June 2008 Newsletter - 2008-2009 Dues are being collected

Sunny Beach Neighborhood is an unincorporated, nonprofit, voluntary organization established to enhance the common voice of Sunny Beach.

Sunny Beach Neighbors: Summer is here, and it looks to be a HOT one!

2008-2009 dues are being collected; invoices should be attached to your newsletter.
Next Meeting
Our next meeting will be Saturday, July 5th, 2008, at 6 p.m. The Empey’s will host this meeting at their home, 11221 Bernice Drive.
Sunny Beach Blog
Tom Empey created a blog for Sunny Beach Neighborhood where we can post thoughts and comments and look at news from the neighborhood. Log onto: sunnybeachneighborhood.blogspot.com. If you want to leave a comment, go past the posted information, and when you get to the bottom of that posting, you will see “leave a comment.” Click on that to leave your comments (not the picture of mail). Some people have been having problems signing on, but if you follow the instructions you should not have a problem. You need a Google account to leave a comment, not to read the blog. You can set that up by following links on our blog page. Once you have your Google account, you just sign in (normally, this is entering your e-mail address and a password) and type your comments.

E-Mail Addresses for Sunny Beach
Please send your preferred email address to: gempey@comcast.net for future correspondences.

Projects – Past, Present and Future
CEPRA – FEMA Assistance This replacement sand that was lost during Rita. Sand was placed in early March, and if you blinked, or didn’t come that particular week, you missed it. The replacement sand has been redistributed. High tides took it out faster than it was placed.

Sunny Beach Sign We discussed landscaping at the last meeting, but without water it is going to be very difficult to do. Julia Lewis planted some nice flowers, and Anne Billings put a plant and painted the east side of the sun face to make it more visible. Bill Bond has been watering when he can. Art Cantu bought the pelican that is sitting on one of the pilings. It’s looking good!

Sidewalk to the Beach We have a new city council person, which we have not made contact with yet. At the next meeting, let’s have discussion on perhaps doing our own sidewalk.

Directory Anne Billings is working on our new directory. If you have any changes or additions, please let her know. Send them to adavisbillings@tx.rr.com. Members are denoted in the Directory, so get your dues in as soon as possible to be credited as a member.

Raking This subject seems to change as often as the tide. We were told we needed a survey and permit to have the beach raked. Then we received an email stating that the Park Board could do it and we didn’t have to do anything but submit a letter. We submitted a letter, only to find out the GLO is making the Park Board also have permits to rake any areas they take care of. So, we were back to the no raking … but they have scraped it a few times since our letter. We have decided if they rake fine, if they don’t fine. We did not apply for a permit.

Issues
Hurricane Season Plan We all need to develop a plan in case we have a storm heading our way. After Rita, we all learned a lot about what needs to be done and having someone in place to do it. The people who live here have to take care of their own houses and leave early. Check now to make sure you have a shutter system available — whether that is cut plywood, film on your windows, shutters (roll, electric or other), or whatever you choose. Make sure everything is in working condition, so when it comes time to use it you are ready. When you leave the beach, take in your furniture, BBQ grill, or anything you have outside that could become a missile during high winds. If you have a rental, make sure the agency will take everything in for you. Give your cell phone number to Gerri Empey, and she will call after the storm to give you an update of the neighborhood (Tom will be here). We don’t live for storms, but we should have a plan in place in case we get one!

Garbage In your water bill you received guidelines for placement of garbage. Garbage is collected Monday morning; please do not put your garbage out before Sunday afternoon. If you have your house in a rental pool you need at least two cans. Call 409-741-4636 to order additional cans; it’s only an additional $3 per month. Make sure you have a system in place so that your trashcans get taken in and out at appropriate times.

Dirt Roads Please slow down, and post a sign in your rentals for cars to watch for pedestrians and to drive slowly. We have dirt roads and when people go speeding up and down them, the people on the north side of the road have a cloud of dust drifting into their faces. We have dogs, children and adults walking to and from the beach … please, let’s keep everyone safe and dust-free.

Lock Your Cars We have a lot of people coming and going in our neighborhood. Please question people. If it doesn’t seem right, it probably isn’t. If your doors are locked you shouldn’t have any problems.
Programs
Texas Beach Watch Program The Galveston County Health District tests bacteria levels on the West End beaches. One of the locations checked is at 8 Mile Road, and we have a sign that lets you know if the bacteria levels are high. You also can check the Web site at www.gchd.org/pollution/beachadvisory.htm.
West Galveston Island Property Owners Association
WGIPOA is in its eighth year, and the challenges are still significant in the areas of coastal erosion, taxes, security, drainage and evacuation. They have been successful in addressing issues and concerns of property owner associations and maintaining the quality of life we enjoy on the West End. For information, go to wgipoa.com or contact Jerry Mohn, mohn@msn.com.

Galveston Calendar of Events
July 5th Sunny Beach Neighborhood Meeting
Downtown Farmers Market (second Sat. every month)
Galveston ArtWalks
For more information, go to www.galveston.com.
Sunny Beach Neighborhood
It’s never too late to join the Sunny Beach Neighborhood Organization!
Dues are only $25 a year; 2008-2009 dues are payable now. Your invoice is attached.

Sunny Beach Neighborhood is an unincorporated, nonprofit, voluntary organization. We exist to provide ways for our neighborhood to come together as a group and to make Sunny Beach a better place to live and play. Dues are only $25 a year; 2008-2009 dues are payable now. This pays for our membership with the West Galveston Island Property Owners Association (WGIPOA), newsletters, our directory, right-to-use access for our beach walkover, and other neighborhood improvement projects that the group would like to accomplish.

Officers
President — Tom Empey, 11221 Bernice Drive, tempey@houston.rr.com or 409-741-2455
Treasurer — Sook Miller, 11227 Bernice Drive, sook@sleemiller.com or 713-822-8395
Secretary — Kathe Giebelhaus, 11210 Bernice Drive, green_eyed_kat@hotmail.com or
409-939-7112