LAKE
GASTON ASSOCIATION
Minutes (approved) Directors Meeting – January, 7. 2009
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: Led by
President Cataldo
Visitor Introductions:
Brunswick Co - Bob Biggs, Sarah Raible, Mecklenburg Co – Al Potter, Bob
Jennings, Don Dormsfellen, Fred Taylor, Northampton Co – Nancy Maguire,
Lorraine Gregory, Warren Co – Ron Skow, Dave Johnson, Nancy Lawler,
David Varney, Jean Varney, Pete Deschenes, Arlene Bice, Roland
Beauchaine, Tony Moran, Sherman Merchant, Dominion Power – Carolyn
Allen, Joe Peterson, Press – Della Batts Daily Herald, Judith Forrest
Littleton Observer
Director/Executive Attendance:
John Cataldo, Moira Underwood, Bill Lindenmuth, Ralph Domach, David
Duxbury, Laura Kolb, Linda Hedgepeth, Vernon Wilson, Patrick Dempsey,
Joee Hoxter, Bill Bryant, Quinton Qualls, Jack Saunders, Lenny Turner,
Bill La Monte. Absent: Doug Hughes, Larry Jolly, Barbara Burgdoerfer,
Calvin DeShields, Fred Kniesel.
Special Presentations: The
LGA presented hero recognition certificates to Keith King Jr., Perfecto
Casas and Bernard Thomas for their rescue of a woman found in an upside
down, burning, vehicle. Mr. Thomas was not present for the ceremony.
Guest Speaker: There was
no guest speaker so there was an open discussion. Items discussed
include:
…Can a homeowner build a multiple boat dock on the lake.
Mr. Peterson from Dominion Power said a homeowner can build only one
1250 sq ft structure on the lake.
... Problem with silt in Poplar Creek caused by runoff.
Most seems to come from farms and the county cannot regulate farm use.
It was suggested that farmers be encouraged to plant winter crops to
help reduce runoff into Poplar Creek.
…Boat owners were cautioned that ethanol treated gasoline
can eventually dissolve holes in your plastic boat gas tanks. Also
ethanol, allowed to break down in an unused gas tank in the Winter, will
create water that will not recombine with gasoline thus causing motor
problems.
NOTE: During a review of the
minutes, one of the Directors advised that some of the information
presented above was incorrect. He advised that ethanol will not
dissolve a gas tank. He also advised that to protect your boat engine a
gas additive should be used and the engine run for a short period of
time to get the additive to all parts of the motor.
…Dominion Power stated the Dominion parks on the lake are
open to everyone and there is no reservation system.
…Dominion Power stated they were conducting a 2009/10
review of shoreline management on the lake.
…There was a prolonged discussion on weed control
problems on the lake and the need for county residents to encourage the
County Commissioners/Managers of the five counties around the lake that
it is important to continue county weed control funding.
…There was also discussion on the need to increase the
grass carp population in the lake. The current standard is 10 grass
carp per acre. The LGA would like to see a change to 15 carp per acre.
…The County Commissioners/Managers need to know that
unchecked weeds on the lake effects all the county’s income and tax
potential. Weeds reduce access to the lake and that effects property
sales/taxes, weeds also cause a loss of employment at the marinas, boat
sales facilities, eateries on/near the lake and this increases the
unemployment roles. Weeds will also cause a drastic decrease in tourism
and vacation property rentals.
…Between the county’s, state and federal government’s
contributions, there was only $1.3 million spent on lake weed control.
This is considerably less than what is needed to control unwanted weeds
on the lake. In order for there to be weed control, the same area has to
be treated 3 to 4 years in a row. For the most part, this does not
happen.
NOTE: During the review of the
minutes, one Director commented that there is a need to control the weed
growth, but those in charge need to be careful not to eradicate all
weeds as this will harm the fish population on the lake. He also
reported that there are ongoing experiments on weed treatment and
treatment in regards to how the treatment follows the water flows on the
lake.
…Virginia has a moratorium on URANIUM mining in the
state. There is a proposal to do a study that may request the state to
reverse this moratorium. Virginia has an estimated 60 ton vein worth
$7-10 billion. The concern is the runoff/ground penetration of the
uranium sludge getting into local water supplies and lakes Kerr, Gaston
and Roanoke Rapids. Right now the US gets 90% of its uranium from
Russia. The Virginia vein could provide uranium products for every need
in the country for at least 2 years.
…Sarah Raible gave a pitch for the Mecklenburg Library
and the hope to build a library in Gasburg, VA.
Secretary’s Report:
The November and December minutes were approved.
Treasurer’s Report: Mr.
Lindenmuth gave a report on the end of year financial status of the LGA.
The Board approved the report. Treasury report attached.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Planning & Development:
Jack Saunders
Reported on the “Friends of the Lake Gaston Association”
incorporation process. This is discussed further in new business.
www.lakegastonassoc.com/Planning/Plan Min.htm
Nominating: Laura Kolb
…Reported on the need for members to get involved in the
LGA committees and possibly pursue becoming a Director.
Lake Environment & Aquatic Weed:
Vernon Wilson
…Reported that Northampton County will build an Ethanol
Plant.
…Stated that the updated LGA Alert List is almost
completed.
…Advised his committee is still working their retreat
objectives.
…Bill Lindenmuth provided
special recognition to Bruce Johnson and George Kimble for their years
of hard work on LGA committees and projects.
www.lakegastonassoc.com/Environment/Envir
Min.htm
Safety: Jack Saunders
Special Presentation: The LGA
presented the Roanoke Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department with a plaque
of appreciation for their outstanding service. Receiving the plaque
were Chief Butch Garnett and 2008 RWVFD Outstanding Fireman, Bob
Hedgepeth.
…Other members reported on the Warren County reverse 911
system and the fact Brunswick County will soon have the same system.
There was discussion on the WRAL TV emergency alert telephone system.
It was decided that such a system would be too expensive for the LGA
(approximately $1.2 million).
…Gave a brief statement on the progress of the VA/NC
Boater Safety programs. Mr. Lindenmuth reported that the LGA was
partially funding a lobbyist who is working on the state Boater Safety
initiative.
www.lakegastonassoc.com/Safety/Safe Min.htm
Membership: David Duxbury
…Reported that the LGA is now over 1300 strong.
…Stated ‘Lifetime Memberships’ increased from 56 to 79 in
2008.
…Briefed that Membership and Marketing had a joint
meeting in December to work on their Retreat Goals.
www.lakegastonassoc.com/Membership/MemMinutes.htm
Government Relations:
…Linda Hedgepeth reported she attended the Northampton
Co. Planning Board meeting and nothing was accomplished.
www.lakegastonassoc.com/GovRel/GovRelations.htm
Marketing: Bill La Monte
…Reported that the Realtor Gift Membership letter had
been distributed by Linda Hedgepeth.
…Stated the business letters had been finalized and were
in use in trying to sign up business’s in the LGA at the new business
rate of $50.00
…Advised that the LGA would hold a 20th
Anniversary picnic this spring with all information to be provided
at/before February meeting.
…Reported that the Membership/Marketing Retreat Goals had
been completed and provided to the President.
www.lakegastonassoc.com/Marketing/Marketing Minutes.htm
Executive Director: Moira
Underwood
…Reported on her activities for the month. See attached
Executive Director report for December 2008. www.lakegastonassoc.com/ExecDir/ED%20Activities.htm
President Comments; John
Cataldo – There were no direct comments on any issues.
OLD BUSINESS None
NEW BUSINESS
Friends of the LGA Charter: Jack Saunders and John
Cataldo led discussions on the Articles of Incorporation for the planned
Friends of Lake Gaston Association which is to be a non-profit addition
to the LGA. After some discussion on technical content of the document,
the Board voted to approve the Friends Articles of Incorporation and
By-Laws. The LGA Board also voted to accept the five member Board of
Directors who volunteered to head up the organization for the first
year.
The meeting was properly adjourned at 11:58AM.
Respectfully Submitted
William La Monte
Secretary
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