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Tiger Point residents roar

One week shy of Hurricane Ivan's two-year anniversary, debris and disrepair plague Tiger Point Golf and Country Club. Homeowners are frustrated with the state of the West Course that is literally in many residents' back yards. Concerns of golf course and clubhouse disrepair are still lingering among Tiger Point residents. Nearly two years after Hurricane Ivan, extensive damage to portions of the 36-hole golf course includes downed trees, storm surge erosion and debris-riddled neighborhoods. According to residents, these factors are creating a compromise of property value.

"When the buyers look at the West Course, the first words out of their mouths are 'What is this?' The answer is, 'It used to be a golf course.' Needless to say, they don't come back," wrote Larry Horne, President of the Lionsgate Homeowners' Association in a letter to Meadowbrook, the company who manages Tiger Point.

Horne further explained that homeowner association members have done a great deal of work bringing homes back to their pre-hurricane state.

Horne sent an additional letter to Meadowbrook and Tiger Point regarding debris stating, "Specifically, there are a number of dead trees on the West Course, some which have fallen down. These trees could become projectiles during a storm and are an eyesore." Horne said that little effort has been shown by Meadowbrook to mitigate the problems.

Bradley B.J. Davis/Gulf Breeze News Downed trees such as this are considered by homeowners as potential projectiles in the event of another hurricane. "It is our understanding that the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners gave you a deadline of July 3, 2006 to remove the trash and debris piles. On July 3, 2006, Lionsgate homeowners observed a backhoe around the pile, but after several hours left," said Horne in the letter.

In response to homeowners' complaints, officials from Tiger Point say it's a matter of holding off repair until hurricane season ends.

"Obviously, people are growing impatient, but it makes no sense to do anything during hurricane season," said Tiger Point General Manager Aaron Williams.

Williams said renovations to the clubhouse, which has also remains virtually untouched since Hurricane Ivan, will begin in late October or early November. He added that those plans include an updated pro shop, an increased banquet facility area and gazebo-covered patio that will take the place of the pool.

According to County Compliance Department Superintendent Skip Thompkins, county involve ment is principally a matter of safety.

"People get a misconceptions about the authorities. The only thing we have is abatement," said Thompkins. The county is currently winding down in the abatement process, a process where county officials have identified unsafe structures and have sent letters to home and business owners directing them to tear down or repair their property.

"If you think you could walk into a building and be harmed, we could do something about it. We don't have a property maintenance code in that area," said Thompkins. He further explained that the county does not have the authority to enter private property to cut down or remove trees unless it's a safety issue. As far as aesthetics, it's up to the property owner to handle that issue.

"Apparently, there seems to be no threat to the neighbors unless they take a stroll on private property," said County Commissioner John Broxson.

As of now, a majority of the vegetative debris has been buried prompting an environmental concern.

"We believe that the debris and trash that has been buried will damage the ground water resource shared by Lionsgate and other nearby communities," said Horne.

The county is currently working diligently to resolve the issues among the property owners in Tiger Point and Meadowbrook.

"If it an issue of aesthetics, we might be able to address that issue or the safety issue should it be in the best interests of the citizens to do so," said Broxson.

Representatives from Meadowbrook were not available for comment.