This edition of the Newsletter is dedicated to the memory of Dave Nixon -
It is sad commentary that we report the passing of a Deer Lake resident of 18 years. An active DLPOA past president, six years as a director, plus two additional years on the executive advisory board. We will deeply miss Dave Nixon.
Dave, in addition to his many years of support to the DLPOA board, was active in most every facet of the community.
Dave spearheaded, along with many others, the sewer proposal in 1976. he led the successful fight to keep the Department of Natural Resources from mandating leases of recreational docks on inland lakes, while at the same time actively involving himself with assisting Loon Lake acquire the rapid response vehicle, cooking pancakes at the Deer Lake Fire Department's summer fund raiser breakfasts, supervising woodcutters for the past three summers, attended and gave testimony at a number of hearings in Spokane, Colville and Olympia. He was the Deer Lake water safety Deputy for the Stevens County Sheriff (for years using his own boat).
To say that Dave Nixon gave of himself to the benefit of others is a truism that has been his life. Dave was only 48 years old, but his accomplishments were numerous. For the past 20 years actively involved in Spokane Elks Lodge No. 228, serving as its Exalted Ruler and then District Deputy with the same enthusiasm and energy which he gave to Deer Lake.
That same drive involved Dave at St. Charles Parish as Parish Council president, Education Board president, Home and School Association president in addition to several house committees. Dave Was Cubmaster of Pack 212 during the 1970's as his boys were growing up.
While Dave was being a Christian, in service to others, he also led an active work life. For many years he worked in data processing at Kaiser Aluminum, and for the past 13 years owned his own State Farm Insurance Agency.
Everything Dave did, he did with exuberance, with a smile, with enthusiasm and with success. Dave's loss of life was sudden and a shock to his wife Ann, children Mike, Pat, Barbara and Mary Kay. He will be dearly remembered and missed by his fellow board members and friends at Deer Lake.
Our remembrances and visions of Dave were many. From fellow Board Director, Jerry McBride, come these comments: "There are two pictures of Dave in my mind." "First, there's the smile... he had a nice smile which was contagious." "Second, I can picutre Dave cruising Deer Lake in the patrol boat, most of the time he sat up on the top of the seat back. It was obvious that he enjoyed himself." For myself, I picture Dave with a helping hand and many times a hammer, at any building project in the Pebble Beach area of Deer Lake. I fished with Dave for years, he never had much luck fishing but was always eager to try. But, most of all Dave loved the community of his brothers. To be with them, to share with them, to laugh with them, to enjoy life.
It is with these thoughts we leave Dave. In appreciation to him for all he has given to us. Through his generosity, he has inspired others to emulate him. Through his passing, he has made us all realize that life is not self-centered but rewarding when we can share our gifts with others. Dave died doing what he enjoyed most, enjoying the beautiful outdoors of Deer Lake, soaking in the sunshine, the freshness, and the splendor of God's creation........... -Lee Bayley-
-ANNUAL MEETING-
This edition of the Newsletter is being mailed to all Deer Lake residents, you are invited to attend the DLPOA annual meeting Saturday, June 22, 7:30 pm, Loon Lake Grade School. There will be opportunity to pay dues, participate in elections, receive updates on some of the activities and strengthen support for your lake neighborhood.
On the agenda will be election of new board members.
Nominations are:
2 Year Term
3 Year Term
The Nominating Committee: Ed Sweet, Lee Bayley and Ted Maxson.
Nominations will be accepted from the floor at the annual meeting. The new candidates for board consideration are Clair Jones, Don Newhall and Dave Mason.
Other items of interest will include reports and updates from the Stevens County Sheriff's Department, Fish and Game officials, County Commissioners, P.U.D. and DLPOA Committee Chairman.
-WOODCUTTING-
Lew Houdak reports that Boise Cascade has consented to open up the Buck Creek area on Green Mountain Road this year for firewood harvest. The same procedure applies, as last year. You must be a paid up member of DLPOA ('85-'86), pay a $2.00 permit fee, use the wood for personal use only. The method for sign up; Send 2 or 3 stamped, self addressed -POST CARDS ONLY- Include Your Phone Number on the card to: "Firewood" Rte 1 Box 493 Loon Lake, WA 99148
Please do not call for information or special notice, notification will be by mail only, of the day and time. BRING YOUR CARD WITH YOU! Safety will be a must. The area is steep, but there is a lot of wood available.
-ROAD MAINTENANCE-
Less Schneider, Road Chairman, has shared a three page list of proposed road work to be completed in this portion of the county. The proposal itemizes 19 locations for gravel and reballast treatment at an overall cost estimated at $250,000. About 30 miles of road and culvert work is identified in the plan. Five of these are in close proximity to Deer Lake. Six of the thirty miles is involved with approximate cost at $50,000. Too often, we have made statements based on information that was on the planning board and just as often it did not happen, therefore, we are not very comfortable to report projects until the work is underway.
Time and money are factors. We have a copy of the plan, we will hope progress is made in completing them as scheduled.
-MEMBERSHIP-
A drive to increase participation has been underway for the past month. DLPOA needs the support of all its potential members. There are over 900 property units listed on the tax rolls, many of course, are undeveloped and about 1 of 3 are active DLPOA members. The special membership effort has been successful in returning many to the "Active Member" list. DLPOA is working for all of the Deer Lake residents. Taxes do not begin to furnish the requirements to the lake community. Volunteers and money raised by the volunteer spirit make up the difference. The projects of DLPOA and LLPOA serve their respective communities. Public safety such as fire and lake equipment training, public relations and publicity are all accomplished through your generosity and participation. If you have never belonged, you are invited to join, if you were a member and your dues have lapsed, please come back to us. We need strength to reduce the burden.
"Tolerance is the oil that takes the friction out of life".
-SEWER PROPOSAL HEARING-
Public meetings held on April 17th and May 28th at the Loon Lake School were well attended. PUD officials outlined the proposal on April 17th and distributed questionaires. The May 28th meeting was essentially a chance to "sound off" and air some of the concerns of the individual property owners.
There are those against, there are those for, and a wide range of questions in between. Some examples:
What proof is there that seepage of nutrients is affecting the lake? Let's continue to "do nothing" because there is a cattle ranch in the narrows, a sewer would be useless in the face of that source. Who can do a sewering project best, private or public enterprise? Who can engineer, build and administer for the least cost? Vested interests such as resorts, church camps and summer camps are faced with a large burden in terms of expenses and loss of efforts already expended, to comply with present law. What are the legal implications? Voting rights? Cost? Funding available? - These are all legitimate concerns-
We know there is a difference in water quality from just a few years ago. We suspect there is no indication the lake is getting cleaner or has a way of cleansing itself, because it is a sealed body of water.(fact) To do "nothing at all" because of seemingly, uncontrollable factors that may, or may not, impact a sewer system, is exactly what has been done. "Nothing" has been done in places all over this nation, the consequences are legend. Our neighbors 7 miles southwest of us must know something we don't.
Will property values be enhanced by a sewer system? How about without? And for how long? Do we pay now, or pay later? In 10-15 or 20 years, will we be wishing we had done something differently? The odds and evidence are in favor of doing something differently, now, while we may have a chance.
-EMERGENCY SERVICES REPORT-
The Deer Lake Fire Department recently purchased a VCR (Video Cassette Recorder) for training purposes. Films and Training material obtained from the Washington State Fire Training Department in Olympia and Steven County Fire Commissioners assures standardization and updates in techniques and quality of these volunteer served organizations.
Fire Chief Quetta Collins wants everyone to know the annual "Pancake Breakfast" will be July 7th, 6am to noon at the Deer Lake station house, more details on that will be published later, cost, etc. (Supporting this function is how things like VCR's become available - taxes don't do that in many areas).
Quetta appreciates the safety being practiced by area residents and cautions that we are entering fire season now - they would much prefer to be there and not be needed.