SAPOA Newsletter
Fall 2003

SUNSHINE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 824, SEQUIM WA 98382-0824          

Presidents Message

    Activities galore!  Lavender festivals, jazz bands, hot rod car shows, area art displays, you name it!  It's very hard to compete with all that plus spectacular weather, to get Sunshine Acres property owners to attend an indoors annual meeting.  It was therefore no real surprise that the SAPOA Board of directors had somewhat low expectations regarding the turnout.  However, I'm pleased to report that we had an above average turnout for the potluck with an abundance of sumptuous food.  The meeting quorum requires 10% of the voting members to be present (350x10%=35).  Well, at 1:00 p.m. we had just 34.  Figuring in the great weather we decided to give Tom Richardson the floor and let him pitch the August 9 th Diamond Point Airport Assoc. airport activities.  That's all it took.  Several late comers pushed us well past the quorum mark and away we went with a very pleasant meeting.
    
It was especially rewarding to see so many new faces intermingled with old timers.  If you haven't noticed Sunshine Acres is steadily growing.  Many new homes are going up this summer.  When we bought our property in 1992 most of the neighboring lots were undeveloped.  Now almost all have homes on them.  Growth brings changes, and for some people that want things the way they used to be, unwelcome changes.  However as I walk my neighborhood and take the opportunity to chat with those newcomers, I relish the diversity and eagerness of the folks who love it here and want to be a part of this wonderful community.  Camelot it isn't, but it is close.  SAPOA members come out of your shells.  Get to know those folks who have joined us here.  You will be amazed at what they have to offer.  Hopefully we don't all think alike.  Diversity of opinions coupled with positive exchanges of our visions for this community will make growth smoother, possibly add to our property's value, and just in general make life more pleasant.  See you at the next meeting in January 2004!


Board of Directors Election

    The election ballots are out!  You should have received yours (if your dues are fully paid) by the time you receive this newsletter.  There are 2 candidates willing to run for re-election.  Dave Taney your current President, Irma Martin your current Treasurer, and 3 new candidates, Dan Abbott, Kathleen DeStefano, and John Nielson.  Please take the opportunity to vote and make your wishes known.

2003-2004 SAPOA Dues

Please be reminded that your 2003-2004 Sunshine Acres Property Owners Association annual dues of $100.00 are due and payable September 1, 2003.  They are considered past due and can be subject to late fees after October 15, 2003.  Please remit payment promptly using this special invoice form section from this newsletter.


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2003-2004 Dues Invoice

Your SAPOA 2003-2004 Dues due and payable Sept 1, 2003

Please remit to:   SAPOA, Box 824, Sequim, Washington 98382


Enclosed is my payment in the amount of $ 100.00    Check #__________

Address Correction:  New Street Address   ____________________________

                City and State     ______________________________


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Correspondence

    Frequently the Board and I receive letters from SAPOA members.  Some of the letters are complimentary, some request action be taken, some are inquiries, and some are complaints.  We respond to them all.  Occasionally we will receive anonymous letters of various contents.  Those obviously we can not respond to.  They are simply read and filed.  I would urge those anonymous writers, that if you have that strong of opinions and or convictions you also have the fortitude to stand behind them with a signature.  I would suggest that you also attend SAPOA meetings, voice your concerns, and find out what really does go on.

Dave Taney
SAPOA President


2003-2004 Budget Ballot

    The 2003-2004 SAPOA budget proposal ballots were counted on July 11, 2003 at 1:00 p.m. in the Diamond Point Fire Station.  The proposed budget passed with 188 yes votes versus 19 no votes and 2 invalid out of a total of 209.


Animal Control

    The topic generating the most discussion at the SAPOA Annual Meeting was animal control, or I should say the lack of it!  Way to many Sunshine Acres residents are letting their dogs run loose and not confining them to their own property.  I would like to remind them that, this is a direct violation of the plat covenants.  People are tired of this disregard for others safety and property.  
    
A phone discussion with the Clallam County Sheriff's office asking, " what can we do" brought this response.  If the animal in question is aggressive and there is fear of attack or an actual attack and or injury occurs, we will respond.  However if the animal is simply a nuisance it is up to the complaining property owner to deal with it.  When pressed with the question " how do we legally do that?"  The response was; capture the offending animal and transport it to the Clallam County Humane Society.  Then let the owner bail it out.  Hit them in the wallet.  They will incur very substantial cost for boarding, license fees, rabies shots, etc.  A warning letter will be sent to those animal owners if SAPOA is contacted with a description of the animal and the address of the owner.
    Also a reminder for those who walk their dogs in our neighborhoods, pick up after your pet.


Mussel Beach Road

    At the Annual Meeting a great deal of discussion and exchange of opposing views revolved around the progress and funding of the Mussel Beach Road Project.  Borrowing funds was proposed, but ultimately dismissed.  Just waiting it out until all the necessary funds were available was suggested and generally accepted.  However, the final conclusion was to just be patient as no immediate emergency exists and encourage those who are able and willing to prepay their 2004-2005 dues.  More on that to come in the Winter Newsletter.  Bottom line the project is still on its original 4-year schedule.
    Recent occurrences of fireworks and or firearms discharge in the beach area late at night after dark may cause the Beach Road Committee to re-examine the current rules and signage and possibly make changes.  Violator's vehicle license information has been provided to the Clallam County Sheriff.


Delinquent Dues Collection

 During Annual Meeting discussions it was proposed, seconded, and approved that the Board of Directors take timely action within their discretion to turn over unpaid delinquent dues to a collection agency for handling.  The parameters of this action will be decided at an upcoming Board of Directors Meeting.

Abandoned Junk Cars

Several Sunshine Acres residents have asked about getting rid of the abandoned junk vehicle at the park and ride (?) by Highway 101 and Diamond Point Road.  The vehicle is on private property and the owner of the property is fully responsible and only they can legally remove it.  That owner is Pope Resources at 19245 10th Ave NE in Poulsbo, WA. 98370 phone # 206-292-0517.  They have been contacted and asked to resolve the matter.  If the problem continues to exist after mid September area property owners should contact Amber at Pope Resources and register a complaint.

Electrical Outages

    During the weeks of August 3rd and August 11th Sunshine Acres and the surrounding area experienced brief and erratic power outages. For some areas such as Plat 5 the 3 outages were only a few seconds long.  For others the outages were measured in hours.  P U D is fully aware of the problem, which is due to 25-30 year old aging underground wire, such as in Plat 2.  There is a very long and complex explanation, but let's just suffice to say, P U D has scheduled replacement over the next few months.  
P U D is launching an Outage Notification Program that immediately alerts the P U D office that the power is out and when it comes back on.  The system consists of a very small transmitter that plugs into a house wall outlet and automatically calls P U D offices via 800 phone lines.  Anyone interested in participating should contact Dave Probstel at P U D phone # 452-9771


Absolute Total Burn Ban

It is expected that the current burn ban will go on for some time, possibly into mid October.  The few rain showers we have experienced recently is like spitting in the ocean.  Hardly any effect and far short of what is needed.  It will take several weeks of rainy weather to appreciably diminish the very real and serious fire danger.  Please report all outdoor fires of any kind to Clallam County Fire District # 3 dispatch at 683-4242