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LAKE GASTON ASSOCIATION

Minutes (approved) Director’s Meeting – September 2, 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 20 guests and three members of the press: Judith Forrest Littleton Observer, Della Batts Daily Herald and Mark Matthews Lake Gaston Gazette.

 

Director/Executive Attendance:  Doug Hughes, Moira Underwood, Jack Saunders, Bill La Monte, David Duxbury, Ralph Domach, Laura Kolb, Fred Kniesel, Vernon Wilson, Ron Skow, Quinton Qualls, Bill Bryant, Patrick Dempsey, Barbara Burgdoerfer

 

Guest Speaker:  State Representative Michael Wray (Warren, Northampton andVance Counties). President Hughes introduced Mr. Wray. He thanked Representative Wray and Mr. Pete Deschenes for their efforts in getting the N.C. Boater Safety Law passed. Representative Wray gave an impromptu speech. The following are some excerpts from his speech:

  • Stated he and all other Representatives worked hard on getting an acceptable two year budget and it was difficult with the drastic down-turn in the economy that lowered state income revenue.

  • Stated he was appointed as an Insurance Co-Chair.

  • That the Legislative Session goes from May to July/August and that he spends a good deal of non-Legislative time getting out and meeting the people of his district to find out what their wants and needs are.

  • Stated that on September 1st there was a $.10 tobacco tax increase and a $.05 beer tax increase.

  • Is pushing for a study committee on recipients of state unemployment compensation. He feels that recipients should have to take and pass a drug test in order to receive state funds. It is the people’s responsibility, if physically/mentally able, to sustain themselves rather than count on money from the state.

  • Stated that there is a lot of Federal Stimulus Money coming to the state, but it must be used properly and with accountability.

  • That the state is receiving $110 million in energy money for such things as energy efficient windows for home-owners.

  • Reminded everyone that Warren County is hosting a Health Care Forum at the Warrenton Court House on Thursday, 3 September.

Representative Wray answered audience questions. Some were:

  • The need for non-permanent residents to be able to vote in local elections

  • Complaints about the 8% ‘temporary’ sales tax (expected to last two years).

  • The 9% surcharge on persons earning more than $60,000 a year.

  • Accountability of Education Lottery funds and why isn’t more being sent to the various counties. It was stated that the lottery money was for new construction, building repairs and scholarships, not salaries, equipment or hiring new teachers.

New Director Oath: Barbara Burgdoerfer was welcomed back as a Director and all Directors took the Director Oath with her.

 

Secretary’s Report:  Bill La Monte - The Board approved the August 2009 Minutes.

Treasurer’s Report:  Jack Saunders – The Board approved the current budget

  • Mr. Saunders reported that, to date, the LGA was $19,000 to the good.

Committee Reports:

 

Marketing (Bill La Monte)

  • Reported that the 2010 Business recruitment program began on 1 September and that there are already two new business members.

  • Reported all is ready for LGA participation in the Littleton Festivalfont>

  • Stated the Business Renewal Letter is ready for distribution in October.

  • Discussed various LGA sponsor participations which include the Chamber of Commerce, Lake Life Magazine, Lions Club Seafood Festival, and Warren County Fireman’s Carnival

Planning & Development:  (Jack Saunders and Roland Beauchaine)

  • Stated that the Committee is working with the Center for Watershed Protection to layout what would be necessary to baseline the current condition of Lake Gaston and how to identify grants to perform such a study; subsequently we can determine what actions need to be taken to protect the watershed and restore the lake to healthier conditions.

 Lake Environment/Aquatic Weed:  (Vernon Wilson)

  • Stated there is an erosion problem in Carolina Pines due to the new state road installed.

  • That LEM training was conducted on 27 August and that 20 persons have been added to the qualified LEM list.

  • That in 2008 there were 171 miles of shoreline surveyed and that they hope to cover considerably more area during the next survey.

  • Reported that Lyngbyia (an algae) is becoming a problem along the streams, creeks and coves associated with the lake. That it could be a bigger problem than hydrilla. Lyngbyia is caused by nutrient (chemicals, dirty drainage water, farm products, septic systems, etc) run-off into the lake water systems. It has been found in lake water up to 20 feet deep and will be part of the next LEM survey

  • That Flat Creek and Great Creek have bacteria and biological sedimentation.

  • That when the state of NC tests the lake waters (every 5 years) they only test the main lake and none of the creeks and coves.

  • Reported that the eradication of hydrilla leads the way for other aggressive vegetation and algae’s to grow and negatively affect the lake.

  • Stated that hydrilla treatment for 2009 is almost complete.

NOTE: One guest stated that on Lake Gaston you are no longer allowed to put a septic system on ‘the lake side of your home’.

 

Safety:  (John Cataldo)

  • Is working on reenergizing the “Neighborhood Watch” programs around the lake.

  • Is planning a ‘Safety Breakfast’ for all EMS around the lake. Details soon.

  • Wants to get Virginia to enforce the Federal boater safety regulation that requires everyone under the age of 13 wear a life vest when the vessel is underway.

  • Stated that 90% of boating fatalities in 2008 were from drowning and in most drowning cases the victim was not wearing a life vest.

 Membership:  (David Duxbury)

  • Reported a membership of 1319 households.

  • That the LGA had 184 new members by-way-of the ‘tax letters’ that went out last year.

  • For 2010 there are over 8,000 tax letters going to non-member, lake residents. Most have already been mailed.

Government Relations:  (Ron Skow)

  • Advised of the Town Hall meeting in Warrenton on 3 September. The meeting will have speakers discussing the ‘control of health care costs’. The LGA has sent notification to its membership in regards to this meeting.

  • The possibility of a “Lake Gaston Region’ and a Political Action Committee is still out there, but no new updates were available for this meeting.

  • Is taking the lead with Warren County Commissioner Richardson in putting together a five county leadership forum. This is an attempt to get county .leadership to work together on issues that affect the lake and county residents.

  • The Warren County Noise Ordinance is being reviewed by the County. Commissioners and there’s a Public Hearing on 14 September at the Warrenton Library. REMEMBER 9-11 and FLY YOUR FLAG ON SEPTEMBER 11th.

Executive Director:  Moira Underwood

  • Stated the tax mailings were almost complete. That business renewal letters will be mailed in October. That membership renewal letters will be mailed soon.

NOTE:  The rest of her August report on ED activities can be found on the web page.

Old Business:  Doug Hughes

  • Reminded all committee chairs to have their updates to him by September 11th.

  • Reminded all committees that their budgets are due to the Treasurer by October 15th.

New Business:  Doug Hughes

  • Advised that the LGA 2009 Survey will be on the web page by September 11th. The 338 members who don’t have an email address listed will receive theirs in the mail.

The meeting was properly adjourned at 11:40AM

 

The next meeting will be Wednesday, October 7th at 9:30AM

 

Respectfully Submitted

 

William La Monte

Secretary