May 01st, 2023

April 24, 2023

​Dear VI Residents:
 
This is a quick update to the Presidents’ Letter which was sent via two weeks ago.
 
I would like to address some comments that I have received about the proposed revision to Deed Restriction (“DR”) 50 to reduce the number of votes to change or add from the current 348 to 315 “yes” votes.  Based upon 522 properties in VI that are subject to the DRs, this represents a reduction from 66.6% required for a change to 60.0%. If the revision passes, a large majority of homeowners will still need to approve any DR modifications.  It is hardly an attempt to impose unwanted changes on property owners. 
 
The main driver behind this proposed reduction is the significant amount work required to obtain the necessary 348 “yes” votes.  Many residents agree that current the DRs are outdated and have requested changes such as those being proposed on the current ballot for DRs 8,9,30 and 34. However, in the 58 days since the DR ballots were sent to VI property owners only  244 ballots have been returned. - fewer than half!

Our next step will be the very “labor intensive” effort of “knocking on doors.” to obtain unreturned ballots.  This requires a significant effort by the small number of volunteers willing to assist time we send out a ballot.  The change to DR 50 was suggested by the VIHA Board to reduce the amount of manpower required to accomplish a DR change while still maintaining an appropriate margin of approval from property owners. Please note that the proposed change to DR 51 is necessary if DR 50 changes because it references the percentage of homeowners needed to make a DR change.
 
Please feel free to contact me or any members of the DRRC if you have any questions or concerns or if you need a new ballot.
 
I’d like to thank Brooke Palmer and Craig Kuhl for another fun-filled Food Truck Friday on April 14 which benefitted Feeding Tampa Bay / News Channel 10’s Cereal for Summer program. VI residents were extremely generous and donated 250 boxes of cereal plus $2,000 in cash donations.  Unfortunately, school meals are sometimes the only meals that many children have each day.  Feeding Tampa Bay, Pack-a-Sack and other organizations attempt to meet the need on weekends and holidays, but the need is even greater during the summer months when school is not in session.  All social events in Venetian Isles are funded through sponsorships and generous donations so we greatly appreciate Brooke and Craig’s efforts to give back to Venetian Isles and the St. Petersburg community with the Cereal for Summer event.
 
I am happy to share that based on the weekly reports I receive from our Community Police Officer, there have been few instances of criminal activity in Venetian Isles since the beginning of the year.  Let’s continue to stay vigilant by removing any valuables from vehicles, especially firearms, and keeping vehicles locked if left in the driveway. 
 
Finally, please extend a warm welcome to Savat, the new mail carrier from Overlook Drive to Carolina Ave.
Sincerely,
 
Rich Scanlon, VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org