July 8, 2011 - Park Timbers

President's Report
Much has occurred in the last several
months. As many of you are aware, we had
three burglaries and/or attempted home
invasions in the month of April. We held a
meeting in May with Commander Kouts, at
which many of you came. Details regarding the
meeting are contained inside the newsletter.
There is a lot of information in the newsletter
regarding the Neighborhood Watch Program
that we are attempting to organize. The
Neighborhood Watch Program cannot
succeed without all of the homeowners
participation. Numerous volunteers are
needed - block captains and phone tree
members. We are a subdivision of 356 homes,
and we have broken up those homes into 9
Neighborhood Watch Zones. Each zone has
been 25 and 50 homes in it (all are adjoining
neighbors). This was done to make it more
practical in (1) being able to observe the
homes around you, (2) getting to know your
neighbors, and (3) disseminating information
timely. The PTHA will still send out email blasts
but additional participation is required in order
for us to become more organized and watchful
of what is going on in our neighborhood.
There will be no Board meeting in July.
Therefore, we will hold a meeting on July 5 at 7
PM in the Clubhouse for all those interested in
participating in the Neighborhood Watch and
the volunteers. We are ordering Neighborhood
Watch signs to place throughout the
subdivision and are moving forward with car
window decals. Some concern was expressed
at the May meeting regarding the possible
dangers of having decals that identify where
we live and operating as an encouragement to
criminals to follow us home. We have taken
those concerns into consideration and believe
the middle ground is to get a window decal that
does not identify Park Timbers by name or by
initials but rather is a symbol. At the meeting, a
homeowner suggested a fleur de lis symbol.
Given that we are the home of the Saints, there
are numerous fleur de lis type symbols on
many cars. We are designing one that is a little
different, but should not be discernable by
others. The residents of Park Timbers will know
which fleur de lis decal belongs to us, and it will
enable us to identify cars that are not supposed
to be in the subdivision.
I cannot express enough just how
Pamela Lormand
important it is that we are all
involved in the
Neighborhood
Watch. While
the Board does a
lot for the subdivision
and the email blasts
are an important tool in
our disseminating
information, the Board
cannot maintain a Neighborhood Watch
without active involvement from our
homeowners. Additionally, please note that if
you are not receiving the email blasts it is
because we do not have your email
information. Please update this information
with us, and as always, if you do not want it in
the directory or want it to remain confidential
(and only used for the email blasts), just let us
know. We do this for a lot of our residents!
On a lighter note, we want to highlight
changes that have been made with the Swim
and Tennis Club. In May, the PTHA took over
operations of the Club with the prior Swim and
Tennis Club Board joining our Community
Center Committee!! Welcome aboard
everyone! It has been a smooth transition and
we look forward to another successful year!
With this change, however, comes the
renewed request that all of our homeowners
consider joining the Park Timbers Swim and
Tennis Club and encourage your friends to do
the same! We now have a fitness center in the
Community Center, cable tv, wi-fi, renovated
bathrooms and much more! It is a great place
to get to know your neighbors, which will help
with our Neighborhood Watch Program, and it
is a great place to relax and enjoy the summer!
Information regarding how to join is included in
this newsletter.
We have also included information
regarding the Recycling Program and the
changes to the Night Out Against Crime party
date in the newsletter. Consider it a little light
reading for you to take with you to the Swim
and Tennis Club after you join!! I hope you all
have a safe and restful summer!
Pamela J. Lormand
President, Park Timbers Homeowners Association
NIGHT OUT AGAINST CRIME HAS MOVED TO OCTOBER!!
The City of New Orleans, like many other cities in the country, has moved the
Night Out Against Crime from August to October. We will participate in Night Out
Against Crime on October 11, 2011. It is expected that this will be a cooler time in
which to have the party than in the heat of August. So, mark your calendars! We will
continue to have food, swimming, and live music. It will just be in October instead of August!
Anona Fosberg, Editor
SUMMER 2011
More from our President....
RECYCLING IS BACK!
The City of New Orleans is again offering curbside recycling. There is NO
ADDITIONAL COST for recycling. Residents may use the old blue bins (if they still have
them) or sign up online to obtain a new black bin. The black bins are similar to the green
garbage bins that are now in use. Residents may sign up for recycling and a bin online at
www.nola.gov/en/RESIDENTS/Department-Of-Sanitation/Curbside-Recycling
Items that are accepted for curbside recycling are: paper products (examples: office paper, newspapers and
color inserts, magazines, catalogs, junk mail and telephone books), plastic containers coded #1 through #7
(examples: water, soda, juice, detergent containers, plastic pots from plant nurseries), metals (examples:
aluminum, tin or steel cans), cardboard (examples: brown corrugated boxes used for moving or merchandise
packaging), boxboard (examples: cereal, food, detergent, paper egg cartons) and waxed cartons (examples:
juice boxes and milk cartons). PLEASE NOTE THAT GLASS IS NOT CURRENTLY ON THE LIST OF
RECYCLABLE MATERIALS.
PARK TIMBERS SWIM AND TENNIS CLUB
The Park Timbers Homeowners Association is now operating the Swim and Tennis Club, which is an
important asset to our community. Support our asset by joining as a member! If you have not come by the club
recently, you have missed all of the updates and new features that have been installed. The bathrooms are
newly renovated. The Community Center now has a Fitness Center which includes a treadmill, ellipticals,
weights, and stationary bicycles. The Swim and Tennis Club also has wifi and cable tv. The membership fees for
Park Timber residents are $325 for the year if paid before May 31, 2011 and $350 a year if paid on June 1, 2011
or after. Memberships are annual memberships. You must also be current on your Homeowners Associations
dues. We are now accepting credit card payments for the memberships as well!
Your membership includes use of the Fitness Center (for persons 18 and older only), wi-fi (while at the
club), two pools, two tennis courts, and the other amenities we have! For the Club to continue to be a success,
we need membership. Please encourage your friends (and yourself) to join! It is a great way for the kids to have
fun while the adults relax and enjoy their time.
Our Community Center Committee has also grown! Jim Wessel is joined as a Co-Chair of the
Committee by Greg Merritt and we are thrilled that Troy Crowder, Emily Blackburn, Jackie Teague, Lisa Mipro
and Elliott Forman are also assisting on the Committee!
To join the Club, please contact Jackie Teague at 504-398-0511.
For rentals of the facility, please contact Emily Blackburn 504-458-0218.
For swimming lessons, please contact Leslie Merritt at 504-433-4228.
For tennis lessons, please contact Teresa Nicholson 504-858-4756.
Please Join Us...
2011 Park Timbers Homeowners Board of Directors Meetings Schedule
July - NO MEETING
August 2, 2011
September 6, 2011
October 4, 2011
November 8, 2011
All Board Meetings begin at 7:00p.m.
There is no monthly meeting in July . The Night Out Against Crime has been
changed to the month of October. There is also no monthly board meeting in December,
as the Annual Membership Meeting takes place on December 6, 2011.
www.parktimbers.com
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MEMBERSHIP AND WELCOMING COMMITTEE
Treva Ragland, Chair (392-9772)
We welcome the following new residents into our Community:
Robert and Tara Voss - 5 Grand Canyon Court
Arnold and Sheila Young, Sr. - 76 Yosemite Drive
Dante and Tanya Bryant - 2 Glacier Court
Sherwood and Amy Collins - 41 Yellowstone Drive
Our committee's primary objective is to make sure that all new residents are furnished with copy of our
Covenants and Bylaws, as we are a Covenant Protected Community and we do our utmost to make sure all
our residents have access to those Covenants and Bylaws. In addition, we furnish each resident with copy of
/our Membership Directory which is published annually with listing of residents, their contact information, as
well as listing of HOA Officers and Committee Chairs. If you are new to the neighborhood and have not been
contacted by one of our Block Captains, please let us know.
The 2011 Park Timbers Directories were delivered to all residents in late February. Once again, we would
greatly appreciate your taking a few minutes to check the accuracy of your information, such as phone
numbers, email addresses, employers, etc. to verify that we have your current and correct information.
Thanks!
Any questions or assistance, please call or email us. Treva (392-9772 or mstreva@bellsouth.net) and/or Diane
(391-0473 or hingle@sstar.com)
www.parktimbers.com
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MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
Anona Fosberg
The Park Timbers Newsletter is published bimonthly for residents of Park Timbers. I
welcome any and all articles, announcements, or other items of interest to the
neighborhood. If you have an article to submit, a tip to share, or would like further
information about the newsletter, please submit it to me
via e-mail at
parktimberseditor@cox.net or in writing to: PTHA Newsletter at 108 Kingston Court,
New Orleans, LA 70131. Call for information at 393-7373. The e-mail address for
PTHA is info@parktimbers.com. Articles written which are libelous, indecent or in poor taste will not be
printed. I will also print classified ads (i.e. lost/found/- neighborhood babysitters/lawn care/pet care etc.) at
a reduced rate for neighborhood residents.
The deadline for the next issue is AUGUST 15, 2011.
Security Report
Mort Kelly, Chairman
This issue is a bit more serious than the last one. This time there was a
serious burglary on Park Timbers Drive which occurred on 4/25/11.
This was a daylight burglary where the back window was smashed in and
over $20,000 in jewelry, watches, registered firearms, laptops. I-Pads
and more were stolen. The homeowners were both at work when it
occurred and the burglary was discovered at about 4:25 pm when the
husband came home. No one reported any noise or saw anything unusual. The bigger items were not
disturbed because of key dead bolt locks on all inside doors.
There are two interesting items in this case. The NOPD Crime Lab does not do DNA testing. The home
has an alarm system with an internal motion detector that did not go off but when the homeowner
entered the door the alarm went off.
Some recommendations from the Security Committee are to check your security system throughout the
year. The company can walk you through some simple tests to see if the system is in working order. My
own home system lost the signal to the monitoring department earlier this year. The company never
notified me of the problem until a check of the system was requested. If the
problem can’t be fixed from the monitoring department, the company will
usually send a repair person out to fix it. In my case it was caused by transfer
in the telephone company. A call to them got a quick response and the
problem was corrected. Install dead bolt locks that require keys and not a
turn latch on the inside of doors. In the above case, the perpetrator smashed
the back door windowpane in a feeble attempt to turn the latch before
smashing the window.
If you have roll down storm shutters on the back windows and doors, roll them down if you are going on
vacation. This is important for those who live on Park Timbers Drive. It is an easy get-a-way for the
burglars. If you have a separate entrance into the back yard or patio, lock the gate when leaving home
even for a short trip. Burglars do not like climbing the fence to enter or leave with your loot. If you are a
burglary victim, check local pawn shops throughout the metropolitan area with a list of the stolen
property. Criminals will try to liquidate the loot quickly if they do not have a regular fence to sell it.
We are beginning to see an increase in property crime in the subdivision. Criminals may have
discovered Park Timbers. Security is everyone’s business. Stay alert and watch out for your neighbor’s
property.
www.parktimbers.com
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USE YOUR COMMUNITY CENTER
Joseph P. Stephens
Financial Advisor
Stephens Financial Services
The Park Timbers Community Center (sometimes called
the ClubHouse) is available for meetings and small
functions.
THE RATES ARE:
Residents of Park Timbers
Securities offered through Dorsey & Company Inc.
511 Gravier Street, New Orleans, LA 70130-2726 • (504)524-5431 • www.dorseyco.com • Member FINRA & SIPC
Monday - Thursday
$35.00/hour
Friday - Sunday
$50.00/hour with 3 hour minimum
Non-Residents
Monday - Thursday
$50.00/hour
Friday - Sunday
$75.00/hour with 3 hour minimum
Functions lasting beyond 10:00 PM will require a security
guard. No confetti allowed.
There is also a $50.00 Non-Refundable deposit for all events.
For more details contact Jim Wessel @ 458-4900
SAVE THE DATE!!!
STARTING AT 2 PM
POT LUCK AT THE CLUB
Swim & Tennis Club Members Only
GARDEN OF THE MONTH
March – Steven & Robin Schwehm
3901 Lennox Blvd.
April - Ivan & Monique Varnado
7 Grand Teton Court
May - Timothy & Grenda Weston
5 Grand Teton Court
June - Mark & Stacey Marcel
9 Yellowstone Drive
CONGRATULATIONS
www.parktimbers.com
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NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH!
As you are all aware, in April, there were three burglaries and/or attempted home invasions in Park Timbers.
In June, there were three cars broken into on Yosemite Drive. An increase incidence of solicitors and youths
walking around trying to get donations or work from residents has been reported. As always, if something happens
on your property or if a solicitor is in the subdivision, please report it to NOPD and our Security Committee. If NOPD
responds to your call, get an item number from them BEFORE they leave your home otherwise you run the risk of it
not getting reported on the UCR Crime list. If it is not reported on this list, it is as if it never happened to the NOPD
and their numbers are off as to the criminal activity occurring in our area.
While we are working with the Fourth District regarding the increase in activity, we need to work on trying to
be more vigilant as to what is occurring in our subdivision. A Neighborhood Watch is our best option at present.
While we already do many things that are recommended for a Neighborhood Watch program (like our email blasts,
newsletters, monthly meetings, etc.), for the Neighborhood Watch program to truly be effective, we need the active
involvement of all of our residents. A lot of information regarding the specifics of the Program are included in this
newsletter. Volunteers are required for this to be a success. If you would like to volunteer, please let me know so that
our Security Committee can begin the process of training and meeting with everyone.
In the meantime, we are moving forward with ordering the Neighborhood Watch signs that will be placed
throughout the subdivision. We are also designing a window decal, that will not identify Park Timbers by name, but
will have a fleur de lis symbol that should be placed on all cars within the subdivision. If all of the residents
participate, this will allow us, in our Neighborhood Watch efforts, to identify cars that should not be in the area, cars
that are canvassing, etc.
RECAP OF MAY MEETING OF COMMANDER HEATHER KOUTS
Commander Kouts of the Fourth District attended our May 3 meeting at which many of you attended.
Initially at the meeting, she advised that none of the three April home burglaries and/or attempted home invasions
were found in the UCR Crime Report (which would mean that the residents had not reported those crimes to the
NOPD). However, several residents in attendance stated that they personally saw NOPD police cars at the
residences investigating the incidents. During the meeting, one of the reports was located. However, to date,
neither of the other two incident reports have been located. Commander Kouts is working with us in an effort to
figure this all out. However, the lesson learned is that prior to an NOPD officer leaving your home get the item
number from him/her. The item number is apparently necessary to find the report. Additionally, if a UCR is logged, a
detective is required to make a follow up call or physical visit the next day.
Commander Kouts placed Park Timbers on a higher patrol zone pattern, which means that one police car
every 8 hours should be driving through our subdivision. At the time of the meeting, Commander Kouts also stated
that plain clothes officers may be coming through the subdivision more frequently for surveillance. On a personal
note, I have seen more plain clothes, unmarked police cars in the subdivision and have notice more police cars
visible. ANY SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR SHOULD BE REPORTED TO 821-2222 OR 658-6040, THE FOURTH
DISTRICT'S NON-EMERGENCY LINES. HOWEVER, CALL 911 IF YOU HAVE AN EMERGENCY.
www.parktimbers.com
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REASONS TO HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH IN PARK TIMBERS
Private security patrols are costly, and cost prohibitive for our budget.
Estimates for 12 hours per day, 7 days a week patrols ranged from $60,000.00 to
$120,000.00 annually. We don't take in that much money with our yearly dues. Additionally,
there are a number of residents who voiced opposition to paying for private patrols when we
should be provided this by NOPD. While the possibility of having reduced hours patrols (i.e. 4
hours per day) was also discussed, this is simply a waste of our resources given the fact that
sporadic 4 hour private patrols leaves too much time not covered.
Given these limitations, the Neighborhood Watch program and non-readily identifiable (to persons outside of our
subdivision) window decals are our most reasonable options. The Neighborhood Watch program is designed to provide:
-Basic Crime Prevention (Greater Sense of Security, Responsibility, and Personal Control) by practicing crime safety measures
that eliminate opportunities for criminals. It operates to encourage others to join in crime prevention efforts, aid others when
they become victims of crime and work for a better and safer neighborhood through protecting and honoring the rights of others.
Statistics and criminals alike verify that when neighbors organize, the opportunity for crime is drastically reduced.
-Disaster Preparedness (Preparing for Helping Ourselves and Others in Our Community) is enhanced by aiding residents to
learn skills to prepare for man-made and natural disasters. Local, state and the federal government do a lot to prepare for
disasters but citizens have to be ready to care for each other.
-Build a Stronger Community (Better Quality of Life) by getting to know your neighbors. In our fast-paced world we don’t spend
enough time learning about our neighbors. Watch groups give community members a reason to get together and talk about
making their community a better place. Neighborhood Watch Activities are a fun way for community members to get to know
each other while making a difference.
GETTING STARTED (this information is provided so that everyone is on the same page with how this needs to work):
1. We need to recruit and organize as many neighbors as possible to assist with the Watch. We need block captains and people
willing to participate in the phone tree. We also need all residents, regardless of whether they are willing to assist as a Block
Captain or on the Phone Tree, to be vigilant and participate in the activities outlined below.
2. Contact your local law enforcement agency and schedule a meeting to build a partnership to resolve the community issues. DONE!
3. Discuss and prioritize the community concerns that have been identified and develop an action plan. Have a defined mission
and identify what resources are available to address the needs and concerns of the community. Develop goals with specific
objectives and realistic milestones. Identify a Neighborhood Watch Coordinator and Block Captains. Our Neighborhood Watch
Coordinator will be our Security Committee. The objectives outlined in the May meeting were to be more aware of who is
supposed to be in our neighborhood and who is not so that those suspicious persons can be reported to the NOPD.
4. Hold regular meetings and train on relevant skills. Hone in skills in crime prevention and community policing. Local law
enforcement can help citizens work together to protect themselves and their communities by teaching members how and what
to observe and keys to reporting suspicious activity. 5. Implement a phone/email tree and take action steps. Maintain
communication between Watch Coordinator, Block Captains, group members and the law enforcement liaison.
To implement this, we have broken the subdivision into 9 areas, with there being between 25 and 50 homes in each zone. This
provides a manageable way to disseminate information and for homeowners not to be overwhelmed with the process.
THE ZONES ARE (see included map):
Zone 1: 1 - 47 Kings Canyon Drive, 88 - 90 Yellowstone Drive
Zone 2: 3801 - 4025 Lennox Boulevard
Zone 3: 1 - 7 Everglades Drive, 56-86 Yellowstone Drive, 1 - 11 Olympic Court, 2 - 7 & 9 Glacier Court
Zone 4: 8 - 14 & 11 - 23 Glacier Ct., 13 - 33 Olympic Ct.and 60 - 86 Yosemite (even house #s only)
Zone 5: 1 - 56 Yellowstone Drive
Zone 6: 1 - 59 & 61 Yosemite
Zone 7: 65 - 87 Yosemite(odd house #s only) 44 - 73 Grand Canyon Dr, 1 - 7 Grand Teton, 51-67 Park Timbers Dr. (odd house #s only)
Zone 8: 32 - 60 Park Timbers Dr. (even house #s only) 2-42 Grand Canyon Dr., 2 - 6 Grand Canyon Court
Zone 9: 1 - 49 Park Timbers Dr.(odd house #s only), 2 - 10 Park Timbers Dr. (even house #s only) 1 - 5 Yellowstone Court
Phone trees and email blasts (email blasts will continue to be handled by the PTHA) are one of the best ways to get in touch and
share information when an issue in the neighborhood comes up.
VOLUNTEERS ARE REQUIRED:
(1) WE NEED ONE BLOCK CAPTAIN FOR EACH ZONE. The Block Captain is responsible for calling all of the Phone Tree
volunteers and disseminating the information. The Phone Tree volunteers than call their respective homeowners to
disseminate the information.
(2) In Zone 1, we need 7 Phone Tree volunteers (each phone tree volunteer would be responsible for notifying 4 homeowners).
(3) In Zone 2, we need 5 Phone Tree volunteers (each phone tree volunteer would be responsible for notifying 4 homeowners).
www.parktimbers.com
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(4) In Zone 3, we need 7 Phone Tree volunteers (each phone tree volunteer would be responsible for notifying 4 homeowners).
(5) In Zone 4, we need 6 Phone Tree volunteers (each phone tree volunteer would be responsible for notifying 5 homeowners).
(6) In Zone 5, we need 10 Phone Tree volunteers (each phone tree volunteer would be responsible for notifying 8 homeowners).
(7) In Zone 6, we need 7 Phone Tree volunteers (each phone tree volunteer would be responsible for notifying 5 homeowners).
(8) In Zone 7, we need 7 Phone Tree volunteers (each phone tree volunteer would be responsible for notifying 5 homeowners).
(9) In Zone 8, we need 7 Phone Tree volunteers (each phone tree volunteer would be responsible for notifying 5 homeowners).
(10) In Zone 9, we need 7 Phone Tree volunteers (each phone tree volunteer would be responsible for notifying 4 homeowners).
Neighborhood Watch Skills That ALL Residents Should Adopt:
- Observation Skills – Start to recognize what is normal activity and behavior in your neighborhood in order to identify what is not
normal or unusual activity. Pay attention to things like physical setting (location/time of day), people (height/weight/gender),
what is important about the behavior or activity that makes it unusual.
- Identifying Suspicious Activity – Suspicious activity can refer to any incident, activity or individual that seems unusual or out of
place.
- Reporting Suspicious Activity – Four general categories can be used when determining what to report. 1)suspicious activities;
2)people and vehicles; 3)illegal activities; 4)unusual events or dangerous situations.
- Serve as Extra "eyes and ears" – It is important to remember that community members should report their observations of
suspicious activities to law enforcement and should never try to take action on those observations. Citizens are only asked to be
more alert, observant and caring.
This is to simply get us started. This cannot be a success without everyone's involvement. Meetings will be held so that everyone
can stay up to date on anything that is occurring and so that the NOPD will be able to attend and stay involved in our community!
THERE IS NO BOARD MEETING IN JULY BUT WE WILL HAVE A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETING ON TUESDAY,
JULY 5 TO ORGANIZE OUR PTHA NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM!! 7 PM IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER.
HELPFUL TIPS FROM THE NATIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH ASSOCIATION
TO PREVENT BURGLARIES WHEN YOU ARE AWAY FROM HOME
While many of these are based upon common sense, we thought that it could not hurt to remind everyone
of the tips.
A vacant house – or one that appears to be vacant – is an appealing target to a burglar. Although you
should always be aware of leaving windows and doors locked, there are a number of other things to
consider when you’re going to be away for a weekend or longer.
AT LEAST ONE DAY BEFORE YOU LEAVE:
1. Arrange with a neighbor to pick up and hold your mail and newspapers so they don’t pile up. Also have them remove
throwaway papers and circulars from your doorway.
2. Arrange with a neighbor or relative to watch your house and give them a key. Let them know where you can be reached in an
emergency. Have their contact information with you so you can check in with them while you are away.
3. Take valuables to your bank for storage in a safety deposit box & deposit extra cash in your bank account.
ON THE DAY YOU LEAVE:
1. Close and lock all windows and sliding doors. Make sure that a "Charley bar" is secure on sliding doors, and all screens or
storm windows are locked. Make sure your garage door is locked and take a walk around the house to double check the doors
and windows.
2. Put window shades in normal daytime position, and arrange all curtains and shades so that neighbors and police can see into
your house.
3. Set your electrical timer to turn some lights on and off during evening hours.
4. If you are leaving a vehicle in your driveway, make sure it is locked.
5. Leave a house key with your neighbor or relative.
6. Unplug all electrical appliances to prevent possible damage from electrical storms and set your thermostat to a reasonable
temperature (80 degrees in the summer and 55 degrees in the winter).
Pamela
www.parktimbers.com
page 8
Treasurer's report
Wade Ponthier
I wish to thank the many Park Timbers residents who have paid their association fee on time.
Your punctual actions have made the job for this volunteer a little easier. Members delinquent in
their responsibility have each received a final notice via certified mail. Each name will be
discussed at our upcoming PTHA Board meeting along with the specific action steps to collect
the overdue balance. Please know that uncollected certified notices are considered by the court
to be an adequate attempt for notification and thus support the pursuit of legal action for
collections. It is a pleasure serving the association and I look forward to seeing you around the
neighborhood.
Treasury Trivia
by Wade Ponthier
Where did the dollar sign come from? There are a couple of hypotheses but one of the most
accepted explanations is as follows.
It is only appropriate that an Irish immigrant to the United States be the one credited with
originating the dollar sign. Oliver Pollock sailed the high seas at the age of twenty –three, and
settled in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. This young entrepreneur rapidly established himself as a
wealth and influential West Indies trader.
Pollock moved is operation to Louisiana, where he amassed even more wealth as a trader, and
as a plantation owner. His success enabled him to provide supplies to the Patriots' cause in the Revolutionary War,
and to maintain close contact and a degree of influence with Congress. Pollock's success allowed him easily to
purchase military supplies to support “the cause” as the Spanish Empire had an outpost in New Orleans, Louisiana.
In his dealings with the Spaniards, Pollock used their currency, the peso.
In true Spanish tradition, Pollock used an abbreviation for pesos, yet his penmanship made the abbreviation appear
to be the transposition of the letters “P” and “S”.
Prior to 1775, the fledgling nations monetary system was in disarray, and needed to be revamped. By 1775,
Congress decided to rectify the situation by backing all of its legal tender with the most commonly circulated coins that
were, coincidentally, Spanish coins minted in the New World. Americans then began trading with “Spanish milled
dollars” later termed “dollars”, as Americans shed the “pounds” that were the vestiges of British rule.
Congressman Robert Morris, to whom Pollock addressed his billing records, perpetuated the use of the dollar sign,
and was the first high government official to give his blessing to the “S” with the two lines through it.
The appearance of the dollar sign in print, in a 1797 book by Chauncey Lee, Signified the acceptance of the dollar as a
purely American symbol, much as is the bald eagle. And, no the dollar sign formed by placing the letter “U” over the
“S” is not an abbreviation for Uncle Sam, as some have suggested!
Alternate hypotheses suggest that the $ is a monogram of U and S (United States), which was used as a mark on
money bags issued by the United State Mint. The letters U and S superimposed resemble the historical double
stroke “$” sign: the bottom of the “U” disappears into the bottom curve of the “S” leaving two vertical lines. This
double-stroke dollar sign has been used to refer to the U.S. Currency. Thus, the one-stroke design may have modified
to the double-stroke design to represent United States currency.
Another hypotheses is that the dollar sign derives from the Spanish coat of arms engraved on the Spanish colonial
silver coins “Real de a Ocho” (“piece of eight”) or Spanish dollar under circulation in the Spanish colonies of America
and Asia, as well as the English Thirteen Colonies and later the U.S. and Canada.
The Spanish coat of arms has two columns (II), Which represent the Pillars of Hercules and an “S” shaped ribbon
around each, with the motto “ Non Plus Ultra” originally, and later “Plus Ultra.”
Copied from somewhere on the internet: www.coolquiz.com/trivia/explain/docs/dollar.asp
ATTENTION FACEBOOK USERS!!!
The NOPD now has a new Facebook page designed to give tips and alerts.
It is www.facebook.com/NOPD Crime Prevention Section
NEW PARK TIMBERS WEBSITE
Please look at the new website that is now operational at www.parktimbers.com It is filled
with information that will be updated regularly. There is a Calendar section so that you can keep
abreast of the upcoming events. Also, we will have a Facebook page as well to better assist us with
disseminating information to our homeowners. We will pass this along to you when it is available.
Pamela J. Lormand
www.parktimbers.com
page 9
From Our President’s Desk...
REMINDERS:
There are restrictions on the type and number of signs that can be displayed on your property. No political
signs are allowed in Park Timbers. The Covenants prohibit all signs (except one relator sign in your yard that
advertises the house for sale and one sign of a contractor who is currently doing work on your home) from being
displayed to the public view. Realtors who have placed two signs (usually this is in the form of a For Sale sign and a
WOW sign) have been notified that one sign has to be removed. While we try to work with everyone, we have
removed signs from the yards of those Realtors who have failed to voluntarily removed the signs. Please make sure
your Realtor is aware of this restriction. Also, please refrain from placing political signs in your yards and in your
windows facing the street. The restriction pertains to items visible from the street - placing a sign in your window still
violates the Covenants.
Boats cannot be maintained in your front yard or side yard - which includes your driveways that are visible
from the street. Covering your boat with a tarp or similar type item is not acceptable, as it is still visible from the street.
Citations will be issued shortly so please make arrangements for your boats to be moved out of the subdivision now.
PARK TIMBERS DUES
Thirty-Four of our residents have not paid their 2011 dues. At least 19 of our residents decided to not accept
the certified mailings that were recently sent out regarding the delinquencies. Everyone who owes has been notified
via various methods on numerous occasions this year, which is costly to the membership and time consuming to the
Board and Treasurer. Failing to accept the certified mailing will not prevent us from filing a lawsuit against those
residents. In prior lawsuits that have been filed, the homeowners were required to pay not only the $120 dues, but
also court costs and penalties. Please pay your dues now. Lawsuits will be filed in the next few weeks, and we would
prefer not having to do this if possible. No one on the Board likes to file lawsuits against our neighbors, but we have
an obligation to do so when our neighbors are not taking care of their responsibilities.
401 Whitney Ave. Ste. 126
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page 10
Park Timbers Swim & Tennis Club
The Debut of the Fitness Center
In our last newsletter, we announced plans to convert half of the Clubhouse into a Fitness Center. We are
pleased to announce that the Park Timbers Fitness Center has become a reality. Accessed by individual keypad
access codes, the Fitness Center boasts a universal weight machine, a dumbbell set, two elliptical machines, a
recumbent bicycle, an upright bicycle, a treadmill, cable TV, and WiFi. The bathrooms have also been
completely gutted and remodeled.
Hours of operation: Sunday-Thursday: 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Friday-Saturday : 5:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Membership in the Fitness Center is included for all members of the Park Timbers Swim & Tennis Club. If you
haven't joined yet, please contact our membership coordinator, Jackie Teague at mkjackie100@yahoo.com or
914-7196. Memberships for PTHA homeowners who are current on their PTHA dues cost $350/yr. and may be
charged on your credit card. Non-members may join for $450.
Swim Team Splashes into Action
Under the leadership of Coach Leslie Merritt and assistant coach Jeffrey Merritt,
the swim team has had a very fun, fit, and successful start to the summer season,
finishing second in two of their meets this
season. The following swimmers are practicing
hard to represent Park Timbers at the
preliminary meets, and will hopefully go on to
the Divisional and City meets at UNO in July:
Chloe Blackburn, Katie Blackburn, Alyse
Celestine, Alayna Celestine, Xiola Chicas, Laurette Compass , Marlon
Compass, Gabriel Contreras, Alyse Downey, Michael Haas, Nya Lombard,
Jesse McNary, Daniel Merritt, Jordan Merritt, Sophia Mouton, Lillie Oser,
Abby Ponthier, Joshua Reimonenq, Justin Reimonenq, Faith Rolfes, Jeanne
Marie Young, and Jolie Young.
Tennis Camp Winds Down, Tennis Usage Picks Up
Our June Tennis Camp was well attended, and our tennis courts are getting
more use than seen in recent years. We've had a few successful Friday
Night Mixed Doubles socials, and we plan having them on a nearly weekly
basis. If you are a member, please come out and join in the fun! If not,
contact Jackie (above) and join us!
www.parktimbers.com
page 11
MIKE KNAPS
STORE MANAGER
4817 GENERAL MEYER AVENUE
NEW ORLEANS, LA 70131
(504) 896-1520
FAX (504) 896-1523
mike@harrysacehardware.com