October 2021

Dear VI Residents:
 
As we near the end of summer and what we hope will be the return of cooler temperatures, there are several items that I want to make sure we bring to the attention of VI residents.
 
The situation with the damage to the lights along Overlook has been resolved. The children involved all came forward with their parents and have agreed to cover the entire cost of the repairs. The VIHA Board has decided to allocate additional funds from our budget to move the lighting fixtures so they are less intrusive, instead of just repairing them.
 
It has come to my attention many of our high-school aged children need “community service hours” to meet their graduation requirements.  While the VIHA is not a 501(c)(3) “not for profit” (“NFP”) corporation, which is generally a requirement to earn the community service hours, we know that VI residents are involved with a wide range of charitable and community organizations that do qualify for service hours. If you are involved with a NFP and in need of volunteers, please let us know so we can communicate these community service opportunities to VI residents.
 
Nominations for the 2022 VIHA Board can be submitted through November 30th, 2021. The application form is available on http://www.ourvi.org/board-members . There are six seats up for election this year with a mix of one and two-year terms. We have very committed group of Board Members; however, like every organization, the VIHA can benefit from “new blood” to generate fresh ideas.  Please consider bringing your talents to help keep VI a beautiful place to live and help find new ways to enhance our unique community.  If you’d like to learn more about what the position entails or have any questions about the nomination process, please reach out to me or any other Board Member.  The next scheduled Board meeting is October 28.  If you’d like to attend to learn more of how the Board functions, please contact me for details.
 
Thank you to all the residents who requested one of the vertical oyster gardens offered by Tampa Bay Watch.  We are sorry we were unable to give one to everyone who was interested but we are planning to partner with Tampa Bay Watch to give away more oyster gardens in the future. Please note that we have learned that they are not appropriate for docks located on open water.
 
We have several great community events planned over the next couple of months:

• On October 16, Venetian Isles will take part in the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup Day.  If you’re interested in helping clean up trash in our neighborhood by land or by boat, please contact Janice Drinkwine jkdrinkwine@gmail.com for more information.

• RSBP Events will be hosting a special Halloween Food Truck Friday on October 29th that will offer lots of fun for kids and adults.

• Our Holiday Food Drive will be held on December 4 to benefit the St. Pete Free Clinic (a NFP that offers community services hours!!!).  

More details to follow in separate emails on each of these events.
 
Hope you have had a great summer and look forward to seeing you “around the Isles!!!”
  
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org