May 2011 Newsletter
Hope you are doing well!! PLEASE READ this entire newsletter and pay special attention to the election process. Although no one was nominated to run against Al Cleverly, according to our By-Laws we still must have an election to allow for write-in candidates. We also must establish a quorum which means we need your ballot returned to us either via return mail or bring it to the annual meeting on May 18th. If we do not have a quorum, we will have to hold another election (which will cost the community money)! So please return your ballot!
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Extra Security, Constable patrols…
Cpl. Jason Cearley
My name is Cpl. Jason M. Cearley and I have been in law enforcement for 10 years. I began in a small department where I eventually became a sergeant and K9 handler. I stayed in narcotics for the next four and a half years. I became very good at finding narcotics being transported, manufactured and used. I then left that department in pursuit of a career in a larger department and found a home with Harris County Pct. 4 Constable Office. I have been with the department for 5 years and have made the rank of Corporal. I am currently the first line supervisor for Atascocita day shift. I am also looking forward to providing service for the Atasca Woods subdivision and giving the extra comfort to the residents.
The Atasca Woods Board has recently approved the expenditure of additional money (over and above) the amount budgeted to security in our current budget. This decision was made due to homeowner complaints regarding speeding and issues relating to crime and mischievous activity after school by AHS students. The increased patrols will take place during specific, targeted 4 hour intervals (different days, different times). The officer that will work the extra patrols is Cpl. Jason Cearley. Cpl. Cearley is a veteran to Atascocita and is very familiar with our subdivision. He is very excited to work with us in this venture and has already made an impact! The Board is very satisfied with his attitude and activities. Areas of focus will be; community contact, speeders, stop sign violations, playground/pool area patrol, loud music from vehicles and drug enforcement. If Cpl. Cearley stops by to visit while you are out in the yard, please speak openly to him about any concerns that you may have. He will also pass information that he learns on patrol to the other Atascocita units. Report crime to 281-376-3472
Spring has sprung!
Spring is here and the grass is green again. As we get these beautiful days and spend time outside soaking up the rays do not forget to mow the grass that is growing like crazy! As we enjoy the outdoors, we are getting our yards ready for the kids to enjoy playing catch or football, which will require the lawn to be mowed. Remember for optimum results mow more frequently and do not remove more than 1/3 of the leaf tissue. As we fertilize our yards and make them GREEN, they tend to grow faster and need more frequent mowing. Fertilizing should be done about every 4-6 weeks with a slow release fertilizer at a rate of 1 lb. of Nitrogen per 1,000 sq. ft. With mowing more frequently and fertilizing on a regular basis we can ALL improve the quality of our community!
There is nothing like the smell and look of newly planted spring seasonal color and mulch to make us feel fresh, renewed and ready for the outdoor season. For optimum results at home, be sure to loosen the existing soil beds prior to installing fresh mulch. This will allow the nutrients to penetrate the soil more easily when the plants are watered. In the month of March LHLC completed both spring services for Atasca Woods, so get outdoors and enjoy the vibrant colors and smells of spring.
Lake Houston Lawn Care is responsible for the common areas of Atasca Woods. They will appear regularly in future newsletters and we thank them for their great job in our community! The Board would like to emphasize the need to water your yard and home foundation during these drought conditions. If you do not water your yard, your grass will die and you will end up having to replace your sod, which will be very expensive! Also, keeping the soil around your homes foundation moist will reduce the possibility of a cracked foundation, which will also lead to a very expensive repair! Be sure to stop by and visit our new website at www.lakehoustonlawncare.com.
Annual Splash Day Date Changed to Saturday, May 21st!
Our annual Splash Day is right around the corner! Tin Roof BBQ (5PM till we run out) and other activities are planned! Bring the whole family (including lawn chairs) and enjoy the day! This event is limited to Atasca Woods residents and you will be required to show your ID! You can also pick up your pool tags free of charge on this day AND Sunday May 29th from noon until 4PM. If you do not pick up your pool tag on one of these two days, you will be required to pay a fee of $5.00 per tag (NO EXCEPTIONS)!
Book your Pool Parties early. For private pool parties you can contact Texas Aquatics for information. Parties are normally held after normal pool hours… 8PM-midnight or on Monday after 5pm. Cost is $20.00 per guard, per hour (at least 2 guards required up to 40 people) minimum 2 hours. There is a $150.00 (refundable) security deposit due at least 2 weeks prior to party.
Call Texas Aquatics at 281-852-5630 or email: Paul Bivens: texasaquatics@hotmail.com
Barking Dogs / Stray Cats
Barking dogs and stray cats continue to be a big complaint from residents! Dog owners… please respect your neighbors and insure that your dog does not bark during the day and night! Our houses are close enough as it is without having to worry about the noise! When you bring an animal into your family it is your responsibility to insure that this animal is well cared for! If he is in the back yard howling for hours on end, you are not doing your job as an animal owner and good neighbor! Also… Dog Walkers… PLEASE pick up after your animal!! If you encounter stray cats or dogs, please call Harris County Public Health and Environmental Services (HCPHES) at (281) 999-3191. They also have a “TRAPPING SERVICE” where they will deliver a free trap to your home to trap stray animals. All you have to do is bait the trap and call them when you have captured a stray animal. They will then come to your home and pick up the stray. They will then attempt to give the animal to a caring home and family or find the owner. Visit their web site at www.countypets.com
The following information was provided by the Atascocita Volunteer Fire Department:
VOLUNTEER FIRE FIGHTERS WANTED! The AVFD will train new members and all equipment/training is free to interested residents of Atascocita. Classes will start soon and will be held on Monday and Thursday nights and every other Saturday until graduation. After that you will be qualified to run calls on their apparatus. Get involved and MAKE A DIFFERENCE! If you are interested, drop by Station 1 at 7642 Farmingham (near the main entrance to Walden, near the Bank of America) and fill out an application or call 281-852-2181.
Potential changes in AW Trash service
A representative from Republic Waste Services attended the February Board meeting to request an increase in the 2011 rates for the Atasca Woods contract. The community recently signed a 3 year contract with Republic which reduced the rates for the community. One year has passed and Republic has the option to increase rates (but only with the approval of the Atasca Woods Board after justification is given to warrant the increase). Republic increased their rates by about $2.23 per month starting January 1, 2011 due to increased fuel prices as well as other increases in insurance costs. Additionally, they have requested that we consider changing to an automated trash pick up service. This new service would entail all new large rolling trash cans (provided by Republic at no charge). The bins would still be emptied twice a week by an automated side load truck. No other containers/plastic bags, would be acceptable. The monthly rate for this service would be slightly cheaper than our current rate and heavy trash pick-up would be accomplished once a month. We will discuss this further at future Board meetings with Republic officials. If you have any opinion regarding this possible change in service, please advise the Board via email at board@atascawoods.org.
Remember to please and see you on Splash Day, May 21st!!!
Important Dates
Please visit the events page for a list of important dates to remember.
Important Contacts
Please visit the contacts page for a list of important contacts to remember.
