April 28, 1981
GREETINGS -
Many things have happened since the last Newsletter, that have kept your Board of Directors busy. In January, February, March and April, we have had in attendance at our Directors' meetings, Clive Price, newly elected Stevens Co. Commissioner and on two of these occasions also Jack Cogsdale, another new County Commissioner. It is certainly gratifying to know that these officials, busy as they are, take time to keep us posted on county activities that affect Deer Lake and we in turn hopefully, provide input to their decision process. It is with pleasure that we add them to our mailing list for the NEWSLETTER.
It should be noted, I suppose, that action is being taken by the Commissioners and others involved in County enforcement in regards to illegal sewer systems building permits, or lack of, etc. In order to be in compliance and hopefully prevent future unexpected costs, it should be pointed out that the compliance to minimum regulations imposed around Deer Lake are for the protection and benefit of all the residences and users of Deer Lake We must, individually and collectively do all that we can to insure the beauty of our surroundings purity of our water and preservation of the wildlife for the benefit of future generations to come The disregard imposed on your neighbors by acts not in compliance with these regulations create eye sores, contamination of the lake, health hazards, and eventual ruin of the freedom of expression we are trying hard to protect.
Many other guests at recent meetings included Chan St. Clair, Stevens Co Sheriff- Bill 0'Connell, Boise Cascade; Vern Zeigler, Washington State Game Commission and Inland Empire Big Game Council, Rick Brodrick and Dave Yingst, Deer Park Ambulance Service; a group of concerned citizens from Echo Valley in Northern Stevens County; Don Newhall, Loon Lake School Superintendent; Quetta Collins, Deer Lake Fire Chief and her husband, plus many other regular guests from around the lake who are just interested in what is going on. Many of these people I will speak about later on, but the Directors of DLPOA would like to acknowledge their interest and time necessary for all of us to more closely unite for many common causes affecting all of us as citizens tax payers, and residents of Stevens County.
Fire Protection : Les Schneider reports that his committee has passed out 40 fire extinguishers chemical and water type, around Deer Lake.
Les also reports that a 4x4 army style pickup is a new addition to the fire house located at the south end of the Lake next to Haney's Resort. It will be equipped at a later date with a tank and pump (from donations). Also we have a new Fire Chief, Mrs. Quetta Collins and approximately 12 volunteer fire fighters.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TEAM CONTRIBUTIONS : A little boy asked his mother where he came from, and after several attempts to satisfy his curiosity, she turned him over to his father. After repeated efforts to dodge the issue and telling him all about the flowers and the bees, he let the bars down and told him everything, to which the little fellow replied he just wanted to know cause the boy next door came from Buffalo ....
Well, regardless from where you may come from, as we have had donations come in from Texas, California, New Jersey and seemingly all points in between, we are most appreciative of your continued response to this appeal. We have collected well over $1500.00 so far, and have given or will be giving over $3,000.00 to the Loon Lake Fire Dept. emergency medical team to help outfit the "RAPID RESPONSE VEHICLE." Many donations came from Loon Lake, Grouse Flats, Clayton and surrounding areas. It certainly points up the concern and interest you have in community service of this nature. If you are still thinking about doing something, why not stick your donation in the mail now to: Emergency Medical Team, Rt. 1 Box 588, Loon Lake, WA 99148.
In this same regard and to continue the interest you have shown for this project, we have also given to the Deer Park Ambulance Service $500.00 on your behalf, to further improve their efforts of responding to any emergency you may have. Did you know that they are normally on the road within three minutes of receiving a call? They have three cars in service? Seventeen volunteers that have completed a 71-hour course of EMT training plus hospital emergency room service, plus continual in service? That they are self supporting and only bill patients for service at of regular ambulance service? To improve their service, they are in need of tone/voice pagers. Hopefully our help and support and that of other groups will continue.
IN PASSING : Successful is the person who has lived well, laughed often, loved much, who has gained the respect of learned men and the love of children; who left the world better than he found it, whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem, or a rescued soul; who has never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty, or failed to express it; who has looked for the best in others, and given the best he had; whose life was an inspiration, whose memory is a benediction.
With regret we report the passing of Bill Haney, an avid supporter and former Director of the Deer Lake Property Owners Association. Our condolences to Bill's wife and family for their loss as he will be missed by all of us.
COMMITTEES: Committees of twenty deliberate plenty. Committees of ten act now and then, but most jobs are done by committees of one or two. Right ... Directors Jerry Linton and Ted Maxson were appointed as the Nominating Committee for the new officers and Directors of DLPOA for the ensuing year 1981/82, to be voted on at the June 20th Annual meeting. The Deer Lake Property Owners Assoc. will be securing nominations to be presented to the general membership for approval. Your help in securing candidates for a continued successful association will be greatly appreciated by Jerry Linton. Contact him at 328-2237 in Spokane with names of anyone interested in being nominated for any one of the four positions as three year representatives to the Board of Directors or as your President, Vice-President, Secretary or Treasurer of this organization.
BOISE CASCADE : Bill O'Connell reported at our April meeting about the upcoming logging operation on the north side of the lake and on the reasons for closing the Buck Creek and Nugent Road areas. Much of his comments were in response to our last NEWSLETTER and this editor's observations, which Mr. O'Connell objected to. We were assured that Boise Cascade has no intentions of logging right down to the water or taking trees off of private property (as we previously reported). Some trees may be cut along a right-of-way road that was pushed high around the north side of the lake and down the Narrows. We were assured that the area will not be significantly changed in appearances through a logging operation called shelterwood cut. This plan, used on south slope exposures, leaves the large trees as seed trees, to naturally replant the cut area. They will also make every effort to water bar the roads to prevent erosion and have erected a cyclone fence below the service road to hold back any dislodged debris. If you feel that any damage has been done or will be done, I suggest you call Mr. O'Connell, as they have assumed the responsibility for such damage.
Hopefully the operation around the lake will be completed before the summer season starts, to reduce a hazardous road situation and curtail curious youngsters who may be hurt. It would be helpful to Boise Cascade, if we as parents, exercise our responsibility and keep our children out of this area at all times. Mr. O'Connell went on to explain that the mismanagement of wildlife and the timber loss by the cutting of green trees, the damage to gates, roadways, etc., led to the closure of Nugent and Buck Creek roads in May of 1980. The area is closed only to motorized vehicular travel - hiking, hiking or horse back riding into the area is acceptable.
I personally felt that our relationship as neighbors around Deer Lake has been enhanced with Boise Cascade and, understanding the problems we all face as property owners around the lake, we can understand Mr. O'Connell's actions that they have taken, even though many of us do not agree with the action and find it hard to accept, because we have been denied a privilege of land use that we took for granted. As always, the actions of a few cause problems for all of us and restrict our movements. Hopefully Boise Cascade will be favorable to future opening of this area, although no indications were given along this line at this meeting.
FISHERIES: Wes Wagoner reports that he has planted 25,000 Eastern Brook and 45,000 Rainbow trout into the lake in March, from his private fish hatchery on the lake. These fingerlings should be six inches by fall. Last year's plant should now be seven to eight inches long. At last report the State Game Dept. planted 25,000 Eastern Brook plus some brood stock and 10,000 legal size Rainbow during the first week of April.
HELP STOP POACHING : Toll free 1-800-562-5626, 24 hours a day. We have had some unconfirmed reports during the winter of poaching on the lake.
GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP : was the recent topic of discussion by Vern Zeigler of the Washington State Game Commission and the Inland Empire Big Game Council. The existence, enjoyment and enhancement of wildlife in Washington necessitates legislative action. The Big Game Council acts as a common voice of the sportsman in this regard. Mr. Zeigler explained at our April meeting the many projects that the Big Game Council has for the sportsmen of the Inland Empire.
We all know that wildlife recreation, whether it be hunting, fishing, and the like is a huge economic benefit to the people of the state of Washington. Thank God we have concerned sportsmen like Vern Zeigler committed to the proper management of our wildlife.
We are most gratified to be able to attract speakers of this caliber to our meetings and look forward to future efforts of cooperation among us. We as landowners are an important ingredient in the triangle of sportsman, landowner, and game department, as expressed by Mr. Zeigler. Their willingness to work with us as a group is equally as strong as our concern and cooperative effort to improve the fishing and hunting in and around Deer Lake. Thanks Vern, hope to see more of your group in the future.
MEMBERSHIP: We have a group doing something together to build community around Deer Lake. We would like to have you join us and be a part of this community. Your membership dues for $12.00 per year are due on June 1, 1981 for the coming new year. Send them to our Treasurer: Kathryn Bean, N. 2803 Stout Rd., Spokane, WA 99206.
You may know for a certainty that if your Directors of DLPOA are becoming uninteresting, so are you; for DLPOA is an inanimate thing and can be made lively and interesting only by injecting vourself into it This organization can only be as big as you are willing to make it.