August 2007

8/31/2007

Maybe we need to add another entry to our warning signs at the Bayview bridge. Beware of alligators, snakes and IGUANADON! :)

8/30/2007

Iguanadon came back & I was able to get photos this time. What a beauty & is it possible this is the same creature the other Lake Forester saw last year?  I got within 10' of it before it slowly walked to the end of the pier, slipped off into the reeds.

Then something spooked it besides me & it actually ran across the water about 6' & then dove underwater. There was another separate noise under the pier at the same time, but I am not sure what it was.

The same day I also saw a 7' to 8' gator at this end of the lake for the first time in 2 years

8/30/2007

The cost of the survey was about a sixth of your monthly payment for one month. It cost each member about six bucks. You can say that it was a waste, but it made clear very many things. The most poignant of those is the level of satisfaction with our operations and amenities compared to other clubs around the country. Our members' satisfaction levels are lower for every aspect of our facilities, dining, golf, tennis, pools, buildings, etc. than the average level of clubs all over the country. I believe that it has been that way for a while. This is not new information, for sure, but it is true and should guide the board in each decision they make. What should the board do about the Yacht Club?  Lease it as the 70+% of respondents say we should? These are the questions that will be coming forward.

What the summary said was "Seventy-two (72%) of the residents agree the Property Owners Association should study having an outside operator for the Yacht Club dining service."  That does not necessarily mean lease it out.   You might talk with former president, Hal Pierce, who spoke at the meeting last Monday.  He probably remembers what we were told when we had a reputable restaurateur make study on taking over the Yacht Club some years ago.   The restaurant business on Restaurant Alley, Highway 98, is tough.  Our best bet could be to partner with someone like that with the understanding that we might have to prop them up for awhile until the business grows.

8/29/2007

Mitch: I don't know if the "apartment" issue was discussed at last night's stated board meeting, but I heard from an attendee that the apartment complex issue is pretty dead in the water . . . however, it also appears that the apartment owners offered not to build the 124 units, but would build 30 "rental" houses on the property. Does anyone know anything about this? Also, regarding the church issue . . . I heard from one of the property owners affected by this issue who stated that as of yesterday, August 27, a For Sale sign went up on the church property. Sale price is $135K - they purchased it the past July for $75K - what a profit! This has been confirmed by the realtor who listed it - the same realtor who has the listing for the home of the person who sold the property to the church. This could be a "ploy" by the church, so we are NOT letting our guard down and plan to continue our efforts in thwarting the church building there. It is noted that one of the affected property owners, after seeing the For Sale sign go up, called Mr. Eady at the BZA to see if the church had pulled their application - they have not done so at this time. We will check next week to see if the application has been pulled prior to the Sept. 6 meeting. As a reminder, the BZA meeting is Sept. 6 at 6:00 p.m. at Daphne City Hall . . . please attend to voice your concerns!

Yes, I have heard about the for sale sign.  I have also heard that the Grande Point apartments have withdrawn their request.  I would suggest that the Grande Point thing will be back in one form or other again as it has in the past.  I was also told by a person that knows about these things that the request for an exception for the "church" property has NOT been withdrawn from the BZA.  The person said that if the community does not show up at that meeting, the BZA WILL grant that exception.  So, let's show up.

8/29/2007

To the person who saw the Iguana, I saw one about that same size last year in my backyard on Tiawassee Creek off of Rolling Hill. May have been the same one. We observed it over a three week period until the weather cooled off in the Fall. I tried to catch it several times but he was very fast and would climb a tree when I got too close. I thought it was a pet that escaped from his owner. I felt that he would have a tough time surviving our winters and probablly would die during a cold snap. Based on your report though, it looks like he may have made it after all.

8/29/2007

I am disappointed that it took all that money for a survey from an independent company to tell us what most of us already feel and have expressed, concerning the present state of our community. This current board continues to waste money and press forward with their own personal agenda no matter what the members say ! So, how much did it cost to survey less than a third of the Lake Forest residents?? Where were the slate supporters that voted this crew in office- maybe the supporters are in hiding or moved? The slate supporters forgot to turn in their expensive surveys apparently!!

The consultant that made the presentation said that the 26% participation was very good.  One statement that he made, that was not directly related to a slide, was that "you have a really great deal in Lake Forest."  Bingo!  I knew I was going to like that guy!  Actually, I was very surprised that the response was that high and also glad to see it.  This writer's spin is that it was a very positive response FOR Lake Forest, just like the vote that dramatically rejected the restructuring plan a few years ago.  Even with all the management missteps and problems in recent years, the majority of opinions about Lake Forest had a positive tilt.  One would have to do some serious counter spin to suggest that the results did not confirm that our members like the current configuration of Lake Forest and just want it taken care of properly; with more services added; without additional cost.  OK, so the community leaders have some work cut out for them. ;-)

8/29/2007

Great news!  Quote from Ron Scott.  "I have just been notified that the re-zoning of the Grande Pointe property is being withdrawn.  Please pass this on to your other contacts."

8/28/2007

I agree with the member about the roof. We need to go ahead and get the roof of the clubhouse fixed. That cost is nearly $100,000. I see an assessment coming to cover it also. So, here we go, back to the days of assessments each year for the purpose of doing capital improvements. All the planning in the world will not give you the money to do things. The roof at the sauna and the storage room in the back was pointed out to everyone over a year ago. It is a shame that it has not been fixed. The last month has been spent rebuilding a wall at the Yacht Club kitchen that was going through the floor. Seems we have water damage from the flooding during Katrina that is starting to rear its ugly head. Walls are rotting from water damage. We also just re-finished floors that included major replacement of subfloor plywood that was rotten. Amazingly this all occurred since the slate of five showed up. Those folks should be ousted, don't you think?

Of course, this writer would never suggest such a thing. ;-)

On the other hand, it appears from the presentation on the survey results tonight that at least some of our board are a little out of touch with the membership.   For example, there is clearly no support for closing the outlying pools and building a new one at the Country Club.  We members apparently also think that the tennis courts are located just fine, thank you. 

One would also have to wonder how expenditures have been prioritized.  A pretty significant amount of money was spent on a survey that basically returned the same conclusions that B.T. Cocke had reported earlier from a previous survey.  These also reflected the same opinions that had been loudly announced by many of our members beforehand at no cost to the association.  That money might have been better spent on some of the repairs that have been neglected for the last couple of years.   Our management, who is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the amenities, should have demanded such.   Maybe she did.  If she did and was ignored, then that would suggest that there might be some merit to the charges of micromanagement by the board.  If she did not, then that would suggest that there might be some merit to the charges of incompetence on the part of management.  Sounds like a lose/lose proposition doesn't it.

8/28/2007

Well, members, we were given a very interesting presentation tonight on the survey results.  Here is a link to a summary that was sent in advance of the meeting.  If you will read the summary, you will know pretty much what was said at the recap tonight.  One item that struck me in the summary and was repeated again tonight was the statement that when they averaged the amount of money that the members would support in a dues increase, the result was $6.  In that summary and again tonight they suggested that if appropriate improvements are made, the members will probably support as much as a $12/month increase.  What the gentleman did tell us tonight that was not in the summary was that when they calculated that average, they only took those numbers that were greater than a dollar.  In other words, I understood the man to say that they did not factor in those surveys that said they would support zero or less than a dollar.  Those people who said they would not support raising the dues one red cent would also have a vote on the matter.  I hate to be a negative Nellie, but I think they are wrong.  They won't get that dues increase.   I won't go into any more on the survey right now.  Please read it and let's talk about it.

On other matters in the meeting tonight, the one thing that this writer found disappointing was the quality of the committee reports.  I have seen plenty of good ones and I have seen even more poor ones.  These, tonight, fall into the poor category.  The main problem I had with them was the nearly all of them were rehashes of someone's financial report.  I would much prefer to hear one financial report and then have the other committees report on the exciting things that they are doing or the obstacles that they are facing.  I am not interested in hearing "my amenity brought in this much revenue and had the much expense."   The financial report should be able to make that clear. 

One interesting committee report was on actually on behalf of the Finance Committee.  Joe Mosely asked for a special meeting to discuss how to deal with some major repairs that need to be made to facilities.  It is probably a prelim to an assessment in the near future.  If that is the case, at least this time the money is be used to make some important repairs to facilities.  That is the real reason that we sometimes need an assessment.  Not like the one last year that went to cover a shortage in operating capital.  Letting that leaky roof over the 19th Hole go, for example, will only make repairs more expensive later.

There were a number of new business items.  First on the agenda was a a recommendation that the association start charging an impact fee.  Jim Moss brought this one forward.  He said he would like to see an impact fee of something on the order of $250 to be charged whenever there is a title change of property in Lake Forest.   He wants to use the proceeds of such a fee to maintain the lake and for other watershed measures.  I'm not sure how they could charge an "impact" fee on an existing structure.  I've also been told that impact fees of any kind are not legal anyway.  I'm sure that Friday Construction will just love that idea.  Jim may find out just how much clout they really do have, if he keeps on pushing it.

Next was a discussion of by-laws and covenant amendments and whether or not to recommend them by the board.  I'm writing this from memory, so someone please correct me if I make a mistake.  The first one was from John Peterson.  He is putting an amendment to the by-laws on the proxy that will allow the Board of Directors to increase the dues annually by some inflation factor.  It would be a calculation that would be out of the control of the board.

They want to amend the by-laws to change the day and time of the stated meeting back to what it had been for twenty years, seven o'clock on the third Thursday of each month.  I hope that one goes through.  I can't get home in time for these early meetings.

There was one to change the by-laws section that sets the rule regarding how long a director has to sit out before running again.  I did not really understand the point, but it could be that according to the current rule, Clint Martin should not even be allowed to run again.  Someone please tell us what that one was all about.  Speaking of that, we have three candidates including Clint running for three board positions.  How will we ever decide?

They also have a couple of covenant changes they want to make.  They really aren't bad changes, but the association has little say so in the covenants.  I'm not sure why they keep going there.  I got the impression from some of the president's remarks that they are just trying to establish some kind of record on the matters. 

Other matters on the agenda was a motion to renege on a debt to B.T. Cocke for a valve that he apparently acquired to open and close the gate at the lake.  John said it will open it but it won't close it.  If that's the case, then they probably should either make B.T. fix it or cancel the bill.  Henry, in the manner that only Henry can do, presented a bunch of new motions that accomplish very little but waste a lot of time.  He brought up something about bike trails that will probably never get funding by anyone.  He wants to rehash that old quarterly budget review waste of time some more.  This next one was my favorite.  He wanted to change the policy to allow any director to call the association attorney for a consult.  Thank goodness they didn't fall for that one.  His first year on the board, Henry keep trying to consult with the attorney to overrule decisions of the board.  In other words, he wanted to use the board's attorney to disrupt the board.  It would be a colossal waste of money and time.   Clint, Sherrie and John all saw through that one immediately.  It was at this point that I left.

8/28/2007

There was a large 2ft iguana coming off my dock & into the yard this morning. Without glasses, I thought it was a turtle or gator, but with binoculars, it was clearly an iguana. I made the mistake of trying to call someone before photographing it & it was so slow, I thought it would still be there a few minutes later, but it wasn't.

8/28/2007

  See one of our Lake Forest members on nationwide TV.

8/27/2007

Stated meeting tonight, Monday.  The survey results are to be discussed.

8/26/2007

I've been reading your letters and the papers about this church business.  I think the person who suggested that it may really be some sort of halfway house could be right.  In the town where we lived before moving to Lake Forest, there was one right in a regular lower middle class neighborhood.  One of the neighbors went to the local town council, but they ignored his complaint.  The guy who ran that one also had his own church right down the street.  He also ran a jewelry store downtown.  He had done a little time for trafficking in stolen goods, but that may have been before he saw the light and started his church.  Anyway, I believe they are paid $25,000 per year per person for running a place like this.  Naturally, we don't know if that is really what they have in mind for this place, but the descriptions of their business codes certainly look more suitable for something like that than a church.  Hopefully the BZA will make sure they know what is really going to be built before even considering the request.

8/26/2007

I am appalled at the lack of ability management evidently has to take care of the most basic of upkeep to our facilities.  She is letting our facilities ruin.  I was in the 19th hole this week noticing all the ruined tiles in the ceiling from a badly leaking roof. The ceiling tiles were even missing near the sauna in the back and water was standing on the floor. Thinking something was extremely amiss I opened the door to the storage room next to the standing water and discovered a soaking wet carpeted room and a large bucket of water placed under a drip!!!  It was not even raining.  How long has this been going on, a day, a week or months?  First, and foremost, a manager takes care of the property they manage. They are charged with protecting the investment of the members and must take care to make repairs in a timely way.  A leaking roof is an urgent repair.  Ignored, it leads to mold, a deadly killer that can spread through the facility, not to mention the ruined furnishings.  If any of our houses were leaking, how many of us would allow the carpet to remain soaked and place buckets under the leaks? We would call a drying company to come out immediately to try and save the carpet, and to keep mold from growing on the wall.  The next phone call would be to three or four roofers to get urgent bids to repair the roof within a few days.  Evidently she doesn't even know what a drying company is or why it is urgent to call them or the roofers.  Or, is there an intentional effort, through neglect, to ruin our investment so a new golf facility may be built?  I am appalled and shocked at the negligence.  Even i f I didn't have the money I would take out a loan.  Maybe a roof is more important than a $20,000 survey.  Flat roofs are always a problem. Take a lesson from the motel on Hwy 98 and add a tasteful matching color arched metal roof over the existing one and be done with the flat roof headache.  If you don't like that idea do something else, put up tarps, but FIX the roof ASAP!!!  And now that you have let it go so far you better get a certified mold inspector.  And, if it is determined that there is mold, it is because of neglect or incompetence.  Readers open the door to the men's sauna room, look at what you see there and tell me what you smell. You will be knocked over.  I am so disappointed. We must do something immediately to save our facility since the ones who sought this position for personal gain have done nothing.

8/25/2007

HELLO, the Bayview lounge is closed?  Really,,,,,can any facilities be actually closed to members?  Let's give mgt time to get new employees, whatever, but close the lounge?  It should be open for business!  What is your opinion, Mitch?

Agreed.  We have employees available.  I can guarantee you that our former GM, Jake, would have had someone there tending bar.  If not, I would have expected to see him tending that bar, himself.  I saw him on many occasions jump in and cook, clean up the kitchen and more.  But, that is what a good manager does, isn't it.  What is really surprising is that it seems to be taking our board so long to figure out where the problem is.

8/25/2007

Keep on touting the days when capital was available for improvements. Those great days of excellent management and good planning that allowed all the improvements you listed.  Just tell me this, what is being done differently today? Just what money is being poorly spent?  Go ahead and lay it out for everyone since it must be there. The money is accounted for now, there is no doubt.  Debt is being reduced.  Let the contributor who reads the financial statement go ahead and tell us where it is going, or where it is wasted.  I can tell you this.  There has been about $98,000 in unbudgeted expenses.  The Survey is a good bit of that, say 20K or so.  We also had a legal case that cost us over $10K.  We have actually overrun budget in very few areas. Food and Beverage is not taking more money than budgeted.  Golf Maintenance is not.  Architectural issues have cost us a bunch of money this year.  Henry is running that dept. about $10K over Budget, mostly legal.  The quarterly review has said that we will make the year without an assessment, but no capital for improvements or major repairs.  We are current with all vendors and have cash in the bank.  No late charges have accrued this year for the first time in a while.  In fact, we paid outstanding balances from several vendors that were there only because of late charges.  The fact is that costs have gone up and revenue hasn't. From chemicals to gasoline to electricity, and even personnel costs, it has all gone up.  It seems easy, but I noticed that the person who claims mis-management did not run for the board. He knows why, too.  He cannot change the facts.

In about 1983 the maintenance fees were raised to $27.50.  They stayed at that rate for the next 20 years.  It was not until about 2003 that the dues were raised to the current $35.   It would be pretty naive to think that during those twenty years the cost of doing business never went up.  Of course it did.  And, there were times when our management was not always the best and the amenities showed it.  Thankfully, our association had the good fortune in 1995 to hire Jake Bodiford as general manager.  From that year until he left, this place was run the way it should have been run.  Yes, that is right.  I have no qualms whatsoever in laying the great success that Lake Forest experienced right at the feet of Mr. Bodiford!  All of those improvements that I mentioned took place during his tenure.  Most of them took place when the maintenance fees were $27.50.  And, yes, an assessment was made every one of those years until 2003.  But, he did it.  He maintained and improved the facilities.  Yes, he did reduce services with the agreement of numerous boards.   It was my hope that after the association infrastructure was restored to a reasonable level, that we might start finding new ways to again provide services that the members would use and enjoy.  You say that costs have gone up.  Yep, that's right.  My costs have gone up, too.  So have yours.  Are you planning to sell your home and downsize because of it?  That is not likely.  You and I will find a way to adjust to those increased costs somehow.  We won't feel the need to threaten our families with selling the garage or car or cutting the pet back to one meal a day.  We will get busy and find a way to deal with it.  That is exactly what the board should do.  Go back and take the measures that you need to take to deal with it! 

8/24/2007

There's an interesting Letter to the Editor today.

8/24/2007

Mitch, I'd like to refer you to your response to the 8-18 comments concerning the "survey".  Your response was that the current $35 should be adequate to handle the operations.  I recommend you get a current financial.  What I see is that this board and their mis-manager are projected to spend all of the maintenance fees, plus the $87,000 cart lease monies, and the $150,000 assessment by the end of the year!  Without a crystal ball I can predict that you will see another assessment before the end of the year.  Sadly, our facilities are in the worst shape ever. The golf course greens are in many instances unputtable.  Tonight, I wanted to go to the Bayview, there was a note on the door that "it would not be open for business".  I have never known that to be the case before. Seems the bartender has been dismissed, so the mis-manager just decided to not open. This just confirms her statement that " I don't know anything about food and beverage or golf".   By the way, the Bayview is one of the only 2 amenities that generally breaks even.

I'll stand by my response "that the current $35 should be adequate".  However, I did not say that it could be done under current management. ;-)

8/24/2007

Mitch, It is apparent to anyone that attended the council meeting that the chances of rezoning are very, very slim.  There is no need to continue to berate the management of the apartment complex.  Neither you, nor your readers have enough information to determine what has been done to improve the facilities in the last nine years. You only see the exterior of the building.  My question is this.  If we judge effort by what we see on the outside, what do our facilities tell us about the LFPOA?  What have we done to "improve" our facilities?  Have you looked at the buildings we have?  For the LFPOA to claim that someone else is not maintaining their buildings reeks of hypocrisy.  Wouldn't you agree?  Now, the other question is this. When a refurbishment occurs at the apartments, which from all indications will happen by the end of next year, what buildings will be considered the "blight" of the eastern shore?  What are we willing to do about that? The survey says that our members want improvement with no increases in funding.  We will have to re-think how we do business.  There will have to be reductions in service and maybe closure of facilities for this to occur.  The operational costs are increasing.  Prices for most everything continue to increase.  We do less, because the dollars we get do not go as far as they did even two or three years ago.  Look for hard decisions coming forward. Decisions about improvements, cutbacks, assessments, property sales, and the like, will have to be made. It is no wonder that so few want to serve on the board. Who would want to be on the board that shuts down operations? Or sells something? Or closes an amenity? Reality is about to set in. The good news is that we have recurring revenue. We also have little debt. There are challenges to doing major improvement. Mostly availability of cash or borrowing power. When those hurdles get smaller, worthwhile improvements can be made.

Thank you for that observation.  I had to go back and re-read yesterday's contribution, because I didn't realize that the apartment management was being "berated".  I had previously given some misleading information, when writing favorably about the apartment management, only to find out later that different people are managing now.  Even with the re-read, there doesn't seem to be much berating to the piece.

I've not heard anyone else suggest that the "chances of rezoning are very, very slim".  Even if that perception were true Monday night, a lot can happen politically over just a short time.  If you have issue with the new apartments, you might want to keep on sending your message to the the City Council.

Now the contributor asked if I had looked at our facilities and if we "reeked of hypocrisy" because of their condition.  Yes, I have looked at our facilities a great deal over the years.  No, I do not agree with the statement.  I know much of what has been done to improve our amenities in just over the last decade.   I know, for example, that during that period every building was stained at least twice and possibly more.  Many, many cedar shingles were replaced.  There have been new roofs put on buildings, new air conditioning systems, new parking lots, new parking lot lighting and more.  Playgrounds were built that never existed before.  That is all on the outside, I believe.  On the interior, I know that the 19th Hole was completely renovated from that old cedar siding motif. The old service counter was arranged in such a way that the staff couldn't see you if you were waiting to place an order.  I know that both locker rooms were renovated, the Yacht Club got a facelift to the interior.  New docks and fishing piers were built.  All the chandeliers in the Country Club were replaced.  Do you remember those old heavy, wooden doors at the Country Club?  They were replaced.  I could go on and on about how well past management and boards took care of our facilities. 

We will discuss the member survey and the idea that anyone will have to "rethink how we do business" after the presentation at next Monday's stated meeting. 

8/23/2007

Recently I reported that a member who lived on Lake Front Dr. told me that after initial concern by the residents when the Grande Point apartments were first built, the apartment management had turned out to be very good.  She said that there had been few problems over the years.  However, this conversation took place at least ten years ago.  Reading in today's paper about the City Council meeting Monday night, it appears that the management my friend had been talking about is no longer there.  Councilman Gus Palumbo told their representative that it appeared that the new owners have not made any improvements in the nine years that they have been in charge.  This followed their representative's vague suggestion that they might do some renovation on the older units, if they are allowed to build the new ones.  Does that make you a little suspicious too?  Apparently, Gus wasn't fooled.

8/22/2007

Mitch: The traffic statistics quoted for the apartment area were for a 12 month period of time (as were the crime/police statistics) from August 2006 to August 2007 . . . so, yes, they did include the school year.

8/21/2007

Don't know if anyone reading this was at the City Council meeting last night (8/20/07) regarding the "apartment" issue . . . but it went very well for Lake Forest residents who attended in force . . . this was a "first reading" - meaning that the Council will not vote until the next meeting.  But, the attorney for the apartment owner/developer glossed over some statistics (especially about traffic and crime in the area) . . . once the concerned citizens of Lake Forest started speaking, there was thunderous applause from the crowd . . . and, might I add, the City Council had very good questions of the developer's attorney in that the attorney could not answer them . . . the Council also stated their concerns which were in line with those concerns of the residents of Lake Forest.  Now . . . we need to continue this momentum towards the BZA and the "church" issue on Sept. 6 at 6:00 p.m.  Residents, unite!!!!

It would be interesting to know if the statistics about traffic were gathered during the school year when children are getting on and off busses at the corner of Bayview and Lake Front Dr. or during the summer when little is going on.

8/21/2007

Hey Mitch, tell these people that this is not a CHURCH, to my understanding, according to the codes, that these men have attempted to start this facility with....this is probably a 1/2 way house of some sort.  Owners get so much money from the govt for each person they see.  I heard something like $58 a day, that figure may be old. These facilities, in my opinion, should not be down a dirt road, but in the open and removed from n'borhoods of children.  These people are usually quiet and managed well!  And the threat is if they act out, they are not seen, ie., allowed to seek assistance at that facility anymore!  The code mentioned social services....not a CHURCH!  We are not against churches!  We can't go to Daphne City Council with an attitude or any anger.  That is not well received we understand!

8/21/2007

Just wondering about this patch work on our roads.  Is this all we are getting?  I am seeing patches here and there.  Does anybody know if this is all we are getting?  We need a full resurfacing in Lake Forest

8/19/2007

If the BZA chooses to allow anything other than a single family residence in the area in question, does everyone realize what that could mean to other subdivisions.   Some of these new subdivisions are extremely expensive and families like many of us are buying there for life.  This could mean that they too might one day find something other than a home next door to them as well.  What is the point of zoning, if the rules are to be disregarded just because a group calls itself a church.  What is the ordaining body of this church?  Is it endorsed by Southern Baptist, United Methodist, Episcopal or any other recognized body?  Is it Muslim?  Do they have something in common with the majority of the residents of Lake Forest?  Is that why they want to build a church in such a remote area of the Eastern Shore?  Why would anyone want to build a church in a place where they couldn't be seen?

8/19/2007

Just going to let you know what Hunter has been doing this month.  She went to Pickers Paradise on August the 7th to sing and she did an outstanding job.  Also, she had a practice session at a local recording studio and as of next week she will have a demo of her singing with all the bells and whistles.  We look for more exciting things to come in the future.  Here are some pictures of her singing at these places.

8/18/2007

Mitch: The recent mailing by the LFPOA summarizing the two "issues" on the front burner - the apartments and the church - had the incorrect time for the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) hearing regarding the "church" issue on Sept. 6. The CORRECT time of the hearing is 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.

8/18/2007

The survey results are in. The results are disappointing but not surprising. Approximately 9 out of 10 respondents would like to see improvements to the clubhouse and yacht club. A significant number of the small minority of members who eat at either the 19th hole or the Yacht Club would like to see the food improved (only 1/3rd of the membership eat at either facility). A significant percentage of the members who use the pools would like to see improvements made. Yet, almost no one is willing to pay anything more to fund these improvements. 60% o f the members don’t want any increase in their dues and those willing to see an increase are willing to spend a whole $6 a month more. Past experience shows that increases in the usage fees create controversy (For example, the pool fees this summer and the fee increases last January) Since no one wants to see an increase in the usage fees or the dues, how do people think these improvements will be paid for? The current LFPOA budget can barely maintain the facilities as they are (and in this writer’s opinion is inadequate even to maintain the facilities based on their current condition). It is clear that the time is fast approaching when difficult decisions will have to be made about whether some or all of the facilities need to be sold.

This writer believes that with almost three thousand members and growing that there should be ample revenue from the $35/month maintenance fees to keep the amenities in proper condition.   It will take knowledgeable management and some imagination to do that and also provide services that will generate excitement in our membership.  In the opinion of one person, the results are an example of seeing the glass half empty.  We have a great thing going in Lake Forest.  Let's just try not to mess it up.  I was speaking with a member of another club recently and he asked what the maintenance of the Lake Forest golf course was costing.  When I told him that it was around $650,000, he was surprised.  He said that if anyone can keep maintenance costs of a golf course under $800,000, they were doing a great job.  So, apparently we have been doing some things right. 

8/18/2007

Can we get the raw data from this survey? We all know there are lies, damn lies and statistics. With full disclosure of all data and comments, residents can draw their own conclusions. (PS to the Webmaster: Thanks for the time and effort you put into the website to keep everyone informed about LFPOA.)

The issue is supposed to be discussed at the stated meeting on the 27th at the 19th Hole.  Perhaps we can get that data then.  I have received some of the suggestions that were made by the consulting firm, but have agreed not to publish those until after that 27th meeting.  I will tell you, though, that I found them to be reasonable, at least a good starting point.  Thanks for the kudos.  It's my pleasure.

8/17/2007

The results of the survey are in.  One of a couple of summaries is placed here (Check Here First).  The information has also been posted to the "Official" website, but the format is a little difficult to read.  Another summary will be placed on our website Monday night after the stated meeting, where this subject should be discussed.  We all look forward to the discussion.

8/17/2007

Mitch, I'm sure your source meant well, but the cell phone use for telemarketing is nothing more than one of the many false internet rumors. Go to Snopes.com and click on item #8 under Hottest Urban Legends for the details. This is a great place to check before passing on such internet postings.

8/15/2007

There was a meeting tonight at the 19th Hole of concerned Lake Forest citizens to plan a strategy for dealing with the proposals for the expanded apartment complex and the church.  From the report I received, it sounds like they have their act together and should be able to put up a convincing argument.  They will need your support, first at the City Council meeting next Monday, August 20th regarding the apartments and then on September 6th at the Board of Zoning Adjustments at City Hall.

8/15/2007

Don't forget to update your numbers on the do not call list !!   I did it on my cell phone and house phone-- if you don't those telemarketers can call even your cell phone #--                                Call: 1-888-382-1222                         trying to save some aggravation for all of us !!!

8/14/2007

This past Sunday, I measured the distance from the corner of Montclair Loop down Bradbury into the cul de sac to the entrance of Ray's Lane (the dirt road) leading to the church property. My odometer read 0.0 miles. Once I turned my vehicle to the left to make the turn around in the cul de sac past Ray's Lane, only then did my odometer read 0.1 miles. Seems like this is a VERY short distance for so much traffic to be traveling to a business - especially when there's ONLY one way in and one way out. Personally, I can see traffic congestion beginning at Ridegwood then proceeding onto Montclair Loop to Bradbury . . . the distance from the left turn at Ridgewood to my abode on the corner of Montclair Loop at Bradbury is less than 1 mile in length. There will be another citizens meeting on the church property issue tomorrow (8/14/07) at 6:30 at the 19th Hole . . . BE THERE and make your concerns known!

8/13/2007

Director Peterson works for Hatch Mott MacDonald, a national engineering and architectural firm.  It is true that his firm has been employed by Grande Pointe Apartments to prepare designs for buildings and the site work in Daphne.  He has stated this and has stepped out of board discussions and actions in meetings.  He has provided information to the board that was presented to the city.  He has never presented LFPOA views or opinions to the city.  That task was given to Henry Lawson.  Mr. Lawson went even further and had Leon Petite on-site for a Friday news clip about the subject.  The board never authorized Henry Lawson to contact the press. He was to present objections to the city council. Has he overstepped his authority?

8/11/2007

The Weblord is going out of town this weekend, so he published Saturday's contributions early.  Have a nice weekend!

8/11/2007

There seems to be confusion about the apartments that are under construction, Bay Breeze, and Grande Pointe, the apartments that are seeking re-zoning. Bay Breeze has begun construction just south of the lake and adjacent to No. 6 hole of the Lake golf course. Basically, downwind from the sewer plant. The residents will be able to enjoy a golf course view and lake view while the fragrant air from the sewer plant passes by. The Grande Pointe Apartments have not begun construction. They sit adjacent to No. 1 on the Lake side cornering with No. 9.

I suspected as much.  Thanks for keeping us straight.  Doesn't that sound disgusting?  Sometimes when traveling down Main St, the smell is overwhelming.

8/11/2007

Another thing that occurred at the Special Meeting. The President was handed a deed from Friday Construction for Lot B, Unit 7. This is the grassed lot adjacent to the Bayview bridge. This will give maintenance access to the lake and a location for all our members to to access the lake. Members can launch canoes, kayaks or non gas powered boats, there. Enjoy!

8/11/2007

Did I miss this on the web site or is it untrue? I recently heard that Board member Peterson's company is the one doing the construction on the new apartments being built in Lake Forest and that the petitions are against. Is this true? Isn't he the new President of the Board?

That is true.  Service on the Board of Directors is voluntary and unpaid.  We should not expect our directors, who are giving of their time for the community, to let that service interfere with the performance of the job that provides their livelihood.  However, when there is the appearance of a conflict of interest, the members should expect the director that is affected to excuse himself or herself from the question at hand.  I believe that is what has been done in this case.  Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I believe Director Peterson has not participated in the discussion on the Grand Pointe Apartments for just that reason.

8/10/2007

A few more things about the church issue . . . one resident has seen the church's application to the BZA - in it, the church states that they will meet on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Sundays from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. Also, they did not have any plans for "off site" parking (parking other than on the church property). They also listed their membership base as 100 members . . . oh, great . . . so three times a week we'll have at least 50 cars up and down a cul de sac with some of them (probably) parking in the cul de sac . . . much less when their "membership" base grows and there are more vehicles on such a small street. It was heard that the BZA has requested that the church submit their "site" plans asap. Also, the church has been meeting (and continues to meet - reservations confirmed through the City of Daphne who rents the Pavillion) at the Bay Front Park Drive Pavillion . . . this property is owned by the city and is rented out to "groups", i.e., weddings, parties, etc.

8/10/2007

There were about a dozen or so residents who attended the Special Board meeting last night (8/8/07) . . . first item on the agenda was the "church" issue which caused one of the board members to recuse himself from the discussion since he's on the BZA . . . the board approved a mailer to all Lake Forest residents regarding both issues - the church and the apartments . . .the mailer should be going out asap. The board also approved the hiring of Jerry Speegle, an attorney in Mobile, to represent the interests of LFPOA on a continuing basis - not just for the instant issues. We still need residents to sign petitions, attend the Aug. 20 City Council meeting and the Sept. 6 BZA meeting . . . get the word out! THERE WILL BE A MEETING ON AUGUST 14 AT 6:30 P.M. AT THE 19TH HOLE TO CONTINUE OUR PARTICIPATION AND STRATEGIES IN THE APARTMENT AND CHURCH ISSUES . . . PLEASE ATTEND!

It has also been reported that the board cancelled their previous plan to vote the common property.  They also voted to write letters of opposition to both the apartment expansion issue and the "church" issue.   One would have to say that our humble little website is providing a valuable service to Lake Forest.  That is, unless you believe that these actions are only coincidental to all of the discussions that have been taking place here about those issues . 

Reportedly, Henry moved to withdraw all motions from previous meetings regarding the voting common property matter.  One wonders what Robert's Rule of Order has to say about the ability to backdate action like that.   The motions were made and passed.  They cannot be withdrawn.  The decisions can be cancelled by subsequent motions as was done in this case.

8/9/2007

I'm hearing reports of last night's special board meeting.  Please send more so that I can corroborate some of the stories.

8/9/2007

Mitch: After attending a meeting on 8/7/07 regarding the apartments and church issues, it appears that NO ONE can contact the Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) members. This group is an independent board and are all volunteers and have nothing to do with the City Council . . . if someone (concerned resident) contacts (in person, vial mail, via email, etc.) one of the BZA board members, then that BZA board member MAY HAVE TO recuse himself from the issue . . . which would skew the voting results of the BZA board since there are only 5 members. As a reminder . . . August 20th is the hearing for the apartments and Sept. 6 is the BZA hearing for the "church" issue - PLEASE ATTEND BOTH MEETINGS if you want to live in a "residential" Lake Forest . . .

8/9/2007

Grande Pointe Apartments has not been to the City Council yet.  No clearing activity has begun on that site.  Please, do not start unfounded rumors.  There is enough of that to go around.  The only activity on the apartment site was brush cutting to allow for topographic surveys and tree location work.

Thanks for the information.  You do know that a surveyor can do his job in the woods.  Also according to the other source, the area was not trimmed, it was clear cut.  Few trees, if any, are left so what do you mean by "tree location".  The other contributor also told me that there are plumbing supplies out there.  It sure sounds like someone thinks they are going to build.  Perhaps the other source was looking at a spot other than the Grand Pointe Apartments.  Is anyone aware of any other construction going on along the Lake 9?  I am told that you have a very nice view of the lake now from the Lake 9.  That is, of course, until they actually build something there.

I believe your best bet is the City of Daphne Public Works Department.  Perhaps someone can remind us of who took Ken Eslava's place as Public Works Director.

8/8/2007  Regarding the Church issue

They should not have been clearing land without an approved site plan.  All buildings of this type require a planning commission approval for the site to insure it meets development standards. What we have here, if land is cleared without these permits, is another law violation to add to the list.  Who allowed them to clear the property?  Are there tree protection violations as well?  Ed Kirby should be able to stop whatever work was started.

8/8/2007

Well, it appears that the Grand Pointe Apartments got the permission they needed from the City Council.  They've already started clearing.  Do you suppose the8/9/2007 association could sign up some new non-voting members or do you think they will simply go out on the Lake 9 and play without permission?   Boy!  New apartments!  New churches!  One would never know that the real estate market was in a slump!

8/6/2007

Some of the reports on the people involved with the group that is supposedly trying to build the church have been less than flattering.  While things like traffic violations and bankruptcies may not generate much confidence on the part of the residents, they do not necessarily mean that they are not sincere in their mission.  One of the issues that should be of concern in the opinion of this writer is whether or not they have the ability to follow through on their plan.   Do they have the financial resources to do it right?   Or, would they get something started that may never be completed and then end up leaving a mess for someone else to live with or clean up?  Does their plan even call for a facility that will meet the standards of the community?  We've have had the skeletons of good intentions left behind in Lake Forest before.   That is one of the places that the zoning board should direct their attention.

8/6/2007

Mitch: URGENT - UPDATE: We have been "barking up the wrong tree" in regard to the "church" property . . . it is NOT the City of Daphne/City Council we need to inundate with our thoughts . . . it is the City's BOARD OF ZONING ADJUSTMENTS (BZA). Per responses from Gus Palumbo and Cathy Barnette - it is the BZA who will make the decision - city council has NOTHING to do with zoning. The hearing by the BZA on the "church" matter is set for Sept. 6 at City Hall. The members of the BZA are: Glen Swaney, Chairman 629 Bayhill Drive Daphne, AL 36526 626-0217 Billy Mayhand, Vice Chairman P. O. Box 373 Daphne, AL 36526 626-2782 Walter Crimmins, Secretary 44 Lake Shore Drive Daphne, AL 36526 626-9506 Jeri Hargis 1025 Sea Cliff North Daphne, AL 626-6114 Willie Robison 560 Stuart Street Daphne, AL 36526 626-3001 WRITE LETTERS AND CALL THESE BZA MEMBERS PRIOR TO THE SEPT. 6 HEARING.

8/6/2007

I took a look at the property they are clearing for this "church". Sure enough, it is getting prepared for something. That last entry was pretty interesting. So, what we have here is 7 people, several who have shady records, building something that is not exactly a church? Come on guys, there has to be someone who smells a fish! I do.

8/6/2007

Rumor has it that as of Friday there are no candidates for the Board of Directors.  The one that was reported by the GM in the last newsletter has reportedly withdrawn.  Please consider serving your community in this important position.  Several of you have suggested that it would be crazy for anyone to get involved in such a "snake pit".  I disagree.  What is particularly disturbing to this writer is that many have used the example of my treatment by just a few members toward the end of my service as the reason.   Allow me to assure you that the events of that period do not characterize the whole of my term of service.  Over the ten years that I served our community there were many, many happy and deeply satisfying occasions.   Those occasions were in the vast majority.  Not a week would go by that members would not approach me to offer their gratitude for the effort.  That is the truth.  Our volunteer directors during those years established an excellent track record.  A great deal was accomplished and Lake Forest is better for their service.  How can I possibly take an negative view of the experience just because of a handful of people that are not even worth the time it would take to name them?  I cannot.  Lake Forest needs intelligent and thoughtful people to serve on the LFPOA Board of Directors.  I am sure that those that do so will also end their terms with that same sense of personal satisfaction.   The deadline is sometime this week.  Please consider offering your name. 

Regards,

Mitch Davis

8/6/2007

Mitch: UPDATE of Restoration Fellowship Ministries: Per Dun & Bradstreet report: they list their address in Daphne as 6200 Bay Front Park Drive - which is the pavilion at the end of Bay Front Park Drive - which I believe is owned by the City of Daphne.

Also, according to other sources which personally have paid Dun & Bradstreet for the information - not ONLY has Restoration Fellowship Ministries listed the SIC Code 8399 - Social Service (Churches being SIC Code 8661), but Restoration Fellowship Ministries has listed two additional SIC Codes: (1) 8322 - Individual and Family Social Services and (2) 8611 - Business Associations. None of these mention being a "church" . . . the Dun & Bradstreet File Number for Restoration Fellowship Ministries is 79-061-7828 ... and the information was personally supplied via the internet by Starling King - one of the members of this so-called "church". SIC Code: 8322: activity centers; adoption services; adult day care centers; aid to families; alcoholism counseling; centers for senior citizens; child guidance; counseling; crisis centers; disaster services; family counseling; marriage counseling; meal delivery; public welfare; etc. SIC Code 8611: better business bureaus; boards of trade; business associations - other than civic and social; chambers of commerce; contractor's associations; growers' associations; junior chamber of commerce; merchants' associations; public utility associations; real estate boards; shipping and steamship; and trade associations. AGAIN, there is no mention of "church" in any of these SIC Codes.

I have cut and pasted all of the contributions related to this issue to the page containing the original letter.  I hope the appropriate governmental personnel see it before making any decision to alter the zoning status of the area.

8/6/2007

There are a number of large dead trees in the mediums. If these were to go down and hit a car someone could be killed. I remember a similar event in Atlanta a few years ago. Part of a large live oak tree fell on a car containing a family of four. Only the father lived. Shouldn't management be pointing these out to the city to be taken down. Is management sleeping or just not know their job is to point out problems for the city to take care of if necessary to keep our members safe. These trees have been dead for months! Do your job!!! Hurricane season is on the way!

8/4/2007

Mitch:  If you look at the documents attached to the 7/31/07 email regarding the "church" property . . . the last document is a profile of Restoration Fellowship Ministries provided by Manta who receives their information from Dun & Bradstreet . . .   I logged into "manta", who provided this profile service, and the U. S. Dept. of Labor's "SIC" (standard industrial classification) code for Restoration Fellowship Ministries is "8339" . . .   if you go to the U. S. Dept. of Labor's website and look up this SIC # Code, it is for "Social Services" which includes any of the following: Advocacy groups, antipoverty boards, community action agencies, community chests, community development groups, councils for social agencies (for exceptional children and poverty), fundraising organizations, health and welfare councils, health systems agencies, regional planning organizations, social change associations, social service information exchanges (alcoholism, drug addiction), and united fund councils .   Nowhere does it list "church".  However, if you type in "religious organizations" on the U. S. Dept. of Labor's website, the SIC # Code for "church" is "866".   This SIC Code includes churches, convents, monasteries, religious instruction, religious organizations, shrines, and temples . . . so, what IS Restoration Fellowship Ministries, if it is not a church????

Don't know.  But, when one of the people living in the area heard men clearing the lot, he asked them what they were doing.  They said. "We are doing the Lord's work.  We are going to build a church."  I still cannot understand why they would want to do it in such a remote, hard to get to area.  According to the reports, the company was only started in 2006.  Do they even have a congregation?

8/3/2007

Found an interesting website on Google today.  Check it out.

8/3/2007

I sure hope that this church idea is a big joke. I live on Montclair Loop, and I would certainly protest that construction. Might as well put up a Rite Aid on the corner as well. While we are at it, a nice Burger King would look great near the 11th hole. That would be great, pray, eat, and get prescriptions filled while never leaving Lake Forrest.

I don't think anyone is joking.  The question is whether the authorities with control over zoning take it seriously or not.

8/1/2007

Sorry folks, I forgot to put this out last night.

8/1/2007

A Lake Forest resident is looking for somebody to come to her house to feed and walk her dog while she is out of town for a few days. If you know of somebody, please call her. - Thanks!

If anyone would be willing to help this person out, simply drop a note to the Weblord via and the information will be passed on to the member.

8/1/2007

All the following information was obtained through public records. 7 individuals make up Restoration Fellowship Ministries, Inc.  One lives in Mobile.  The others live in Daphne - but not in Lake Forest.  Restoration Fellowship Ministries, Inc. was incorporated on 12/6/2006.  They purchased the property on July 16, 2007.  They obtained a mortgage through BankTrust in the amount of $45,500.00 on July 16, 2007.  Six of the individuals have some traffic violation on record - mostly speeding.  One has a domestic violence record.  Three have filed bankruptcy since 2002.  If I find out anything else, I'll let you know.

The names of the seven individuals were included in the contribution.  However, the Weblord decided not to publish them.  Although this information has not been authenticated by the Weblord, as stated, it is public record, if anyone really wants to find out.

7/31/2007

I have just found out over the weekend (7/29/07) that at the end of Bradbury Court extension - a dirt road off Bradbury Court (I live at Montclair Loop and Bradbury Court), that a church is being constructed off of Bradbury Court Extension Road. What will this do to traffic in Lake Forest - especially on Montclair Loop and Bradbury Court (a very short street) . . . also, how can a commercial building be constructed when this is in a residential area? Does anyone have more information on this new development? I have emailed my councilman, but haven't heard back as yet.

7/31/2007

I have discovered that there is a group trying to get approval to build a church just off of Bradbury Circle in Lake Forest.  It just does not seem like an appropriate location and there does not seem to be much known about the organization.  I don't believe Lake Forest is zoned for this type of business, but I am told that schools and churches may be excepted from normal zoning rules.  I have already walked around part of the neighborhood to let as many people as I can know about it.  I would appreciate it if you would put this on the website so that more people may be reached.  The people in this area need to investigate this idea and show up at the zoning meeting to voice their opinions.  I have attached a copy of a letter that I have written to the City Council.  (See documents) I hope that others will also become involved.

My wife and I drove around that area over the weekend and I just cannot see why anyone would even want to open any kind of business there, including a church.  Not only is normal access through Lake Forest a little more difficult than the ordinary, but this spot is so far off the beaten path that it would a bear for people unfamiliar with the neighborhood to reach.  It is actually in an area within the subdivision that is not really part of the subdivision.  To get to it one much drive down a very narrow alley about the size of a small residential driveway in Lake Forest.  In fact, it is a driveway to a couple of homes that were here prior to the development of Lake Forest.  At the very least it would seem that the city would have to require a pretty significant investment in infrastructure such as roads, water and sewer before they would allow a business, church or otherwise, to go back there.   It is off of Montclair Loop on the south side of the subdivision.

© 2007 Michael Davis All Rights Reserved