A Deed Restricted Community

Photo by JDW

VOL. 17 M A Y & J U N E 2 0 1 8 ISSUE 3

President’s Message by David Bonomo, RCEOA Board President Spring Has Sprung!
Hello, neighbors,
I hope all is well. Spring is upon us and we finally have a contract to build the sign
at our Entrance. We will also be pressure washing and repairing the Park fence and
Dock, then sealing the Dock with a water based, eco-friendly water repellant.
Many of you attended our recent General Meeting, and once again, I will apologize
for the childish behavior of one of our residents. This is the second meeting in a
row that this person has disrupted our meeting. Fortunately we had a deputy there
to remove her from the building. She had her chance to stay if she turned off her
video recording device. To record a private, indoor meeting without the consent of
those present is illegal. We will be looking into getting a restraining order to keep
her away from our office and general assemblies from now on.
With that being said, I spoke at the meeting about the constant struggle to remind
residents to comply with River Country's Deed Restrictions. So I have decided to Go Away!
use some excerpts of Courier articles from a previous Board member, resident-
owner, and former DRAC* Chairperson to show how Deed Restriction violators
have not changed and are a large part of the Board's time.
A BLAST FROM THE PAST:
December 2003:
“To those with boats, trailers, RVs and tarped vehicles in your driveway, front or
side yards, BAH- HUMBUG! You know the RCEOA covenants and Restrictions do
not permit this, nor do your neighbors appreciate it. In order to draw friendly hol-
iday greetings from your trusted DRAC stewards, move those trailers into your
backyard and vehicles into your garage or offsite storage.
Deed Restriction violations are like cancer cells. Initially they appear as small
annoyances, a cough, an itch, an unsightly little patch within a healthy communi-
ty. Left untreated, the isolated violation multiplies and spreads through the body of
a community....."
Summer 2003:
"Ignorance of the law is no excuse
even when the law concerns Deed
Restrictions. A seller's misinforma-
tion or misrepresentation does not
supersede recorded Deed
Restrictions."
I am going to leave it at that for now. I
think it says it all. *Deed
Restriction
Enjoy your Spring and remember, help Advisory
your neighbors. Committee Nice Catch!

Please visit our website at www.rivercountryestates.net

2 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • MAY & JUNE 2018
RIVER COUNTRY AND AFFORDABLE INTERNET
by Marc Carpenter, RCEOA Board Vice President
At our last general meeting on April 10th, I dis-
cussed the possibility of working with local busi-
ness Clearstream to install a freestanding tower
in the woods near the pavilion in our park. The
purpose of the tower would be to provide another
internet service provider option to the residents
of River Country. I came across this company
while researching options to install wireless cam-
eras in our park to help control the vandalism
and loitering that happens during the hours in
which the park is closed. Clearstream has agreed
to install this tower along with two motion acti-
vated cameras at no cost to River Country. In
addition, the residents of River Country would
receive a %20 discount on Clearstream Internet
Service. There is absolutely no obligation for
River Country residents to use this service and
our initial contract for tower land usage is only one year.
This will allow us to assess the relative merits of the service
without any financial burden. Clearstream has provided
some details about the tower, contract and internet service
below.
I have created a temporary email account at
carpenter.marc.clearstream@gmail.com in order to address
any questions or concerns. I will do my best to respond as
quickly as possible.
• Tower installation & permitting- We will provide the
tower and own it. It will be a collaborative effort regarding
permitting as River Country owns the land. We will pay for
permitting, assuming Hernando County doesn't give us any
major or drastic lot location upgrades or changes.
• We will provide, free of charge, the 1-2 cameras and
DVR requested. Will install and setup free of charge.
• The tower will be a 100 foot free standing tower with
our radios and antennas on it.
• The initial term can be a one year trial period. In the
event the association is not satisfied with the service, the
tower would be taken down and moved to a new location of
ours. We would ask for a period of six months to a year for
disconnection of services, tower disassembly, and tower relo-
cation as it is a big task to accomplish.
• The initial one year term can be converted at any
time into a five year term, renewable five times.
• Free installation- Tech will install and help setup
computers and passwords, etc.
• Customer buys and owns their equipment
• Receivers that receive the internet signal are priced
as follows: small receiver- $64.99, med receiver- $129.99, Lg
receiver- $129.99. Most customers will likely have the small
receiver. In some cases, trees or obstructions that block the
signal may need one of the bigger receivers. Every customer
will be a case by case basis. The majority of our customers
have the small receiver. The receiver is affixed to the house.
For scale, the small receiver fits in the palm of your hand.
• The customer will need to supply a wireless router if
they want wifi. We do offer a fast wireless router that offers
hardwire connections as well. The price for one is $79.99.
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These work really well and are fast. The quality of a wireless
router could impact speeds.
• There are three plans: 50/25- $39.95 (RC price
$31.96), 100/50- $49.95 (RC price $39.96), 200/100- $64.95
(RC price $51.96). These River Country Community prices
will not be offered to family or friends outside of River
Country or to the general public.
• Currently, we do not offer a triple play service con-
sisting of phone, internet and TV programming. We do offer
solutions for free VOIP phone service via Ooma Telo. It's a
$99 VOIP unit that can be purchased at Best Buy or online.
Once a customer signs up for Ooma Telo Service they only
pay state and local taxes. No phone bill. The service works
with fax machines. Ooma Telo is a more traditional way to
have phone service versus something like Magic Jack. We
also offer TV over internet solutions via DirecTV Now,
SlingTV, HULU, PS Vue, etc. We explain and show customers
the various options, walk them through and help setup
those types of services. We do not make any money off the
phone or TV over the internet services. We simply show
them that there are other money saving options.
• For example, a customer that decides to switch
services and get our base internet service, VOIP phone, and
SlingTV service could pay as little as $31.96/mo for internet,
$20/mo for SlingTV, and $4.67 for phone service from Ooma.
That comes to a total of $56.63 plus any taxes (Ooma service
you only pay tax of $4.67). AT&T cellular customers get a
discount if they sign up for a DirecTV Now plan.
• All payments are done online. We do not send out
paper bills. This is another tool for us to keep costs down.
• A customer can change their plan at anytime and
the system will automatically prorate it on their bill.
• Customers can currently go to our website to see
some basic information about the company and a few pic-
tures & descriptions of the equipment used. The website is
currently getting a pretty sizable makeover so there is limit-
ed functionality for now. The website address is
www.clearstreambb.com.
• No contracts, no commitments
Thanks,
Marc Carpenter
 MAY & JUNE 2018 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • 3

REPORT FROM THE

TREASURY
Doug Edwards, RCEOA Treasurer
APPROVED RCEOA BUDGET for the Fiscal Year
beginning 10/1/18:

RCEOA BUDGET
RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES
OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.
FISCAL BUDGET FOR THE PERIOD
10/01/18-9/30/19
ANNUAL ASSESSMENT TO REMAIN
$100.00 PER PROPERTY
INCOME:

ANNUAL ASSOCIATION FEE: .......................$ 48,700.00

LESS ALLOWANCE FOR
DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS: ...................................(5,000.00)
MSBU REIMBURSEMENTS: ................................4,500.00

TOTAL INCOME: .............................................$ 48,200.00

EXPENSES:
Activities Committee: ............................................500.00
Accounting Expense: ...............................................50.00
Administrative Assistant:....................................16,500.00
Annual Report: ..........................................................87.00
Bank Service Charge: ............................................120.00
Beautification: ......................................................3,500.00
Copier & Computer Expense: .................................350.00
Crime Watch Committee: ......................................100.00
Drac Committee: ....................................................300.00
Insurance: ...........................................................3,754.00
Legal Expense: ....................................................8,000.00
Lawn Mowing - Abandoned Homes: ......................300.00
Semi Annual Meetings: .........................................340.00
Office Supplies And Equipment: .........................660.00
Postage And Delivery: ..........................................300.00
Printing: ..................................................................750.00
Repairs And Maintenance: ................................4,000.00
Rent: ....................................................................3,356.00
Security: ..............................................................3,300.00
Taxes And Fees: ....................................................193.00
Telephone & Internet: .........................................1,440.00
Welcome Committee: ............................................300.00

TOTAL EXPENSE: ..........................................$ 48,200.00

NET INCOME: .............................................................$ 0.

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4 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • MAY & JUNE 2018

The News Courier is

published at no charge
by Design Graphics
Advertising Associates, Inc.
The views and opinions expressed
are those of the writers. Please
include name and phone number on
all correspondence with the editors.
CONTACT Eileen Bernard 596-2631
or Dara in the office 596-0740 to
Submit Articles. Articles may be
edited. We welcome letters from
residents—anonymous letters will
NOT be printed. Questions concern-
ing the River Country Estates Homeowners Association may be
submitted to the RCEOA office 596-0740.

All advertisements are paid for and handled by Design Graphics

(727) 846-0367 and do not constitute endorsement by the
RCEOA Board. If you are interested in advertising in our newslet-
ter, please contact Design Graphics.

River Country Contact Information

River Country HOA ........................................................596-0740
e-mail...............................................rceoa@tampabay.rr.com
Hernando County Sheriff Police ..................................754-6830
(Emergency Only) ...................................................................911
See our NEW WEBSITE: www.rivercountryestates.net
'Like' our Facebook page www.facebook.com/rceoa
An indispensable source of current River Country Information:
Officers, phone numbers. Bylaws, Deed Restrictions, and more.
River Country Estates HOA Officer List
David Bonomo ........................................President
Marc Carpenter................................Vice President
Doug Edwards .........................................Treasurer
Teri Lawson .............................................Secretary
Barbara Santoro ........................................Director
Clint Patterson ..........................................Director
Michael Kunz ............................................Director
Rachel Provau ...........................................Director
Keeper of the American Flag: David Bonomo
The RCEOA Office is open Mon., Wed. and Fri. afternoons.
We are located in the office building across from the Chaucer Drive
mailbox station at: 5331 Commercial Way, Suite 106.
Office Phone: (352) 596-0740. Please call for directions, if needed.
EMERGENCY
TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Emergency Info/ General Info...................352-754-4083
AT&T Repair Service – Residential ...........877-737-2478
AT&T Repair Service- Business.................866-620-6900
Withlacoochee River Electric ....................352-596-4000
Salvation Army...........................................352-796-1186
American Red Cross...................................352-799-3237
Hernando County Sheriff – Non-emergency.....352-754-6830
Florida – Highway Patrol ......................... 352-754-6767
Hernando County Fire Rescue ..................352-540-4353
Hernando County Animal Services...........352-796-5062
Hernando County Health Department .....352-540-6800
Hernando County Utilities Department....352-754-4037
FEMA Tele registration..............................800-621-3362
Statewide HELPLINE ................................800-227-8678
Referral Line ...............................................................211
Code Enforcement .....................................352-754-4056
Republic Services (Waste Pickup)...........(800) 282-9820
Brighthouse/Spectrum………..……….1-877-824-6249
CUSTOMER CARE ................352- 796-3006
TECH SUPPORT ...................352- 848 2563
24 HOUR PAY BY PHONE......866 441 4378

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 MAY & JUNE 2018 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • 5

ATTN: ALL PET OWNERS

River Country Estates is located next to a wildlife
preserve, home to bobcats, coyotes, foxes, wild boar,
snakes, large birds of prey and much more.
PLEASE do not leave cats and small dogs outside
unattended. PROTECT YOUR FURRY FRIENDS!

TURTLES
CROSS OUR STREETS
DAILY.
DRIVE CAREFULLY!

With Coupon, Expires 6/30/18 With Coupon, Expires 6/30/18

352-835-3052
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 1951
6 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • MAY & JUNE 2018

by Dave Fisher
Across
1. Sitter's headache
5. Profound
9. Spanish mistress
14. Baby ___
15. Old Icelandic literary work
16. Off __ (periodically) Photo supplied by E.

17. "Aha!"
18. Take __ (swim)
19. Don't mind __ (yes)
20. 1951 Bogart/Hepburn
Oscar winner
23. Director Sidney
24. Part of E.U.: Abbr.
25. Skewer
28. Beautiful Girl author,
Elisabeth
32. Linguist Chomsky
33. Harder to find
35. Citrus drink
36. Box that debutted in 1951
40. Wave in Juarez
41. "Either it goes __
(ultimatum)
42. __-sci
43. Polynesian painter
45. Hunt in France
47. Classic British sportscar
48. Org.
50. 1951 novel that intro- 4. Site of Bowie's last stand 30. They're adored
duced Holden Caulfield 5. Worrywart's words 31. __ Meenie (Bieber song)
(with "The") 6. Dog on "Frasier" 33. Bridle part
57. Big dos 7. Decree 34. Math subj.
58. Martian prefix 8. Nickname of author who 37. Lives
59. "African Queen", for penned "The Old Man and the 38. Extended family
example Sea" (1951) 39. It may be under your thumb
60. __ imports (home furnish- 9. Rum cocktail 44. Big car mfg.
ings chain) 10. Show off a flag 45. 7-Eleven, e.g.,briefly
61. End for a gang or mob 11. Falco of "The Sopranos" 46. Sound of surprise
62. "___ Karenina" 12. Connecting point 48. __ -ground missile
63. Pharaoh's land 13. Soon, old style 49. Curl one's lip
64. Peruse carefully 21. Common suffix 50. Superhero accessory
65. Poverty's wardrobe 22. Israeli desert 51. Not worth ____ (valueless)
25. Unknown, abbrev. 52. Deuce topper
Down 26.Dough 53. Coarse file
1. Londoner, e.g. 27. Island nation in the Pacific 54. Gossip columnist Barrett
2. Charge 28. Biscuit that turned 39 in 1951 55.Yin's opposite
3. Suit to __ 29. Some Sony products 56. Flight data, briefly

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 MAY & JUNE 2018 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • 7

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8 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • MAY & JUNE 2018

CRIME WATCH time until a confrontation occurs. That can only result in
a physical assault, gun play, or sexual assault.
REPORT: UPDATE We do not want to go there!! It is incumbent on all of us
to insure our property is secure and that we call the
A follow up to the previous Crime Watch Report Sheriff on suspicious parties: ( 352)754-6830.
Want to get more involved?? Join Crime Watch Patrol or
On Thursday, March 15, 2018 1:04 PM, Mike attend our meetings on the first Thursday of each month.
Lutman wrote: The community is depending on all of us to help and be
aware of our surroundings. Call the RCEOA OFFICE at
All- Just a quick update on recent crime activity. Three (352) 596-0740 or (352) 200-5262 for more information
suspects in the three car break-ins and the stolen car will on River Country's Crime Watch. Thanks for your sup-
be charged this week. They are all from St. Pete. No fol- port! -Mike Lutman
low up on the burglaries except that a car description has
been developed in the 7206 River Country incident.
The Sheriff emphasizes calling in on suspicious activity
especially during daytime hours. Most residence burgla-
REPORT CRIME!
ries occur during the day so be alert. Also locking your Only eyewitnesses can report crime.
vehicles parked outside is a huge deterrent. No whining If you see suspicious or illegal activity in River Country
if you get hit and left your cars unlocked. Might as well Estates, including our Park...
put up a neon sign.
Please pass this info on to your neighbors and friends.
Thanks and keep up the good work--Mike Lutman
Call our Sheriff immediately!
PREVIOUS REPORT TO THE OWNERS: (352) 754-6830
Afterwards, please email us a DESCRIPTION OF THE
An Important Message from Crime Watch INCIDENT, INCLUDING DATE & TIME, SO THAT WE
Leader Mike Lutman: MAY HAVE A RUNNING RECORD TO HELP THE POLICE
CATCH THE CULPRITS:
Okay, River Country residents, we need to tighten things
rceoa@tampabay.rr.com RCEOA, Inc
up in our community if we want to remain safe. Recent
events have caused concern amongst all of us and if we or call Crime Watch Leader Mike Lutman directly:
don't get a handle on it right now it will escalate! (352) 200-5262
In the past month three car burglaries have been report-
ed all occurring on the same night as well as a vehicle
being stolen the same night. We have also had two resi- RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES
dent burglaries, one where the resident was home, but
both during the day. Also at one of our businesses up
IS A NO SOLICITING
front a worker was being watched and as she left her purse NEIGHBORHOOD
in her car, suspects observed this, broke the window of the
car and stole the purse, in broad daylight. No suspects
have been developed in any of these cases but the car was
recovered in St. Pete.
Information from the Sheriff is that they suspect a group
of young adults - teenagers or early 20's - from
Hillsborough County coming into our neighborhood cre-
ating havoc. They have been working this type of activi-
ty for several years as there are many groups and mem-
bers. They have suggested outside cameras and alarms.
Lock your vehicles. Lock your doors.
One of the real issues that we have emphasized in the past
is to LOCK YOUR CARS OR LOSE YOUR PROPERTY!!
Simple as that, folks!! If we continue to be lax the word
will get out to these groups that River Country is an easy
hit. At that point crime will not only escalate in incidents
but also in severity. As these thugs become more brazen
especially during the day with home burglaries it is only

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 MAY & JUNE 2018 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • 9

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10 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES •MAY & JUNE 2018

Cook’s Corner
An Addie Broyles recipe
provided by Barbara Santoro

Italian Nachos

INGREDIENTS
1/2 package wonton wrappers, cut in half into triangles
4 T. Butter
2 cloves garlic, minced

Crossword Solution “1951”

4 oz. cream cheese
1 cup milk
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, shredded

1 lb. ground Italian sausage, spicy or mild, browned and

drained by David Fisher
1/2 lb. cooked chicken, chopped
1/4 cup banana or chile peppers
1\2 cup sliced black olives
2 chopped Roma tomatoes
1 cup shredded mozzarella
Italian parsley or fresh basil for garnish
DIRECTIONS
Heat 1/2 inch of oil over medium high heat in large skil-
let. Deep fry 4 wonton wrappers at a time 30-40 seconds,
until pale golden in color. Drain on paper towel lined
plate.

Alfredo Sauce: Melt the butter in a medium skillet (medi-

um heat).Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add cream cheese
and whisk until melted and smooth. Gradually add the
milk; stir until incorporated. Stir in the Parmesan. Add
salt and pepper. Cook until sauce thickens. Remove from
heat.

Heat the oven to 425 degrees.

Spread the cooked wonton wrappers on a foil lined baking
sheet. Drizzle with Alfredo Sauce. Top with crumbled
sausage, chicken, peppers, tomato and cheeses.
Bake 5 minutes or just until cheese melts.
Remove from oven, garnish with basil, and serve.

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 MAY & JUNE 2018 • RIVER COUNTRY ESTATES • 11

Expires
6/30/18

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