Message from the President

Vol. XXXV, No. 8 www.sunshineranches.org August 2008 Message from the President RICH HAGEN The July HOA meeting was an informative event. We have a new Vice President, Dee Schroeder, a long time resident of Sunshine Ranches was nominated and elected at this meeting. I believe she will be a great asset to our HOA. The July general meeting included guest speakers Senator Nan Rich and State Representative Martin Kiar. Senator Nan Rich addressed many concerns about the Broward County School Board and several issues parents and teachers face. She also explained the new election process. Representative Kiar spoke about the privatizing of Alligator Alley and how it will affect Florida. The plan is to have a foreign company lease the roadway for approximately 60 to 75 years. Mr. Kiar stated that if this action goes through we could be facing a raise in tolls as high as $10.00 each way. Mr. Kiar explained that the state would have an extremely hard time enforcing major issues regarding the roadways because they would be controlled by a foreign corporation. It would be in the best interest of all residents of Florida, if they sent emails to the Governor and expressed their fear of another country leasing our roads. He also said the price tag is approximately 1.5 billion dollars. Over long term, this is not a sufficient amount of money. If this happens, it opens the door for additional foreign companies to takeover other roads or roadways. continued on page 2 “IMPORTANT” All articles and or advertisements MUST be submitted by the 1st of the MONTH by email to: WAGGLER@ SUNSHINERANCHES.ORG or hand delivered to the President of Sunshine Ranches, Rich Hagen! Late advertisements or articles will not be accepted and there will be NO refunds for advertisements. DO NOT SUBMIT ADS TO PRINTER Sunshine Ranches Homeowners Association Officers Executive Board President: Richard Hagen............... 954-434-8196 rhagen@sunshineranches.org Vice President: Dee Schroeder ....... 305-986-8007 Secretary: Nancy Viens .................. 954-328-0254 nveins@sunshineranches.org Treasurer: Holly Hugdahl ............... 954-252-0234 hhugdahl@sunshineranches.org continued from page 1 They would then have the option to charge a toll. My thought is to keep our roads and raise the toll another dollar. This would provide revenue for repairs and salaries. In all; email your Governor and state your concerns and let him know you’re not in favor of the takeover. I’m looking forward to seeing you in August at the next general meeting. Please attend and be part of our community. Directors Isolde Cahill .................................. 954-680-4821 icahill@sunshineranches.org Donna Everhart ............................. 954-880-0686 deverhart@sunshineranches.org Rachel Greene .............................. 954-434-4964 rgreene@sunshineranches.org Hans Larsen.................................. 954-608-9303 hlarsen@sunshineranches.org Esther Wellington .......................... 954-680-9628 ewellington@sunshineranches.org Susan Kutz ................................... 954-434-4056 waggler@sunshineranches.org Committee Beautification: Rich Everhart .......... 954-880-0686 Membership: Judy Parker ............... 954-434-3202 Hospitality: Joann Hagen ............... 954-434-8196 Sunshine: Esther Wellington ........... 954-680-9628 Lost and Found: Nancy Viens ......... 954-328-0254 WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THE FOLLOWING Special Events Drainage : Vince Falletta ................ 954-434-1878 Wild Life Corner 2 3 WORD SEARCH Back to School the words in the grid. Words can go horizontally, vertically and diagonally in all eight Find the words in the grid. Words can go horizontally, ctions. Back to School vertically and diagonally in all eight directions. R F C H A L K B O A R D M R H N N O T E B O O K K N F N Y Q M H B U S K R B D L H L I B R A R Y O O R N K C A P K C A B W O A E G H S A T X K D E K C W P N I S T F T R M S T F O Q I S E E T E O L R R T R H N T C A D H T O I S N N Y R O E C L C P E S C P L R O R R H K E N U R G N C G M Y Z E R D B M K I H E G N T H R S F L R E P A P P W www.WordSearchMaker.com backpack books bus backpack busstop cafeteria books chalkboard bus history paper homework pencil library morning recess morning newfriends newfriends reportcard notebook teacher notebook paper pencil busstop cafeteria chalkboard recess Help Don preserve history reportcard Southwest Ranches homework teacher for Our Grandchildren library Granddaughter Sabrina • • • • Don lives the lifestyle we promised to preserve and protect. Don has worked on keeping taxes and cost among the lowest in the County. Don has 6 years experience as a Town Council Member. Experience Counts. Political Advertisement paid for and approved by Don Maines for Council Member District 3 Occupation required for all contributions over $100 4 Meeting Dates SRHA GENERAL MEETING Thursday, August 28, 2008, 7:30 PM New Hope Church 13400 Griffin Road Southwest Ranches TOWN COUNCIL MEETING Thursday, September 4, 2008, 7:00 pm 6589 SW 160th Avenue Southwest Ranches TOWN COUNCIL BUDGET HEARING #1 Monday, September 15, 2008, 6:00 PM 6589 SW 160th Avenue Southwest Ranches BULK PICK UP SEPTEMBER 1 SEPTEMBER 15 TOWN COUNCIL BUDGET HEARING #2 Thursday, September 25, 2008, 6:00 PM 6589 SW 160th Avenue Southwest Ranches CORRECTION The Political advertisement (back page) for Dee Schroeder contained an error; stating: Political Advertisement paid for and approved by Dee Schroeder for Town Council, Southwest Ranches. The advertisement should have read: Political Advertisement paid for and approved by Dee Schroeder for Broward County School Board District 9 at large. 5 Register to Vote Who Can Register to Vote In order to register to vote in Florida, you must: 1. Be a citizen of the United States of America; 2. Be a Florida resident; 3. Be 18 years old (you may pre-register to vote if you are 17 years old or have received a valid Florida driver’s license, whichever occurs earlier); 4. Not now be adjudicated mentally incapacitated with respect to voting in Florida or any other state; 5. Not have been convicted of a felony without your civil rights having been restored; and 6. Provide your current and valid Florida driver’s license number or Florida identification card number. You must provide the last four digits of your Social Security Number if you do not have a Florida driver’s license number or a Florida identification card number. If you do not have any of these items, you must mark the box indicated on the Voter Registration Application as “NONE. 6 Sunshine Ranches Homeowners Association Treasurer Report: As of July 31, 2008 Balance as of 06/26/08 $6,804.80 Deposits Dues.................................................$50.00 Advertising ......................................$570.00 Total Deposits..................................$620.00 Total Available .................................$7,424.80 Check and Fees 1008 Minuteman Press Waggler .....$577.56 1009 US Postmaster Postage ..........$168.00 1010 Minuteman Press Waggler .....$699.69 1011 Judi Parker Supplies ............... $22.25 1012 US Pak N Ship Box Rental ......$1,10.00 Total Checks Written .......................$1,577.50 Balance as of 07/31/2008 ..............$5,847.30 Balance in 1st United Bank Checking ...............$47.73 Balance in 1st United Bank Savings..................$59.62 Total Funds Available ......................$5,954.65 ATTENTION CANDIDATES . . . All candidates are welcome to place an ad in the Waggler with no personal or political derogatory statements. Please send your ad to waggler@sunshineranches.org 7 Wegmann Real Estate Current Activity 3 Bedroom 2Bath 2 Acres, Pool, Fenced $ 665,000 Pool, Barn, Asking $965,000. 3/2 2070 SQ.FT. on 1.83 AC 4/3 6000 SQ.FT. 6 Acres Asking $ 1,499,000. 4/3.5 on 6 Acres $2,200,000. 10 Acre Luxury Estate $ 11,999,999. 8/6.5 G.H. Tennis, Pool $ 2,350,000. ` 4/2 with pool 2284 SQ.FT. $ 1,150,000. “Working Horse Farm” 3.24 Acres, 8 Stalls $ 1,750,000. 5 Acre Equestrian Estate 3 Barn, Riding Ring, 2/1 $2,100,000. Commercial Property! 153’x150’ 2070SQ.FT. BLDG. Asking $719,000. 2/1/1 2400 SQ.FT. on 2.61 acres Large Workshop Mature Trees Priced To Sell!! $ 999,000. Vacant Land Listings 1. 5010 SW 166 Ave 1.07 Acres 2. 6411 Hancock Rd 2.14 Acres 3. 111 SE 14th St. ( Commercial ) th Asking $ 449,000 Asking $ 1,150,000 Asking $ 595,000 4. 5880 SW 166th Av. 1.01 Acres Asking $ 399,000 5. Hancock Road 2.8 Acres Asking $ 1,300,000 6. 619 SW 19th St. (3/2, 2300 SQ.FT) Asking $ 479,000 1. “Flamingo Villas” 3/2.5 Gated, Pool, Tennis PENDING 3. “Weston” 4/2 Pool, Lakefront, Garage Asking $310,000. Single Family/Townhouses/Villas/Rentals 2. “Davie” 2/1 Fenced, Deadend Street PENDING 4.“Welleby” 3/2 Pool, Huge Lot, Updated Asking $294,000. Wegmann Real Estate Selling Sunshine Ranches For 22 Years Experience Is Priceless Specializing In Results View Detailed Information, Photos & More!! On Our Websites!! Peter, John, Marnette, Kathy Direct Line: 954-434-5755 The Wegmann Team www.wegmannrealestate.com www.sunshineranches.com www.marnette.com 8 In the event phones are down Town storm-related news will be posted at the TOWN HALL and at PUBLIX in Coquina Plaza and Regency Square. Emergency 911 American Red Cross 954-763-9900 Broward County Emergency Operations Center 954-831-3900 Broward County Hurricane Hotline 954-831-4000 Broward County Special Needs Registry 954-537-2888 BSO Non-Emergency 954-765-4321 Florida Power and Light 1-800-468-8243 SW Ranches Volunteer Fire Rescue 954-434-8232 Chief Dick Christensen 954-434-6888 Town General Information 954-434-0008 HURRICANE EMERGENCY NUMBERS 9 10 (Current Distribution 700 Copies Monthly) Esther Wellington 954-680-9628 11 WHO WILL ENFORCE IT? By Paul R. Stearns At the risk of being castigated by the community, I wish to disagree with the notion that we need yet another law to criminalize otherwise law abiding citizens. In my years on this planet, I have seen the liberties that we enjoy chipped away by well meaning people who want everyone to be like them, have their sensibilities and live in a way that is acceptable to them. Some people don’t want trash out a few days before the pickup, so they pass a law criminalizing that. Some folks want to ban people from running nurseries, so lets cook up some scheme to require parking lots based on barn square footage. Some people see dogs on tethers as inhumane (Probably should be in-canine, but let’s not quibble about semantics). Every law has unintended consequences. An example is the mandatory sentencing law that in 1988 caused a young man in Philadelphia to be sentenced to 5 years in prison for a $50 robbery that he had already paid back. Another example closer to home is the current trash law in our town that makes most homeowners that live on canals lawbreakers every time they put their trash on the street. After all the law reads that the trash must be at least 3 feet off the road, and 3 feet away from right-of-ways. What prompted me to write this is the article “BREAK THE CHAIN” in the July Ranch Waggler. I agree that chaining a dog is not good for the dog. I also agree that there are egregious examples for which the owners should be punished. There are existing laws that allow people to be punished for cruelty to animals. However I believe that this is an example of a bad use of lawmaking (ordinance making if you prefer). There are a myriad of reasons that this ordinance is a poor candidate here are two; 1) Who will enforce it? Will we have Puppy Police serving warrants in the middle of the night whenever a dog barks? More likely it will be someone reporting their neighbor, which leads to selective enforcement which is inherently unfair. Keep your neighbors happy or else. 2) Unintended consequences. By way of example I have a neighbor who keeps quite a menagerie of animals including a couple of fun loving dogs. Over Christmas last year I had family in. At about the same time one of the dogs had discovered the joy of jumping the fence. Unfortunately my 5’0” 82 year old mother-in-law was out in our yard and the dog came over and put its paws on her shoulders. This startled her. When my neighbors found out they decided that until a permanent solution could be found they would put up a cable from a tree to a post and put a leash on the cable. The dog spent a month or two so restrained. The owners kept good care of the dog and took him off the chain whenever they could be present. Eventually they came up with some perimeter restraint that has discouraged the dog from leaving their yard. Had a zero tolerance antichaining ordinance been in effect, would my neighbor have decided to take the dog to the pound because they couldn’t use a chain until they came up with a better solution? Would the Puppy Police have come in the middle of the night and hauled them off to jail? Lest anyone think I am a cold hearted @#$%^&* that doesn’t care about animals, over the years I have rescued 5 Greyhounds, and while I don’t have one now (we have two cats and a bearded dragon), I like dogs. I also consider living on the end of a chain for life not the proper way of caring for a dog. However I believe just as strongly that I don’t have the right to tell my neighbors how to run the minutiae of their life. If we enact every well intended ordinance that comes along pretty soon we won’t be able to park our pickup in front of our house, paint our house magenta with chartreuse trim, keep goats, or any of the many things that make our town what it is, home, albeit a bit quirky. 12 BROWARD COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER THE MARKET IS DOWN, BUT FLORIDA LAW INCREASES MOST HOMESTEAD ASSESSMENTS. Under Florida law, a homestead “recapture” provision may cause your taxable value to rise even if your market value dropped from last year. If you have homestead and your “Save Our Homes” (SOH) value is less than the just (market) value, state law requires that your overall assessed value increase each year by the 3% annual cap level until it eventually reaches the same amount as the market value. Click here to view the applicable law. Almost 400,000 Broward homeowners will unfortunately experience the recapture effects of this law, even though their overall market values fell. Talk to your State Senator and State Representative if you believe this recapture provision should be amended or repealed. SHORT SALES, FORECLOSURES, ASSESSMENTS AND YOUR 2008 TAXES. If you purchase a property in a foreclosure or short sale, your actual purchase price may not reflect the just (market) value used for determining your taxes. Instead, Florida law requires our office to use the reasonable market price of a sale of similar homes in your neighborhood (or a similar area) sold under normal financial conditions to determine the assessment. Regardless of your 2008 purchase price, assessments in Florida are done a year in arrears. This means your 2008 assessment is based on the sales in your neighborhood (excluding foreclosures, short sales and non-arm’s length transactions) between January 2, 2007 and January 1, 2008. Important Phone Numbers: Here’s a quick phone list to point you in the right direction... Exemptions & General Info - 954.357.6830 Residential Property Values - 954.357.6831 Condo & Co-Op Property Values 954.357.6832 Commercial Property Values - 954.357.6835 Vacant Land Values - 954.357.6890 Broward County Property A AgriculturalIS DOWN, BUT -FLORIDA LAW INCREASES MOST HOM THE MARKET Properties 954.357.6866 Tangible/Commercial Personal Property Under Florida law, 954.357.6836 a homestead “recapture” provision may cause your market value dropped from last year. If you have homestead Report less than the just (market) value, state law requires that value is Homestead Fraud - 954.357.6900 each year Appraiser Lori Parrish Property by the 3% annual cap level until it eventually reaches t Click here to view 954.357.6904 the applicable law. Almost 400,000 Broward ho experience the recapture effects of this law, even though their o Main Senator and State Representative if you believe this recaptu State Office - Fax: 954.357.8474 repealed. SHORT SALES, FORECLOSURES, ASSESSMENTS AND YOUR 2008 T If you purchase a property in a foreclosure or short sale, your act just (market) value used for determining your taxes. Instead, Flor reasonable market price of a sale of similar homes in your neighb normal financial conditions to determine the assessment. Regardl assessments in Florida are done a year in arrears. This means you NEW FOR 2008: HOMESTEAD PORTABILITY, sales in your neighborhood (excluding foreclosures, short sales an THE $50,000 HOMESTEAD, AND THE TPP between January 2, 2007 and January 1, 2008. EXEMPTION. Florida voters overwhelminglya approved a new Important Phone Numbers: Here's quick phone list to point you constitutional amendment in January 2008 which Exemptions & tax relief - property owners. The grants addedGeneral Infoto954.357.6830 Residential Property Values 954.357.6831 amendment doubles the -homestead exemption Condo & Co-Op Property Values - 954.357.6832 to $50,000; gives homesteaded owners the Commercial right Values - 954.357.6835 “portability”Propertyto move Save Our Homes Vacant Land Values - 954.357.6890 benefits to a new homesteaded property; grants Agricultural Properties - 954.357.6866 businesses and mobile home residents a $25,000 Tangible/Commercial Personal Property - 954.357.6836 break on tangible personal property taxes; and Report Homestead Fraud - 954.357.6900 caps annual increases for- 954.357.6904 Property Appraiser Lori Parrish non-homesteaded properties toFax:more than 10%. Most importantly, Main Office - no 954.357.8474 the proposal fully preserved our existing 3% Save NEW FOR 2008: HOMESTEAD PORTABILITY, THE $50,000 Our Homes cap. Also, Homesteaded owners do HOME NOT need to apply for the additional savings, as Florida voters homestead exemption amount will the $50,000 overwhelmingly approved a new constitutional ame added tax relief to applied starting this year. The be automatically property owners. The amendment doubles the gives homesteaded owners the "portability" has to move Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) right drafted Save Ou homesteaded property; grants businesses and mobile home the initial forms, guidelines and administrative reside personal property taxes; and caps annual increases for non-homes rules Most importantly, the proposal fully preserved our existin to implement the rest of these new benefits. 10%. Click here to visit the DOR website apply for the additional s Homesteaded owners do NOT need to tracking these developments. You canautomaticallythe enabling this y exemption amount will be also read applied starting legislation for has drafted the initial forms, guidelines and admin Revenue (DOR) the amendment by clicking here if of these new learn more. you’d like tobenefits. Click here to visit the DOR website trackin read the enabling legislation for the amendment by clicking here Sincerely, LORI PARRISH, CFA Broward County Property Appraiser 13 Ranches Roundup Mini Marketplace Members in good standing (meaning paid membership) are welcome to place announcements and advertise in this section for NO charge. Please send to: Ranches Round Up waggler@sunshineranches.org Mini Markeplace Ranches Round Up Infan Curr are - Creative Dayc a & k A Be ow K ing Ne-K & VPm ll - Pr Enro ts iculu Mini Markeplace Looking for a used pony cart. Not a problem if it needs work. Call 954-434-4056 Not a problem if it needs work. Call 954-434-4056 . riffin Rd 13400 G anches, FL west R Looking for a used pony cart. Not a Southit needs work. problem if 5252 Call 954-434-4056 954-434- ope.com newh www.our All Teachers are Certified STALLS . . . If you have or need stalls for Hurricane Season contact: waggler@sunshineranches.org “Quality Care and Academic Excellence within a Christ-Centered Environment” Christian Academy A Gold SeAl School Southwest Ranches All Ads must be in by 1st of every month. Please send Camera Ready Ad to waggler@sunshineranches.org A COMPLETE LINE OF D&B Tile of Hollywood 1685 S. State Road 7 Hollywood, FL 33023 954-983-6373 D&B Tile of Pt. St. Lucie 321 NW Peacock Blvd Pt. St. Lucie, Fl 34986 772-873-8556 D&B Tile of Delray 781 S. Congress Ave Delray Beach, FL 33445 561-727-7022 Tile Mart 1220 SE 14 Street Hialeah, Fl 33310 305-885-9804 CERAMIC TILE, MARBLE, WOOD LAMINATE AND SUPPLIES D&B Tile of Sawgrass 14200 N.W. 4th Street Sunrise, Fl 33325 954-846-2660 D&B Tile of Palmetto Bay 17911 S. Dixie Hwy Perrine, FL 33157 305-238-1909 D&B Tile of Palm Beach 3220 45th Street W. Palm Beach, Fl 33407 561-478-4242 D&B Tile of Pompano 1551 N. Powerline Rd Pompano, FL 33069 954-979-2066 D&B Tile of Doral 8369 NW 36th Street Miami, FL 33166 305-592-9340 D&B Tile of Orlando 4420 Orange Blossom Trail Orlando, FL 32804 407-298-6677 The first step to a beautiful home is stepping into D&B TILE Look us up on the World Wide Web www.dbtile.com 14 15 Political Advertisement paid for and approved by Dee Schroeder for Broward County School Board District 9 at large. Prsrt. Std. U.S. Postage S. FL Facility Permit #622 PAID HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION 4839 SW 148 Avenue, PMB 531 Davie, FL 33330 Dated Material Please Deliver by Monday, August 25, 2008