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Sounds of the Grapevine
The Sounds of the Grapevine is a
meant to be a fun, information and gossip column that should not be
taken too seriously, but may give the readers some insight into
happenings in Lake Forest. The webmaster makes no promises of
accuracy, but does promise not to print out and out lies like other
community publications. Vulgarity will not be allowed.
Nothing that could be considered libelous will be printed. Anyone
who is interested in Lake Forest is welcome to contribute. Unless
the contributor specifically asks that we do so, we will not print his
or her name. However, we will not accept anything that is
anonymous. The
text that is seen in italicized print is usually a cut & paste of
someone's contribution. Anything submitted may be filtered to
avoid the above mentioned no-nos. Determining what will be placed
on the Sounds of the Grapevine column is at the sole discretion of the
webmaster. Statements proceeded by a
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5/31/2006
5/30/2006 The Spectrum is improving and no we should not print out own paper, this is costing us nothing and they are selling the ads....o.k. maybe some bulk mailing costs. Too many articles by Mike Sager. Yes, and the fact he writes about his wife, should have been submitted by some else.... Why, oh why, can't the President of the Board put his byline (name) on his articles...should we assume its his writings, do we all know who is writing that little info article? I think that when you submit an article (no matter who you are) you should always use your name, TAKE CREDIT FOR YOUR WRITING AND TAKE BLAME FOR ANYTHING THAT IS WRONG IN IT.....if you're not big enough to sign an article, then you shouldn't be writing something to be printed. Please consider not printing anything in the Spectrum unless the author is known. 5/30/2006 Lake Photo Gallery updated. 5/30/2006 I understand that breakfast at the 19th hole is a flop. Still serving on Saturdays though....how many eat? Do you know that a large amount of people go out for buffet or breakfast on Sunday mornings? Why doesn't the board realize this? Some members go to Timbercreek to eat in large groups. Is there any interest in the 19th hole making a brunch available? How do these things pass the board up? Maybe because they haven't been asked to join these groups? It's easy to lose money on food....looks like we're just digging that hole....
5/29/2006 Talk about a HYPOCRITE! Henry Lawson practically spit blood over the issue of including member's comments in its entirety. Wonder why? Well, it's of course because he wanted to see his own name in print! And his buddies too of course. Things are different now that he's on the other side of the table. Now every meeting goes into executive session and no comments are printed. Nothing's out in the open anymore. Chicken. 5/29/2006 Hello! No child should be left at the YC after 9pm unescorted! What are you people thinking? In this day of abduction, kidnapping, and missing children? The last time I looked we had five (5) convicted sex offenders in Daphne posted on the internet....you need to believe there are more in our area! Do you really want your pre-teen, teen, adolescent, alone (after 9pm) watching the adults drink and eat, yes, some people go to the YC to just drink! Face it, when the kitchen's closed, children have no reason to be there! Hungry? You'll have to go elsewhere! A concerned parent!
As with many submissions to the Grapevine, this issue was presented to stimulate discussion. We have a Yacht Club and marina. What services do we offer that are appropriate for a such a facility? What more can we do to improve the revenue/expense ratio? As members, we have access to some beautiful amenities in Lake Forest. We all should be willing to offer up some ideas to make them better. 5/28/2006
5/28/2006
"Lawson requested a motion to rescind a previous board decision to omit or delete member comments from previous meeting minutes. Motion was made by Fassbender and seconded by Moss." Isn't that interesting. Of course, we must remember that this was at a time when Henry was working to complete his mentor's agenda. You may recall his discussions about getting rid of the attorney. Now, it seems that they have come to the conclusion that member comments do not belong in the minutes. Well, Robert's Rule of Order would agree. However, it seems a little odd that what is correct today was incorrect yesterday. Isn't there an expression for this? Oh yes, "two-faced". Or, maybe they are beginning to realize that, like themselves, the previous boards were trying to do the right thing for Lake Forest. 5/27/2006
5/27/2006
5/27/2006 It is our interpretation that the people that have sent in their comments and opinions on minor children at the yacht club, we don't understand, is it the will of the people or the board to not have our minor children at the yacht club? Or, is the yacht club a place to where family people can go, that includes our children. I know on my street that there are many families that want to use the yacht club and not have such restrictions on their children as well. Most of us family people enjoy being with our family. So is the membership of the people of Lake Forest suppose to assume that children are not welcome? 5/26/2006 $200 or more for some people is quite a bit- maybe even food money for a month or prescription co-pays for a month. We live in a middle class neighborhood that is being squeezed by rising gas prices, food, and of course insurance companies. If the mailboxes are a problem ( some are shabby), a coat of paint could do wonders for very little $$. Why don't we have a paint our mailbox day and involve the neighborhood teenagers--with permission of the homeowners ?? 5/26/2006 I just read the comments about the Yacht Club...service, food quality etc. Granted I have not lived in Lake Forest as long as many others. However, the Yacht Club is probably the favorite destination for me and my family...including taking the grandkids for a light dinner. Debbie has done a very good job with the menue that she has. The food is always well prepared and tasty. Sure the menu is limited...but no restaurant can invest in food inventory that isn't consumed. More use by the members and she might be able to expand on the menu. How many people went to the club for the Saturday dinner specials? They were always nice dinners at a great price. Too few attendees. And, I don't think there is a server in any restaurant in the county that is as polite and efficient as Milton. Sure...the Yacht Club is not the place to take minors after a certain hour...but the same would hold true for the lounge at the Country Club and the 19th hole. Those throwing stones at the Yacht Club...probably haven't been there in a while. I recommend that they go give it another chance. If we, the members, use it; increase the revenues...then maybe some additional funds can be found to dress it up a bit more. To the Yacht Club staff I say..."keep up the good work".
5/25/2006 Regarding the comment about the mailbox idea that's "not going to happen". You're right, it's probably not going to happen, but it should. Of course every mailbox need not be identical. The idea was originally intended to get the truly substandard mailboxes replaced. The problem is, of course, that the people with the worst mailbox's don't care about their property. And don't give me the lack of money excuse because a mailbox can be made by hand for practically nothing, if need be. This seems like a silly subject unless you live on a street full these eyesores. I think this is a new issue for the Architectural Dept. to enforce. 5/25/2006 The Yacht Club age rule has been there for some time. It is based on the idea that the place is nothing more than a lounge. Some would like to see the Yacht Club evolve into a more complete facility. The Yacht Club is one place where our membership should be able to go and enjoy a pleasant atmosphere and a quality meal. With the limited menu and staffing there, it is not likely to occur. For all the opportunity that exists there, the results are actually very poor. Look at the food and beverage sales and compare it to any place on the bay that is comparable. While I see that we sell a total F&B at the Yacht Cl ub of around $250,000 a year. The Bluegill or something similar on the causeway can do that in less than a month. This begs the question...What are we doing to keep people away? Could it be the sign you are talking about? Could it be the appearance of the place? Could it be the service? Could it be the type and style of food? Could it be that we do not promote it enough? We do need to search for answers and not accept the pat answer from those that have been there.."It has always been that way". I absolutely expect better and each member here should, also. The Yacht Club should be a place where a member can go and enjoy a nice dinner, watch the sunset, be kindly served and walk away feeling special for having it available. It is my belief that the Yacht Club can make us money. How many of our families eat out each week? Where do they go? The compensation package had been presented to board members, but there were some details to work out in regard to benefits. Those issues will be resolved upon acceptance by Mr. Block. Pretty standard way to do business actually. One last thing to gnaw on. There is currently discussion about offering incentives to staff based on sales performance. We already do this for the golf pro. He gets paid commission on green fees and cart fees. The detailed financials outline these amounts. He is encouraged to create golf interest and tournament fees. That produces a win-win for our members. Increase the revenue and the operating loss is decreased or eliminated. Why shouldn't we consider this approach on the Food and Beverage operation as well?
The age rule thing is silly. Unattended kids under 21 who cannot buy booze are probably not interested in spending time in a smoke filled bar. 5/24/2006
5/24/2006 How in the world can the board hire a manager, or the applicant accept this manager's position without first agreeing to compensation and negotiating a package agreement. Was there an undercover agreement reached? 5/24/2006
I did notice one thing interesting. There was a sign posted saying the following
No one under 21 years of age Now, what do you suppose provoked a rule like that? What is magic about 9:00pm? Granted, since one has to be 21 years old to buy alcohol and there is not much else to do in the Yacht Club but buy the stuff, why would someone under 21 want to be there anyway? I have heard that kids dominate karaoke occasionally, but that could be solved without banning them from the club. I have also heard that at least one couple has been made to feel uncomfortable for bringing their child on Friday nights. That's too bad. But, exactly why do we need a rule like this? You don't suppose that some of the "grownups" don't want children to see them after they've had a few drinks, do you? Let's see. Does this mean that if one is 20 years old and married with two kids, one can't come to the Yacht Club without momma? I still have to wonder why kids under 21 would want to be there after nine anyway. Of course, if the rowdy adults would just behave themselves, they wouldn't have to worry about someone else's kid telling their own kid what momma or daddy was doing at the club the other night. So, I have to conclude that this rule is to protect the rowdy drunks from being embarrassed. 5/23/2006 From a director . . . From the stated meeting: The GM position apparently will be offered to Mr. Russell Block. The compensation will be approved at a later date after the officers meet with him and negotiate a package, assuming he accepts. There was a big discussion on the use of the golf course for landscaping by owners that abut it. It was agreed to take action to protect our interests and property from adverse possession. The budget will be amended and submitted at a later date. Since Mr. Wetzel has left his position this may take a while. Steve Jernudd has interviewed candidates and anticipates a replacement by June 1. Brice Cocke has continued to attempt to allow other development's POAs to be corporate members in lieu of joining as an individual non-voting member. The board voted to establish a policy that property owners associations, condominium owners associations and apartment complexes cannot be considered for a corporate membership. This should end Mr. Cocke's continued efforts to allow our amenities to be used by individuals within these groups for a minimum fee. Thank Goodness!!! It was reported that all pools will be ready for Memorial Weekend. The Yacht Club has found an additional five dry slips, now up to seventy four. This is a good recurring revenue stream at $30 or so a month. We seriously should consider increasing them slightly. They sure fill up fast at these prices.. If they bumped them up just ten dollars a month it would mean over eight thousand dollars annually. The new website is continuing to get better. The board also went into executive session to discuss legal issues and individual behavior. This is all I can remember about the meeting. A member comment was noted as follows: Mrs. Werner asked that the board consider publishing the Spectrum to make it a better paper.
Some years ago, when the issue of encroachment on the golf course was discussed, we asked our attorney for a legal opinion. Based on his recommendation, the board decided to send a certified letter to the property owners involved. The letter essentially said that they had encroached on Lake Forest property and that the association was notifying them of that and stating that lack of legal action on our part did not mean that the association was surrendering ownership. The property is and will continue to be the property of Lake Forest Property Owners Association. While the exact wording may have been different, that was essentially the message. Apparently, the attorney thought that the notification was sufficient to protect the association. Regarding the Spectrum, years ago, when the association published the newsletter in-house, it looked cheap and amateurish. There are some examples on file in the office. It also cost us over twenty thousand dollars a year to produce due to printing and postage costs. Mrs. Werner is doing a very nice job with the Spectrum. It is very unlikely that the board will be able to come up with an in-house product that justifies a change in publishers. 5/23/2006 Deloney is a two face and a liar. All of his finger-pointing lies started when he failed on his own lake committee. He would have made a good politician... committees, meetings, name-dropping, and in the end, no results. "Wish him Health, happiness, and peace of mind." Yea right. He needs to start making amends, it's hot where he's headed.
5/23/2006 At the stated meeting hiring a G.M. was discussed. Also, Tomasina suggested that the spectrum be printed in color on glossy paper (similar to a magazine she displayed) and she said maybe we could print it ourselves...(a press will cost $$$$ that is really not practical, this idea is similar to the mailbox idea---NOT GOING TO HAPPEN !!!) Bryce and Barrows almost came to blows over the rejection by the board of a corporate membership. The board went into private session to discuss behavior of a member?? Mr.Cocke felt that is was about him and wanted the meeting to be public. But, as usual the slate of 5 carried the vote for executive session -secrecy ?? 5/23/2006 I think the board talks a lot about nothing. The food and beverage was in the hole $6000. Surprise!! Barrow and BT were almost in a rumble. It was loud for several minutes. 5/22/2006
5/21/2006 A couple of submissions came in on the same subject.
5/20/2006 That muddy photo was meant more to show how high the lake was cresting after that last storm, barely 6 inches from spilling over. Imagine after a major storm or hurricane. Do you realize that the water must have been flowing nearly 3 feet deep over the damn during that major rainfall we had last year. I have a hard time believing that is possible, but that beer can says it did.
5/19/2006 Someone please report on the Stated Meeting last night. 5/19/2006
5/18/2006
5/17/2006 From a director . . . It should be stated for those interested that the LFPOA Board of Directors has not authorized Dick Scott to speak to the City of Daphne on our behalf. He must represent the Lake Forest Yacht Club, Inc. They use the facility owned solely by the LFPOA. 5/16/2006 I think that someone should look into placing vending machines at the pools that have enclosed areas. if you can't do that then maybe think of a concession stand idea that can make Lake Forest money but also keep the people at the pool, at the pool and not constantly running to the house or to the store for refreshments. Plus it would help out the life guards with staying hydrated and they wouldn't have to leave only 1 person there to go get a drink.
5/15/2006
5/14/2006
5/14/2006
5/12/2006
5/12/2006 From a Director . . . The only place that makes sense for a Marina for Daphne is Bay Front, they already own it. That is also the only way to get the channel dredged through the Blakely Bar. LFPOA has a Corp of Engineers Permit to do just that. The guesstimated cost is between $500,000 dollars and $1,000,000. LFPOA does not have that kind of money. In our mind a boat ramp for the public is needed. If the City wants to have a Marina they obviously can. 5 votes and some tax payers money and it is a reality. I hope there is genuine interest. It would be good for the fishing, bird watching and boating community, directly. If there was access to the Bay and Gulf from Daphne, Daphne, Montrose, Fairhope, Spanish Fort and Baldwin County folks would all benefit. The property values in the entire area would go up. We do not see a down side, if it is done properly. The entire area would be better off. It would seem to us that Baldwin County, Fairhope, Montrose, Spanish Fort and any right thinking volunteer organization would want to join in and help make it a reality. The D'Olive Bay Restoration&Preservation Committee, Inc. is willing do what ever we would be ask to do that is within our power to accomplish. Brice Cocke, Chairman 5/11/2006
5/11/2006 From a Director . . . I guess it is time to speak about the renovation, or revitalization of Lake Forest again. When thinking of revitalization of our subdivision, several areas come to mind. The entrances are one area where a little investment can make a huge impression. The perception of an established community with amenities that most dream about is lost many times by the first impression. That first impression is fairly good at the Hwy 90 entrance, with a fountain and stone entrance wall that is lighted and aesthetically pleasing. Other entrances are totally different. Lawson Road has a small brick sign painted white with black letters. A few shrubs surround this sign and grass and weeds are all around it. Imagine coming into that entrance and seeing a beautifully landscaped entrance with a very classy and pleasing sign. Does that change your first impression of Lake Forest? Some think it would do just that. As I am not sure that it does, it can instill a sense of pride amongst our homeowners and we could see yards and homes better kept as a result. That is what revitalization is about. Each home and every amenity being as nice as we can do. With community pride working in this way, along with strong covenant enforcement, the neighborhood becomes more desirable to live in. With that desire will come increases in property values. Everyone benefits when we do these things.
5/11/2006
5/10/2006 I just wanted to inform you that the story you have posted on your website is totally bogus, I spoke with Capt. Kenneth Blalock of the Alabama Freshwater Fisheries Dept. on the Causeway and he said none of his game wardens have ever seen a gator this big and that the world record is unconfirmed at roughly 19' or so and that there is probably no such thing in the world of a 23' gator. Just letting you know so nobody gets misled and rumors don't get started and everyone abandons the causeway b/c there scared of MONSTER gators. Here is one site I found and it says 19' 2" and was found in LA http://www.nps.gov/ever/eco/gator.htm and this is a .gov sight for the everglades. Thanks,
5/10/2006
5/9/2006
5/7/2006
5/6/2006
5/6/2006
Over the years there have be a number of initiatives to search for a solution to the Lake Forest lake problem. When Malcolm Macphee was president of the association, one of these efforts brought together representatives from several private and government agencies. Some time later another such group including many of the same people was assembled once again. Unfortunately, neither of these initiatives were successful at finding a solution. Presently in 2006 another group including representatives of several government entities is trying to succeed where those in the past have not. John Peterson is serving as Lake Chairman and working closely with this team. The above narrative describes at least four separate, unrelated initiatives on the part of numerous people dedicated to finding a solution to the watershed problem on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. This writer is not aware of any offers of grants by the Governor of Alabama. Furthermore, there is no evidence that anyone with the City of Daphne or the Lake Forest Board of Directors ever interfered with the efforts that have been made over the years. 5/6/2006
5/5/2006
5/4/2006
5/4/2006 From a director . . . All is quiet, but not from a lack of accomplishments or efforts underway. The improvement committee met last night and I did not get to attend. I understand that there will be a joint effort between the City of Daphne, the LFPOA, and other clubs to enhance the entrances. We should hear about this at the next board meeting. The improvement of our entrances is a first step in revitalization of the area. What will be next?? Other efforts are out there. We will be asking Toni Fassbender to take a look at the dry slips, which are 100% occupied, and compare our rates to other facilities on the bay. Our understanding is that our dry slip rents are close to a third or less of standard storage fees of similar nature. While I support providing conveniences for our members, I cannot understand why we should not be closer to the market in this area. With 69 slips, if the price went up $15 a month, we are loking at an increase in revenue(at 100% occupancy) of over twelve thousand dollars ($12420). This should be given serious consideration. It is time we, as an association, take advantage of our resources and assets to make business decisions that will lead to improving our facilities. With limited borrowing capacity, we are forced to make improvements out of pocket. Every area that is grossly under priced will need to get looked at for increases. We can still be a bargain, but within reason. Board members are also working hard to review the insurance situation. You know it was reported that our premiums went up near $60,000 this year. There are areas of savings. We pay a considerable amount of insurance on the Swim and Racquet Club building that stands basically unoccupied. Other facilities are insured for thousands more than they can be replaced for. In total, we can save some thousands of dollars from this review effort. There is also some bad news on the employee front. The comptroller, James Wetzel has tendered his resignation. He has taken other work in Mobile. Steve Jernudd will be looking for a replacement and that ad is running. We may see some delays in the May monthly due to this changeover. It will depend on how fast the replacement is found. We hate to see James go, he was a valuable part of the financial team. The last item I will speak about is the GM position fill. Looks like additional interviews will be conducted soon and hopefully a permanent GM put in place. This process, started way before the October election, has taken much too long.
5/3/2006
5/2/2006
5/2/2006
5/2/2006
5/1/2006
5/1/2006
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