Here we are in 2008, yet another year has gone by. On behalf of your volunteer board of directors and committee members I wish you all a Happy and Healthy New year. Your board and committees have tried hard to serve you and to look after all our best interests.

Because we are a Homeowners Association our activities are governed by Florida State statutes. As a Homeowners Association we have one overriding aim which is to maintain and to enhance the quality of our life and property in Unit III. That is for the benefit of all of us. To do this we all have, over the past years, developed a set of governing documents which determine what we all agree is the best way to reach that objective. The terms of these documents form the legal basis if all that we do. All of us have received a copy of these documents when we purchased our properties. If you do not have them available then they can be found on our unit web site, http://www.spanishwells3.org/. We do operate a compliance system but it is not pleasant for anyone when residents are contacted to advise them of breaches of the terms of the governing documents.

There are a few issues which arise on a fairly regular basis and we ask that all of us follow our governing documents to avoid any breaches of their terms. These issues are –

• 1. Garbage. Lee County Ordinances state that garbage cannot be put curbside more than 24 hours prior to pick up, that includes the horticultural pick up on Thursdays. Our documents are stricter and require that no garbage is put curbside for collection before 4.00pm of the day prior to pick up. That is to avoid the sight of our streets lined with garbage. If you are to be away then please request a neighbor to put out your garbage at the appropriate times. Please do not deposit garbage or horticultural waste on empty lots or lots under development. Lee County has an arrangement to pick up appliances and similar large objects. They will advise when this will be done. Meanwhile please keep these items out of sight and not left in open view.


• 2. Pets. Lee County Ordinances, and our governing documents, require that all pets are not allowed to roam free or unleashed when outside of a dwelling. Also all those in charge of the pets must clean up and dispose of all the excrement which their pets deposit.


• 3. For Sale signs. These are to be placed only on the street side of the property. They are to be 12 inches high by 18 inches wide, supported by a 2 inch by 2 inch post. The top of the sign is not to be more than 48 inches above ground level. The color shall be burgundy lettering on a beige background.


• 4. Roofs and Driveways. Roofs are to be kept clean and free of mold, driveways are to be kept clean and weed free.

From January 15 Phase III water restrictions have been put into effect by the South Florida Water Management District. That means that we can only operate our sprinkler systems one day per week. The watering day for your residence is determined by your house number. These watering period times have been published several times by the press and are available on our web site. Please follow these restrictions so that you are not cited for a watering violation.

Dates to remember:

• February 26th. SWACA Annual Meeting at 2.00pm, Spanish Wells C.C. Last year there were not enough attendees or proxies submitted so the meeting could not be held. If you cannot go then please submit you proxy by mail. These were sent to you for completion on January 25th, 2008.



• March 13th. Our Unit III Annual Meeting at 7.00pm in the Card Room at Spanish Wells C.C. Please try to attend to elect 3 Directors and vote on Unit III business. The meeting notice, agenda and proxy forms will soon be mailed to you.

Thank you for your cooperation

Colin Boothby
President, Spanish Wells Unit Three Homeowners Association.