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WHAT’S NEW
November 2007
President's Corner
These initiatives include upgrading the quality of our security services in close coordination with the state, and municipal law enforcement agencies, creating new amenities such as new parks, enhancing the beach accesses and the restoration of the Tropical Pterocarpus Forest and its boardwalk. These projects will provide adequate facilities for our children to relax and play.
We also recognize the need to work with Palmas developers and realtors to insure their products find quick and broad acceptance among the home seekers markets in a coordinated and community friendly manner. A fluid housing market is good for our economy and helps in protecting and enhancing our property values.
I look forward to working with you as we continue to forge ahead with initiatives that support the objectives of the Association and our immediate priorities and needs. Thank you for your continued support.
Julio Bagué
Holiday Parranda
PHA is gearing up its planning for the annual Christmas Parranda. This year's Parranda is being co-hosted by the Palmas del Mar Business Association's Restaurants and will end at Palmanova Playa. The Parranda will follow this route: depart from the new PHA Building and go through Palmas Plantation, Country Club Road, Villa Franca, Harbourside/Club Cala and end up in Palmanova Plaza. We will have plenty of surprises, music , food and lots of fun. Santa will be there and as in years past awards will be made to the best decorated golf carts.
Regimes are encouraged to get into the Christmas spirit by decorating the entrances to their respective residential areas. Awards will be given by PHA to the best three decorated entrances.
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Credit Bureau Referrals
In accordance with the PI IA Covenants, if an assessment is past due the Association may bring an action by law against the property owner personally obligated to pay the same or initiate judicial proceedings and liens against the property. In addition to these remedies, the PHA Board of Directors may, at its sole discretion, adopt policies and a system of imposing and collecting fines for the violation of these provisions. PHA has an inordinate number of assessment accounts in arrears and additional management measures are required to insure the timely collection of such accounts. Accordingly, the PHA Board of Directors has adopted a policy whereby effective January 1, 2008 PHA will begin forwarding to credit agencies PHA assessment accounts in arrears referred to attorneys for collection actions. We urge you to keep you assessments account up to date.
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PHA New Building
 The new PHA building facilities were officially inaugurated on November 10, 2007. The building was designed by a long-time Palmas resident, Architect Raul Rivera and built by Naim Berríos, an experienced builder in Palmas del Mar.
 The design of this building was conceived to respond, not only to the functional aspects of the PHA operations, but also to reflect the image of its meaning within the community. The design also presents a duality in constructive aspects: respecting the traditional detailing of the Palmas Architectural style in the exterior, while treating the interiors with a more modern approach, with flowing open spaces revealing exposed ductwork and suspended lighting fixtures.
We were very fortunate to gather an exceptional team to flawlessly execute the construction of the building. We are very proud of this project and that it will respond fully to the community needs and expectations. Enjoy it!
Academy News
The Palmas Academy is establishing a Head of School Parent Advisory Committee to improve the communication between parents and the school administration. This committee will be composed of twelve parents and will be chaired by the Head of School. The advisory committee will be composed of an equal amount of parents representing elementary and secondary school.
If you are a parent of a child in grades PK-3 to grade 5 please contact your child's homeroom teacher of Ms. Mildred Ratcliffe, the Elementary School Coordinator, for more information. If your child is in secondary school please contact Ms. Ramirez, our Secondary School Coordinator. The Parent Advisory Community will meet each month in the school library at 4:00 p.m.
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Teen Center
PI IA is working with its Youth Committee in the planning and organization of the PHA Teen Center. The Teen Center will be located within the new PI IA facilities and will feature a decorated 600 square foot room equipped with modern games, computers, audio visual equipment, and furniture. The center is targeted to be fully operational by January 2008 and to have the PHA Activities Coordinator on board by that time. The PHA Activities Coordinator is a new position in charge of organizing and directing youth/adult programs and activities for the community.
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Community Children's Park
Work leading to the construction of the Palmas Community Children's Park is underway. This park, located between the Tennis Center and the Caracoles Restaurant, will feature a very modern concept of playground equipment designed by City Parks for toddlers and young children. The concept also contemplates installation of benches, trashcans, cart path access and golf cart parking. This project is being built in collaboration between PHA, PDMPI and Mr. Joaquin Soler, developer of Palmanova Village.
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Catholic Church Update
Construction of the Holy Family Catholic Chapel is finally underway. This is a long-time Catholic community dream coming true. Construction should take approximately sixteen (16) months.
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Beach Access
An agreement has been signed between PHA and Muniz & Zavala developers outlining the conditions and improvements for the beach access between Solarea Project and Crescent Beach. Improvements include enlarging the turn—around circle, replacing rocks with bollards at the end of the access and installing a permanent fence and landscaping. PHA continues to work with Palmas del Mar Properties Inc. (PDMPI) the installation of a temporary access between the Solarea Project and PDMPI parcel next to the Beach Club. Construction of this access is being hampered by archeological investigations and the installation of infrastructure associated with the Solarea Project.
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Palmas Sailing Academy
The Palmas Sailing Academy is organizing an Optimist Class Regatta at the Palmas Marina on November 22-25, 2007. This event will consist of clinics and training for youngsters from Puerto Rico and Palmas and some international participants. Each day in the afternoon there will be two competition events to determine the final classification standing. This promises to be a fun event and everyone is invited to watch and to participate. For more information, contact Tuti or Ivan Aponte at the Palmas Sailing Academy at 787-285-7432.
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Security Committee News
In accordance with the By-Laws of the Palmas del Mar I Homeowners Association, the PHA Security Committee has been reconstituted as follows: Erasmo Reyes (Chairman), Edd Siler, Agapito Cosme, Michael Shulevitz, Agustin Cabrer, Jr., Daniel Vasse, Mary Jo Espasas, David Frazier, Victor Nieto, Jose Colon and Norberto Rodriguez. We thank Frances Olivieri, Agustin Garcia and Felix Santoni for their years of service with the Committee.
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PHA Security Update
In July 2007 PHA made a change in the provider of general security services for Palmas del Mar contracting St. James Security for this purpose. St. James, a nation-wide corporation established in Puerto Rico more than 30 years ago, offers security services to clients such as the P.R. Courts Administration, P.R. Internal Revenue Service, Shell Chemical. Popular Bank, Santander Bank, Marriot and Condado Plaza Hotels, Abbot and Eli Lilly pharmaceuticals and communities such as Torrimar and San Patricio. This company has been ranked as the number one (1) in the security industry sector in Puerto Rico offering top quality professional services, in-depth experience and the economic solvency to meet all the security requirements of our community. As part of their services they make available free of cost to all residential areas security and crime prevention seminars and presentations.
PHA Management and St. James are working closely with the Puerto Rico Police to respond to security concerns and problems in our community. Additional human resources and security patrols have been activated, security barriers and surveillance systems have been installed in critical areas and security forces have been retrained and equipped to respond to all community needs for assistance.
Please call the Security Dispatch at 787-852-7775 or 787-852-7745 anytime should you need security assistance and to report any unusual activity or problems.
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Artificial Reef Update
PHA continues to work on this initiative with the Puerto Rico regulatory agencies. Meetings are being held with the Department of National Resources and the Environmental Quality Board and other Federal Agencies guiding the project through the regulatory process. Initial cost estimates place construction costs of this project at approximately $15 million. The viability of this project depends to a large extent on the willingness of the state and federal government to provide funding along with the participation thorough a special assessment of individual Palmas Homeowners and Palmas del Mar developers. The viability of this project is currently under assessment.
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Cart Path Illumination 
The installation of solar illumination along cart paths is underway. This PHA project addresses a homeowner's safety and security concern of certain critical dark areas located along cart-paths in Palmas del Mar.
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Sunset at Los Lagos Project
The Palmas community was invited to a unique fall event being organized between PHA and the Los Lagos Developer. This event is consonant with PHA objective to work with developers in promoting projects and enhancing homeowners property values. There was an evening of high fashion where the Christian Dior Anniversary Collection was showcased; also music, food and wine and cheese tasting with Sommelier Amanda Diaz of V. Suárez. The activity was held at the Los Lagos Development on November 17. 2007. We hope you enjoyed the event as much as we did!
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Congratulations - Vasse Family
Multi-award winning Chez Daniel French Restaurant... the wonderful Tapas Bar... the "go-to" Bistro Rico casual restaurant - what do these all have in common? 25 years of dedication by the Vasse Family. Please join us in our congratulations.
Over the years, Daniel has and continues to serve as the President of the Business Association. a PHA Board member, serves on the Security Committee and volunteers time and resources to many of the Palmas Activities all of us enjoy.
Thanks from all of us!
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