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The minority passed the budget

To the Editor:

Shame on all those members who couldn't find the time to vote in a once a year election. Because of poor participation, a group of mainly seasonal residents managed to get the most ridiculous budget ever passed. The amenities keep going down and the price keeps going up. The lake is deteriorating and the golf course leaves a lot to be desired. The speed and high-powered boats continue to tear up our shallow man-made lake. The milfoil is rampant and the geese are laughing at us.

Now we are being assessed over the next two to five years for special projects. Unless we get our priorities straight, we won't have to worry about special projects. We are spending over thirty thousand dollars on all pool-related costs. Pools that are open eight weeks at best. Now we have to minus inclement weather and constant repairs and maintenance. That probably gives us tops six weeks. According to our administrator we couldn't afford to treat the lake for milfoil. We are spending six thousand dollars on portable toilets and twelve thousand on General Other, whoever he is. I could go on and on about this budget and it's obvious something is wrong. With nine hundred and fifty plus members, we should easily meet our obligations. If there is a problem with collections, this increase will only compound it. In the last couple of years we have had problems with an administrator, three different presidents resign, and board members that quit left and right. I think that we have every right to be a little skeptical and very concerned.

Carol Duchaney

Locke Lake

Barnstead
 
Carol Duchaney
Barnstead, Locke Lake
August 02, 2006
 

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I happily beg to differ

To the Editor:

I read with interest, a recent letter to the editor from a member of Locke Lake Colony who was disappointed in the outcome of the votes taken at the annual meeting. This resident has a very different view of the outcome of our annual meeting than I have. I have only been a "year-round" resident of Locke Lake Colony for a year, but the difference between this year' meeting and last year's is like night and day for me. I for one was extremely pleased with the results of the votes during the meeting. The special projects in the budget (amounting to a little over $55/owner/year) were absolutely necessary for the preservation of the infrastructure of Locke Lake Colony. It included repairing the dams on the Colony's properties, making necessary repairs to the lodge, and addressing the milfoil problem on Locke Lake.

The approval of the annual budget resulted in a total annual membership cost to each resident of about $380 per year. Considering all of the amenities we have, I find this figure to be amazingly low.

Although we have had a lot of turnover in our administration and board in the past several years, I am extremely impressed with the way the current president and board are handling the governance of our association, and the job that our administrator, Jonathon Tripp, and his staff are doing to improve the value of our properties. There is no question in my mind that we are on the right track. My thanks to them for all they do.

Ed Jereb,

Barnstead
 
Ed Jereb
Barnstead
August 09, 2006
 

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