Todd Noles Rescues Deer Caught in Fence

Todd Noles Frees Deer and More

When on the job, no day is ever the same for Todd Noles, HSVPOA Superintendent of Lakes, Forestry, Common Property, and Wildlife. Thursday, October 26, proved this when Noles received notification of a deer pinned between two stakes of a four-foot-high wooden fence at a residence close to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church.

Twenty-six-year-long property owner Sheila Dickerson said she was in her living room and noticed it was sprinkling. Stepping outside on her patio to retrieve her lawn furniture cushions, the Villager quickly became alarmed when she noticed a healthy-looking but unhappy doe jammed between two fence pickets. As Dickerson approached the unlucky captive, the deer became agitated, flailing as she attempted to free herself.

“I ran into the house. I didn’t know what number to call, so I called 911 and was transferred to Animal Control.” The excited property owner said Superintendent Todd Noles responded immediately, reassuring her that it would be all right and he would help the deer.

It was impossible to determine how long the doe was trapped, but Dickerson said she felt like it was for quite a while as there was a large pile of fur lying on the ground from where she had tried to free herself.

Dickerson said, “I was crying my eyes out, and Todd was the kindest, most thoughtful guy.”

Describing the rescue, she said, “Todd ran behind the deer and grabbed both of her legs and was able to lift her outside of the fence while the doe was screaming and growling like a bear.” Noles estimated the weight of the deer to be more than 100 pounds, and she was kicking at him while he lifted her over the fence.

Two other concerned POA employees also stopped by, expressing their concern for Dickerson.

“Todd is my hero. He handled the situation so well. He was concerned about me, calling me later to check on me.”

In a text to Noles’s boss, Public Services Director Ken Unger, Dickerson said, “No one ever tells you when your employees do something good. They only tell you when they do something wrong. I want you to know that Todd did his job perfectly and called later to check on my health. You have an employee that you can be proud of.”

Dickerson said she thinks the trapped deer is the same one who visits daily with her twins. “She comes by to show off her kids,”

Wildlife abounds in Dickerson’s yard. Last year, she was visited by a black bear.

On another note, Todd Noles updated us on what he has been working on lately when not rescuing deer. These projects include lake dredging, mowing, timber management, and more.

POA Staff Dredge Lake Sophia

POA employees are dredging Lake Sophia, which is going well. The dredging crew is removing material from the 26-acre lake that has been there since the lake was built. HSVPOA Lakes Supervisor Katy Harmon received an email from a satisfied shoreliner saying, “You and your team are making this drawdown valuable. You are already working in areas of the lake never touched since the lake was dug in 2004…having the Department running this operation far outshines what was done in 2017/2018.”

The material removed from the dredging operations will be stored at The Terlingua Pit and used in various projects next year where topsoil is needed. The POA may offer the popular “Free Dirt” program next spring. Stay tuned for more information as that time nears.

Timber Management

Noles shared that the department is working on timber management at Isabella Golf Maintenance. “There are some diseased trees and IPS beetles. We are trying to get ahead of the curve and provide proper tree spacing. The beetles will slow down once cold weather hits.” While HSV timber management is not about income generation, the harvested trees will yield a profit.

Mowing

“We are doing our final mowing pass on major roads, with expectations that the mowing will be complete by the end of November,” stated Noles

DeSoto Courts Townhouse Sight-Line Improvement

For safety and aesthetics, the Superintendent has been working on removing trees at the entrance of DeSoto Courts Townhomes in the road right-of-way.

Lake Isabella Boat Ramp Reopens

Water levels have risen in Lake Isabella, allowing the reopening of the boat ramp on October 23.

Todd Noles Rescues Boulders From Thieves

Noles not only rescues deer, but he has rescued thousands of dollars worth of boulders. For safekeeping, boulders found below Pineda Spillway have been relocated to the Terlingua Pit. Somebody was stealing the boulders, and The Pit is a gated area, which will prevent theft of this valuable asset. Noles said that the boulders will be allocated for use in future projects.

Trunk or Treat

On Tuesday, October 31, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Noles will represent the HSVPOA Public Services Division at the Woodland’s Trunk or Treat. Sponsoring the eighth annual Trunk or Treat event, the Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association, in conjunction with the Hot Springs Village Police Department, offers a safe and fun evening for trick-or-treaters. The superintendent invites the community to stop by and say hello. “You don’t need to have kids,” enthused Noles. Click here for more information about Trunk or Treat. “Public Services Offering a Better Tomorrow” is the slogan Superintendent Todd Noles will use at the event.

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By Cheryl Dowden; deer photograph provided by Sheila Dickerson

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