SUNSHINE PROPERTY OWNERS
ASSOCIATION
P.O. BOX 824, SEQUIM WA 98382-0824
Presidents Message
Pleasant surprises often come when least expected.
Such was the case on January 24th at our SAPOA Semi Annual Membership Meeting.
Over the past couple years the membership meetings have been well enough
attended to be enjoyable and productive, but just barely above the numbers
needed for a quorum. Those numbers being in the general range of 30-35
property owners. At times I almost felt like going out to Highway 101
and flagging down some tourists, especially with all the great food leftover
from the noon potlucks. This definitely was not the case at this last
meeting. We had a great turnout for the potluck, an abundance of sumptuous
food, and 49 property owners and spouses, approximately 75 people in total.
In addition to a congenial atmosphere and constructive exchanges, we were
done and gone in just slightly over 2 hours. The best side of the whole
process was seeing so many new faces, as well as many seasoned ones.
Old is a dirty word around this neighborhood. The willingness of some
of the newer residents to step up and volunteer their services didn’t go
unnoticed either! Many thanks are due those people. You have
the Boards gratitude.
Talking about thanks, it’s time we thanked a number
of our SAPOA area folks. To name a few; let’s start with Steve “Put
Put Man” Sahnow who works hard keeping our front doorstep clean and picked
up. Next time you see him and his scooter out on Diamond Point Road
picking up trash give him a toot of thanks and a wave hello. Then
there is Marydee Countryman, Nancy Drake, and Bob Rhoads along with the
Fire District 3 personnel who protect our lives and property on a volunteer
basis. I need to thank Hank Morse for maintaining our reader board
through all kinds of weather and posting our messages on short notice and
Bonnie Knighten who assembles this newsletter. Thanks go to the various
Plat Architectural Representatives, those unsung individuals who in many
cases are the ones many prospective and or new SAPOA residents first come
into contact with. There are more! I don’t want to forget the
Mussel Beach Committee members, but I’ll do that in a separate article.
If I’ve missed anyone, please accept my thanks to all that contribute to
our community’s well being.
Dave Taney
SAPOA President
MUSSEL BEACH ROAD STATUS
They say that patience is a desirable trait. I have never been recognized
as possessing that trait. In my younger days I was acquainted with
an Episcopal priest who was a sketch artist. He had a favorite cartoon
that depicted a buzzard sitting on the arm of a saguaro cactus with a caption
reading “ patience be damned I’m going to kill something.” So goes
the Mussel beach Road Project. Over the last 3 years we have been patiently
waiting for plans and finances to come together. Now as our Mussel
Beach account bank balance nears the $100,000 mark it is time to “kill something”
and move on this project. On February 4, 2004 the members of the Mussel
Beach Road Committee met with Ken Clark of Clark Land to hammer out the
appropriate details and parameters necessary to secure factual bids from
mutually agreed upon local contractors. We hope to have those bids
in hand by late March. At that time they will be presented to the Board
for selection of one bidder and contract drafting. That contract will
also under go legal scrutiny by SAPOA’s attorney Jan Tierney. Our collective
hope is that by this summer construction will be underway at last and we
can start eating on that carcass
We would be remiss to not give special thanks to committee member Ivan
Harvard who has in some cases been the lonely caretaker of Mussel Beach
Road over the last few years. Ivan diligently monitors it for further
drainage damage, storm and wave debris deposited on the beach, and trash
left in the parking area. On February 11th Ivan and helpers Claudia
& Gary Ecklund, Sam Mrakovich, Everett Stauffer, Steve Sahnow, Bob Zuehlsdorff,
Neil Eckerson, Vince Convery, and Niki Nicklin manned the chain saws, winches,
shovels, etc. and undertook a concentrated effort to accomplish an early
spring clean up and repair of the property. Guys and gals, thanks to
you all! Most appreciated is your time and the free labor.
SAPOA INTERNET WEBSITE
Yes, it’s a reality. You can now email SAPOA with
input, questions, and requests. The website has a lot of vital information.
Need a copy of the covenants that apply to your Plat. Need information
on upcoming meetings or want to read the minutes of past meetings.
Need to contact a utility company. Want a copy of the SAPOA Bylaws.
Want to contact your Plat Architectural Representative. Well, just
surf the net and here’s the web address: sapoasequim.com Try
it, let us know what you think and what you would like to see. Our
e-mail address is: sapoasequim@olypen.com
Over Due Accounts
The SAPOA Board of Directors has recognized the need
to aggressively pursue past due accounts for non-payment of dues. SAPOA
has approximately 404 property owners. Some 90 plus % of whom pay
their dues diligently and on a timely basis. A few need reminding,
but come through. However there is that 5% that just ignore reminders
and multiple past due notices. It is just not fair to the vast majorities
who do pay, to have to carry those who continue to neglect their obligations.
Therefore the Board contracted with Peninsula Collection Services to secure
payment of those accounts. 14 Accounts amounting to nearly $ 5000
were turned over to PCS and the appropriate legal steps initiated.
2004-2005 PREPAID DUES
Special thanks to those 70 plus property owners who
have prepaid their 2004-2005 dues. That hopefully will allow us to
move forward with the Mussel Beach Road Project this year instead of having
to wait another year. It also makes up for the shortfall created by
those who stubbornly refuse to pay their dues on time. Again thanks
to you who have prepaid and anyone else who are willing and able to do so.
Just send your $100 check to SAPOA attn: Irma Martin Treasurer.
Be assured we are doing our best to see that everyone carries their fair
share of the load.
Financial Audit
SAPOA Bylaws specify that the association’s financial
records be audited annually. We need a volunteer for that task.
Someone who is not a board member and who has some practical business or
accounting background. You need not be a CPA or currently working in
a similar capacity. This task is not overly time consuming and will
be measured in hours not days. Interested? Willing? Contact
Irma Martin Treasurer 681-2156 or Dave Taney President at 582-0709.
WHAT’S IN A NAME
There may be some confusion surrounding a SAPOA Board
of Directors member. Born John Nielson, nicknamed Jack, and known
as Pastor Na he’s just one person. For most of his formative years
and working days Jack was a technical writer and NASA consultant.
However for the last quarter century he has shared his evangelical faith
with congregations in Korea and Thailand. There he is known as Pastor
Na, the name he now prefers and which he feels best reflects his current
life’s focus. Whatever the name, thanks Pastor for volunteering to
be elected and serve on the Board.
MIDNIGHT VIGALANTIES
Not sure who to give the credit to, but whoever and
however the junk car at the Highway 101 and Diamond Point intersection park
and ride (?) is finally gone after 6 months of phone calls. Someone
dragged it on its roof out onto the shoulder of 101 and then someone hauled
it away. The County? Who knows, but thanks to whomever?
C.E.R.T.s
No, it’s not a breath mint! It is an acronym for Community Emergency
Response Team. 19 Individuals have taken 10-15 hours of training presented
by District 3 Fire and Emergency volunteers led by Bob Rhoads and co-ordinated
by SAPOA Director Dan Abbott. These folks will here to assist the
combined Sunshine Acres and Diamond Point communities in case of a major
disaster such as an earthquake, wildfire, etc. Training and preparedness
drills will be ongoing and having said that Dan has some updates and requests.
A CERT training exercise will be held on April 17th
at 9:00 a.m. at the Diamond Point fire station. Dan needs volunteers
to play the role of victims. If you are willing please be there to
meet with planners at 8:00 a.m. Wear clothing that is warm, older, and washable.
In addition Dan needs volunteers to serve on the committee
to develop a Disaster Plan for SAPOA and Diamond Point. He has 2 openings
left to fill. 1 person is needed from Sunshine Acres and 1 from Diamond
Point Airport Assoc. (DPAA). The committee will meet near the end
of March.
If you can help in any of these areas, victim and or
volunteer, please contact Dan Abbott at 582-3824
DIAMOND POINT DISTRICT 3 FIRE STATION
Diamond Point District 3 Fire Station serves our community’s
need for fire protection and emergency medical services. 4 volunteers;
Marydee Countryman, Bob Rhoads, Nancy Drake, and Jay Jacobson currently
meet those needs. The many of us who have been beneficiaries of their
skills know just how valuable to Diamond Point they are. They now
need our help. With the ever-increasing number of residents in the
Diamond Point community 4 volunteers are spread just to thin. Remember
these individuals also have other professional commitments.
Additional volunteers fire fighters and emergency medical
technicians are badly needed. While previous experience would be helpful,
adequate training will be provided for those who start from scratch.
You can become a major asset to Diamond Point. A side benefit will
show up on our fire insurance rates. Those ratings are not only based
on the nearness of fire response personnel, but the number. A break
point is 6. Below that our insurance costs could rise. If you
can help contact Marydee at 683-7540 or District 3 offices at 683-4242.
HAM OPERATORS NEEDED
Volunteer Ham Operators are needed to join ARES for
the Diamond Point Emergency Service. Interested parties please contact
Jim Coulter K7QCK at 582-0627