I was a little shocked at some of the topics that are being talked about in a public forum such as this. I guess a place to voice ones opinion is what this is for, Right?
ok. The person that post his/her thoughts about the President of the Association. If this is a forum then why is everyone so uptight about the comments. I think he/she struck a nerve. I dont agree with what is being said but I can understand the concern. There are some people in this area that are NOT happy with the way things are being handled as a whole. It has NOTHING to do with Mr.Preston. Like myself, I am a full-time student and I work, I am NOT able to attend the meetings. But from what I have heard from others about the meetings, they are NOT satisfied with what goes on at the meetings.
I went back and took the time to read the comments. Some of you TALK a good game. Example: It was stated that hanging out in front of a home, that causes a disturbance is AGAINST the neighborhood By-laws. By-Laws CAN be enforced by an association. The county DOES-NOT help with that unless COUNTY LAWS are being broken. My point is you can get a million case numbers. Case numbers do NOT increase patrols. Incident Reports increase patrols. The officers ARE NOT completing reports when they are called for Children hanging out. However the Association can point out where the problems are. It is up to the Association to take action against the PROBLEMS. If you dont believe me, go to 401 and ask for INCIDENT REPORTS(CODE 5) that are for Cambridge.They are NOT there.
My friends, I would like to say Thanks for all the comments both positive and negative. To Mr/Mrs Anonymous Please dont stop the post, I enjoy your opinion, like I said I dont agree with you, but you have a voice.
I do have a question, to the ones that post most of the comments. Those mailboxes are EYE SORES. If I got a brick mailbox, who would ask me to take it down/ or who would take me to court. Do you REALLY know the LAW? I have done my research.Please respond positively, I am not posting this for conflict. Nor do I intend to go against the By-Laws as they are written.

Clarification

Augusta-Richmond County Code Ordinances

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3-7-31 LOITERING OR LOAFING - OBSTRUCTING STREETS OR SIDEWALKS

Any person who shall loiter on any street, sidewalk or crossing in such a manner as to be an obstruction to free passage thereon, and who shall fail to promptly move on when notified to do so by any officer of the Sherriff's Department, or by any citizen in front of, or near, whose residence or place of business such loitering is carried on, shall be punished as provided herein.

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3-7-40 STREET SIGNS - INJURY OR INTERFERENCE WITH

The willful and malicious interference with, injury to or destruction of any street signs within Augusta-Richmond County shall be punished as provided herein.

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4-1-22 DOGS ON PUBLIC STREETS TO BE ON LEASH, ETC.

It shall be unlawful for any dog to be upon the public streets, except on a leash and accomplanied by an individual, or except when enclosed within a vehicle, cage,carton,crate, box or other suitable container to prevent escape.

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3-1-1 HOURS OF CURFEW; EXCEPTIONS

It shall be unlawful for any minor under the age of eighteen (18) years to loiter, wander, stroll or play in or upon the public streets, highways, roads, alleys, parks, playgrounds or other public grounds, public places, public buildings, places of amusement, eating places, vacant lots or any other place in Augusta-Richmond County, unsupervised by an adult having the lawful authority to be at such places, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. on any weekday and 5:00 a.m. on the following day; provided, however, that on Fridays and Saturdays the effective hours are between 12:00 midnight and 5:00 a.m. on the following day; and provided further that the provisions of this section shall not apply in the following instances:

(a) When a minor is accompanied by his or her parent, guardian or other adult person having the lawful care and custody of the minor;

(b) When the minor is upon an emergency errand directed by his or her parent or guardian or other adult person having the lawful care and custody of such minor;

(c) When the minor is returning directly home from lawful employment that makes it necessary to be in the above reference places during the proscribed period of time;

(d) When the minor is attending or traveling directly to or from an activity involving the exercise of first amendment rights of free speech, freedom of assembly or free exercise of religion;

(e) When the minor is in a motor vehicle with parental consent for normal travel, with interstate travel through Augusta-Richmond County being excepted in all cases from the curfew.

These are just a few. I'm going to attempt to have a link posted to our Home Page that will give you a more thorough list. Perhaps this will clarify what is the responsibility of the Property Owners Association vs the responsibility of the Sherrifs Department.

Blessings,
Carla Padgett-Morris

Clarification???

Ok. I read your response...And I am well aware of the COUNTY LAWS or Ordinances. However, as a former Richmond County Deputy and a current Investigator, I have seen how local ordinances are handled. Please, if you took the time to read those laws go DEEP into the book and see the Laws that you break everyday. Local Ordinances are not enforced. If they were then the Jail would be full all the time. Because we and YES I said we break Local ordinances EVERYDAY(some are very silly).
I really didnt see the clarification that you set forth to put out there. I give up, The Association in Cambridge has really showed me the light. I guess what you are saying is its the responsibility of the POLICE and NOT the Association. All I was saying is. There are some issues that the Association could resolve very easily. I promise you this is my LAST post on this site. Good Luck on your project to CLEAN UP Cambridge.

Clarification

Maurice,

I apologize if it seemed that I was being condescending, that was not my intent. I simply wanted to make sure that the community understands what the County Codes are. Just because you or I know, does not mean that all of our neighbors do. And I agree with you, that yes, we ALL are guilty, whether intentionally or not of breaking laws. I applaud the fact that you have taken an interest in your community. However, I am also very aware that sometimes the residents expect the Association to handle things that the Association has no control over. While I have not worked in law enforcement myself, I have worked in law. And no, we can't sit back and expect the Police to do everything for us. No more than we can sit back and expect the Association to do everything for us. It takes the community working together to bring about change. Apparently you have some ideas of what can be done to make changes in Cambridge, and I know I welcome your thoughts. But along with the idea's, we also need a plan of action on how to make the idea workable. I'm sure that if you have suggestions, we would all be more than willing to listen and work with you to put them into effect. Its very hard to get this community involved in positive programs. Many just want to sit back, watch, and criticize. Either they are afraid to get involved, they don't think anything will really be done, or just don't want to commit themselves. But the community as a whole needs people who will bring forth ideas. Please don't take it personally if I debate you on a topic. I want to know all the in's and out's on a topic. I don't mean to offend. And if I'm debating you, it because I am interested in the topic of discussion. In other words, you have my attention. Its hard to judge a person's tone from text, its not the same as verbal debating. I understand that you have prior commitment with school/work. Have you considered meeting with other members of the community when you aren't working or in school? I'm sure that something can be done to accomodate you. I know I'd be more than happy to sit and debate with you while sitting on my front porch any evening that you are free. I'll even provide the lemonade. I'd be willing to bet we'd have a few other's who'd drop by too. We need fresh ideas in Cambridge. We need enthusiasm. I hope that you will consider meeting with others in the community and discussing your idea's. I'd like to hear more of you have learned, and how you would do things differently.

Blessings,
Carla