MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
  July 2010
   By Debra Littlejohn Shinder
 

JULY 23, 2010

Hi! It's me again; the board of directors, in the June meeting, voted to elect me to another term as president. Our new vice president is Michael Gallops, who is also a newly elected Rowlett City Council member (after a harrowingly close election). Congratulations, Michael! Mark Stumbo continues as treasurer and Brad Cruse is currently serving as secretary. We're sorry to say that we will be losing a board member soon, as Collin Chlebak is getting married (Congratulations, Collin!) and moving out of our neighborhood. As per the bylaws, the board will appoint a replacement. If you're interested in serving on the board, please contact a current board member.

We are already past the middle of summer and it's been a normally hot Texas one thus far. That means, for most of us, sky-high water bills as we try to keep our lawns and flowers alive in the heat. Something that I'm very interested in is xeriscaping - landscaping using native plants, hardscape, etc. to reduce or eliminate the need for supplemental watering. Large, lush spreads of grass are beautiful (when properly maintained) but they aren't very ecologically or economically friendly. The HOA board will be developing a policy regarding xeriscaping, to ensure that it's done in a way that makes for attractive yards and maintains the property values of the neighborhood. If you're interested in xeriscaping your yard or have ideas, questions or input on this subject, please let me know.

At our last board meeting, on July 22, PMG representative Lisa Walker reported that we are generally on target to meet the budgeted numbers for revenues and expenditures. That's very good news, especially in light of the fact that many HOAs are not doing as well in this economic climate. At a recent city council meeting, Rowlett's assistant city manager and financial director Brian Funderburk reported that the city of Rowlett is also doing quite well in comparison to many other cities. That doesn't mean that our city and our community haven't been hit hard by the recession - we have - but it does mean we're in a position to recover more quickly than many others.

Our HOA dues are paid twice a year, in January and July. Although collections have generally been good, some households still haven't paid their July assessments yet. That could be because of an oversight, a post office mix-up that prevented you from receiving the statement, or your personal financial situation. We urge you to pay now and avoid late penalties. Our HOA dues are very reasonable compared to those of many other communities and I, as a board member, intend to do everything in my power to keep them that way.

Last month's tragedy in our community has left its mark on all of us, especially those who knew Judge Loveland. This month, one of our neighboring metroplex cities, Coppell, experienced something similar and in some ways even more shocking, when their mayor took the life of her daughter and then her own. Whether it's the economic climate, the hot weather (in which, statistically, more violent crimes occur) or just the circumstances and personalities of the individuals, these incidents serve as a wake-up call to the rest of us. There may be others in our own neighbors or circles of friends who, while putting on a show of "nothing's wrong" on the outside, are in desperate need on the inside. Just reaching out to that person in friendship might be the little thing that keeps it from happening again.

Let's get to know each other better. The HOA board has appointed Bill Wright to head up our new neighborhood crime watch committee. He will be meeting with the police department and setting up a meeting for those in our community who are interested in participating. It's a way to become better acquainted and to unite in a common purpose. Check this web site, the Harborside HOA Facebook page and follow harborsidehoa on Twitter, where I'll be posting more information about this as we firm up the arrangements.

There have, in fact, been several criminal incidents in our neighborhood this summer. First, several residents reported that they had benches stolen from their front porches. Then a vehicle was burglarized on Natchez. In many cases, neighbors aren't aware of these cases and don't realize that they need to be extra cautious. Another problem that's on-going is that of door-to-door solicitors. Some actually respect "No solicitors" signs if you have them posted on your doors. Some do knock but aren't particularly bothersome; you tell them you aren't interested and they politely go away. Others can be more persistent to the point of being a nuisance. I recently had a visit - in the middle of dinner - from a pest control company representative whom I thought would never leave, even after I told him I wasn't interested in his service. I finally had to be rude and just say "I'm sorry but I don't have time for this" and shut the door. For some reason, in my experience the pest control people seem to be the biggest, well, pests. I do feel sorry for some of these people as going door-to-door would be a horrible job to have, especially in this heat. But be aware that some criminals use this tactic to "case the joint" and decide where to come later to steal things. Even if the solicitor is legitimate, they are all required by city ordinance to have a permit to solicit and you are within your rights to ask to see it. If they don't have it, you can call the police and advise that a violation is occurring.

Don't just call the police when something happens, though. Be proactive. Many of you will be going on vacations during the remaining weeks of summer and you may be leaving your homes unattended for days or even weeks.  You can download a House Watch form from the Rowlett web site to request that officers keep a special eye out during the time you're gone. Just click HERE. Fax, mail or take it to the Rowlett P.D.

As summer winds down, let's all stay safe and work together to make our neighborhood an even better place to live.

Deb Shinder, Harborside HOA president 

  MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
  June 2010
   By Debra Littlejohn Shinder
 

JUNE 22, 2010

June is almost over - where does the time go? This month has been a memorable one, for me personally and for the neighborhood; the former in a good way, the latter in a bad way. Our community is reeling from the shock of being the center of a real-life tragedy, the kind you think only happens to other people in other places. On Father's Day, only a few houses down the street from my own home, a man killed his wife and took his own life, while the SWAT team surrounded their house and a crowd of on-lookers gathered, precariously exposing themselves to potential danger if the armed suspect had decided to come out shooting instead of turning his gun on himself. The murder victim was a woman who was well known and widely beloved in our city, a municipal judge who worked with the youth. Belinda Loveland leaves behind a legacy of helping others, and many people are mourning for her.

 I didn't know either of the Lovelands well; I'm sorry to say that in the five years we've lived on Sunrise, we've really gotten to know only a few of our neighbors. Such is life in today's hectic world. A tragedy such as this one brings home the sadness of that state of affairs. I remember my childhood, when my parents were pretty well acquainted with almost every family on our block. One reason for that was that all the kids played together. The Lovelands, like my husband and I, were at an age where the children are grown and gone and don't afford that opportunity (or obligation) to meet those who live around you. On the other hand, even when my mom and dad moved to a new neighborhood after I was grown, they quickly got to know their neighbors and formed friendships with them. They didn't have or need an HOA to bring them together.

That was a different time and maybe people were different - less transient, less suspicious of strangers, more social (or social in a different way). They didn't have the Internet; when they wanted to communicate with others, they had to actually get out and meet them face-to-face. Our modern technology has opened up the whole world to us and made it possible to know and befriend people halfway around the globe whom we'd never have known existed without it. But it has also, in some ways, made us more isolated within our own homes and less dependent on those in our own communities for social interaction.

It's too late for me to get to know the Lovelands. But it's not too late to get to know the rest of you. I want to make a conscious effort in the upcoming year to meet more of my neighbors, to offer my friendship - not just as president of the HOA, but as a member of the community where we all live. September 11, 2001 brought New Yorkers together in a way that had never happened before. Perhaps this tragedy will serve to bring our neighborhood closer together. It has certainly made me stop and think about what being a neighbor is all about.

Deb Shinder, Harborside HOA president

  MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
  May 2010
   By Debra Littlejohn Shinder
 

MAY 4, 2010

It's hard to believe May is here already. Summer is just around the corner, and the community pool opened on schedule last Saturday, May 1 - despite a last minute scramble to get needed repairs done. The sand filter and a pump had to be replaced, but thanks to Ed Morrow (head of the swimming pool committee and former board president) and Victor at PoolSide, it was all done on time and some residents were seen enjoying the water over the weekend. I also want to recognize the efforts of Joe Huse, the pool porter, who keeps watch over the pool year-round and keeps the area clean.

Summer is a time when many of our neighbors will be taking vacations, leaving their homes vacant for days or even weeks. This is where a neighborhood CrimeWatch group will come in especially handy. Look for more information on that here on the HOA web site in the upcoming weeks as we start to put that together. The Rowlett Police Department VIPs perform "housewatch" patrols for residents who are going to be gone for a period of time. You can fill out a request form on their web site at http://www.rowlett.com/forms.aspx?FID=96 .

Due to recent economic conditions, it's likely that many people will be taking "Stay-cations" this year - taking time off from work but spending it at or near home. There's more to see and do in the DFW area than you might realize. Check out some of the suggestions on web sites like TripAdvisor's "Things to Do in Dallas" page at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g55711-Activities-Dallas_Texas.html . Right here in Rowlett, we have the Wet Zone water park that will be opening this year on May 22nd. You can find out more about the activities there on their web site at http://www.rowlett.com/index.aspx?nid=63 .

Each month, the Yard of the Month committee will be selecting homes in our neighborhood that exhibit the most curb appeal for the YoM award. It's a great way to recognize the hard work that homeowners put in to make their yards look nice. The committee currently has two vacancies, which we hope to fill this month. We will be soliciting volunteers at the annual membership meeting on May 19th, but if you aren't able to attend, you can still apply for membership. Just contact me at deb@shinder.net or get in touch with any of the other board members, whose email addresses are listed on the Board of Directors page at http://www.harborsidehoa.com/Directors.htm .

After the new board is seated following the annual meeting, we will also be forming additional committees. If you have an idea for a committee that can serve a need in our community, or if you want to volunteer to serve on a new or existing committee, please let us know. The more of you who get involved, the more we can make our HOA reflect the true desires of the community.

Deb Shinder, Harborside HOA president

  MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
  April 2010
   By Debra Littlejohn Shinder
 

Spring is in full swing now - trees and flowers (and, unfortunately, weeds) are blooming, the swallows have returned, and it's almost time once again for our annual membership meeting. In order to conduct business, our bylaws specify that we must have 15% of the total voting members present or represented by proxy to constitute a quorum. In the past, we've had trouble getting enough members to attend or return their proxy forms and we've had to adjourn the meeting to another time. Please make plans to attend or if you can't, please return the proxy form that you will receive in the mail.

At our annual meeting, we will be electing board members to two positions that are up for election. If you're interested in serving on the board, fill out the candidacy form that will come with your annual meeting announcement and proxy form, and return it to PMG so your name can be put on the ballot. The meeting will be held at the Rowlett Public Library, at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19.

I also urge you to vote in the upcoming city council election. The mayor's seat and three council seats are up for election (with one councilmember, Todd Gottel, running unopposed). In many ways, our local governments (city and county) are the ones that most directly affect our lives. This level of government is also the one where you can have the most influence with the least effort. You may feel, with some justification, that your vote hardly counts in a national election with millions of voters. But there is no doubt that your vote matters in a local election, where council members can be - and have been - elected by a margin of only three or four votes.

Our city council has the power to raise or lower your property tax rate, set utility rates, pass ordinances that criminalize certain activities, hire or fire the city manager, set policies that determine how the city's money is spent, whether our city is business-friendly or not, and how our city works with (or doesn't work with) surrounding municipalities. Whether you like the direction in which the city is headed or you hate it and want to change it, only by voting can you help bring about the result you want. So please go to the polls on May 8, or vote early, beginning April 26. Your vote could be the one that makes all the difference.

Deb Shinder, Harborside HOA president

  MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
  March 2010
   By Debra Littlejohn Shinder
 

Some of you who are reading this may be wondering “Who is Deb Shinder and why is she suddenly president of my HOA?”  I’m still wondering about the second question myself – but I can help you out with the first one. 

My husband and I moved to Harborside a little over five years ago from Seagoville, in late 2004, where I had lived for many years and served on the city council and numerous boards and commissions.  When we got married in 1994, I was a police officer and a Criminal Justice instructor at Eastfield College and Tom was a practicing neurologist.  Because of increasing dissatisfaction with certain facets of the law enforcement and medical fields, we made a joint mid-life career change to Information Technology and after going through intensive training, started a business as technical content providers, trainers and speakers. We’ve written several books on computer networking and security, together and separately. Tom is now a full time employee for Microsoft and I am currently working mostly with Intel. If you want to know more about us and our family, you can visit our web site at www.shinder.net, my web site at www.debshinder.com , or look me up on Facebook (Debra Littlejohn Shinder).

The first time we saw the neighborhood and our home on Sunrise Drive, we knew it was where we wanted to spend the next phase in our lives. In fact, the only thing that gave us pause was the fact that it was an HOA community. We had never been part of an HOA before and had heard many horror stories. But we talked to some people in the neighborhood, and they assured us that the Harbor Owners Association was a good one, truly dedicated to making things better for everyone in the neighborhood and not about racking up revenue through excessive fining or exercising power for the sake of power.  In our five years here, we’ve found the HOA to be reasonable and not intrusive or oppressive.  My primary reason for getting involved is to help keep it that way.

At the annual membership meeting last spring, I threw my hat in the ring as a candidate for the board of directors.  Although I had gotten involved with some city boards and committees, I hadn’t been involved in the HOA previously and didn’t know many of my neighbors. Thus, I didn’t really expect to get elected the first time out – and I didn’t. The membership logically reelected incumbent board members who were serving the community well.  But I made some good contacts and continued to be an advocate for our community in my interactions with the mayor and councilmembers and staff at city hall, and I put together and started hosting a new web site for the HOA, which I encourage you to visit at www.harborsidehoa.com

When a resignation on the HOA board occurred recently, I was asked to attend a Board meeting if I was interested in filling the vacancy. To my surprise, Ed Morrow announced that he was resigning from the presidency and the Board due to work commitments.  Even more surprising, the Board appointed me to take over the presidency because of my prior experience serving in such positions. I agreed to do so, at least for the interim period until the Board elects its new members at the annual meeting.

I’ve enjoyed working with our other board members: Collin, Mark, Michael and our newest member, Brad.  PMG, the management company used by our HOA, has also recently assigned us a new property manager, Lisa Walker, and I’ve been working closely with her to get our 2010 budget adopted and get up to speed on HOA business.

Every governmental or quasi-governmental body has to walk a fine line. For an HOA, that line lies between two much leniency that allows the neighborhood to deteriorate and leads to declining property values and even increased crime, and too many rules and regulations that unduly interfere with homeowners’ private property rights.  As a board member, my philosophy is that we are all, first and foremost, neighbors. I’m a little old fashioned in that I believe neighbors have a duty to live by the golden rule and treat one another as they would want to be treated.  There will inevitably be conflicts between neighbors and disagreements about what is best for the neighborhood. I believe that most of the time, those can be resolved effectively as long as we maintain a combination of compassion and common sense.

For whatever time I’m in this position, I want to be accessible to the people I represent. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with me via email at debshinder@harborsidehoa.com about any concerns you have that fall under the purview of the Board.

 
Deb Shinder, Harborside HOA president