August 15, 2011 (Open Letter)

Dear Sanctuary Club Board Members:

Yesterday, as I drove through the neighborhood, and sometimes I drive alone, sometimes with friends, family or neighbors, I was asked directly by a friend passing by if I had been identifying covenant violation and reporting them to McKay Management.

It was pointed out, that some folks had recently received covenant violation letters. The focus of the conversation was not on the violation, but on the assumption that perhaps Buzz, along with his friends, was making reports to McKay on covenant violations.

My Response: I am happy that I was asked directly by someone! [That way a lot of gossip can be put to rest.]

Permit me this perspective: In my view, Satan is the accuser. Gossip is one of his chief weapons. Please feel free to approach me at any time with any question that is in the best interest of our neighborhood.

If I am not approachable by any person in this neighborhood, then I ought to resign immediately.

I have a vested interest in the neighborhood, as do you. I play a part in neighborhood watch, as do you. My part is active in that respect. I try to make a drive through at least two or three times a week. I do not, as a practice, report covenant violations. C.S.O.A has hired McKay Management to do that job. I let them do it.

Another reason that I drive through our neighborhood is that I love my neighbors and this is my home. I meet folks walking their dogs, doing the yard work, or just enjoying their day. I have a high regard for them.

During my routine drive through, about two weeks ago, I met some really nice new "area 4" neighbors, Kevin & Becky Bixler, and their daughter. Kevin is a corporate jet pilot. They are renting their home for three years. Carol and I visited with them, signed them up as associate club members, and gave them a directory and neighborhood watch papers.

About 10 days ago, Thomas De Shazo, a member of the Club Audit Committee, and I, did a drive through to look at the gate located at the back of the subdivision. On at least two occasions, in the past, Thomas and I found the gate to be damaged or broken.

Subsequently, Thomas met with the fire marshal concerning the breaks, and I asked McKay to install signs as a warning to those who may want to damage or break the gate. Residents, as you know, wind up paying for gate breaks and it is not cheap.

On a drive through, about 3 days ago, Carol and I met Anna & Jim Cobb, and daughter Suzanne. They just moved into the neighborhood that day. Jim is a retired CPA. We visited with them briefly and found them to be very receptive to joining our club. Thereafter, I sent e-mail to Tom Clark asking him to visit them because he is their Area Director.

All this is to say; I plan to continue to serve this community as best as I can. I am certainly not error-free in my judgment. If there are concerns, let your neighbors know that we, collectively and individually, as a Board, are approachable. We are here to listen and to help as best we can.

Best Regards,

M. O. Buzz Williams

Neighbor-to-Neighbor:

Photo from a weekend burger & hotdog party, July 29th. with nine of the 15 grandchildren belonging to Buzz & Carol Williams.

Top left - Katy, Madison, John, Trey,
Bottom left - Will, Catherine, Joey, Caroline, and Randy

Neighbor-to-Neighbor

Lightning protection systems have been the target of much discussion and inquiry for more than a year in the Sanctuary at Caldwell Crossings. Lightning strikes are not uncommon in this part of Hoover and some homes have been hit by lightning strikes in the Sanctuary and in Caldwell Crossings. Some lightning strikes have brought destruction and fire.


You may know that The Sanctuary Club, Inc. Board of Directors met with representatives of the Hobbs Group, Inc. a few months ago, to better understand options available to residential customers. The Hobbs Group, Inc. has worked on mostly commercial, industrial, and government projects. They and others who may offer certified lightning protection systems to residential customers generally do cost estimates on a case-by-case inquiry.

The Sanctuary Club, Inc. submitted a generic proposal to the Architectural Review Committee [ARC] of the Caldwell Sanctuary Owners Association [C.S.O.A.] for a lightning protection system. The intent was to determine if the ARC was amenable for lightning protection system installations in the Sanctuary residential community.

We received a qualified “Yes,” but residents should still submit individually to the ARC for approval so that the system selected can be approved and also be a matter of record.

Alternatively, some residents may choose to use surge protection devices installed by a licensed electrician in lieu of installing a lightening protection system. One such installation for three surge protection devices in the Sanctuary was priced at $650.00.

Seek advice from a licensed professional before you decide what is best for you and yours.

Neighbor-to-Neighbor:

The following item of interest was copied off the internet. Suggestion ---
You may want to google "National Do Not Call Registry" and check it out for yourself.

There are no costs to add your telephone numbers to the National Do Not Call Registry.
It should minimize telemarketer calls to your home and mine.

FTC Consumer Alert Q&A: The National Do Not Call Registry


Tell Me More About the National Do Not Call Registry

Why would I register my phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry?

The National Do Not Call Registry gives you an opportunity to limit the telemarketing calls you receive. Once you register your phone number, telemarketers covered by the National Do Not Call Registry have up to 31 days from the date you register to stop calling you.

Who manages the National Do Not Call Registry?

The National Do Not Call Registry is managed by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency. It is enforced by the FTC, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and state law enforcement officials.

Why was the National Do Not Call Registry created?

The registry was created to offer consumers a choice regarding telemarketing calls. The FTC’s decision to create the National Do Not Call Registry was the culmination of a comprehensive, three-year review of the Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR), as well as the Commission’s extensive experience enforcing the TSR over seven years. The FTC held numerous workshops, meetings, and briefings to solicit feedback from interested parties and considered over 64,000 public comments, most of which favored creating the registry. You can review the entire record of the Rule review at
www.ftc.gov/bcp/rulemaking/tsr/tsrrulemaking/index.htm.

How Does Registration Work? How soon after I register will I notice a reduction in calls?


Telemarketers covered by the National Do Not Call Registry have up to 31 days from the date you register to stop calling you.

When I register my phone number, how long until it shows up on the National Do Not Call Registry?

After you register, your phone number will show up on the registry by the next day. Telemarketers have up to 31 days to get your phone number and remove it from their call lists.

What if I change my mind? Can I take my number off the National Do Not Call Registry?

You can delete your phone number only by calling toll-free 1-888-382-1222 from the telephone number you want to delete. After you contact the registry to delete it, it will be removed from the National Do Not Call Registry by the next day. But telemarketers have up to 31 days to access information about your deletion and add your number back to their call lists, if they choose to.

If I registered by phone, will I receive a confirmation?

No, but you can verify that your number is on the registry online at www.donotcall.gov or by calling the registry’s toll-free number (1-888-382-1222) and following the prompts for verifying that your number is on the registry.

I received a phone call from someone offering to put my name on the National Do Not Call Registry. Should I let them?

No. The FTC does not allow private companies or other such third parties to register consumers for the National Do Not Call Registry. Websites or phone solicitations that claim they can or will register a consumer’s name or phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry — especially those that charge a fee — are almost certainly a scam. Consumers may register directly, or through some state governments, but never through private companies. For consumers, the National Do Not Call Registry is a free service of the federal government.

UPDATE ON GRACIE!

Thanks to our neighbors for your help!


Gracie, the dog, was found! Happy 4th of July.

God bless America!