LAKE GASTON ASSOCIATION

Minutes (approved) Director’s Meeting – August 5, 2009

Lake Gaston Baptist Church Littleton, North Carolina - 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 Doug Hughes

Pledge of Allegiance:  Led by President Hughes

Moment of Silence:  Led by President Hughes

Visitors:  There were 21 guests including two members of the press; Judith Forrest Littleton Observer and Mary Lou Stimson Lake Gaston Gazette

Director/Executive Attendance:  Doug Hughes, John Cataldo, Linda Hedgepeth, Jack Saunders, Moira Underwood, Ron Skow, John Boyle, Ralph Domach, Fred Kneisel, Laura Kolb, Patrick Dempsey, David Duxbury, Lenny Turner, Bill La Monte

Guest Speaker:  Gus Best, President, Lake Gaston Computer Club. Mr Best gave an excellent presentation which included:

• The computer club was started in 1996 as a group of ‘friends-helping-friends’ with computer usage. At the time there were no computer stores or computer repair facilities anywhere in the area, including Roanoke Rapids.

• To date the club has donated 80 refurbished computers to those in need of one without the ability to buy one.

• The club has repaired/upgraded over 400 computers since 2001 using facilities at HCC. They are open Mondays 9Am to 3PM

• The club offers free training courses at HCC and a mentor program for helping people understand/use their computers.

• The club provides a $500 (computer education related) scholarship to HCC every year.

• He reported on the new Microsoft Windows 7 program and how transition to 7 from Vista should be easy, but that transition to Windows XP probably won’t work and that Vista support ends in April 2011 and there is no longer any Microsoft XP support.

• The club has 280 households as members at $20.00 per year (pro-rated quarterly)

• The next club meeting is September 8tha t the Littleton Community Center.

• The club web site is: www.lakegastoncc.org . There were several questions and comments from the audience. President Hughes thanked Mr. Best for his presentation.

Secretary’s Report:  Bill La Monte – Approval of July’s minutes

Treasurer’s Report:  Jack Saunders –

• Provided an update on the budget and showed we continue to operate below the planned budget.

• Requested Board approval for changing the budget year from Fiscal to Calendar Year. It was approved.

Committee Reports:

Marketing (Bill La Monte)

• Requested volunteers for the LGCoC Golf Tournament on 12 August

• Stated there is a standard sponsor ad for any LGA sponsor activity

• Reported on the new Business Renewal Letter

• Advised Marketing will start its 2010 plan this September

Planning & Development:  (Jack Saunders)

• Reported on the Center for Watershed Protection and the need to get as many groups as possible involved in watershed protection.

• Mentioned one citizens complaint about Dominion not keeping the lake at the 204 foot level and their not being able to get their boat out. There was never a 204 foot basic level for the lake. It is 199 feet.

Note: Dominion Power thanked the LGA for its efforts in keeping the lake citizenry informed on lake issues and for helping resolve citizen complaints.

  Lake Environment/Aquatic Weed:  (Jack Saunders for Vernon Wilson)

• Lake Environment Management (LEM) training will be held on 27 August at 10:30AM at the EFG&G. NC State will be conducting the training.

Safety:  (John Cataldo)

• The Gasburg Fire Department will be the recipient of the August Plaque of Appreciation at the Fire Department on August 18th at 7:30PM.

• Is looking for a way to help decrease crime in the five county area. Contact will be made with the associated police departments and crime statistics will be provided to the public. Fern Cliff had a vehicle break-in (was unlocked) and Timber Creek had 5 break-ins, and 3 thefts from boats.

• One citizen expressed concern about the Lizard Creek WakeBoard School operating hazardously and with an unregistered boat.

 Membership:  (David Duxbury)

• Reported there were only 114 non-renewals for 2009. The lowest in many years.

• Thanked various members for their support in membership issues, especially Moira Underwood.

Government Relations:  (Ron Skow)

• Reported on the various tax rates in the five county area.

• Reported on the status of county budgets for weed control on the lake.

• Stated the committee is studying/evaluating the possibility of a Political Action Committee and the attempt to establish a “Lake Gaston Township (or like community).

• Reported Northampton County is having a Community Day on August 29th.

Executive Director:  Moira Underwood

• Because this is an extensive report, it will soon be found on the LGA Web Site.

Presidents Comments:  Doug Hughes

• Advised there is a need for committee help on a few of the committees

• Requested committee chairs to update their committee membership and goals.

• Advised a new survey is in the offing and inputs are needed soonest so the survey can be completed in a timely manner.

• Advised the web site is under review and he hopes to have it completely reworked by the end of the year.

Old Business:  None

New Business:

The meeting was properly adjourned at 11:35AM

The next meeting will be Wednesday, September 2nd at 9:30AM

Respectfully Submitted

William La Monte

Secretary