A TRIBUTE to Don Kenny "IN PASSING "
It is always saddening when one has to report on the death of a friend, especially when death comes suddenly and unexpected and to a close friend of DLPOA, an immediate past Board Director and for the past six months an active member on the Executive Advisory Board.
Don Kenny died on Dec. 13, 1983, about five years after he retired from an active career in real estate and many, many years as a Texaco dealer, who in later years had a station on Driscoll Blvd. I asked Don's close friend, Ed Sweet, also a fellow Board Director, to give me some background for our NEWSLETTER tribute to Don. Ed reports knowing Don and his wife, Vella, since 1940 when they lived in Wenatchee. Don and Vella moved to Spokane in 1953, when he became a Texaco dealer. Don originated from Montana and he and Vella had been married 44 years. They had a son, Wayne, and a daughter, Sharon, and four grandchildren.
For the past 15 years, Don and Vella have had property on Deer Lake just west of Haney's Resort, where they built a nice "A" frame cabin. Don and his family finished the interior themselves. Don loved to fish and tied his own flies. He also was a rock collector and made many fine jewelry items. In the past few years, Don took lessons in painting and has done some very good paintings. As a Board member of DLPOA for the past three years, Don was very active on the Planning Committee and helped greatly on the wood cutting committee.
Most certainly Don will be missed and our sympathies to Vella and to his children in this time of loss. DLPOA shares in that loss and we feel as do many of our members his absence. Words cannot alone express Don, but let me list a few as a remembrance - Love, Give, Good, Grow, Home, Work, Seek, Lake, Pure, Feel, Fish, Kind, Help, Plan, Cozy, Warm, Zeal, Calm, Soul and more. Thank God for Don Kenny and our prayers for his family left behind.
SPECIAL ATTENTION MEMBERS: In an attempt to rid our lake of derelict docks, we are designating May 5th and 6th as "Take your old docks to Sunrise Point Resorts Beach Day." They will then be dismantled, and usable material will be salvaged to create our planned information signs that will be placed at strategic points for the public's enlightenment.
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED! We need VOLUNTEERS, with or without boats, to help dismantle docks May 5th and 6th. We need volunteers for the week of May 20th thru 26th to install information signs. Also we need the use of a backhoe, truck and driver during the week of May 20th and 26th. If you wish to be of HELP - CALL Clyde Innes 233-2342.
After this brief notice by Clyde Innes you are surely wondering what is happening or going to happen. Last fall, Clyde suggested to the Board a project that would assist our many visitors and guests. It would start at the south and north entrance roads to the lake with a large sign up to 6' by 8', of 2x10's supported between log uprights that were salvaged from docks. An outline of Deer Lake will be routed in the boards, beautified with paint, with location markers outlining points of interest and then landscaped with boulders, gravel and trees.
Then as you travel around the lake, there will be smaller detail signs giving one directions at key points. This total project should have only nominal cost, plus cleaning the lake of half sunken, dangerous, and abandoned docks. Different Directors are identifying those docks now and through April, when the ice is clear, the docks will then be moved to Sunrise Point Resort and will await dismanteling. Again we need VOLUNTEERS to make this project successful. The Deer Lake Artistic Association has this project well organized and detailed out. Call Clyde at 233-2342 and ask him how you can help. Remember this type of project gives visibility to everyone coming to Deer Lake, that we truly care about our environment.
VIOLATIONS: Much concern was expressed at both out November and January Board Meetings, about violations of building codes, health codes, and the like around Deer Lake. Open contempt for the law and taking advantage of the slow action of Stevens Co. officials to react to violations has deeply concerned DLPOA. The Stevens County Prosecuting Attorney in attendance at our November meeting, informed us that the new Director of Public Works is going to be more assertive in the building permit area. These violations will eventually reach the prosecutors desk and once that happens an irreversible course of action will be set in motion.
The problem as it exists and the resulting dilemma can only be corrected by each property owners attempt to not pollute or deteriorate the water and air quality of Deer Lake. We must as individuals and as an organization, strive to do all that we can to adequately protect the lake. It is extremely expensive and difficult to remedy a polluted lake, but easy if we just give some thoughts to sewage treatment, water source, backfilling into the lake, building locations and the like. Do not be the first that has to tear down a structure because of non-compliance or ignorance of the law, for it will surely come to this in the year of 1984.
DLPOA is committed to take all action necessary to fulfill our purpose for existence on your BEHALF.
FISHERIES: At our February meeting, John Hisada of the Washington State Fish and Game Dept. along with Dr. Shultz, an Eastern Washington University Fishery Biologist, made an excellent presentation on a water quaNty study proposed at Deer Lake. The Fish and Game Dept. with the help from E.W.U. graduate students and Fish Biologists desire to determine the best resource management at Deer Lake. Manpower for sampling would come from E.W.U. The study of water quality (limnological) as it pertains to future sewering - fishery study -. What natural species are there in the lake? Why does one specie do better than others? What are the feeding habits of different fish? What carrying level does the lake have for fish population - to see what stocking levels are required? How are natural species adapting to planted fish? Why are Kokanee in Deer Lake different from Loon Lake? Different genetic stock, natural foor, water quality. It seems now is the time to find some answers. Total cost of the project to be around $10,000.00 for one year plus extra $5,000.00 for a combined water quality-fish study. There are some funds available from federal agencies - D.O.E., etc. but require some matching funds up front from 10 to 25. Growth rates would also be considered. Such a project would start in the fall of 1984 if approval of matching funds by DLPOA Board of Directors at either the March or April meeting.
FISHERIES TWO: 50,000, 3" to 4" Rainbow were planted in Deer Lake in October. Those fish come spring will be legal size fish. The spring plant will be similar to past years; about 25,000 mixed rainbow and eastern brook. In addition, Wes Waggoner indicated our on-lake fish hatchery hatched as many eggs as last year (5,000 to 10,000) which will be planted in the lake. It was observed by many Board Members that few silver spawners were noticed along the shores of Deer Lake. This concerns us greatly as many enjoy the challenge of catching silvers. We hope that this does not indicate declining silver population for future years.
EAGLES: Three bald eagles were reported sighted last fall at Deer Lake. This was consistent with past years.
TITLE AND REGISTRATION PROGRAMS FOR BOATS: Section 42 of the Revenue and taxation Act of 1983 requires boat owners to register and pay an excise tax on all boats of 16 feet or more in length, owned or operated on Washington State waters and propelled by other than human power unless specifically exempted. This law covers motorized boats and sailboats, which are defined as wind-powered.
The annual excise tax is one-half of one percent of the fair market value or $5.00, whichever is greater. An application for certificate of title must be made whenever a vessel Is registered for the first time and must reflect all owners and any security interests. The fee for certificate of title Is $5.00. Any person who purchases or obtains majority ownership must transfer title within 15 days. Boats should be titled and registered by June 30, 1983. However, a 90-day grace period will extend the registration period. Enforcement of the Act will begin on Oct. 1, 1983. The annual registration fee is $6.00. You may register and pay the tax at any county auditor's office or vehicle licensing subagent. You will need to provide documentation such as a bill of sale or other acceptable proof of ownership which shows the purchase price and year of purchase and the hull Identification number or an affidavit certifying to these facts.
If the boat has been acquired by lease, gift, is homemade or the most recent purchase price is not known, you will be asked to complete a "Declaration of Value" form for review by the Department of Revenue. If you have paid 1983 personal property taxes on your boat, present your tax receipt and a credit against excise taxes due will be allowed for the amount of personal property tax paid in 1983. A registration number will be assigned and a registration certificate and a decal with instructions for display will be issued to you. A certificate of title will be mailed at a future date. This decal will be valid until June 30, 1984.
EXEMPTIONS: Vessels owned by residents of another county are allowed a 60-day use without registration or tax. Vessels owned by residents of other states or Canadian Provinces - 60-day use providing similar privilege is granted.
ENFORCEMENT: Will be applied to all boats that are actually on the water. All law enforcement officers will be responsible for citing unregistered boats.
PENALTIES: Violation of this law is a misdemeanor punishable by the following fines: First Violation .... $100.00, Second .... $200.00, Third .... $400.00. Each additional $400.00.
WATER QUALITY - CURRENT ACTIVITIES -- Jerry McBride, Committee Chairman
I attended the American Water Resources Association Conference on lake problems and their solutions November 16, 1983 at Cavanaugh's here in Spokane.
Many different lake problems and their solutions were presented. Without exception, the problems were quite extreme. Photos of islands of algae and water completely choked with weeds were examples. The solutions to these problems were also quite extreme. They involved putting tons of alum in the water, dredging, and poisoning the weeds with herbicides.
Hopefully, Deer Lake will never have to be subjected to these problems or their extreme solutions! The way to prevent this is to be ahead of the game. Controlling sources of pollution before they cause problems is much less expensive also.
Early in February I met with two of the conference participants, Dr. Raymond Soltero, Professor of Biology at EWSU and Ron Pine, Coordinator, Lake Restoration and Aquatic Management Program, Department of Ecology, Washington State.
We discussed ways that the D.O.E. could assist in preventing serious water quality problems in Deer Lake. The most likely assistance from D.O.E. would be funding 75% of a water quality study.
This study would be performed under the direction of Dr. Soltero. Establishing current water quality is the first step In determining the need for treating sources of pollution and establishing priorities.
Cost of a thorough water quality study is estimated to be about $10,000. Based on 75% funding by D.O.E. we'd have to come up with $2500 locally. As part of this study, training would be available to a few local volunteers. They would then carry on the testing in future years so a continuing measure of water quality would be available. |
Discussions are continuing. I'll update you on future development.
I'd like to leave you with several things to think about:: The problem waters discussed at the conference are near to us, i.e., Pend Oreille River, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake and Moses Lake. In most instances the problems came up after their shorelines were built up and people began living there full time. Sound familiar? According to one speaker, a pound of ordinary lawn fertilizer will grow 1400 pounds of algae in a lake.
ROAD COMMITTEE REPORT: The major part of winter is now past, however, caution is required In shady areas and those county back roads with limited traffic. Sheets of ice are still prevalent at converse intersections and have not all been sanded. The problem is not as bad during the winter as It becomes during thawing periods. Warmer temperatures In the daytime and freezing at night can become a surprise if caution is not used.
The choices of some lake dwellers to use the hilly Southwood Shores road for coasting doesn't make any sense at all if you're the guy in the truck or car trying to use the same road - an accident of this type will happen sooner or later - several close encounters have occurred. Please remember, the Southwood Shores road is used by many year around residents. There has to be better choices for winter sports than the curves and hills of the Southwood Shores road ... THINK ABOUT IT!!
ROAD COMMITTEE REPORT: Second item: The Stevens Co. Commissioners indicated in 1983 that the Southwood Shore road would be in the improvement schedule for 1984. There was an original plan to shoot oil on this dirt surface but that plan has been postponed in favor of adding material such as 3/4 minus gravel to the road surface and letting it pack and undergo grading during 1984. The oiling of the road may become a reality in 1985.
SPRING CLEANUP: There will be another mention of the Spring lake cleanup on May 5th and 6th, but we specifically request residents of Pine and Cedar Bay to call us if you can help to pick up derelict docks on that weekend. PLEASE CALL JERRY OTHMER AT 233-2772. Boats and manpower will be needed.
FIREWOOD CUTTING: The firewood cutting sessions we had last summer were very successful and interest and participation continues to grow. We hope that Boise Cascade's last minute cancellation of the final Sunday did not cause undue inconvenience for too many of you. Because of the Increasing numbers involved, telephone notification is now out of the question. Therefore, if you wish to cut wood with us this coming season, mail to us some stamped and addressed return post cards (no postage - no notice), mail to:
Firewood Route 1, Box 642, West Deer Lake Loon Lake, Washington 99148
We will mail you notice good for the first weekend of cutting as soon as Boise Cascade makes a firm commitment. Simply bring the notice with you to the appointed spot. Only members in good standing (dues paid) will be notified. If you wish to be included in subsequent cuttings, merely send us additional self-addressed, stamped cards, and you will receive a notice of the next cutting for each card received. Mail early and your cards will be kept on file. Please do not call for information or special notice - you will be notified by mail only and in ample time for proper planning. There will be no more cutting until late spring or summer but you may send in your cards any time - one for spring, one for fall.
Do not forget, 1984-85 dues are due and payable by June 1st for the coming year. Wood cutting privileges are limited to members alone and are not extended to friends and neighbors unless they are also a member. In order to continue our excellent association with Boise Cascade, we will need your support and compliance to all the rules imposed. Nominal fees will be charged as was the case last year. More to follow at later NEWSLETTER in June.
DEER LAKE FIRE DEPT - LOON LAKE FIRE DEPT.: Members of the Loon Lake Fire Dept., Deer Lake Fire Dept., Deer Lake Property Owners Assoc., and the Loon Lake Property Owners Association, recently attended a Stevens County Fire Commissioners meeting held at the Loon Lake Fire Station. The fire departments at Loon Lake and Deer Lake hope to gradually upgrade their equipment. We can all be proud of the volunteer personnel at both fire stations: Quetta Colllns Lew Houdak, Ken Barker, Roy Russell, Pat Anderson, and all the other volunteers. These people work hard and deserve our continual praise.
The pumper truck at the Deer Lake Fire Station has undergone repairs recently. The water tank on the pumper developed a leak, and it has been repaired. Also some minor tune-up work was done on the engine to improve its performance.
FEBRUARY has always been a month of Cupids, Hearts, and Valentines, and will forever be remembered as the month of LOVE; but Is also the month that we honor two great men.
As Presidents of our nation - both George Washington and Abraham Lincoln gave us something that is irreplaceable - that being OPPORTUNITY; without which we would not be as strong, as enduring, or as understanding. We pause to give reverence to these men now - and perhaps reflect upon the events that led us to be what we are today.
SPOKANE SUBURBAN WATER CO.: In Jan. 1984 the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission rejected an attempted increase of water rates to users of Spokane Suburban Water Co This company recently purchased the water system that encompasses Southwood Shores from Washington Water Power Co. It seems that the Commission found many Inconsistencies In Suburban Water Co.'s proposals and that they could not justify the asked-for Increases (17) which was made immediately after purchasing the system from W.W.P. The above Commission gives approval for purchases, rates changes, etc.
Future considerations by the Commission will require Spokane Suburban Water Co. to submit a Cost of service study as a base for any rate increa8(r)8 rather than Projected Increases of costs from WWP.
ELECTIONS: Once again this year, Les Schneider is chairing up the Nominating Committee (the full Board of Directors is the committee) and as such has the task of seeking a quality slate of candidates for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and four (three-year term) Directors.
We have seen much greater interest this past year as many members become Involved in wood cutting expeditions, lake cleanup projects and other visible projects of D.L.P.O.A. Don't you think it's time for you to become involved? CALL LES SCHNEIDER 233-2650 now for more Information on how you can become more involved in the Deer Lake community. Our only limitations in getting things done is from the lack of everyone's talent, commitment and resources from our membership. CALL TODAY. You will be joining the company of many talented individuals in DLPOA Board of Directors.