WWW.NORTHDALE.ORG
JULY • AUGUST 2021
NORTHDALE CIVIC ASSOCIATION COMMUNITY NEWSLETTER President’s Message Nelson Marcano President Greetings to all Northdale residents and homeowners. I hope everyone is doing well and in good health. If you just join our community, the Northdale Civic Association, Inc. (NCA) wants to take this opportunity to welcome you to our community. Northdale is a highly respected, low crime, family-oriented neighborhood that offers residents many amenities. Northdale businesses offer a wide variety of goods and services. As in previous letter, I want to pay my respects, and thanksgiving to our everyday heroes on the frontlines of this
in the newspaper, as well as posting a flyer on the NCA Facebook page. We charge $5.00 to list your address and items for sale on the online Treasure Map on the community website, Northdale.org.
pandemic…thank you! for all you do. Your dedication and selflessness give all of us hope in our time of need". On a lighter note, and in order to promote activities that bring neighbors together, in this edition, I want to announce the NCA in partnership with the Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation Dept., Northdale Park; the Bob Sierra YMCA and the Northdale Business community will resume our yearly activities and events for the remainder of this calendar year. Following are a few of the upcoming events we have planned: •
July 17, 2021 – 1st Community Garage Sale. On Saturday, July 17, the NCA is sponsoring a Community-Wide Garage Sale. The NCA will handle advertising the sale
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On Saturday, October 16, 2021, the NCA will be sponsoring a 2nd Community-Wide Garage Sale. The NCA will handle advertising the sale in the newspaper, as well as posting a flyer on the NCA Facebook page.
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On Friday, October 29, 2021, the NCA, Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation Dept., Northdale Park will host Trunk or Treat Northdale. There will be costume contests, live entertainment, games and Trunk or Treat fun for all. Continued On Page 3…...
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On October 30, 2021- The NCA, in partnership with the Bob Sierra YMCA, will sponsor the annual Northdale 5K Pumpkin Run and 1 Mile Walk. Register online for this event will be forthcoming with details.
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December 10, 2021 – Movie & Tree Lighting
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December 19, 2021 – Annual Northdale Holiday Lighting Contest
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April 16, 2022, Easter Egg Hunt. Held the Saturday before Easter in partnership with Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation
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April 30, 2022, Family Fun Festival. Held in April in partnership with Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation Department.
Our partnership with the Northdale Special District and Merit Management deed restrictions enforcement continues to pay dividend for the entire community. In general, a well-managed deed-restricted community is one in which an association outlines and enforces rules. Such rules are design to regulate the way communities looks and to ensure the neighborhood stays in good shape, which helps keep home values. To this end, the NCA will continue to work in partnership with the Northdale Special District and Merit Management to continue this effort. NCA Award Celebration. On 2 June 2021, the NCA Board of Directors had the pleasure in recognizing NCA our former NCA President, Ms. Ann Award Frisbie and Vice President Mr. Tom Celebration Murray for their exceptional and unparalleled dedication and service to the NCA and the greater Northdale community. Thank you for job well done. The NCA Board of Directors extends a special invitation to Ann and Tom to serve as honorarily advisors to the NCA. We look forward working together in the near future. NORTHDALE.ORG
TOM MURRAY
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ANN FRISBIE
PRESIDENT’S LETTER CONTINUED • NELSON MARCANO
Finally, the NCA Board Members and positions are filled by volunteers – well-meaning community members like you who are invested in the continued success of Northdale community. We are always looking for individuals who want to make a difference in the community either by joining the NCA board or perhaps serving as an advisor in one of our special advisor groups. Either way, the NCA is eager to hear from you. Come and visit us, the NCA Board meetings are held on the third Tuesday of every month in the Northdale park building “B” game room at the Northdale Recreation Center starting at 7:00 PM. Members of the public are always welcome, and input is deeply appreciated. Please LIKE us on Facebook, so you can keep abreast of what is happening in Northdale. 3
WHAT IS THE NCA? The Northdale Civic Association is a volunteer organization whose mission is to make Northdale a better place to live and increase property values by enforcing the deed restrictions to which each homeowner is legally subject. The NCA is also the organized voice of Northdale, and represents residents when issues affecting Northdale are raised by Hillsborough County, the State of Florida and other governing bodies. The NCA issues this Newsletter and organizes the following events and programs: Welcome Wagon, Easter Egg Hunt, Community Garage Sales, Family Fun Festival, Northdale Pumpkin Run, Holiday Decorating Contest, Meet the Candidates, and the Northdale OWLS (Older, Wiser, Lively, Seniors). Board meetings are open to the public and held on the 3rd Tuesday of the month except December. HOW TO JOIN THE NCA Forms are available in each edition of the Northdale Newsletter. There are forms online at www.northdale.org. HOW TO JOIN THE BOARD ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP IS ONLY $50.00. All members are eligible to run for NCA Board positions in elections held each January. Elections for those positions are made by the sitting board at the monthly board meetings. The dates of those meetings are posted in the Community Calendar. NCA BOARD OFFICERS President: Nelson Marcano - Golf Club Estates II - 813-732-9998 Vice President: James Salgado - Fairway Villas, Brentwood Park & Country Mill - 813-610-2115 Secretary: Alicia Moreno – Bay Levitt - 813-963-1412 Treasurer: Bill Castens – The Woodlands - 813-833-0102 NCA BOARD DIRECTORS Gerald Johnson - Golf Club Estates I - 813-787-3103 Robert Demeo – Golf Club Estates III - 813-546-0873 Martha Hughes – Fox Hollow - 813-477-0924 Robert Mantler – Claywell - 813-843-2137 Angela Bianco – The Hammocks - 813-586-0243 Raymond Powell – Silverhill - 813-264-6157 Hector Hernandez Jr. - Gables I - 516-643-7385 Nelson Marcano - Gables II - 813-732-9998 Amar Dembla - Gables III - 813-265-3225 DEED RESTRICTION VIOLATIONS The Deed Restriction documents for each of the “villages” that make up Northdale are available on the community website www.northdale.org. Select “Deed Restrictions” from the left side of the Main Page and click on the picture of the entrance to your “village” (e.g. Bay Levitt, Gables I, etc.) The deed restriction file will be displayed and can be printed off for your records. The NCA has contracted with Merit Management Association-Perfected (“Merit”) to conduct periodic neighborhood inspections and act on their findings of deed restriction violations. In addition, residents may request an investigation of a possible violation themselves from the Northdale website, www.northdale.org. From the left side of the Main Page, click on “Deed Restrictions”, page down and Select “Complaint Form” and fill it out with all pertinent information. A photo can be attached with the form to help document the problem. Select “Submit” to transmit the form directly to Merit at NCA@MeritFL.com. Deed Restriction Complaints must be in writing. When a deed restriction violation is found, Merit will send a letter to the homeowner(s) with a request to correct the problem(s). Merit will then complete a second inspection. Merit will send a second letter if the homeowner has not corrected the violation(s). Merit will then complete a third inspection. If the violation(s) remains after the third letter, legal action will be pursued. The resident will be notified of this step in the fourth letter. If there are extenuating circumstances that prevent a homeowner from correcting the violation(s), it is recommended they document the reason by writing to Merit at NCA@MeritFL.com. The NCA will not get involved in conflicts between neighbors, animal complaints or landscaping issues due to drought. NORTHDALE.ORG
Meeting Location Note: Northdale Civic Association & Northdale Special District meetings are held in Building B - game room Northdale Park & Rec Center 15550 Spring Pine Drive Tampa, FL 33624 July 13 NSD meeting 7:00 p.m. July 20 NCA meeting 7:00 p.m. August 10 NSD meeting 7:00 p.m. August 17 NCA meeting 7:00 p.m.
Residents are always welcome and your input is truly appreciated. Please remember to wear a face mask and adhere to social distancing. 5
Our Mission is to create a growing network of co-ed seniors, to provide social activities, local events, travel, entertainment and educational seminars in common interest groups as ways to safely enjoy our lives. Status of Monthly Meetings on 1st Tues 10 AM @ Northdale Park The Northdale OWLS (Older, Wiser, Lively Seniors) is a county-wide club established by the Northdale Civic Association in 2003 with over 1,000 members. As our name implies, we are active seniors. We have happily been based at the Northdale Park. We shut down all activities in mid-March 2020 due to the pandemic. We isolated ourselves from family and friends and social activities. All the social health programs the OWLS created were suspended for over a year. We got it, we followed the rules, and we understood. We are thankful the seniors got vaccine priority and so we did get our protective vaccines. We are thankful for the partial reopening of our county Park facilities over the last several months for small group gatherings. However, we’re now confused and frustrated. President Biden and Governor DeSantis indicate if we are fully vaccinated we can get back to enjoying our life doing normal things. The OWLS are fully vaccinated, and ready to get back to participating in activities that enhance lives and keeps depression at bay. In the fall we are planning to resume monthly luncheons in the gymnasium. We also are planning events for September, October, November & December that require transport. These events don’t just happen without making reservations, paying deposits and planning! Seventeen years ago we partnered with the County to create a seniors club that has made the Northdale Park one of the centers of our community. Our leaders are all unpaid volunteers. It has been a great partnership. The OWLS have supported the Park with time, talent and substantial finances. The Park has supported the OWLS senior activities by providing staff, transport and building facilities. It takes a lot of work and planning to keep this club functioning. It is worth it, as it has been well documented that social activities for seniors are very beneficial to the quality of life. We anticipate by the time you read this letter, the B.O.C.C. will have done their duty and opened Northdale Park fully to OWLS monthly meetings & activites by the first Tuesday in September. Hoot, hoot! Still Got Questions? Contact Bill Castens at (813) 833-0102
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NORTHDALE SPECIAL DISTRICT The primary reason that monthly inspections are conducted is to enforce the community’s deed restrictions to preserve property values and resident’s enjoyment of our beautiful community. These inspections and corresponding letters do work as evidenced by the tremendous improvements made to many properties in the last year.
During the month of May, Merit Management sent 187 letters (with a total of 259 individual violations) reminding homeowners to be aware of areas of maintenance that need to be addressed. The biggest issue noted during the month of May was vehicular parking in the rightof-way and in yards. Please remember, parking on lawns is strictly prohibited. It was also noted that there were quite a few boats parked in driveways - a sign of warm weather - but also in violation of the deed restrictions. Boats, other watercraft and their trailers may only be stored in the garage or behind a fence. Also ANY type of vehicle cannot be blocking the pedestrian sidewalk! We realize this will occur for short periods of time when loading/unloading, guests etc. – this is a safety concern for any walker! If you as a resident wish to file a complaint or concern please refer to the Deed Restriction Guidelines on the Northdale Civic Association website at www.northdale.org. It is on the left hand tool bar under Bylaws entitled Deed Restrictions. Click on the link for Frequently Asked Questions, Village Map and the Complaint Form. Keep in mind when filing a complaint, we encourage you to give your name, address and contact information. That way if the Village Representative needs to make contact to help solve or clarify the issue we can. Merit nor the Village Representative will ever share this information with anyone. HELPFUL SUMMERTIME TIP As everyone is aware, it has been DRY and the lawns are thirsty! Please note that the best time to water your lawn is early morning. You want to ensure not to water your lawn in the heat of the day, aside from being outside of the county’s allowable times for watering, this does your lawn no favors as the water evaporates too quickly. All watering must be done either between 8:30AM and noon OR between 6PM and midnight, and only once on your designated day. Watering in the late evening can be detrimental to your lawn, as it extends the “dew period” which can cause fungus-related issues. View your watering days and restrictions for your address at HillsboroughCounty.org. and… BRING ON THE RAIN! Tom Murray President NORTHDALE.ORG
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NORTHDALE SPECIAL DISTRICT WHAT is the NSD? The Northdale Special District is a Hillsborough County dependent tax district. The Northdale Special District was originally set-up under a State ordinance, but in 1992 was adopted under County ordinance #92-35. The County collects the taxes for the District and provides the ordinance or regulations that give authority to the District. Funds are derived from the County non-ad valorem tax of $130 per residential unit. Residents in single family homes, along with apartments and condominiums are assessed $130. Also, all properties within Northdale boundaries including businesses and other non-profit groups are taxed based on an equitable per residential unit basis. The Northdale Special District is responsible for maintaining the common areas throughout Northdale. These areas include the main entrances coming into Northdale, landscaping in common areas alongside roadways and medians, neighborhood entrances, the outer surface of the block walls and along the roadside. The Northdale Special District also maintains selected lakes and wetland areas along the main roadways in Northdale. The Northdale Special District is governed by a Board of nine trustees who are elected by the public or appointed by the Board. Board members must be registered voters and reside in Northdale. The trustees receive no compensation for their work. The board has hired an administrator, Merit Management, to complete many of the day-to-day details of the Northdale Special District, including deed restrictions. The administrator is a sub-contracted (paid) position. The Northdale Special District, unlike the County, does NOT maintain roads, street lighting, street signs, installation of speed humps or animal safety concerns. These issues should be directed to Hillsborough County. The main purpose of the Northdale Special District is to keep Northdale a neat and attractive community. Although separate from the Northdale Civic Association, the Northdale Special District is partnering with the NCA in the enforcement of Deed Restrictions. Together, the Northdale Special District and the NCA will continue working towards their goal of making Northdale a great place to live. Although the Northdale Special District does maintain the common areas in Northdale, there are many areas that the Northdale Special District does not control. The District does not maintain roads, street lighting, street signs or utility lines. Also, the Northdale Special District does not maintain private property or enforce deed restrictions. Deed Restrictions are enforced by the Northdale Civic Association (NCA). The Northdale Special District and the Northdale Civic Association are two different and separate bodies. The Northdale Special District is a public governmental body and the Northdale Civic Association is a private association of Northdale residents. Only the Civic Association has authority to issue deed restriction warnings. NORTHDALE.ORG
Northdale Special District Board of Trustees Tom Murray President Earl Albright Vice President Anthony Rodriguez Treasurer Don Hachey Secretary Bill Castens Ronny Garcia Ray Klaus Anthony Romano Contact Information 813-381-5435 Northdale Special District 3433 Lithia Pinecrest Rd #301 Valrico, FL 33596 rick@meritfl.com Northdale Special Districtmeetings are held at 7:00 p.m. Building B - game room Northdale Park & Rec Center 15550 Spring Pine Drive Tampa, FL 33624 Next meetings are: July 13, 2021 August 10, 2021 9
“WEEKLY RECREATION PROGRAMS for OWLS” Sponsored by: Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation Department in partnership with the Northdale Owls Contact with any questions: Raheem “Coach” Douglas at 813-450-6502 or Douglasr@HCFLGov.net BBOB’S (Bill’s Blooming Orchid Buddies) Games:
4th Tues
Contact: Bill Castens
(813) 833-0102
Bridge
Thurs
Contact: Shirley Beller (813) 961-5495
Hand & Foot
Tues
Contact: Kay Farland
Hand & Foot
Fri
Contact: Rose Oursler (813) 909-8082
Mah Jongg
Mondays
Contact: Hilda Hodges (813) 416-3317
Mah Jongg
Wednesdays
Contact: Marie Alley
(813) 889-7972
(813) 962-0063
Line Dance – Beginner
Mondays
10:30am-12 Noon
Free!
Line Dance – Improver
Thursdays
10:30am-12 Noon
Free!
Line Dance – Intermediate
Wednesday
10:30am-12 Noon
Free!
Mondays
8:30am-9:30am
$10/month
Varies
Ask staff for schedule
$10/month
Wednesdays
Contact Ed Rodriguez
(813) 810-9733
Pickleball Lessons – Beginning Players Pickleball Play Sing Along With Owls
Walking Club
Mon-Fri
8:00am-12:00pm
Free!
YOGA for Seniors
Fridays
10:00am-11:00am
Free!
Our Mission … is to create a growing network of co-ed seniors, to provide social activities, local events, travel, entertainment, and educational seminars in common interest groups as ways to safely enjoy our lives.
Our Refund Policy… is to reimburse you for prepaid events if you give prior notification, and if we can resell ticket to another participant, usually day of event.
Checkout the website at www.NorthdaleOWLS.org, or visit Northdale Park for details on how to join…
Still Got Questions? Talk to any member of the OWLS,or contact Bill Castens at (813) 833-0102 Like Northdale OWLS on Facebook Your reservation is made upon RECEIPT of your payment… Please itemize each event. Make checks payable and mail to: Northdale OWLS, 3853 Northdale Blvd., # 374, Tampa, FL 33624 Or DROP Payment in one of the “Lock Boxes” in all 3 Buildings at Northdale Park.
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What to do if you see a pet in a parked car.
Congratulations to our very own Northdale resident James Salgado, given the “Citizen Award” on June 9th by Sheriff Chad Chronister in recognition of his continued support of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. His enthusiasm, patience and purpose to help others inspires all of us to get involved! Pictured with his wife Jennifer holding their lovely new Grandson Andrew.
It takes only minutes to save a life! Leaving pets locked in cars is never safe. But when the weather gets warmer, it can be deadly. High temperatures can cause irreparable organ damage and even death. Protecting animals from an unnecessary death is a problem we can all agree to prevent.
How to help a pet left in a hot car • Take down the car’s make, model and license plate number. • If there are businesses nearby, notify their managers or security guards and ask them to make an announcement to find the car’s owner. Many people are unaware of the danger of leaving pets in hot cars and will quickly return to their vehicle once they are alerted to the situation. • If the owner can’t be found, call the non-emergency number of the local police or animal control and wait by the car for them to arrive. Other ways to help Be informed: In Florida it IS against the law when leaving pets in hot cars. Florida grants immunity to good Samaritans who must rescue pets in visible distress. Be ready: To call for help and do call the police or animal control for assistance. Get involved: Ask local store managers, shopping malls, restaurants and other businesses to post signs asking customers not to leave their pets in their cars while shopping or dining. Cool outside doesn’t mean cool in the car It doesn’t have to be that warm outside for a car to become dangerously hot inside. When it’s 72° F outside, the temperature inside a car can heat up to 116° F within an hour. When it’s 80° F outside, the temperature inside a car can heat up to 99° F within 10 minutes. Rolling down the windows has been shown to have little effect on the temperature inside a car.
Keep pets safe when it’s hot outside!
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT NO. 919