|
CHECK THIS
SITE REGULARLY AND LOOK FOR ENTRIES THAT ARE OF INTEREST TO YOU.
CONSIDER THIS YOUR SITE FOR EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION, ANSWERS TO
QUERIES, AND FOR FEEDBACK OPINION AND EDITORIAL INPUT. ADDRESS
ALL MATERIAL TO bwha@bocawest.org
July 31, 2005: BWHA Blog Site
Established
BWHA announces establishment of a Boca West Blog site
to be known as BWB. The
necessity for timely intercommunication, especially during
off-season, warrants the necessity for a site that will keep
Boca West residents aware of the latest developments affecting
them within the community and also the city, county, and eastern
So. Florida region. This blog site will post timely entries on
matters of interest to Boca Westers.
CLICK
HERE to add www.bocawest.org
to your Favorites
so that you can check it weekly for updates.
August 1, 2005: Boca West
Camera Club Photo Show Closes
After a successful run of almost
five months the 2005 Boca West Camera Club Photo Show has
closed. This first attempt at a cyber show proved to be a very
practical means of allowing long term study of the entrants
submissions and an opportunity to view the photos at the viewer’s
leisure. The logistics of presenting a conventional long
duration showing are too complicated and costly for the Boca
West Country Club. One hundred and twenty photos were submitted
and 240 e-mail votes were received from viewers. Four judges
with professional photographic and artistic backgrounds were the
final determinants in prize selection. Prize winners will be
announced and published in the VOICE OF BOCA WEST. Check
BWB for future announcements on the Photo Show.
August 2, 2005: Greater
Boca Raton Beach District Prepares Budget
The Beach District has been
advised of increased operational costs for 2006 by the primary
contractor ( City of Boca Raton ). An estimated 12%-15% increase
has been projected. The City of Boca Raton is proposing a 5%
increase in taxes for their residents.
The
Boca West Homeowners is monitoring the Beach Districts actions
and will, as it has successfully in the past, strive for a
continued reduction in taxes for Boca West residents.
August 5, 2005: Airport
Noise Abatement
Currently the main problem
with overflight noise is the old model jets that have not been
upgraded to currently available quieter engines. the Boca Raton
Airport Authority is working with a national group to effect FAA
change in regulations to outlaw those jets that have not
undergone conversion. The BWHA continues to support this move.
AUGUST 10, 2005
SPECIAL FEATURE
FIREFIGHTER FURY
Will a Greedy Union’s Pique Affect Your Tax Bill ?
With the annual cost
to the homeowner tripling from the original for Boca West’s
exclusive County EMT station the contract was allowed to expire.
The cost of the County Service was tied into a Fireman’s Union
Contract which resulted in escalating charges for salaries,
pensions and health benefits each year. The private carrier that
has been doing over 95% of our secondary transport these past
years will assume first responder duties and the annual charge
for the program will revert back to the original cost.
For some bizarre
reason the Firemen’s Union seemed to take this relatively
minimal part of their activity as a battle cry for exploitation
and vindictiveness. They proposed to the County Board of
Commissioners that the private carrier, which serves as their
backup transport countywide, be dropped by the County and that
they assume their duties. This self same private carrier saved
the day for the County in the mid-nineties when they offered an
economical hospital transport contract which enabled Fire Rescue
to relieve the pressure on their first responder personnel. A
necessary solution for serving the exploding population.
It is not exactly
clear as to why the Firemen’s Union, basking in the good
fortune of recent years which has driven many of their salaries
into six figures annually and in some cases with overtime take
home pay in addition to pension and health benefits has reached
a quarter of a million (as reported in recent news articles),
decided to exploit this situation at the expense of the
taxpayers. Was it simply revenge for losing a lush gig of 7 days
of 24 hours coverage with a total of 5-6 hours of work per week
for eight months of the year and perhaps 12 hours of work a week
for the other four months? Whatever it was, it was not the
quality of care.
If the Board of
Commissioners gives in to the Union the additional cost would be
overwhelming and it could double our current ad valorem taxes,
resulting in triple taxation for the same item. Some community
action may be necessary to avoid these circumstances. The Boca
West Homeowners is monitoring this situation on your behalf.
August 16, 2005: BWHA
ANNOUNCES HURRICANE-2005
-
A COMPREHENSIVE
SYMPOSIUM FEATURING ALL THE AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS SERVING
YOUR NEEDS.
SEPT. 21, 2005 BOCA WEST COUNTRY CLUB 3:00 P.M.
CYPRESS ROOM MAIN CLUB HOUSE
SEE CH. 63 FOR FURTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS.
August 18, 2005:
HOMEOWNERS POLICY WILL BAIL OUT CITIZENS INS.
Anyone holding a
Homeowners Policy in Boca West will be assessed an additional
6-8% on their premium this year to cover the deficit of the
Citizens Insurance Corp. The company is a state backed
non-profit company and the deficit will be made up by assessing
everyone in the state holding a homeowners policy.
August 18, 2005:
COMMON ELEMENTS ASSESSMENT AT BOCA WEST TO BE INCREASED IN 2006
All Villages in
Boca West will have an increased assessment for common elements.
The current breakdown reveals the highest increase at 29% and
the lowest at 6.8%. The average increase is 15.25 %. Village
Board members are alerted to enable planning for their 2006
budgets.
August 18, 2005:
VILLAGES WILL DETERMINE APPROVALS FOR GENERATORS
With increased
interest in home generators for power outages, it should be
noted that in-ground installations require architectural
approval from the Village and the BWMA. Other units will be
governed by the Village regulations.
August 18, 2005:
ROLLERBLADE COURSE PLANNED
A ROLLERBLADE
course will be established for next season. It will run from the
tennis area through the Bridgewood Drive area and be available
for all ages providing proper safety equipment is worn by the
user.
August 19,2005:
CONDO CZAR REPORTS
More than 4000
queries were received by the new state condo-ombudsman. In a
report released today, Dr. Virgil Rizzo blasted condo boards for
" being incapable of properly managing associations. Many
directors lack the knowledge to effectively and successfully
operate a corporation of residential units. "
He will recommend
legislation to correct these deficiencies.
The ombudsman’s
number is 1-850-922-7671
e-mail address is ombudsman@dbpr.state.fl.us
August 19,2005:
BWHA HURRICANE 2005 PROJECT
Phase 1 – Summer
Voice Hurricane at Boca West Edition
Phase 2 - Workshop
on Hurricane Window Protection held July 2, 2005
Phase 3 –
Major Symposium to be held on Sept 21, 2005, see CH 63 for
details.
August 20, 2005:
FEMA AND SOLID WASTE SHUN GATED RESIDENTS
Boca West may be
affected by the position of FEMA and the Solid Waste Authority
to deny coverage for post hurricane debris to gated communities
further action will be necessary to resolve this inequity. Curious that the SWA
just received a $50.00 assessment on our forthcoming tax bill.
As for FEMA, their payment of false claims for many funeral
expenses in Miami have still not been explained.
|
