ARROWHEAD LAKE ASSOCIATION – ‘This last year has been a step forward’

By Mary-Justine Lanyon

The Arrowhead Lake Association members who attended the annual meeting on July 27 heard a lot of positive thoughts from President Alan Kaitz and General Manager Mike Pate.

“We are blessed to be part of this wonderful community,” Kaitz said. “I believe this last year has been a step forward in everything we’ve done. 

“We realized the importance of focusing on maintenance and ensuring our facilities remain in excellent condition,” Kaitz said.

He gave special thanks to Director David Dahl, who played a critical role in bringing General Manager Mike Pate to ALA.

Pate thanked the board for the opportunity to be their general manager. “You have led me on to a grand adventure,” he said. But, he noted, “a GM is only as good as the people who work with him. I commend to you our great staff,” he said as he showed a photo of himself on his first day, surrounded by the ALA staff. 

“Our purpose,” he noted, “is to do what is in the best interests of the members and the lake. I want to serve you, the members, and make sure the lake is sustained for future generations.”

Vice President Denise Loxton enumerated some of the past year’s accomplishments: holding a budget workshop every year so members can give input; creating a three-year reserve study that will assist with budgeting; conducting three member surveys; getting approval for lake weed treatment. 

“Our best decision,” Loxton said, “was to hire an exceptional general manager in Mike Pate. He is dedicated, enthusiastic, inspirational and always has a smile on his face.”

The chairs of the various committees then reported on their activities over the past year. Several of the reports were accompanied by PowerPoint presentations (ALA meetings are recorded and are available to members on the website, www.ala-ca.org; those presentations can be viewed there). All the chairs thanked their committee members for their service.

Kathi Rothner, chair of the Fish Committee, shared slides of fish planting – 20,000 pounds of rainbow and lightning trout were put into the lake – the junior trout rodeo, ALA day at SkyPark and the annual fishing derby. “Memories are made on Lake Arrowhead,” she said. “We are here to help you create those memories.”

Jack Cooperman, chair of the Forestry and Vegetation Committee, showed work that has been done in 10 forestry areas. “In a time when we are dealing with fire hazards,” Kaitz said, “you have done an excellent job.”

Reporting for the Lake and Trail Access Committee, Chair Chris Wilson said the sales of wristbands for STR guests have gone “way up” at the ALA office.

David Dahl, chair of the Lake Operations and Maintenance Committee, had Chandra Olivas, the operations administrator, report to the members. She reported that lake weed abatement had taken place the week before. Members can borrow weed rakes from the office. She highlighted the improvements made to the Ralph Wagner building, roof repairs at Inland Boat Center, marina and courtesy dock repairs, erosion control and trail repairs. The storage container at Papoose Lake was painted by Molly Collins so it is “no longer an eyesore.”

Dahl, speaking for the Litigation Committee, urged members to read the decision of the appellate court on the website. 

“Keeping the lake safe is always a challenge on our biggest weekend, July 4,” said Loxton, the chair of the Lake Safety Committee. Their goal is education before citations – the committee issued many more warnings than citations, she noted. She directed members to the website to watch the three educational videos they had created.

Director Bud Macer, chair of the Shoreline Improvement Committee, outlined several changes they had facilitated: minor changes to fabric canopy colors, an alteration of dock lighting regulations to be in compliance with the Dark Skies ordinance and an improved dock transfer process.

 

Regular monthly meeting

After a short break, the board reconvened to hold its regular monthly meeting. Director Eran Heissler said he had a suggestion he wasn’t sure people were going to like.

“No one mentioned how beautiful the fireworks show was,” he said. “I would like to suggest the board look into replacing it with a drone show, which would be more environmentally safe.

“Fireworks are nice but they are very repetitious,” Heissler said. A drone show, he noted, would be safe for dogs and people like veterans with PTSD.

Rather than not liking his idea, two members spoke up with support for the suggestion.

“I totally agree,” said Marilyn Dishell. “My adult children commented this year that it was so tired.” She added that several neighbors have said they would like ALA to always have the show on July 4, no matter what day of the week it is. “It didn’t feel right to a lot of people this year,” she added.

“What Eran brought up is the correct thing to look at,” said Scott Rindenow. “I’ve done extensive research into drone shows. For all the reasons Eran brought up, the drone shows are amazing.”

Rindenow added the drone shows are in 3D and can project any images the association would like. “It would be customized to you,” he said. “You could have sailboats across the sky, people waterskiing.”

Kaitz said he would give direction to Pate to look into the feasibility and cost of a drone show.

With an election coming up for four positions on the board – At Large B, Grass Valley, North and West – the board voted to appointed Greg Silver as the inspector of elections and appointed Garin Vartanian, Dick Shay and Julie Hallsted to the election committee. 

Those interested in running had to file papers at the ALA office by 5:00 p.m. on Aug. 14. There will be a candidates forum at Burnt Mill Beach Club from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Aug. 17 and a meet and greet at Grass Valley Park from noon to 2:00 p.m. on Aug. 24.

Electronic voting instructions will be distributed to members by Aug. 30; that voting must be completed by 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 16 after which the inspector will announce the results.

The newly elected directors will be seated at the Oct. 26 regular board meeting.