Land's End Homeowner Association

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Recent Happenings in Land's End

7/7/08:  Board Addresses Road Repair

The price of asphalt has risen 50% since February and 20% just in the last month with no end in sight.  To stay within budget this has forced a 25% reduction in the amount of roads to be resurfaced.  We have also experienced a very wet six months and substantial heavy construction traffic, which has led to even more areas that need resurfacing.  Not surfacing areas that need it now will damage the base and lead to even higher repair costs later.  The Board held a special meeting yesterday to address these issues and discuss future financing options for road repairs.  Owners were invited to participate and those in attendance strongly supported a building permit fee, to partially compensate for the damage done by heavy construction trucks.  (NOTE:  Every road expert we have consulted tells us the same thing:  "Heavy trucks cause the damage, not cars and pickups.)

In addition to the current budget, the Board decided to use approximately $25,000 of the road reserve fund to resurface additional areas that need it most.   When the Board meets this fall to prepare the budget for 2009 it will consider the amount of roads still needing repair, the cost of asphalt at that time, and reasonable additions to reserves.  Regrettably, some increase in dues will become necessary, however, a Capital Assessment is not being considered at this time.  In addition, the Board approved a draft policy resolution, previously rejected in 2003, that charges a building permit fee of 50¢ per square foot for new construction.  The draft will be circulated to all members for comment prior to any further action.  Policy Resolution #10 (draft) is now available for review and comment.     

6/4/08:  Judy Jones (Gwaltney) Ties The Knot

Many of us have found that retirement is truly an open door to a whole new life, and not always what we imagined it would be.  Judy Jones focused her new life on those things that were important to her - family, teaching and church - and made many friends of the wonderful people in Land's End and Lake Fork Baptist Church.  With one of those special people she has found more than friendship, and on June 1st embarked on the next leg of life's great adventure when she married Konrad Gwaltney.  Konrad has a home on the other side of Lake Fork that's in the process of being remodeled and they plan to move there when it's finished.  Congratulations Judy & Konrad, your friends and neighbors in Land's End celebrate your new-found happiness. 

5/24/08:  Do You Have Weed Problems In The Lake?

The Lake Fork Sportsman's Association is hosting a special Town Hall meeting on Friday, June 13 to discuss invasive weeds in Lake Fork.  Representatives of Texas Parks and Wildlife and the SRA will be on hand to make a presentation and answer questions from those attending.  The meeting will be held at Land's End fire station at 6:30 p.m. and all interested parties are invited.  Please take a look at the attached flyer for more information.  UPDATE:  An unexpectedly large turnout of 170 people participated in this meeting.  TPW explained the difference between the good vegetation that helps fish habitat and invasive species to look out for and try to control.  A brief summary for homeowners with vegetation control problems:  hand removal is preferred; don't cut plants in lake waters and help them spread; if chemical treatment is needed you must have a permit.  You can learn more about the meeting and find links to related sites at http://www.kmoo.com/.  You can learn more about plant identification at http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/photocat.html, and from the TPW Plant Control Handbook.

2/27/08:  Residents Taking Future In Their Own Hands

Cardiovascular disease is the #1 cause of death in the US and accounts for more deaths than all other causes combined.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that over 1,000,000 Americans have heart attacks each year, one every 26 seconds.  As baby boomers age that number is expected to increase dramatically.  Most of the people we encounter around the Lake Fork area are already older adults, dramatically increasing the likelihood that you will someday be faced with an emergency situation where immediate action on your part could save someone's life.  It may happen at home, in the neighborhood, on the golf course, at church, at the store, or while you're eating out, but make no mistake, it will happen sooner or later.  Quite a few Land's End residents are preparing to help someone survive a heart attack by learning CPR, the use of an automatic defibrillator (AED), and how to clear choking.  This four hour course is taught locally and is only $25, and available to anyone who wants to learn CPR.  Fifteen residents have either scheduled or already completed the course.  If you'd like to sign up for this course, please contact TJ to get on the schedule - someday you'll be glad you did.    

2/17/08:  Annual Meeting Highlights

A record 64 members participated in this year's Annual Meeting on February 9th.  There was plenty of good food and good cheer as members got acquainted and enjoyed each other's company during the 45 minutes before the meeting was called to order.  Here are some highlights of a very positive meeting:

• Tony Brill discussed our robust real estate market and presented Paul Tibbets with a Master Realtor Award for his accomplishments.
• Lee Knight was named Builder of the Year for the 4th consecutive year, having built 24 of the last 34 Land's End homes.
• Joe Munsch updated attendees on progress at The Links, The Villas and The Lodge at Land's End, and reviewed the Clean-Up campaign.
• Improvements added in 2007 included:
  • New flag program across the front of the neighborhood;
  • Installation of new lighted floating fountain;
  • Dredging and enlarging pond by the bridge and repairing dam;
  • Reworking landscape and sprinkler system at main entrance, adding accent lighting and timed electrical for Christmas lights;
  • Building a new landscaped entrance with lighted Links sign beside the fire station;
  • Elimination of the steep dip in the road near the pool;
  • Installation of new and additional street signs.
• Special recognition of Lee Knight, Rocky & Sally Gray, Merion Reynolds and Bill Hinton for their assistance and contributions in 2007.
• Brad McCampbell reviewed 2007 finances which included expense savings of $20,000 on road repair estimate and $7,000 overall savings;
  • Current year road budget of $40,000 will resurface approximately 1/3 mile;
  • 2008 Reserve balance of $55,000, including $40,000 set aside for future road needs.
  • Dues have remained the same for 3 consecutive years.
• TJ told attendees that Land's End Fire Dept. had received the second highest total of grants awarded in Wood County during the past five years.
  • LEFD was recently awarded $108,000 for a new tanker/pumper, however, total cost will be around $230,000.
  • He was the only volunteer firefighter from Land's End and called on residents to get involved to help their community be safer.
  • The new Fire Dept. motto is "Step Up To The Plate in 2008", with your money and your time.
    • In the week following the meeting, already three Land's End residents have volunteered for the Fire Department.
  • CPR classes are being offered to all residents.
• Open discussion included:  dog problems, dock lights, political signs and special assessments for building permits and road reserve additions.
• Cathy Bastyr-Jaeger presented her proposal to amend the bylaws, which was subsequently defeated in the vote.
• Dennis Schirato was honored with a Good Neighbor Award for his service and contribution during his 4 years on the board of directors.
• Nominations were taken from the floor and the following directors were elected to new terms:
  • TJ Henshaw (3 yrs), Brad McCampbell (3 yrs), Tony Brill (3 yrs), Joe Munsch (2 yrs) & Jim Tucker (2 yrs).
• Following the meeting the board elected as officers:  TJ - President, Joe - VP, Barb Henshaw - Secretary & Dawn McCampbell - Treasurer.

The board thanked everyone for their participation and their vote of confidence in continuing Land's End on it's present course.  For more complete details please refer to the minutes of the meeting.

1/30/08:  Ladies Luncheon Calendar For 2008

The Ladies Luncheon socials are held the 2nd Friday of each month.  There are several popular options available to the hostess, including:  preparing the entire luncheon yourself, a  pot-luck luncheon, the luncheon combined with a game/movie afternoon, or simply a game/movie afternoon with drinks and snacks.  Whatever the choice, it's always a good time for those participating.

Luncheons are usually held at the home of the hostess.  If you plan to attend a luncheon, please R.S.V.P. the hostess a few days beforehand at the number in your directory.  Schedule changes should be coordinated through Carolyn Musgrave.  NOTE:  an asterisk beside the date indicates a change because it conflicts with a special occasion or holiday.

1/22/08:  Meet The Commissioner Candidates

We have scheduled a forum for you to meet and talk to the candidates for County Commissioner of Precinct #1, and have invited our neighbors in all the surrounding communities to participate.  All five candidates have confirmed to participate, and they are:  Lee Elmore, Keith Gilbreath, Mike Humphries, Gary Ovard and Bubba Phillips.  Each of them will have an opportunity to address the audience and answer questions from us.  We're going to make this as unstructured as possible to give you the opportunity to get to know each of them better.  We hope everyone will turn out to make your voice heard.  We want them to know what you expect from them if elected, and certainly CR 1970 will be an important topic to all of us.

The Forum will be held Thursday, January 31st at 7:00 p.m. in the community center at Land's End Fire Department.  Wood County APET has requested an opportunity to speak to you regarding their efforts to build a pet shelter in Wood County, however, we will keep their appearance brief so we can focus on the candidates. 

FORUM UPDATE:  There was a good turnout at the forum from Land's End and Wolf Creek Bay, with approximately 45 residents participating.  All the candidates focused their opening remarks around the condition of the roads in Precinct #1, particularly CR 1970, and what they thought was needed to fix it, though none of them offered any real expectation of getting it right anytime soon.  Residents posed plenty of challenging questions to the candidates, not only about CR 1970, but also relating to the Commissioner's job on the Court and the candidate's qualifications for that job.  Overall, participants got a good view of each candidate and likely made up their minds on who to vote for.  That was the goal.   

1/10/08:  New Entrance & Road Completed

If you haven't been to Land's End lately you may not know that we've completed construction and landscaping on the new entrance at the PR 5980 gate, including a new sign for The Links at Land's End.  Also included is dusk to dawn accent lighting on the new sign and the stone arch that holds the anchor at the main entrance.  Both entrances include multiple electrical outlets on a master timer for holiday lighting.  In addition, reconstruction of the big "dip" shortly inside that entrance has been completed.  The surface has been raised 4 1/2 feet, made one foot wider, and surfaced with concrete.  Even though the road is wider than before, there is a steep drop-off and no shoulders, so guardrails will be installed as soon as materials have been procured.  Check out the before and after photos below.

12/30/07:  Notice of Annual Meeting

The 2008 Annual Meeting of Members will be held on Saturday, February 9, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. in the Community Center at Land's End Fire Station.  On the agenda for this meeting is the election of five directors and consideration of an amendment to modify terms of office for certain directors.  Beverages and hors d' oeuvres will be served at 3:15 p.m. and the meeting will commence promptly at 4:00 p.m.  We certainly hope all Owners will attend and participate in the business of the Association.

Old News Archives

Recycle Center Open

As a service to the surrounding communities, the Land's End Fire Department is cooperating with the Upper Sabine Valley Solid Waste District to operate a Recycling Center.  The center is located behind the fire station and conveniently accessible from the parking lot.  Items to be recycled include all paper, aluminum cans, steel cans, plastic bottles and cardboard.  Free recycling bags are also furnished for your use.  Everyone is asked to please follow these guidelines and help keep the area clean so that it does not become a nuisance.

Member News

This space is for Members to post things they wish to share with other Members.  It can be used to announce births, achievements, brag on grandkids or other personal items, call attention to upcoming events, offer items for sale, or any number of topics that may be of interest to our residents and Members.  Please e-mail your news items to Barb Henshaw. 

Send mail to webmaster@landsendhoa.org with questions or comments about this web site.  Last modified: 01/08/08

Send mail to webmaster@landsendhoa.org with questions or comments about this web site.  Last modified: 01/08/08