December 2021

Dear VI Residents:
 
I hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  Over the next several weeks VI will be “lit up” for the holidays culminating in the lighting of luminaries along the seawalls on December 24.  The Hospitality Committee will be selling candles again this year.  Your block’s candle seller will be reaching out to you shortly and details will also be available on ourvi.org.  Don’t wait till the last minute to get your seawall candles as they always go fast!!! Also, the VI Holiday Food Drive has been set for December 12 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the intersection of Grand Canal and Overlook. Donations will benefit the St. Pete Free Clinic.
 
COVID-19 has forced us to curtail many of the usual VI activities including Oktoberfest, the New Homeowner’s Reception and our Annual and General Meetings so we are excited to kick off 2022 with an “in person” Annual Meeting on January 20, 2022, at Lutheran Church of the Cross (“LCC”).  The meeting will start at 6:30 pm with a “social time” and at 7:00 pm for the business meeting.  Obviously, this will be pending no further outbreaks which would cause LCC to re-impose the prior level of restrictions against allowing outside groups to use their facilities.
 
Topics to be discussed at the Annual Meeting include:

• Election of VIHA Officers and Board Members for 2022 (we had three property owners submit a Nominations Form to serve for 2022);
• Review of VIHA operations from the date of the last Annual Meeting in 2020 and presentation of the budget for 2022; and
• An update on the Deed Restriction (“DR”) revision process with the first three proposed DR revisions going to the property owners in January 2022. 

 
The Board has approved an increase in VIHA annual dues from $180 to $200 for 2022.  This is necessary to offset increases in VIHA insurance, utilities and legal expenses.  As a reminder, VIHA members may request a copy of the annual budget.
 
I want to share a feel-good story.  Several weeks ago, a “solicitor” convinced an elderly VI resident to write a large check to his “cause.” The solicitor showed the check to another neighbor trying to convince him to contribute.  Fortunately, he recognized the name on the check, knew the person was suffering from dementia and contacted her family.  The family was able to put a stop payment order on the check.  Just a great example of one neighbor looking out for another.  Let’s try to exhibit more of that in VI!!!!
 
At recent VIHA Board meeting we discussed putting up “No Soliciting” signs at the entrances to VI.  Subsequent to that Board meeting we learned from Don Herring, our Community Policing Officer, that if signs are installed and the SPPD is made aware of a solicitor then they will, depending upon available manpower, respond to the complaint.  While this approach may be helpful, the most successful approach may be for a property owner to install a “No Soliciting” sign at your door to, hopefully, preclude people from knocking on your door.  The best of these signs that I have seen in the neighborhood is: “No Soliciting – Unless You are Selling Girl Scout Cookies!!!”
 
There are a couple of other things to make you aware of:

• I get a report each week from Don Herring, our Community Service Officer with the SPPD. Lately there appears to be a higher frequency of thefts occurring from docks.  Just a reminder to secure your valuables whether they are on a dock or in your car and please keep your car doors locked; and,
• We have received a few complaints lately about “light pollution.”  We live in a very compact area and while I understand the need to make sure your home is safe and secure, please consider the impact that any high-intensity lighting may have upon your neighbors and their ability to enjoy their property as well.

 
We have been contacted by Hotwire Communications about offering a “Fiber to the home option” for bulk cable and internet. We think this service might be of great benefit to VI residents by providing better service at a lower cost. We are looking for VI residents who can lend their expertise and help us get a better understanding of what this potential option entails. Please contact me if you have experience in this area and can assist us in investigating this further.
 
Finally, a big “shout out” to Brooke and Craig on Carolina Ave. for continuing to organize Friday Food Truck Events.  This has proven to be a great way to bring VI residents together and meet their neighbors.  The December Food Truck Friday is scheduled for December 17 in front of 2020 Carolina.  Details about the event can be found on ourvi.org.    
 
I look forward to seeing you around the Isles during this holiday season.
 
 
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org
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