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...FALL 2005 Newsletter
I.D. Cards for Employees
Homeowners, residents and Business Owners are reminded that you can obtain identification cards and passes for your domestic and service employees at PHA Security. This will allow them easy daily access into Palmas del Mar through the Service Gate. Employees will need a letter from you certifying them as your employee _and requesting that they may be providedI. D. cards and passes lease keep in mind that, in accordance__ with the PHA Restrictive Covenants, you will be responsible for the actions and conduct of these individuals while they are inside Palmas del Mar.
Hurricane Response
Hurricane contingency planning is being coordinated by PHA with close collaboration from PDMPI and other entities within Palmas. As in years past, in the event of a hurricane, an Emergency Operations Center will be established in the Club Cala area. At the Emergency Center, we will have an Emergency Response Team with Security and Maintenance crews ready to handle last minute preparations and immediate deploy¬ment after hurricane passage. These teams will be performing the critical jobs of initial damage assessment, road clearing and property security.
It is imperative that you remain at home during the first hours after the hurricane to allow Emergency Response Teams to perform their function so later on you may be able to move around in a safe manner. Palmas Security will be exercising strict control of movement of people and vehicular traffic throughout Palmas. Only Emergency Response Vehicles will be permitted to circulate initially. Access to Palmas will be limited to residents and official vehicles. Security checkpoints will be established to exercise control of major residential and development areas. Only properly authorized personnel will be allowed through these points. This is being done for your security and safety as well as for the protection of the property.
Your cooperation, patience and understanding in the even of a hurricane emergency is a must. Please help!
New Road Improvements
As part of their continued efforts to improve Palmas del Mar's infrastructure and quality of life, during 2005 PDMPI has embarked in various projects with a total cost of $3 million dollars. The most significant project is the construction of the new extension to Country Club Drive connecting Palmas Drive with the existing Country Club Drive. In addition to a beautiful landscaping detail, the new road was designed with Roundabouts instead of four-way intersections. The Roundabout at the Palmas Drive intersection, across from Palmas Reales and Villa Franca, is being designed with a beautiful water fountain in its center surrounded by lush landscaping. The one at the intersection of Country Club Drive where the original and the new section connect will be beautifully landscaped. Temporary speed bumps installed for safety during the construction phase will be eliminated. Solar illumination and a new golf cart path along the new road will be installed as part of the project. The project is expected to be complete by December 2005.
Modern Roundabouts are considered by Traffic Engineers as the safest, most efficient and attractive form of traffic control. Resorts such as Hilton Head in South Carolina, Beaver Creek and Vail in Colorado have imple¬mented Roundabouts in their roadway systems. It is important to emphasize that Roundabouts are not the old fashion traffic circles of yesteryears. Modern Roundabouts are the opposite. They are designed as small as possible for their environment. Speed reduction is also one of the main purposes (maximum speed of 15 mph). They are considered the most effective traffic calming treatment available and assist pedestrians to cross. Com¬pared to a four-way stop control and signalized intersection, Roundabouts achieve crash reductions of 50 to 9.
Ciompi Quartet
Sponsored by the PHA, the Ciompi Quartet will treat the community of Palmas del Mar to what promises to be a unique chamber music concert. Praised by audiences and critics worldwide, this quartet has established itself as one of America's leading chamber ensembles, having received accolades from the press throughout their travels. `The Ciompi Quartet was phenomenal... they are amazing..." (GRUNION GAZETTE, Long Beach, Ca.)
This unparalleled activity will be held at the Sheraton Four Points Hotel on Sunday September 18, 2005 beginning with cocktails at 5:00 p.m. (cash bar) and hors d'oeuvres. The concert will begin at 6:00 p.m. in the hotel's ballroom. Tickets will be $30.00 p/p in advance and $40.00 p/p at the door. Student tickets will be $15.00. Tickets may be purchased at the PHA office (285-6425) DCI of Puerto Rico's office (285-6400) or the Palmas Academy (850-9210). The proceeds from this activity will benefit the Palmas Academy.
Hayden, Debussy and Schulhoff will all be on the program! Don't miss a memorable performance of these celebrated compositions by these master composers.
New Storm Drainage
A new storm water drainage system is being installed under Palmas Drive near the entrance to Sunrise/Villa Franca. This project is being constructed by PDMPI as part of their improvements to Palmas infrastructure and it will solve a long-standing problem of flooding in this area during heavy rains. Thirty-six (36) inch pipes will handle storm water from the areas of Sunrise, Villa Franca and Haciendas de Palmas. As with the Round-about being built as part of the Country Club Drive expansion road, this project may cause a temporary incon¬venience, but we trust that our homeowners will appreciate the fact that is is being done for the betterment of the community.
Police Maritime Unit
In June 2005 a Puerto Rico Police Rapid Response Maritime (F.U.R.A.) unit was established at Palmas del Mar. This special anti-narcotic unit will operate out of the Palmas Marina with three high-speed boats and 20 police agents. The mission of this FURA unit is to interdict drug traffic coming into Puerto Rico through the eastern island shores. Its range of operations includes Maunabo to Fajardo, Vieques and Culebra. The Maritime unit will intervene with suspect boats coming into Palmas and will respond to problems in the Palmas Marina. During emergencies they will also assist the Humacao District Police providing services in the Palmas community.
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