February - Sugar Creek Homes Association

homes association
FEBRUARY 2012
Sugar Land Garbage Program
Sugar Creek has experienced operational problems with the new garbage
program throughout the subdivision.
Since we are the only subdivision in
the city that still offers the off-curb
program some of our problems are
unique. The off-curb program has been
in existence since the inauguration of
the subdivision. This service enabled
residents to leave their garbage at the
garage door for pick-up instead of the
street. Residents have the ability of
opting-out of this program and not
paying the sanitation fee.
Garbage days in Sugar Creek are
now Monday and Thursday, recycling
and green waste Thursday with once
a month heavy trash pick-up the third
Wednesday of the month. The city has
been putting green tags on items set
out early or on items that are not in
compliance with the program. Except
for heavy trash pick-up, all items
Sugar Creek Annual
Board of Directors
Election
The deadline to file as a candidate
for the Board of Directors election is
March 2, 2012 at 5:00 P.M. This year
three positions are open: Pct. I, Pct.
II and At-large position. Precinct
candidates must live in the precinct
they are running for. However,
everyone is eligible for the At-large
position. The Association has a nine
member board made up of residents
that are responsible for overseeing
the activities of the Association. A
General Meeting will be held in March
to introduce the candidates. For more
information contact the Association at
281-491-8977.
must be inside the bin for garbage and
recycling. Green waste has been a
large problem with the change to
Thursday. As a result of the change
to subdivision-wide Thursday green
waste pick-up, city staff has advised
residents and lawn personnel the
options of having their lawn contractor
take green waste with them, change
their mowing day or mowing equipment to mulching style.
The city and Association are working
with Republic to improve service in the
anticipation of a return to normalcy. In
Garden Club
Sugar Creek Garden Club Ladies
are gearing up for their annual
Friendship Luncheon and Silent
Auction on Saturday, February
11, 2012. The Committee will be
selling raffle tickets for the following prizes: a Kindle Fire, Blu Ray
3D DVD player, 4 prime seats to a
Skeeters Baseball game with a $100
Pappas gift card, a $250 gift certificate to Woodhouse Day Spa, and a
“Fashionista package” that includes
the meantime, if you have problems
with pick-up call Republic Services at
713-726-7307 or City of Sugar Land
Solid Waste & Recycling at 281-2752450. Don’t forget about the city assistance program; if you are physically
unable to place household garbage
curbside for collection whether it be
because age, disability, etc. simply call
Dawn Steph, Environmental Manager
for the City of Sugar Land at 281-2752497. Please remember Sugar Land
City Council selected the contractor
and the new garbage program.
a Coach handbag, designer scarf and
14 K gold Drusy Quartz Pendant.
Included in this fun day will be
a delicious lunch for both adults
and children to enjoy. This year’s
function will again include “Twilight,
Your Clown”. The silent auction
will have something for everyone: a
teapot table, jewelry, children’s table,
and much more. For reservations
in February call Connie Bingham,
281-494-5065. Come join in the fun!!
Left to Right: Bonnie Steidley, Ann Price, Dana Knox, Karen Bradbury,
Jenny Schultz, and Donna Hrachovy.
Welcome!
LISTED BELOW ARE OUR NEW NEIGHBORS:
Denise McLarty & John Strength
41 Bendwood Drive
Daniel & Margaret Lauck
8 Regent Court
Michael & Lisa Aquino
854 Merrick Drive
Hansjan & Hui Liang Evertse
1234 Wedgewood Drive
Leslie Stoerner
1214 Wedgewood Drive
Mirko & Angela Grgic
3107 Lynbrook Court
Jose Rodriguez
407 Fox Briar Lane
Othman Ahmad
8 Wellington Lane
Quyen Vu
3227 Chesterfield Lane
Nancy Keyes Desobry
3 Tiffany Square
Mary Ghoubrial & Michael Abdelsayed
1455 Sugar Creek Blvd.
Community Garage Sale March 24th
Sugar Land First United Methodist Church
Spring cleaning might be more fun
if there’s a monetary reward. Market
your gently-used ‘wares’ at Sugar
Land Methodist’s annual Community
Garage Sale. This year the sale will
be held from 8:00 am until 1:00 pm
on Saturday, March 24th in the Great
Hall and the Great Hall parking lot.
Proceeds from the sale of booths
benefit the ministry and missions of
the church’s youth choir, One Voice.
Booths must be purchased ahead of
time through the church office. After
that, just set up shop, rake in the sales
and put the proceeds in your pocket.
For more information contact One
Voice Choir Director, Kip Johnson
at 281-491-6041 or visit the church
website at sugarlandmethodist.org/
music/students.
Christmas 2011 Decoration Winners
The Metting Family
The Bohny Family
The Richey Family
The Stubbs Family
The Duffy Family The Ribbe Family
606 Montclair
Lighting
726 Montclair
Door
4 Turnabout
Religious
2703 Fairway
Novelty
3006 Fairway
Traditional
902 Eastwood
Artistic
Lisa Russo & David Barber
2503 Encino Lane
Roy & Carrie Price
2810 Country Club
Alex & Carmen Jantzen
4 Wellington Lane
Paul Benoit
830 Merrick Drive
Mary & Kelly Stewart
Mr. & Mrs. Vallender
1351 Creekford Circle
Southwest
David & Robin Ephraim
106 North Keswick Court
281-782-2111
832-724-4402
Jim Thomas
37 Wellington Court
visit our
remodeled website:
sugarcreekhomes.org
Page 2
MaryKayStewart@Yahoo.com
KellyMStewart@Yahoo.com
Your
Family Realtors for over 30 Years!
Pet Safety
Most of us
love to see the
many residents
walking their
dogs throughout the neighborhood. The human pet bonding,
the love and companionship for both
the owner and the pet while mutually
enjoying life is readily seen and felt.
This is especially true during these
beautiful weather days this time of the
year. However, pet ownership does
bring some pet safety and courtesy
concerns. Although it is definitely fun
to walk your dog with an extendable
leash to allow extra roaming and
sniffing, please remember the more
length away from you that your pet
is, the more you lose control to act
quickly to protect your pet or others.
In the event of a sudden passing car
or approaching dog, is your pet able
to be quickly pulled away from this
potentially dangerous condition?
Little dogs especially, can be injured
by a sudden meeting of a loose or
somewhat aggressive dog. Keeping
your dog a short distance from you
and walking with you, allows for
The Architectural Committee meets
on the second and fourth Tuesday of
each month. Please remember any
improvement or modification to your
property must be submitted to the
Architectural Committee for approval.
Architectural forms are available
online, at the Association office or
at the information center. The application
must be completed along with accurate
drawings, a site plan and photos.
quick action to control or retrieve your
pet and protect both of you.
It is also responsible pet ownership, public safety, and good hygiene
to pick up your pet’s waste droppings
and dispose of properly. The number
one complaint by pet owners and
non-pet owners is seeing or finding a
neighbor’s pet waste on their property
or on community areas. Picking up
after your pet is your responsibility.
Picking up pet droppings can and
does prevent several parasitic, viral,
and bacterial diseases from spreading
to other pets, and some potentially
contagious to humans. For your pet’s
health and safety, it is also important
for them to be on a good preventative
medication to prevent internal and
external parasites.
Most cities, including ours have
strict pet leash laws, enforceable
ordinances with penalties for violations. It is imperative to keep your
pets on leashes when out of your
personal house or yard. These laws are
safety laws both for your pet and your
neighbors. In the event of any injury
or damage to another pet or human or
any personal property damage, the
violating pet owner is liable.
It is very important for all pets to be
properly identifiable having a collar
with good information of the pet’s
name, owner and contact numbers
worn at all times. So many times a dog
or cat gets out because a door or gate
was left open or some other accidental
release and without some identification it is difficult to locate the owner if
your pet is found. Legally all dogs and
cats are required to be vaccinated for
rabies and should be wearing a rabies
tag to serve as proof of vaccination and
also another form of ID. You can also
have your pet micro chipped, which
is a small radio-receiving implant
injected under the skin for retrieval
of lost pets as well for indisputable proof of ownership. All animal
shelters, municipal pounds, and
veterinary practices have scanners to
aid in pet owner retrieval.
Be a good pet owner, a good neighbor and enjoy our lives together with
happy, safe, and healthy pets.
Jeffrey P. Hauke DVM, Board Member
Sugar Creek Countr y Club celebrates 40 years of
Traditions, Friendships and Countr y Club Living!
Make us a part of your family tradition!
For details regarding our exciting new spring membership
promotion, call our Sales and Marketing office today.
281.494.9131 ext. 134 • www.sugarcreekcctexas.com • 420 Sugar Creek Blvd.
Page 3
City of Stafford Update from Councilman Willis
Now that the holidays are behind us,
it is time to get back into the swing of
things and move forward in the new
year of 2012.
We are in the final stage of getting
TXDot approval to improve the
section of Staffordshire from 5th St, to
Scanlin Rd. Construction is projected
for the first quarter of 2013. This will
be a continuation of the already made
improvements on Staffordshire from
90A to 5th St. The City, along with
other entities, met with Commissioner
Prestage to voice concerns over letting
the construction contract on Brand
Lane prior to completion of Dulles
Ave. It is hoped that the pleas of those
in attendance will be heeded.
Current reports on sales tax,
franchise taxes, liquor taxes and hotel/
motel taxes have leveled out and/or
show increases. Hopefully this will
continue as the economy recovers.
At a recent meeting, Council authorized purchase of new vehicles for the
Police and Fire Departments. This will
help maintain the efficiency of both
departments and aid the Fire Department in retaining its ISO rating of 1.
The construction has started on
the new facilities for SMSD. We all
wait for its completion and anticipate
the positive impact on the District’s
academics.
Let me know if I can assist you
or help answer questions. I can be
reached at cwillis@cityofstafford.com
or call (281) 261-3900.
ONLY NEW HOME BUILDERS, REALTORS AND POLITICAL SIGNS,
BY STATE LAW ARE ALLOWED TO BE POSTED IN YOUR YARD.
Alarm Permits
Stafford requires residents that
have an alarm system to register with
the City of Stafford. Permit fees are
annual and in the amount of $15.00
before January 31st, $25.00 after
January 31st. The permit application
can be downloaded from the City of
Stafford’s website. A permit is not
required in Sugar Land; however, you
are required to have accurate information on file for emergency contacts.
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Page 4
OFFICE 281-546-7378 HOME
281-980-7378
UPCOMING
Events
SUGAR LAND
Feb 2, 9, 16, 23
4:00 - 7:00 PM
Urban Harvest Farmers
Market
Feb 3, 10, 9:00 - 11:00 AM
17, 24 Fitness in the Plaza
Feb 11
7:00 - 9:00 PM
Valentine’s Date Night
featuring Big Band
Music
Feb 18 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Texas Community
Referral Network Chili Cook Off
STAFFORD CENTRE
Feb 3-4
7:30 & 7PM
Stafford High School
presents GREASE
Feb 17
8PM
The Ides of March
Feb 18
10AM-5PM
Greater Houston
Train Show
Feb 19
2PM
Fort Bend Symphony Orchestra: Far Away
Places
CONGRATULATIONS
YARD OF THE MONTH WINNERS
NOVEMBER
Deon & Richard Mullins
39 Charleston North
DECEMBER
Deborah & Rosemary Beck
1902 Lakebend Drive
JANUARY
Bob & Mary Gallagher
647 Chevy Chase Circle
Year End Review
One of the questions frequently
asked is, “How is the subdivision
doing?” Responding strictly to the
drought in 2011, it was a tough year.
I would have never thought it would
stop raining and continued the pattern
all year. By December the annual
rainfall was down 34.78”, landscaping that had been in place for 30 years
perished, and not even palms were
immune from the damage. Repair of
our irrigation system became a daily
occurrence repairing four leaks one
day and having six leaks the next.
Water became such a large issue that
the Association was 114% over budget
in water. Unfortunately this only kept
plants alive, not flourishing.
However, home sales were a lot
brighter. 73 homes sold in 2011 when
the subdivision typically averages
50-55 home sales per year. With these
new residents the subdivision saw an
increase in remodeling, upgrading of
properties and even new homes being
built. Due to the superior location
of the subdivision we hope to see
this trend continue. Sugar Creek is
blessed to have great realtors living
and working in the subdivision. If you
are planning to buy or sell a property
in the subdivision remember we have
premier realtors that know the subdivision, homes and area.
Crime is always a major concern.
In comparison to 30 years ago in 1982
there were 17 reported burglaries
in the subdivision. Eight residential
burglaries were reported in 2011. In
two of these cases there was no forced
entry. Another two had forced entry
but nothing was taken. One case which
was of great concern the resident was
home while the suspect forced entry
and then retreated when the resident
gave chase. The Association employs
off-duty officers during various hours
of the week to patrol the subdivision.
Sugar Land has a policy that if the
off-duty officers are working in the
city they are allowed to drive marked
units if available. Now instead of the
courtesy patrol vehicle you are seeing
marked Tahoe patrol units in the
subdivision. The Association has signs
available at the front gate to advertise that you have a monitored alarm
system. It is highly recommended that
you pick one up. If you are on the golf
course get two – one for your front
yard and one for your backyard. This
is an inexpensive crime prevention
method. Also use your alarm system,
take advantage of the city’s house
watch program and call the police on
any suspicious activities or person.
The city engulfed us with many
projects last year; the drainage line
into Lake Jane Long, Dulles project,
roadway repair and the new automated
2012 Assessment
The general assessment bill
was sent out on November 4,
2011 to each homeowner. If
you did not receive your bill,
please contact the Association
office at 281-491-8977. The
bill was due January 1, 2012
and interest will apply if unpaid
by January 31, 2012. The assessment
pays for the upkeep, maintenance
and improvement of the subdivision.
garbage program. The drought caused
a lot of movement in the pavement
throughout the subdivision. The city
had a list of requested repairs from
January 2011. Since that list other
areas have shifted and caused problems
needing replacement or repairs. The
city has promised to be back in the
subdivision this year for further
repairs. The pavement repair on Dulles
is scheduled to be completed this fall
and the switch over to the new lanes is
scheduled for the end of February.
Overall Sugar Creek continues to
prosper and we expect a better year
in 2012.
Please take notice that
on your bill there may
be a line item titled
“SANITATION” in the
amount of $221.00.
This fee is strictly for
the off-curb service
garbage program. If you no
longer wish to receive this service
please contact the Association office.
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Page 5
HOMES ASSOCIATION
101 Southwestern Boulevard, Suite 117
Sugar Land, Texas 77478
See me today and get the discounts
and service you deserve.
Sugar Creek
Homes
Association
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
William J. Hickl III, President
Diane R. Schomburg, Agent
Phone: (281) 265-6100 Fax: (281) 265-2093
1716 Dulles Ave., Suite 102, Sugar Land, TX 77478
www.dianeschomburg.com
diane@dianeschomburg.com
Office Hours:
Mon.-Thurs. 9 am - 5:30 pm Fri. 9 am - 5 pm
Sat. & After Hours by Appointment
Jeffrey Hauke, Vice President
Herb Hamilton, Treasurer
Nancy Lusk, Secretary
Tom DeMont
Lana Goldberg
J. DeWitt Morrow
Leonard Huxtable
Richard Avery
statefarm.com®
GENERAL MANAGER
Gary Sanford
281-491-8977