Security

Chief’s Comments

Security Chief

Brian South

903-769-2164

Holly Lake Ranch Security Department

Holly Lake Ranch Security Department

First Quarter 2013

By Chief Brian South

Spring is trying to spring but even with the warm weather in March it feels like it hasn’t quite sprung yet. However, this has been a great year for the dogwoods that survived the drought. With the warmer weather and the longer daylight periods ahead of us, more and more people are able to enjoy the outdoors. With that said, please practice courtesy as you are driving, walking or cycling along the road of Holly Lake Ranch. Our officers will continue patrolling the streets in an effort to provide safe and enjoyable streets here at Holly Lake Ranch and with your cooperation we can approach this goal.

All the officers of the Holly Lake Ranch Security Department have just completed the American Heart Association’s Heartsaver Course instructed by Champion EMS Education Department. The Heartsaver curriculum includes First Aid, CPR, and AED (Automated External Defibrillator). As a result of this course and a subsequent meeting with Champion EMS, the HLRVFD, and the HLR Security Dept. we have adjusted our response protocol slightly. As always, persons needing immediate emergency medical help should call 911. The 911 dispatcher will immediately call us and all other appropriate responders, including First Responders from the HLRVFD and Champion EMS. Really, the only thing that has changed is that the Security Department will continue responding to all calls but we will also be calling the HLVFD and Champion EMS to respond upon the initial call for medical assistance. In the past members have called the Security Office directly for what they thought was a minor issue and it turned out to be more serious thus causing the delay of higher level of care than we are equipped to deal with.This slight shift in our protocol will ensure that you get the appropriate care.

By the time this article comes out you will no doubt have seen the Watercraft Inspection signs at the entrance of Holly Lake Ranch. You may or may not be aware of the problem associated with invasive aquatic plants but they can be devastating to bodies of water. In an effort to combat the problem all vehicles towing any type of watercraft will be required to be inspected for aquatic hitchhikers. All vehicles towing watercraft will need to merge into the left lane at the entrance and check in with Security. Upon checking in, you will be given literature about aquatic hitchhikers and be directed to the inspection station. An officer will be there to make sure your watercraft and trailer pass inspection before you are able to proceed further. We have thought this out extensively but reserve the right to adjust our methods of inspection to achieve the desired goal. The Holly Lake Ranch Association is aware that this will cause those of you who enjoy the watersports a slight delay but hope you understand the importance of protecting our waters.

For further information on invasive aquatic vegetation and its effects please check out these links.

www.texasinvasives.org, www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/protect_water/, www.protectyourwaters.net

While Salvinia may reproduce via spores as other ferns do, U.S. populations more commonly reproduce via budding from either attached nodes or broken stems. As many as five lateral buds can be found at one node. Populations can double every 2 weeks in the wild, and small quarter-acre ponds have been completely covered with Giant Salvinia in as little as 6 weeks from the point of invasion.

Source: www.texasinvasives.org

If you haven’t already confirmed that we have your correct phone numbers in the Emergency Mass Notification System, please do by going to www.hollylakeranch.com/news and clicking on the  icon and following the instructions. If you have any problems updating your information from the Holly Lake Ranch website please call (903) 769-2164 and we will get the information into the system manually.