10 DAYS

Questions I submitted for the annual meeting 10 days ago remain unanswered.

Wouldn't you think that with the trouble we've had with trucks overrunning the circle on Spanish Oaks Boulevard, that there'd be a hurry-up to redesign or alter course rather than throw down a pair of white rocks?

It just doesn't seem very upscale, or in keeping with the brochured grandeur of the place.

Someone asked why the gates are sometimes left open - this I do know - it's because the heavy winds tend to break them.

A recent issue was that of a work crew with an open fire on a burn ban day, just maybe 10 feet from dry grass and cedar. I reported it. 'Security' wasn't able to find it, declared it out, while it continued to burn. That builder has had his construction underway for weeks, maybe months? with no chain link fence which just went up this week. Where's the oversight? What does the roving security guard note? Isn't that rather obvious? Even after having been "shut down" by SO, work crews somehow continued to gain access to the site.

There remain many questions unanswered and I've been promised answers which will be emailed to those opted in. Where possible and if appropriate I will also blog them.

HOA ANNUAL MEETING

Why do we have annual meetings? Other than a nice chance to socialize, the point may be that it's required in bylaws. Last night's annual meeting at Rosie's was pretty empty of content while it was fairly full of people. Still, many were absent. You know who you are.

Several pols were invited to glad hand and give the message that 71 SAFETY is of PRIME CONCERN and that funding is hard if not impossible to come by. Especially in this era of politicing, there was a certain hollowness in my head as I heard the words. Maybe it's me.

Synopsis:

No funding. Money not there.
Make noise with legislature. Squeaky wheel syndrome.
Our board is making its feelings known. Back pats all around.
Only hope is as safety issue... might be money there somehow.
It's going to get worse.
SOS will sue over bridge widening.

That's that.

Why residents don't come equipped with questions is beyond me - there were very few (and the ones I sent in were left unanswered.)

I asked when Discovery projected that they would turn over control of the HOA to the home owners and got a somewhat vague 'market forces' driven answer which I think meant in a couple years.

The budget appears to have been underfunded last year. Wonder why?

Maybe no one wishes to ask 'embarrassing' questions at these things, but there are issues which will come to haunt us, namely, the cracking and deterioration of the early-in roads.

The lodge is projected to open with a gala of 4 July.

This blog is my creation and serves my opinion, naturally. I think there are many issues which need to be addressed but which are kept as unknowns until perhaps we get the whole Pandora's box when the transfer occurs.

"I'll get together with you later with specifics" is an answer that doesn't do the rest of us much good when you add that there isn't much communication from Discovery. (The name is irony itself, get it?)

No doubt this is a big project - I've seen the timeline in the office and it's long, detailed and complicated. Yet the interest certainly is felt by those who ask me (as if I knew!) questions about this or that.

Here's the list I sent in pre-meeting:

What is the timetable for road repairs?

cracks in road
cracks around manhole areas
dips approaching and exiting east entrance
bump at bridge east entrance, either side

Will they include the concrete sides which are broken in some places?

Will the Lodge be expected to turn a profit on food sales? What will the pricing plan be? Will food be sold at cost?

What employees will run Lodge?

Will there be a lifeguard on duty?

When will the road to the lodge and fishcamp be paved?

Why only decorations on west side for Christmas? (See budget - number for decorations seems high!)

Why has east gate stopped welcoming fire?

Why no fence around construction site next door to us (11528 Overlook Pass)? Why no oversight of same?

Why does the gate call when Police make delivery to our home (planning and zoning materials for Terri Wood) but NOT when workers arrive for painting? Are the police not allowed in without notice?

and I might add...

Why are certain guards not welcoming owners any longer?

For that matter, why have guards after midnight (as largest budget item and with security gates) why have them at all?

Maybe Discovery feels no need to disseminate such info. I feel that's a mistake, as we are the best salespeople for this development and to keep us unknowing suggests a lack of planning (which I don't believe is true, but it is suggested), an arrogance (what would be the point of that?), a lack of customer focus (!), or the need for someone to be given the responsibility to get the word out... or the failure to clearly delineate who communicates and when.

Unless they have done that, and the answer is - stonewall.

ANOTHER 71 WRECK

Sunday, about 8:20 we noticed the fire engines headed to what appeared to be an accident at about where we'd estimate the Uplands entrance/exit to be... (Up the hill and east of our east entrance.) There were quite a few emergency vehicles. Despite the wind, I tried to grab a shot. All the streaks of light below the towers are involved in rescue, etc. It's quite a long string.

LOST CAT

The Vinsons, of Overlook Pass, have lost their little cat. If you see it, please call Sheryl at 965-1691

It's only 5 pounds. Named Misty. Lost two days ago.

Road Report

For those traveling Spanish Oaks Club Blvd. west of the intersection at Musket Rim, beware of another failure (cave in) in progress of the road surface.

BUMP DE BUMP

We hear that certain S.O. road fixes will take place in the first quarter. We hope they improve the bumps at the east entrance, not to mention all the cracks around manholes. Maybe there will be info at the annual meeting?

CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM

Actually the new sparkle/headlight reflectors mounted on the curb do a great job of highlighting Spanish Oaks Boulevard in the night. We didn't follow the trail to see if they go completely around the back road but it's a nice touch wherever it is.

Some have asked: why did the West Gate have Christmas wreaths and the East gate none? Good question. Best guess: the golf club put them there.

CAVALIERS PARADE

January 2, 2008

Dear LTISD Parent,

You are invited to celebrate with the Lake Travis High School football state champions at a parade this Saturday, January 5, 2008 at 11 a.m. at the Hill Country Galleria. The City of Bee Cave and the Hill Country Galleria are proud to sponsor the Lake Travis Cavalier State Championship Parade and Celebration.

Main Street at the Galleria will be blocked off early Saturday morning and attendees should line the streets to view the parade. Confetti and streamers are both welcome and invited. The parade aspect of the celebration will begin at the Dillard's end of Main Street and will proceed to the opposite end of the Galleria. After the procession, as the players, coaches, trainers, band, dance team and cheerleaders make their way into the amphitheatre, the crowd will move from the streets to the amphitheatre for the rally.

The "rally" aspect of the celebration will be hosted by Dave Cody, Fox News Sportscaster. The team and coaching staff will be introduced on the balcony above City Hall and will be available for a "meet the team" session after the formalities.
Since Main Street will be blocked off for the parade, please park in the garages at the Galleria or in the lots on the south side of the buildings. It is expected that the parade and celebration will run from 11:00 a.m. to noon.

Wear your red and black! State championship shirts and hats are available now and on parade day at Team Spirit located at the Galleria.

There is still a need for a few convertibles for the parade. Please contact Bob Dorsett at 652-8854 or Amy Still at 750-3355 if you are willing to drive your car. The parade organizers are grateful for the many individual and corporate donors of vehicles including International Sports Cars.

Congratulations Cavs!

Marco Alvarado

Director of Communications
ltisd_communications@ltisdschools.org