Westador Westwind On-Line

Activities are Being Planned for the last Quarter of 2005 by Ann Koelling

Summer is nearly at an end. The kids will be back in school soon, vacations will be at an end, and the winter months will be upon us once again!

As we settle down into that familiar routine lifestyle that comes to us at summers end, we need a few breaks now and then to get us out and about saying hello to our neighbors or meeting new friends in the subdivision.

Get to know your block captain. Maybe you can organize a block party for your street! The weather is so nice in the fall! Have a barbeque! Set up a badminton game! Play some music and dance! Everyone brings a dish of food! Its easy and so much fun! Call me if you need direction on how to do this! Ill be glad to help you!

These are a few of the events that will be planned over the next five months! If you have any ideas, Id be very happy to get busy on doing events, you, as residents are interested in doing.

September, 2005 - Senior Forum Potluck Dinner

October, 2005 - Neighborhood Garage Sale

October, 2005 - Halloween Childrens Party

November, 2005 - Craft Sale

November, 2005 - Event to Honor Veterans

December, 2005 - Childrens Christmas Party

December 31, 2005 - New Years Eve Party (Hire that baby-sitter now)

January, 2006 - Game Night (Bunco?)

One suggestion came to me recently that we organize an exercise group! In talking with this person, they thought that early evening would suit them better than the morning hours! What do you think? Would that be of interest to any of you? The Cali Clubhouse is a great place for an exercise group!

The Senior Forum holds a potluck dinner every three months during the fall, winter, and springtime months! Everyone has a great time! Everyone who belongs to this group looks forward to the next one!

President Seeks Volunteers for Board Positions by Richard Murphy, WCA Board President

As you may know, most committee and association members serve for a given time. The Westador Civic Association members serve for a period of two years. We currently have five board positions that are up for nomination, of which some of the current board members are seeking re-election. I know we have a lot of talent in our subdivision and while some people volunteer on their own accord, some need to be asked. Well, Im asking!

I know, having served in several positions, that being on the board can provide new friends, new experiences, and a lot of self-satisfaction. By maintaining an active Civic Association the property owners control what they want their subdivision to be so that property values do not decrease.

If we cannot get enough Westador residents to serve on the board, we will be forced to find a Management Company to manage the subdivision and surrender all our input votes we now have. There is a lot at stake.

The board currently has eleven members, including the president, vice president, and treasurer. The other eight board members administer the followinggrounds, clubhouses, pools, deed restrictions, architectural control, community affairs, security, and environmental services.

No Trash Pickup Scheduled for Labor Day

Dogs Running Loose Should be Reported

The Westador Information Sheet is Printed Quarterly

The Westador information sheet is printed quarterly, or more often in the event of some major changes. The information sheet is being distributed this month along with the Westwind as a separate document. Since this sheet is only printed quarterly, residents are asked to retain this document until the next printing. It can be folded and inserted into the Westador Residents Directory.

Some Homeowners Have Not Paid Their Annual Maintenance Assessments as of August 12

Homeowners who are delinquent on the annual maintenance fees incur interest, collection and legal fees, have lien notices filed on their property. and are prohibited from using common facilities such as the tennis courts, pools and clubhouses. There has been some progress made in the last month - three homeowners have paid in full and one more has starting making regular payments on a payment plan.

The following list of addresses reflect those homeowners who have a Lien Notice filed on their property or are delinquent for more than one year as of August 12, 2005.

Also, the Board has authorized stopping the trash and garbage collection service for homeowners who are delinquent for more than one year. If a delinquent homeowner is making monthly payments in accordance with an arranged payment plan, that homeowners address will not be listed and trash and garbage collection service will not be suspended unless they cease to comply with the arranged payment plan.

Circumstances Under Which Trash is not Picked Up or is Mishandled are Explained by Jerry Butler

There are three circumstances under which your trash may not be picked up: 1) the crew made a mistake; 2) the garbage was in the gray area; or, (3) you are on the DO NOT PICKUP list. Lets address these issues individually.

1) Crew mistake. It happens. Until the last month or so, you could call me (281-440-5718) and I would call the driver to make arrangements to come back on the same day or possibly the next day. He was usually very responsible and courteous; I never had to call Republic Waste Services directly. However, Republic has assigned a new crew to Westador and they now prefer that you call Ms. Munoz directly at 281-540-0513 to report your problem. If youd like me to intervene, you are still welcome to call me. I need to know how well the company is performing its duties.

2) The gray area Though we have always referred to it as backdoor pickup, technically, our contract for the last several years has contained the following clause: All household trash and garbage must be placed in a container or bag and be placed in a convenient place for collection, which is either visible from the street, or in a separate gate area visible from the street and which does not require access to the rear area of a house. CONTRACTOR will not collect waste behind any gates where pets are confined. If the crew continues to pick up at your back door, fine but they dont have to. Incidentally, items for curbside trash service must be placed within 5 feet of the street. The crew should leave a tag if the items are not placed properly, or if they are in doubt whether your items were meant for them to pick up.

Some Oxymorons (from the Laugh-of-the-Day Internet Site)

Security by Sue Strawbridge (from news media public information office 512-424-2080 May 19, 2005)

--- Pocket Bikes Illegal on Public Streets

Miniature motorcycles are illegal to operate on public roadways, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

The miniature motorcycles-also known as pocket bikes and pocket rockets-can only be operated on private property.

"The pocket bikes are becoming more popular, and they are illegal and dangerous on public roadways," said DPS Director Col. Thomas Davis Jr. "Some buyers have been told they are legal on public streets in certain circumstances, but there are no exceptions, period."

One misconception is that they meet the legal definition of a motor assisted scooter. However, pocket bikes do not meet the statutory requirements of a motor assisted scooter as stated in Chapter 551.301 of the Texas Transportation Code.

There are several reasons why the mini-motorcycles are illegal on public roadways, but the two primary reasons are that they cannot be registered as vehicles and they do not meet equipment standards required by federal and Texas law.

Drivers using mini-motorcycles on public streets could face numerous potential citations, including operating an unregistered vehicle, no driver license, no insurance, and various equipment violations. It is also illegal to operate pocket bikes on sidewalks.

Guidelines for Curbside Trash Service are Detailed by Jerry Butler

As always, bundles of tree branches, shrub and brush trimmings, or newspapers and magazines should be tied and neatly stacked, forming an easily handled package not exceeding 5 feet long or 50 pounds, and 18 inches in diameter. Our contractor has the right to not pick up your bundles unless they meet these requirements. Please note that such bundles and lawn clippings in bags will be left behind if not placed at curbside.

Deed Restriction Matters are Explored by Cindy Poetz

Ask! Deed Restriction Questions Can Be Vital For You And Your Neighbor!

The goal of the last three articles written has been to provide answers to common questions regarding enforcement and maintenance of deed restrictions. If you still have questions left unanswered, please call Westador Deed Restriction Director, Cindy Poetz. She will advise you as to whether a violation appears to be present, and whether WCA can participate in enforcement on your behalf.

This past month, several interesting questions from Homeowners as to whether or not a violation is occurring or action can be taken upon a neighbor has come to our attention. For example:

My neighbors front and back yard is in need of attention. The yard is in need of mowing, the house is in need of repair. Their pet is loud and the smell is unbearable. Although, this concern is in both the front and back yard, the homeowner in violation should remember Westador MUST rely on Deed Restrictions as their primary means of protecting their neighborhood integrity and quality of life! Each lot owner shall keep their lot and all improvements thereon in good order and repair, including but not limited to the seeding, watering, and mowing of all lawns, the watering and pruning of all shrubbery, the removal of all trash and debris, and the painting (or other appropriate external care) of all buildings and other improvements, all in a manner and with such frequency as is consistent with safety and good property management and the prevailing standard of maintenance within Westador Subdivision (To find out more, please read DR5).

There is a car parked in our street and it has not been moved in days. You have the right to complain and can have a vehicle - trailer hauled, if it is on the street for more than 72 hours. No motor or mobile home, boat, boat rigging, trailer of any kind, recreational vehicle, or any truck or any other vehicleshall be stored or parked on any part of any lot, in any driveway, or on any street, except for temporary parking not to exceed a continuous period of 72 hours(To find out more, please read DR8).

Street Parking is Legal, but Inadvisable

While street parking is neither against the law nor Westador deed restrictions, good neighbors consider others when parking their vehicles. Street parking should be avoided if at all possible. To do so increases safety, efficiency, improves environment, and enhances property values.

Most Westador streets are 27 wide. The approximate width of a standard vehicle with side mirrors is 7 1/2. With these dimensions, two vehicles parked on opposite sides of a street require 15 of width leaving only 9 for clear passage. Large vehicles, including the Republic trash trucks, need 9 1/2-10 of space for clear passage to complete their errands without damage to the parked vehicles.

Street parking does not allow the county street sweeper to perform its job properly. The postal service often skips homes when the mailbox is blocked.

Young children at play and running in front or behind a parked car may not be seen by a passing vehicle and may be seriously injured or even killed.

Board Members Message

Volunteering is a Rewarding Experience by Ann Koelling, Community Activities Director

Volunteer: This word is a noun and an action verb! In any case, it means a person will be doing something in return for a wonderful feeling of happiness! Doing something can be the sharing of ideas, lending a hand to help decorate the clubhouse, donating an item to the event, or even chairing your own affair!

Former White House Deputy Press Secretary to Speak at AAUW Meeting by Barbara Hine

The American Association of University Women will meet Thursday, September 15th, 2005 at 7 PM.

Peter Roussel, former White House Deputy Press Secretary, will be the speaker for our first meeting of the 2005-06 year. His talk will give us a behind-the-scenes view of life in and out of the White House, including little known humorous incidents. This should be a most entertaining program.

We meet the third Thursday of each month from 7 to 9 PM. at Northwoods Presbyterian Church, 3320 FM 1960 West. The parking lot and entrance are north of 1960 on Terrace Oaks Drive.

Senior Forum

Potluck Dinner Wednesday September 7, 2005 6:30 PM

Writers are Needed for the Westwind

The Westwind strives to bring informative news to the Westador residents. To that end, area news is constantly monitored for items of specific interest to Westador residents. For example, upcoming elections are reported with emphasis on voting places for Westador precincts.

But there is so much more. Residents can share their experiences with their neighbors. Senior citizens in Westador reside in more that 50% of the homes. A good way to pass this invaluable experience to your heirs (the new Westador residents) is to print them in Westwind.

Writers are also needed for quarterly articles. Such articles could provide information on Westador traffic, postal service, Westador specific new products, and more.

Each month, the residents would be pleased to read about the following:

News of our Teens: Our teens in Westfield High participate in a number of activities. The Westwind would like to tell your neighbors when one of our teens participates in a sports team, marches or plays in the band, or sings in the choir. There is not a system in place currently to gather such data. Contact your editor with ideas.

Gardening Tips: Your neighbors would like to know what is right for Westador. A gardening column would be appreciated, but it needs an informed writer.

Fifty plus NAM August/September Activities.

Antique Group Show and Tell Luncheon Thursday August 18, 2005 11:30 AM.

One Stroke Painting with Linda Sue Carter Monday August 22, 2005 1 PM (Second class). Cost is $15 per class plus supplies and $1 daily user fee.

Cypress/Woodlands Junior Forum Take Me Out to the Ball Game Party Wednesday August 24, 2005 9:30 AM. Cost is $1 daily user fee.

One Stroke Painting with Linda Sue Carter Monday September 12 and 26, 2005 1 PM. Cost is $15 per class plus supplies and $1 daily user fee.

Antique Group Trip to Marthas Bloomers in Navasota and Montgomery Thursday September 22, 2005 8:30 AM. Cost is $10, plus lunch on your own.

Precinct 4 Bus Trip to Opera in the Heights for Verdis il Trovatore Monday September 26, 2005 9:30 AM. Cost is $6 plus lunch on your own at Hickory Hollow.

Mahjongg Group Tuesdays at Noon.

Basic Beginner Line Dance Class Wednesdays at 1 PM. Cost is daily user fee.

One Hour Exercise Class Mondays and Fridays at 9:30 AM.

Duplicate Bridge Group Class Mondays at 12 Noon.

Social Dance Class Tuesdays at 10:45 AM.

Yoga Classes Mondays and Wednesdays at 2 PM. Cost is $85 for 17 classes and $1 daily user fee.