There's not a whole lot to report this month, but I think it important to advise of calls from two residents in the past several weeks. It seems some people are using a scam in an effort to get into the lake area after the gates have been lowered at 6 p.m.
First, a neighbor told me of receiving a call one night from someone at the gate, and when the homeowner answered his phone, the individual at the gate asked that it be raised for him. The person using the calling device at the gate said he was an Ameren UE repairman and needed to get access to our property. Fortunately, the homeowner told the caller he had not requested repairs from the electric company, and the man at the gate should call the resident who needed repairs. The person at the gate said he didn't have the name of the person supposedly needing repairs, and just asked the homeowner with whom he was speaking to raise the gate. The homeowner didn't, and he never heard from the individual again.
More recently, another property owner told me of two separate calls she received. Late one night several weeks ago, her phone rang at home and when she answered she discovered it was someone at the gate wanting entry to the lake. The man at the gate said he was a deputy sheriff and needed to get into the lake area. The woman said she had not called the sheriff's office, and refused to cause the gate to be raised. Several days later the woman received another late night call and again the man said he was at the gate, was a deputy sheriff, and needed access to the lake. She again did not honor his request.
Everyone should realize that if firefighters, sheriff's deputies or ambulance attendants respond to the gate, they have the method for easy access. If someone calls your home from the gate and identifies himself or herself as a service worker, or a person from a utility, you needn't grant them access unless you called them personally to your residence.
It seems obvious that some people will use any ruse in an effort to get into our property after hours, when the gate is in a lowered position.
And, finally …
The word S-T-O-P means Stop. We've had regulation stop signs installed at the entrance and exit of our subdivision for more than a year. In case anyone has missed them, they each have a red background with white lettering. They were purchased and installed for the safety of all residents and our visitors. It is important for everyone entering and leaving the lake to STOP, and then proceed on in a safe and cautious manner.
This is particularly true at 6 o'clock every evening. That is the hour, precisely, when the entrance and exit gates lower automatically. If drivers STOP before entering or leaving, they will be safe from the gate dropping onto their vehicles. Drivers need to be aware that the gate will lower at the hour of 6 p.m. If one STOPS before entering, then you will be able to determine if the gate is lowering and that you need to wait momentarily until the gate has lowered fully, and then, if you are a property owner, your gate pass card can be utilized to allow access to the subdivision.
Please obey the signs as you enter or leave the lake, for your safety and that of others who may be near the gates. STOP, and then move on cautiously. Also, remember there is a video recording at the gate. That will provide evidence whether you have stopped, or disobeyed the STOP signs.
Submitted by Ray Lauer