L.A. LOOKS Wildlife Corner Photo & Article By Barbara Ann Comer The grey catbird is an abundant "snow bird" in Florida including Lake Ashton. This bird is similar in size and shape to its close relative the Northern Mockingbird. However, unlike the Mockingbird, the Catbird is shy and not likely to sit at the highest point in your backyard drawing attention to itself. Appropriately named, its call sounds like a cat! They are dark gray with a black cap and a little russet under the tail which is frequently cocked. Invite them into your yard by planting an American Beauty Berry Bush. Multiple Catbirds will visit your yard especially at dawn and dusk to devour the magenta berries until none remain. LA (LW) HOA CORNER By Deanne Mayne The HOA Directors don’t often levy fines but occasionally the need arises. Please see the following from the CC&Rs: Section 9.4 Fines. (A) In addition to the means of enforcement provided elsewhere herein, the HOA may levy reasonable fines. A fine may not exceed $100 per violation against any member or any member’s tenant, guest, or invitee for the failure of the Living Unit Owner or its Occupant, licensee, or invitee to comply with any provision of the Declaration, the Bylaws, or reasonable rules of the HOA. A fine may be levied by the Board of Directors for each day of a continuing violation, with a single notice and opportunity for hearing, except that the fine may not exceed $1,000 in the aggregate unless otherwise provided in the Governing Documents. 9.4 B 1 A fine levied by the Board of Directors may not be imposed unless the Board of Directors first provides: (a) at least 14 days’ notice to the Living Unit Owner and, if applicable, to any Occupant, licensee, or invitee of the Owner sought to be fined, and (b) an opportunity for a hearing before a committee of at least three members appointed by the Board of Directors who are not officers, directors, or employees of the HOA, or the spouse, parent, child, brother, or sister of an officer, director, or employee of the HOA. (2) The role of the hearing committee is limited to determining whether to confirm or reject the fine levied by the Board of Directors. (a) If the hearing committee, by majority vote, which may be by secret ballot, does not approve a proposed fine, the proposed fine may not be imposed. (b) If the proposed fine levied by the Board of Directors is approved by the hearing committee, the fine payment is due 5 days after the notice of the approved fine is provided to the Living Unit Owner, and, if applicable, to any occupant, licensee, or invitee of the Living Unit Owner. (c) If not paid by the due date, the fine shall accrue interest at the highest rate allowed by law and may itself be the subject of a late payment fee. More detailed information is available in the CC&Rs Section 9.4 WATERING RESTRICTIONS The Southwest Florida Water Management District has implemented Phase III water shortage restrictions affecting Polk County. Lawn and landscape watering is limited to once per week based on address numbers: 0–1 Monday, 2–3 Tuesday, 4–5 Wednesday, 6–7 Thursday, and 8–9 Friday (including common areas). Watering is allowed 12:01–4 a.m. or 8 p.m.–11:59 p.m. Residents may still handwater plants or use micro-irrigation for flower beds, shrubs, and other plant material (not lawns) on any day, but only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. These measures help conserve water during dry conditions and expire July 1, 2026. 18
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