May 9, 2006 from Tom Base
  • Hope everyone can attend our special assessment meeting Wednesday evening to discuss plans for the rebuilding of our front entrance area so devastated by Hurricane Wilma. Looking forward to seeing friends and neighbours.
    Nov. 9, 2005 from Tom Base
  • Hurricane Wilma Recovery Information (updated Tuesday, November 9, 9:00 a.m.) Important Phone Numbers: City Hurricane Information Line: 954-344-1001 Police & Fire Non-Emergency: 954-344-1800 Police & Fire/EMERGENCIES ONLY: 911 State Volunteer and Donation Hotline: 1-800-FL-HELP-1 Elder Affairs: 1-800-96-ELDER FPL (Florida Power and Light): 1-800-4-OUTAGE Bellsouth Residential Repair 1-877-Repair8 (737-2478) Bellsouth Business Repair 1-866-620-6900 Price Gouging Hotline-Attorney General: 1-800-646-0444 Salvation Army Donation Helpline: 1-800-SAL-ARMY American Red Cross: 1-800-HELP-NOW FEMA Disaster Assistance: 1-800-621-FEMA (www.fema.gov) Residents are asked to call this number or visit the FEMA website to pre-register for assistance.
    Wednesday November 9, 2005 from Tom Base
  • Here's the latest information on secondary debris removal: Hurricane Debris Removal Information The first pass of the City's hurricane vegetation debris removal is nearing completion. If your area has been cleared once, please begin bringing vegetation debris to the curb for the second pass. On the second pass, construction debris, such as fences and screen enclosures, will also be hauled away. Waste Management will conduct a special collection route on Sunday, November 13 for bags only.
    May 7, 2005 from Tom Base
  • WELCOME TO ALL OUR NEW NEIGHBORS ! IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME ON OUR WEBSITE THANKS FOR VISITING AND HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO LOG IN HERE FOR NEWS AND COMMENTS.
  • TO ALL THE HOMEOWNERS AND RESIDENTS ON THE EAST SIDE OF ROTHSCHILD DRIVE. GREAT NEWS - YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS HAS UNAMIMOUSLY APPROVED INSTALLING NEW HIGH SECURITY GATES AND FENCING AT BOTH THE NORTH AND SOUTH END ENTRANCES TO THE FPL EASEMENT. THIS WILL PROHIBIT ANY TRESPASSING BY MOTORIZED VEHICLES AND SEVERELY CUT DOWN ON UNWANTED POACHERS, PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC, BOATERS, FISHERMEN ETC. SPECIAL THANKS TO JAY NELSON, BRIAN O'DONNELL, MARK MEDEIROS, RICHARD DENNIS, STEVE HILDEBRAND, GERALD VANCE AND HYRON DONALD FOR THEIR INPUT AND SUPPORT, AS WELL AS ALL OF THE BOARD MEMBERS WHO VISITED THE AREA AND MADE AN INFORMED VOTE. GREAT WORK ALL !
  • THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR SPRING EFFORTS AT TRIMMING, PLANTING AND UPGRADING YOUR LANDSCAPING. THE COMMUNITY IS LOOKING IN GREAT SHAPE. JUST A REMINDER THAT NEXT MONTH STARTS HURRICANE SEASON, SO NOW IS THE TIME TO TRIM TREES AND LARGE BUSHES AND GET THOSE COCONUTS DOWN BEFORE ANY STORMS MIGHT HIT. IF YOU NEED ANY INFORMATION ABOUT TREE TRIMMING STANDARDS AND PRACTICES PLEASE CALL MELISSA KUSHNER AT BENCHMARK FOR PUBLICATIONS AND INFORMATION REGARDING PROPER TRIMMING. HER NUMBER IS 954 344-5353.
    April 2, 2005 from Thomas Base
  • HAVE YOU NOTICED OUR LAKE LEVELS ARE RISING ? ! Last year just before the hurricanes hit us, we had the culverts which connect our lakes to the water management system cleaned out. This enabled the excess hurricane rain water to flow out of the main and east lakes to prevent flooding during the storms. Since then the lake levels have been extremely low as a result of our prolonged drought over the winter months. In fact, except for the two day rains we received about two weeks ago, there continues to be a drought condition, YET OUR LAKE LEVELS HAVE RISEN STEADILY IN THE LAST SEVERAL WEEKS. This is because the water management people are letting water back into our system and with the drainage culverts cleared from last year, the water is able to FLOW BACK INTO OUR LAKES unlike previous years. This is a great success and means we should be able to avoid the drastic shortages of water and mud holes for lakes that we experienced in past years during the drought season. Many thanks to Melissa from Benchmark Property Management for her quick and timely work in getting the culverts cleared last fall. Our lakes are now looking so much better !!
  • January 25, 2005 from Tom Base
  • January 25, 2005 Mr.Joel Leffler, Fortress Protective Services I just want to express the outrage and complete disapproval of the apparent repeated misconduct of several residents and homeowners' behavior toward your staff at our front gate. I am aware from the property manager that you are looking into these well documented matters and wish to express the Board of Directors' our complete cooperation with whatever proper actions you take on these situations.The Board will actively consider whatever recommendation(s) you have to curtail these vile attacks on your staff. These confrontations directly compromise the overall security and safety of our community. It is not acceptable, absolutely, to have residents threaten and intimidate security personnel who are protecting this community into compromising visitor and resident entry procedures. Please feel free to recommend actions that the HOA can take to support efforts to eradicate this type of behavior. The Board also recommends that your Company take up the apparent unresolved issue(s) with the City of Coral Springs' Police Department regarding it's recent involvement regarding a resident's racial and bigoted remarks to your employee. This community does not endorse, encourage or support any form of bigotry, racism, hatred, or intolerance of any kind, especially regarding country of origin or religious beliefs, whatsoever. We actively support your staff and residents to abide by the standing guard house post orders, and in the freedoms, liberties and rights that are guaranteed under the Constitution. Please convey this to your staff and let them know that this Board will support the ideals as set forth by our founding fathers and those who speak the truth. The scales of justice must fall equally upon those who transgress, whether security officer or resident. This Board stands to hear the truth and support those who have been maligned. This message will also be posted on the community website and re-confirmed by the Board at the next monthly meeting in February. Sincerely, Thomas Base Board President
    Sunday September 12 from Tom Base
  • WE ALL have much to be thankful for as Ivan passes by us with no one harmed and no further damage to our properties. THE MAIN LAKE drains were cleared quickly and efficiently in preparation for Hurricane Ivan and the water level is dropping to the proper level as determined by the water managament district. TREE DEBRIS CLEANUP is proceeding well and with the exception of some large stumps, the cleanup company reports that they should be finished today ! The cost to the Association was several thousand dollars in total. This has saved homeowners tens of thousands of dollars had it been done individually. In addition, you can see that the City is a long way from cleaning up city streets and Hidden Hammocks Estates (and other private communities) was the City's last priority. Waiting for the City would have taken weeks. MANY THANKS to all homeowners, residents and their friends who helped fellow neighbors out during the storms and cleanup. It has definately brought this community closer together. THANK YOU MELISSA HENANN of Benchmark Property Management for your tireless efforts in getting the many projects and tasks done and coordinated for us. Your response to getting the main lake drains cleared quickly and having low cost cleanup crews in the streets all weekend was wonderful. Your round the clock management has put our community well ahead of the general clean up curve. Good work ! Thanks also to the other Board members who were quick to respond and make the necessary decisions.
    Thursday Sept. 9 from Thomas Base
  • Hurricane Ivan update: Lake level: On Friday a contractor is coming in to open all drainage culverts so that water can drain into the Pine Tree Water Management District's system. This will reduce the lake level and allow new storm water to drain. Downed trees: The City has not come in and removed the piles of downed trees in the front yards and roadways, and cannot tell us when they will get to us. In anticipation of another hurricane hitting soon, these tree parts will become deadly missles in the high winds. As such, a private contractor will be removing all tree debris from the streets and front yards at the Association's expense on Friday. They will also be handling the tree hitting the FPL line.
    Sept 3 2004 from Thomas Base
  • UPDATE: LAKE WATER LEVELS Broward County is now concerned about flooding due to the severity of Frances and how slow she is moving. A slow hurricane obviously dumps more water on an particular area than a fast moving one. An official from the emergency center said to me that Broward is bracing for 1 foot + 18 inches (yes, 30") of water. This will mean massive flooding of our roads, and of course rising lake levels. We have been in contact with Pine Tree Water Management District for weeks without a response. Initially we then called the City of Coral Springs and we were told the lakes would be lowered today. When I see the levels have not been lowered I called the City again and they then said that we were private and we were not on the list of lakes to be lowered. They tried contacting the people who are out lowering the lakes but they do not answer their page. I asked to speak to the City Manager and was told he was not in and they did not have any way to contact him (unbelievable). I requested the City contact the police and find the City Manager and have him call me. More to follow if they call me back. I advised them of the potential scores of lawsuits that may come out of this in order to put some urgency on the situation. I will keep you updated with any further information as I receive it. Good luck everyone, be safe and God bless all of us.
    August 19 from Thomas Base
  • GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING at the front entrance ! You may have noticed work being done in the center garden area in front of the guard house. The foundation for a new 4 tier water fountain has been poured and the new fountain will be installed in the next week. Along with the newly planted annuals and redesigned landscaping, the front entrance area is looking state of the art. In addition, the light standards along Wiles Rd. are being re-plastered, re-painted and new light fixtures installed. Already other associations and realtors have said to Melissa, "hey, Hidden Hammocks Estates is looking really great". I am feeling proud of the improvements, how about your comments................?
    August 9 from Thomas Base
  • Thank you to all homeowners who attended our Annual Members' Meeting and signed proxies in support of the Board's efforts over the past year. A new Board has been elected with two new Directors for a total of five now. This historic meeting was marked by an actual election of the Board due to a quorum being established, putting an end to past Boards appointing themselves due to a lack of a quorum. This is truly a great step for our community and strengthens the bonds between Board and homeowners knowing that their Board has been chosen by a democratic plurality of support. The new Board looks to continued improvements in security and quality of community life throughout 2005. Thank you for your support and trust in your fellow neighbors - your new Board. Tom Base, Tom Toth, Michael Thorz, Bob Filoramo and Ira Geier
    July 26 from Tom Toth
  • Welcome to MICHAEL THORZ as our new HOA board treasurer. Many thanks to Hazel Shockley who resigned for a temporary relocation overseas.
  • For the FRONT LANDSCAPING, removal and clean up of the overgrown areas is nearly complete. Installation of the new landscape planting will start this week.
  • For the LAMP POSTS along Wiles, repair of the bases and replacement of the lights will start this week.
    July 19 from Tom Toth
  • LANDSCAPE REPAIRS to rejuvenate the front gate area are starting this week.
  • The GUARDHOUSE and FRONT SIGN repairs are nearly complete.
    July 14 from Tom Toth
  • Another step in the GUARD HOUSE IMPROVEMENT project nears completion. New doors replace the old rotted doors. The next step is painting the guardhouse and the front sign
    June 28 from Tom Base
  • The SOCIAL COMMITTEE is working on developing a new event for this year in addition to the 3rd Annual Block Party. It would be a "get to know your neighbors better" whereby the community would hold a one day "swap shop" amoungst homeowners of Hidden Hammocks Estates only. No one outside the community would be allowed to participate. At last an opportunity to trade away those treasures that seem to grow in all of our garages. Please post your opinions or attend your next Board meeting (tonight).
    June 28 from Tom Base
  • UPDATE: Front entrance landscape project is well under way. The landscape architect has been given the final go ahead to draw detailed plans and views based on the Board's approval of the preliminary plans. Looks exciting ! The front sign has been straightened and will remain where it is currently. Plans call for a water feature in the center island in front of the guard house and removal of the current flag pole.
  • NEW COLORS for Hidden Hammocks Estates guard house and entrance sign. The Board contracted a professional designer to choose new colors for the entrance way. The guard house will be repainted a light tan with the accent stripes and columns in white. The dark green awnings will remain. The front entrance sign will reflect the same colors as the guard house. Renovations are underway in the guardhouse and the painting will follow within the next few weeks.
    Jun 21 from Tom Toth
  • The repair of the culvert at the northwest corner of the main lake is complete. To correct a potential safety hazard, the culvert has been rebuilt and graded.
  • For the repair of the front landscaping, the BoD is meeting with the landscape designer this week to review proposals
    May 7 from Tom Base
  • Thanks to Wayne Shapiro who pointed out a safety hazard at the northwest corner of the main lake. The Board has authorized rebuilding the culvert and re-grade the land to remove this hazard.
  • Tired of low water levels in the east and main lakes? The Board has directed Benchmark to contact South Florida Water Management and find out why it can lower the level but not add water in the dry season. In addition, an independent water engineering firm is looking into alternative methods to raise the lake level. More news as we hear it.
  • LAKE ADVISORY: During periods of low water levels in the main lake, the drop off at the water’s edge is significant and dangerous to children playing near the edge. One child slipped and fell in last Saturday. Please keep children away from the edge and supervised at all times.
    May 6 from Tom T
  • To replace the overgrown front landscaping, we met with a landscape designer. A budgetary quote will follow.
  • To repair or replace the sagging front HHE sign, we met with a sign company. Proposals with cost estimates will follow
  • To improve security, we met with the security company. The post orders will be followed; the guard house repair will be expedited