Have you been to a meeting lately? Because second and third hand information looses accuracy, much like the proverbial fish story with outstretched hands. As a concerned resident, I too have become more involved as a result of attending the meetings. I also have a tendency to research anything that either I don?’t understand the motive of or the words do not sit well, upon first notice.
The Two Boards:
Many residents are unaware that there are two distinct boards operating in Bayshore Gardens. First is the Board of Trustees for the Bayshore Gardens Tax District and second, The Bayshore Gardens Home Owners Association. In 1959, the Home Owners Association was established, to oversee the common areas and provide the forum for the managerial, monetary and social functions of the community. In 1979, the State Legislature passed a law recognizing the Bayshore Gardens Recreational Tax District. Tied to numerous Florida Statutes and other Public Laws, it was nearly impossible to keep up with the conflicts and intentions of the original intent of the district, let alone its operation because of the changing, related or seemingly unrelated laws it was tied to. The Legislature enacted the Laws of Florida 2002-365 (Link: http://election.dos.state.fl.us/laws/02laws/ch_2002-365.pdf ) to simplify and make the operation legalities more manageable. The first Tuesday of December, each odd year, the Manatee County, Supervisor of Elections sets up the Voting Machines for the purpose of electing roughly half of the unpaid, volunteer residents, who make up the Board as elected for four year terms.
The Homeowner?’s Association is a voluntary, dues paying organization. Since 1979, it has lost the responsibility to manage the day to day operations, however, it has been the forum to pool our resources, communicate ideas and create a source of leverage and coordination to assist in the efforts of our community services, such as the Sheriff?’s Office, Code Enforcement, Waste Management, County Planning, Utilities, and Political Representation. It is not the effort of a few, rather, the combined efforts of all those participating. From organizing Kids Parties around the Holidays to welcoming new comers and New Years Eve parties for Adults. Considerable time and effort is devoted to insuring representation and involvement in Citizens Action Committees, Imagine Manatee, County Commission Representation, Green Ways, Quality Community Teams and Adopt-A-Road, all crucial to preserving the richness of our community.
While the Board of Trustees of the Bayshore Gardens Recreational Tax District makes the managerial and monetary decisions, the Home Owners Association provides another avenue of input and coordination of the all residents, members or not, active in our community. As well, there are independent Clubs and Groups, from Crime Watch to Wood Choppers that are also run by volunteers. All paid positions in the District report to the Recreation Center Manager, and the manager reports to the Board of Trustees. So next time you want to crucify, the very people who strive to keep or improve our community, remember, first they are your neighbor and second, they volunteer their time and efforts.
The Two Boards:
Many residents are unaware that there are two distinct boards operating in Bayshore Gardens. First is the Board of Trustees for the Bayshore Gardens Tax District and second, The Bayshore Gardens Home Owners Association. In 1959, the Home Owners Association was established, to oversee the common areas and provide the forum for the managerial, monetary and social functions of the community. In 1979, the State Legislature passed a law recognizing the Bayshore Gardens Recreational Tax District. Tied to numerous Florida Statutes and other Public Laws, it was nearly impossible to keep up with the conflicts and intentions of the original intent of the district, let alone its operation because of the changing, related or seemingly unrelated laws it was tied to. The Legislature enacted the Laws of Florida 2002-365 (Link: http://election.dos.state.fl.us/laws/02laws/ch_2002-365.pdf ) to simplify and make the operation legalities more manageable. The first Tuesday of December, each odd year, the Manatee County, Supervisor of Elections sets up the Voting Machines for the purpose of electing roughly half of the unpaid, volunteer residents, who make up the Board as elected for four year terms.
The Homeowner?’s Association is a voluntary, dues paying organization. Since 1979, it has lost the responsibility to manage the day to day operations, however, it has been the forum to pool our resources, communicate ideas and create a source of leverage and coordination to assist in the efforts of our community services, such as the Sheriff?’s Office, Code Enforcement, Waste Management, County Planning, Utilities, and Political Representation. It is not the effort of a few, rather, the combined efforts of all those participating. From organizing Kids Parties around the Holidays to welcoming new comers and New Years Eve parties for Adults. Considerable time and effort is devoted to insuring representation and involvement in Citizens Action Committees, Imagine Manatee, County Commission Representation, Green Ways, Quality Community Teams and Adopt-A-Road, all crucial to preserving the richness of our community.
While the Board of Trustees of the Bayshore Gardens Recreational Tax District makes the managerial and monetary decisions, the Home Owners Association provides another avenue of input and coordination of the all residents, members or not, active in our community. As well, there are independent Clubs and Groups, from Crime Watch to Wood Choppers that are also run by volunteers. All paid positions in the District report to the Recreation Center Manager, and the manager reports to the Board of Trustees. So next time you want to crucify, the very people who strive to keep or improve our community, remember, first they are your neighbor and second, they volunteer their time and efforts.
