Editor: Pat Heumann-Burrow www.lakeramsey.com March edition “05” Volume 2 #3
Celebrating Life
Easter for me as child meant a new dress, new hat and of course new white shoes. (I don’t know about you…but I don’t see many Easter bonnets any more.) It was the change of the season and I could wear all of those loved summer clothes, especially the white ones. It also meant candy of all kinds and sizes, and what child doesn’t love that!!!
Now as an adult, I realize that the Spring/ Easter Season is so much more… just as January brings with it a new year and a new start, so does the spring. The flowers celebrate new blooms, the trees celebrate new leaves, “our” ducks celebrate the birth of their offspring and we as believers in God’s provision for our sin, Jesus, celebrate a new abundant life here and the expectancy of our future resurrection. He’s Alive and you’re forgiven…so celebrate life and Have a Happy Easter or Spring Celebration !!!!!!!!!!!!
Alligator Alert… If you see an alligator sunning himself, he’s not looking for a tan…When the weather warms up the alligators will come out to warm themselves from the winter hibernation. They also breed in the spring so you may hear the male bellowing or grunting (this attracts the female… go figure) and can be heard for a distance. They lay 20 to 70 eggs and hide them in the brush or near the water…so call Wildlife and Fisheries at 641-6209 as soon as you spot or hear one …and they will come out and remove it. (Keep an eye on the alligator until they get here so you can better direct them) Also call your Phase Rep. and be sure to let your neighbors know too… they will want to protect their pets. Remember…dog is a delicacy for an alligator and they will travel a distance to enjoy one. Again… DO NOT feed an alligator. He will then feed on anything that falls into the lake thinking it is food. Lets all join in and remove these intruders to “our” lakes.___________________________________________________________________
Upcoming Events
Come one Come all…. To the
Homeowners Board Meeting 4th Thursday of the month at the Fire Station on LA 25 …March 24th at 7:00 pm. The meeting is open to all property owners. Again… if you want to speak at the meeting, you must call a board member to be put on the agenda.
Civic Association 3rd Thursday of the month. ”Pot Luck” on March 17th, 6:30 p.m. at 14419 Riverlake Dr., the home of Judy and Lee Bramlett. Bring your favorite dish to share and enjoy. Bring a new neighbor!!!
Big Bass Tournament … April 9th 6:00am to 12:00pm Register now to participate through Jan Miller –893-8868
Crawfish boil after… April 9th 2:00pm till…Get tickets through any Civic board member
FOR Making THE CALL…A Big Thank You…to everyone who took the time to call, write, pray or meet with Red Thompson to help get our road fixed. I would like to also thank the Mayor of Mandeville, Eddie Price, who also called Red Thompson on our behalf. It is now a pleasure to go in and out of our gate without getting whiplash. What a difference it makes.
Another “Thank You” to the new Beautifiers of Lake Ramsey…
You’re doing a great job. Thanks for caring.____________________________________________________________________
Taking the pulse of the people …
Survey questions of the month?
Still a hot topic…. what kind of speed bumps should we have on our streets?
There were only a few people who showed up for the meeting regarding this issue. Speak up or others will decide. Remember, the MAJORITY RULES. Tell your Phase Rep and they will represent your concerns. Get involved in this decision …either way it goes …at least you know you have done your part, and your voice was herd. You make a difference!!!
*** There will be a test speed bump in the entrance of the subdivision first so we can experience how this will affect our ride. The speed bumps that the Homeowners Assoc. is considering will not affect your ride as long as you maintain the speed limit.
***Speeders are why we need speed bumps…Lets all slow down
Do’s and Don’ts of the Neighborhood
Summer time will bring with it many opportunities for us to choose to be considerate of our neighbors. We will all be outside enjoying the beauty that brought us here in the first place so… these little Do’s and Don’ts will help us all be on the same page.
Do… be considerate of your neighbor’s privacy
Don’t…. drive your boats too close to their docks/piers while skiing or fishing.
Don’t… park ANY vehicle in the street over night.
Do…keep your dogs on a leash while they are outside and not in a fenced area. The covenants require dogs to be leashed (especially by the street), to protect children, bikers, and anyone not knowing the temperament of your animal. Try to resolve this with your neighbor first and only as a last resort …call the Humane Society and they will pick the animal up, and charge the owner.
Don’t… throw grass and leaves from your yard clean up into the lake as this pollutes the water (not to mention looks terrible) If someone else does your yard, let them know.
Do… let your Phase Rep. know how you feel about the positioning of the speed bumps especially if it is by your home. They are positioned at the places we are most likely to speed
DON’T…. gossip… if you have a problem with a neighbor ... go to them. If you work it out you have made a friend, and not lost one to gossip.
Do… keep an eye out for alligators sunning themselves on the shore. Call Wild life and Fisheries (they are waiting for our call)….641-6209
Don’t … go in the out gate
Do…speak up, stand up, put up, help up or hush up
Don’t … scroll through the numbers to find just anyone to let you in the gate. If you forget your card in the wee hours of the morning, call a friend (who will still love you) or the Police. They will let you in.
Do…Enjoy your home in Lake Ramsey…(Most people have to go on vacation to experience what we have on a daily basis) How blessed we are!!!
A big thanks to Paulette Hecker and her committee of hard working gals who have been sprucing up the entrance. I understand there is more to come. The lovely Spring wreaths on the gate are a nice welcome when we come home. Keep up the good work ladies! Let us know when you need help.
As with every thing she does, Evelyn Bordelon has done a wonderful job with the Welcome Committee. However, she finds she is too busy with the Homeowners Board to continue with the Welcome committee. For the time being we are without anyone to take over the position. If you feel you would like to become the Chairperson of the Welcome Committee please give me a call, (Kathy 898-3545). We would welcome your help and so would the newcomers to Lake Ramsey.
The March Pot Luck Dinner will be at the home of Judy and Lee Bramlett, 14419 Riverlake. Please come at 6:30, bring a favorite dish and invite a neighbor to come join us for a fun evening. See you there.
Health Tip… Have an unsightly blemish? Kick back, relax and enjoy a cup of green tea. When you are finished, let the tea bag dry and put it in a zip lock bag. When one of those blemishes appears, rewet the bag and apply to the blemish. The antioxidants in the tea will help heal the outbreak.
Covenants and Restrictions…keeps our neighborhood attractive and protects our property values …it’s a good thing.
Fences make good neighbors???
They say that fences make “good” neighbors… but Lake Ramsey owners say that unapproved fences make “mad” neighbors. Protect the view of our lakes. It’s what brought us out here in the first place…remember the sight of the water as you turn the corner for the first time. Wow, where has this place been, you may have thought, as I did. I didn’t know anyplace like this existed so close to Covington. (I have heard this so many times also from guests when they came for the first time.) The value of our property depends on the impression when people not only go through our gates but when they experience what we did and why we choose to live here. Blocking the view to those who are driving through our neighborhood affects us all, even on a daily basis. Lets not loose sight of our beginnings and rob ourselves and others of the same pleasure.
With that said…let me encourage anyone who is considering a fence to get it approved by the Architectural Committee. Any unapproved fences that have been up for 2 years or more, I am sorry to say, will be grand-fathered in (accepted, but… they can still choose to bring it up to code voluntarily:) However anyone else installing or having a fence in violation before it is 2 years old is asked to bring it up to code and the approval of the Architectural Committee. (A see through fence (this pertains to the lake side only)). We are asking you to do this voluntarily…first…just because it is the right thing to do. Second… because it is in the covenants. If you are in violation, are willing to bring your fence up to code and need help, call the architectural committee head …Bill White to let him know. We will try to get neighbors together to help you bring it up to code. Together we can make a difference. Remember …United we stand …divided we fall.
What’s alive in phase 5 (4a)
Correction…There is no injunction on the phase 5 (4a) property. It seems that they have not moved forward as of yet due to an access problem. Some property owners have opposed his coming in through the Green Valley, Manor Road and 1078 proposed construction entrance, even though it is a Parish right of way. They are now in the process of trying to figure out another construction entrance to the property.
Your Homeowner Assoc. Board signed a legal contract with Mamoulides stating that we (The Homeowner Assoc.) would not oppose his development as long as his construction did not enter through our front gate entrance (while Phase 4a is being built), and his development when completed would come under our covenants, by-laws, and become part of our Homeowner Association. Because of this legal agreement being done beforehand, we are protected from his construction entering through our gates. However, this does not give us permission to sleep. We need to pay attention to any Planning Commission meeting or other proposal in regard to this project, as it will definitely affect us. Anyone wanting to keep on top of this situation and inform the editor, it would be greatly appreciated. :)
*** The Homeowners Assoc. agreement to not oppose this project does not take away your right as an individual to oppose it. _____________________________________________________________________________
joke printed here
Move in #’s for new neighbors:
Welcome to all those who are just moving in. I hope this will make your transition easier.
Artesian Utility 809-2070
Bell South (DSL)557-6500
WST Electric809-2679, 892-8804
Lacox gas (Propane)892-0297
Direct TV 1-866-438-3929
Charter Communications645-8000
La. Wildlife and Fish 641-6209 Alligator
Garbage -Waste Management893-1666
or BS Service(independent) 892-0569
Poison Control1-800-256-9822
Humane Society 892-7387 lost, stray, or unleashed dogs
Jan Miller –President 893-8868 Evelyn Bordelon-Treasurer 809-5771
Joe Urick –VP 875-9799 Pat Burrow- Newsletter 875-7717
Jan Clark –Secretary 892-1265 Frank Raab 809-1681
Bill White 966-0817 Louis Zeringue 898-3545
Doug Block 892-8560
Want the Board to know your concerns? Let your representative know and they will bring it up at the board meeting or… make an appointment with Jan Miller to come in person, and be heard. Let your voice be heard the American way.
Phase I representatives- Frank Raab and Jan Clark….Phase II representatives- Joe Urick and Pat Heumann Burrow Phase III representatives- Doug Block and Evelyn Bordelon Phase IV representatives- Bill White and Louis Zeringue
February’s Board Meeting Highlights
-Home Owner Board Meeting Feb. 24, 2005
-Called to order 7:10 p.m., all members present.
-Minutes read and filed, Treasurer’s report given and filed.
-The Parish fixed the Gate area but the Homeowners Assoc. paid to fixed the area by Larry Terrell’s home
-New boat launch keys available March 1,2005 (call Bill White-966-0817)
-Recognition plaque received by Paul Barrios and Kathy Lyons at the Civic Pot-Luck
-Presentation for Speed bumps was given by Joe Urick, and Doug Block but was tabled for more study
They Presented 6 for Riverlake Phase II between lot 5 and 16
Phase II between lot 13 and 83
Phase II between lot 19 and 77
Phase II between lot 29 and 67
Phase II between lot 40 and 56
Phase III between lot 117A and 83 A
And 2 for Lakeshore Dr.:Phase I between lot 9 and 86
Phase I between lot 27 and 64
-Beautification proposal to put up new Bulletin Board and Covenant Sign to coordinate with existing signs. Asked that it be done at the expense of the Homeowners Association.
Tabled for more information on signs
-Research on a permanent pole vs. a removable pole to keep drivers from entering the out gate will be given next month
-Notice sent to Lakeshore lot owner regarding the distribution of mud pile eye sore
- Board Members will be riding the neighborhood in search of covenant violations. Notices will be issued. (anyone needing a copy of the covenants call Jan Clark 892-1265)
-Motion to buy 3 plastic tables for our meetings, to leave at the firehouse.
-Maintain Alligator alert for next few months.
-Weir dam, water level, and drain maintenance discussed.
-Maintenance on streets and drains are being taken care of.
-Meeting adjourned at 8:55 p.m.
*NOTE* Anyone interested in having their input on issues being studied should tell their Phase Representative or come to the meetings. Again, if you want to speak at the meeting, remember to call in advance to be put on the agenda.
A Fishermen’s Secrets
“The fish are spawning now and you can catch them just off the shore,” said Bill White when asked where the fish are biting. He also suggested to fish with a cork and a tube jig underneath. His favorite fishing hole…you will just have to watch for him and see, cause
he ain’t telling. We’ll be watching for you Bill!!!!
Courtesy Fishing… When fishing just off of the shore by a neighbor’s dock/pier…. keep your boat moving. It’s just the neighborly thing to do.
A Gardening Reminder…
As we are all enjoying the beautiful weather and getting our yards and gardens spruced up, please remember…any fertilizer used on the grass will run off into the water causing the algae to grow and take over the shallow areas of our lake. Last year we not only had a big problem with the algae but also with the leaches that feed on the algae. YUCK!!!
Keep this in mind… when you fertilize your yard, you are also fertilizing your lake.
When … are my Homeowner due’s considered late? 30 days after receiving your bill
What… can happen if I don’t pay? The Homeowner Assoc. will have to put a lien on your property.
Why?… Because even though we are glad you are our neighbor …we still don’t want to pay your part and ours. Everyone needs to pay their fair share to take care of our subdivision. (We may not agree with where our taxes go…but we still gotta pay)
What … if I have an unrestricted lot and I am not required (by law) to pay dues? We cannot force you to pay your dues but it is in your best interest to do so. By joining the HOA voluntarily, it gives you many benefits, like…. driving on “our” roads, using the common grounds, boat launch, and the lake… Not to mention gaining the respect of your neighbors.
Where… do I send the Homeowners dues money? Lake Ramsey Homeowners Assoc., P.O Box 1746, Covington, La. 70434
Where… do I get a gate card, the new boat launch key or information on building in Lake Ramsey … Bill White- C- 966-0817, H- 867-9153. Please Call before you come to pick up a key. :)* Just a reminder that a replacement boat launch key costs $100.00. Ouch! … So don’t Loose it or Lend it!!!!!
Burn Baby Burn
A Note from The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana
The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana plans to conduct prescribed burns at the Lake Ramsay Preserve and Wildlife Management Area during February through June 2005, weather permitting. The Conservancy will use planned,
managed fires to restore and maintain healthy ecosystems and the wildlife that depends upon them, and reduce the potential for devastating wildlife. The Conservancy will conduct burns only during suitable moisture and other weather conditions that provide for a safe, responsible control burn. We at all times try to burn on days with good lifting conditions and with winds that blow the smoke away from homes and roads. However smoke may at times drift into the area. We regret this temporary inconvenience.
In the end, these prescribed burns will help protect the entire area from future disastrous wildfires. The wildflowers bloomed magnificently last year after the burns! We appreciate your patience and understanding. If you observe smoke or
fire at the Lake Ramsay Preserve and WMA during this notice period, do not be alarmed. Call the Office of Forestry 893-6212 or local fire department to determine if prescribed burns are being conducted. If you have any questions of concerns, call The Nature Conservancy for more information at 809-1414.
Nelwyn Mclnnis
Program Manager
The Nature Conservancy
Pats Porch
Help, I need a break?? Moms… call Rebekah Block to baby-sit for you this summer. She has had experience with young children as young as 1year old and as many as 3 children at a time.
Is there anyone else interested in babysitting out there? Put your name and qualifications in the container on Pats Porch to be put in the newsletter, or email it to baheumann@aol.com
***NOTICE*** If you would like a newsletter emailed to you send your request via email to baheumann@aol.com on or before the 5th of the month, titled MONTHLY. Please drop off anything you would like to add to the Newsletter, written and ready to print, in the basket on Pat’s porch.. Anything off-color, rude, or insulting will not be printed so…choose your words wisely to make your statement. Newsletters will be out around the 15th of the month Get one in the front green mailbox when the flags up, or read it at www.lakeramsey.com
Advertisement for personal business in the Lake Ramsey Living is available for the small fee of $5.00 per month, $20.00 for 6 mo. or $40 for the year. (Classified ads are free to all residents.) Make your check Payable to: Lake Ramsey Homeowners Association, memo: Newsletter advertisement and send it in monthly with your ad. Only ads paid for in advance will be put in newsletter.
CLASSIFIED
For Sale
Murray Riding Lawnmower $650.00
-Like new …used only one season
-Picture on Lake Ramsey Web page “For Sale Items”
-10 HP... 30 inch cut
-It can be seen at 13313 Riverlake Dr. or call 875-7970
March edition “05” Volume 2 #3
