Happy 4th of July – let’s bring July in with a BANG!! July 4th activities begin with a lunch barbecue buffet at the Waters Edge Restaurant, the boat parade at 5:00 p.m., and finally, ending the day with the fireworks celebration at 9:00 p.m. I would like to thank all of the property owners who donated for this year’s fireworks display. These yearly displays are provided 100% by property owners’ donations. I hope everyone has a super summer, safe travel, good health and lots of fun.
Back in March of this year, the first introductory meeting was held to start a Neighborhood Watch Program in our community. Our Security Committee has continued to work on this with other meetings. I would like to share some scary numbers from the months of April through June 15th:
Vandalisms - 12 properties Theft - 7 properties
Malicious Mischief - 7 properties Trespassing - 2 properties
Even one offense is too many. We have increased patrol hours, training of security, and are working with the county sheriff’s office as well. However, the most important person in helping stop/control actions like these is you. As stated before, get to know your neighbors. Talk with them – exchange phone numbers – this will help you help each other be prepared in case of any type of emergency (criminal or otherwise) in our community. Also, come to the next neighborhood watch meeting being held at the lodge on July 8th at 5:30 pm. Our community has 942 homes and over 22 miles of roads. Added security patrol is important but this type of criminal activity will be deterred only after everyone takes the responsibility for their community by working together. Please get involved with this important project. Please do not think that your input/assistance is not needed. Unfortunately, the Neighborhood Watch meetings have only been averaging 15 people in attendance.
With that being said, I would like to remind everyone to take care of our common areas (pool, lodge, beach, parks, marinas, air strip and our roadways). I have received numerous complaints of these areas being damaged or destroyed by vandalism and/or littering. Parents: Please monitor your teenager’s whereabouts and actions. Support our curfews for they will be enforced. Inappropriate language and behavior has also been reported in these areas. Please be considerate of families with young children who wish to enjoy our facilities as well. HAWL has zero tolerance for destructive or offensive actions and will take action in the form of administrative fines. We will prosecute if necessary to protect our neighborhood and provide a safe environment for all. If you see something wrong or suspicious, contact our Security Department at
601-798-1247 immediately. I want everyone to enjoy our community but it will take your cooperation to handle these issues. Thank you for your anticipated help.
On May 30, 2008, to address the grass/weed problem in the lake and per the recommendation of the Lake Quality Committee and the MSU Extension Service, sterilized Grass Carp fish were released in the lake at a rate of five per acre (1,000 fish). In addition, the committee will be spraying an approved chemical. Please do not spray anything or put anything into lake. If you have not seen any improvements, let me know.
Over the next few months, we will be changing some old broken valves and adding more valves to our water system. When this process begins, we will post “Boil Notice” bulletins on the affected customers’ front doors. This announcement, which is in accordance with the Mississippi Department of Health, will recommend you boil only your drinking water until further notice. It takes at least two business days to obtain results from the Health Department. You may contact the HAWL Office at (601) 798-1484 with any questions and for a time line. Once the notice is lifted, we will update the message boards at the front gate.
I have hired a new maintenance supervisor to replace Mr. Leo Mills who is retiring this September. Jeff Robbins started with us on May 26, 2008. This will give him a solid three months training with our Mr. Leo. Please welcome Jeff who has 30 years of general maintenance/contractor experience and has been a fire-fighter/EMT for 18 years. Jeff is married to Karen, his wife of 27 years, and has two sons. He resides in the Carriere area.
As always, I thank you for your help and input. Please call me if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions. I am here to help you.
Bruce Devillier
General Manager
