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March 2015
THE OFFICIAL Newsletter OF COUNTRYWAY
President’s Message
S
pring is almost here! Last month
we had the Countryway Annual
Meeting and had no problem getting a
quorum. We also had an election. It
was close. We would like to welcome
Jim Sacarello to the board of directors.
John Large was Vice President and we
would like to thank him for his years of
service to the board and for his efforts
to reduce the assessment back to the
reasonable rate it is today.
Speaking of assessments, if you have
not paid the $300 Countryway annual
assessment, you should have received
a letter reminding you that there’s not
much time left before the outstanding
balance is sent to the attorney. When
that happens it might end up costing
double, so it’s a good idea to get it
taken care of now. If you have special
circumstances you can let the
management company know and they
will work with you.
The final warranty replacement of sod
was finished on Countryway Blvd.
The board will now be looking at other
areas that need enhancement or
revitalizing, such as Country Hollow.
The basketball courts on Country
Hollow should be locked up by the time
this is printed, so if you need a key
card to enter call the management
company. There is a sign posted at the
courts. Next project for that area is the
bathroom/pavilion building. These
things take time but we are still moving
forward at this point.
As always, I am thankful for the
opportunity to serve,
Bruce Bertan, President,
Countryway HOA
Spring Break 2015
Family-friendly outing in your town
doesn't have to cost a pretty penny.
Most towns and cities offer tons of free
activities— the trick is knowing where
to look. Check out this list of springtime
activity ideas that will get your kids out
of the house, but won't cost you a
dime. Here are some ideas to make this
Spring Break one to remember.
Visit A Local Animal Farm
Baby chicks, lambs and piglets all make
adorable additions to most animal
farms in the springtime. Take your
creature-loving child to your local farm
to learn all about the wonders of new
life. Many farms also offer petting zoos
and fun activities, so plan on spending
more than a few hours immersed in
country living
Take a Hike
Free Concerts
Keep your eyes open for free concert
series offered by your town — many
towns have them. A blanket, some
snacks, and jamming to a local band
can be a great way to spend a warm
spring evening.
Get Lost in a Museum
Most cities offer free admission days to
any number of museums throughout
the year, and many offer spring
activities and workshops especially for
children. Check your paper for an
activity that might interest your family,
like an afternoon of science
experiments or free interactive seminar,
and spend the day soaking up the
culture at a local museum.
Learn Your Genealogy
Are the new spring leaves on the trees
making you curious about your own
family tree? Your local genealogical
society can be a goldmine of
information, and they'll be happy to
help you with your search free of
charge. If you prefer to use the
Internet, websites like familysearch.org
and myheritage.com also offer free
searches.
Star Gaze at an Observatory
Treat your little astronomer to a night
of star-gazing the spring sky. Many
observatories offer free use of their
high-powered telescopes, pending clear
skies, but just remember to call ahead
to see if they have an age-limit.
Head over to a state park or local
hiking trails and spend the afternoon
exploring nature. Whether you climb a
mountain or just meander through the
woods, your kids will love the fresh air
and exercise. As an extra activity, go
on a scavenger hunt for leaves, rocks,
and other objects found in the
wilderness and use them to create
nature crafts when you get home.
Ride the Bike
Path
Get some exercise
and head out for a
family bike ride on
your local bike path.
Most go for miles,
so you can ride for as long or as far as
your legs can carry you and enjoy your
family.
PUBLISHED BY IKARE PUBLISHING INC. WWW.IKAREPUBLISHING.COM - 813-991-7843
Community Association Manager - Jaime Soderland
Management & Associates
720 Brooker Creek Blvd. Suite 206
Oldsmar, FL 34677
813-433-2000 ext 2011
COUNTRYWAY
Homeowners Board Of Directors
PRESIDENT
Bruce Bertan
[email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT
Jim Sacarello
[email protected]
THE OFFICIAL Newsletter OF COUNTRYWAY
TREASURER
Joe Coleman, Treasurer
[email protected]
SECRETARY
Marlene Sacarello
[email protected]
For Advertising Contact:
813-991-7843
www.ikarepublishing.com
DIRECTOR
Mike Rowland
[email protected]
The Countryway newsletter is mailed to the residents of Countryway monthly at no
cost to the Homeowners Association. IKare Publishing or Countryway is not
responsible for the actions or credibility of any the advertisers in this newsletters. It
is the individual’s responsibility to check references on all advertisers. IKare
Publishing is provided all articles in this newsletter by the Board Of Directors or
residents. IKare Publishing is not responsible for content.
Would you like to win $25.00???
All you have to do is use an advertiser in this issue! Yes, It’s
that easy! When you need something done in your home, or
any services available in this newsletter call on the advertisers
that give your community a free newsletter! Your community
does not pay for your newsletter. The advertisers in this
newsletter pay to print and mail each issue.
Email [email protected] and tell us the company you
used, your full name, address and phone number. Upon
verifying the information, we will select a winning name at
random each month.
If you don't win this month use another advertiser send us
your name again and get another chance to win $25.00.
Babysitters, Dog Walkers, Pet Sitters
Wyette Bertan babysitter 465-4620
Cayla Pecoraro 855-7138 pet-sitter, dog-walker and
babysitter
THE COUNTRYWAY NEWSLETTER ۩ IKarePublishing.com
Countryway Board of Directors Meetings are
held at 7pm at the Countryway Golf Club
House on the second Tuesday of each month.
Spring Break 2015 Continued...
Visit Monuments
Is your older kid a history buff? Almost every city and town
has a monument commemorating a historical event. Now that
the weather is nicer, take a walk and see what you can learn
about your hometown. While you're at it, check out your
town's historical society. Historical manuscripts and artifacts
are often made available to the public for free, and some
societies also hold informational seminars or tours.
Help with a
Community Garden
Freshly grown produce will
get even the pickiest eater
to eat his veggies. A community garden is a great way to
show your child how fruits
and vegetables are grown,
and working together to
maintain a garden teaches
responsibility. The fresh vegetables you reap will
make a delicious (and cheap!) reward.
3
Holy Week Opportunities at Wesley Memorial UMC
Sunday March 29th - Palm Sunday celebration service at 11:00am
Thursday April 2nd, 7pm - Holy Thursday Communion service and Cantata
Friday April 3rd, 7pm - Good Friday Service in honor of the cross of Christ
Easter Sunday, April 5th 6:30am - Sunrise service on the front lawn
Easter Sunday, April 5th 9:00am - Traditional Easter Celebration
Easter Sunday, April 5th 11:15am - Contemporary Easter Celebration
6100 Memorial Hwy. • 813 886-2536
The Estates
The Board of The Estates would like to share a summary of its major actions during 2014:
Sought Reimbursement of Funds
Last March a large flatbed tow-truck exiting the neighborhood knocked down our stop sign and street sign at the corner of
Bloomington and Bloomington. The Board promptly replaced the signs from our own reserves to avoid any liability issues, but
despite repeated requests and attempts, we were unable to secure reimbursement for our costs. After much time, effort, and
expense, the Board finally decided it would be in the best interest of our residents not to pursue this matter any further.
Installed New Landscaping
In May the Board refreshed the landscaping at the front entrance by installing pairs of hardy Snake Plants on either side of the
entrance signs and Crown of Thorns in front. Snake Plants are among the toughest of all plants and can withstand virtually any
conditions. Crown of Thorns are one of Florida's most drought-tolerant plants and flower nearly year round. They prefer hot,
dry, sunny locations, making it a good plant for places where nothing else wants to grow (which seems to describe our entrance
precisely).
Installed Decorative Curbing
In August the Board had decorative curbing installed, thus keeping the mulch in place and also giving the area a more
substantial, finished appearance. A 6” sloped curb with Spanish texture in Autumn Brown was chosen to complement the tones
of the entrance brickwork.
Replaced Sections of Wall Band
In December, the Board had three (3) sections of the wall band completely removed and new, non-metal, non-rusting stripe
installed to visually match the existing. The new sections are located at the western end of the wall, near Hole 16 of the golf
course. The Board plans to replace more sections in 2015.
We would like to welcome the following newcomers into our neighborhood:
Jay and Jennifer Bush and son JW
Tom and Sue Gandy
Ron and Tammy Lindbak and daughter Grace and son Matt
George and Luanne Sells and son Tyler (daughters Alexis and Brittney are in
college)
Reminder: please remove empty trash cans from the curb on days of pickup to an out-of-sight location. Thank you.
Congratulations
to our dear neighbor and friend, Ms. Jeri-Anne Martin!
On February 12, 2015, Jeri Martin was honored in a retirement ceremony as Chief of Protocol for the United States Central
Command at MacDill AFB. She is retiring after 35 years of service and support to national and international visitors that included
2 US Presidents, the Vice President, 5 Secretaries of Defense, Foreign Ministers and Defense Chiefs of numerous coalition
countries, 5 Chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, four-star general officers from all branches of the U.S. and foreign military
services, Heads of State and leaders of royal families, members of Congress and Congressional staff members, distinguished
members of state and local government and business organizations, academic groups, professional journalists, community civic
leaders, and world celebrities. She also received commendations and congratulations from the President of the United States,
the Governor of Florida, and the Mayor of Tampa.
General Lloyd J. Austin III, Commander, United States Central Command, presided at the ceremony which took place on Jeri’s
55th birthday. We are all proud to have you and your family in our community. Mahalo, Jeri-Anne!
[email protected]
THE COUNTRYWAY NEWSLETTER ۩ IKarePublishing.com
5
Glen Oaks
Yards continue to show improvement. Thank you all very
much. If you are delaying improvement to your yard, please
make the improvements as soon as possible.
Most of the properties continue to look good but there are a
few properties that to be polite look pretty bad. Please make
the effort to improve your homes. It is important to
submit your request for board approval before
starting any exterior work. Any improvements that do
not meet the requirements will need to be repaired AT
YOUR EXPENSE.
Pets continue to be an issue. Neighbors have
that are in deplorable condition. Please take action to repair
fences. Please note that the Glen Oaks Architectural Review
Guidelines, section 16 (Fences) paragraph b. notes that
fences must be stained or sealed every 18 months. Your
fence must be kept in good repair.
I received a disturbing call on 02/21/15; one of the neighbors
had a bicycle stolen from his garage. He admits that the
garage was left open. He has reported the incident to the
sheriff. Leaving the garage door open is an invitation to
theft or even worse, a home invasion. Please protect yourself
and your property. Keep the garage door closed when you
are not close-by. Even more disturbing, this neighbor
reported that another neighbor has had mail missing from his
mail box. Be observant and report suspicious activities in the
neighborhood to authorities.
found the half-eaten remains of cats in their yard. Remember
we are close to a preserve area and that there are coyotes in
that area. I was recently informed that a resident in another
development has photos of a bobcat in the yard. Be a
responsible pet owner. Protect your pets. Keep them inside
at night. Be a responsible neighbor and keep your animals
under control and clean- up after them. To resolve another
issue: ARTICLE VIII, SECTION 7 (animals) very clearly
states “EACH DOG MUST BE ON A LEASH WHEN THE
DOG IS OUT OF THE OWNER’S LOT”. Violation letters
will be sent to owners who do not keep their pet on a leash.
Just another reminder on trash collection: Blue cans go to the
street FRIDAY ONLY. Dark green cans go to the street
Tuesday and Friday. Remove your garbage and recycle
containers from the street after the collection is made.
Last month I included an article that discussed cleaning up
after your pet. It listed reasons to clean up. Additional
reasons are:
 It stinks. Be a considerate and responsible pet owner.
 It is ugly. Be a considerate and responsible pet owner.
 It upsets neighbors when they must clean up after your
pet. Be a considerate and responsible pet owner.
The board has been behind in awarding yard of the month
but is finally back on schedule. Yard of the month
These are only three reasons. There are many more but all
reasons to clean up after your pet start and end with your
personal responsibility.
Overnight on street parking and parking on sodded areas is
still out of hand. Please comply with the ban on overnight
parking on the street. In the daytime, use common sense
and allow sufficient space for other vehicles to safely pass.
Violation letters will continue to be sent.
As members of a community, we owe it to ourselves and each
other to respect neighbors and ourselves. Please be
respectful of others.
Thank you for all of the efforts to improve the appearance of
our homes and neighborhood.
for December (best decorated yard) was
8719 Huntfield. January was skipped.
February was 8771 Huntfield and for
March is 11134 Windpoint. Thank you for your
efforts.
If you have suggestions, comments, or anything you want to
share feel free to email me at [email protected] .
Charley
The real estate agent working the property at 8715 Huntfield
has notified the board that the parking in that driveway is
intrusive and is no longer acceptable. She has left requests
on the offending vehicles to please stop parking in the
driveway. The requests have been ignored. That house is
being sold. Make other arrangements for your parking. Be
reminded that parking that violates any covenant requirement
will result in the offender receiving violation letters and if left
uncorrected can result in a lien against your property. You
should also remember that the lien will include all attorney
fees.
The board is going to start looking at exterior maintenance of
homes and lots. There are many fences in the neighborhood
THE COUNTRYWAY NEWSLETTER ۩ IKarePublishing.com
7
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The Meadows
Growing Greener in the Meadows
There’s a saying that “the grass is always greener” … but, if
it’s not, you can always re-sod!
When choosing a professional lawn service to sod your lawn,
it’s easy to assume that the most familiar names in the
business are the ones to choose. It’s fair to say that any one
of them will do a decent job. It’s also fair to say that, unless
you know what to expect, you won’t know what to expect.
— Surprise! That sod you paid for in mid-December still
hasn't been laid ... even though it's now well into February
and your lawn is still brown! —
Instead of assuming, ask for a timeline of when the work will
be done … a week or few? Six weeks? Eight? Ten? Is full
payment due before the job is finished? What happens if the
service takes longer than expected? What if you’re not
satisfied with the quality of the sod? Is there a guarantee or
warranty? How dumb was I to neglect asking these simple
questions …?
Remember, the yard-of-the-month contest starts in April … so
there’s still time for growing greener in the Meadows!
Welcome new neighbors!
Congratulations on choosing the Meadows as your home and
as an investment in your future!
Moving into a new home usually goes hand-in-hand with
doing projects to personalize the place with your own style,
look and feel. In all your enthusiasm, remember that some of
your projects may require review and approval by the
Architecture Review Committee, or ARC. No doubt the details
were provided among the flurry of documentation that comes
with buying a new home, and the information is well worth
another look. Even those of us who have lived here for awhile
can use a refresher.
garbage bag strewn about the front yard to adds to the
eyesore. The final touch is the ever-popular practice of
parking partly in the driveway but mostly in the grass.
Regardless of whether you own your home or rent, regardless
whether you take pride in how your home and neighborhood
looks or not, be respectful of your neighbors and comply with
the deed restrictions.
Here are a few basics …
Check the trash pick-up day and put your trash out by the
curb the evening before, or day of scheduled pick-up. Stash
that recycle bin, mop bucket, old signage and other unsightly
items in the garage or otherwise out of the view of others.
Keep your county trash (rolling) bins out of view too. Last,
but not least, park with all of the wheels of your vehicle on
the driveway.
If seeing this published in the newsletter makes you mad,
consider whether you may being making your neighbors mad
by visually degrading the neighbor and devaluing our homes.
Second Saturday!
The next “Second Saturday” event is on Saturday, March 14th.
If all goes well, we’ll have new plantings for the plant beds.
The clear, cool weather makes this the perfect time to get a
head start on Spring. Grab a shovel and go to the North
entrance on Saturday, March 14th, at about 8:15, to meet ‘n
greet Spring and each other!
Have a happy, hoppy Easter!
Easter blessings to you and your family from the Meadows
HoA Board.
Suggestions?
We are proud of our community and welcome suggestions to
improve the quality of life here at the Meadows. As always,
Dena Diab, our property manager at UPI, is ready to help
homeowners with questions or concerns. Also, please let
Dena know if you’re interested in being on the Board or
joining a committee. Email [email protected] or call
813.980.1000.
A couple of examples are exterior painting, or replacing or
retexturing your driveway. Other things that require review
and approval may be surprising, and some may just not cross
your mind. Definitely anything that permanently changes the
appearance of the outside of your home requires ARC review
and approval. If in doubt, contact Dena Diab, our property
manager at UPI, at [email protected] or call
813.980.1000.
Getting back to that new neighbor thing, which includes
renters, it’s good to see that projects and improvements are
underway for many new residents. What’s not so great to see
is a very high, and very wide, pile of rubbish from those
projects sitting curbside for days and days while waiting for
the scheduled trash pickup. A bright yellow recycle bin, an
empty industrial mop bucket, old signage, and a partly filled
THE COUNTRYWAY NEWSLETTER ۩ IKarePublishing.com
9
Oakridge
Happy St. Patty’s Day
Why Volunteer?
People volunteer for a wide variety of reasons: to give back to
community in which they live, to preserve property values, or just
to help! Spring is just around the corner and would be a great
opportunity to meet all the new neighbors. Anyone interested in
starting up Yard of the month? Plan driveway social? How about a
block party? In order to do these activities Oakridge needs
VOLUNTEERS.
Please let the Oakridge board know if YOU would like to volunteer
YOUR time in 2015.
If we don’t hear from YOU the homeowners we will assume all are
HAPPY in Oakridge land.
On to Business: We have 9 homes in Oakridge with outstanding balances. The total outstanding amount owed to Oakridge is
$4,288.36 “this money is owed and no homeowner can go without paying ” the end result is Foreclosure and no one
wants that to happen. If you have not paid your 2014 H.O.A. dues - you are now in the hands of our attorney and you must
contact his office to resolve this matter. Please contact Robert Todd at 727-748-2435
Are you doing your part to keep up with your aging home? If you have to think about this - most likely you’re not. When was the
last time the home was painted? Is it time to replace the roof? Is your lawn in need of resodding? Is your mailbox to code?
What about pressure washing driveways and sidewalks? Are trash & recycle containers visible from the street? These are part of
home ownership and you agreed to all of these when you purchased your home in a deed restricted community. If you are not a
homeowner but a tenant - you still must adhere to the rules. If you receive a letter to correct a violation – Please do not
ignore. If you have received 3 letters already from UPI - don’t be surprised when you receive a letter from the attorney retained
by Oakridge. If you expect your neighbors to maintain their home – they expect the same courtesy from you.
Because we have received so many complaints regarding the exterior conditions of occupied, abandon, and or bank owned
properties, we have reached out to Hillsborough County Code Enforcement to assist with some of the issues at hand. They have
advised us that they do indeed fine the property owners for violations and the fines continue to add up until the violation has
been corrected.
If you are unable or unwilling to maintain "you may want to reconsider living in a deed restricted community where
violations will cause annoying letters as well as financial and legal headaches" There comes a time when we have to
ask ourselves – Is it time for maintenance FREE living? This can be as simple as outsourcing the responsibilities in your current
home or moving into a Condo, Townhouse or Villa, but neglecting the property is not an option in a deed restricted community.
Dog poop continues to be a problem in Oakridge, there is no excuse why pet owners
can’t Scoop the Poop. We have a poop station with BAGS at the entrance to make it
easy for residents to do just that. Homeowners are really getting frustrated with those
that don’t – and to avoid any unpleasant or unwanted confrontations, PLEASE just do
your part and scoop the poop. If you walk at night take a flash light, no flash light? many of the phones today have the flash light feature and who doesn’t have a phone
these days. Please be a responsible pet owner and Scoop the Poop.
Remember to submit the ARC form for any exterior modification to your home prior to
the work being done. Mail to UPI 7001 Temple Terrace Hwy,
Temple Terrace, FL 33635(ATTN: DENA DIAB) you can contact Dena
at 980-1000 or email [email protected]
For issues or concerns with Countryway common grounds contact property
Manager Jaime Soderland
813-433-2000 x 2011
Best regards,
Darlene, John and Patty
THE COUNTRYWAY NEWSLETTER ۩ IKarePublishing.com
11
News from The Pointe
I hope everyone remembered to send in the Countryway
Association fees, as well as The Pointe Association fees.
Attorney letters will be sent if you have not paid.
Spring is here and it's time to start getting the landscaping
and lawns in shape. I know I have said this a few times
before, but it's important to give your home and property
“curb appeal”. If you go to Lowes or Home Depot or even
Walmart, you will find many colorful plants and flowers, along
with sod and mulch. These places usually start running sales
on these items around this time. They also have lawn and
plant fertilizer, along with pesticides and fungicides.
The rainy season is
almost here, too. If you
haven't had your roof
replaced, then at least get
it inspected by a roofing
company. You don't want
to get a roof leak that will
end up costing you a lot
more later on. Speaking
of leaks, I just had all of
the pipes in my home replaced with pvc. I was one of the
unlucky ones that got the cheap copper pipe when my house
was built back in 1993, thanks to the home builder. We also
just discovered a vent pipe that was not connected to any
drain pipe; it stopped at the concrete slab. 22 years of rain
water had been collecting in it. What a mess when the
plumbers went to fix it. Now, after spending a lot of money
and after many headaches, everything is fixed. I share that
story with you because you never know when you might have
a similar situation. Your home is an investment. Take pride
in owning your home. Don't let things like roofs and paint
and outdated interiors bring down the value of your home
and the homes next to it. If you rent, and you have leaks or
structural issues, contact the landlord or homeowner that you
are renting from to get those things fixed.
Spring Break is just around the corner. This is the last long
break for students before the end of the school year. Please,
remind your high school and college students to be safe when
heading to the beaches. And, as always, keep those seatbelts
buckled and the phones silent!
Sincerely,
Wayne
News from the
Alonso High
School Deputy
Spring Break is almost
here. I am sure a lot of students are looking forward to
this last long break before Summer Break. Many of you may
have travel plans. Please be safe and have fun.
The Sheriff's Rising Stars Leadership Academy applications
are available online at www.hcso.tampa.fl.us for all Juniors
that will be advancing as Seniors next year. The Rising Stars
Leadership Academy’s 2015 mission is to provide a leadership
program that enables each student to be exposed to
principles that will enhance his/her ability to be a successful
and responsible citizen. One eligible student is selected to
represent each public High School in Hillsborough County.
The week-long leadership course is fully funded by the
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and will culminate in an
award ceremony for the participants and their families. A
scholarship will be awarded by the Hillsborough Education
Foundation. The Sheriff's Office vision is to become a
community leader in developing and rewarding successful
students by enhancing their abilities to become productive
citizens. Get those applications in as soon as possible. The
academy runs June 8 thru June 12, 2015. See Deputy
Crowell for details and to turn in a completed application.
The Spring Athletics schedule has started. Here is the home
schedule for March:

Baseball: 3/3, 3/9, Saladino Tournament - away, 3/17,
3/20, 3/24, 3/27, 3/28

Softball: 3/3, 3/17, 3/20, 3/24, 3/27, 3/28

Boys Lacrosse: 3/3

Girls Lacrosse: 3/3, 3/28

Flag Football: 3/6, Tournament 3/17, 3/26.

Boys Tennis: 3/4, 3/18, 3/23, 3/25 Countryway

Girls Tennis: 3/2, 3/16 Countryway
Schedules are subject to change.
Please Be Safe,
Master Deputy Wayne L. Crowell
Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office since 1987
School Resource Deputy
Alonso High School since 2001
[email protected]
[email protected]
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13
Southview
Lisa Gibson – [email protected]
Lynn Dixon – [email protected]
Alison Roth – [email protected]
Thank you to the many homeowners who have already
paid their dues. For those who misplaced the coupon or
haven’t paid yet, you are past due. If you have any
questions or concerns about the dues, or want to make
a payment plan up, please contact one of your board
members, we would be more than happy to work with
you.
Just a few points we need to address this month:
1 – Dog waste – it is really disappointing to see
residents walk their dogs through our neighborhood and
just let them poop wherever they please and then walk
away as if nothing happened. You know who you are,
pick up after your dogs.
2 – Yards – just because the colder months are here it is
not a time to ignore your yards. Keep up with treating
your yards for weeds. And those of you that have yards
that are all weeds, this is the year to replace your lawn.
Letters will be going out in the next few months.
3 – Edging – Please remember you must edge your
property. That means the grass at the sidewalk, and
your driveway, as well as the grass up against your
home. Don’t allow it to grow up the wall of your home,
it doesn’t look nice.
4 – Trash - Remember trash cans must be stored out of
sight. Trash pails can not be stored in front of your
fence, or on your driveway. Remember Tuesdays are
for yard waste and regular household trash. Friday is
for recyclables and regular household trash. Remember
all trash must be placed in the new pails and not around
them on the ground. Also the pails should be 3 feet
apart and not placed side by side, so the automatic arm
can quickly and easily remove your trash.
As always before any exterior work, such as replacing
your roof, painting the exterior of your home, replacing
a front door, adding a screen door, replacing or
installing a fence, or adding pavers in front of your
home or adding a new pool please submit an ARC form.
If in doubt contact a board member and they can advise
you. If you need a form please contact one of your
board members and a form can be emailed to you.
One last note, the board is attempting to get a list of
email addresses for all residents, so that important
information can be sent to you quickly and easily. This
list will NOT be used to spam you or sell you things you
don’t want.
THE COUNTRYWAY NEWSLETTER ۩ IKarePublishing.com
COUNTRYWAY HOMEOWNER’S ASSOCIATION, INC.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR’S MEETING
January 12, 2015
1. CALL TO ORDER
a. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 PM at the Countryway
Golf Club by Bruce Bertan, who also acted as Chair person for this
meeting. Jaime L. Soderland acted as Recording Secretary. Board
members present were: Marlene Sacarello, Mike Rowland, John
Large, and Joe Coleman. Others present: Landscape Chairperson:
Jim Sacarello. Noted that there were visitors from Luke Brothers,
Pasco County Extension Office and Hillsborough County Extension
office. There was representation from two lot owners in
Countryway.
2. ROLL CALL/NOTICE OF MEETING
a. The Notice of Meeting was posted on all outdoor message boards
48 hours in advance of the meeting
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a. Those being the minutes from the November 10 th 2014 Board of
Director’s Meeting and. and it was,
ON MOTION: Duly made by John Large, seconded by Mike
Rowland and carried unanimously
RESOLVE: To approve the minutes as submitted.
4. REPORTS OF OFFICERS
a. President’s Report: President Bertan reported that he would be
discussing his report during the agenda.
b. Treasurer’s Report: The Treasurer had received the financials and
stated that the association was in good shape at year’s end. He
indicated that it would be wise to move 88,000.00 from the reserves
to the operating because there were items that really should have
been classed to reserves, but were not. It was,
c. ON MOTION: Duly made by Joe Coleman, seconded by Mike
Rowland and unanimously carried
d. RESOLVE: to move $88,000 from the reserves to operating.
Manager’s Report: Was read aloud.
5. Landscaping:
a. There was discussion regarding sod replacement along
Countryway Blvd. Some of the sod had failed and Luke Brothers
was available at this meeting along with representatives from Pasco
and Hillsborough County to explain deficiencies in water. After
discussion it was,
b. ON MOTION: Duly made by Mike Rowland, seconded by John
Large and carried a four yay and one nay (Joe Coleman)
c. RESOLVE: To pay for 50% of the warranty work, which totaled
approximately 6,000.00. It should be noted that Countryway is still
holding approximately 11, 500 until the job is completed.
d. Annuals were discussed and no changes were being made at this
time.
e. The irrigation upgrades were discussed and noted that the two
wire system was in and that Bruce Bertan, Jaime L. Soderland, a
representative from AquaPro and a representative from Luke
Brothers were meeting to test the system before AquaPro is paid
and to also ensure that any warranty work from Luke Brothers is
resolved regarding the irrigation.
f. The new fountains were discussed and it is noted that the
fountain at The Crossings has not been installed yet.
Cont. pg. 17
15
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Countryway Minutes Continued...
The Lowry Elementary All Pro Dads Group
6. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
a. Basketball Entry
Waiting on TECO to approve the meter.
b. Surveillance Technology Update:
Once TECO drops the meter the courts can be locked up.
c. Update on Front Entrance:
Has been completed.
d. New Construction/Pavilion:
The Association was accepting proposals to provide
specifications to install a pavilion with restrooms at the park
on Country Hollow. It was,
e. ON MOTION: Duly made by Mike Rowland, seconded by
Marlene Sacarello and unanimously carried
f. RESOLVE: To hire IEC Architecture to draw the
specifications for the new pavilion for $4500.00.
is excited to welcome former NFL
tight end, Anthony Becht for the
monthly breakfast meeting in March.
Mr. Becht was drafted by the New
York Jets in the first round of the
2000 draft and went on to star on
the Tampa Bay Buccaneers team
from 2005 –
2007. Mr. Becht will be speaking
about his NFL career and about how
much fatherhood has positively
influenced his life. The breakfast
meeting will take place on
Wednesday, March 4th, from 7:00 –
7:30 AM in the multi-purpose room at
Lowry Elementary. All dads and
children that belong to Lowry
Elementary are welcome to attend Wednesday’s breakfast
meeting. Please RSVP for the event at http://
www.allprodad.com/3727.
NEW BUSINESS
a. Parking on the Volleyball Court: This is no longer an
issue
b. Board Discretion The board will start utilizing
emergency meetings moving forward for items that are
important and should be addressed before the next board
meeting. At this time Joe Coleman resigned as
Treasurer. It was determined that this will resolve
itself at the next annual meeting.
NEXT MEETING - Will be the Annual Meeting on February 9,
2015.
ADJOURNMENT There being no further business to come
before the board the Chair adjourned the meeting at 9:15 PM
Jaime L. Soderland, Association Manager
Marlene Sacarello, Association Secretary
The Newcomers of Northwest Hillsborough
will meet at 11 AM on March 19, 2015 at the Café
Ponte 13505 Icot Blvd., Suite 214 Clearwater, FL 33760
Guest speaker will be local attorney C. Todd Marks of
Westchase Law P.A. He will give us a brief review of estate
planning, trusts, and advance directives in accordance with
Florida law. As newcomers to Florida we all want the peace
of mind knowing our wishes and distribution of assets will be
a smooth transition, especially between states.
THE COUNTRYWAY NEWSLETTER ۩ IKarePublishing.com
All Pro Dads is a wonderful group that was started by former
NFL coach Tony Dungy and is meant to inspire dads to spend
more time with their kids. The team captain of the Lowry
Elementary All Pro Dads group is Victor Jones. Victor worked
hard in his efforts to bring the program to Lowry back in 2013
and the program has grown. The sessions go every month
with a different theme.
We would also like to invite Dads and their kids out to the All
Pro Dad Father & Kids Experience that will be held in Tampa,
Saturday, March 28th at Raymond James Stadium. During
the three-hour event, dads and kids rotate through stations
and participate in interactive games designed to strengthen
their relationships and deliver useful fatherhood tips.
Registration will be available online soon at http://
www.allprodad.com/nfl-events.
The Lowry PTA also hosts
iMom meetings every
other month, on the
second Wednesday of the
month from 7:00 a.m. –
7:30 a.m. in the Media
Center. The next
meeting is scheduled for
March 18th. iMOM
(www.iMOM.com) was
developed in 2007 by
Mark and Susan Merrill as
the motherhood program
of Family First, a national
non-profit organization, based in Tampa, Fla. The mission of
Family First is to strengthen the family by establishing family
as a top priority in people's lives, and by promoting principles
for building marriages and raising children. The team captain
of the Lowry Elementary IMOM group is Pennie Hill.
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Real Estate Market Dynamics
By Jim Sacarello of RE/MAX Action First
Resident of Countryway
What a Buyer Looks for in a Countryway Home
For this installment of my monthly real estate column, I once again examine important criteria that buyers consider
when searching for a new family home. These criteria will range from the keywords in an advertisement that catch a buyer’s
attention to what will get yield the most financial return when preparing one’s home for market. Potential sellers should keep in
mind that new homeowners usually consider moving during the spring months. Sometimes new owners wish to upgrade in size
(because the family has grown in number) or, instead, to downsize after children move on or just to create a lifestyle change. In
any case, the spring season motivates many of us to consider different or new options. As a general rule, most “for sale” signs
will appear in front lawns during these months.
The best recommendations I can offer are as follows: (1) Curb appeal is extremely important. Ensure that your lawn is
in good shape; replace sod where needed; use fertilizers high in nitrogen and fresh mulch; and clean up or replace shrubs,
flowers, tired fencing, etc.; (2) Fresh Look. A fresh coat of paint inside and outside is perhaps the best money spent for
marketing purposes; (3) Doors and Windows. Replace the front door knob so that it looks or is brand new and repair all torn
screens and cracked windows; and (4) Clutter. Store as many items as possible out of view, keep counters and shelves clear of
any unused items, and remove all items from the refrigerator. There are, of course, many other tips to share. But from my thirty
two years of experience in marketing real estate, I would rank these as the most important. There is truth to the saying that
“you live in a home one way but market it for sale another”!
The best keyword for catching a buyer’s eye in advertising (per a previous real estate marketing study) is granite. Thus,
kitchens and bathrooms are ideal sites for upgrades to help net the highest sale price. Today’s buyers prefer to have such
upgrades installed prior to move-in so they can finance it in the purchase rather than obtain funds after the fact. Many buyers
have limited funds up-front, so early upgrades can help facilitate a sale.
Countryway’s Monthly Market Activity Numbers: On Thursday, February 12, 2015, the Multiple Listing Service indicated
that Countryway had 17 active listings, 10 sale pending listings, and 5 sold listings in January, the last full month as of this
writing. Note: The Countryway home that garnered the highest price per square foot last month sold at $137.59 per square
foot.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact me at (813) 854-4000.
THE COUNTRYWAY NEWSLETTER ۩ IKarePublishing.com
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IKare Publishing, Inc.
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JUST LISTED!!!
12030 STONE CROSSING CIRCLE
3 BDRMS/2 BTHRMS/2 CG/1,886 S.F.
Countryway… Marketing homes and calling our neighborhood home for over
18 years and in Northwest Tampa for over 32 years!!!
View additional photos at www.TBAHomes.com
JIM
SACARELLO
13033 W. Linebaugh Ave.
Tampa, FL 33626
(813) 854.4000
(Each office independently owned & operated).
“… Encourage one another, live in harmony and peace, and the God of Love and Peace will be with you.” II Corinthians 13:11