Letter from the President: provided by Cleo Robinett.

The year has passed by very fast for me and it has been a good year for our community. We are very fortunate to live in such a beautiful area. The bluebonnets that were planted by our master gardeners failed to come up this year but they have their own time schedule and if we get rain this fall, believe me their work has not been in vain. I really appreciate the people that volunteered to spread the seeds.

Talking about volunteering, if everyone would determine a project they would like to help with, it would make our little part of Texas even more beautiful. We have very talented and educated people that are living in Oak Ridge and if each would use their talents to be on the Board or serve on some committee, please let it be known.

Our last meeting of the year will be May 16, 2009. It is always a great time when the new Board members will be introduced. I encourage every one to come. A bar-b-que lunch will be served. We need volunteers to help with setting up the tables, cleaning up after the meal, etc. The meal will be served at 12:00 noon.

May I encourage you to pay all requested POA fees in the May billing which will include our regular yearly fee, fire protection, road maintenance, roadside maintenance, vacant lot and septic field mowing as needed to keep our community neat, clean and in good repair. We are fortunate to have Horseshoe Bay Fire Department as our first responder. This keeps our insurance key rate lower. Without this lower rate, all of us would pay much more for our fire insurance.

I want to thank all of you that have been so willing to serve in different places and look forward to seeing you at the meeting in May.

Cleo Robinett.

Warning - Yard trash has been dumped on LCRA property across from the 3100 block of Ranchette. This is against the law and perpetrators will be prosecuted.

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Board Meeting Minutes: provided by Cookie Puckett, Secretary.

December 4, 2008: Cleo Robinett called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM. Board members present were: Cleo, Marion, Gerrie, Joel, and Cookie.

Cheryl and George were absent. Cookie read the minutes. Joel moved to accept them as read, and Marion seconded. The motion was approved unanimously. The Board expressed thanks to the Tai Chi members for donating the furniture in the restrooms. It was purchased at the garage sale. Total donation was $100.00.

In Cheryl's absence, Rick Mann passed balance sheets out to the members. There was a lengthy discussion concerning the increase of 8% for our fire protection from Horseshoe Bay. Horseshoe Bay's expenses for fiscal year 2007-2008 were less than projected. We received a refund of $1563.00. The concern was the percentage of assessed values that Oakridge owners pay compared to what the owners pay in the many new sub-divisions that have recently been added to the city of Horseshoe Bay. Are we paying the same amount for the same fire protection? The fire protection is necessary to us, and we want to pay a fair price. Inger Lise Blount volunteered to get a report for us for our March meeting with some more detailed information.

We have quite a few residents who have not paid their POA assessments and/or storage lot payments. Since 2003 we show $3540 past due in assessments and $725 for storage lots. Past due notices will be sent out in the next month. If anyone questions that, they are asked to e-mail Cheryl at cheryl.mann@nctv.com and she will be glad to respond. This would save us the expense of postage. The board will sell the tractor, Brush-Hog, and grader that we are no longer using. A decision was made to give the large bar-b-que pit in the back of the clubhouse to Justin Dunk for bringing his equipment and helping to remove the concrete slab for the old restrooms in the clubhouse yard.

Mr. Dale Hewgley suggested that we consider using just one waste service company here in Oak Ridge. At this time we have 84 customers using Allied Waste (blue cans), and 36 customers using IESI (green cans). Some of the reasons for having one service are:

1. We would have only one truck per week traveling on our roads, which would save on road wear.
2. Changing to Allied would be best for week-end people.
3. All the cans would be out at the same time improving the appearance of Oak Ridge, AND this could be Oak Ridge going GREEN.

Cleo said she would contact both companies and see if they would give us a special rate if all of the residents used just one service. We could ask that the residents change their service at the end of their PAID quarter.

Cleo submitted a revised storage lot agreement for the Oakridge residents. Until now, we have had no provision for vehicles that were abandoned. We have had to pay for those items to be removed. This new agreement gives us the right to auction those items within 90 days after the member has been notified, and asked to remove it. Copy of new document is on file with the minutes. Cleo also reported that the request to replat made by Shelton Thibodeaux at the last meeting has been denied by the POA board.

A.D. mentioned that the fascia board on the clubhouse needs to be replaced, and that we probably need to repaint the whole building by spring. Members who are ill: Syl Gaisbauer broke his ribs. Ray Nix is still in the hospital, but is improving.

Marion moved to adjourn and Joel seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

March 5, 2009: Cleo Robinett called the meeting to order at 7:04 P.M.

Those present were: Cleo, Cookie, Marion, Gerrie, and Cheryl . Cookie Puckett read the minutes. Cheryl moved to accept them as read and Marion seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

Cheryl gave a financial report. She said that $11,000.00 had been received to date for our fire protection fees. She also asked for board approval allowing her to assess penalties for past due fees for fire protection and the storage lot. She would charge $10.00 for each lot owned, and if they did not pay, this fee would accrue each year. Cookie moved to approve Cheryl's suggestion, and Marion seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

Ernie and Liz Hinkle submitted a request for an easement abandonment to remove the inner lot restrictions only between lots 241 and 242, unit 1, located on Pecan Creek Drive. These lots are located just north and across the street from their home at 546 Pecan Creek Drive. This would be for the purpose of filling a ditch to preserve the creek and the natural runoff. They have no desire to have the lots re-platted. Marion moved that we approve the request and Cheryl seconded. The motion carried unanimously.

Inger Lise Blount gave a brief report concerning the increase of 8 % in our fire protection from Horseshoe Bay. She did ask them for a detailed break down of the annual pro rata share that we pay in comparison to some of the other territories surrounding HSB. She was satisfied that our coverage is consistent.

Steve Muller asked to make an appeal to the membership. He listed eleven reasons why Oakridge residents want to move here. They are: Kind of people who live here. Water access or view. Lack of government control. Openness. Rural feel. Safety. Quietness. Wildlife. Pride of ownership. Community oriented. Space between houses.

His greatest concern was for the future of Oakridge....to preserve its appeal. He feels that some of the deed restrictions may need to be interpreted differently concerning re-plats. There was a lengthy discussion concerning ways to do this, or whether there actually is a need to do this. All documents provided by speakers are on file with the minutes.

The board appointed a nominating committee. They are: Gil Blount, Wilda Meixner, and Carol Toohey.

Cheryl moved to adjourn and Gerrie seconded. The motion was approved unanimously.

Memo from Cleo, dated 3/17: We found out today that in order to burn in Oak Ridge you need a burn permit. Call Horseshoe Bay Fire Dept Administrative Office at 598-6953 They will come out and check where you are burning and then issue a permit if it meets their requirements.

Reminder: If you do not wish to receive the Picayune, call 693-3085 and ask for Susan in the press room.

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Other Bits and Pieces of News from the Community

2008 CHRISTMAS COOKIE EXCHANGE: Twenty-seven ladies and Samantha (Jo's granddaughter) attended the Ladies' Luncheon and Christmas Cookie Exchange in December. Hostesses Sharon Coffey and Ivy Parizek decorated the Center in Christmas colors and Sharon's husband, Pete, made chalupa's for the meal.

Guest speaker Sue Kennedy from Marble Falls Helping Center informed us of the services provided throughout the year. Donations can be dropped off at the Center or call Sue (693-5689) for more information on what kind of donations are needed.

OAK RIDGE MARDI GRAS PARTY began with the crowning of the official King and Queen of the event, Lamar and Frida Muston. They accepted their royal duties and everyone had fun dancing to get their poker hands from the royal couple. Cleo Robinette and Sharon Spencers dancing moves won each of them a door prize. In addition, Mary Nix came out on top with a full house and also won a door prize. The potluck was quite a feast, with Rick and Cheryl Mann bringing "leftovers" from the Community Theater Event they had catered themselves. The Hurricane CAT 5 punch had quite a punch and of course a non-alcoholic Precipatation Punch was also available. Approximately 30 residents attended the event and fun was had by all.

FALL GARAGE SALE RESULTS were above $3,000 raised to supplement the cost of the fire contract with HSBay. Thanks to Suzanne who reminds that we need a chair for the garage sale this year - "I can't commit as I expect that we will be gone."
Thanks, Suzanne

TO BENEFIT THE RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE, by way of the NARF organization. By Ruth Engel Wanted: Pull tabs from drink can or other cans. Call Ruth and she will pick them up or drop them off on her door knob or bring to ladies luncheon.

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Open Letter to Property Owners from Steve Muller

For several reasons Oak Ridge Estates is ripe for harvest by land speculators and investors. These folks from Austin, San Antonio, and Houston will realize that only twenty minutes west of a declining-level Lake Travis is a relatively undiscovered lakeside community on constant-level Lake LBJ. Speculators will buy modest homes, raze them, and build monstrous houses entirely filling each lot. Especially vulnerable will be the older homes on or near the water; you may know areas where this is occurring. Some think that our community appeal will be preserved by the POA covenants or LCRA rules; this is incorrect.

I would hope that at the annual membership meeting in May, when a much larger representation will be present and have the opportunity to comment, three motions might be discussed and voted upon:

1. An interpretation of Covenant #4 to require building plan review by the Board at the time of re-plat request;
2. Adopting a requirement that re-plat request notices be posted at the property in question (rather than merely in a newspaper that we don't read), and
3. Investigate the feasibility of consulting an attorney who specializes in community law to consider updating and/or revising our covenants to provide better protection for our residential area appeal. [There are "rumors" that the 100% vote requirement to change covenants is not engraved in stone, and some have been able to revise covenants legally].

If you have any desire to maintain the attractiveness of Oak Ridge Estates, I suggest you attend the annual membership meeting (May 16) and get involved in determining the future of this lovely residential area.

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A Note from Wilda

I am a member of the Guild for Hill Country Community Theatre. We are sponsoring a fund raiser for the theatre during the next few weeks. The lucky holder of the winning ticket will receive $10,000 and will be announced at a Cinco de Mayo celebration at LaQuinta on May 5. Each ticket costs $100. Contact me at (830) 598-4577 or wilda@tstar.net to buy a ticket. Rick Mann, a member of the Board for the Theatre will also have tickets.

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For Sale Items

I have a queen mattress, box springs and frame for sale for $250.00 as well as a queen futon frame, mattress and cover for $250.00 They are both in very good condition and used very little. They are in our garage on Pecan Creek Dr. wvaughn2@satx.rr.com.

Waterfront property, 504 Pecan Creek Drive, $279,000 call Don Walden @ 512-289-2450 (cell#)

LOT FOR SALE: Beautiful .50 acre Lot on corner of Ranchette and Candace - with big oak tree in front for a lovely building site- $28,500 - Individual owner - (830) 613-8846.

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911 Emergency Service Information from
Llano County Judge Wayne Brascom

COULD WE FIND YOU IN AN EMERGENCY?

(A services of information on 911)

The last article on 911 concerned using a 911 call for a real emergency. But, once that call has been made can an emergency responder locate you or where the location that the emergency is occurring.

The question is extremely important to insure that the police, fire, or ambulance can respond as quickly as possible and locate that address. So what can we do to better insure that happens:

Here are some simple tips:

1. Post Your House or Business Number of your physical address (Not P O Box Number)
2. Be sure the number is visible from your Street or Road
3. Reflective numbers or lighted numbers are very helpful after dark, and are recommended
4. Turn on porch lights (if available) to assist the responder to visually find the location
5. The recommended size on the numbers are 3 - inch for city locations, and 6 - inch for rural locations

But what if you are using a cell phone, and you are in a remote location, not at your physical address. Here are some tips that may be helpful when using a cell phone for a 911 call.

1. Program in your cell phone a speed dial number for 911. Have it include the Sheriff's Office number following 911, i.e. for your County. Llano County would be "911-247-5767". This will then ring the Llano Sheriff's Dispatcher regardless of your location.
2. Also remember these 5 steps when using a cell phone:
   1. Say your calling from a cell phone
   2. Give your name and cell number
   3. Give nature of the emergency: fire, auto accident, road hazard, etc.
   4. Describe the location
   5. Describe your vehicle, license number, make, model, color, or description of the driver or suspect. If in a vehicle, pull over, then call 911 if it is safe for you to do so.

Finally, when calling 911 be ready to assist the dispatcher to properly dispatch the emergency responder(s) so you or those in need of emergency service can get help as soon as possible.

Next article will discuss rural addressing tips for locating you during an emergency.

WILL 9-1-1WORK FOR YOU

(A services of information on 911)

One of the great phone tools invented for each one of us is 9-1-1 calling for an emergency. Everyone knows what 9-1-1 will do for them. Get help in a hurry for an emergency. Even children are taught to use 9-1-1 by parents. And, new technology has made 9-1-1 identification from a cell phone a more practical reality, if your phone has GPS capability. But, when should you use 9-1-1?

Some people aren't sure when to call 9-1-1. They will call 9-1-1 for reasons other then emergencies. They complain about barking dogs, to ask for phone directory service, ask directions, report power outages, or want to know road conditions. But is this what 9-1-1 is all about? The simple answer is NO.

Remember that 9-1-1 is for real emergencies. Those situations when you need LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTERS, or AMBALANCE service in a HURRY. When there may be a life or death need for an emergency responder. So when people don't use 9-1-1 properly, phone lines are tied up, and make it more difficult for others who really need help.

Please remember, call 9-1-1 when seconds count. When there is an emergency! When it is really needed, then call 9-1-1.

In 2008, Llano dispatchers received 74,000 calls, of which 11,940 were 9-1-1 calls, of this total about 10% were NOT for an emergency event. Our dispatchers, firefighters, EMS responders, and law enforcement are trained professionals who are there to assist you during an emergency. They take 9-1-1 calls very seriously. So should all of us.

Wayne A. Brascom
Llano County Judge

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Financial Statements: provided by Cheryl Mann, Treasurer

OAK RIDGE ESTATES
Balance Sheet
As of March 5, 2009

OAK RIDGE ESTATES
Profit & Loss
May 1, 2008 - March 5, 2009

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