised them that they were too young to be out on the cart by themselves, and they should have a drivers license to operate a cart in here. The older boy told me ---'it is ok because I am 14'' I respectfully disagreed with him. 
  The boys refused to give me their or Grandpa's name and address.
 After cautioning them and telling them to go back to ''grandpa's----the boys pulled out at full speed and ''blew'' through the stop sign at Warwick and Inverary!
I hope the boys got back okay.

IF SOME READER OF THIS BLOG,--KNOWS ''GRANDPA''-- PLEASE ADVISE HIM OF THIS REPORT!
SPECIAL NOTE
[IN SITUATIONS LIKE THIS--WHEN WE STOP AND TALK TO PEOPLE--,PARTICULARLY YOUNG FOLKS OR FEMALES,--WE TRY TO HAVE AT LEAST ONE WITNESS,--LAST NIGHT FOR THIS ENCOUNTER,--WE HAD 2]

''THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT''

            REMEMBER THESE GUYS?

Over 30 years ago,these two gentleman were familiar                 faces on our 21'' television sets.

A bit of nostalgia and trivia---
Bartles & Jaymes -  These two country gentlemenwere the commercial spokesmen for Bartles & Jaymes Wine Coolers from 1985-91. Exuding down home honesty and backwoods charm Frank Bartles (David Joseph Rufkahr) and Ed Jaymes (Dick Maugg) sat on the front porch of their country home and related messages about the delicious, refreshing alcoholic beverage which bore their name "Bartles & Jaymes Premium Wine Cooler."

Frank Bartles (in the fedora) did all of the talking while Ed Jaymes (in the baseball cap) listened quietly to his partner and the reasons why people should drink their wine coolers. At the conclusion of each commercial, Frank politely said, "And thank you for your support."

The Frank & Ed spots were created for Gallo Wines by Hal Riney & Partners (formerly Ogilvy & Mathers/SF). Hal Riney wrote 143 of the 230 TV spots. Directed by Joe Pytka, the commercials won an ANDY in 1986 for the best print and broadcast advertisement.

After the ad campaign finished Dave (the talker) and Dick (the quiet one) did some regional spots and became, for a time, spokespersons for Golf Digest.

Richard A. "Dick" Maugg, a former general contractor and Alpha Rho '53 alumni from the University of Washington, returned to his contracting business, Maugg Construction. David Rufkahr died of a heart attack in April 1996 at the age of 61.

Fairways watch would like to ''echo'' their phrase ''Thank you for your support----Not only to the majority of our residents,--but also to the wonderful folks at the sheriff's office.

  The great turn out and program for our first night out was only possible because of the support of all.

  Next year we promise an even bigger event and an extended program at our new Masters clubhouse. All of the officers were impressed by our audience and the intelligent questions asked of them.. 

  With this type of response,--we are assured of future security programs from OCSO.

  ''THANK YOU FOR YOUR   SUPPORT''

THANK YOU!--WE WILL DO IT AGAIN, NEXT YEAR

LAST NIGHT- TUESDAY OCTOBER 6 ,WE HAD      

       OUR FIRST ''NATIONAL NIGHT OUT''
The resident attendance was excellent.The big surprise was the number and rank of the law enforcement officers that attended.
 All in all, we had 7 officers ,including 3 captains,and 2 lieutenants. One interesting attendee was a member of the elite ,motorcycle unit.
 Captain Torres, from headquarters division, gave a wonderful, detailed presentation of the function and duties of the sheriff's office. The captain also presented the Fairways community, with a certificate of appreciation, for having the night out.
  Also in attendance  was the commander of the Orange County SWAT team. This was somewhat unusual, as the SWAT people tend to keep a low public profile.Some members of our local ''Fairways Defenders'' gun club, enjoyed a one on one conversation with the SWAT team captain.
  From the local Sector 2 command staff, we had Lieutenant Strange, one of the watch commanders.

 After answering all of the residents questions--the officers were the last to leave---The captains left in their unmarked vehicles and the ''motors'' deputy on his beautiful Harley bike!

  A special thank you to Deputy 1/c Belmont for arranging all of the ''high class''visits.

   On a special note---Deputy Belmont will be changing positions on the Sector 2 staff. Effective soon she will be assigned to the ''special project'' officer staff, joining our ''good friend''--Deputy Jason Murrill.
 We have worked with Jason over the past several years, with great results.

THANK YOU ALL--IT WAS A           GREAT NIGHT!

OUR FIRST NIGHT OUT!

OUR FIRST NIGHT OUT WILL BE THIS COMING TUESDAY EVENING AT 6 PM AT THE                       WESTCHESTER!

We are starting out small,cautious and hopeful.This will be basicly a simple old fashioned, community get together. We will discuss security issues related to the               Fairways and the surrounding area.

WE WILL HAVE---
Coffee and donuts
Drawings for the following door prizes

     Gift and discount cards from Beef O'brady's 

    A Midland alert weather radio
    A wireless driveway alert system
    2 wireless window and door alarms
Also some ''first come-first serve'' free tote bags from the new Academy sports store and discount cards from Beef Obrady's



THE DOOR PRIZE DRAWINGS WILL BE AT 7 PM

We will have visits by officers from sector 2 to answer some questions that you may have. We have also sent a personal invitation to Captain Garrison ,the commander of sector 2. 

COME ON DOWN AND HELP US GET STARTED ON A NEW ANNUAL EVENT!