ANNUAL CLEANUP DAY The Annual Cleanup Day was held on Saturday, April 23rd. The pond grass was raked and burned. The dock was pressure washed, repaired, sealed, and the floatation devices were replaced. Old tires were disposed of, and the basketball backstops were painted. Trees were pruned so that the mower could get through and the debris hauled off. The shop was organized. Yard debris was burnt. Trash in the playground was picked up. The old leftover pipe from the pump house was hauled off. All the weeds in the basketball court were killed and removed. And last of all but not least; babysitting was done so that a trustee was able to work without interruption. This work was done by 14 volunteers. Half of them were board members and their families and half were community members. They are Danielle Hester, Laura Hester, Julian Gwynne, Mike Weil, Susan and Herman Raley, Denise Ruether, Eric Mckerlie, Max Miller, Rod and Angie Strand, Ted Grinolds, and Kyle Breaux. The workload would have been much lighter with more volunteers. In the future, the board has decided to carefully schedule the cleanup day with respect to both Easter and Apple Blossom weekends. With this in mind, we are hobeful that the cleanup day will become a well-attended community event by all of those that frequent the pond, playground, and baseball field. THANK YOU to those that cleaned up our community areas.
REFURBISHING THE CABANAS As you may know, we have two cabanas near the pond. They have been there for over 30 years and are in much need of refurbishing. It will begin with a structural buildup of the support legs. Then the floor will be poured. After that has cured, the sheathing can be installed in the ceiling and soffits. Finally, the painting will be done. This work will begin at the end of June and is expected to be completed by the end of July.
The labor is volunteer, so the only cost is for the materials, and some of them are donated.
As the work progresses, notices of volunteer opportunities and a phone number to call will be posted on the community bulletin board. If you would like to help with this project, please call 548-0594.
ANNUAL MEETING AND TRUSTEE ELECTION The annual meeting and trustee election was held on June 12th. In addition to the board, seven community members attended the meeting. Our Accountant, Jim Weins, and our Water Master, Nathan Riblett, also attended. 155 ballots were sent out this year, but only 47 were cast. Three positions were open instead of two, because one position was resigned before the term ended. There were neither opposing candidates nor write-in candidates. Danielle Hester and Mike Weil retained their positions, and Don Thomas filled the vacancy. Thank you all for your willingness to serve the community of Valleyhi. Your board members for this year are:
Trustees - Danielle Hester: 548 - 0561
Susan Raley: 548 - 7903
Don Thomas: 548 - 5893
Mike Weil: 548 - 4610
Jim Wolf: 548 - 7498
President - Don Thomas: 548 - 5893
Vice President - vacant
Treasurer - Robyn Hoffman-Smith: 548 - 0127
Secretary - Peggi Lopez: 548 - 0594
BOARD VACANCIES So that Don Thomas does not have to serve in two capacities, we need to fill the position of President. The position of Vice President also needs to be filled. If you would be willing to serve your community as President or Vice President, please call 548 - 0594.
THE UNOFFICIAL WEBSITE A few months ago, a community member started a website with the domain name of valleyhicommunityclub.com. It seems to be causing quite a stir. At the annual meeting this year, one
person said it was deceptive because it appears to be the website of the Valleyhi Community Club, Inc., when in fact it is not. Another person said it was full of negativity because most of the comments are complaints
and accusations against the Board of Trustees. The Board was hoping to meet, at the annual meeting, the people that made the disparaging remarks so that an open dialogue could have taken place. However, none of them attended the meeting. The Board would like community members to know that the website is neither run nor endorsed by the Valleyhi Community Club Board of Trustees, and that comments posted should not be taken as fact.
CASH FOR CLUNKERS CONGRATULATIONS, MR. SALVADOR CAMARGO! The Board held a Cash for clunkers raffle drawing at the annual meeting. The prize was $250. To be eligible for the prize, a lot owner had to get
rid of old dilapidated vehicles. One chance at the $250 was given for each vehicle that was hauled away by June 1st. There were eight entries. One lot owner had three vehicles hauled off and qualified for three
chances, but he did not win. Mr. Camargo, the winner, had two vehicles hauled away. This community activity was a fun and productive way to help clean up our community. Unfortunately, someone did not agree
and planted a seed on the unofficial website that the board may be guilty of misappropriation of funds. According to the Articles of Incorporation and the By-Laws, this is not true. Article III, Sect. 8 of the Articles of
Incorporation states: To levy and collect annually such charges and/or assessments as may be necessary in the judgment of the Board of Trustees and to carry out any and all the purposes for which this corporation is
formed and to expend such monies so collected in accordance with the By-Laws of the corporation, and the payment of the costs, expenses and obligations incurred by said corporation in carrying out any and all of its
purposes. Article IX, Sect. 1 of the By-Laws states: For the purpose of financing the activities of the corporation, except the water system, it is hereby declared that all lots within the jurisdiction of the
corporation shall be charged and/or assessed dues at the rate of $12.00 per lot per year until such amount is changed in accord with these By-Laws,... The $12.00 in dues is a charge that is levied and collected annually
as stated in Article III, Sect. 8 of the Articles of Incorporation. These dues are collected for the purpose of financing the activities of the corporation as is stated in Article IX, Sect. 1 of the By-Laws. The Cash for
Clunkers was an activity of the corporation; therefore, it was not a misappropriation of community funds.
COMMUNITY CLEANUP We have heard your concerns, and so the Board of Trustees has been working hard to clean up our community to make it a better and safer place to live. With that goal in mind, the Board asked
Chelan County to help with five lots. Combined, these lots have mosquito breeding grounds in the form of a discarded wet mattress and carpet, many, many tires that could burn if we had a forest fire, thereby filling the
air in the whole valley with toxins, old vehicles that are leaking oil and transmission fluid into the ground, and various habitations for pest infestations. The county visited our community and drove around the
neighborhood to see these lots. During this visit,
the County pointed out nine more lots that were out of compliance with County Code. Then the Board sent letters to the owners of all the lots informing them that they were out of compliance and needed to bring their property into compliance. Representatives from the County then came to our October meeting to explain the county's position, which is that the County wants to work with each property owner to find a solution instead of having to take an adversarial approach. The County also wants to help facilitate the community's efforts at cleanup. For example, they provided
information on junk vehicle haulers that they have used in the past and reminded us about the annual scrap metal drive. In an attitude of helpfulness, the Board of Trustees ran a Cash for Clunkers raffle, which is
described in the previous article in this newsletter. The Board also posted information on the bulletin board about a towing company that will take vehicles at no charge to the lot owner and about a salvage company
that takes scrap metal at no charge and will haul trailers and mobile homes at a reasonable rate. For all its efforts at cleaning up our community, the Board has been the recipient of many complaints and false
accusations. It is such treatment that prevents one neighbor from approaching another about cleaning up his or her lot. Because of that reluctance on the part of one neighbor to approach another, the Board will continue to take the flack as it continues to work on your behalf to clean up Valleyhi.
WHERE DOES ALL THAT MONEY GO? Many people are still concerned about the amount of the water maintenance fee and are wondering if it can be reduced someday. Unfortunately, it cannot. However, the good news is that it doesn't have to be raised either. The current water maintenance fee of $610.35 will sustain our loan payment, current expenses, and keep a comfortable amount in reserves. We have about 9% in reserves. The reserves are needed to cover a catastrophe, so that an undue burden is not caused by asking community members for money to cover an unexpected and major emergency repair. The loan payment for this year is $44,765.84 and will be paid in October. Our current expenses to manage the water system include system maintenance and repairs, water master fees, accountant fees, insurance, water system consultant services, water system testing, water system supplies, federal taxes, licenses and permits, state certification fees, utilities such as electric and telephone, snow plowing, office supplies, and postage and handling fees. The current budget was put together with our new water system and the loan to obtain it in mind. Even though the water maintenance fee had to be substantially increased, at $50 per month it is still minimal compaired to what other communities are paying. Our accountant pays $150 per month during the summer months for each of his three homes in Peshastin. In addition, our water use is not based on usage whereas other communities are based on usage. That does not give us license to be wasteful, however. What it does is put the responsibility of conservation on each of us as individuals. Last year's meter readings showed that some people were using twice the normal amount. We have a brand new water system valued at well over a million dollars. Each of us has a share and a stake in it. We should all do our part by paying, in a timely manner, our share ($610.35) of the cost to maintain our community-owned water system.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY, OR NOT Because the Board is being negatively portrayed on the valleyhicommunityclub.com website, and because they are not given the recognition and gratitude they deserve as trustees of the Valleyhi water system, and to alleviate this situation, the possibility of turning the management of Valleyhi's water system over to a property management company was put forth by a concerned community member. If this were to come to fruition, the negativity the board is subjected to would not stop, it merely would be projected onto a third party, namely the management company. Also, the management company may not do things the way the community likes things done, which would cause frustration. And most importantly, the water maintenance fee would most likely be raised because we would, of course, have to pay the management company. So, at this time, this will not be pursued. However, it has become more difficult to serve on the Board of Trustees, and almost impossible to get people to volunteer to serve on the Board. If the people that have been serving on the board finally weary of the abuse and become unwilling to serve, then one day we may be forced to hire a property management company.
MONTHLY MEETINGS Your Valleyhi Community Club meets the third Thursday of each month at 6:30 P.M. The location of the meeting can be found on the community bulletin board up to one week prior to each meeting. It would be great to see more community members at these meetings.