The latest ESEPOA news, events, and website updates can be found here. The free Adobe Reader may be required to view some attachments.
VerizonWirelessBroadbandSpeedsLog:
Below are Speedtest.net results on a desktop system using Verizon Wireless "High-Speed" Broadband Service (ISP) on the Omen, Texas tower.
If you are experiencing slow Internet speeds, you MUST call Verizon Wireless Customer Service at 800-922-0204 and have them start a trouble ticket on our Omen tower.......per Verizon Wireless Representatives. The more people that report by trouble ticket per day the more attention we get in resolving our tower problems, so report frequently/daily! Evidently they do not monitor the service level of their towers except by the number of trouble tickets filed.
We should a have 175 or less ping time, with 1.0-1.5 Mbps or greater Download and 0.5 Mbps Upload speed on our "3G High Speed Broadband" service.
Date /Time /Ping ms /Down Mbps /Upload Mbps /Perf. Rating
100311 /8:45PM /260 /0.17 /0.24 /Non-Functional
100411 /6:44PM /151 /0.06 /0.32 /Non-Functional
100511 /7:49PM /152 /0.12 /0.24 /Non-Functional
100611 /5:52PM /948 /0.58 /0.35 /Non-Functional
100811 /1:15PM /260 /0.45 /0.23 /Non-Functional
100911 /6:39PM /264 /1.06 /0.40 /Improved
101011 /7:19PM /281 /0.67 /0.36 /Poor
101111 /6:58PM /252 /1.20 /0.41 /Improved
101211 /8:16PM /753 /0.45 /0.20 /Non-Functional
101311 /12:22PM /297 /0.59 /0.36 /Non-Functional
101711 /11:10PM /260 /1.16 /0.36 /Improved
101811 /7:54PM /272 /0.34 /0.37 /Non-Functional
101911 /8:40PM /461 /0.74 /0.25 /Poor
102011 /10:54PM /242 /1.34 /0.38 /Good
102211 /4:02PM /300 /0.27 /0.37 /Non-Functional
102311 /8:30AM /257 /0.52 /0.33 /Non-Functional
102311 /9:36PM /272 /0.69 /0.33 /Poor
102511 /8:45PM /269 /0.57 /0.39 /Non-Functional
102811 /10:33AM/292 /0.47 /0.40 /Non-Functional
103011 /10:09PM/378 /0.45 /0.26 /Non-Functional
103111 /5:20PM /212 /0.55 /0.36 /Non-Functional
103111 /9:35PM /271 /0.20 /0.36 /Non-Functional
110111 /9:03AM /126 /0.36 /0.45 /Non-Functional
110111 /1:15PM /1357 /0.12 /0.07 /Non-Functional
110111 /7:45PM /237 /0.16 /0.33 /Non-Functional
110111 -Verizon realized there was an antenna outage this morning and parts have been ordered.
110211 /9:00PM /156 /0.24 /0.04 /Non-Functional
110311 /10:35PM /343 /0.23 /0.18 /Non-Functional
110911 /8:17AM /264 /1.44 /0.43 /Very Good
110911 /9:51PM /252 /0.82 /0.35 /Fair
111011 /9:53PM /300 /0.38 /0.30 /Non-Functional
111111 /11:48PM /231 /1.35 /0.43 /Good
111211 /8:03AM /225 /1.46 /0.42 /Very Good
111211 /11:08PM /283 /1.50 /0.43 /Very Good
111511 /11:59AM /279 /1.09 /0.37 /Improved
The VerizonWireless tower engineer continues to work with ops on our slow channel issues. They hope to have it all resolved soon.
120511 We are making progress and are still trouble shooting the tower/service with the Verizon Engineer. We hope to have more improvements in the next few weeks.
121711 /10:06AM /167 /.045 /0.43 /Non-Functional and continuing to have problems while still waiting on an antenna replacement.
121711 /9:39PM /136 /0.11 /0.05 /Non-Functional
121811 /3:10PM /124 /0.12 /0.49 /Non-Functional
121911 /8:14AM /181 /0.30 /0.25 /Non-Functional
121911 /12:05PM /158 /0.10 /0.24 /Non-Functional
122311 Well Christmas seems to have come a little early for East Shore Estates! After weeks, months, and years of working on Verizon I finally got them to check our tower from top to bottom leaving no stone unturned. They found two serious problems and fixed them on Friday122311 and the bad antenna was replaced. In addition they doubled the "back-haul" capacity again to provide more bandwidth to eliminate serious slowdowns during peak use times. The system's performance seems to have held up reasonably well during our normal Christmas week crunch when usage is usually extremely high. I will continue to monitor the situation but for now it appears that our Internet service nightmare is once again behind us! Happy New Year to East Shore Estates...........Bob Dillon (Webmaster)
123011 /2:00PM /158 /1.39 /0.43 /Very Good
010512 Unfortunately the good speeds did not continue after the first of the year and the system is again very slow. We had one good good week during Christmas and that was basically all. Verizon is again looking for the problem.
121112 The tower engineer has surveyed the tower's performance in our area and reports that it is functioning normally and at a high performance level. He says that no further action is planned at this time.
HELP THOSE WHO HELP US!
The Arp VFD (Volunteer Fire Department) is in need of money to fuel the fire trucks and other emergency response equipment. At the present time they have enough water and other supplies. ESEPOA has donated $1000 to help defray the increased fuel expense.
Anyone can donate directly to the Arp VFD by either sending a check to: Arp VFD, P.O. Box 42, Arp, TX 75750 or dropping your donation off at the station at 107 W. Longview (Highway 135), Arp. (Tax receipts are available.)
Sincerely,
YOUR ESEPOA Board of Directors
(Handout attached - Full Color)
Southern Utilities: Restrict Water Use
By CASEY MURPHY, 08-16-11
Business Editor, TylerPaper.com
Southern Utilities Co. notified its 19,000 customers that it is implementing on Wednesday stage one of a plan restricting outdoor watering.
The customer demand on Southern Utilities Company's drinking water system has reached an all time high, according to a letter sent to customers. This high demand is primarily created by active landscape irrigation systems and outside residential water use, and has created a situation in areas of Southern Utilities Company's drinking water system where there is not sufficient pressure for the outdoor water usage.
General Manager Michael Farrell said Southern Utilities serves customers in rural Smith County and northern Cherokee County.
The company is asking customers to restrict landscape irrigation and lawn watering to two days a week " from 10 p.m. through 6 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays for residents with even number street addresses and 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays for people who have odd number street addresses. It is asking all residents to not water outdoors on weekends.
Stage one is voluntary restriction of residential and recreational water use, including washing homes, windows or siding, driveways, vehicles, boats and trailers.
The restrictions will remain until customers are notified otherwise. If the drought persists, the company could implement stages two and three of its drought plan.
Stage two includes mandatory water restrictions and limiting outside water usage while stage three prohibits all outdoor water use.
Southern Utilities says it has no desire to implement more restrictive stages.
Voluntary compliance by all costumers with the voluntary restrictions of stage one should allow an adequate supply of water for all customer use, the letter states.
For more information, call 903-566-3511.
By TIM MONZINGO
Staff Writer, Tyler Morning Telegraph 7-22-11
The impact of hurricanes Rita and Ike still lingers throughout the country, and the most recent effects now are available to the public.
In conjunction with local governments across the country, the Federal Emergency Management Administration has worked to update decades-old flood maps. Officials want Smith County residents to take a look at the new maps to see where their homes and buildings now stand.
This goes back to FEMA updating all of the flood maps in the country because a lot of them were (from) back in the 70s, said Jacqueline Chandler, a media representative with FEMA. Preliminary flood maps are now available so everybody comes in, they take a look at it, the local community will be sharing it with the public to see if there are any changes.
Ms. Chandler said the last time Smith Countys maps were updated was in 1981 and as development has continued in the area, plains may have shifted. After the hurricanes, Congress mandated updating flood-zone maps around the country in the interest of preparedness.
She encouraged people to take the time to check the maps to be prepared in case of flooding.
The new maps also could have potential effects on insurance rates for homeowners.
Doug Nicholson, Smith Countys Road and Flood Plane administrator, said that ultimately, the maps will play a role in how much an individual has to pay to be covered in case of a flood.
It benefits them, too, because, say the elevation is 374 and the elevation on your house is 380, youre out of the flood zone, he said. Used to, you had to hire somebody to come out there and find that flood zone elevation for you, so it was more expense.
Ms. Chandler said there still is some time before the maps become official.
Now that the new findings are available for public review, there is a 90-day period for residents to review them and file and complaints or concerns, which FEMA then will verify. Once residents concerns have been considered and the maps approved, there is a six-month compliance period, for the committee to actually adopt the maps and do whatever else they need to come in compliance with any of the guidelines and any mitigation requirements, she said.
After that, the documents are official.
If (people are) in that flood hazard area and they dont have flood insurance, theyd better go get it, Nicholson said. When these new maps come out, if they dont have it, its going to cost them more money. If theyve got it, theyre grandfathered into whatever rate theyve got right now.
Tom Sorrels, owner and agent for Tom Sorrels Insurance, said many homeowners may think they are covered by homeowners insurance, but that is rarely the case.
Flood insurance as related to a natural disaster and homeowners insurance, which covers problem like burst pipes, are two different things, he said.
The new maps likely will not significantly affect a large portion of Smith Countys population, he said, but just because a home is not in a designated flood zone does not mean it is immune.
Everybodys in a flood plain. Its just, some are more severe than others, he said. There will probably be some people that will be adversely affected by (new maps). Its just going to matter what the maps look like when theyre finally drawn.
To review the preliminary maps, residents can visit Nicholsons office at 1700 W. Claude St., in Tyler. The maps also can be viewed online at riskmap6.com. To speak with a FEMA map specialist, call 1-877-FEMAMAP (1-877-336-2627) or email FEMAMapSpecialist@riskmapcds.com.
Smith County Judge Joel Baker has issued a burn ban for Smith County, effective immediately, due to extremely dry conditions. The burn ban is effective for seven days, and may be renewed upon review of conditions next Tuesday.
We have watch conditions closely during this period of record heat and high winds, and have determined that a burn ban is needed. Many factors go into the decision-making process regarding the issuance of a burn ban. I always consult with the County Fire Marshall in evaluating the issuance of such an order, Judge Baker said.
Factors in determining the need for a burn ban include:
1. the Keetch-Byram Drought Index
2. the current temperature, humidity, and wind speed
3. the forecasted weather
We also consider the type and volume of calls for emergency service due to fires, Judge Baker added.
The current drought index is 694 and the county has historically issued burn bans when it is at or near 700. Unusually high temperatures, lack of rainfall and low moisture levels have contributed to need for a ban to be issued.
Pursuant to Texas Penal Code 28.04, a person commits an offense if, without the effective consent of the property owner, he/she recklessly damages or destroys property of the owner. Such a violation is a class-C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $500.
Smith County Burn Ban Order Attached:
**********Smith County Burn Ban MODIFIED For Grills 7-15-11**********
Steaks and burgers can be cooked outdoors with charcoal and wood this weekend. Smith County amended its burn ban to allow the use of materials beyond liquid propane and natural gas when grilling.
The ban on outdoor burning was issued Tuesday by Smith County Judge Joel Baker due to extreme drought conditions within the area. Smith County joined Anderson, Cherokee, Gregg, Henderson and Rusk, Upshur and Van Zandt among 242 counties statewide to implement burn bans.
The seven-day burn ban prohibits burning of all combustible material, use of fireworks, and welding or any other activities that could result in a wildfire.
Welders may be granted permission to work by the Smith County Fire Marshals office. Anyone cutting, grinding or welding metal outdoors can call the Smith County Fire Marshals Office at 903-590-2652 or Smith County dispatch after 5 p.m. or on weekends at 903-566-6600.
Penalty for burning during the ban is a Class C misdemeanor, which carries up to a $500 fine. Penalties can increase up to confinement if the severity of the case dictates.
Updated Friday, July 15, 2011 at 2:32 p.m. CDT
**********Burn Ban EXTENDED for Smith County**********
SMITH COUNTY, TX - County Commissioners have extended the burn ban for Smith County.
In Commissioners court Tuesday 7/19/11, County Commissioners voted in favor of a 90 day extension to the burn ban that was put in place last week.
Since July 1, 177 acres have burned in Smith County. There have also been two structure fires in the county as well as one outbuilding that was destroyed by fire.
Updated: Jul 19, 2011 11:00 AM CDTUpdate 11-15-11: Effective 11-15-11 Officials have lifted the burn ban for Smith County. They are encouraging residents to use extreme caution for all fire-related activities.
OK, Heads Up Folks!
If you have an old Alltel aircard instead on a Verizon aircard this notice is for you!
VerizonWireless has finally quit offering folks the junky mifi aircards to replace their old Alltel aircards and have NOW gone back to offering the good USB760 aircards. You do NOT need the 4G aircard they offer for $50 because 4G won't be out here for about 2 years. By then those will probably be obsolete and/or free.
The Verizon USB760 aircard is free for existing customers to replace their old Alltel aircards. They will probably require a new 2 year contract commitment to send it to you for free, which is not a problem. Combined with our new tower equipment it will provide you much faster speeds from my recent testing. Our old cards run at about a 1MB Maximum download speed and the new one will run at 1.5-2 with peaks I have seen of 2.6 so the speed increase might be significant!
Now is the time to finally make the move to this Verizon aircard. It works great and you need to call them and request it. Call Verizon Wireless tech support (*611 from a Verizon Cell phone, free call) or (800) 922-0204 from any phone. Tell them you are having speed issues with your old Alltel aircard and need to update your equipment to the FREE Verizon USB760. They will send it to you by 2-Day Delivery for free. If you want overnight they will probably charge $14 but you don't need that. Don't let them sell you or send you anything else. You want the USB760.
You DO NOT want to change your plan or anything else.
DO NOT plug in the new aircard when you get it!!
If you don't want to tackle the installation I can do that for you. You will need to Uninstall the old Access program and the Pantech Modem program (if it is there) from your Add/Remove Programs screen in the Control Panel and then delete the Alltel Access icon in your Network Connections screen. Then follow the directions in the box with your new aircard to activate it first and then install the new Verizon VZAccessManager software.
Just an FYI.....I have run into a few issues recently on older systems that would cause the computer to freeze when booting after installing this new aircard but I have been able to work around the problem.
SO, get on the phone and get your USB760 headed your way while they are still offering it as a replacement!
Let me hear from you!
Bob Dillon
Webmaster
East Shore Estates
Neighbors:
A workday will be held on Saturday, June 11 @ 8:00 a.m.
Meet at the Pavilion.
Bring your work gloves and something to drink.
Tools and materials will be provided.
Some of the projects are as follows:
Finish the new water line. Paint the helipad. Repair the fishing pier. Pick up trash along CR2143. Clean the emergency exit. Install a new web site sign. Move the "no lake access" sign up the hill. Clean out under the entrance sign.
We need your help so this will be easier for everyone. The more people we have the quicker we can get this done and the better our neighborhood will look.
Please plan to donate some time to help out on Saturday June, 11th!
Thank You in advance for your time and effort which is greatly appreciated!
MOWING SERVICES WANTED!
Need extra income? Looking to get outdoors and enjoy the sunshine? Need some exercise? Well, here is your opportunity!
East Shore Estates Property Owners Association is now taking bids for a Property Maintenance Engineer otherwise known as someone to mow and weed eat our community properties. Written bids will be accepted until noon, May 16, 2011. The winning bidder will be notified on May 18, 2011.
See details in the attached file!!!
Come One, Come All!
The ESEPOA Annual Meeting will be held Sunday, May 1 at the Pavilion beginning @ 2:00 p.m.
We have invited several special guests to answer your questions and for the first time there will be two local businesses set up on the grounds to provide information on their services (this is a trial).
REMEMBER to bring your lawn chairs! Refreshments will be provided.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Sincerely,
YOUR Board of Directors
East Shore Estates Property Owners Association
eastshoreestates@yahoo.com
1. NOMINATIONS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!!!
This year we will be voting for 3 board member positions: Mary Moore, Mary Caldwell & Steve Hall will seek 2 year term re-election. Any association member is eligible to serve on the board. Please contact any board member by phone or through the website at:
www.eastshoreestates.com
Members who would like to place their name for nomination should come to the April 19th, 2011 board meeting, to be held at the Pavilion, for a "meet and greet" with the current board. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor at the annual meeting.
2. BOARD ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Due to a new opportunity, Gregg Lassen has resigned from the Board of Directors. Brad Roberts has been appointed to fill Gregg's term which expires in 2012. Also, please note Board meetings have been changed to the third Tuesday of each month.
01-23-2011 (Revised 4-4-2011)
Attached is a letter from the City of Tyler providing contact information for the Lake Supervisors (Lake Patrol). This information was posted on the door at the Marina during the summer of 2009. Chris Loeder, Secretary of the Big Oak Bay Property Owners Association, saw this letter and had them make her a copy which she has provided to us. You may wish to print a copy of the attached letter for quick reference if needed.
THERE IS A YOUNG DARK GREY (BLUE) GREAT DANE DOG RUNNING LOOSE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD ON SOUTH LAKEVIEW. IT IS A MALE, VERY FRIENDLY , VERY SKINNY PUP ABOUT 24 TO 30 "" TALL..
HE HAS NO COLLAR BUT IS OBVIOUSLY A FAMILY DOG, AS HE WOULD COME IN MY HOUSE IF I, AND MY DOG, "RASCAL:" WOULD LET HIM.
I SURELY WOULD LIKE TO FIND THE OWNER, SO IF ANYONE KNOWS WHO MIGHT OWN THIS DOG,
PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I CAN BE REACHED AT 903-871-8529. PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE IF I AM NOT NEAR MY PHONE.
I LIVE AT 16364 SOUTH LAKEVIEW.
THANKS.
LADELLE W. TULEY