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Published monthly by the Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association
Communications Committee - July 1, 2020 Edition!
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"For every minute you are angry, you lose sixty seconds of happiness."
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IMPACT ON COMMUNITY GATHERINGS AND AMENITY USE
As we are all well aware, the concern over the
COVID-19
pandemic is a grave issue for our nation and community. The Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association wants to make sure we are all doing our part as individuals and as a community to help stay ahead of the curve and slow down the spreading of this virus.
The Board of Directors will follow city, county, and state guidelines to determine the reopening of amenities and classes. The status of the community openings and closures are as follows:
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The Sports Park Fields, Dog Park, Walking Track, and Tennis Courts are OPEN.
Per the county's latest declaration of public health emergency, all members of the community should practice social distancing of 6ft or more and group gatherings/activities of 10 or more are not permitted in the park at this time.
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All VWOA Sports Programs
are on hold in compliance with Social Distancing guidelines.
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The Tot Lot and Basketball Court
are closed until further notice.
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The Community Center and Sports Park Pools
closed until further notice.
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All Community Center classes and activities
have been canceled until further notice.
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The monthly "Garage Sales"
resumed on June 13, 2020. Garage sales are permitted the 2nd Saturday of every month.
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The Annual Meeting of the Members,
previously scheduled for April 16, 2020, has been postponed. A new date will be set once large gatherings are allowed to resume. A new meeting notice will be mailed to homeowners with the date and time. We strongly encourage you to exercise your right to vote online or by mail.
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Due to the county's restriction on gathering sizes, all
Committee and Board Meetings
are suspended until further notice. Should city and county guidelines change, meeting announcements will be sent electronically and posted to the VWOA website.
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We are monitoring the situation closely and will notify the community of any other updates as they impact meetings, activities, and access to amenities, etc. These communications will be sent out in the
"What's the Buzz"
publication and posted on our
website
and
Facebook
page.
We appreciate your understanding and attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.
Submitted by: Heather Mallia, VWOA Treasurer
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CANDIDATE - RICHARD GENTRY
Hello fellow homeowners, my name is Richard Gentry. I have lived in the Villages of Westcreek for just over 11 years now. I am a father of 3 and my wife is a teacher for NISD. I have worked in the Medical Sales Field for the last 16 years, and before that I served 6 years active duty in the US Army. My family and I all stay very active in the community and in the programs offered here in Westcreek. During my 11 years here, I have served on the Board of Directors for about 7 years with a few breaks in between terms, and I have participated as a coach in all of the youth sports programs for 9 years. I love this community and the people that live here. There are a lot of great things that Westcreek has to offer to all of us and our families, and that is what makes Westcreek such a great place to live.
During my time on the Board, I have consistently pushed for infrastructure improvements, additional adult and youth programs, and transparency from the Board to the community. Some recent achievements from the last 2 years have been additional lighting in the Sports Park, the Sports Park bathroom expansion, replacing the parking cables in the Sport Park parking lot with boulders, nightly constable patrol program for the neighborhood, security camera system in the park, food truck events, new family activity days in the park, and we are currently working on beautifying all of the monuments in the HOA. Even with all of these improvements the Board has still been able to put money into savings and kept the HOA financially sound, without raising the assessments. With that said, we still have plenty of room for improvement, and the Board is currently working on more ideas to keep Westcreek the best community in San Antonio and the surrounding areas.
If given the opportunity to serve on the Board for another 2 years, I promise to continue giving the same honesty, dedication, and passion to the HOA that I always have. I'm asking for your vote so that we can all continue with the improvements to our community and the effort to help keep Westcreek a great place to live and raise our families.
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CANDIDATE - HEATHER MALLIA
My name is Heather Mallia. I'm a homeschooling mom to two boys, 14 and 11. My husband and I have been married 23 years, eighteen of which we have called Villages of Westcreek home. My hobbies include reading, running, hiking, spending time with my family, Bunco nights in the neighborhood, and volunteering.
I love to stay actively involved in the community. I have previous Board experience, serving as Member-at-Large (now called Assistant Secretary) in 2006 and Vice President in 2007. More recently, I served as Vice President in 2018 and I'm currently serving as Treasurer. My committee experience extends to almost every committee in Westcreek. I am currently serving as Board liaison to the Communications Committee and the Suggestions & Recommendations Committee. I volunteered for the Finance Committee for several years and in 2019 served as the Chairman of that committee. Over the years I have also served on the Sports Park Committee (Chairman), RFID Committee (Secretary), Ad Hoc Fence Committee, Elections Committee, and Strategic Planning Committee. I feel having volunteered in so many different areas within the Villages of Westcreek, I have an extensive understanding of our community's needs and the inner workings of the HOA.
Serving on the Board is a huge commitment that I am prepared and willing to take on. I believe in full transparency by the Board and I'm a huge proponent of open communication. I have always believed that our homeowners deserve a voice and have worked to ensure homeowners' concerns are heard. Together we can ensure decisions made are for the best interest of the homeowners, the Association, and the community as a whole to maintain and increase our property values and to make this neighborhood a great place to live.
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CANDIDATE - RICHARD RIGGIE
No Bio or picture submitted!
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COVID-19 AND FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS
The Board understands the effect on the community that
COVID-19 has had and the financial hardships it has created.
If you have been affected and unable to make your HOA assessment payments, please email the office staff or Community Manager with your request for relief of the late fees assessed. We will review each request on a case by case basis and communicate back to each homeowner individually.
Submitted by: Jacob Fey, VWOA Community Manager
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DISCOUNTS FOR WESTCREEK RESIDENTS
Liberty Fireworks will be offering Villages of Westcreek residents a
10% discount for this 4th of July season. Please use discount code
VILLAGES at checkout -
www.LibertyFireworks.US.
Westcreek residents who do not place their orders online can simply show their VWOA RFID Card at the stand to receive the discount.
Liberty Fireworks is located at 12395 Military Drive West adjacent to the Community Center Pool.
Hours of Operation
6/24 - 7/2 (10AM-10PM)
7/3 - 7/4 (9AM - 11PM)
Submitted by: Jacob Fey, VWOA Community Manager
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SOLICITATION FOR VOLUNTEER ARC MEMBERS
The Villages of Westcreek Owners' Association is currently recruiting to fill vacancies on the Architectural Review Committee (ARC). The ARC shall consist of 3 Regular Members and 2 Alternate Members. You must be a homeowner to be appointed by the Board of Directors to serve on this committee.
The primary objective of the ARC is to enhance and preserve property values throughout the community while being as consistent and fair as possible with their decisions and recommendations. The ARC has the authority to:
- Adopt and administer the review process on behalf of the VWOA;
- Review and approve or disapprove plans and specifications for each Property Improvement Application (PIA) regarding changes to the premises;
- Make changes to the "Standards for Architectural Design and Property Maintenance" as deemed necessary in accordance with the CC&Rs and applicable Federal, State and local laws; and,
- Make reasonable efforts to assist the applicants with their requests and any other concerns regarding the "Standards."
ARC members will be trained and expected to conduct business using an automated system. This system allows ARC members to view, comment, approve or deny PIAs digitally.
Ideal candidates will
- have access to a computer and internet.
- be available on a consistent basis to meet in person should homeowners request a meeting to discuss their PIA.
- Have knowledge of the VWOA's current standards.
HOW TO APPLY!
CLICK HERE
to send an email to the VWOA Community Manager to submit your name for consideration. Be sure to include your home address, phone number and email address.
Submitted by: Jacob Fey, VWOA Community Manager
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JOINT PRIMARY RUNOFF ELECTION JULY 14, 2020
EARLY VOTING & ABSENTEE BALLOTS
There are two (2) ways to vote early in Texas: in person and by mail/absentee ballot. Either option will eliminate waiting in long lines on Election Day.
EARLY VOTE PERIOD: MONDAY, JUNE 29, 2020 - FRIDAY, JULY 10, 2020
During early vote, voters may vote at any location. View Early Vote Locations Listing and Hours for addresses, a map, and directions to polling sites. www.bexar.org/2237
IN PERSON
Registered voters may vote early at a convenient polling location within their political subdivision. Unlike early voting by mail, you don't need to state a reason for voting early in person. Polling locations may vary from election to election and will be posted on the Bexar County Elections Department homepage as the information becomes available.
CURBSIDE VOTING
This service is available to any voter who has difficulty walking or standing for long periods. Please call ahead to the Elections office so that the early voting clerk at your vote center can be notified that you want to vote from your car. The election official will bring your ballot to your car outside the polling location.
BY MAIL/ABSENTEE BALLOT
Voting by mail/absentee ballot has been available to elderly voters and voters with physical disabilities in Texas for decades. Applications for a ballot by mail may be submitted to the Bexar County Elections Department anytime in a calendar year but no later than 11 days before Election Day.
YOU MAY VOTE BY MAIL IF YOU ARE:
- Going to be away from your county on Election Day and during early voting
- Sick or disabled
- 65 years of age or older on Election Day
- Confined in jail, but eligible to vote
COVID-19 VOTING BY MAIL UPDATE
On May 27, 2020, the Texas Supreme Court determined that the lack of immunity alone is not a "disability" for purposes of voting by mail. However, the court also stated that a voter can take into consideration aspects of their own health and health history when determining whether in-person voting will cause a likelihood of injury due to a physical condition.
To request a ballot by mail based on a disability, an eligible voter can check the box for disability on the request form and submit to the Bexar County Elections Department which will then provide a ballot by mail. If you would like an application to request a ballot by mail please visit, the Early Voting & Absentee Ballots page.
www.bexar.org/1573/Early-Voting-Absentee-Ballots
Applications to vote by mail may be requested from the Bexar County Elections Administrator, Jacquelyn F. Callanen at 210-335-(VOTE) 8683 or by mail at: Jacquelyn F. Callanen, Bexar County Elections Administrator, 1103 S. Frio, Ste. 100, San Antonio, TX 78207.
Applications for ballot by mail must be received no later than 5:00 PM on Thursday, July 2, 2020.
The early voting clerk must receive your marked ballot by 7:00 PM on Election Day.
For further information, please call 210-335-0362.
Submitted by: Michelle de Jongh, Communications Committee Secretary
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VWOA OFFICE OPENING
We are happy to announce the office is open for regular business (M-F 9am-6pm). The plexiglass barriers are up for the safety of the staff and residents. We are committed to the health and safety of our residents, and to help reduce the spread of Covid-19 individuals are required to wear masks and practice social distancing when they are in the building.
On June 22, 2020, Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff put out an executive order to all commercial entities in Bexar County which require visitors to wear a mask in order to enter business premises and receive services. With this being said,
please cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering when entering Villages of Westcreek building.
Please note the following:
- Limit 4 people maximum in the lobby.
- If you need to meet with specific staff members, you will need to schedule an appointment by calling 210-679-8761.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Social distancing, also called "physical distancing," means keeping space between yourself and other people. To practice social or physical distancing:
- Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arm lengths) from other people.
- Tape Markings will be set up outside of the VWOA office for Social Distancing.
- Do not gather in groups.
FACE MASKS REQUIRED
- Cloth face coverings should NOT be placed on children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
- Keep at least 6 feet between yourself and others, even when you wear a face covering.
RFID CARDS
We are happy to announce that we have started the process of issuing residents their Radio Frequency Identification Cards. Simply come to the office during our regular business hours. RFID cards will be issued in the Community Center Hall.
- Please enter the side entrance by the Community Center Pool.
- All residents and children over 12 will need to be issued an RFID Card.
- This process can take approximately 5 to 10 minutes to issue the new cards to each household since we must take new photos of each cardholder.
- Limit 4 people maximum in the Community Center Hall.
RFID CARDS WILL BE ISSUED DURING THE FOLLOWING HOURS:
- Morning Session -10 am till 1 pm.
- Closed for Sanitizing - 1 pm till 2 pm.
- Afternoon Session - 2 pm till 5 pm.
RFID CARD FEES:
- First RFID Card for Homeowners is FREE.
- Replacement RFID cards fee is $20.00.
- Tenant's RFID cards fee is $10.00 (Updated Lease Needed).
If you need a
Replacement RFID card
or
Tenant's RFID card
, please drop by the VWOA Office first to prepay your fees.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
- Homeowners will be responsible for bringing their own furniture, the normal pool furniture will not be out for use.
- Sports Park pool will be closed on Tuesdays for cleaning.
- Community Center pool will be closed on Mondays for cleaning.
- RFID cards will still be mandatory to enter the pool for any residents 12 years of age or older.
- NO guests allowed, residents ONLY.
- Access will be first come first serve, there will be no reservation times or sign-up sheets available.
- Click here or the COVID-19 Pool Rules!
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Your 3rd Quarter Assessment of $99.00 is due on July 1, 2020.
On July 30, 2020, all accounts with outstanding balances began incurring a late fee of $20.00, plus a delinquent interest charge.
CLICK HERE
for more information about how to pay your assessments and our
Billing/Collection Policy
.
NOTE
: The Office is open Monday thru Friday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, excluding holidays. In addition, the Office is open on the 2nd Saturday each month from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
- Payments can still be made here at the VWOA onsite office during business hours.
- Payments may also be mailed to our office, made payable to VWOA, at 12395 Military Dr. West, San Antonio, TX 78253. You can also mail your payment directly to Spectrum Association Management, P.O. Box 299008, Lewisville, TX 75029. Mailed payments are processed electronically; please do not send cash!
- You may drop off cash (in a sealed envelope), check, or money-order at the drop box, located to the right of our front entry doors at the business office. Make sure you include your address on your check/money order.
- Cash is accepted in the office.
- Card Payments will be accepted only after the homeowner is registered with Spectrumam.com.
- Pay by Phone- 1-877-342-6233 (your account number needed).
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If you need extra time to pay your assessments, fill out the form on the website below to see if you qualify for a payment plan. Payment plan requests are reviewed within two business days, and if approved, a payment plan agreement will be emailed to sign and return to our office within five business days.
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Our next scheduled Community Yard Sales will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2020. Community Yard Sales listings will be posted on the
VWOA website
, the day prior to the event.
If you wish to add your yard sale to the listing, please call the VWOA Office at 210-679-8761 by 12 noon on the Friday before the scheduled yard sale.
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SUPPORT OUR LOCAL FOOD TRUCKS
If you know of a Food Truck that you think would be interested in joining the
"StrEATS of Westcreek,"
have them contact the VWOA Office at 210-679-8761 during our normal business hours. There is a small $25 fee for each truck that participates in the program. We only allow one truck per evening.
CLICK HERE
to view the StrEATS of Westcreek Food Truck schedule and menus!
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FIREWORKS ... WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
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Unless a fire ban is in effect, fireworks are permitted outside the City Limits, but not on:
- Utility easements;
- Grassy and weeded areas;
- Military Drive West;
- Westcreek Oaks Drive;
- Westcreek View;
- Grosenbacher Road; and
- Any common properties within the Villages of Westcreek.
All trash/debris must be removed from the streets/lawns by 9:00 AM the following day.
References:
Submitted by: Beverly Hover, Standards Manager
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WESTCREEK SPORTS AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES ON HOLD
Westcreek Sports and Social Activities remain on hold in accordance with the current state situation regarding COVID-19. We are eager to get things going again but are continuing to wait for changes in the current status of social distancing. We continue to monitor the situation and look forward to when we can all get back together. Once we have that date, we will look at the schedule and put a plan in place to get things back to normal and get our community together again with sports and events!
We thank you for your continued support and understanding! As soon as we know more, we will be reaching out with updates. In the meantime, please remain safe and we will see you all soon.
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JUST IN TIME FOR JULY 4th
For printable puzzles and fun activities like Mazes, Connect the dots, Hidden pictures, and more, check out this link:
Fourth of July Printable Coloring Pages
Fourth of July Word Search & More
Fourth of July Maze
Summer Fun Printable Coloring Pages
Fun and Easy Fourth of July Crafts for Kids
Submitted by: Michelle de Jongh, Communications Committee Secretary
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GARDENING CHORES IN JULY
Lawns
- If your lawn starts to pale out during the heat of summer, use a slow release organic fertilizer like Growing Green or Texas Tee and be sure to water afterward. Some of the other fertilizers can burn the lawns or make them grow too fast in the heat.
- Be hyper-vigilant about watching the lawn for signs of chinch bugs. Lawns can be destroyed quickly by these soil-dwelling pests.
- Water lawns when needed, but don't over-water as this can increase the likelihood of fungal problems. Water only in the morning hours.
Annuals
- Vinca (periwinkle), torenia, begonia, purslane/portulaca, and a few more hot-weather-loving annuals can still be planted. Take care to keep them watered through the hot summer.
- Shear back leggy annuals and give them fertilizer and water to promote new growth.
Fruit/Nuts
- For blackberry canes that produced, cut them back to the ground.
- Remove shriveled fruit "mummies" from fruit trees and from the ground where they have fallen.
Herbs
- Avoid drought stress, check and replace mulch layers, and pinch back blossoms.
- Enjoy harvesting dill, cilantro, basil and other annuals that go to seed in the heat. Feed basil after harvesting.
- It's best to hold off planting more herbs until the weather begins to cool.
Perennials
- Don't freak out if your perennials aren't quite performing the way you want this month; the heat shuts down the production and growth of many plants.
- Pinch back mums and asters to get them ready for fall blooms.
- It's a good time to look around the city and see what's blooming and thriving. Take pictures of what you like and go to Rainbow Gardens. The staff can help you identify what you may want to incorporate this fall or next spring. Some perennials that are still beautifully blooming are Duranta, Esperanza, and Pride of Barbados.
Roses
- Make sure roses have 3-4" of mulch around their bases. This goes a long way in the hottest of summer months to regulate soil temperature, prevent weeds, and to help stretch out your watering days.
- Continue deadheading roses, but no hard pruning needed this month.
Vegetables
- You should start thinking of your fall veggie gardens. Want pumpkins for Halloween? Plant pumpkin seeds this month. If you want to plant okra or sweet potatoes, do so by the first week of July. Onion sets can be planted now to harvest in October through winter.
- Offer veggie gardens at least an inch of water if there has been no rain (new transplants will need water more often).
- Make sure veggie gardens are mulched to regulate soil temperatures and keep weeds down.
Submitted by: Michelle de Jongh, Communications Committee Secretary
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FIRECRACKER PLANT -
Russelia equisetiformis
Full to morning sun or partial shade. A fine-textured, sagelike perennial with showy cascades of slender, bell-shaped red flowers. (Yellowish cultivars are available.) Blooms appear from spring through first frost. The horsetail in the Latin name references the plant's superficial resemblance to horse-tail fern. In South Texas, Russelia will probably freeze back in winter unless protected. It attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.
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NEW RATING EQUALS LOWER INSURANCE COSTS FOR HOMEOWNERS
Did you know that a Class 2 Public Protection Classification (PPC) rating issued by the Insurance Service Office (ISO), placed the Bexar County Emergency Service District fire protection community in the top 2% in the country.
This enhanced score, was effective June 1, 2020. This will help ensure lower insurance costs for property owners within Bexar County Emergency Service District No. 2. Homeowners should contact their insurance carriers to ensure that they are getting lower rates.
CLICK HERE for additional information!
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SpotCrime is an independent, commercial site that provides crime mapping and incident information.
Official
Police Reports can be obtained from the BCSO Central Records Office. Contact information, fees, and hours of operation can be found on the
Central Records page
.
CLICK HERE to view SpotCrime mapping for the Villages of Westcreek.
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Submitted by: Patrol Administration Deputy Meyer, Bexar County Sheriff's Office
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