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LAKE GASTON ASSOCIATION Minutes (approved) Director’s Meeting – October 1st, 2008
Lake Gaston Baptist Church -9:30AM, First Wednesday
Mission: To identify lake issues affecting our membership and pursue resolution with the responsible organizations.
Location: Lake Gaston Baptist Church Littleton, North Carolina
Convened BY: President John Cataldo at 9:30AM
Pledge of Allegiance: Led by President Cataldo
Moment of Silence: An inspirational reading was provided by Bill Lindenmuth.
Visitor Introductions: Brunswick Co; Jerry Thompson, Ron George, Wally Salyco, Halifax Co; Charles Hines, Bill Atwood, Dan Hayes, Sam D’amico, Stuart Lamm, Mecklenburg Co; Fred Taylor, Northampton Co; Bruce & Lavetta Johnson, Roger West, Warren Co; Ron Skow, Rich & Emily Thomas, Betty Mazor, Pete Deschenes, Jean & David Varney, Shirley Jones, Katherine Sears, Linda Thomas, Media; Judith Font Press-Observer
Director/Executive Attendance: Present: Bill Lindenmuth, Joee Hoxter, Ralph Domach, Laura Kolb, Linda Hedgepeth, Fred Kniesel, Vernon Wilson, Quinton Qualls, Patrick Dempsey, Larry Jolly, Bill La Monte (Recorder), John Cataldo, Doug Hughes and Moira Underwood. Absent: Barbara Burgdoerfer, David Duxbury, Calvin DeShields, Bill Bryant, Lenny Turner, Jack Saunders.
Guest Speaker: Tony Brown, Halifax County Manager, assisted by Dia Denton, Halifax Assistant County Manager. Mr. Brown was introduced by Quinton Qualls. The following is a summary of Mr. Brown’s comments. He stated: …That there was no County tax increase in 2008. …That the County was able to lower the tax rate from $.86 to $.68 cents after their revaluation. ... That the County added four deputies, one investigator and one jailer to its force. …That due to Homeland Defense initiatives the County increased courthouse security to include additional security staff (including reassigning some deputies during certain court sessions) and metal detectors. …That the County jail now has video conferencing with the Courthouse so that prisoners can be processed without having to be transported to the Courthouse. …That the County was able to provide a 2% increase in operational funds for all County schools. …That the County has a progressive industrial park and is currently planning a 700 acre corporate park that will be supported by a regional airport that is projected to be open in March 2009. … That 33% of the County is Medicaid eligible and that County has spent up to $5 million a year supporting Medicaid. The state is slowly taking over the Medicaid responsibility from the County and in doing so has eliminated a ¼ cent County sales tax. …That the County does four blood drives a year. …That 85% of the County has County water and the whole county has refuse pickup. …That the County has received awards/recognition in Social Services, Finance (9 years in a row) and Emergency Medical Services.
Mr. Brown answered questions regarding: If the County has dedicated patrols around the lake (no), after 11PM manning (2-3 deputies), has Carolina Crossroads had any impact on County budget (no), what about County planned development West of I-95 (none at this time), what about widening of Hwy 158 (discussions but no firm action), the need for the five County Managers to meet and compare County strategy/planning, the effect of hydrilla on lake property sales (its becoming a problem, but no statistics available).
President Cataldo thanked our guest speaker for his remarks.
Secretary’s Report: Bill La Monte (October Volunteer) The minutes of the September 2008 meeting were approved by the board and on file on the web page.
Treasurer’s Report: Bill Lindenmuth; Provided the current financial situation which shows a possible budget surplus of about $4,000 for 2008. He asked all Committee Chairpersons to provide the Executive Committee with a proposed 2009 budget by October 31st.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Planning & Development: Fred Kniesel Met on September 19th: Reported that the committee was working protecting lake water from various forms of land runoff. That the committee was working on various P&D issues.
Nominating: Laura Kolb There was no committee meeting in September and she stated there is still a need for Director’s in Halifax and Brunswick County’s and that there is still a need for a Secretary.
Lake Environment & Aquatic Weed: Vernon Wilson Stated the Corps of Engineers initiative to re-vegetate Lake Gaston with native vegetation was put off until the Spring because the hurricane (Ike) that hit Houston caused a loss of needed vegetation and a means to transport it. A request was made for more LEM volunteers (especially West of the Eaton Ferry Bridge) so the lake vegetation survey can be completed this fall. Mr. Wilson also reported that the Weed Control Council programmed lake treatment for 2008 had been completed. He also requested that all Directors complete their Alert List updating as soon as possible.
Safety: Patrick Dempsey Met on September 12th. The committee selected the Ebony Volunteer Fire Department for September recognition. State Representative Ray is supporting the sponsorship of a North Carolina Bill (presented in a non-bill format by the LGA) mandating a safe boating course for all boat operators. Mr. Dempsey stated a need for Neighborhood Watch in the numerous sub-divisions around the lake due to an increase in crime in the area.
Membership: Moira Underwood & Laura Kolb (while David is recovering from an operation) Met on September 12th. Mrs. Underwood talked about the tax letters success in getting 55 new members (including 2 lifetime) in Halifax and Northampton Counties. That Warren, Mecklenburg and Brunswick Counties letters have gone to the printer for distribution. She stated the membership renewal letters will start going out on November 1st, and in conjunction with those letters a ‘miss you’ letter is being sent to all who did not renew in 2007. She also mentioned the need for the LGA to participate in the “Parade of Lights” on November 22nd.
Government Relations: Larry Jolly Met on 29 September. He also discussed the ongoing process of the letter to Warren County concerning the proposed East Coast Boat landing pad (LGA stance is to not allow similar boating facilities within ½ mile of each other. He also stated that there has been no recent activity on Lake Side Commons request to allow a water treatment plant on Pea hill Creek (this plant would allow for treated sewage to be dumped into Pea Hill Creek). He did say that there should be activity on this issue in the Spring. There are new state Home Owner Association laws and all HOA’s should check their covenants to make sure they comply with state law. There is still an active petition for Northampton Co. to add 2 new commissioners to their board. The Lake Gaston Township initiative is still in the works. One of the big hang-ups is determining the size of the new Township as that would dictate the amount of police coverage needed, what size emergency response system is needed. Last month the County had a Public Meeting to discuss the Revaluation Process. There was considerable citizen concern and the County decided that a Public Forum was needed to brief County residents on Revaluation and the Tax Rate. The County Manager had indicated that she would like the LGA to take the lead in setting-up the public forum. When the LGA started making contact with the County to get the forum scheduled, the County Manager said she was told by the County Commissioners that she was to put the forum together. A too bad for the LGA, but great for the citizens of the County because now all County Commissioners will be at the forum and see the concern of the citizens of the County. The next meeting will be October 20th with Chris Roundtree as the guest speaker. Note: One guest thanked the LGA for its actions in helping to defeat the zoning setback initiative in Brunswick County.
Marketing: Bill La Monte Apologized for Marketing not having the September meeting due to a family medical issue. Marketing is developing a plan for encouraging business owners to join the LGA and is spearheading the revival of the Realtor, new property owners, membership package. He stated that the LGA will be attending as many fairs/festivals as possible to put the LGA out for the people to see and talk to. The next marketing initiative will be the Halifax Co. Days on October 18th and then the Festival of Lights on 22 November. The first Marketing Committee meeting will be on October 16th.
Executive Director: Moira Underwood Stated the Oct/Nov Bulletin has been distributed. Commented on the five County letters being sent out to try and secure new members. She also commented on the ‘Miss You’ letter that was going to all former LGA members who did not renew in 2007. She also said that membership renewal letters will go out on 1 November. See attached Executive Director Report for the rest of Executive Director activities.
President Comments; Stated there will be a brief Executive Session to set a date for the Retreat follow-up.
OLD BUSINESS: None
NEW BUSINESS: None
The meeting was properly adjourned at 11:38AM.
Respectfully Submitted
William F. La Monte Acting October Secretary
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