Over the past year, 128 volunteers have chipped in on over twenty-four different committees in Seven Lakes West. Those volunteers were recognized at the Seven Lakes West Landowners Association [SLWLA] Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 18.
“The accomplishments of this community are obtained with the help and support of these volunteers, who serve our Board as committee volunteers," said Secretary Jane Sessler.
Former President Ron Shepard said the volunteers in Seven Lakes West save the community more than a million dollars a year.
“I think it’s a lot more,” said Sessler. “I think the Board thinks it's a lot more, too.”
This year, the Association added two new committees: the Dam Committee, which is overseeing the ongoing work to resurface the Lake Auman Dam roadway; and the Amenities Committee, established to evaluate the rules and regulations associated with the common areas throughout the community.
Sessler also reported that the “Area Reps” have redefined themselves as “Community Reps” and will welcome new members into the community. A “Newcomers Reception” for new Westsiders is being planned for next month.
Fellingham Award Goes to MacKay
Longtime volunteer Ray MacKay was presented with the Joe Fellingham Community Service Award for volunteerism during Sunday’s meeting.
“My name mixed with Fellingham's,” said MacKay, “is the greatest honor that I can have as a Seven Lakes West citizen.”
A Director of both the SLWLA and the former Beacon Ridge Landowners Association, MacKay has volunteered not only in Seven Lakes West but in the Greater Seven Lakes Area and throughout the County. He has been appointed to three different committees by the Moore County Board of Commissioners.
“There is a volunteer that goes above and beyond,” said John Hoffmann, who joined Fran Fellingham in presenting the award.
“Joe is so happy that Ray did it,” said Fran Fellingham, “and for all you’ve done, he thanks you again and again.”
MacKay recognized Bud Sales as his “mentor and sponsor” during his acceptance speech.
Election finalized
Jim Pierman, Dan Blue, and Bruce Keyser, Sr. were elected to the SLWLA Board based on elections that were finalized at the Annual Meeting. Keyser led the pack in total votes, collecting 465 votes from the 572 ballots returned. Blue garnered 453 votes, and becomes the first ever non-resident member of the SLWLA Board of Directors. Pierman collected 339 votes. 586 members voted in last year's Annual Meeting elections.
Secretary Sessler announced that she will continue to chair the Nominating Committee for the coming year.
The Fiscal Year 2012-2013 budget included a dues increase of two percent for homeowners, but more than six percent for undeveloped lots. 352 members voted in favor of the proposed budget, 206 voted against it, and 14 members abstained. Defeating a proposed budget requires that a majority of all members -- not simply a majority of those who choose to vote -- cast their ballots against the budget.
Board Goals Reviewed
At the beginning of the year, President Mick Herdrich reminded the landowners in attendance, the Board set two main goals: to increase communication in the community and to make a decision on the mailhouse issue.
With Secretary Jane Sessler at the helm, communication on the Westside was greatly improved, with almost 700 members signed up to receive weekly “e-blasts.”
The weekly “e-blasts” provide a way for the Board “to communicate with the community and let people know what's going on,” said Herdrich. “It’s also been very valuable to get information out into the community before rumors get started.”
The website has also become a “forum” for the community to share ideas, leave comments, and communicate with Board members, Herdrich said.
As of last week, the second goal -- finalizing the mailhouse -- is well under way. The Board appointed outgoing Director John Hoffmann to be the project manager for the mailhouse and front entryway project -- the former is set for completion by the end of 2012.
After feedback from the community and US Postal Service, the Board voted for one mailhouse to be constructed near the West Side Park Community Center [WSPCC].
The Board also set goals for each of the Directors and the committees they chair. Herdrich reviewed progress toward those goals during Sunday’s meeting:
• Under the leadership of Lake and Dam Director Adam Wimberly: Johnson Point docks were renovated, new piezometers were installed on the dam, a Lake Patrol was added, and the ski zone on Lake Auman was expanded.
• Legal Director Jack Stevens was able to successfully negotiate a deal with the Aberdeen Carolina and Western Railway Company, which granted Seven Lakes West their “independence” from the railroad. Stevens also handled an annexation of Parkwood and the Clubhouse Commons lawsuit.
• Infrastructure Director John Goodman was able to complete culvert repairs throughout the community; and work on the lower pond roadway was finished after three months, which restored the front entrance view of Lake Auman.
• Finance Director Don Freiert implemented a new policies and procedures for investments, completed the 2011 audit, formalized accounting policies and procedure, and integrated the Long Range Plan of the community into the Financial Plans.
• Under Architectural Review Director John Hoffmann, the ARC committee established a two co-chair system that will allow easy transition for new directors of ARC. With the help of his committee, Hoffmann improved response times for applications, established a mentoring program and training syllabus for new ARC members, created a variance application procedure, and completed an update of ARC standards.
• Safety and Security Director Jim McCarthy selected a new security company that will begin work on May 1. He developed a new access policy for the community and installed new lighting at the front gate.
For the upcoming year, the following projects are already on the table:
• Begin the mail house and entrance projects.
• Evaluate the recreational use of the abandoned roadway over the Lake Auman dam.
• Complete a road and storm drainage management plan.
• The Amenities Committee will focus on upgrades throughout the community.
• The Board will continue to transfer day-to-day operations responsibilities to CAS.
Retiring Directors Honored
The Board bid farewell to three retiring Directors during Sunday’s meeting and gave each a humorous parting “token” of appreciation.
ARC Director John Hoffmann, who served as Safety and Security Director for two years, “successfully built an excellent [Safety and Security] program in Seven Lakes West,” said President Herdrich.
Throughout Hoffmann’s time on the Board he built a reputation “to comment on just about any topic -- at length,” he added.
Presenting Hoffmann with a microphone, Herdrich added: “John is one of the few people we know who can ask a question and, in the next sentence answer it.”
John Goodman, as Infrastructure Director, “has clearly demonstrated his expertise,” said Herdrich, “by successfully completing very significant community projects.”
“Unfortunately, the more time the Board takes to discuss an issue and reach consensus, the more likely John will argue and support every side of the issue,” Herdrich added, presenting Goodman with a pair of flip flops.
“We would like to thank you for showing your fellow Board members that positions are flexible,” joked Herdrich, “and that it is possible to successfully be on both sides of the aisle.”
Lake and Dam Director Adam Wimberly served in his current role for one year and as ARC Director for two years. Herdrich presented Wimberly with a stuffed elephant.
“He [Wimberly] tried to keep us sensible,” said Herdrich, “seeing a necessary, although sometimes unpopular solution, by identifying for us what he termed as the ‘elephant in the room.’”
The Board will purchase a bench and place a plaque on it honoring the three retiring Board members.
“Each has donated their expertise, their time, their knowledge,” said Herdrich, “to ensure the community continues to grow while maintaining the highest standards.”
