SAPOA Newsletter
Fall 2004
SUNSHINE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 824, SEQUIM WA 98382-0824    


President’s Message

    Frequently at major league baseball games in late innings the public address systems play a song called "Who Let the Dogs Out".   That describes my thoughts at our recent July 10th SAPOA Annual Meeting.  We had a great potluck luncheon and an excellent turnout with 6 Board Members and 42 property owners attending.  There were faces there that I hadn’t seen in years.  What I had hoped would be an excellent meeting became long and laborious with a sometimes confusing Mussel Beach Road Project discussion.  Hopefully the time spent will not have been wasted and will lead to a positive solution.  It reminds me of the axiom "democracy is the ultimate art of compromise".  Whatever comes of it will not satisfy everyone, but the majority must prevail.  We can not and shall not acquiesce to the loudest or the most intimidating.

    When I made the decision to serve on the SAPOA Board of Directors for a second 3 yr term I stated that I believed in fiscal responsibility for this association and have strived to walk the walk as well as talk the talk.  Having said that, in May and June, I worked with Clark Land to arrive at an alternate plan to repair Mussel Beach Road and presented it at the July Annual Meeting .This came about after it became apparent in April that the construction cost bid based on earlier designs would far exceed our approved funding.  This dilemma would most likely leave us with options that include significant reductions in scope and or style of repairs or spreading the reconstruction over 2-3 more years.  The latter would definitely require an increase in dues during the 2006-2008 time frames.

    SAPOA members will have the opportunity to pick their medicine when the ballots go out and a count is recorded.  Some will rejoice and some will gnash their teeth.  Whatever the results I sincerely hope it gets the support of the community.  It will have mine.

Dave Taney
SAPOA President

Publisher Needed

    Bonnie Knighten has for the last 6 years done a very excellent and most appreciated job publishing this newsletter.  She however, would like and has earned a long vacation in the near future.  If there is someone out there who has the computer skills, hardware and software, and the desire to replace Bonnie please call Dave Taney at 582-0709 and I’ll put you in touch with her.

Board of Directors Elections

    Volunteers were requested at our 2004 Annual Meeting to fill 2 vacancies on the Board of Directors.  Everett Stauffer our current V.P. and Director Lew Morello’s 3 yr terms will end on August 31, 2004.  However no one was willing to serve.  Everett and Lew were subsequently nominated to and accepted the nomination for a second 3 yr term, 2004-2007.  Ballots went out July 13th and are due back on August 15th.  The count will be at the Fire Station on August 16th at 1 p.m.

    Why is it that there are always single minded critics out there who never attend Board Meetings and seldom ever show for Annual or Semi Annual meetings.  They never volunteer to serve on the Board and or committees.  They really should consider being part of the solution rather than the problem.

SAPOA Reader Board

    Neil Eckerson has replaced Hank Morse as the “keeper of the board” and has done an excellent job keeping SAPOA residents informed.

    Recently Diamond Point and Beach Club 1 & 2 homeowners have inquired if we would consider doubling up our info efforts.  They proposed increasing the sign’s size to 6 x 6 ft if we agreed.  There are guidelines to be drafted and hurdles to be crossed, but members at the Annual Meeting and the Board expressed approval so we will try and work it out in the future.

    The objective is to foster a Greater Diamond Point community spirit.  With nearly 700- 800 residents we are realistically a community unto ourselves.  Dependent on each other for our mutual safety and well being.

2004-2005 Budget Ballot

    The 2004-2005 SAPOA Budget has been approved by the membership.  371 ballots were mailed out.  238 were returned.  206 members voted yes and 25 voted no.  7 ballots were deemed invalid.  

2002-2003 Financial Audit

    In the Summer 2004 Newsletter a volunteer was sought to do a review of SAPOA’s 2002-2003 fiscal year records.  Beverly Willison kindly stepped forward and gave of her time to do the task.  The audit was performed on 7-2-04.  No discrepancies were noted and several recommendations were made.  Copies can be obtained from our Treasurer Irma Martin 681-2156 or downloaded off the SAPOA website.  Thank you Beverly for being part of the solution and thank you Irma for the great job!

C E R T Training

    SAPOA Director Dan Abbott heads up our Community Emergency Response Team.  Dan is happy to report that in addition to 19 C.E.R.T. previously trained volunteers, 22 local residents have signed up for training in the second C.E.R.T. class.  This comes on the heels of 4 additional volunteer fire fighters starting their training.  $ 75.00 was donated to C.E.R.T. as a result of our community garage sale.  That will go to buy emergency medical supplies.  The fire department has donated ham operator equipment and received a grant to purchase equipment such as a generator.  Jim Coulter is the co-coordinator for that effort while Marydee Countryman leads the Fire Dept.

Plat Architectural Representatives

    Plat 1 is still in need of an elected representative.  Steve Ramsey has volunteered and ballots sent out.  However insufficient numbers have come back.  So if you haven’t sent your ballot back please do so.  It’s not too late.
    Plat 6 & 7 has been served by Chuck Rice.  However, Chuck has sold his home and is moving.  We need a new volunteer.  Any willing volunteer should contact SAPOA Vice President Everett Stauffer 681-4278 for details.


Mussel Beach Boat Launch Lease

    SAPOA leases the land that the boat launch sets on from the Washington Dept. of Natural Resources Aquatic Lands Div.  The lease has just been renewed after laying fallow for a number of years.  The renewal was initiated by the DNR.  We pay @ $285.00 per year for the lease rights.  In addition the DNR requires SAPOA have $1,000,000 in general liability insurance and to post a $4000.00 surety bond.  When SAPOA was unable to obtain such a bond the Board elected to set aside that amount in secured savings assigned to the DNR.  This action allows SAPOA to retain these dollars in an interest bearing account, gain the interest, and avoid an annual cost of @ $ 300 for a bond.

SAPOA Website

sapoasequim.com

    We continue to make improvements to our association’s internet website.  We are slowly adding information such as financial material, phone numbers, and meeting minutes.  The webmaster was ill for a couple months so we’re playing catch up.  If you miss a SAPOA Board, Annual, or Semi Annual meeting you can at least read the minutes of that meeting if you are so inclined.  Please send your suggestions or questions to saposequim@olypen.com

Fire Station Emergency Siren

    The check is in the mail!  Really it’s on order and Marydee Countryman says it will happen in the near future.  The approval has gone through and we’re just waiting for it to arrive.
2004-2005 Dues

    Please be reminded that your 2004-2005 SAPOA annual dues are payable as of September 1, 2004 and will become delinquent as of October 15, 2004.  Some 90 plus members have already pre-paid their dues.  If you are one of those please do not send any additional payments.  2005-2006 dues amounts have not been established at this date and additional prepayments will create accounting difficulties for our Treasurer.  Please use the form below.

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2004-2005 Dues Invoice

Your SAPOA 2004-2005 Dues are due and payable Sept 1, 2004

Please remit to SAPOA at Box 824 Sequim Washington 98382-0824


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

Address Correction:  Mailing Address ______________________________

                City and State  ________________________________________


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