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!

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!