|
|
|
|
November/December 2007
President's Corner Lightning strikes our tornado siren. Last month we were ready to test the siren and found that it was out of commission. Lightning struck and damaged the control panel. We are now in the process of filing a claim with our insurance and having it repaired. We are thankful that insurance will take care of the major portion of this expense. Once it is repaired we will need to test and will give notice when this will be. In the last Anchor I mentioned that the three fire hydrants were installed. Lake Ponderosa Association paid $4,370 for the hydrants. The total cost of the project was $7,367.78 with Mrs. John L. Ahrens contributing the difference. Thank you Mrs. Ahrens, the Montezuma Water Department (for parts) and all who contributed to this project. As construction begins on the “tunnel” I want thank the Ahrens family for sharing openly the cost of this project. A special thank you to Barbie for all the time that has been spent on this effort. The inconvenience will affect many, but what an improvement this will be. On behalf of the association board members, I wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
FUTURE 2008 EVENTS
LPA PROJECTS UPDATE AS OF October 2007
COMMUNITY CONCERNS SURVEY RESULTS This survey was conducted from June 2006 to June 2007 by the unit leaders of the Lake Ponderosa Association. It was implemented to better represent the lot owners’ concerns to the LPA Board to possibly prompt further investigation, and they, then in turn inform lot owners of progress and problems in addressing these ongoing issues. Each of the eight concerns were rated on a scale of one to five (one being not concerned to five being extremely concerned). A total of 114 surveys were returned (see note of explanation below). Following is the percentage of respondents who deemed the issues as “very concerned” and/or “extremely concerned”. Road Conditions 66% Dredging 44% Lake Water Quality 65% Mouse Hole 71% Water Run-Off 44% Theft & Vandalism 44% Drinking Water Pressure 39% Private Lake Status 55% These results were presented to the LPA Board along with all written comments. You may obtain a complete data sheet along with the comment section by calling Raenette Schurman @ (641) 623-1090 or Phyllis Anderson @ (641) 623-3923. This will also be on display at the LPA Association building. NOTE: Regretfully, not all lot owners received the survey. The exact procedure was left up to the discretion of the unit leaders. Some mailed the form along with a reminder to join the LPA. Consequently, many had joined earlier and likely did not receive the survey. Please accept our sincere apologies! Submitted by Phyllis Anderson
WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES!! Yes, indeed a day or two can make a difference on the appearance of the Association Building. If you have not been over to see the new sliding glass doors installed this fall, stop some morning and enjoy the new view. These doors were financed with funds from the Tour of Homes and installed by Don Flater, Jerry Osborn and Norm Huisman. Thanks guys for all your efforts! You have given the Association Building a great new look! Additional decorative touches will be added later. The Unit Leaders concluded their monthly meetings in October with a soup supper, which was enjoyed by all attending. Our next meeting will be in March. One short item of business was a vote to buy the tent we used at the Ice Cream Social for $175. We also had volunteers who will be involved with the Montezuma Hometown Holiday children's activities at the Memorial Building on December 1st. Other highlights this past year included the Hospitality Tent & garage sales on Memorial Day weekend, the Tour of Homes in July, the Ice Cream Social in August and the garage sales on Labor Day weekend. Beyond those activities we were responsible for the Concerns Census, placement of 10 flags marking access areas that need attention due to erosion and recently an exercise class has been started by Jan Tope with 12-15 women participating Monday through Thursday mornings at 9:00 AM. It has been a busy, but rewarding year. Thanks, Unit Leaders, for all your help and thanks to Ray & Jan Faubus for their leadership this past year. When your new membership form arrives and you ask yourself, "What do I get out of joining the Lake Association?" or "Why should I spend $25 and get nothing out of it?" I would like to personally remind you what that $25 does for YOU! 1. Provides a unified voice in addressing concerns of the residents 2. Sponsor social events 3. Contributes to Montezuma community functions 4. Organizes and supports a sub-system of unit leaders 5. Issues boat cards and documents records of residents 6. Writes, prints and mails the ANCHOR, a bimonthly publication 7. Maintains the Association Building which is available for renting 8. Stocks the lake annually with wall-eyes 9. Sponsors an annual child/adult fishing derby 10. Test the lake water for impurities and contamination 11. Purchases, installs, maintains and replaces no-wake buoys 12. Coordinates FIREWORKS It seems to me that $25 for all that is quite a bargain. If YOU haven't been a member in the past, PLEASE consider joining in 2008! Do YOUR part, help support the Lake Association. YOU do get something out of it whether YOU pay for it or not! Have a safe winter. Keep warm and healthy. Happy Holidays to all! Joan Stiffler, Coordinator for the Unit Leaders
PLEASE NO MORE HOG CONFINEMENTS IN POWESHIEK COUNTY October 11, 2007 To Whom It May Concern: I am writing in regards to the Hog Factory issue and I am passionately pleading to not let another hog confinement be built in Poweshiek County. We already have at least 39, but this next one being considered directly affects us. We are Lake Ponderosa, a private lake of about 380 acres of water, located four miles west of Montezuma. My husband, John L. Ahrens, started this project in 1964, with the help of his family. He planned for it to be a family lake with swimming, camping and fishing for the blue-collar person to enjoy. He sold his lots for as little as $500.00 per lot, with monthly payments of only $10.00. My husband lived until 1975, and prior to that could see the lake coming along after the first years. We couldn’t get financing from any bank back then for recreation. After his death, we formed two corporations, Lake Ponderosa Development, Inc. and Ponderosa Utilities, Inc., and my family decided to stay and see their dad’s project through. My son’s John G. and Bill Ahrens live here and take care of the roads, water lines, and all else that needs to be done. My daughter also came to help me with the bookwork after John G. installed new water lines from Montezuma in 1985. Bill’s sons also help with the plowing and waterline repairs. I have two granddaughters that do most of the Utility books now. Our lake has grown as we now have almost 750 lot owners, of which 285 live here permanently. I am writing this because I have a deep moral responsibility to our Lake people. By now many of the mobile homes have been replaced with beautiful homes, and we have third generation families living here. We have paid millions of dollars to Poweshiek County in taxes. Many area businesses have benefited from Lake Ponderosa. Now we are threatened with another hog confinement being built just four miles south of us. Uwe Meyer and his family, together with Prestage Farms, want to build this one. We just can’t have the stench of that to pollute the air. Uwe was our mailman for years at Lake Ponderosa, so he is very familiar with our area. Please come see our lake, and see why another hog confinement being built so close to us would be devastating. It would just ruin our lake to have 4500+ swine so close to us. Prestage Farms have just invaded our county. Please forward my letter to anyone who can help us. We can’t let this happen. The stench would be unbearable, and it would ruin our lake. I am 85 years old now, and I want to live here at our lake with our good reputation, and with hope. Sincerely, Mrs. John L. Ahrens 386 Center Point Drive Montezuma, IA 50171 Lake Ponderosa
COUNTY SALES TAX VOTE The unincorporated areas of Poweshiek County will be voting on a one percent Local Option Sales and Service Tax (LOSST) on February 5, 2008. If it passes, the revenue will be used exclusively for capital improvements on secondary roads and to construct a new public safety building (a.k.a. jail). The Local Option Sales and Service Tax was passed on November 7, 2006 in every incorporated town in the county, but failed to pass in the unincorporated area. The current one cent sales tax generates $1,946,462 in the towns within the county. This money is distributed based on a state formula which includes population and property values. Right now all of this money is going to the towns in Poweshiek County. If the unincorporated county passes this tax on February 5, it would generate an additional $59,000 in tax revenue, but the county would receive $770,000 annually, as its share of the countywide tax (which is currently going to the incorporated towns). This figure assumes no increase in sales in the county. If this LOSST vote passes, this would mean over $15 million would go to Poweshiek County to be used exclusively for capital improvements on secondary roads and for the public safety building. None of the funds may be used for regular ongoing expenses. Depending on how the public safety building is financed, over half of that $15-plus million should go to road improvement over the remaining 19 years of the LOSST. One supervisor has already told me they would be pushing to have some sort of hard surface put on 110th street along the east side of Lake Ponderosa. This is an opportunity for the county to improve roads and construct a jail without increasing property taxes to do so. We are already paying this one-cent sales tax in every community of the county, but the county is not receiving any of the proceeds. For what it’s worth, I was opposed to the LOSST for the unincorporated county last time because I did not agree with how the supervisors were going to spend the money. This time, I am in favor of it because of how it will be used---better secondary roads, and a new jail without raising property taxes. Big return for not a very big investment. I am writing this so that everyone understands what we will be voting on. If you are a registered voter in Poweshiek County, be sure to exercise your right on February 5. Dave Arendt
LAKE PONDEROSA ASSOCIATION SEPTEMBER MINUTE HIGHLIGHTS MEMBERSHIP/ADVERTISERS: There are 462 members and 47 advertisers to date. ONGOING BUSINESS UPDATES: LPA AND UNIT LEADERS ACCOMPLISHEMENTS: The board gave permission to the unit leaders to purchase a light for the flag at the boat ramp. OLD BUSINESS UPDATES: OPERATIONAL COMMITTEE: Paul reported that the new lights in the association building are in place and an emergency light will be installed in he building in case of a power outage. He is checking into the exhaust fan in the kitchen area. SEPTIC SYSTEM TESTING AND REPORTING/TRASH: No update MOUSE HOLE: Barbie gave an informative presentation. As of tonight there are 241 yes – 114 no’s. She showed a drawing of the bridge/tunnel and explained that the price included approximately 75 feet of new paving to the south and 50 feet to the north of the bridge. Low bid for the tunnel is $158,583.12 (being done by an outside contractor). Work to be done by the Ahrens family would include paving at $45,000 - $55,000 and guardrail and signage at an additional $10,000. Total expense $223,583.00. All lot owners would be accessed no more than $300.00 with the exception being only if a lot owner had more than one residence on the lake. Several comments, questions and suggestions came from the guests. TORNADO SIREN: Barbie reported that the 3rd Saturday of the months of April – October the siren will be tested. John will call the sheriff’s department to remind them to do so. HYDRANTS: There has been for some time (2) hydrants on the lake, one at Woodland and Crabtree and one on Woodland just west of the lumber yard. Three new sites were proposed: (1) Eastside Lane & Hillcrest (2) Center part of Hillcrest (3) North end of Center Point. The hydrants including installation will run about $2,300.00 each. We have money from fundraising for 2 or them. Paul proposed to do all 3 this fall. Don seconded the motion. All were in favor WATER TESTING: Don gave a report on standards for testing: Nitrogen 10 parts per million E-coli 100 parts per 100 ml of water Dan was absent so we were unable to compare at this time. WALLEYES: No report BUILDING UPGRADE: Don got bids for sliding doors from several sources finding the best prices at Ponderosa Supply. Two doors including tax would be $1,131.14 plus framing lumber. Three people have offered to donate their time for the installation. There was some discussion as to 1 or 2 doors. Jan made a motion for 2 doors, Deanna seconded it and the motion carried. Don will order the doors immediately. NEW BUSINESS: ASSIGNMENT OF DUTIES: No report. OPEN FORUM: No comments from the guests. John requested that anyone who could go to the Court House tomorrow at 9:30 to show opposition to another proposed hog lot would be appreciated.
LAKE PONDEROSA ASSOCIATION OCTOBER MINUTE HIGHLIGHTS MEMBERSHIP/ADVERTISERS: There are 462 members and 47 advertisers to date. ONGOING BUSINESS UPDATES: LPA AND UNIT LEADERS ACCOMPLISHEMENTS: The Unit Leaders had their last meeting for the year with a soup supper. They will not meet again until March 2008. Special thanks went out to Don Flater for spear heading the sliding glass door project. They look great and it was done in a timely fashion. A bill was presented for the materials of $1,563.59 from Ponderosa Supply. The labor was donated. Window coverings are being deferred at this time because everyone agreed that the view is great just as it is. The unit leaders also voted to purchase the small tent used this year at the ice cream social for $175.00 (a new one sells for $300.00). Bob motioned that this be approved and Tom seconded the motion. All were in favor. There will be no Christmas walk this year but the unit leaders have been asked to have an entertainment booth for children at the memorial building instead. OLD BUSINESS UPDATES: OPERATIONAL COMMITTEE: The emergency light is in which was reported by Paul. It is also time to do the fall projects such as the window air, gutters and boat docks. Bob, John, Dan and Jim will take care of these. Jan would like to see a write up of every event showing what, where and how these have been handled in the past should previous participants not be available. These should be kept in the file cabinet at the office for easy access. Jan will oversee this. A motion by Tom and seconded by Dan to donate $125 to the Monte Fire Department was made. All were in favor. A letter regarding the food pantry was presented and it was encouraged that everyone participates individually. The table in memory of Leo has been difficult to obtain. The Monroe Mfg company has been giving the run around. Paul will check with the parties who raised money for this to see if there is something else that can be purchased. Lu Ahrens wrote up a nice article in the paper regarding hog confinements. Everyone is encouraged to write their representatives to try and stop the most recent proposed site 3-1/2 miles south of here. MOUSE HOLE: The survey showed majority of lot owners are for the renovation however there are still a few minor details that need to be worked out before we get the green light to start construction. Lot owners will be kept informed. TORNADO SIREN: The siren did not go off during the recent tornado threat. John is looking into the cause with the help of Harry and Karen Meek. HYDRANTS: All 3 hydrants have been installed. Some of the trees in the areas need to be trimmed as well as gravel put down for easy access if the need arises. Breakdown of the expenses are as follows: $3,900.00 Hydrants $ 799.30 Parts (donated by Montezuma water department) $3,300.00 ($300.00 donated by John Ahrens & $2520.00 donated by Ponderosa Utilities) Grand total paid by LPA is the $4,380.00 raised by our 2007 fundraising adventure. In addition, Ponderosa Utilities have offered to do the tree trimming and gravel as well. Thank you everybody who has helped to make this a better place to live. John will be sending out a thank you. WATER TESTING: Dan will check out a complaint of blue scum in the coves around Horseshoe. It is assumed it is mold. WALLEYES: Walleyes are scheduled to be delivered next week. NEW BUSINESS: ASSIGNMENT OF DUTIES: No report. OPEN FORUM: LPA has been asked to become members of the Montezuma Boosters. Paul motioned we accept and Bob seconded the motion. Jan offered to attend the meetings on our behalf.
CHRISTMAS TREE SAFETY TIPS
TOM’S “BIG WALLEYE” STORY. In mid-September a friend of mine was in from California on business and we attempted to do some fishing for walleyes. We started trolling first thing in the morning with minnows. Note to self: I know why I don’t fish very often because I have the patience and attention span of 4 year old. Okay back to the story, my friend is a hard core fisherman when he comes; he is out from sun up to sun down. Note to self: Make sure you bring something to do when your friend says lets just try it for a few more minutes. That’s like putting a 4 year old to bed and then him saying I want a drink. Which turns into 20 minutes of things he has to do. Sorry, back to the rest of the story. We were trolling/drifting with minnows in about 15 to 23 feet of water. At about 8:15 am on the west lake about 23ft down I had the first real bite of the day. I caught a nice 5lb 1oz catfish on a minnow. I am no Babe Winkelman or Jimmy Houston, but that just didn’t seem right catching a catfish trolling with a minnow. We continued to troll/drift out of a Baja ski boat with no trolling motor. Good thing the wind was blowing fairly hard that day. We trolled/drifted around the west lake until about 12 when my friend had the second bite of the day and he caught the twin to my catfish at 5lb 1.5oz on a pinky with a minnow. Then the fishing story of my life happened while he was landing his 5lb cat. My pole started to bend and almost went out of the boat. I thought oh great I got a snag on it. So I started to tighten the line so I could break it and the snag started to move. I was like I think a have something fairly big on the line. The drag started to go and I just kept my rod tip up like all the fishing shows tell you to do. It was probably a few minutes of fighting before the fish was approaching the top of the water about 35 yards away. I could see that it was a big fish but only saw a glimpse of the side of it in the water. We were getting excited because we both thought this was going to be a big walleye. About two minutes later the fishing story of my life comes to the top of the water for the big reveal. I hadn’t caught any thing yet, but it’s like those fishing shows that have the blue marlins jumping out of the water. I could say that I had this big walleye on and I had a witness that might have backed me up. As the “big walleye” was coming into view we both saw it come up and it turn into a big walleye-carp as the daylight hit the fish. Note to self: That is why I don’t fish very often, I catch the fish we don’t want to catch. My “big walleye-carp” ended up weighing 23 lbs and caught drifting with a minnow. This was my biggest fish I had ever caught and I can say I didn’t even think twice about whether to have it mounted or not. It went back in the lake to live and grow to be an even bigger “walleye-carp”. You can see pictures of the two catfish and the “walleye-carp” we caught on the LPA website at www.lakeponderosa.org under the Photos section.
LAKE PONDEROSA CALENDAR
FUTURE ARTICLES / RECIPES / TOPICS FOR THE ANCHOR
If you would like to submit a potential article or a favorite recipe that you would like published in a future issue of the Anchor newsletter please contact JoAnn Carstensen at carstensen01@yahoo.com
NOTICE Just a reminder to help support the 2007 Lake Ponderosa Fireworks Display. Please drop off redeemable cans/bottles at Sheppard's Cans/Bottles Redemption Center in Montezuma (103 S. Front Street). They are open Monday - Friday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM. Thank you for your continued support.
Ponderosa Utilities, Inc. Office Hours Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM
The office will be closed on the following holidays: Memorial Day – Monday, May 28, 2008 4th of July – Wednesday, July 4, 2008 Labor Day – Monday, September 3, 2008
|
