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Neighborly Notes By Bobbie Eckel A special thank you to Four Seasons' residents Sonya Tamplin, Don Fant, Marsha Gormley and Susan Wilson who are serving on the District Delegates Nominating Committee this year. The Nominating Committee of 2012 was successful in finding a full slate of candidates for each district. This year's committee will be seeking candidates for 13 districts. A meeting will be held in the Lodge Ballroom on Wednesday, Feb. 13, to allow voters to meet the delegate candidates. Ballots will be mailed in midFebruary and must be returned by late February. The rainy season has apparently started… at least we hope it has. Remember that California law requires drivers to turn on their headlights whenever the windshield wipers are used continuously. Slow down at the first sign of rain or drizzle on the roadway. According to the Vehicle Code, this is the time when many road pavements are most slippery because oil and dust have not been washed away. Among many interesting new laws for motorists which became effective on Jan. 1, is SB1298. This law establishes conditions for the testing and operation of "autonomous vehicles," cars which can operate without the active control and continuous monitoring of a human driver. This bill was sponsored by Google, which is developing autonomous vehicle technology, and was supported by the California Auto Club. The bill requires the DMV to develop regulations for operating these vehicles on California roads prior to 2015. It does sound futuristic, but apparently is coming sooner than we realize. A new bill which may impact our parking is SB1388, the parking meter law. Motorists can now park at broken meters, up to the posted time limit, without fear of getting a ticket unless the local jurisdictions provide adequate notice to the contrary at the parking locations. Hopefully, this will help drivers avoid unexpected tickets when meters are in need of repair. Did you know that California has a key code law which requires automakers to securely make available to registered 6 FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | FEBRUARY 2013 | community News locksmiths information to make replacement keys when the originals are broken or stolen? BMW, not wanting to comply with the regulation, sponsored SB 750 which would make that company's current temporary exemption from the law a permanent position. Unfortunately for them, Governor Brown vetoed the bill, noting that "the 24/7 standard for car key replacement should apply uniformly to all manufacturers" (Westways, the magazine for Automobile Club of Southern California, January / February 2013). February 14 is not only Valentine's Day, but it is also the day for our General Session of the Board of Directors. Plan to join other residents in the Ballroom at 1 pm so that you will know what is happening with our HOA's business. We should be getting information soon about the turnover of the old sales office to the HOA and the plans for the use of the facility. A considerable amount of information is discussed about a variety of topics. Don't be the last to learn about happenings in our community! The City of Beaumont is providing a safe method of discarding old or no longer needed pills. A locked container has been established in the lobby of the Albert A. Chatigny Community Center. Bringing your unwanted prescriptions to this location will help keep prescription medication away from children and out of our water supply. Acceptable items are prescriptions, prescription patches, prescription ointment, over the counter medications, vitamins, samples and medications for pets. Not acceptable are hydrogen peroxide, thermometers, inhalers, needles, bloody infectious waste, aerosol cans, nonprescription ointments, liquids and lotions. In the same lobby, there is also a container for used batteries and a box in the Senior Services Office for used eyeglasses. For additional information regarding disposal of E-waste (electronics) and other items, please call City of Beaumont Code Enforcement at (951) 572-3234 or (951) 769-8529. Community News | FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | FEBRUARY 2013 7

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