Annual Business Meeting:
The annual meeting of the Deer Lake Property Owners Association was called to order at the Loon Lake School on Saturday evening, June 23,1984. Members and guests heard committee reports, visiting speakers and elected three new Board of Directors to three year terms. Welcome aboard; Don Maxson, Richard Salsbury, Margo Wood. A HEARTY THANK YOU FROM THE BOARD TO THOSE WHOSE TERMS EXPIRED!!!
OTHER SUMMER ACTIVITIES:
Just in case those logs look familiar -
The new "Directories" at both the East and West access roads were placed by a sizable group of recruits, mustered by Clyde Innes on June 16th. The artistry and engineering of this project was the work of Clyde and Mareitta Innes, proprietors of Sunrise Point Resort. (We suspicion much of their effort was accomplished after sunset). Roger Smith, from the Nazarene Church Camp made the placing operation "A PIECE OF CAKE" with the big backhoe, some of the rocks and logs were huge. Landscaping will be completed in the spring. Many appreciative comments have been heard around the area.
- It's called "Put your old dock to some good use." -
WATER SAFETY:
We have concluded another successful boating season on our lake. The season was not without incident, but there were no major problems this year. We had one boating accident that could have been much worse than it was; A ski boat hit a still fisherman at dusk.
This is a good example of why we have a 7 mph speed limit on Stevens County lakes one-half hour after sunset. It also points out the reason the boating ordinance requires all boats to have a light that is visible for a distance of one hundred Yards.
Most violations this year were written for Underage Boat Operators. (PARENTS: Kids under 16 cannot operate over 10 HP engines!)
Skiing - No Observer or Under Age Observer. (Observers must be at least 10 years of age).
Boating or Skiing in Restricted Area. (Red & White Buoys designate swimming only). (Orange & Black Buoys mean 7 mph maximum speed).
It is not our idea to write a lot of tickets, but when we find the operation of the boat endangering or likely to endanger other people or property we have no choice. We also must take action when we are answering a complaint and observe an offense. It has been a great help to us when you notify the Sheriff's Department of problems on the lake (1-800-572-0947). They respond by contacting a local deputy to answer those complaints. We urge you to continue that process.
We are looking forward to the improved boat communication system next spring. A new first class, radio has been authorized by the D.L.P.O.A. Board of Directors. This action will afford enhanced safety capability for all Deer Lake residents.
The Patrol boat has been pulled out for the year, cleaned, winterized and placed in winter storage. There were some minor repairs done so the boat is in A-l shape when we put it in the water next spring. Have a good winter and we will see you on the water next summer ........................................................................... Dave Nixon
LEGISLATIVE REPORT-OLYMPIA:
The Department of Natural Resources in furtherance of legislation during the 1984 session, acted during a Board of Natural Resources meeting September 4,1984, approving amendments to W.A.C. 332-30-106.
The D.N.R. did conduct hearings throughout the state although your D.L.P.O.A. Board felt that insufficient publicity as to date and time restricted turnouts to discuss the issues. Once again, in its haste to act, the D.N.R. is attempting to establish "lines of navigation" on inland lakes and on coastal harbors. Your Legislative Committee of Dave Nixon and Lee Bayley were prepared to travel to Olympia on your behalf to enter testimony and objections to certain sections of the W.A.C. that would appear detrimental to our interests on Deer Lake and other inland lakes, where 2nd class shorelands are not owned by the abutting upland property owners.
The line of navigability has never been established by law, yet the D.N.R. is attempting to do this in the W.A.C. through policy statements to comply to S.S.B. 1231. This, in fact, would set a precedent which could be accepted or confirmed by the courts. We truly feel that such an important issue as this should only be handled by the courts on a lake by lake action or by the legislature, but definitely not by any agency's administrative codes.
We expressed this in a long letter to the D.N.R. in lieu of attending their Board meeting when we were informed we could not be placed on the agenda.
Our second concern was that the D.N.R. was bringing up again, a foundation to enact lease monies for recreational docks on inland lakes. Last year they said they would not charge for docks on state owned shorelands, or on privately owned (2nd class) shorelands beyond the line of navigability. Now it comes up again, through the back door so to speak. During the September 4th D.N.R. meeting, their board did accept the recommended amendments to the Second Substitute House Bill 1231 as it pertains to Aquatic Lands. We were assured, however, that the acceptance was temporary until further discussions and hearings, also, that the D.N.R. does not intend to charge leases on docks. We are equally certain that what is now written in the codes is different than the verbal commitment made to us and that the D.N.R.'s sole purpose is to extract revenue from the citizens of Washington State in any way they can.
We will maintain our vigilance on this important legislation as it directly affects all lakefront owners..... Lee Bayley
Note: The D.N.R. defines the "line of navigability" at 3 fathoms (18') or 200 feet waterward. We feel this to be fair and realistic - but still don't think it's their job to so define.
FIREWOOD CUTTING:
The wood cutting for 1984 has come to a close. Eighty-three D.L.P.O.A. members sent in cards to cut wood. 144 loads of wood were taken, plus several trailers. The varying sizes of vehicles ranged from Scouts to two ton trucks so to estimate the number of cords taken would be nearly impossible.
We want to thank BOISE CASCADE for allowing us to cut wood on their property. A special thanks to the people who worked the gate, to the directors and D.L.P.O.A. members we contacted for help. - THANKS - You know who you are.
....................................................................... Lou Houdak
FISHERIES:
As this is written, little is known of the Washington State Game Department's planned allocation of fish planting for the lake. Wes Waggoner is trying to make some contacts to acquire eggs for winter hatching. More on this subject in the next edition. Fishing in 1984 has been very good. Those rainbow released in October of 1983 are now H^-12 inches in length - Try an afternoon with surface line, a Carey Special fly with a grubb - but do it soon as fishing season closes October 31.
FIRE LEVY:
We are all concerned with the preservation and protection of our homes in the Deer Lake area. More and more homes are being built and it behooves us all to assure ourselves that our fire department has the tools and equipment to provide adequate protection. Please demonstrate your concern with a positive vote on the fire levy November 6th.
The information we have received states that passage of the levy would increase Stevens County Fire District No. 2 funding with an additional $23,250. This is not a new levy. It simply raises the lid from the present .849 to $1.00 per $1,000 of assessed value. Look for details in your local newspapers. The Ford Fire Department donated $200 to help pay for advertising expenses related to this levy.
Please, let's help ourselves, the fire districts, stations, and the dedicated volunteers, by supporting this levy.
FIRE COMMISSIONERS:
Rich Miller, Stevens County fire commissioner, attended the October D.L.P.O.A. board meeting. He reported to the board of the proposed addition of a 1600 gallon, 6x6, army surplus tanker to the Deer Lake Fire Department. The commissioner outlined district plans to conduct annual pump maintenance on each of the fire rigs in the district. We wish to thank Rich for sharing this information with us.
DEER LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT:
The fire truck has recently been to the shop for pump repair work. By the time you receive the "News Letter," it is expected to be back on line. The fire commissioners have informed the department that plans are to acquire a four-wheel drive mini-pumper truck. We should be in a better position to combat fire threats in the steep terrain around the lake through these equipment changes.
LOON LAKE FIRE DEPARTMENT:
Fire Chief Roy Russell reports that repairs have been completed on the brake system of their main fire truck.
These Emergency Services reports courtesy of Jerry Linton.
SPECIAL ATTENTION: COMMUNITY CRIME PREVENTION, ENFORCEMENT & RECOVERY.
"TAKE A BITE OUT OF CRIME" is the thrust of the message from the Washington State Attorney General's Office. The A.G., in cooperation with the association of Sheriff and Police Departments, is promoting Crime Watch throughout the state.
At the September D.L.P.O.A. board meeting, Deputy La Vonne Lofts, Stevens County Sheriff's Department, explained how Crime Watch is implemented in the community. Crime Watch will be supported by the board on behalf of all Deer Lake residents and property owners. Two year 'round lake residents, Don Maxson and Jerry Othmer volunteered to represent The board and work within the community as liaison between citizens and law enforcement officials to reduce break-ins and property losses.
Educational materials are furnished to us by the county, consisting of marking instructions and handout literature dealing with specific degrees of community crime.
Once the program becomes viable, the information will be available to interested parties by contacting Don at 233-2015 or Jerry at 233-2772.
The number of break-ins and thefts are on the increase at both of the lakes. Crime Watch is perceived to be the best answer to reduce these occurrences. Our goal, as D.L.P.O.A. participants and permanent residents, is to involve as many folks as possible. Making it as difficult as possible for those who pillage and plunder.
Statistics from the law enforcement people support their beliefs that properly marked possessions are more easily recovered. Any marked property carries higher risk for the thief, so much risk, in fact, that the majority of thieves lose interest in dealing in marked items. Crime Watch, fully operational, is designated by notices posted at each residence We will be working on this program..................................... j Othmer
ROAD MAINTENANCE:
The installation of two drainage culverts and grading of the dirt road (east side) into the narrows was a welcome betterment as an added safety factor for those people, emergency vehicles do not progress very rapidly on roads riddled with chuck holes.
Painted center lines on both the east and west entrance roads is another welcome safety addition appreciated by all. The new pull off radius from Highway 395 onto the west Deer Lake Road enables the people using that route to exit northbound without as much danger of being rear-ended. This is an extremely important safety feature if you've had tail-gaters riding behind while making that turn off.
Nothing further is known about the county road department's plans to do something different on the Southwood Shores Roda. We did write a formal request to the director of Public Works regarding some specific localized problems in Cedar Bay; answer to that issue is pending ......................................Les Schneider
PRESIDENT'S REMARKS:
"Pure water" is the world's most valuable resource. We, at Deer Lake. must consider ourselves most fortunate when we read about domestic water sources in other places, some, not too far away, that are laid to waste by thoughtlessness, carelessness or just pain greed.
Your Board of Directors are dedicated to preserving Deer Lake's water quality for future generations. We are working hard to accomplish this objective. It is every property owner's responsibility, but some of our neighbors don't seem to recognize the impact of their actions. It's hard to believe they don't care.
Become involved, explain to those people, try to make them aware of the consequences. Bring violations of building or sanitation ordinances to the attention of the Board of Directors. Attend our meetings. Contamination of the lake's water is a cost shared by all The fishing is diminished, the water is not drinkable, property values are compromised .... Its later than you think.
Bill Paton, President