September 2009 Newsletter

YOUR PET AND EDINBURG LEASH LAWS

The board has received several complaints regarding dogs running lose in the neighborhood. We are assuming several are unaware that Edinburg has a leash law and it is a violation to open your gate and let your dog run unattended through the neighborhood.  We have several residents who enjoy a morning and evening walk and it is impossible to feel safe if you have Fido nipping at your heals.  It is easy for all of us to think that “my dog would NEVER bite anyone” please remember that we agree, that while you are with your dog they do not bite.  HOWEVER, several of us have had some very close calls and have felt our safety threatened by these otherwise fun loving creatures roaming the neighborhood.  The city has advised if a resident sees a dog running loose in the neighborhood to call Edinburg Animal Control at 381-9825 so they may dispatch someone to pick up the stray animal.  We would hate for anyone to come home and discover their beloved family pet is being held at the pound, but we would also hate for anyone to be the victim of a dog bite or attack.  Please please please help us avoid this situation and do not let your animals roam freely through the neighborhood streets.

Chapter 91.26 DOGS NOT TO BE PERMITTED AT LARGE.
(A) Public property.  It shall be unlawful for any owner of any dog to permit or allow such dog to run or be at large upon any public highway, street, alley, court, square, park, sidewalk or any other public grounds or public property within the city.  (`82 Code, 5-21)
(B) Other property.  It shall be unlawful for any owner of any dog to permit or allow such dog to run or be at large upon any unfenced lot, tract or parcel of land within the city.(`82 Code, 5-22)
Chapter 91.29 SEIZURE AND IMPOUNDING OF DOGS AT LARGE.
(A) By city officers on public property. (`82 Code, 5-26)
(B) By city officers on other property. (`82 Code, 5-27)
(C) By other persons. (`82 Code, 5-28) (Ord. 385, passed 6-18-68)
(1) Any person may take up and deliver to the public pound any dog which the Animal Warden is by the provisions of this chapter required to impound.
(2) Any dog found trespassing or at large on any private property may be taken up by the owner of the property or such owner’s authorized representative and delivered to the pound keeper.
(3) Every person, other than a police officer or the Animal Warden or the warden’s deputies, who takes up any dog under the provisions of this chapter shall immediately thereafter give notice thereof to the Animal Warden, and every such person, or any person in whose custody such animal may in the meantime be placed, shall deliver such dog to the Animal Warden without fee or charge, and the animal warden shall thereupon hold and dispose of the animal as though such animal had been found at large and impounded by such Animal Warden.

ASSOCIATION DUES—IMPORTANT

If you remember from past newsletters, I said that IF 100% of Lake James homeowners paid their dues, I promised to invite all of you to my house to watch me do a back flip.  Unfortunately I don’t believe that I’ll be showing off my back flipping ability to anyone soon.
To date we have 24 residents that have not paid their dues.  We know that the current economy has affected many of you and has put Lake James far down on your list of creditors, but we must remind you that all homes in the Lake James Subdivision are bound by the LJRFI Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions and each homeowner is obligated to pay an annual assessment for maintenance, purchasing water for Lake James and for those items as determined by the Board to be for the general good of the Community.  By owning a home in Lake James, you are required to pay these dues.
If you can pay your outstanding dues owed through December 31, 2009 in full before the end of this year, we will waive the $15 late fee assessed for 2009.  It’s not much, but not having to pay that fee could make a difference.
Please contact Holly Mickelson, your treasurer if you need the total amount due.  You can call:  956-383-6366, or if easier for you, send an e-mail to:  or via the homeowners e-mail:  .  Make your check payable to:  LJRFI, c/o Holly Mickelson, Treasurer, 4111 Lebanon Lane, Edinburg, TX 78539-7718.

Anonymous Brush Reprimand Memo

Recently one of the residents of Lake James was obviously frustrated over their neighbors setting brush out and how this appeared to others driving through the subdivision.  This resident decided to take matters into their own hands and delivered a very blunt typed note to the perceived violators.  The note made it appear that this reprimand was coming from the homeowners association.  For those neighbors that received this memo, please accept our apologies and know that no one associated with the board had any knowledge nor were we part of this reprimand.  The board has worked VERY diligently to create a positive, friendly, neighborly atmosphere while working to follow the by-laws and covenants of Lake James.  In the future please note that the board sends our letters out via regular mail and it is signed by a board member.

REALTOR SIGNS

There are several homes in the neighborhood for sale.  We would ask that you please advise your realtor to limit their signage to your property only.  Please do not place their signs at the entrances to the subdivision.  If we allow one realtor to do this then in all fairness we would need to allow all of them to do so.  It would not be appealing to any potential buyer to see numerous realtor signs at the entrance of Lake James.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

We ask that anyone who experiences any type of theft or vandalism that you please let someone on the homeowners association board know via email or a phone call.  We have not received any recent news of any situations and we are hoping that means that all is peaceful in the area.  Please let us know if this is not the case.

Dates to Remember

October 24, 2009
Saturday Lake Clean Up
9:00 - Noon

Annual Christmas Party
December 13, 2009

Other reminders:

Our web address is http://www.lakejamesedinburgtexas.com
If you have questions or concerns about any issue please send an e-mail to:

Send in any news that you would like to see in The Review to the email above.  That way we can get the facts straight.  Please let us know what you want to hear about.  We are hoping to utilize the our website for Lake James so we can email the review.  That will enable us to answer your questions and let you know about information that is important. 

Let’s walk The Lake date

SATURDAY OCTOBER 3RD 10:00 A.M. (weather permitting) anyone who would like to walk the lake is invited to meet at the lake entrance on the curve at Lakeshore Drive.  It takes about 30 minutes to walk the entire lake and it is a great time to see the ducks, geese, herons, turtles & enjoy the beauty of the lake. There is a walking path around the entire lake and it’s a great time to enjoy the outdoors with family & friends.

Leaning Light Poles

Thank you to those of you who have called and brought our attention to a situation.  There are several aluminum light poles in the subdivision that are leaning slightly.  Because you have brought this to our attention Sherry Dillard got the ball rolling by calling this situation in to the city.  Baceliza Monroe has followed up by walking the entire subdivision and writing down the numbers of each poles and Holly Mickelson has been calling and following up with the city.  So, thank you for bringing this to our attention.  Please feel free to call the city and request that they get moving on these repairs.

LAKE JAMES LADIES LUNCH BUNCH

The Lake James’ Ladies have traditionally met on the first Thursday of each month during the school year (Sept—May).  If someone would like to organize these luncheons please contact the board at 457-5297 so we can make arrangements and get this wonderful luncheon kicked off for the 2009/2010 school year.  Some months we have met in each other’s homes and other months we have met at a local restaurant.

EASEMENT AROUND LAKE JAMES

Lake James is a BEAUTIFUL lake area.  While the lake is absolutely gorgeous, it is also in need of some TLC and debris removal.  We are reminding all Lakeshore residents, whose property is adjacent to the water, to please remember there is a 25 foot easement around the lake so ALL of the residents may enjoy a stroll around the lake.  Please keep this area clear of play equipment, swings, brush and other items. 

Your board meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at 4118 Michael Blvd in Edinburg.  If you have any issues you would like for us to discuss, please email them to and we will do our best to place these items on the agenda.