Page 1 - The Shores of Jupiter - January '21
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Our Village Voice
VOL. 32 NO. 1 www.seabreezepublications.com JANUARY 2021
The Shores HOA Compliance Bill’s Box
Activities Update By Bill Thompson
What can we say about 2020?
By Art Cummings without financial punitive consequences. What do we expect for our
It has been a little over a year since the Shores of Jupiter To date, there are a handful of residents who have new year, 2021?
Board of Directors approved invoking the State Statute failed to correct their violations and after over a five- The good, the bad, the ugly.
720.305 and enabled the Shores of Jupiter management month notification process have now been assessed fines What does 2021 hold for us?
company to enforce those in violation of declarations of up to $1,000. We believe hope is eternal and
covenants, articles of incorporation, bylaws, or any other Results are everything: As a result of the April efforts that we must not lose hope,
rules that have been properly instituted by the board. it was recognized a significant improvement in aesthetics even in the face of certainty
What have we learned? In taking the liberty in with roofs and driveways and sidewalks cleaned. that the COVID-19 virus will continue to escalate due to lax
speaking for the board, these are some of things that have Sidewalks: It has now been clarified that enforcing safety precautions through gatherings during Thanksgiving
occurred as a result of taking the unenviable course to cleaning sidewalks is not possible as they belong to the and Christmas. Risk takers endanger themselves and others.
pursue punitive, monetary fine actions for inaction from Town of Jupiter. However, notices sent in April resulted Pretty simple. Authorities have failed in areas such as Florida,
violations: in most of sidewalks being cleaned and there were at to extend and hold firm restrictions and requirements, all
There are volumes of residents who did not correct least 200 notices sent regarding that specific issue. The intended to contain the spread and stop unprecedented deaths
identified issues from the first 30-day notice requiring board has contracted a pressure washing company to clean in America and the world. Science and rational, responsible
certified mail notices and more follow-up inspection tours all homeowner’s sidewalks and will review the results/ people’s behavior can render this virus no longer a clear and
by our management company. During the first 100 percent aesthetic impact to determine if this is something to present danger. That goal cannot be achieved overnight, thus
community inspection there were over 150 violations include in future budgets and remove it from any notice we remain, patiently contending with the hand dealt.
notices for discolored/dirty roofs and driveways alone. process for compliance. Santa Came Early
The good news is as a result of the April 2020 actions COVID-19: It has been recognized that a few I had no idea. My friend next door, Ross, sent a note
over 95 percent were corrected before the fine committee homeowners were adversely affected by the pandemic inviting me to join other neighbors to await the arrival of
was to meet to make decisions regarding assessing up to and that was recognized and acknowledged and grace Santa. I thought he meant Christmas Eve. Then on Saturday
$1,000 fines. periods were provided for a temporary time in order for evening, Dec. 19, he sent another text asking whether I
The program has resoundingly achieved success. Prior the homeowner to recover from any medical or financial was coming out for Santa. I looked out front and saw our
to inception, there were many residents who simply challenges. Lake Bend Tribe gathered around a firepit in his driveway,
ignored a first notice, second notice and multiple follow- distancing of course. Everybody, as it turned out, knew of
up notices. The fine process no longer allows inaction HOA Compliance Activities Update on page 2 the event. For me oblivion has become my watchword.
Santa came in the guise of Jupiter firefighters in a caravan
Northern Notes of vehicles, lights flashing, sirens blaring, shouting Merry
Christmas! The Jupiter Fire Department drove all through
Gopher Tortoises maintain a stable temperature The Shores carrying the joy message. Our kids and adults
were delighted. By then, our tribe was enjoying the night life
and also protect them from and greeted our heroes heartily.
By Katie Roundtree, extreme temperatures and fire. How did this happen? I subsequently learned that Shores
Finance Director, Northern Here in south Florida, they are homeowner, Kristi Parker, is the coordinator of the event in
Palm Beach County active all year round, where terms of posting the event notice on our new website, which
Improvement District in colder parts of Florida, they she created and set into action. Kristi worked with Beth White
Gopher tortoises are one of remain in their burrows during of Realtime, our property management firm, to have an eblast
five North American tortoise cold winter months. Gopher to homeowners for whom we have an email address. As the
species and is the only tortoise tortoises are considered keystone procession passed by, I heard a familiar laugh. It was Kristi’s
found naturally east of the species because their burrows Photo by Lucas Schaffer, husband, Barry, riding on a flatbed shouting Merry Christmas!
Mississippi River. It is a state- provide shelter and serve as NPBCID It was a statement of Esprit De Corps.
designated threatened species refuge for more than 350 other
in Florida and is found in parts species such as burrowing owls, mice, indigo snakes, rabbits, Bill’s Box on page 3
of all 67 Florida counties. The opossums, foxes, gopher frogs and invertebrates.
gopher tortoise is about nine to Because of their burrowing needs, they prefer well-drained,
eleven inches long when fully grown and is a tan, brown or gray sandy soils found in habitats such as longleaf pine sandhills, HAVE A SAFE &
color. Juveniles tend to be lighter brown and yellow-orange in scrub, pine flatwoods, dry prairies and coastal dunes. They are
color. They are identifiable by their stumpy, elephant-like hind also found in urban areas, as many of their natural habitats have HAPPY NEW YEAR
feet and flattened, shovel-like forearms covered in thick scales. been developed by humans. A habitat with well-drained soil,
These shovel-like forearms are used to dig large burrows for abundant plants for foraging and open sunny areas is the ideal
homes. location for gopher tortoises. Gopher tortoises are herbivorous Monday, January 18th
As their name insinuates, gopher tortoises spend almost 80 and feed on low growing plants. They may drink water pooled
percent of their time in burrows. Burrows average about fifteen after rainstorms, but most of their water needs are supplied from
feet long and about six and a half feet deep. Gopher tortoises the plants that they eat.
are ectotherms, meaning they depend on their environment
to maintain their body temperature. Their burrows help to Northern Notes on page 3
REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY IMMEDIATELY
TO THE JUPITER POLICE DEPARTMENT
(561) 799-4445
Use 911 for emergencies only. Lock car doors.
Do not leave valuables in the car.