Special Business Meeting - Virtual Meeting Login Information
Below are two separate invitations to the 4:00 – 6:00 meeting and one for the 7:00 – 9:00 meeting.
All participants will be muted upon entry to allow for best broadcast experience. If you wish to ask a question or make a statement, please use the chat feature on Zoom. One of our staff members will be monitoring the chat feed and will pose the questions to the moderator, alternating them with questions/comments from the floor at the Rec Hall.
4:00 – 6:00 Meeting
Topic: RHCA Special Business Meeting
Time: Feb 18, 2021 04:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82838929306?pwd=SHBFUGcyV3FIV2ZEUDNsQ05vZ2F5UT09
Meeting ID: 828 3892 9306
Passcode: 411530
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Meeting ID: 828 3892 9306
Passcode: 411530
7:00 – 9:00 Meeting
Topic: RHCA Special Business Meeting
Time: Feb 18, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83953384453?pwd=S28wRGR6dUMrL041WDJZTE1WT0FGdz09
Meeting ID: 839 5338 4453
Passcode: 798806
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Meeting ID: 839 5338 4453
Passcode: 798806
As a reminder, below are the speaker instructions for both meetings:
1. Sign-ups to speak will take place the day of the meeting. If possible, arrive a few minutes early for sign up. Look for the sign, “SPEAKER LIST SIGN-UP LIST”.
2. In order to allow for as many speakers as possible per meeting, each speaker will have three (3) minutes to speak. We will also allow questions from Zoom participants. We will work the Zoom participant questions in between speakers at the meeting.
3. Board Members will respond to questions to the best of their ability but will be unable to respond to any question which would require the disclosure of confidential information.
4. Speakers will have 1 minute for rebuttal. (For those attending the meeting.)
5. After the community meetings, the Association and the Board will follow up by posting questions and answers on our website.
BOARD NOTES - FEBRUARY 11, 2021
BOARD NOTES
Greetings from the Board,
In response to your concerns about the March 4th date for the special meeting, the board has moved the date to Thursday February 18, 2021.
The meeting will be held at the Recreation Hall located at Camp Thunderbird. Following COVID-19 restrictions the capacity for the meetings will be limited to 100 people.
To accommodate as many residents that are interested in being in attendance there will be two meeting times; 4-6 PM and 7-9 PM. In addition, we will have Zoom available for those who are unable to attend in-person.
To register for a seat at either meeting email:
riverhillscommunityassociation@gmail.com
Indicate which meeting you wish to attend and how many. Once we have reached capacity on a first-come first-serve basis for either meeting, a wait list will be started.
Thank you,
Your River Hills Board,
Guy Cline, Polly Needham, Jim Olejarczyk, Allan Sutherland, Theresa Perry, Bill Morris, George Elmiger, Rod McKinley, and Mark Cloer
BOARD NOTES - FEBRUARY 10, 2021
Board Notes
The Board is pleased to announce that longtime resident Mark Cloer has agreed to join the board to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Jayne Irving. As you may know vacancies are offered to the candidate with the next highest number of votes.
We look forward to working with Mark .
Guy Cline
Polly Needham
Jim Olejarczyk
Allan Sutherland
George Elmiger
Theresa Perry
Mark Cloer
Bill Morris
Rod McKinley
NEWS YOU CAN USE - JANUAry 28, 2021
Association Staffing Updates
We want to inform you that Security Chief Mike Schoonmaker is no longer with the River Hills Community Association.
Lt. Rick Eddington will be the acting interim Chief of Security. The selection process for the next chief will begin immediately.
We have utmost confidence in Lt. Eddington during this time. He has been with the association since 2002. We expect a high level of service to our community from security under his leadership. Please support Rick and his teams as we navigate the days ahead.
Out of respect for Mike and in order to ensure our compliance with various state and federal laws, we do not comment on or give any specifics with regard to the separation of any individual from employment with the Association.
We do not make any decisions that may adversely impact the employment of our employees lightly or in a capricious manner. Careful consideration is always given. Any further comment would simply not be appropriate and we thank you for your understanding of such.
We thank Mike for his time and effort on our behalf and that of our homeowners and community. We wish him the very best success in his future endeavors.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - DECEMBER 29, 2020
Association Schedule Update
Thank you all for your kind words of support for our staff who are dealing with issues related to Covid. From what I hear all around the area, there is a very definite uptick in cases, so please be extra careful.
The Administration Office is now in the clear. We will open Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. to replace the day we were closed today. We will NOT be closed from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. as we normally are, but will work a normal day to greet you when you come in. Then, on Thursday, we will be open from 8:00 a.m. to noon and then head off to celebrate a much anticipated new year.
Maintenance
Maintenance must still sit tight through a number of days before they can declare the all clear.
I need to ask a special favor of you all. Please be mindful that while this essential department is having to step away, it doesn’t mean the reasons for the work they do stops. There will be considerable work to catch up on next week. As we all know, Rick’s team is diligent about rising to any occasion and will do so until the job is done ... which is actually never ...but you know what I mean.
In the meantime, out of respect for them and all others in the community, please do all you can to reduce curb side waste until we can get to it next week. My greatest concern today is for the storm that is to come through on Thursday. Please help us keep leaves away from storm drains. To do this, simply try not to accumulate leaves until next week. Or, if you do, please dispose of them in natural areas or culverts near your property.
There's good news ....
I have a good friend who is on the North Carolina’s Governor’s Covid Task Force. He has been a dependable advisor to me throughout this year. Mr. Staley is concerned for the days to come as we work through the Covid cases that arose through Thanksgiving and those that are bound to as a result of Christmas and New Year’s. Please be extra diligent in the days to come. Once we recover towards the end of January and into the early spring, there are better days with a discernable light at the end of the tunnel.
Take heart. 2021 will be a much better year. I’m claiming it, and holding to it. Join me?
NEWS YOU CAN USE - DECEMBER 28, 2020
Association Work Schedule Week of December 28th
Our office has been made aware that several of our employees have been directed to quarantine due to contact with Covid19.
Out of an abundance of caution, we are making the following changes to our work schedule this week.
We are thankful it is an abbreviated week due to the holidays.
Association Office
Our office will be closed Tuesday, December 29, 2020 to foot traffic. Staff will be here answering phone calls and responding to emails. We will operate as we did last spring with our Rubbermaid container at the curb if you need to drop anything off, or pick anything up. If you need to use our “gray-tub” service, please call us at 803-831-8214 to let us know what you need. We hope to not miss a single beat in our service to you tomorrow.
The email addresses of our administrative staff are:
Karen Summers – RHKaren@comporium.net
Amy Camilleri – RHAmy@comporium.net
Leah Pryor – RHLeah@comporium.net
Angie Potts – RHAngie@comporium.net
We will open the office again on Wednesday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, we will be open from 8:00 a.m. to noon, breaking for the New Year holiday.
Maintenance
Maintenance will be closed Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Thankfully Friday is a holiday for us all thereby lessening the impact of this on all of you. Please be patient while their work is interrupted and they resume operations on Monday, January 4.
The most important thing is keeping YOU safe and our employees safe. We don’t make these decisions lightly but with a great deal of care and concern. We are thankful there is a discernable light at the end of this tunnel.
Take good care everyone.
Better days are ahead.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - September 2, 2020
Board of Director Candidates
Your Board of Directors is pleased to offer the following slate of nominees for the 2021 – 2023 Board.
Mark Cloer
Jayne Irving
Kevin Martin
Rod McKinley
Jim Olejarczyk
The election will take place on Friday, November 20th from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Biographical information on each candidate will be provided in the November Neighbors Newsletter. The Meet the Candidates evening will be hosted on Thursday, November 5 from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Cuppa Joe
The next Cuppa Joe will be hosted on Wednesday, September 9 at 9:30 a.m. at the Eddie Knox Pavilion at the Marina. The event will also be hosted virtually via Zoom for those who are not comfortable attending in person. For those who do attend, we encourage you to bring a foldable chair for social distancing or choose to sit at the tables at the pavilion. There will be a special tribute and remembrance of September 11 during this time. Please plan to join us virtually or in person!
The Zoom Login Information is as follows:
Topic: RHCA September Cuppa Joe
Time: Sep 9, 2020 09:30 AM Eastern Time
-OR-
Join Zoom Meeting (copy/paste address in your broswer)
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81147277728?pwd=ZHlsWjRPM3UrclZOblYrS1hhZ0s1Zz09
Meeting ID: 811 4727 7728
Passcode: 347238
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Meeting ID: 811 4727 7728
Passcode: 347238
NEWS YOU CAN USE - AUGUST 13, 2020
SURVEY SAYS!
329 residents have responded to our Annual Survey. You have until midnight on August 21st to give us your thoughts. The committee tells me that it takes less than 9 minutes to complete. We truly want to hear from you. During your downtime in the next few days, please take the time to complete the survey.
The board and staff carefully review each and every comment to get a pulse on our wonderful community! THANK YOU!
US CENSUS
The United States is in the midst of a national census. For those who have not yet completed their census either by paper copy or online, you may be visited by an official Field Representative of the U.S. Census Bureau. We are required by law to allow these representatives into our community else we incur a penalty of a fine.
These Field Representatives have official identification cards which they are instructed to show each person from whom they request census information. By law, all information collected by the Field Representative is confidential and seen only by authorized, sworn, Census employees. The good news is that one of these field representatives is one of our own River Hills residents! Kim Robbins lives on Fairway Ridge and is looking forward to the opportunity to meet some of her fellow residents as they are fairly new here. Kim shared with me this morning that in addition to their official badge, that they also carry a Field Bag with the U.S. Census Bureau logo on it as well. Field representatives must complete their work by September 30, 2020. If you have any questions at all, please feel free to call me at 803-831-8214.
RIVER HILLS COMMUNITY WEBSITE
Did you know that the Neighbors Newsletter and News You Can Use are also available on the COMMUNITY website! They are! To view the newsletter you will need a 4 digit password which is 8214, the last four digits of the association office phone number for easy remembering.
LEASH LAW
Within River Hills we abide by the York County Leash Law that requires any dog (and cat actually) be restrained on a leash when off property. Sadly, we have had a few incidents recently where one dog was almost hit. And, a resident who was walking was scratched fairly badly when a dog approached her on her walk. If this person had been elderly, the dog could have potentially knocked her down. Let’s keep our sweet pets safe and secure and keep them on leash while outside the confines of your home. Ruff! Ruff!
PARKING GOLDEN RULE
Just a reminder that when parking on the grassy area on the side of the road, two tires need to be on the road, two off. Please bear in mind that in most cases, the first number of feet on the front of your property is actually common area. Just because you are allowed to park on the common area does not mean that we should throw courtesy to the wind. If the ground is soft after a rainy spell, you may want to consider an alternative arrangement for parking your vehicle that may leave ruts in the grass or otherwise damage the common area. Most of us have common area in front of our homes. We should treat the area in front of someone else’s house like we would want our neighbor to treat the same area in front of our house. Rick and his maintenance team will be working hard in the fall to restore these areas after a wet spring, and dry summer.
ANNUAL MEMBER SURVEY LINK
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020RiverHillsSurvey
Thank you!
NEWS YOU CAN USE - JULY 17, 2020
Estate Sale Policy
The Board of Directors has passed an Estate Sale Policy that will help control the number and frequency of non-residents in River Hills on any given date. When we have large numbers of people visiting our community within confined time frames, it puts a strain on security, our roadways, and street parking. The new policy is effective August 1, 2020.
The Policy has been posted on our website under then and reads as follows:
Residents are permitted to have one “Estate Sale” per calendar year. An Estate Sale is defined as any sale of personal property to multiple buyers hosted by a resident in River Hills. An Estate Sale Permit is required for any Estate Sale in River Hills. Residents must apply for an Estate Sale Permit at the River Hills Community Office at least 7 days in advance of the scheduled sale date. The Permit Fee is $100 per sale day.
Estate Sales may be held for a maximum of two consecutive days and may begin no earlier than 9 AM and close no later than 4 PM. Permits will not be issued for any Sunday, holiday or special event date. A maximum of 2 Estate Sale Permits will be issued for any date.
Estate Sales must be held entirely inside the residence. Items may also be displayed or sold inside the garage. Residents may post one sign on their property on the scheduled sale date(s). Only signs obtained from the River Hills Community Office may be used. Any un-permitted sale will be shut down and sale visitors denied entry.
You will also find the Estate Sale Application on our website under DOCUMENTS and scroll down to COMMUNITY RELATED. Bring or send the application to our office to determine if the date of your choosing is available. Once you have been approved for an Estate Sale, we will provide you with the permit and yard sign for the duration of your sale.
Marina
The Marina would like you to know that the Cove Bridge is being repaired and will be closed next week most of the day Monday through Friday or until further notice. We will be sure to let you know when the work has been completed.
Resident and Relative Bar Codes
Just a reminder, resident and relative bar codes will be up for renewal at the end of this year. You will get detailed information in the October Annual Meeting, 2021 Budget Mailing package on the renewal process.
The board voted to increase the costs of bar codes across the board to the following schedule:
Residents $20.00 every two years
Relatives $40.00 every two years
Domestic Workers $40.00 every year
Tenants/Renters $40.00 every year on rental anniversary
Country Club $40.00 every year
Marina $40.00 every year
Emergency "Text Test" Today
The response to the emergency texting service has been overwhelming so it has taken a wee longer to enter and check the data. We are now ready to test it. I will send one "Test Text" today before noon. Please notify me at RHKaren@comporium.net if you do not receive a text you should have, or if you did not receive it at all the numbers you requested. (There is a limit of two cell phone numbers per residence.)
Remember, we will use this texting service for emergencies only. We do not want to abuse the resource or your mobile devices but are thrilled we have a way to get a word out quickly should there be a need.
If at any time you wish to change the status of your text, please just let me know.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - JUNE 23, 2020
South Point Park Shelter Reservations
The South Point Park shelter is now available for reservations. We ask that groups using the shelter practice the current Covid19 safety measures of social distancing, hand sanitizing, and wearing a mask. As this park is a public park, we cannot guarantee the cleanliness of the shelter from one moment to the other. Please be sure to bring your own cleaning supplies to wipe down surfaces before you use the shelter to ensure safety for yourselves.
Using these facilities, or any other within the association are at your own risk. We are enjoying such a beautiful spring and summer that we do want people to enjoy our amenities as much as possible. Just be thoughtful and careful as you do!
The one thing that we do know about this pandemic is that we don’t know what’s next. We reserve the right to change the status of reservations at any time based on current CDC and state guidelines.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - JUNE 19, 2020
Annual Fourth of July Parade!
Let's paint the town red, white and blue! Our parade is ON for Saturday, July 4th at 10:00 a.m. from the Back Gate, church parking lot area. The social committee is working hard to bring this annual event to you in a safe, conscientious manner amidst the Covid19 issues.
What you need to know ...
You may arrive at 9:30 to pick up balloons to add to your pre-decorated bike, golf cart, other battery or manually operated riding toy. Due to Covid19, we will not have decorations on hand before the parade.
If you need a few decorations, we have a limited supply you may choose from at the Association Office the week of June 30 during normal business hours. You may stop by to pick up what you need to be festive, but please only take what you need so others may as well.
For safety of the many small children who participate each year, no classic cars, dune buggies, etc will be allowed. Children are simply too spontaneous to worry about controlling vehicles, not to mention exhaust for any of us! The exception will be the tire truck and watermelon truck, and gas powered golf carts.
The Fire Department will arrive a little before 10:00 to lead the parade down Hamilton’s Ferry. Once at the playground, they will spray their hoses over the playground for children to play in.
We will once again collect donations for the Fire Department. A boot will be passed around at the church parking lot, along the route, and at the play ground. Please be sure to bring your donations!
Watermelon will be provided in a safe manner by volunteers wearing masks and gloves. Please be respectful of the time to distribute the watermelon safely to all. There will be plenty to go around.
Drinks will be provided in individual containers or bottles. We will not use the traditional cooler of lemonade and cups just to be on the safe side. If it’s going to be an unusually hot day, bring a water bottle or two for yourself in the event the crowd is larger than expected and supplies run out.
Please be mindful of Covid19 safety precautions such as maintaining a social distance from those not in your immediate family. We want to enjoy our time together while ensuring that others are comfortable in the setting. Please consider wearing a mask where appropriate.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - JUNE 11, 2020
RHCA Semi-Annual Meeting
Lake Wylie Community Church Liability Waiver
We wish to thank the church for the use of their building for our meeting tonight.
During the difficult days we are in with the Covid disease still running around, the church insurance company is requiring anyone who attends tonight to complete an "Activity Participation Agreement" in order to attend the meeting.
The form requires a fair amount of information in addition to a signature. Therefore, I am sending it to you ahead of time to print and fill out before you come if you prefer. We will have plenty of copies on site for you to use as well.
Only the lower doors closest to Hamilton's Ferry will be open. The further set will remain locked.
We welcome all those who choose to attend. Please feel free to wear a mask if you choose.
The meeting is also being broadcast via ZOOM.
The Zoom Meeting details are as follows:
Join Zoom Meeting: Zoom Meeting Link
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81008949355?pwd=SGljbmVLZ0ZYWUJTbDdkVFR4c2ZiUT09
Meeting ID: 810 0894 9355
Password: 211149
Dial by your location for Audio:
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+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 810 0894 9355
Password: 211149
Semi-Annual Meeting
Please join us for the River Hills Community Association Semi-Annual Meeting, Thursday, June 11 at 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Wylie Community Church Life Center. The lower parking lot doors will be the only doors open for this meeting. Chairs will be spaced out to comply with Covid-19 restrictions. Family units may pull chairs closer if you wish. We are doing everything we can to bring this meeting to our community in a safe and thoughtful way.
If you prefer to join via the Zoom online conferencing, please login using the following information:
RHCA Semi-Annual Meeting - June 11, 2020
Time: Jun 11, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81008949355?pwd=SGljbmVLZ0ZYWUJTbDdkVFR4c2ZiUT09
Meeting ID: 810 0894 9355
Password: 211149
Dial by your location for audio:
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 810 0894 9355 Password: 211149
NEWS YOU CAN USE - JUNE 9, 2020
Back Gate Paving Project
For those of you who travel through the back gate, you may have noticed a bustle of activity taking place over the past few weeks. The curbed grassy circle to the right of the gate has been removed as part of an ongoing project to enhance the use of the back gate. Later this week this entire area will be paved with asphalt when we determine we can be relatively rain free. As of now, this will be Friday, but may change based on conditions. Throughout the day we will require the need to close the gate as certain activity comes closer to the entrance side. Additional loop wiring will be replaced requiring us to perhaps close the gate between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. the next day. We will keep you advised as timing is set.
Association Office Hours
The Association Office will resume its normal operating hours on Wednesday, next week, on June 17. We will be closed to foot traffic from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. while we work on getting major projects and catch-up work done. We will then open from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Catawba River Keepers
River Hills Community Association has made a monetary donation to the Catawba River Keepers for their on-going efforts to keep the lakes and water ways in our areas safe for all. A few of the benefits are listed below. More detailed information can be found on the information flyer attached here. Timely and local safe swimming alerts for the community Faster identification of pollution sources. A comprehensive testing program provides more timely alerts to pollution and help to determine when and where additional local testing is needed.
A Catawba RiverKeepers Swim Guide is available to everyone through their website and mobile app. You may find the website by clicking here ... Swim Guide .
The mobile app is called Swim Guide. The icon is a graphic swimmer in a circle with the words SWIM GUIDE to the right. It can be deceptive as it appears it may be for another area. When you let the app use your location while using it, the Lake Wylie area sample locations will appear. Choose Lake Wylie-River Hills. Once there, click on the small green swimmer logo/Current Status to see what our conditions are as of the last sample, taken on Fridays.
Fourth of July News!
Good news! We will once again host our annual Fourth of July parade on Saturday, July 4th. We will use all the appropriate Covid safety precautions while bringing this celebration to our streets! Stay tuned for more detailed information as we get closer. We wanted to make sure that you got the good news first
Lake Wylie Community Fire Works
The Fireworks display will be held on Friday, July 3rd at dusk, approximately 9:30 p.m. Fireworks will be displayed on Lake Wylie by the Buster Boyd Bridge. Best viewing areas are of course our own River Hills, Buster Boyd Bridge Boat Landing, Papa Doc’s Shore Club on outside deck, Rey Azteca deck at Lake Wylie Plaza, Lake Wylie Italian and Pizza on patio at Lake Wylie Plaza, Bagel Boat, and Long Cove Resort. We all enjoy the fireworks each year.
Since Lake Wylie Community Fireworks display is funded solely though donations, your support of this wonderful event is really needed in order for the event to continue. Please send your contribution in any amount to: Camp Thunderbird Fireworks Fund, One Thunderbird Lane, Lake Wylie, SC 29710. Thanks very much for your support!
NEWS YOU CAN USE - JUNE2, 2020
Association Office Hours
The Board of Directors will meet Monday, June 8 in preparation for our Semi-Annual meeting Thursday, June 11. During this meeting, discussions on the status of Covid and future events will be discussed. As such, we will retain our Wednesday hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for one more Wednesday, tomorrow. An update will be provided for when we return to regular Wednesday hours. Until then, come see us in the morning! We’re OPEN!
2020 Graduation Parade
To say that everyone associated with organizing, promoting, implementing, and carrying out the 2020 Graduation Parade this past Saturday was wildly excited by the crazy good turnout of residents is one gross understatement! A heart-warming number of you lined our streets and cheered on our graduates as they paraded through in decorated cars and golf carts. This is what community is all about.
Special thanks to Polly Needham and her team and for Mike and security for making their entrance grand.
Photos have been posted on the website home page. Click on 2020 Grad Parade on the top banner. ENJOY!
Congratulations to each and every graduate. We hope you felt our beaming pride
Emergency Text Service
Thank you for the great response to wanting to participate in the emergency text service. All records received to date have been updated in our database. While you may choose to participate at any time, I would like to send the first “test text” next week on Monday June 1.
Please continue to send me your participation requests through the weekend. I will update as they are received. Remember, I need the cell phone number and name of person attached to that cell phone number you wish to participate.
EQUALLY as important is the need to know if you do NOT want to participate. Please email me with your “NO” by May 31st as well. You may opt out at any time, but if you do not tell me no, you will receive a text IF your cell phone number was in our database previously.
Tis the Season
From now until election day in November, the race to the White House and other seats will be upon us. Please choose to display your enthusiasm and passion for your candidate in other ways than placing political signs in your yard. It’s against our rules. We know that we know Highway 49 and other thoroughfares will be littered with signs so dense that it’s a wonder we can see one for the other. We want River Hills to be a sign-free zone and save the clutter for outside our beautiful surrounds. As well, it is against our rules to distribute any political solicitation in newspaper boxes or mailboxes (against the law) without prior approval of the association. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact our office. That’s why we’re here!
Semi-Annual Meeting
The Semi-Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, June 11th at 7:00 p.m. at the Life Center of the Lake Wylie Community Church. We will do everything in our power to adhere to Covid19 safety precautions. Chairs will be set apart. Only family groups may slide their chairs to sit closer together. We will clean these surfaces before and after the meeting. For those who are not yet ready to venture out to a gathering of this sort, we will broadcast the meeting via the application, Zoom. We trial tested this with the May Cuppa Joe with great results. Special thanks to Scott Clinton for his assistance and equipment to enhance the quality.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - May 20, 2020
Association Office
Today is Wednesday and we are open, now and all day. For the next few weeks until things return to some sort of normalcy, we will remain open all day Wednesday from 8:00 – 4:00 to serve you. We will resume our normal Wednesday schedule sometime in the coming weeks: closed to foot traffic from 8:00 – 1:00, and open to all 1:00 – 6:00. For now, we are here! Dodge the rain and come see us!
Memorial Day
While we may celebrate Memorial Day a little differently this year, the fact remains, Memorial Day is an American holiday, honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.
The Association Office will be closed Monday, May 25 all day in observance of this important day in our year. We will be here bright and early Tuesday morning should you need anything.
South Point Park - Some Good News with Caution!
The South Point Park restrooms will open for the summer just in time for Memorial Day this coming Saturday barring any unforeseen issues that may arise from having been closed all winter. The maintenance team has a little work to do to prepare.
We must remind you of a few things of particular importance during this Covid-19 time.
Restrooms are open only during hours that the park is open and will be locked at night.
Restrooms will be cleaned once a day.
It will be your responsibility to bring your own sanitizing products.
We do not provide toilet paper, paper towels or cleaning products.
Use the restrooms at your own risk. It is impossible to clean and maintain these restrooms to a level that could guarantee any sort of safety from Covid-19.
Lake Wylie Community Fireworks – Friday – July 3rd
What: Fantastic Fireworks Display
When: Friday, July 3, 2020
Time: Dusk – approximately 9:30 p.m.
Where: Lake Wylie by the Buster Boyd Bridge
Best View:
The Buster Boy Bridge Boat Landing
Papa Doc’s Shore Club on outside deck
Rey Azteca deck at Lake Wylie Pizza
Lake Wylie Italian and Pizza on patio at Lake Wylie Plaza
Bagel Boat
Long Cove Resort
We all enjoy the fireworks each year. Since Lake Wylie Community Fireworks Display is funded solely through donations, your support of this wonderful event is really needed in order for the event to continue. Please send your contribution in any amount now to: Camp Thunderbird Fireworks Fund One Thunderbird Lane Lake Wylie, SC 29710
Thank you very much for your support!
NEWS YOU CAN USE - May 13, 2020
Administrative Office Opening Soon!
Thanks to everyone for your amazing cooperation and willingness to work with us in the past few weeks as we have operated in an altered capacity of being closed to foot traffic due to the Covid-19 pandemic. We have made every effort to not miss a beat and continue to serve you as we always have. We hope you feel we have. It has been an extremely busy time for all of us with many if not most of everyone home. At times we felt like one-armed paper hangers. But we have persevered.
I am pleased to announce the administrative office will once again be open to foot traffic under normal working hours starting next Monday, May 18, 2020. As we transition back, we will adhere to the cleaning policies we began with in March. Door knobs, counter tops, rest rooms, things any resident may come in contact with are wiped down 3 times per day. Some things more often. Our office isn’t one such that crowds congregate at any one time, but should over 10 people happen to be in our office at any one time, you may be asked to wait outside until someone has left. We hope you understand. We’re not yet out of the woods so want to continue to practice safe policies to ensure the health of our staff AND YOU! We look forward to seeing you again!
Cuppa Joe in the Books!
The first ever “Zoom” Cuppa Joe was held today at 9:30 a.m. to a pleasantly surprising number of residents who chimed in to attend. While Mike was out of his normal element of being able to personally engage a crowd and use his New Yorker hand gestures, good information was shared and questions were answered. Thank you for attending. We hope we do not have to do this in the future, but we do not know. At least we know now, IT WORKS! Bravo Mike, job well done! And, special thanks to Scott Clinton for production support. We had a boom mic, special lighting, and in-ears audio. We looked like the real deal!
NEWS YOU CAN USE - May12, 2020
You may use a computer (or smart device) with a camera, a computer (or smart device) without a camera, or simply call in with your phone to listen in. If you have a computer with a camera, you may choose whether or not to be on screen. If you do not wish to be seen, your name will simply be displayed.
As I mentioned on Friday, if you have specific questions you’d like answered during this session, please email them to me at RHKaren@comporium.net by the end of the day today. You will also be able to ask a question using the CHAT feature located at the bottom of your screen. Please refrain from asking questions verbally as it will make conducting the meeting very difficult with a large number of people participating. We look forward to "seeing" you Wednesday morning.
Bear with us! We're doing our best to leverage technology to bring this meeting to you. We've used Zoom a number of times, but technology can be a bear some times! We've got this!
River Hills Community Cuppa Joe
Time: May 13, 2020 09:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting: ZOOM LINK - CLICK HERE
Meeting ID: 823 6682 7051
Password: 510964
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A COMPUTER or SMART DEVICE TO LOGIN WITH - USE YOUR PHONE TO LISTEN IN!
Choose any number:
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
Meeting ID: 823 6682 7051
Password: 51096
NEWS YOU CAN USE - APRIL 21, 2020
It’s Food Truck Friday Time!
Since nobody knows exactly what day it is, least of all which month, let me be the first to remind you that May 1st is next Friday! Time to welcome the Cousins Maine Lobster Food Truck to River Hills!
As of this writing, we are still in Covid-19 social distancing restrictions. Therefore, there will be a somewhat different approach to how we go about ordering our dinners so we can control numbers throughout the evening. What follows are the steps you’ll need to take to get your Friday night dinner!
First, CHOOSE A TIME TO PICK-UP YOUR FOOD
We are using the online registration/sign-up application called Sign-Up Genius. Using this tool will allow you to choose your pick-up time in 15 minute increments between 4:00 and 7:00. This step is very important as it allows us to space orders out over the evening. Click this link to register your pick-up time:
If you are familiar with food trucks, you know they prepare food to order and are limited on space. It is important to pick up your food on time so they may move your order out to make room to prepare the next order. Again, you can select your pick-up time starting now.
Next, TIME TO ORDER YOUR DINNER!
Cousins Maine Lobster has a smart device app that will allow you to order and pay for your food ahead of time. We highly recommend you using this app for ordering as it will expedite the process and flow of people through the area.
You may start placing your orders at 3:45 Friday afternoon. The app will not work prior to that that time. When ordering your food, please make sure the pick-up time you put on your order is the same time you indicated on the Sign-Up Genius. The Cousins Maine Lobster app does not control the number of orders within a given time frame. This is why we are using Sign-Up Genius along with the ordering process through their app.
Last, PICK UP YOUR ORDER FRIDAY AFTERNOON-EVENING
As of this writing (because we all know a girl can change her mind) the food truck will be parked at the top of the church parking lot, furthest from the Association Office, alongside the athletic field. Please enter the parking lot from the entrance closest to the back gate, not the Highway 49 entrance. Security will route you to the place to park your car to await your order. Please park where directed and keep a window open so you can hear your name being called. You will walk to the food truck to pick up your order. Security will help make sure names are called loudly and clearly. When you are ready to leave, security will route you back out through either exit …. Highway 49 or back the way you came near the back gate.
Last (no really)
this event is for River Hills residents only … and your guests. This is not for the general public outside our gates. We cannot hope to control numbers appropriately at this critical time. Thank you for keeping your excitement promotion inside the gates!
This is going to be great fun. Let’s all hope for great spring like weather for all to enjoy. As always, if you have any questions, give us a call!
NEWS YOU CAN USE - APRIL 23, 2020
BAR CODES ARE BACK …. some
Thanks to the incredible response from residents for gloves and masks for our security force we now have enough of each to allow us to issue NEW bar codes. For now, you may now get a new bar code on Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. You will be asked to go to the outbound lane next to the front guard house. An officer with single-use gloves on will bring a form for you to complete. We cannot apply a new bar code in rainy weather.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Starting Monday, April 27, the administrative staff will return to working from our offices behind the church. We will still be closed to foot traffic however. We will continue to use the Rubber Maid container at the front door to pass information back and forth as well as the locked dropbox at the mailbox bank in the parking lot.
Most importantly, phones will be answered rather than diverted to voice mail. Our hours will be Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Friday 8:00 a.m. to noon.
The board will be meeting Monday night and will continue discussions regarding Covid-19 and how we function based upon Federal and State restrictions and guidelines.
LEAF AND TWIG PICK-UP
We have had quite a number of calls regarding the leaf and limb pick-up. There are a number of factors at play here.
First, the very bad storm two Sunday’s ago. Second, there are approximately 1,058 residents now at home … all day … with nowhere to go and little to do. The one blessing is this beautiful spring weather. Many, if not all of you, have been doing yard work. Every curbside has some debris in it.
It is not as simple to say that the vacuum truck comes by and sucks up the leaves. The curb must also be raked and/or blown. The same is true for the chipper truck. There is clean up that must follow. Add to that the problem that occurs when piles are mixed. The guys cannot vacuum leaves and grass when stick and twigs are in the pile. The reverse is true. The guys cannot chip limbs and twigs when in a pile mixed with leaves. They must be separate. But, because our guys are the great guys they are, often times they try to get it anyway. As you can imagine, this takes even more time.
The morale to this little story is this. We are in unprecedented times. The guys are running the entirety of each day to pick-up. Even in the rain. Please give them the understanding they deserve to give them the bandwidth they need to get their job done. Today, 18 truck loads of debris were dumped behind maintenance. Whew! Rumor also has it that residents on Fairway Ridge came out to applause the crew! WOW, that makes my heart happy.
FRIDAY FOOD TRUCK NOTES
A separate email will be sent on the next step for the Food Truck Friday, which will focus on the ordering process.
Some of you have already downloaded the Cousins Maine Lobster app to prepare yourself for next Friday! That’s outstanding. I would encourage everyone to do the same.
Two questions came up yesterday about the APP.
Is there a Invitation Code to be entered? No, there is not.
When choosing the location, which do we choose? The answer is Charlotte.
AND due to extremely large demand, we are going to add 15 more minutes from 8:00 – 8:15 p.m.
Also, I have cleaned up the registrations to reflect one per sign-up instead of the number of “orders”. This has opened up a few time slots. If you didn’t see one when you looked previously, try again. There are more.
CUPPA JOE
Initially we were going to simply cancel the May Cuppa Joe, but we’re going to try something new.
Virtually.
I won’t let the cat out of the bag, yet. We are still working on the “will it work” part of it. But suffice it to say, we are attempting to conduct this such that every single one of you could potentially join in! Stay tuned for details!
NEWS YOU CAN USE - APRIL 11, 2020
Good morning River Hills ...
I received this notice from Duke Energy this morning. While reading, I felt the information contained within is important for all ... particularly considering all the other issues we've got to deal with. Felt it a good idea to forward to you .... Stay safe.
FROM DUKE ENERGY
Duke Energy preparing for high winds in Carolinas on Sunday and Monday; company encourages customers to prepare as well.
Customers encouraged to follow U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidance for food safety ahead of storm
A strong weather event will push through North Carolina and South Carolina beginning Sunday afternoon and continuing into Monday, bringing with it high winds and a strong potential for power outages.
Duke Energy is monitoring the storm’s path and taking steps to prepare, while also continuing to adhere to coronavirus-related protective measures and social distancing guidelines in place for power line crews and tree crews, and other employees supporting the storm response effort. “We know how important electricity is to customers at a time when so many are home all day, every day,” said Duke Energy Carolinas storm director Jason Hollifield. “Add to that, this is an important holiday weekend and sacred time for many people.
We will work to respond to power outages as quickly as they occur, recognizing we must also ensure the safety of our crews and the communities we serve through proper social distancing practices and other protective measures.
We appreciate our customers’ patience and support as we work to serve all of our customers in the Carolinas.” Important safety reminders With high winds, come the threat of downed trees and, potentially, downed power lines. We encourage customers to plan now for what they will do if they experience an extended power outage:
Customers should stay tuned to local news for the latest weather advisories, as well as state and local emergency management officials.
If you rely on electricity for medical needs, please consider now what actions you will take in the event of an extended power outage. With statewide “stay-at-home” orders in place, you may need to alter your emergency plans.
If you see a downed power line, always assume it is energized and stay away. Report downed lines to Duke Energy immediately.
Never bring a generator indoors. Generators should be operated only outdoors, and only in well-ventilated areas. Manufacturer instructions should be followed.
Duke Energy protective measures :
We are working hard to help ensure you have reliable power during this challenging time and will work to restore any outages that occur from this storm as quickly and safely as possible. We are focused on helping protect our employees, contractors and the communities we serve.
Please avoid approaching Duke Energy crews in the field or entering their work zone as they restore power. If you do need to speak with someone, be advised that employees will maintain at least six feet of separation.
Please adhere to stay-at-home orders and help our crews avoid distraction by supporting social distancing guidelines as they work.
If it is necessary to leave home, customers should move over or slow down if they see utility crews or other first responders working along roads. It’s not only the law, but also helps protect our crews who are working to help restore power to customers.
Additionally, employees do not travel, climb or work when sustained winds reach 39 miles per hour. When the storm passes and wind speeds drop below 39 miles per hour making it safe for travel, crews will begin damage assessment and repairs.
Tips for protecting refrigerated food during a power outage
We know that many customers may have stored up their refrigerators and freezers as part of their stay-at-home plans. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends the following tips:
Have appliance thermometers in your refrigerator and freezer. The freezer temperature should be at or below 0° F, and the refrigerator should be at or below 40° F. ·
Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.
YOU MAKE RIVER HILLS GREAT JILL EATON
NEWS YOU CAN USE - APRIL 8, 2020
Let's Get SOCIAL ... Virtually!
Hello River Hills!
The Youth & Social Committee
has ideas for activities for your family!
Create an Easter card, drawing or poster.
· Email or text a picture to Polly Needham at psneedham@yahoo.com or 704-576-0267 by 5:00pm on THURSDAY, April 6, 2020.
· She will create a slideshow for the Lake Wylie Assisted Living Center for the residents to view on the screens around the Living Center over the Holiday!
Let’s have an Easter Egg/Bunny Hunt similar to the Bear Hunt going on around neighborhoods now.
· Put an Easter Egg or a Bunny in your front window for others to see when they are riding around the neighborhood in their golf carts or walking!
· You may want to create an Easter Tree with eggs hanging in the branches, or make a chalk drawing on your driveway.
· Click this link to get coloring pages to use ... Easter Coloring Pages
· There are also copies available in the RubberMaid container at the front door of the Association Office. Grab one if you can't print one or find one yourself.
· Make eggs, chicks or bunnies large enough to be seen from the street.
· You may want to create an egg and attach it to a stake and place it in your yard.
· You may want to create a bunny costume to wear.
· Parents will give children rewards (candy or carrots, ha) when they see the eggs, chicks or bunnies.
We will post the activity on the RHCA website. Check the top of the page on our RHCA Website ... and click on EASTER HUNT If you choose to participate. Please email Polly at psneedham@yahoo.com with your address so residents will know where to drive or walk. River Hills residents can walk or golf cart around the neighborhood on Saturday or Sunday to see your creations!
NEWS YOU CAN USE - APRIL 7, 2020
SECURITY CHANGES
EFFECTIVE WEDNESDAY, April 8, 2020
Governor McMaster issued a Home or Work Executive Order late yesterday afternoon that is effective today at 5:00. While the document is 12 pages long, the pertinent pages can be found on page 6 and on. The Order may be found at the following web address. We are also going to put it on our website. Executive Order
The Governor is pleading with South Carolinians to hunker down and either stay at home or work and seriously limit your travels outside either. In summary, the key points to the order to limit exposure are as follow:
1. STAY AT HOME.
2. Travel to work and stay there. Page 7 and 8 lists non-essential businesses. The association is not considered a non-essential business, or to please my English teacher and cut the double negative, the association is an essential business.
3. Essential Activities are (full text found in Executive Order)
a. Caring for or visiting a family member in another residence or transporting a family member, provided the activity is conducted with appropriate consideration of CDC, state, and federal guidelines for social distancing.
b. Obtaining necessary supplies and services for family or household members, such as food and supplies for household consumption and use, medical supplies and more.
c. Engaging in activities essential for health and safety of family or household members.
d. Caring for pets ….
e. Engaging in outside exercise and recreational activities providing that the minimum 6’ social distance is adhered to.
f. Attending religious services ….
g. Traveling as required by law to attend court proceedings, and transporting children as required by a court order.
BOARD DIRECTIVES
The Board of Directors held an emergency board meeting today to consider the impact the Executive Order would have on association operations. The following decisions were made to protect both our residents and staff and are in effect starting Wednesday, April 8, 2020:
1. You MUST call in or register through ABDI your guests, family, contractors, vendors, suppliers. This is not an exhaustive list. Applies to anyone who is not a resident. No exceptions. If you need assistance in how to call in or use ABDI, please let myself (Karen) or Mike know. We will get you the help you need. Anyone not called in or registered through ABDO will not be allowed in.
2. We want to strongly recommend that you do not allow anyone inside your home to do work that is outside your sphere of daily contact. DO NOT invite trouble in your home. We are in the first of two difficult weeks for the spread of this disease.
3. We continue to process Architectural request applications. We realize this is a good time to get work done on your home. However, in an effort to minimize traffic coming into the community, if your project can be deferred until we get past the danger zone, we welcome that. Part of this is to also reduce the necessity for an ARC member to interact with a resident unnecessarily. Not all applications require an advocate to meet with you onsite, so we will take each application as it comes in.
MASKS AND GLOVES
You may have also heard a CDC change in the stance on masks. It is now recommended that everyone wear a mask when out in public. Officers are now required to wear a mask inside the gate. But as you also know, there is a shortage of both masks and disposable gloves. If anyone has access to either and would be willing to donate to our security team, please contact Mike Schoonmaker at mschoonmaker@comporium.net. Thank you for all your efforts to help keep our staff safe and protected while they continue to serve you.
MARINA
Is there anything better than living on a lake? I think we are the fortunate ones that have access to our beautiful grounds and lake during this hard time. However, we need to remind everyone about a few rules pertaining to the Marina.
1. NO FISHING is allowed from the docks.
2. River Hills residents who are not Marina members MAY fish from the land side at the Marina.
3. Marina Members are the only ones allowed to launch anything from the marina. We’ve had occasion recently where residents were launching from the Marina.
4. A new surveillance camera system is now operational throughout the Marina and is directly connected to River Hills security for real-time monitoring.
5. Kayak/canoe rack use is by permit only. Use of courtesy dock and kayak launch is restricted to Marina members and kayak/canoe permit holders.
The goal of the Marina is to be a welcoming place for their members and River Hills neighbors to enjoy. Their only ask is that their property be respected and left as it was found. The Marina has been a fantastic partner for the association by allowing us to use their facilities for Cuppa Joe, the Annual BBQ, and other meetings and events. We owe a great deal of gratitude to the Marina and we can demonstrate that by honoring their requests!
Thank you for making it to the end of this long message.
The information contained here is important for all.
All News You Can Use issues are posted to our website un NYCU at the top of the home page for future reference.
Come on River Hills! We can do this.
Let’s do everything in our individual power to stop the spread.
If a virus doesn’t have a place to go, it will eventually die.
PLEASE keep your distance … even from someone you know well.
We just cannot assume anyone is disease free.
We simply do not know.
APRIL 30th!
You with us?
We’re with YOU!
NEWS YOU CAN USE - APRIL 6, 2020
IT’S MONDAY ….
… and you know what that means? It’s Wednesday or Saturday or no-day … who’s having a hard time recalling what day of the week it is? Someone told me last Thursday it was Tuesday. All I could do is shout Noooooooo!
Some things for your Monday ….
SECURITY
While we know and understand this is a great time to get some home projects completed, we would be remiss if we did not suggest that it might be wise to put off any interior work until the pandemic passes. We must all assume that anyone and everyone is a carrier. Dreadfully, this week has been determined by the Centers for Disease Control to be one of the worst to come followed by next week. Please do not take any unnecessary chances. Exterior work is less invasive, but please keep your distance from workers.
Along with this goes the necessity for Security to process vendors and suppliers into the community. We need to eliminate the need for any of our officers to have contact with people entering our community. Therefore, please call your guests, vendors, suppliers into security and/or use the ABDI security system. Our security team is the number one reason why people choose to live in River Hills. We need to protect them the best possible way we know how. Need help knowing how to use ABDI or call a guest in? Let me know. We’ll get help on your way.
COMPOST PICK-UP! COME AND GET IT!
Most of you know our compost piles come from the tons and tons of leaves picked up every year. This compost is super rich and great for your gardens and such. We deliver a truck load for $40 or …. you can come and get it for free at 12:30 any day. The guys are just breaking from lunch and can assist you. Please help protect our guys and keep a safe distance of at least 6 feet or more. Previously we have done 9:30 a.m. as well, but the guys are trying to get caught up. For now, let's keep it at 12:30 each day. If it's raining, you or we will get stuck. Wait for a sunny day.
As mentioned yesterday, we are going to make this super simple for those who we deliver to. eMail or call with an order. We’ll track it. When this pandemic is over and we’re back to normal operations, we’ll send you a bill for what has been delivered. Therefore, an email is best so we have something to back up the bill with.
CRACK SEALING ROADS TUESDAY!
Good news! With beautiful weather comes a good time for road work. The much anticipated crack sealing of our roads will start tomorrow, Tuesday, April 7 at 8:30 a.m. This work moves along pretty quickly so it doesn’t really make sense to say where they are going to be working. They will be all over the community. Just be on the lookout for road crews working hard to do this minor, but oh-so important work to preserve our roads!
ASSESSMENT PAYMENTS
Yes, our offices have been vacated for home offices, however, staff will be dropping by from every other day to pick up dues payments from our lock box in the parking lot of our office. Never fear! Your payment will be recorded and deposited.
As a reminder, please be sure to put your payment in the MIDDLE box in the gang of 3 in front of our offices along side the curb in the parking lot. This box is locked and secure. There is also a mailbox for the church and one for general mail for the association. Do not put payments there. We have a lock box for security!
EASTER HOLIDAY
The Easter bunny is hard at work coming up with a Plan “B” for the Easter Egg hunt we cannot host due to the virus. Stand by for details on this either tomorrow, or Wednesday. Polly and her social committee are doing their best to keep the spirit light and fun for all.
Speaking of Easter, the administrative and maintenance staff will take this Friday and Easter Monday off as a holiday. While we are not in the office, we will make every effort to close our laptops or shut down our computers and phones and take a much deserved break from our work.
We are almost all the way through day 1 of the office being vacated, and I think we’ve done a great job handling all the requests that have flowed in today. Please let me know if that is not the case. We’re running dueling phones and computers to get to you!
PLEASE TAKE CARE THIS WEEK!
Let us know how we can help you ...
NEWS YOU CAN USE - APRIL 5, 2020
Good Sunday afternoon River Hills,
I don’t know about you but I could not be more thankful for this glorious spring weather and stunning natural beauty we are enjoying right now. At least we can step outside (with whatever dosage of allergy med you require) and believe that better days are ahead. And, they are. This is a marathon with a bit of a murky finish line ahead of us, but it is there. Let’s just keep our eye on the prize and know that by doing the right things now, it will become clearer as we take each step ahead.
As the President has asked the nation to adhere to a 30 day “Slow the Spread” effort, we are taking another step to this end. Starting tomorrow, Monday, April 6th, the administrative staff will be serving you from our respective homes. We believe that we need to set the example and demonstrate that this can be done. We are fortunate that much of what we do can be done electronically.
We can do this.
Our goal is to try not to miss a beat.
To continue to serve you as we always do.
But, it will look and feel a little different. But what doesn’t right now?
Where we need physical interaction we may ask the assistance of security, maintenance and the board to help. The RubberMaid box will remain outside for us to pass things back and forth. Don’t forget the locked DROP BOX outside our offices in the parking lot. It is the center mailbox of of the 3. We have the ability to pick up voice mail messages through our phone system and will check them every hour so we can attend to you on a timely basis. Therefore, please just continue to call the office at 803-831-8214 and leave a voice mail message for the person you need.
We also installed a VPN (virtual private network) several weeks ago in anticipation of this day which gives us the ability to work from our home computers just as if we were sitting at our desk at 102 Hamilton’s Ferry Road. There isn’t much we cannot do. Bear with us as we work through the details of handling each request as it comes in.
As a reminder, the following are the email addresses for each of us at the office:
Karen Summers, General Manager – RHKaren@comporium.net
Amy Camilleri, Office Manager and ARC – RHAmy@comporium.net
Angie Potts, Best Admin Ever – RHAngie@comporium.net
Leah Pryor, Finance and HR Administrator – RHLeah@comporium.net
NEED COMPOST?
For those of you who want compost, we are going to make this super easy for you now. Send your requests through any one of us at the admin office. We will get the order to Rick. You may either pick up your compost for free at maintenance, or have it delivered for $40.00 per truck load (about 4 cubic feet). We will track the orders during this time, and bill you for it when this is behind us. We know many are gardening in your yards. Compost is a must! Help us by taking some off our hands. We have plenty. I mean, PLENTY.
LET'S DO THIS ...
Thank you ahead of time for helping us make this necessary step to protect our staff. We have the tools to make it work.
Security and maintenance are still on force serving you.
Please help protect them by keeping a very safe distance.
Maintenance is doing their best to protect themselves by wearing long sleeves and gloves, but the truth is, they are still picking up debris from the roadside. There is no telling what could be in that debris. They wash their hands more than the rest of us combined.
Security must interact with you but please be prepared as you interact with them. Keep it to a minimum. They are our front line and must remain in place to keep you safe. Call in your guests so the security officers do not have to extend their interaction with those who do not have bar codes.
I don’t think I have to tell any of you … we cannot wait until this is over. I know you can’t either. To return to a normal workplace is going to be the blessing of the year. What a celebration day that will be.
The Broken Record ....
PLEASE obey all the restrictions being imposed on us now. Of all the essential things we talk about today, THIS is the most essential.
Stay home.
Keep a good 6 feet or more distance from you and the next person.
Do not gather in groups more than 3.
You MUST act “as if” the person you are walking by is a carrier.
That is the unfortunate conclusion we must all draw simply because none of us know. On a beautiful spring day, when you’re out enjoying it, feeling fine … you could be the one who could infect another.
This will pass.
We will gather as a community again.
Hopefully July 4th, hopefully sooner.
If we do the hard thing now, these things will happen.
Shall we hope for the BBQ May 22? Can’t hurt!
Always open to your thoughts and comments.
Enjoy this beautiful day.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - MARCH 31, 2020
It's just Tuesday .... or as someone said .. the 87th of March
DHEC reported 43 cases of Covid-19 in York County this morning. This is not intended to scare but inform. Please heed the advice of officials who are doing their best to contain this virus. Since neither I nor you know you are a carrier, we must all act “as if”. The remainder of this News You Can Use is information on changes to our community based on the spread.
Hamilton’s Ferry Playground
We regret to notify residents that as of this evening, March 30th at 8:00 p.m. the Hamilton’s Ferry Playground and equipment will be closed until further notice due to the rising numbers of Covid-19. Governor McMaster has issued restrictions against gathering in groups of more than 3, and to practice social distancing of over 6’ to reduce the spread of this virus.
We understand the need to get outside, to breathe, to exercise, to walk, to talk to our neighbors for our sanity. We certainly do not mean to discourage this in anyway. However, the board met yesterday afternoon to discuss the on-going issue of gathering, social distancing, and the ability to keep the playground equipment safe for all. Our playground may well be one of the last left open. The risks are just too high. The board voted to close the playground, remove the picnic tables and basketball goals for a time. Until it is safe.
We highly encourage the use of walk paths and outdoor common areas for your walks, runs, strolls, or just simple change of scenery. Theresa (Roads Committee Chair) jokingly suggested that maybe while you’re out on your walks you could document cracks in the roads while you’re at it? Sorry. Need some levity. Gotta take it where you can find it.
This will pass. Our hopes are like yours. We will behind this, enjoying a beautiful summer with our friends at our parks and playgrounds as we have become accustomed to.
South Point Park
The board also discussed the status of South Point Park. The decision was to simply close the park at 8:00 p.m. until further notice. The picnic tables, shelter, swings, gazebo and fire pits will remain in place and open for you to enjoy. However, all the same rules apply. No gathering in groups more than 3 and observing social distances of 6’ or more.
Security will rotate through the park to ensure that rules are being followed. If security or any board member detects a rise in the breech of these restrictions, it may necessitate further action that no one wants to take. Please PLEASE comply. We encourage you to encourage others to do the same.
Due to the highly contagious nature of this virus, the bathroom at South Point Park will remain closed until we are past this. Please plan accordingly.
Easter Egg Hunt – April 11
Sadly, we are having to inform you of yet one more canceled social event. Due to current restrictions, the Easter Egg Hunt for April 11 (rain date 12) is canceled.
The decision for the BBQ will be made as we close in on May. Wouldn’t it be amazing if we were past this by May 22? What a celebration that would be! More news on that later as we get closer to that date.
We are looking for creative ideas for some sort of social outings and events that are permissible given our current situation. Polly Needham and her committee would appreciate any thoughts you may have. Email Polly at psneedham@yahoo.com.
Golf Carts
Just a quick reminder on the state law for the use of golf carts in River Hills. No matter how decked out your golf cart is …. lights, cameras, blinkers, bling, horns, or fill in the blank …. golf carts are allowed sun up to sun down. There are more and more out these days, for sure and thankfully the days are getting longer. Just keep them parked when the sun goes down! Thank you!
I know you hate this.
I hate this.
If you need to or want to vent, give me a call ... or email.
I'm right here with you.
But I also want to be right there with you in 90 days too.
Let's do this.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - MARCH 26, 2020
COVID19 UPDATE
Governor McMaster issued executive orders to practice social distancing (being no closer than 6' from another) and to gather in groups no larger than 3.
The Board debated whether to close certain River Hills amenities such as South Point Park or the Hamilton’s Ferry Playground. For now, the consensus was to rely upon our residents to do the right thing and comply with the state restrictions. South Point Park and the playground remain open. Signs are posted at both locations reminding everyone of what the restrictions are. As I say this, we know things can change next hour.
The weather is going to be beautiful in the days to come. We know that getting outside the house to walk on trails, bike, or your exercise of choice is vitally important right now.
Please, please, please do the right thing. If we observe blatant disregard for these restrictions, we may have no choice but to close these venues and require security to enforce, which we truly do not want to have to do.
Thanks for continuing to be so cooperative. Since we have had to close, we such cooperative spirits in all we’ve had to do.
FROM SECURITY
Please help security and the Country Club by staying off the golf course day or night. We do provide security for the country club but our teams are being stressed at the front gate handling what they are during these times we are in. Help us help you.
As you might suspect, there is a huge increase in the number of Grub-Hub, InstaCart and like deliveries. In order for security to process these, they MUST be called in or entered into the ABDI Gate Access system to be let in. If these deliveries are not entered, you will be back to a good ol’ PB&J for dinner …. just sayin’ ….
Also, golf carts need to be registered with the SC Department of DMV. If you do not have the rectangular blue sticker issues by DMV you cannot drive on the road. Golf carts also cannot be driven on walk paths. Operators of legal golf carts must have a valid driver's license. Help us keep golf carts where they belong as the use of them is on the rise.
FROM MAINTENANCE
For the time being, maintenance continues to do the work for the community as always. However, we know this could change on a dime. What that change might look like is anyone’s best guess. In anticipation of what “could be” please help us by not putting anything on the curbside than what needs to be.
If we were to hit a window of time where maintenance activities might be restricted, that street side debris could be the last thing we attend to, and the result would be it ending up all over the streets. For now, we are working hard to stay ahead of the curve.
With that being said, we do know one of the best things we can do right now is to get outside and work in our yards. That is safe and good. I don’t think I’ve ever seen River Hill’s greener. Spring blooms are stunning right now. Take a step outside and breathe (a-choo!) it in!
FROM THE MARINA
We've made the decision to close the Marina office until further notice, due to the increasing impact of the COVID-19 virus. The building will be locked from tonight at 5 PM until we are able to re-open. Building access for our tenants will be by assigned code only, and the Member Center remains unavailable for any business or social gatherings of any size.
P.S. Forgive formatting issues. Internet has been up and down all day today. It might be ugly but you'll get the message ... Call with questions! Stay safe and secure. We will get through this together.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - MARCH 23, 2020
PARKING
With residents complying with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance to stay at home to reduce the spread of the Covid19 virus, we have more and more cars to park that might not ordinarily be here at one time. We understand the need to park where you must and therefore will not cite anyone for parking on the street. Please be mindful, however, of where you are parking. Please do not park in front of or near mailboxes making it difficult for the mail delivery person to get to the boxes. As well, please stay clear of stop signs or near where someone backing out of their driveway would hit you
PETS
Saturday was a beautiful weather day. Residents were out and about getting fresh air and walking their doors. Walking dogs has become a heightened activity. It’s always important to pick up after your dog as you walk, but it is VERY important now. We want to continue to enjoy our walkways during this time, so let’s please keep them free and clear for all to enjoy and pick up after your pet.
PEOPLE2PEOPLE
Two new posts are on our website about how people can help under the PEOPLE2PEOPLE link at the top of the page. A River Hills resident is coordinating assistance for those in need. THANK YOU Angel Burgess. Call Angel if you or someone you know needs assistance. She has a list of “angels” who have volunteered to help run errands, pick up, or drop off items. Please understand there may be a time when they have to say no. We must stay safe and limit contact. Please call Angel at 704-524-9360 to get connected.
Secondly, Community Associations Institute published a “Hi! I’m Your Neighbor, and I can Help!” note card you can print and use to let your neighbors you are available to help with your contact information. Tape it to a front door or put in a newspaper box. There is a link on the website to get the note card. It is this spirit of generosity that will help us all get through this very difficult time.
ASSOCIATION OFFICE
We are still here! Last week went remarkably well. We were able to handle what residents need. We expect to be in the offices throughout this week unless we are issued a “Shelter in Place” order from the Governor. Thank you for working with us in such a great way. The board will meet on Monday, March 30 at 6:00 to assess the following week. As of this writing, the office will be closed at least through April 3.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - MARCH 21, 2020
For the time being, we are keeping the Hamilton's Ferry Playground open.
Please heed the following notice from the Board of Directors:
WARNING:
Use playground at your own risk. It is cleaned periodically but not disinfected. Parents should take precautions to protect children using the playground.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - MARCH 20, 2020
Before we head off for the weekend, here are a few notes for you all.
MAINTENANCE
As if the Covid-19 virus hasn’t upset our apple cart enough, the rain is wrecking havoc on Rick and his maintenance crew. The grounds are extremely wet and soft and the rain doesn’t seem to want to end. During the intermittent sunny days the crew HAS been able to put down fertilizer. Whenever you fertilize, you need to give the grass a week or two to adapt and not mow. The guys are doing the areas they can while waiting on others.
ROADS
There are plans to do some crack sealing throughout the community next week, weather permitting (there’s that rain thing again). We will communicate with you next week on the actual “when” and “where”. When this crack sealing is being done, there will be a few machines on the road, but nowhere near as much as when we are overlaying. Regardless, they will be out moving slowly to fill the cracks so please be patient with them. Crack sealing is our number one way of maintaining our roads at a high level to keep major road repair from being required more frequently.
ADMINISTRATION
Thank you so much for the overwhelmingly cooperative effort in working with us this week. We hope that you feel we have been able to meet your needs even while sequestering ourselves away. We have completed week one of three. Our plans are to continue to operate from the office next week.
Neither North or South Carolina Governor’s have issued a “Shelter in Place” order for only essential travel and workers to work from home. This may or may not come. Should we be ordered to work from home, we have already implemented procedures and systems that will enable the four of us to work from home as if we were sitting in our seats at the office ... almost. If or when that time comes, we will communicate how all that will work. No need to waste time or effort now. Just know that we’ve already got technology and plans in place.
MASS TEXTING
In the coming days we will be taking our communications system a step further in our ability to do mass texting to our residents in the event of an emergency. Stay tuned for more information on what we will need from you to do so.
PEOPLE2PEOPLE
During these difficult times there will be needs, direct from within the community, and some from outside. We want to be a source of help and assistance as best we can be.
Rather than putting all of that in separate News You Can Use as they come in, I created a website page for these to be posted to. There is a new link at the top of our home page called “People2People” for lack of a better name (maybe the pollen is clogging my creative flow?). You will find postings there. Today there is one for housing. I expect to put another post up that will pertain to all of you. A resident is coordinating helpers within River Hills to assist those in need. When that information is finalized, it will be put on the website.
As a reminder on how to get to the COMMUNITY side of our website ...
Go to www.riverhillsplantation.com.
Click on COMMUNITY at the right top part of the screen.
This will take you to the River Hills residents portion of our website.
You will see PEOPLE2PEOPLE at the top of the screen. Click on that and you will be there!
IN CLOSING
Signing off from one of the craziest weeks I think most of us have ever seen. There was a gas crisis in the 70s and of course 9-11. But neither of those restricted us quite the way we are having to now. The one thing we do know is that change has been rapid and has the potential to continue through the next few weeks. We will make every effort to communicate with you about how this impacts all of us.
We will emerge from this and resume our lives in due time. We just need to be smart between now and then. The good news is it’s now spring. The weather beckons us to go outside ... which is a good thing. Breathe in that good fresh air although laced with pollen but away from someone coughing (goodness! the caveats ...) . Let the sun hit your face. Talk to a neighbor .... within a safe distance (are we really doing this?) .. but get to know who is around you and offer to help if there is a need. Be patient. Be kind. Consider what someone might be dealing with that is unspoken. Better times are ahead
NEWS YOU CAN USE - MARCH 17, 2020
SECURITY UPDATE
Visitor traffic is heavy or above normal at the gate and this is odd as the world is operating on a less contact social distancing theory. Security wants to advise residents to consider postponing interior vendor appointments to a future date. Please consider cancelling all non-essential appointments, especially interior work contractors to limit exposure to this virus in our community that could be so deadly to some neighbors. Please help me keep you safe and help me keep your neighbors safe!
More than ever, your guest MUST be called in or entered in the ABDI system. Calling guests in helps our officers have less physical interaction with the multitude of strangers coming through. It is imperative for us to work 24/7 and to stay healthy as to not pass this virus on. We are seeing about 70% of the visitors showing up NOT called in. This exposes our officers to much more back and forth with these folks than is needed. We would like to keep security running but cannot do so if this virus hits our department. Please consider this advice and cancel your vendors and non-essential guest!
MOVIE NIGHT
Due to the Covid 19 restrictions, we have decided to postpone the Movie Night at the Hamilton’s Ferry Playground to be held on the evening of April 4th.
The Board will meet on March 30 and will evaluate the Easter Egg Hunt currently scheduled for April 11.
OFFICE HOURS
Traditionally the office is closed to foot traffic on Wednesday’s from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m and OPEN to all from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. During these next 3 weeks, the office will close and employees will go home at 4:00 p.m. since we are handling all business via email and telephone.
CUPPA JOE
MANY thanks to the over 80 of you who joined us at the Marina Pavilion Saturday at 10:30 a.m. It was a beautiful day and one I think we all enjoyed very much. It was chalked full of good information from the Coyote Sub-Committee and a proposal to make the back gate security guard house more functional. As promised the entire session was video recorded. The video is now available for you to watch on the website.
Go to www.riverhillsplantation.com. Click on COMMUNITY. Click on RESIDENTS at the top of the page. Click on CUPPA JOE. There you will see the video as well as the documents that were handed out at Saturday.
As you will find, the video is raw footage. I think we did pretty good considering it was my iPhone and tripod. I think you will get a good sense of how the session went. And you’ll find how entertaining Mike can be. No one wants to follow HIM! Perhaps you’ll join us at the next one.
Speaking of which ... the April Cuppa Joe will not be held. We will evaluate based on Covid 19 at the end of April.
NEWS YOU CAN USE
Every NYCU is posted to the River Hills website. You can find that same content by clicking on NYCU at the top of our home screen.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - MARCH 16, 2020
Good evening River Hills Residents,
The River Hills Board of Directors and lead staff met this afternoon for an emergency meeting to consider implications of the Covid 19 virus (Corona Virus) on both you, our residents, and the staff and how we will serve you in the coming days.
We are in unprecedented times. The speed at which change has come in the last 7-10 days has been rapid. In fact, while the board was in the meeting this afternoon at 2:30, the President of the United States was hosting another press conference where even tighter restrictions were being mandated and changes made once again.
Decisions have been made based on the best information we can discern. First and foremost is the health and safety for all. To that end, the following decisions have been made. Will this be perfect from the start? No. This is a fluid situation we are dealing with. All the many instances that may come to pass in the coming days could not possibly have all been considered. We will work very hard to make sure everyone’s needs are met while protecting you and the staff.
As mentioned in last weeks’ News You Can Use, staff is being asked to stay at home if they feel unwell for any reason.
We are continuing to clean all surfaces on a 4-hour basis.
We are practicing social distancing with each other as we work together in our offices.
Security
Security will continue to operate on a 24/7 basis.
Please enter your guests into the ABDI Gate Access system or call your guests in to minimize interaction with visitors.
Physical interaction between those coming to the front gate and the officers will be severely limited. There will be no passing of information from the person in the vehicle to an officer, including but not limited to old passes, forms, drivers license, etc.
No one is allowed to enter the front or west guard house for the next 3 weeks. Officers will come to you on a limited, as-needed basis.
NEW bar codes will not be issued during the next 3 weeks. A temporary 30-day pass will be provided to anyone needing a bar code during this time. New bar codes require the person to come into the office, interact with the officer, and fill out paper work. We hope you understand. Renewals can continue to be processed.
Administration
The Administration Office will be closed to foot traffic for the next 3 weeks starting tomorrow morning, Tuesday, March 17. The board will meet on March 30 and consider what the status of the virus is at that time (2 weeks from now) and will adjust accordingly.
The entire Administrative Staff will be working together behind closed doors. Our hours will remain the same as always. We are available to you by email and telephone. We will make every effort to help you as we would on any given day. It might just look a little different.
If you need to drop anything off for us at the office, please use the Drop Box in the bank of 3 mailboxes in the parking lot outside our office. We will also have a box outside our front door for things that are larger than what can slip though the slit in the mailbox. Please call or email to let us know you have dropped something off.
If you have a permit to be picked up, please call in advance and we will place the permit at our front door in something that has yet to be determined. Bear with us as we work through something we’ve never had to do before.
If there is a situation where you must meet with any one of the Admin staff, we may make an appointment for you to transact that business. Please call or email us for that appointment and we will make a determination on its necessity.
We will make every effort to respond to your calls and emails on a very timely basis to stay ahead of the proverbial snowball.
As President Trump declared, there are to be no gatherings larger than 10. Non-essential committee meetings will be postponed for a better date.
Administrative Contact Information
PHONE: 803-831-8214
Karen Summers, General Manager
Amy Camilleri, Office Manager
Angie Potts, Administrative Assistant
Leah Pryor, Finance and HR Administrator
Maintenance
The maintenance staff will continue to perform in their roles as usual, but will also be limited in their interaction with you. Please do not engage our maintenance crew unnecessarily. Just because they are outside doing a majority of their work does not mean these rules do not apply to them. They do. We must protect all our employees AND you.
If we honor these decisions among us, and if we obey the instructions we’ve been given by our leaders, we can hope these days will not be greatly numbered and will become a distant blur in our rear view mirror before long.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, Karen Summers, or any board member listed in your Neighbors newsletter. I am 100% sure that I have not covered everything here. Thank you for working with us during this very difficult time in our nation’s history.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - MARCH 10, 2020
CUPPA JOE
Join us for a very special Cuppa Joe this coming Saturday, March 14 at 10:30 at the Eddie Knox Pavilion at the Marina. We will hold this event rain or shine. The area is well covered and there are heaters should we need a little early morning warmth. We will not only hear from the Chief but presentations will be made on the findings of the Coyote Committee and also on proposed plans for the back gate. You will not want to miss either! As always, we will provide hot coffee and something donut-like for your sweet tooth!
Trees Glorious Trees!
We have recently embarked upon a joint project with the Country Club to identity trees for removal on and by the golf course. Rick and Amy joined members of the country club grounds team to review trees the club would like to remove due to being diseased or dead from holes 1-11. Each of the trees to be removed have been marked with a dot in red paint. The trees have been photographed and logged in our tree removal book. As well, residents in the vicinity of these trees have been contacted by our office to inform them a tree or trees will be removed in their area in the next 2-3 weeks, depending on weather. The collaborative work between both organizations was outstanding and an example on how we can work together for the best of both. If you have any question about a tree being removed, please don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Speaking of the Golf Course ... Rules on Access
No one can deny that River Hills residents benefit from the beautiful grounds and golf course the Country Club provides as it winds throughout our community. As residents we need to be mindful of the rules and regulations regarding the club, the course, and its cart paths.
As the club is a private entity within our gates, it is important to remember that the walk paths and parking lots are limited to access and use by club members only. If you happen to have watched the recent Ryder Cup in France, you know an errant golf ball can cause great injury and harm. The club makes every effort to minimize risk. Therefore it is important to not use the course for walking, running, and/or strolling with your babies or dogs. Cart paths look to be natural walk paths, but on a golf course, they are not. By their very nature and location, you play at your own risk and with eyes wide open.
You might be surprised to find that even club members are restricted from using the course for anything but golf. It might also be tempting to slip onto the course and play a few holes. Security has had to stop a few individuals from parking at the gardens to jump onto the course. This is expressly prohibited. Only club members who check in to the Pro Shop to play golf are allowed to play the full course. If you think about it, this is trespassing and even theft of services of the club.
We want to remain good citizens of the club and the community we are a part of. Security has been charged with the responsibility of securing the course for players and their guests. Please do not be offended if you are approached by security and/or even asked for identification while on the course. They are simply doing their job and to protect everyone the best way we know how.
Thank you very much for your understanding, cooperation and appreciation.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - MARCH 5, 2020
Blue Granite Public Hearing TONIGHT!
The South Carolina Public Service Commission will hold a hearing this evening at 6:00 p.m. at the York County Council chambers in York for the purpose of hearing a request from Blue Granite Water Company for another rate increase.
6 South Congress Street - York, SC
Additional parking is available down the hill behind the Administration Building and street side.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - FEBRUARY 17, 2020
The information below is excellent.
Use it as I did to find information and make your plan to address the Public Service
Commission. As you can see Wes Climer sent this on the 4th of February so it has been distributed around Lake Wylie. The meeting is this week, Thursday the 20th.
I have submitted a letter of protest and I know other that have done the same.
As mentioned in the email it is important to PACK THE ROOM. One person speaking for our community doesn’t get that job done. Please consider attending and encourage others to do the same.
Respectfully,
Gloria Shaw Bruce, President
River Hills Community Association
From: Wes Climer <WesClimer@scsenate.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, February 4, 2020 11:25 AM
To: Wes Climer <WesClimer@scsenate.gov>
Subject: BGWC Rate Increase Info
Good morning -
Please distribute the following information to anyone you believe would be interested. Below are links to important testimony and exhibits regarding the pending Blue Granite Water Company (BGWC) rate increase request.
Importantly, the Public Service Commission has scheduled a night hearing in York County for February 20th, which will take place at the County Council Chambers, located at 6 Congress St. in York. The meeting begins at 6:00PM.
Over the summer, I hosted a Town Hall Meeting in Lake Wylie with the Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) and the Office of the Consumer Advocate (OCA) on the subject of how we as a community can better fight back against abusive utility practices. These were their primary recommendations:
(1) Show up. When the PSC has a night hearing, it is important for that room to be packed with people who are against BGWC’s request.
(2) Stay relevant. The PSC is essentially a judicial body, so think of this meeting like a courtroom and a trial. Only evidence that is relevant will be considered by the PSC. That means that your remarks should focus exclusively on the matter before the PSC. A summary of the rate increase request prepared by ORS is linked below.
(3) Come prepared. Organize your thoughts in writing in advance. You don’t have to read from a prepared script, but it is important to be concise and to the point. Pick two or three items in BGWC’s request that you find most injurious and focus on those items.
(4) Deliver the evidence. Bring an extra copy of your prepared remarks to the night hearing so that you can submit your remarks into the official record of the case. Additionally, if you intend to cite a photo or utility bill, bring a copy to submit into the record.
Additionally, if you cannot attend the night hearing - and again, I would strongly encourage anyone who can make it to be there - you can still submit a letter of protest by visiting https://psc.sc.gov/consumer-info/file-letter-protest. The same rules apply: stay focused, stay relevant. But most importantly, make sure the PSC knows your position. It is extremely important for the PSC to hear from as many opponents of BGWC’s request as possible.
As always, please feel free to call/email if you have any questions or there is anything I can do to help. As additional information becomes available, I’ll follow-up with you.
- Wes
Office of Regulatory Staff Summary of BGWC Rate Increase Request: https://regulatorystaff.sc.gov/news/2019-11/summary-blue-granite-rate-increase-application
- Note: a user-friendly, printable summary of BGWC’s request
BWGC Docket before the Public Service Commission: https://dms.psc.sc.gov/Web/Dockets/Detail/117247
- Note: includes access to all testimony by all parties in the case
BGWC’s Application to the PSC: https://dms.psc.sc.gov/Attachments/Matter/85a84d39-28b9-4a92-92b0-be7328f63b35
- Note: this is really long, but is what the PSC will be voting on
Post & Courier: “SC utility pushes to make customers pay for $500K move to swanky new offices”
Testimony of Erik Reckitt on behalf of York County re: Rate Adjustment Mechanism
https://dms.psc.sc.gov/Attachments/Matter/62402f08-d3cc-43f3-a1aa-d7377141a5ed
- Very good testimony about the dangers of the proposed Rate Adjustment Mechanism, along with other matters
Testimony of Charles Jackson on behalf of ORS re: Items that Ratepayers Should not Fund
https://dms.psc.sc.gov/Attachments/Matter/88508035-0db9-4d27-a79d-1e5c97c87e4f
- Note: list of items that BGWC requested reimbursement for that the PSC should not allow
Testimony of David Parcell on Behalf of ORS re: Return on Equity
https://dms.psc.sc.gov/Attachments/Matter/d10dd11c-ea0c-4364-bb63-a65d5bcd58c6
- Note: The Return on Equity (ROE) is the amount of profit that the PSC allows BGWC to earn on its expenditures. It is essential that we push back on the exorbitant ROE BGWC has been allowed to earn in the past. This testimony is highly technical in nature, but the first couple pages and the conclusion will help illuminate the issue.
Wes Climer, Senator
Senatorial District 15
York County Office
PO Box 4898
Rock Hill, SC 29732
(803) 752-0052
Columbia Office
PO Box 142
604 Gressette Building
Columbia, SC 29202
(803) 212-6016
NEWS YOU CAN USE - FEBRUARY 20, 2020
River Hills/ Lake Wylie Lions Club and RHCA Adopt A Highway Litter Pickup
Please consider volunteering!
February 22, 2020 at 9:30 AM Meet at Church parking lot.
Bring Gloves and wear sturdy shoes.
RSVP: Bill Dillon, bigbaby1990@yahoo.com , 803-412-0359
Bob Ward, rcward1@live.com, 803-415-1046
Weather Advisory for Friday - February 21st
As of this writing, York County Schools are operating on a 2 hour delay. It is our practice to also follow the school schedules for our office. The Association Office Staff will be in no later than 10:00 a.m. tomorrow unless there is a considerable change in the expected weather.
Rick and the Maintenance Crew are ever prepared for whatever weather needs the community has. We will evaluate the needs based on what truly comes. Note that we do not plow roads with less than 2" snow as this tears up our roads. A layer of sand could be applied depending on what comes. Regardless, trust that we are ON it starting this afternoon! Stay home if you can.
Blue Granite Public Hearing Tonight
Per Allison Love, the Blue Granite Public Hearing is ON for tonight. This is subject to change within the next few hours. We will make every effort to update you on the status. You may also follow Allison on her Facebook page: Allison Love York County Council District 2 Clover .
CUPPA JOE
Plan now to join us on Saturday, March 14 at 10:30 a.m. at the Marina Pavilion. The Coyote Sub-Committee will present their findings at this meeting. As well, we welcome John Phillips, River Hills Country Club Grounds Supervisor. John will be speaking about golf course maintenance, landscaping and trees. This is a great time to hear what’s going on all around us as we live in this great golf course community.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - JANUARY 6, 2020
CUPPA JOE
Join us Wednesday, January 8 at 9:30 a.m. at the Camp Thunderbird Johnson hall for the first Cuppa Joe of the year. Security will be on hand to assist you in parking and directing you to Johnson Hall. For those who need a little ride from the parking lot to the meeting spot, we will have a golf cart or Gator to assist. As always, coffee and a sweet treat will be available to warm your bones and knock off the hunger edge.
Look forward to seeing everyone to start this new year off right!
CHRISTMAS TREES
Now that the holidays are behind us, most are feeling the itch to get things back to normal which means defrocking all holiday decor. You may place your tree at the curbside for maintenance to pick up starting now.
2020 ASSOCIATION ASSESSMENTS
You should have received the first quarter Association Assessment statement for the year. You will notice the total amount of $498.00 split into two amounts. $475.00 is the amount for 2019 and $23.00 is the quarterly increase for 2020. The new total is now $498. We felt it might help to see the distinction for this first quarter.
In October all home owners were mailed a Budget Packet and Annual Meeting Notice. In that packet was the budget for 2020. We have received a phone call or two about the increase and how that happened. Did you know the Covenants allow the board to increase the dues up to 5% each year without a vote? Check out page 29, Section 3C for more information.
Assessments are due on the 1st of each quarter (January, April, July, October) and are considered past due on the 21st of the month in which assessments are billed (same 4 months). For any month where there is a past due balance, we send a reminder at the beginning of the next month (February, May, August, November) of the payment due. If the balance remains in the 3rd month, we sent another reminder requesting payment by the 15th of the 3rd month (March, June, September, December) or bar codes will be disabled. As you can see, we make efforts to remind residents of what is due and when. Please check your mail carefully. For more information on this please check the Covenant pages 29, Section 3A and 30 Section 8A.
Starting last year, we joined the Alliance Association Bank which provides additional payment options. We’ve heard from residents that it is very easy to use and provides you the use of payment by credit or debit card which we do not currently take in the office.
However, if you wish to drop your payment by the Association Office, come on down! We still take them over the counter and enjoy an opportunity to say Hi! Did you know that in addition to that, we have a DROP BOX located outside our offices in the bank of 3 mailboxes at the parking lot in front? The middle box is the lock box and has a drop slip and padlock for your convenience and security.
If you have any questions, please call our office! We are the best source of the right answer we know. If we don’t have it, we’ll surely get it.
NEWS YOU CAN USE - DECEMBER 24, 2019
(in part)
Assessment Statements
First quarter assessment statements were mailed yesterday. Be on the lookout for yours. Assessments are due the first of the quarter and are considered past due after the 20th of the first month of that quarter (January, April, July, October).
If you need assistance with options in paying your assessments, please callus. There are a number of choices including the good ol’ drop-it-by-the-office (gives us a chance to say ‘hey’!) or use our Drop Box outside or office in the bank of 3 mailboxes (middle box) in the parking lot!.
News You Can Use - December 18, 2019
Association Office Holiday Hours
The Association Office Holiday Hours for the following two weeks are:
Monday – December 23: Open 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday – December 24: Open 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday – December 25: Closed
Thursday – December 26: Closed
Friday – December 27: Open 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Monday – December 30: Open 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday – December 31: Open 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Wednesday – January 1: Closed
REGULAR OFFICE HOURS RESUME
Thursday – January 2: Open 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday – January 3: Open 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m
Over the Valley and through the Woods Our Visiting Guests Will Go ...
... more easily if you call in or register them on ABDI than if they arrive at the front gate without clearance to enter. Please help our security teams allow your guests to get to your homes for holiday festivities quicker by calling them in at least 24 hours in advance. We surely don’t want anyone’s visit to start by sitting near the turn at Highway 49! Thank you!
Board of Director Election Results:
We are pleased to announce your three new Directors to the Board for 2020 - 2022
George Elmiger
Polly Needham
Alan Sutherland
New Amenity and Capital Projects Fee:
Did Not Pass