WE CAN ONLY SPECULATE!

IS THE ''GRAFFITI'' PICTURED BELOW A MESSAGE, OR A SIGNAL OF THINGS TO COME?

This picture was taken Friday evening, at the dog walk area on Warwick hills Dr. around 7PM.

Fairways Watch goes through this area at least twice a day. The spray painted letters were not on the street 12 hours earlier. This vandalism was done in broad daylight!----BY WHOM AND WHY?

 There were also ''Budlight '' beer bottles left in the area, that were put in the trash can by a caring resident.

Fairways Watch is well aware of a convicted felon, living in this immediate area, with the same name as that in the graffiti.---To say that this message is connected to that person is only strong speculation and not a provable fact.

WE ASK ALL RESIDENTS TO WATCH AND REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES TO THE OFFICE!

A copy of this picture will be Emailed to the community manager Monday morning.

UPDATE

LAST NIGHT--MORE ''ART WORK'' WAS ADDED!---3 MORE MESSAGES---2 OF THEM SO FILTHY AND VILE THAT WE CAN NOT PRINT, OUT OF RESPECT TO OUR GOOD RESIDENTS.

 THIS IS A STRONG CASE OF ''MALICIOUS MISCHIEF''.

 FAIRWAYS WATCH CALLED ED DOW ABOUT THIS INCIDENT. ED QUICKLY CAME TO THE SCENE AND CALLED OCSO. FAIRWAYS WATCH CAN NOT FILE A REPORT SUCH AS THIS. A REPORT MUST BE FILED BY HTA.

I WOULD ASK RESIDENTS TO MAINTAIN VIGILANCE IN THE DOG WALK AREA--I SUSPICION THAT THE PERPETRATORS WILL STRIKE AGAIN !

BACK TO THE FUTURE?

As most folks know, only too well--changes and additions continue at our front gate.

There is one important addition that may have not been noticed yet.
On the traffic light mounting cross-arm,nearest our entrance---the Florida dept. of transportation has mounted 2 traffic camera's.
  The camera pictured on the far right,is aimed directly at our outbound traffic lane.The other camera on the left appears to be directed at the soon to be revised entrance lane on the highway.
  We feel that this is an important recognition of our community and our traffic problems.
 This appears to be strictly a government function and not that of HTA.
  Folks---there continues to be some hazardous conditions created at our front entrance area by drivers,pulling beyond the marked ''STOP HERE'' area. There are also drivers using the green through light as a turn signal into the Fairways.
Sometimes common sense just does not prevail.
  IT IS OUR OPINION THAT THE NEW GOVERNMENT CAMERAS ARE A POSITIVE THING!
Let us hope that when HTA puts their ''revised front plan'' into effect that it too will show concern for our residents. 
COULD BE----MODERN SENSOR'S

THERE ARE MANY KINDS OF SCAMMERS OUT THERE!

3 Alive-and-Well Utilities Scams to Avoid----information from trans-union credit reporting !

Utilities scams are as old as some power, water and phone companies themselves. Scammers are getting smarter, but you can too. Here’s how.

 

Identity thieves and cybercriminals are getting a lot of attention, and recent data breaches have exposed unprecedented amounts of personal information. It’s easy to lose sight of less-headline-grabbing, but similarly dangerous scams that can happen right under your roof. Here’s how to guard against these 3 still-effective utilities scams.

Scam #1: “Pay your overdue bill now or we’ll shut your power off.”
What to guard: Your credit card information

This type of scam has been around for a while, but still happens. Essentially, someone will call you posing as a power or water company employee. They’ll tell you you’re behind on payments, and if you don’t pay up right then over the phone, they’ll shut your power or water off. All they’ll need is your credit card number, expiration date and security code to settle your debts.

This type of scam has gotten even more sophisticated in recent years. That’s because some scammers have figured out how to show the utility company’s phone number on your caller ID when they’re calling. If this happens to you, it’s best to hang up and call your utility back at the number listed on your bill.

Scam #2: “I can help you restore power”
What to guard: Your cash and valuables

In this type of scam, a thief or thieves will target a neighborhood that has experienced a power outage. The scammer will go to someone’s door wearing an official-looking uniform and tell the resident that, for a certain amount of cash, they can restore power at that very moment.

Sometimes, this scam has been perpetrated by two people posing as power-company employees. Once let into your house, one of them will distract you, while the other starts stealing valuables.

In any case, if someone shows up at your door claiming they’re from the power company, you don’t have to let them in. Simply call your provider to verify whether or not they sent personnel over. You should also know it’s almost always the case that utilities will not demand cash payment on the spot—so that alone should make you suspicious.

Scam #3: “I can help you save on your energy bill”
What to guard: Your account number

This one can happen in person or over the phone and tends to occur in states where you can choose your energy supplier. Someone will pretend to be from the power company or a competing energy supplier, and they’ll say they can get you a cheaper energy bill. All they’ll need is your account number to get started.

With this information, the scammers could pretend they’re you and have the address on file changed to their address. Then, they could get free electricity at that new address on your account. One of the worst aspects of this type of fraud is criminals can end up getting your bills sent to their address, which makes the crime even harder to discover.

Bottom line

You can avoid these scams and others by closely guarding your personal and financial information. It also helps to exercise caution. For further peace of mind and protection, though, particularly for scam #3, a good credit monitoring service can be incredibly valuable.

With Credit Monitoring, if someone steals your account number and takes your account over,, you can look for:

• Strange addresses on your accounts
• New and unfamiliar accounts

WE ARE NOT ''SINGING IN THE RAIN''!

OVER 60 YEARS AGO THERE WAS A WONDERFUL HIT MOVIE ,TITLED ''SINGING IN THE RAIN''---but the residents are not ''happy again''


With all of the excess rain that we have had,---most of our residents are not doing much singing about all of the standing water!
  Poor road and property drainage, combined with non-caring, speeding drivers,sometimes makes walking-- cart and bike riding unpleasant and difficult.
 Too many drivers in our community make total asses and idiots out of themselves by speeding through standing water in the roadways.. Both resident and drivers from outside are guilty of these charges.
  There is an area near the corner of Pebble Beach and Spyglass that should be renamed ---''TWIN LAKES" corner.
After a hard rain,these two low areas can hold as much as 6 inches of water, for hours.---That is at the busiest intersection of the park.--- CAN NOT SOMETHING BE DONE TO CORRECT THIS SITUATION? IT IS READILY APPARENT THAT THESE ''MAN MADE LAKES'' WERE CREATED BY IMPROPER,SHODDY ROAD REPAIRS.
  In years past there was scheduled ditch and drain cleaning----What happened to that?---It went POOF-- just like the restaurant and library.
  FOLKS PLEASE SHOW SOME COMMON SENSE AND COURTESY TO YOUR FELLOW NEIGHBORS, WHEN DRIVING.
THERE IS NO NEED TO SPEED!---FOR THOSE THAT DISAGREE---- JUST START SOONER!

OUR FIRST ''NIGHT OUT''

We are on track for the first Fairways national night out.
  October 6 is the date ,at the Westchester clubhouse. Hopefully this first attempt will lead on to a growing annual affair for our community.
 Per the suggestion of Deputy Mellisa Belmont,--the event will start around 6 PM. We plan on having refreshments, security information available, along with some door prizes from nearby vendors and businesses.One of the featured door prizes will be a Midland weather alert radio.
  The one negative factor that we are dealing with, is the lack of an enclosed area to stage this first event. Hopefully, next year we can have a ''real'' night out at the new Masters clubhouse.
  There will be follow up promotions before the event.

NEVER FORGET

  EVERYONE REMEMBERS WHERE THEY WERE ON SEPTEMBER 11 2001!

We are always reminded to ''NEVER FORGET"--never forget what?---The writer of this post will never forget ---WHO COMMITTED THIS ATROCITY AND WHERE THEY COME FROM---Please forgive my political in-correctness.---YES---it was a bunch of Islamist terrorists from Saudi Arabia--A spade is a spade!
 BUT---I will also never forget the nearly 3,000 innocent souls that perished that day. 
 A special remembrance goes to those magnificent ''first responder's''.--Both law enforcement and fireman,---They went into the already raging HELL!
  We the residents of the Fairways, owe a debt of gratitude and appreciation to our own first responder's.
  SO---the next time you pass the EMS trucks, or a sheriff patrol---give them a friendly wave as a salute!

[sorry if I offended anyone for not being politcally correct enough]

ROAD RAGE

IN VIEW OF SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES AROUND OUR ''ADULT'' COMMUNITY,WE ARE RE-PUBLISHING AN ARTICLE FROM A LARGE INSURANCE COMPANY.


HOW TO AVOID ''ROAD RAGE''---

Aggressive driving behaviors, such as speeding and tailgating, can often lead to road rage. According to the National Safety Council, motorists rate this as a top threat to highway safety.

Here, we provide practical tips on how to avoid road rage—as well as some startling stats, common reasons that cause road rage and wisdom from experts—to ensure your safety while driving.

7 ways to avoid road rage:

1. Move over if someone is tailgating you
2. Use an “I’m sorry” gesture (e.g. wave) to attempt to defuse the situation
3. Plan ahead; allow time for delays during your journey
4. Consider whether you’ve done something to annoy the other driver and adjust your driving accordingly
5. Listen to music you enjoy
6. Use your horn sparingly
7. Avoid eye contact with angry drivers and give them plenty of room

Reasons to avoid aggressive driving*:

• Aggressive driving plays a role in 66% of traffic fatalities.
• 50% of people who encounter aggressive driving behavior respond in kind.
• A firearm is involved in 37% of aggressive driving incidents.
• Out of 10,000 road-rage incidents committed over a seven-year span, there were 218 deaths and 12,610 injuries recorded.

“Some good people have bad days and end up in situations they normally never would, simply due to powerful emotions like anger, frustration and stress taking over.” — Richard Senshido, self-defense expert on de-escalating situations with road rage

MORE CAUTION NEEDED UP FRONT!

YES---THINGS HAVE CHANGED IN THE FRONT OF THE PARK,--AND MORE CHANGE IS ON THE WAY!

There is no denying that East Colonial is a real mess now and will be into the immediate  future.

At the mailbox and in the local social media, the new traffic light is a hot topic. A lot of us have seen first hand,--the discourteous actions displayed by some of our residents waiting at the new stop position of the ''temporary light'',in the east bound turn lane.

  On an evening, before the new ''stop here'' sign was erected.---I personally witnessed the following.----I had stopped at a proper distance, to view the new light, a position,further back west from the old stop line. Almost immediately a white mini-van, started blowing the horn,--making hand gestures-- and just simply speaking,----he was having a ''road rage orgasem''

The mini-van then pulled out into the through lane and attempted to pull up to the old stop line.--WHAT A JERK!

Also please note---at a certain time in the morning--the sun totally obscures vision of the new light [currently around 8;30]. ----It seems that the new temporary light, may not have the strong illuminating power as the old one.[see picture]

  THERE WILL BE MORE MAJOR CHANGES SHORTLY, DUE TO THE PLANNED SHIFTING OF THE MAIN ROADWAY. 

We all need to stop and think about our reactions and driving habits.

On a related matter---with all of the rain---please show some positive thinking and courtesy to our residents on open carts and those walking---slow down,--as not to ''drench'' folks with your vehicle going through standing water.

''CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?''

AN EARLY MORNING WAKE UP!

VERY EARLY THIS MORNING ,--RESIDENTS ON FORREST OAK AND TUCKAWAY CT --AWOKE TO AN AMADA OF SHERIFF UNITS!

Around 6AM approximately 12 OCSO units, EMS and the helicopter responded to a ''DOMESTIC MEDICAL''---for a suicide threat with a gun.

A resident was out in a backyard with a gun threatening harm to himself. As always it's the law enforcement job to protect ALL --not only the involved person. The whole area was promptly cordoned off and procedures put in practice to restrain the individual.

 In some cases the aviation unit is brought in as a diversionary tactic,---to help the officers on the ground.

  At one point a call was sent out for some special equipment ,in order to bring this operation to a safe conclusion.

  In summary---after a 2 hour operation----the resident in question was secured along with his weapon. The EMS unit then moved into place.

FOLKS---I HAVE SAID IT SO MANY TIMES---''WE ARE BLESSED WITH THE BEST FIRST RESPONDERS ANYWHERE IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY'' 

THESE GUYS AND GALS DID A FANTASTIC JOB ----ONCE AGAIN!

SECURITY BEYOND THE GATES!

THERE ARE SECURITY ISSUES BEYOND OUR FRONT GATE ENTRANCE!

Yes----the gates are not the only way of entering our community.This picture was taken August 20, off of Cedar Ridge Dr. This broken section of fence, is directly behind the maintenance building. The condition of this broken barrier has existed for sometime.

  Our concern for this certain area is---The other side of the broken fence faces Liberty St and Congress St. One only has to look at ''the ''outstanding warrant list'' or the ''sex offender list'' to note that it is NOT all nice people living over there!

It was hoped that HTA would learn from the ''TARGET HARDENING'' example, set by the residents over the past six months. It is evidently not so.

  In past fence issues,---HTA has sometimes claimed that they do not own certain area's of the fence.---Who knows?

  If there is no budget money for this section of fence---Can they not at least send the maintenance team down there with a couple of 2x4's and ''patch'' the walk through hole?

  A copy of this picture will be given to the''director of homeowners'' for management notification

SCAM ALERT!

  THIS ARTICLE IS A REPRINT FROM CHANNEL 9 NEWS-----READ AND HEED! 

Dorothy and Bobby Ivy said they lost nearly everything, and it started with a phone call from a woman claiming to be with their bank, Wells Fargo.

Police said the woman making the calls is working with a man, who was later caught on camera withdrawing money from an ATM at a Regions Bank in July.

---

---

Investigators said the man withdrew money from a 91-year-old woman's account. She had also been scammed.

The Ivys and the other victim said the woman claiming to be from their banks told them they'd be getting new debit cards.

"They were making the cards bigger and having bigger letters on the cards, and they needed our card back," said Dorothy Ivy.

Dorothy, 71, said the scammers used enough personal information to trick them.

She and her husband were told to give their cards to a bank representative who stopped by their house.

Her husband said he had a bad feeling. He thought the man looked too young to be in management
"I had a big red flag go up," Bobby Ivy said.

When they went to Wells Fargo to ask questions, they found out they had been scammed.

"They had almost cleaned me out," said Bobby Ivy.

The Ivy's said the bank replaced their money. Now they want to warn other seniors.

"We've got to tell what we can to try and keep somebody else out of that racket," Bobby Ivy said. "That's going to help a heap of people."

Channel 9 contacted both banks that said they want to remind customers that banks will never request a debit card be returned.

They said those receiving calls like the families in this story should first contact police and then their bank

A RAY OF SUNSHINE!

FROM FEBRUARY 9---THROUGH JUNE 2----OUR COMMUNITY SUFFERED SOME DARK DAYS!
 During this period, there were 20 recorded home burglaries. Some of the intrusions resulted in significant irreplaceable property losses, to several of our most senior residents.
 In all probability, these crimes will go unsolved into the history book of the Fairways.
  The investigations involved many facets of law enforcement. Some residents came forward with tips and possible related information. In one instance a possible clue--a cigarette lighter--was thought to have been lost,under a home by the burglars. The lighter was carefully preserved and given to the lead detective. 
 There was much other information passed to authorities.----There were names given to OCSO of known PAST trouble makers that have frequented the Fairways over past years. It is also known that some'' people of interest'' ----have left our immediate area,--during the first part of June!
  It seems that the crimes could have been committed by different thieves----some were under the house entries--others by breaking in through doors and windows.
 Regardless---the severe crime issue had a devastating effect on the morale of our community. It seemed that HTA had difficulty, waking up and realizing the gravity of the situation until we reached the unbelievable number of 20 crimes. Only after this and a negative TV story,---then HTA did what they should have done much earlier.----A contracted agreement was made with Orange County and the OCSO. Fully equipped sheriff deputies were hired to patrol at all odd hours in the Fairways. Almost immediately ,the burglaries stopped. The hired deputies were readily seen all over the community.
SINCE THE PRESENCE OF THE DEPUTIES---WAS NOTED---PEACE AND TRANQUILITY HAS PREVAILED!
  Some positive thoughts about our current status----This whole lurid mess brought our community together on some security issues. There have been many alarm systems purchased,--as well as privately owned security cameras. Residents are leaving more lights on and most importantly---THEY ARE WATCHING AND COMMUNICATING!
 At our planned NATIONAL NIGHT OUT ON OCTOBER 6,--We will be seeking more ''observers'' for our 8 security zones.

PLEASE FOLKS----LET SOME SUNSHINE IN !

A CAUSE FOR CONCERN !

  At the August HOA meeting we discussed a subject that is of concern to all Fairways residents.The narrative below is a summary of that issue.All information contained herein is from official public records and reports,--of which copies are available to all.

  On April 20 of this year, a 911 call was made by a elderly female resident in regards to a threatened domestic violence situation. Two OCSO units were dispatched to the lower Warwick Hills area.When the first unit arrived on the scene,-- A veteran female deputy was confronted by the alleged suspect [guest resident] hiding in a neighbors yard.---- In a brief summary ---the suspect attempted an assault on the deputy, with a sharp landscapers tool. Even with the deputy threatning with an electronic weapon,--the suspect refused to obey the officer. It was only after the second officer arrived that the suspect was restrained and placed under arrest.
  The male suspect was charged with a second degree felony--''ASSAULT ON A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER WITH A DEADLY WEAPON''.  
 After a 90+ day stay in jail,--The suspect was adjudicated guilty of the second degree felony ,----but was released under a PLEA deal arrangement.
   On July 22 the twice convicted felon, returned to live once again. again in the lower Warwick Hills area. 
 We have complete documentation of all the actions involved in this case. The lady deputies arrest report is fascinating reading. Her report is almost like it was taken from a script of the ''COPS'' TV show. 
  Part of the sentence requires a 2 year probation program,---for what ever that may be worth. 

   After an open discussion with residents at last nights meeting,--the following will be done---Rick Harris,[director of home owners] --will take, a complete, documented ,indisputable copy of my file regarding this event to our  community manager.
   If immediate action is not taken to rectify this obvious threat to our community----This same packet of information and detailing letter will be sent by registered mail to Steve Braun.


  If the described individual,should harm another resident----YOU BETTER BELIEVE HOMETOWN WOULD BE IN ''DEEP DOO-DOO''

CAR STICKERS AND THE SAVING OF OUR AMENITIES !

 THE AUGUST HOA BOARD MEETING WAS WELL ATTENDED.
 There were questions answered and questions unanswered. --The two HOT topics were the resident car stickers and the hiring of an attorney.
 First the sticker issue--both positive and negative.---Yes---the car stickers would help to identify residents that are properly registered to live in the fairways.--We have homes that sometimes have as many as 5-6 vehicles parked in and around the driveway. If only 2 cars had stickers--that is an indication of something amiss. ---But there is no real means of enforcement.-=-All we can do is go to the office --and we know how well that works.
 A huge benefit of stickers would be in the case of a severe emergency, such as ''Hurricane Charley''. I can speak from personal experience on the security issue from ''Charley''.--After the storm,most of the park was  without electricity for 11 days.----The Fairways looked like a war zone--with torn aluminum sheeting everywhere.----Almost immediately the scrap scavengers appeared on the scene. There were numerous pickups with out of state plates,
and drivers that did not speak English coming into our park to collect and go sell the scrap metal. A number of concerned residents banded together at the gate 24/7 to stop the unwanted vandals. 
One of the largest problems was identifying resident cars . We went to Walmart and bought colored sticker buttons to recognize our residents coming to the gate.
  If we would have resident stickers , it would have been a God send.

  THE ATTORNEY ISSUE !
   YES---The HOA board did hire Attorney Daniel Perry!
  This writer always has vocally,and in writing gave complete, support for hiring the attorney---IT NEEDED TO BE DONE--for the protection of our remaining amenities and for the general welfare of our good residents.
  It was stated that Attorney Perry is preparing a lawsuit against HTA over the library issue. The cost of this action is a flat $5000 fee to our HOA. The suit should be ready to file, possibly next week,

  What we do not agree with is the clandestine manner in which it was done!--YES-- the library issue among others did warrant an ''EMERGENCY MEETING----BUT---not 3 closed meetings and agreements,with $5000 in payments---behind closed doors on private property!
  WHY?---was there not an emergency meeting called ,for all residents. The attorney agreement and costs should have been explained in detail to all of us.
  THE RESIDENTS OF THE FAIRWAYS ,--SHOULD NOT BE TREATED AS THOSE LIVING IN A 3RD WORLD, BANANA REPUBLIC!
  THIS TOTAL LACK OF COMMUNICATION--IS ANOTHER PRIME EXAMPLE OF THE NEED OF A SIMPLE WEB SITE FOR THE HOA!----

  Do not just read the ramblings in the blogs---COME TO THE HOA GENERAL MEETING this Thursday--and get your information first hand---BRING YOUR QUESTIONS WITH YOU!

CHOOSE NOT--TO BE A'' MUSHROOM'' !

IN THE SIXTEEN YEARS THAT I HAVE LIVED IN THE FAIRWAYS--THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A MORE IMPORTANT, FEATURE ARTICLE THAN IS PRINTED  IN THE AUGUST ''EAGLE'' NEWSPAPER!
I would hope that every homeowner reads the factual, true account of---- ''LOSS OF AMENITIES AT FAIRWAYS COUNTRY CLUB''.
  Every homeowner needs to know what has happened and what is currently going on, in our beloved community.
 Most of us have heard the descriptive narrative
 of how mushrooms are raised---WE SHOULD NOT BE KEPT IN THE DARK BY ANYONE---HTA OR HOA ABOUT IMPORTANT COMMUNITY ISSUES .
  We need to read the ''Eagle'' for starters---then plan on attending our HOA meetings---both board and regular resident meetings. ---YEAH---I know it's a Bitch,--- in an overcrowded , hot cracker-box--BUT--it needs to be done, before it's too late!
 Lately there has been a lot of talk and rumor about ,private,secret board meetings, concerning legal planning by OUR board. All of these subjects should be explained and brought forward at the next two meetings, conducted by our HOA.-----If not,---problems will only be compounded.
  Many years ago --[ before the age of ''super stars''] an old entertainer would say to his audience--''YOU AIN'T SEEN NUTHIN YET''---Folks,--my gut feeling is that that old statement could apply to our community that we have all invested our hearts and souls in. --- None of us is privileged to know what we will be screwed out of next!----Could it be bingo?or??????
  The removal of the lettering up front was not caused by ''mother nature''. ---Gone is ''A 55+ COMMUNITY'' description---In it's place is a ''AGE RESTRICTED COMMUNITY'' ---The later description has one hell of a lot more latitude than the first title!---AGE RESTRICTIONS CAN BE JUST ABOUT WHATEVER HTA WANTS IT TO BE!---I put about as much faith in their explanation as I do the ''CRAP'' printed in ''Hometowns Corner'', at the bottom of the Eagle front page!
  LAST BUT NOT LEAST--READ THE BLOGS!--Both blogs have information that generates communication . The 2 blogs are not related,--but have the same mission---TO INFORM THE COMMUNITY!
  WE NEED COMMUNICATION IN THE FAIRWAYS AS NEVER BEFORE!---SEE YOU AT THE MEETINGS NEXT WEEK!