WEEKEND AROUND THE CORNER

it looks like la is in for a spectacular weekend == the weather is going to be terrific--- 80' to 90' --hurry up

maybe i'll try the pool saturday if these guys don't hog it---

#227

ROBERT F. KENNEDY

WEEKEND OVER

it was another great weekend at la -- clear, mildly warm and just outstanding weather-- the ferns are opening up, the deer are around with their fawns, saw a doe and a fawn with it's spots today -- a little differant only she had only 1 fawn-- maybe they were chinese --chipmunks running around everywhere -- they had a good winter by the number scurrying around the shed-- a little rain expected over the next few days but in the 90's by the weekend -- that should have the pool jumping-- hurry up weekend

#230

bod recap

2008/2009 Board of Directors
Artie Berkey - President; Lenny Masucci - Vice-President; Ed Rohs - Treasurer; Alfredo Siaba - Secretary; Tom Annunziata - Member; Alfonso Alaimo - Member; Marietta Richard - Member
VOTING RESULTS FROM FRIDAY NIGHT, MAY 23RD, 2008

JUAN J VIGO 162
ARTHUR BERKEY 251
ALLEN PANZER 152
JAMES F. LEOPOLD 229
MARIETTA RICHARD 334
RON SOTUNG 53

TOTAL BALLOTS RECEIVED WERE 650, WITH 16 NOT QUALIFYING.

OPEN BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS FOR 2008
ANNUAL OPEN MEETING - SATURDAY, MAY 24TH @ 11AM IN THE PAVILION;
OPEN BOARD MEETING - SATURDAY, JULY 19TH @ 11AM IN THE PAVILION;
OPEN BOARD MEETING - SATURDAY, AUGUST 16TH @ 11AM IN THE PAVILION


hope that this new board has some better answers in july then we got in may

some issue to think about:

• 12' wide issue
• delinquent dues collection progress/or lack there of with benchmarks
• capital projects progress
• assurances for in house capabilities to perform some capital improvements operations
• developement of fire safety programs; emergency preparedness programs; energy conservation programs
• quality of life concerns
• security concerns

these are a few of the topics that i think might be of interest to community members-- any one have others i'd be glad to post your thoughts-- email me at lachipper@gmail.com or ubfriend@aol.com

#231

source

i'd like to acknowledge that i received the info on the fire from a very good source-- this source is a member of the community. i will keep this source in confidence. this source has provided me with invaluable info on this incident and others before-- thank you

anyone with info that would be of interest to the community can email their info to me at: lachipper@gmail.com or ubfriend@aol.com

REPLY

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "FIRE & EMERGENCY INFO":
This is terrible especially since this is the second fire in such a short time. I hope no one was injured. What is the address?
The emergency information you provided is great and reminds us that we all need to be prepared to the best of our ability. Thanks for always keeping us up to date with all that's going on.

FIRE & EMERGENCY INFO

last evening the second trailer fire in the past month or so occurred in the la community-- to the owner of this accident i extend my sympathies--it is very difficult situation to be experiencing--

i would only hope that everyone has a smoke alarm, fire extinguisher and even a carbon monoxide detector installed in their trailers-- also everyone should have an escape plan in the event of a fire-- quick action is required in the event of a fire or emergency --

first call 911 for fire, emergency and state police-- everyone should know the address of their trailer (note: that the pike county emergency management may have a different number for your lot than the lake adventure lot number-- you can check this out by contacting pike county emergency management at 570-296-6714)

--you should have your cell phones programmed with the lake adventure security --570-686-3496-- note that la security doesn't always answer especially after normal day hours

here are the instructions for emergencies from the pike county emergency management:

9-1-1 is an emergency telephone number that provides immediate access to LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE AND EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE. 9-1-1 is a free call from any payphone.
Call 9-1-1 to report a crime, fire, heart attack, other serious medical condition or injury, or any situation requiring the immediate response of a FIRE TRUCK, AMBULANCE or LAW ENFORCEMENT.
In order to assist, the 9-1-1 dispatcher will need to know:
1. The location of the emergency.2. The phone number where the emergency is.3. The nature of the emergency.
It is important to stay calm, speak clearly, and stay on the line until you are told to hang up.

--let us hope that none of us need these plans or services--but be prepared

SUNDAY SCHULZ

HAVE YOU EVER HAD A DAY LIKE THIS?

yea

well art i like the simpsons but my favorite shows on tv are family guy, two and half men and boston legal-- i really enjoy these shows and of course you can watch fg and 2 1/2 -- several times a day--i think they are just tremendously written--- oh well

rain sat morning-- sunny till evening and showers at night - not a bad day at la-- Sunday and Monday look ok -- but then comes days of rain -- just have to enjoy the next couple

#233

simsons

hey chipper ---you like simsons?-- must be since u have them up on page

leaves

i see by the la web page that if you use a contractor to clean up your leaves, they now can drop them off at the leaf disposal area by the maintenance building--- before the contractor had to dispose of the leaves at another place other than la--- this is a sensible decision on the part of la----it should make it easier to find a contractor to do this work-- it should also make it cheaper for the members

why this old rule was set up to prohibit contractors from using the leaf dump is beyond me----- it was counterproductive and resulted in members having difficulty finding someone to provide this service and it cost members more money if they could find someone to remove leaves-- as a result i'm sure some people didn't get their leaves up and that in itself is not good-- it makes the community look badly, it creates a fire hazard (the fire last month proved that)-- it causes matted leaves to clog up drainage ditches and pipes, it breeds mosquitoes and offers protective cover for rodents and snakes

leaf collection seems to be a difficult idea for la management--
they seem to fight it at any mention of the idea-- leaf collection is neither difficult or need be expensive-- what it takes is planning and scheduling-- these two actions are really lacking on this issue-- hopefully someone will see that this is important to the community and the community's safety--- -----

#234

SLIDESHOW

added a new feature slide show-- i will alternate various picture albums periodically-- if anyone has pictures they want to post on the slide show feature they can email me and we'll set them up so everyone can look at your pictures-- it can be your pets, adventures at la, hobbies, vacation pictures or just about anything else---chipper

lachipper@gmail.com

ubfriend@aol.com

#235

CLEAR CRISP DAY AT LA

#236


yea it was a nice clear crisp day today at la-- most everyone gone by this morning except the nesters that live here -- end to a very good long weekend





i was looking for a lock for my sliding door and i couldn't find it anywhere -- most replacement system locks were not the same type of lock that was an original installation-- i googled it and believe it or not i found the exact locking assembly and door handle that was on the trailer-- the only thing was the original door lock was brown and the only color available was white -- i checked several other suppliers and everyone was out of stock for this lock-- so for those who need this type of lock here's the info:

http://www.mobilehomepartsstore.com/

910-277-7202

KINRO PATIO DOOR LOCK PRODUCT # 603243

reply

Anonymous said...
I have a comment about the current dues schedule.....Everytime we turn around we change something because we are morons on The Bod at La. Do you think we went Back to Quarterly Payment schedule The a working class Family can afford People would make a payment reguarly? Also there is alot seniors with a limted income feel the same way. Wake up you get a collection agencey you loose a big percentage to fees. Brillant sease the land how many lots do we have now that Joco and association owns and can't turnover. The 12 ft wide issue will never go through. Stop wasting money so the all year rounders will have biggers trailers and everyone will suffer with little or no electric or water.I rather pay for my own electric put a meter up on my lot.I got a chance of getting anew meter before we can actually order the proper grade wire

ATTORNEY

big bass:

the 12' wide issue was reviewed by the la attorney and i must say i was dumbfounded and more than a little angry about this attorney for la

• after a year that i'm aware of ---her comment was that she THINKS the supervisors may be thinking about allowing 12' wides--- THINKS --- what the hell has this attorney accomplished if she only thinks and doesn't know where the township position lays--- how much time do you need to say ---
• Q; la wants 12' wides -- A: yes -- or no; depending upon their answer you move on to Q: what will it take to get this for la---then you get their answer and see where you're at --so far this so called legal beagle hasn't even got this far -- maybe she sees something in the next year--- NEXT YEAR!!!!!

GET RID OF THIS LAWYER -- THE ARGUMENT THAT SOMEHOW SHE MAGICALLY CAN PUT THIS CASE FORWARD IS NONSENSE--- the idea that starting over with a new lawyer would be a time consuming effort until the new lawyer gets familiar with the case is NONSENSE-any lawyer could understand the mechanics of this case and the law pertaining to this issue in less than a day and as far as getting to know the township supervisors that's a non starter--- it doesn't matter who is the township supervisors are -- they also want to resolve this issue so la and the township can move on to other things---

there will be issues put forward by the township and la will have to evaluate these stipulations-- but if these stipulations are for all projects in the township and not just la then they're probably legal and permissible under the township code -- surely no one expects that la is going to get this 12' wide issue approved without having to comply with today's ordinances and the current planning concepts that townships are employing in guiding their townships

members of this community should speak up on this matter --if you find this dragging of the feet by this attorney objectionable you should contact gary stevens, la manager

phone 570-686-2800; fax 570-686-3851

email: info@lakeadventure.net

address your comments to the new bod-- here is their names-- let them know what you think

2008/2009 Board of Directors: Artie Berkey - President; Lenny Masucci - Vice-President; Ed Rohs - Treasurer; Alfredo Siaba - Secretary; Tom Annunziata - Member; Alfonso Alaimo - Member; Marietta Richard - Member

#237

REPLY

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "skipped dues crunch home assos.":
I thought I read the attorney was going to send letters threatening to put a lien on the property? Given LA's financial obligations a collection agency may be too costly but losing thousands in lost dues may be worth the cost. I was interested in a few lots on the For Sale by Owners list and it turns out many want out and are years behind on dues with no intention of paying up. If they sell they would actually owe money at closing so they're asking unreasonable prices.At least the realtor gets some turn around. Was the 12' wide attorney at the meeting? She said at least another year or more? What was her reason? According to March minutes she replied to the township ordinance changes and was setting up a face to face meeting. That was almost three months ago. I believe she's from E Stroudsburg, not local or even our county. Wonder why LA didn't go with a local attorney that would have some connections with the township ? You're right, she's out of her league on this issue and LA should look for a replacement. Another year of fixing roof leaks and making floor repairs. I hate to buy a new one that will have the same problems.

hornet reply

fromhockeyboynorth@aim.com
dateTue, May 27, 2008 at 4:54 PMsubjectHornet/Waspmailed-byaim.com
hide details 4:54 PM (23 minutes ago) Reply
You ever see a bald face hornet in LA in the past? I killed one in my screen room and after researching it i saw the queen has venom!!!!

hornets

Anonymous said...
I had this black and white bee in my screen room and killed it. After researching it i found it to be a Bald Face Hornet. I am sure of what it is after seeing pictures of it, my question is are the hornets common for LA as i have never seen one there before?
May 27, 2008 4:29 PM

skipped dues crunch home assos.

the usatoday has an article regarding skipped dues that are putting a crunch on home owners assos.--- this is an article you should read--- the link is

http://www.usatoday.com/money/economy/housing/2008-05-26-condo-fee_N.htm





there has been at both meet the candidates night and the open bod meeting questions regarding the ability of some members to pay their dues and also questions in regards to members who are delinquent in paying their dues -- this is going to be AN ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE CAREFULLY ADDRESSED by this bod--- everything from how the payments may be made easier for some who are having difficulty with the current payment schedule to increased efforts to collect chronic delinquent past dues from those members who just aren't paying-- the asso. should not have to carry anyone-- yet being realistic we are in a difficult financial time and every method possible must be looked at to insure that la is adequately funded -- assos. do go bankrupt in these situations and la must tread carefully



some members may need monthly payment schedules for a limited time-- but with this also comes a need to have a backup plan in place to more strongly pursue these members if they don't maintain their modified payment schedules



chronic delinquent member dues need to be more aggressively pursued-- most cases these people are just not responsible and need extraordinary methods to collect the dues (many inherited these properties from a family member and have little to no interest in the property or the community)-- so if a collection agency is the first method in recovering these dues then that is what should be done-- second if after a specified period this fails to get the fees paid then a lien should be placed on the property--when this property has sufficient liens against it then la should move to acquire this property with the purpose of reselling it asap so as to return it to a income generating property-- (i've had a response to this idea that we don't have enough accounts to interest any collection agency--- that's crap -- for the right fee and the right company they will do this--- even answering services offer this service -- how hard can this be -- of course you have to want to do it and since no one in house has the gumption to do it we'll need an outside service)



yes all this takes more work and perhaps more legal expenses but the welfare of the community is more important than the additional workload for the office staff or additional legal costs (to minimize the legal cost and to be effective try hiring a real attorney -- the one handing the 12' wide issue is already over her head and much like g. bush see sees that issue goin into the next year and beyond????? god help us!)



rough financial time means real careful planning is required ---la has a lot of large financial obligations in the upgrades to the utilities that are required to satisfy the government and they can't be delayed -- that leaves la with the possibilities of cuts in staffing, services and etc. if it's financial situation deteriorates



no one wants to see that happen to la!

bod meeting

BigBass to me show details 12:02 PM (44 minutes ago) Reply
Did anyone attend the board meeting Sat morning? Any info on 12' wide issue? Back dues collections?

END!

end of a perfect weekend holiday----la never looked so busy --people were doin everything from swimming, walking, biking, to cleaning up their sites-- the weather was outstanding -- no one could have ask for a better 3 day holiday-- great

#238

awning supplier

kay home products is the company that supplies many screen room enclosure here at la -- last august '07 i ordered and received a replacement roof for my screen room - i didn't open it until april '08 -- i found out i had the wrong size and it didn't work -- i called them and they allowed me to return the roof for credit and they sent me the correct replacement roof -- they were very helpful and sure were cooperative with this matter--


i'm listing their web address below -- i also have it in my links list on the right side of the chippers blog page:

http://www.kayhomeproducts.com/

contractor

heard about this company that does all kinds of service-- don't know anything about them but they may offer some services of interest to community members

http://www.allaboutimproving.com/index.htm

holiday con'ts

another great day filled with hordes of other community members--- place really jumpin --music playing, fires goin, kids on the hayrides-- they sure like those road bumps -- only kids would like them, motorcycles and yes more dogs --really has been a surprise with number of people here-- maybe this is hint that the '08 season could be big-- tom'w is lookin fine too--enjoy

#239

saturday

WHAT A START!

well the summer season has arrived at la ----- near mobs everywhere -- people all over the community, kids riding bikes, playing ball, and just having fun-- people walking, with and without dogs, dogs barking (especially mine) everywhere-- the polar bears where in the pool and quite a few people sunning poolside-- the club house was jumping, toy bingo had a great crowd of kids with their parents--- had a hot dog and pepsi at the snack bar-- really good looking loaves of rye bread for sale as well as milk and oj -- hope they do well with the food sales -- sure beats running to lords valley---i think the crowd really looks as big as it was for 4th july of last year -- good start to the season

the la community is a good choice for the family to take a vacation-- near all metro areas and you can get here for less that a tank of gas-- even with gas as expensive as it is you can't go anywhere for less than it costs to get here (actually have you seen the air fares and air flight delays lately -- not goin far with that transportation option) and you probably burn more gas in traffic jams on a daily basis than it takes to get to la (Psst-- i may get a job writing travel ad copy)

so you must plan your next trip to la--- the next biggie holiday is the 4th of july -- so begin planning now if not before then ---

See ya!

welcome to the new bod

welcome and congratulations to the new board of directors--- and with a new president arthur berkey at the helm i'm sure the bod will be ready to work for the betterment of the community interests and guide la to all that it can be in the future.



the bod election only had 650 votes cast--- that not very many community members voting-- hopefully more people will get involved until next year's election so that as many members as possible are represented with their votes and their choices for the bod -- engaged members are interested members and that's good for la (we need a get out the vote effort?)

i think only one bod candidate was on the ballot for the first time this year-- while he didn't make it--- i hope that he and others will step forward and run in the next election cycle-- newbies must become known to the community and once people become familiar with the individual i'm sure they will do better in future elections ( after all look at sen. robert casey-- he ran for everything except dogcatcher before he was elected-- yea!)

i really do thank everyone who ran for the bod-- i'm a firm believer in the democratic principal of election of your representatives and those that ran should be congratulated-- enuf -chipper

activities

the lake adventure flyer that is at the gate was a special for the memorial day weekend--- it contained a very well organized and informative extra page devoted to the weekend recreation events---for members it was a helpful addition to refer to and see what was happening throughout the weekend holidays--good presentation and let's hope we see additional efforts like this to get la community families more engaged---- happy people make happy campers !(that's real corny?)

#240

reply

Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "reply":
The minutes from the March 15th board meeting were published on the LA website last week and it addressed collection agencies. Too expensive for such a small population so "the attorney" (one on retainer or the 12' wide attorney--or one and the same?)will take on the project. By now, three months later, something should be in the works.


THANKS FOR THE INFO -- chipper

OPEN BOARD MEETING

REMINDER FOR MEMBERS:

OPEN BOARD MEETING SATURDAY AT 11:00 IN THE PAVILION

reply

chipper has left a new comment on your post "comment":
i have to agree with a lot that you have observed -- job descriptions and responsiblites for each job should be in writing--oversite for all employees should be a responsibility of the bod -- there are ample number of people on the bod to divide up the various functions and be assigned responsibility for a specific operation at la -- most bod members probablly are uncommitted and are treatng the post as some kind of honorary position with no real functions to oversee -- while the postions are unpaid they still are responsible for the operations at la and if they have no ability or capabilities to do these jobs they should resign and let other people take a turn at running la-- i'm sure this will not happen-- the only way to get real change on the bod is to get new qualified individuals to run for and get them elected-- this is a multiyear effort and a year round search for the right people -- but most members don't get interested until the get the ballots mailed to them --and they find one or two new individuals running with a selection of current board members who are up for reelection -- nothing is known about the new people and the sitting board members are well less than appealing --- as one commented at meet the candidates night that his one accomplishment on the board was to start the raffle that pays for the fireworks (like al gore's invention of the internet---yea)that must have been his outstanding accomplishment while on he board--- so i hope more people join us in this blog and let us know what they think and help in getting new people interested in running for open board seats---

the 12' wide procress with dingman township is dragging along-- i hope the people handing this matter are successful and la can get 12' wides--- new housing stock is always needed in any community and many trailers in la are due to be replaced and many people will do it when it is approved--- without a reinvestment by members in new housing stock will result in la becoming a run down, has been rv community -- sure don't want that

#241