LAKE
GASTON ASSOCIATION
Minutes
(approved) Director’s Meeting – May 4, 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:
There were 26 visitors attending the meeting including five members of
the press. They included: Judith Forrest Littleton Observer, Della
Batts Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald, Bill O Neill & Mary Lou Stinson Lake
Gaston Gazette, Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Emery Littleton Observer
NOTE:
Roland Beauchaine read a letter protesting the Warren County proposed
tax rate stating it was putting an unfair tax burden on the County
members who live around Lake Gaston.
Director/Executive Attendance:
Present: David Duxbury, Jack Saunders, Joee Hoxter, Ralph Domach, John
Boyle, Linda Hedgepeth, Fred Kneisel, Vernon Wilson, Lenny Turner,
Quinton Qualls, Bill Bryant, Patrick Dempsey, Larry Jolly, Ron Skow,
Bill Lindenmuth, Bill La Monte, John Cataldo, Moira Underwood.
Special
Presentation:
President Cataldo presented an LGA Plaque of Appreciation to Commander
Paul Young of the Gaston Volunteer Rescue Squad.
Guest
Speaker:
Mr. Howard Carawan, President of the Roanoke River Basin Association.
The following are some excerpts from his presentation:
…That in
the early 1980’s the RRBA fought the Lake Gaston to Virginia Beach water
pipeline, but lost.
…That the
Kerr Lake Regional Water System (KLRWS) is seeking to increase its
inter-basin transfer of water from 10 million gallons a day to 25
million. This water increase intended for Creedmoor and Granville
County’s and the Triangle North Business Park near Oxford. None of this
water to ever be returned to the RRB.
…That
Raleigh/Durham is seeking to acquire 50 million gallons a day from the
RRB.
…If the
KLRWS & Raleigh/Durham get their requested allocations, there will be NO
more water available for future development along the Roanoke River
Basin.
NOTE: So
far municipalities have returned 80% of the water taken from the RRB.
If KLRWS and Raleigh/Durham get RRB water, there will be a 0% return of
that water from them.
NOTE:
The Army Corps of Engineers says water usage is on a “first-come,
first-served” basis.
…Everyone
along the RRB has riparian right to the water. That is that the
upstream riparian owners CANNOT deny the down-stream riparian owners
their right to a normal-abiding use of the stream water.
…Projected future water needs in the proposed receiving river basins are
subordinate to projected future needs of the source water basin.
…A
Bi-State Commission, appointed by the Governor’s of each state (NC/VA),
has been established to look into future water needs of the RRB.
…There
are differences in the VA and NC codes in regards to water usage. To
date there is nothing that shows these two states will adopt a common
code for this issue.
…The
requested water transfers could adversely affect everyone in the RRB and
everyone is encouraged to contact their local, state and federal
authorities and express their concern for the protection of their water
rights.
There
were many questions from those attending and Mr. Carawan did a great job
in responding to all.
President
Cataldo thanked Mr. Carawan for his presentation.
Secretary’s Report:
The Board accepted the April 2009 minutes.
Treasurer’s Report:
The Board accepted the April 2009 Treasury Report.
Committee
Reports:
Marketing
(Bill La Monte)
…Marketing has signed up 38 new business members since the start of the
year.
…LGA road
signs posted in all five counties
…LGA has
signed as a sponsor of the Lake Gaston Chamber of Commerce “Battle of
the BBQ”.
…The LGA
20th Anniversary Picnic is set for 16 May.
Planning
& Development:
Roland Beauchaine for Jack Saunders
…The
friends of the Lake Gaston Associations has secured a grant from Halifax
County to study the effect of ground water run-off into Lake Gaston
Nominating:
Laura Kolb
…Laura
was not present but had advised there was nothing new.
Lake
Environment/Aquatic Weed:
Vernon Wilson
…Advised
the contract had been issued for weed control for 2009.
…North
Carolina State Univ. had no grant money for weed data for 2009.
…The 2008
survey and weed data is available on the LGWCC web site.
…June
9-11 volunteers are needed to build and place vegetation cages.
…The
Bi-State Commission on Roanoke River Basin issues will meet on 12 June.
Bill Lindenmuth & Vernon Wilson plan to attend.
…The
Virginia study on Uranium Mining is ongoing.
Safety:
John Cataldo for Jack Saunders
…The LGA
is still waiting to see if O’Sail wants any LGA involvement in their
attempt to acquire fire boats on the lake.
…The N.C.
Boater Safety Bill is moving forward in the House.
…One of
the proposed amendments is that if you were born before 1984 you would
not need a boater safety course.
Membership:
David Duxbury
…Reported
there were only 105 non-renewals for 2009. The best retention in years.
… There
were no new members from the Realtor Gift Program.
Government Relations:
John Cataldo for Larry Jolly
…There is
an attempt to get the leaders from the five counties together for a
meeting.
…The
Warren County Sheriff wants six new deputy sheriffs, the proposed budget
calls for two.
…Halifax
County is $2.5 million short in its current budget
…Brunswick County is working the short term rental issue
…Mecklenburg County is planning the same tax rate for next year.
…Northampton County is still working its budget.
Executive
Director:
Moira Underwood
…This
report is available on the web page.
Old
Business:
Committee Chairs are reminded they need to review their Mission
Statements and Goals to ensure they conform to the needs as identified
in the LGA Survey.
New
Business:
None
The
meeting was properly adjourned at 11:35AM
The next
meeting will be Wednesday, June 3rd at 9:30AM
Respectfully Submitted
William
La Monte
Secretary
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