Lake Asbury Ladies’ Club by Wanda Green
October, 2024
It’s hard to believe it’s already fall. In the last month we’ve gone to the extreme from drought, to 100 degree weather then rain, rain and to top it all off with a serious hurricane Helene. We were very fortunate in our area, we did not suffer the devastation of the Hurricanes path through the state. Helene was not satisfied with hurting Florida it hit Georgia and even up the Carolina’s and beyond. It was category 4 storm in many places and I’m sure it will be remembered for many years to come.
The Ladies' Club is planning some activities for the next couple of months. More details follow.
October, 2024
It’s hard to believe it’s already fall. In the last month we’ve gone to the extreme from drought, to 100 degree weather then rain, rain and to top it all off with a serious hurricane Helene. We were very fortunate in our area, we did not suffer the devastation of the Hurricanes path through the state. Helene was not satisfied with hurting Florida it hit Georgia and even up the Carolina’s and beyond. It was category 4 storm in many places and I’m sure it will be remembered for many years to come.
The Ladies' Club is planning some activities for the next couple of months. More details follow.
If you would like to have the Lakelighter USPS mailed to you, please E-mail Wanda at wltreecy@yahoo.Com Others can access the newsletter at www.thelakelighter.net.
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Maintain & Clean Curbs to Prevent Clogging Storm Water Drains
Hurricane season is well upon us. As we just witnessed with Hurricane Helene. We need to have our curbs clear and ready to help with the water run-off. The problem is with the debris we see daily in the Lake Asbury streets. If you see it in the curb, you will eventually see it in our storm water run-off system and in our lakes. Debris accumulating along the curb gutter line within our neighborhood, obstructs the flow of storm water as well as posing a threat to the integrity of our lakes. Please be reminded that debris includes any material that obstructs the curb lineage such as leaves, sand, dirt, tree limbs, trash, grass, and other items. Curbs play a crucial role in managing runoff by acting as a barrier and channel for water flow, preventing erosion and providing structural support to the edges of our roads eventually draining into our lakes. They are essential in diverting water away from properties and preventing flooding during heavy rainfall. Everyone deserves a clean community. LAKE ASBURY RESIDENTS: It’s Hurricane season … It’s time to check your property and fence lines. Limbs, Branches and debris have piled up during the winter. Trim your trees, be a good neighbor. Cleaning your property may inspire someone else to clean up their property as well. Be a good neighbor. If you know of someone who who cannot physically or cannot afford to do this maybe we need to get some volunteers to help. 
Lake Asbury Neighborhood Watch No Recent Crimes in Lake Asbury During Last Month Reported on the CCSO Community Crime Map ------------------------------------------------------------------ 9/23/24 - Lake Asbury Community Center Mailboxes A vehicle swerved into the Lake Asbury Community Center Mailboxes and destroyed them, scattering them about 50 feet east on the roadway. Video of the incident was obtained from cameras on a neighboring resident’s building. The crash occurred at 11:27 PM on Monday, 9/23/24. The 3 industrial steel mailboxes were mounted on a steel post set into concrete, so serious right front damage was probably done to the car. The car didn’t stop and continued eastbound. If anyone has seen a local car with that kind of damage, please contact Paul at the phone # below. Lake Asbury Community Park 9/27/24 - Three boys were seen breaking a round plexiglass window in the Lake Asbury Community Park slide complex. They were then seen hiding in the adjacent road ditch and throwing rocks and pieces of the broken window at cars as they went by. Photos of the events were taken by a resident and reported to CCSO. A CCSO Deputy contacted me and I filed an incident report. The Deputy had a lead on the name of one parent and was going to contact them. The responsible parents need to step up and pay for the damages. It is very difficult to keep up with the vandalism at park by older kids. The younger kids are the losers because they are the ones that slide equipment is designed for. Please watch out for crime in the area and if you have been a victim of a crime, please report it immediately to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office at the non emergency number (904-264-6512) or 911 if crime is in progress or an emergency exists. Pay careful attention to details of the situation so you can relate accurate descriptions of vehicles and individuals involved to the Sheriff’s Office to help them solve the crime. Also report any scams that you have been a victim of to CCSO to help protect your neighbors. Paul Pierce, Neighborhood Watch Cell Ph.: (904)-210-1868 E-mail: pepierc@aol.com 
LAKE ASBURY LAKE LOT ASSOCIATION
Hope everyone has had a wonderful summer and getting ready for Holidays. We had a meeting September and had a good turnout thank you all for coming, we discussed the Budget and it will be finalized in January. Reminder no meetings till January 3rd 2025. We are still getting complaints about gates being left unlocked, we really need help with this it’s for every lake lot owners protection. Please if you see it open or unlocked stop and lock it. The dying weeds are floating all over lake, if they get by your bulkhead or dock it’s easy to just rake them out, dry on bulkhead then burn. MSBD is working hard to remedy the problem but we as owners need to do our part as well. Have a good Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas and a safe New Year. Thank you your Lake Lot Board Subject - Asbury Hammock update.
For new readers - Where and what is Asbury Hammock? Asbury Hammock is a new development adjacent to Lake Asbury Drive. It is bordered by Lake Asbury Drive and the First Coast Expressway on one side and Henley Road and Winchester on the other sides. It is 75 acres of undeveloped woodlands and wetlands. The developers plan to construct approximately 170 homes on very small lots, with 3-4 retention ponds and a few small parks. Lake Asbury Drive will have one entrance with the development’s main entrance on Henley Rd. Current Status: Although some clearing has already been done on the property, further work is at a pause while the developers address and go through a required permitting process with the following two agencies: · Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC); and · Army Corp of Engineers (ACE). 1. The Fish & Wildlife Commission has an open case being addressed with the property owners and developers concerning the resident gopher tortoises. Gophers are protected in the State of Florida. FWC’s biologist walked the grounds of the property as well as some of the adjacent homes on Winchester and Colt Ct., where there is a heavy concentration of gopher tortoises. This is a serious case and violations could result in a 3rd degree felony with possible prison time and/or a $5000 fine. At this point we have no more input to this specific case. 2. The Army Corp of Engineers published a public notice of this developer’s request for permits for the Asbury Hammock development. You can read this notice at https://www.saj.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/Public-Notices/Article/3887907/saj-2024-01928-sp-sjw/ The ACE will accept written comments on this development provided they are received no later than September 26, 2024. Sam Woboril St. Paul District Regulatory Division Permits Section, 2926 Post Road, Suite B, Stevens Point, Wisconsin 54481; EMAIL: samuel.j.woboril@usace.army.mil; Telephone (651) 290-5878.The following agencies have approved this development: · The St Johns River Water Management District’s time frame to accept letters of concern has closed. We understand their permits are being approved. · Clay County BOCC and Planning & Zoning: The project was reviewed twice by the County and was found to be consistent with the requirements of the Lake Asbury Master Plan and the adopted Comprehensive Plan and approved. The development’s plans have been approved by the County and the developer is responsible for meeting all requirements of Federal and State agencies in addition to the County’s requirements. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) may deny a Section 404 permit for a number of reasons, including:
Bear(s) spotted in Lake Asbury
Properties on Arthur Moore near Johns Street, have recently spotted a bear in their yards. Bears have been spotted in the South Lake area over the past year or so The presence of bears is not necessarily a problem or a threat to your safety. But it is important to remember that bears are wild animals and deserve respect. If you are not careful, you could break the law and risk both your own safety and the bear's. It is illegal to intentionally place food out to attract bears and cause conflicts. Anything that attracts dogs, cats or raccoons will also attract bears! If a Bear Comes into Your Yard make sure that: you are in a safe area, and the bear has a clear escape route, then SCARE THAT BEAR! You want to let the bear know it is not welcome in your yard, so from a safe location, scare it away by yelling, banging pots and pans, using an air horn, or anything else that makes a lot of noise. If you see or suspect that someone is feeding or attracting bears, please call FWC on the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-3922 - or contact FWC on-line. 
LAMSBD NEWS Lake Asbury Lake Lot Owners, Out of an abundance of caution, we began lowering all three lakes on Saturday, October 5. South Lake Asbury will be lowered by approximately twelve inches in order to make room for the expected rainfall and runoff due to Tropical Storm Milton in the Gulf of Mexico. We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause, please adjust accordingly. LAMSBD Board 
Alligator – Nuisance:
Call 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392-4286) Staying Safe: How to Report Nuisance Alligators in Our Neighborhood Living in our beautiful neighborhood means sharing our surroundings with various wildlife, including alligators. While these creatures are a natural part of our environment, there are times when they may become a concern, particularly if they appear in areas where people and pets frequent. In such cases, it's important to know how to handle the situation safely and responsibly. What Is a Nuisance Alligator? A nuisance alligator is typically defined as one that is at least four feet in length and poses a threat to people, pets, or property. This could include an alligator that is showing aggressive behavior, approaching humans, or lingering in residential areas, such as backyards, community pools, or near playgrounds. Why It's Important to Report While alligators are generally not a threat if left alone, a nuisance alligator can pose significant risks. Reporting these sightings helps protect our community and ensures that the alligator is handled in a manner that is safe for both residents and the animal. How to Report a Nuisance Alligator: If you encounter an alligator that you believe may be a nuisance, please follow these steps: Do Not Approach: Keep a safe distance. Do not attempt to feed, harass, or interact with the alligator in any way. Contact Authorities: Report the sighting directly to the appropriate wildlife management agency. In our area, you can report a nuisance alligator by calling 866-FWC-GATOR (866-392- 4286). Important: You must have seen the alligator yourself to make the report. The wildlife authorities will not accept information from anyone who did not personally witness the gator. Granting Access: Be aware that if a trapper is dispatched, they will require your permission to enter your property to safely capture the alligator. Ensuring they have access is crucial to resolving the situation effectively. Stay Safe and Informed By staying vigilant and reporting nuisance alligators, we can help ensure our neighborhood remains safe for everyone. Remember, safety is a shared responsibility, and your prompt action can make a big difference. Thank you for helping to keep our community safe! 
Nutria
Nutria have been spotted in the North and South Lakes. The concern is that they will cause damage to our dams. So, the Florida Fish and Wild Life Conservation Commission (FWC) have been contacted to deal with disposal of these invasive rodents. I found this interesting information about these little critters. Nutria (Myocastor coypus) aren't really rats, but this South American wetland-dwelling rodent certainly looks like a rat with its long reddish teeth, twitchy whiskers and round tail with little hair on it, although it's actually more closely related to a porcupine or a capybara. Some of them can grow up to 2.5 feet long — not counting the foot-long tail — and weigh in at a husky 20 pounds. Nutria can be rather social animals and sometimes live in large colonies, reproducing prolifically. Females have two or three litters every year, each consisting of five to seven young. These animals mature quickly and remain with their mothers for only a month or two. In some areas, booming nutria populations have become troublesome. What do they do with all that raw rodent power? Well, in some places they destroy wetlands and crops, cause soil erosion with their burrows, damage human-engineered flood control systems and spread disease. FWC has declared a year round open season on Nutria, similar to the open season on opossums, raccoons and coyotes. With that in mind, and to ensure the integrity of our dams, our goal is to reduce/eliminate the population in Lake Asbury. Lake Asbury ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FORM - MAIL TO
282 Branscomb Rd; Green Cove Sprgs, FL 32043 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------—————————————- LAKE ASBURY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION 282 Branscomb Road – Green Cove Springs, FL 32043 Annual Membership dues for 2020 - $25.00 Name:__________________________________________________________ Address: _________________ ______________________________________ (If you do not reside in Lake Asbury – please show address of property you own.) |
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