STILL RAININ

THE PLANET MARS

yea i guess it will continue for a while --have to cancel my trip up to la this weekend -- have more work to do here -- but this should be the end of this project and i'll be able to get to la on a more regular schedule

i posted a link to the new free program from microsoft -- worldwide telescope -- this is really an amazing accomplishment for microsoft and it's FREE -- check it out while you wait for the rain to stop -- you'll marvel at the unbelievable images of the universe

web address:http://www.worldwidetelescope.org/

april showers

it looks like april showers are arriving in may -- oh well -- i missed a few weeks due to some work but i'm heading up to la this weekend -- weather doesn't look too bad --we'll see

#251

MOTHER'S DAY

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

TO ALL THE LA COMMUNITY MOTHERS

COME ON GIVE HER A KISS!

#254

SUNDAY IS MY MOM'S DAY!

#255

MOM'S DAY

WE'RE ON OUR WAY TO VISIT MOM!

MOTHER'S DAY

DON'T FORGET!

#257

comment

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "junk vehicles reply":
I can't put up a clothesline in the back of my trailer but this type of junk is allowed?

yea -- it makes you wonder some times where their coming from- chipper

#259

junk vehicles reply

peggy -- thanks for the clarification -- now only if la manager gary stevens and the bod would review the by laws maybe they too would understand this issue -- i still say both trailers and the construction equipment on the one and the hot rod on the other don't belong parked at la -- let's see if they do anything

12 wides were briefly mentioned -- same story as on the la web page --in the hands of the lawyers and etc. and etc. -- don't hold your breath on this issue --- chipper

Peggy Snow to me show details 6:47 PM (1 hour ago) Reply
Found this in the by-laws 6.1b. As long as vehicle has current registration it is allowed, but read the next paragraph under Maintenance of Campsite on page 18. (b) A motor operated vehicle is deemed to be an abandoned or junked motor vehicle if is remains within the premises of the development known as Lake Adventure for more than four (4) weeks in such a condition that, for the duration of said period, the vehicle is either: 1. unable to move under its own power; or 2. without current inspection sticker or similar certification of the state in which the vehicle is registered; or license plates; or 3. is not currently registered in any state.Maintenance of Campsite(c) All personal property on a campsite shall be maintained in good condition so as not to become unsightly. Unless in actual use, personal property items, including tents, shall not be left on a campsite during the period between December first and the following April first. Also found this for the 12' wide question under Definitions on page 3. According to the by-laws there is no width restriction only total square footage. The 12' wides on sale are just under 400 square foot. Was this issue discussed at the Meet the Candidates??? (b) Park Model: A vehicular unit, mounted on wheels, of such size or weight as to require a special highway movement permit when drawn by a motorized vehicle designed and constructed to provide temporary living quarters for recreational, camping or travel use and of a size no more that four hundred (400) square feet. (AMENDED 10/2006)

response to la management falling asleep

Anonymous said...
Hi Chipper,I agree with you on this. If we let this continue, why would any family purchase at LA? I'm curious on the response you received when you pointed this out to LA management. Did they even respond? I notice you indicated that this mess is breaking the rules; where can I check this? Perhaps if we point this out to Gary and call him out on this he will be forced to take action.
April 27, 2008 1:34 PM
chipper said...
well at the meet the candidates night i was informed that if these are licensed vehicles that they are allowed at la-- i'm willing to bet neither of these trailers are legally licensed-- of course the managaement at la would rather ignor the problem than address it or maybe something else is going on-- anyone need their lot leveled, stone spread or rocks moved around?
May 4, 2008 8:51 PM

#260

poll results

queestion: when do you make your first visit to la?
answers:

March -- 13 votes;..... april --18 votes; ... may--18 votes;.... june --22 votes;.. later --9 votes

question: do you go to another location for the winter?
answers:....... yes ----19 votes; ....... no -----59 votes

question: if you go to another location for winter is it
answers:... florida -- 10 votes; ....carolinas --9 votes; ....nome, alaska-- 0 votes; ..other--51 votes

well it looks like a lot of people come to la in the early spring months -- it really is a nice time to visit and of course it allows you to get a head start on getting your site ready for the summer

19 members get away for the winter -- snowbirds that is good -- but most of us are stuck here in the ne. or other-- florida and the carolinas is a favorite destination -- nobody goes to nome, alaska -- i wonder why?

poll results

question was:

SHOULD LA ALLOW FOR SALE SIGNS ON YOUR PROPERTY?

answers:

YES -----62 votes .....................NO -------8 votes

the by laws do not allow signs -- this should be changed --

when someone wants to sell their property they should have as many options as possible -- when they reach this point it is better for the community to have the property change hands then to have a property left unattended and start to look shabby due to neglect from the disinterested owners and maybe even go into default of the annual dues and property taxes resulting a long protracted period until the property is sold at sheriffs sale

the other issue is that this rule was probably set up to protect the on site realtor at the inception of la--it still has that same effect and makes it more difficult to market la property-- other realtors handle la property -- as a matter of fact i see other off site realtor's ads in the real estate publications all the time ( i have never seen an ad for the on site realtor in any publication )

another place that carries la property is the http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites.html--off site realtors have la property listed all the time -- this is also a place where you can post your own ad for free-- you can post it in multiple major east coast cities

it's in the best interest to the la community to make selling a property easier -- even to a point of upgrading the la website to allow members to post ads and photos --

of course i doubt this will happen -- the bod and la management are more interested in protecting certain other interests than the la community interests

poll results

the question was:

SHOULD LA PROMOTE A SPECIAL SATURDAY FOR SPRING CLEAN UP DAY?

the answers were: YES 68 votes ------ NO 2 votes

GETTING PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH LA EARLY IN THE SEASON IS A GOOD IDEA -- A SPRING CLEAN UP DAY COULD BE A WAY TO GET PEOPLE TO CLEAN UP THE LOTS, REMOVE LEAVES, STICKS, WEEDS; OLD DECK FURNITURE THEY DON'T WANT SINCE THEY HAVE NEW FURNITURE; TOYS, BIKES AND OTHER PLAY THINGS THEIR KIDS DON'T USE ANYMORE SINCE THEY GREW OUT OF THEM; FURNITURE FROM THEIR TRAILERS THEY WANT TO DISCARD-- ALL THIS STUFF THAT HAS BEEN PILING UP AROUND THEIR TRAILERS AND SHEDS --

la should help by have a schedule to collect leaves - these leaves can be collected and piled up by the roadside and la maintenance could come around the next week with a truck mounted vacuum and collect and discard the leaves ( yes at the meet the candidate night this idea was pooh poohed-- just another example of what is wrong with the attitude of the current board-- they just can't see how to things like this can be done-- not much imagination on their part) --

perhaps a truck and a few men could be utilized on this saturday to collect bulk material that needs to go to the dumpster -- nothing heavy and it would have to be outside a trailer in the front of the property ( a fee could be developed to cover these costs of this service for people who don't have a vehicle to haul items)

in most cases the junk that is accumulating on properties is a result that most people have no method to haul junk or their age limits their ability to accomplish this without help -- and i think most people would be willing to pay a nominal fee to get this service --

now i know that the answer from the la management and the bod is that this can't be done -- they have lots of reasons for not doing things -- what they don't have is an alternative method to accomplish these things-- it easier to just ignore the problems-- the status quo is how they see everything

so here is the situation those voting in the poll overwhelming want a clean up day -- i wonder if it has even a chance with this management-- i doubt it!
--

MEET THE CANDIDATES

well the meeting was quite interesting -- lots of questions and comments but very few answers by the candidates -- there seems to be a lack of communications with these candidates -- a lot can't be done because........you name it and they said it -- it made the presidential candidates sound great -- but as always this is not a presidential race and we must choose from the list of candidates before us -- i know who i'm not voting for -- but i'll hold my selection private and hope for the best

in the future i believe more people should consider running for the board -- a turnover in the bod ranks is not a bad idea -- it allows new ideas and new approaches to be explored -- things change and la could use some new direction -- but that requires a change in the majority of the bod members and that requires several cycles of voting for new candidates by the community members -- i think this should be something the community members should think about between now and next year's elections


#261

MOTHER'S DAY COMING UP!

RAIN RAIN RAIN but ---Saturday Meeting

that's the forecast for much of the next week at la --but the MEET THE CANDIDATES night is saturday evening at 7:30 -- great night for the incumbents not so good for the new candidates--but if you can you should try to get there -- assessing the qualifications of the candidates is important to understand what your getting on the bod -- also this way when you're dissatisfied with the way things are going at la you might be able to figure out who's to blame ( yea-- get real) that would require a crystal ball since no one knows who's responsible for what-- oh well--- see ya saturday night -- chipper

#264

comment

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "12 wides":
Sounds like it is time for a change in management. We as LA owners should look to replace this Gary Stevens and find a more capable Manager of LA.
So say it the Shepard!

12 wides

potter i think you got it right -- no one person knows what is going on with this situation -- the manager gary stephens probably hawks the story you got because most things at la run on auto pilot - there isn't anyone knowledgeable running la --sometimes it looks like a three ring circus without a ringmaster --la has tried before to get this approval and it led to nothing-- i suspect that this endeavor will end up the same way -- if you ever attended any of the meetings with the township officials (2 out the last 3 were canceled by the attorneys) you see that there is no real strong management guiding this through the steps that are necessary to get approval -- adding to this is a very inefficient attorney representing la interests and no professional support for presenting la's case- (ps-- the la attorney has been working on this case for years to no avail-- a law student would do better than the la attorney)-- the dob has little to no experience in running anything and again they're not paid positions although they are legally responsible for the events at la -- so they rely on the manager -- the dob needs qualified individuals that are capable of taking charge of la and managing it --they need individuals who are involved with la on a daily basis and not as i suspect only on the days of the board meetings or when they show up on their vacation days-- hard to get in unpaid positions and having no nearby residencies-- but still qualified individuals should step up and take over --but the board is made up of people who have been on it for years yet few community members know what they do or what they're responsible for in the operation of la--- the annual open board meeting are held each year -- no bod members talk or makes presentations-- only the president talks -- it basically is a gripe session for members and if and when you can hear (which is next to impossible with the crap sound system they have-- i have a theory about this -- the bod are mushroom farmers and we're the mushrooms -- kept in the dark and fed s--t--) nothing much is presented-- they hawk their annual budget and let everyone know the status of the capital improvements projects (as if they initiated them yea under orders from the government to get in compliance with the current statures) and to accommodate the additional requirements of the members--- for years these capital improvements were ignored and now very expensive projects must be done under threats and deadlines-- a few more examples of poor planning and management-- so yes the fact is that you can't get info on the 12 wide status isn't surprising -- call gary stephens at 570-682-2800 and see what he feeds you -- let us know how you made out --- chipper

365-100=265

question re: 12 wides

POTTER IS WONDERING ABOUT 12 WIDES --- ANYONE KNOW ANYTHING?

Potter3851 to me show details 12:02 PM (6 hours ago) Reply
Does anyone have information on the 12' wide situation? I've asked the "office" for an update and was told they don't know much except the township is concerned about the 12'ers on the local roads. We're only allowed deliveries three mornings a week so it shouldn't be that big of a problem. I've heard Primary Residency is also concern but wouldn't it be the same rule for an 8 1/2' as well as a 12' wide? I believe declaring primary residency is a federal law for income tax purposes and not one the township dictates, however the LA Rules only state it cannot be your primary residence but doesn't stipulate the number of days you are allowed in the community. This might be a problem as 180+ days gives you primary residency, I don't know if it's an option you can decline. I received the LA newsletter and there was no news on the subject. Rumors, rumors, rumors! Any info would be appreciated.

polls closing

well just like the presidential primary -- my polls are closing down within a day or two -- so if you want to vote HURRY UP ^---(bod nominee poll will stay open and up) -- then i will decide which ones of the past polls to repeat --more people coming to la in season so let's find out what they think

then i guess we should review the numbers of the closed polls and see what people think-- i know i'll have a few thoughts or so (some rants are permissable -- this is a blog u know) -- i can hardly wait.------chipper

#266

computer help

when i look at this picture i can only guess what this guy must go through when he has a problem with his computers -- i wonder who he calls for help?

#267

comment reply

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "LA MANAGEMENT FALLING ASLEEP?":
Hi Chipper,
I agree with you on this. If we let this continue, why would any family purchase at LA? I'm curious on the response you received when you pointed this out to LA management. Did they even respond? I notice you indicated that this mess is breaking the rules; where can I check this? Perhaps if we point this out to Gary and call him out on this he will be forced to take action.

LA MANAGEMENT FALLING ASLEEP?

last year i posted pictures of rusted, abandoned or unauthorized vehicles and trailers throughout la--- this year i checked and they still are around -- i wonder if la management has fallen asleep on the job since they're not enforcing the community rules-- this is detrimental to la (somewhere i heard that before) --- so i will go over it again

1) the construction equipment trailer is parked on a site-- it's rusting, has flat tires and was empty last year when i took this picture
this year the trailer now has a tarped skid steer -- a new addition
the question is why is this person allowed have construction equipment parked here????

a) if he was using it on his project-- then by now the permit must have expired and the equipment should be removed

b) he's doing jobs throughout the community and he keeps it here so it's readily available--this is then a business function and is prohibited by the la by-laws

c) he using la as a storage place for his equipment because--- he has no other place for it (his home municipality probably prohibits him from parking in his driveway -- smart municipality) or it would cost money to rent storage space anywhere else

no matter what the reason la management seems to be sleeping on the job by allowing this situation to continue (maybe someone will reply and let us know if they're even doing anything? yea!)


BUT THIS IS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM--- here is a picture of a vehicle that is probably not inspected or licensed and it too should not be stored her at la--- (AGAIN DETRIMENTAL TO LA)-what could be the problem here? la members should not allow this activity to continue -- it will lead to more severe problems down the road if the la management doesn't address these type of matters --

let me know how you may feel about these issues and yes even give the la manager, gary stevens a call and ask him about these problems -- his number is (wait a minute -- i have to look it up on the la website.............) here it is 570-682-2800-

enuf 4 this day! -- chipper

HAPPY CINCO de MAYO

red headed woodpecker

yesterday was the first time i ever saw a red headed woodpecker---it was on a tree in back of my trailer--it was really big -- i never knew there was such a bird -- i always thought that the name came from the woody woodpecker cartoons -- duh!--- another first for me at la

comment reply

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "COMMENT":
I agree. We can do without pictures that have nothing to with LA however, instead of complaining why not send the Chipper some? I'm sure Chipper would be more than happy to post them.

MILD DAY AT LA

YEA THE TEMPERATURE IN THE 60'S, SUNNY AND CLEAR -- A GREAT DAY FOR MORE SPRING CLEANUP -- KIDS AROUND RIDING BIKES AND PEOPLE WALKING THEIR DOGS- IT ALWAYS NICE THIS TIME OF YEAR AT LA--

SEVERAL WEEKS AGO I HAD A PICTURE OF MY DAFODILS JUST POKING THROUGH THE MULCH -- WELL HERE THEY ARE IN FULL BLOOM. THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY YOU SEE OTHER FLOWERS BLOOMING, SCRUBS FLOWERING AND THE TREES BREAKING BUDS -- NICE!

#268

REDNECK HI-RISE

#269

PLAYING STICK CATCH EM?

MAYBE IN ANOTHER ERA?

#270

nice day

#271

AND THE WINNER IS......

MAYBE.....WE'LL SEE IN NOVEMBER

#272