Lake James Property Owners Association, Inc.

Lake James Newsletter
Summer 2008

THE PRESIDENTS VIEW:

Lake James is experiencing a very unusual spring to summer season this year. I’m not sure whether to put on a fall coat or shorts. But no matter what the weather one thing is for sure-- the boats and pwcs are starting to appear on the water. Just remember your fellow boaters out there on the water and be mindful of your actions.

The primary purpose of this newsletter is to provide to you the criteria for the annual meeting to be held on August 23rd with sufficient time for you to read the material and return the two proxies in the enclosed self-addressed envelope no later than August 4, 2008.

By the time you have read this newsletter many of you will have attended the special meeting that was held on June 7th in which the past, current and future financial status of the Lake was presented. Enclosed in this package are copies of all material presented at the June 7th meeting. It is very important that you read and understand the material contained in this envelope. Also, we encourage you to talk with other owners in the Association about the issues currently confronting our lake.

A Special Annual Meeting has been scheduled on August 23rd. at the H.L. Senior Center (behind the Pines Theater) at 10:00 A.M. to review the enclosed financial data and vote on what YOU believe is best for the lake and it’s future.

Your Board has spent considerable time over the past several months looking at the financials and exploring numerous ways to resolve our “financial crisis”. We have talked with many of you about your concerns and thoughts on this issue along with other matters concerning the lake. I also held a two-hour meeting with nine of the past presidents to get their feedback about current lake conditions (note--minutes of this meeting are on the website). Some of the options we have looked at include amending the by-laws so that dues can be increased above the current ceiling of $60.00 per year, do another special assessment, do both an increase in dues and special assessment, eliminate the dam and fish funds, as well as going away from the current process of owners paying the same dues/special assessment rate and have a different rate for those on and off the water. After all the meetings and discussions the Board has settled on one recommendation that is spelled out in one of the two proxies contained in the enclosed material.

Remember this is not just a Board decision! It is a decision that the entire Association needs to make. The lake is in all of our hands.

As an added note, Lake James is forever moving forward and needs your help to do so. There will be three Board openings this coming year so if you are interested, please submit your name(s) when you return your proxies. Please note that write-in’s are always welcome, but please confirm with your write-in that they will accept your nomination. We all have an investment in Lake James so why not take some time to become a Board member and help to improve this lake. Serving on the Board is an interesting time and gives you a view of lake living that you may not have realized before. If you are interested in an opportunity to become a member of the Board, please contact me or any other Board member prior to the normal Board meeting held on the third Saturday of July. Again Lake James and its surrounding community is the responsibility of all of us and not just a few.

The 3rd annual boat parade is scheduled for July 5th. We’ll meet as before at the dam area and motor around the lake for an hour or two. Again the theme is open to your craziest ideas; this is just a fun event for the kid hidden in us all.

Tim Hughes
President of L.J.P.O.A.

2008 Aquatic Nuisance Update:
A newer treatment for Milfoil is available to us. It is called Renovate OTF and it has been very successful in killing Milfoil in other lakes. If the flow data for the lake shows it can be used, we intend to use it this spring. There is a drawback to this type of treatment and that is the ban time for watering of plants from the lake. Turn off your sprinkling system from the lake and use a hose from the house till the all clear is given to the lake. Please read the report on the web site. We have asked for the posting to be done one week prior to treatment and the follow up monitoring of the lake to be done bi-weekly.

Parks Area and the Key Program:
The new lock is in place and we have received a lot of positive feedback from the members. If you have not gotten a key as of yet, please contact Jim at 366-5536 to make arrangements for that.

Dam Update:
In early May both gates were closed and water was flowing over the top of the boards. A visual inspection was made this past fall inside the discharge culvert with no changes in the structure. In 2009 we must have the dam inspected by the proper agencies. Also in the future we must look at the replacing some of the grating on top of the dam. As of this newsletter the water is over the top of the boards by 5 inches and the gates are open till the level of the lake drops back from all the rain we have had.

Fish Planting:
We have again conducted a late spring planting of shiner minnows in various bays around the lake. We are still asking that a catch and release be upheld on our bass. Also we ask that a catch and release be held on the Bluegills and Black Crappies in the lake that exceed 7 inches. This program will only help to improve the population and size of our fishery. Just think of the stories your kids and grandkids will tell of the fish they caught, of course adults too

Lake James Logo Items:
Logo items are available by calling Mary Hughes (366-4397). Also they may be viewed on the lake’s web site. Mary Hughes has asked the Board to mention that due to her other commitments that someone be found to take over this function. Janie Bittner has offered to take on the Logo operation, but I imagine she would welcome another to assist her.

Enjoy the Summer Season and See you on the Lake

Revised Monday August 18, 2008 2:47 PM