By Kim Ruiz
South Ridge is hosting its first Holiday Lights contest for its homeowners with two $25 gift cards being awarded to the first and second place winners. Board members will be selecting the winners on Saturday, December 20, so homeowners are encouraged to have their holiday displays completed before then. There are already several great contenders, so drive slowly through the community to enjoy the festive spirit.
Security patrols from Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office will be patrolling South Ridge during the holidays to ensure everyone’s safety. Officers will be watching for vandalism, criminal activity, speeders and other suspicious/unlawful activity. Remember to secure your home and vehicles at all times, keep garage doors and other doors closed and locked, use outdoor lighting at night, and close curtains/blinds to prevent others from “shopping” for valuables inside your home. As an added safety tip, remember to break down boxes for expensive purchases you make during the holidays and place them inside your trash/recycle bins.
A homeowner recently reported seeing a woman with a trailer going through homeowners trash cans, reportedly looking for metal items. The homeowner told the woman to stop going through people’s trash cans and she left the community. Be aware that identity thieves may be going through trash cans looking for holiday receipts, bills, and other items that may damage your credit. Shred such items before throwing them away and be mindful that anything you place in the trash is subject to someone rummaging through it.
Semi-annual dues are due by January 1, 2015 and coupon books were mailed to all homeowners the first week in December. South Ridge homeowners who haven’t received a coupon book can contact McNeil Management at 571-7100. All late accounts will be turned over to an attorney for collections, adding hundreds of dollars in additional fees.
With additional guests and visitors in South Ridge during the holidays, remember to plan ahead for extra parking spaces. There is some additional street parking located on Summer Breeze Drive between the 900 and 1000 block where the street widens. Be mindful of all street parking that prevents large trucks and emergency vehicles from safely driving through South Ridge.
For more information about the South Ridge community, visit www.southridge-brandon.com.
