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A Time To Sow Your Ideas

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 25, 2009

Golf carts to Wal-Mart? The so-called Community Beautification Program? Golf course Task Force?

If you're interested in any of these items, some or all will be on the agenda March 25 at the SCC Community Association quarterly membership meeting in the Community Center on South Pebble Beach starting at 7 p.m. Coffee and cookies start at 6:30!

The Community Association Board of Directors is finally becoming proactive in the golf carts to Wal-Mart situation. A letter is going to our local legislators asking them to take the lead in changing the law that currently prohibits golf carts from crossing U.S. 301. This seems to be the most prudent way of handling the situation because while it is a Department of Transportation responsibility, the law needs to be changed by the Legislature, so CA President Ed Barnes is moving on this matter. A full explanation at the meeting.

Another presentation by the team that wants to make us all conform to its standards of beauty in land and houses is on tap for that night. If you're for them or against them (as I am) this is your opportunity to make yourself heard. These people will tell you (as it is mandated in my Homeowners Association) what color mulch you can put down, what plants you can put it and what colors your house may not be painted - and, of course, how high your grass can grow.

And, to make it even more fun for themselves, these "Standardeers" have self-appointed monitors going around neighborhoods - particularly those without HOAs -- and sending in reports to the county. Give ya a warm feeling, does it?

While not on the early agenda, the Task Force working on options that might open the 1984 agreement with WCI, might well come up at the membership meeting. The Task Force is not due to present its report to the board until April 1, but Task Force Chair (and CA president) Ed Barnes might be able to brief us on preliminary findings. At least he can be asked.

I don't think there is any doubt that our golf courses, both North Lakes and Sandpiper) are under utilized. I can see that from my office window on the seventh tee of the Lakes course. But, what next? How do we increase play and make these courses profitable for the operator while keeping our dues and/or greens fees at a reasonable level for the senior golfers who live here? There are options and, hopefully, many will surface in the Task Force report. After some 45 years in sports public relations and sports marketing, I might even have some ideas myself, but I haven't been asked as yet. Stay tuned.

An irreverent thought occurs: A Task Force report on April Fool's Day? Ohmigod!

My friend and colleague on the CA Board, Patrick Long, the pride of the Renaissance golf course, recently wrote in a letter to The Sun, that he felt I wanted to buy the golf courses. No, Patrick, dear lad, I don't want to buy the courses. I want to continue to see the developer (or its heirs) to operate them and keep our dues at a reasonable level while keeping the courses well maintained. Whatever we do, we in Sun City Center MUST keep the courses viable. It is inconceivable to think the North Lakes course might be closed and brush-hogged a couple of times a year. Rattlesnake heaven!

We have the overall ambiance of SCC to concern ourselves with. And the golf courses are vital parts of that equation. It would be hard to sell homes, including yours if you wanted to move, with our biggest course a briar patch.

Bob Black is a journalist and member of the Sun City Center Community Association board of directors. The opinions expressed in his column are his and do not reflect the opinions of other board members.

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