All of the discussions regarding Mosquito Control seem to result in the decision that the best, and fairest, way to continue efficient spraying for Mosquito Control in the future is by donations, which is the method we have used since the 1990s.   Since quite a few lake residents, year-round or seasonal, are not BLA members a dues increase would not be fair, especially since it would probably reduce the number of members more than before.   We haven't been able to find a practical way to generate that amount of money any other way than donations.   Some years have had a greater mosquito population than the previous year while other years it will decrease, or the weather lessens the population.   The 4 sprays in 2006 totally depleted our mosquito funds, including the "cushion" from a couple of years that the weather helped to hold down the mosquito population.   Luckily 2007 only required 1 spraying because the weather co-operated for a change.   The cost for 2006 (4 sprays) & 2007 (1 spray) leaves us with a rather meager fund that will allow about 1 spraying.   The Mosquito Population, with it's potential to spread the WEST NILE VIRUS and other diseases, is a serious concern everywhere each year.   Just being able to enjoy the evenings outside without them is also a plus.   The Baldwin Lake Association has been spraying to help control this problem for almost a decade through volunteer contributions, most of which have been from association members but not all of the members.   Another thing that makes it harder to spray each year is that Baldwin Lake Association has been the ONLY Lake that has been spraying for quite a few years & to be effective we have needed to spray in such a way that the mosquito control has to also cover the other area Lakes or the mosquitoes will be back at Baldwin Lake right away.   That is why we would like the other area Lakes to help with the expense of the Mosquito Spraying that they are getting the benifit in their areas as well.   The land around the lake costs about $1850 per spray and so far the Baldwin Lake Association has continued with the voluntary donations that we have received in the past, many of which have been very generous.   The problem is that we need the support of, at least, the ENTIRE Baldwin Lake community (members & non-members of BLA) to be able to continue this project.   Up to this time the ENTIRE cost of spraying has been received from about 1/3 of the residents that benefit from the Mosquito Control.   Mosquitoes were once just an annoyance but now have potential to cause serious health problems.   Only through strong community support can we continue to afford the protection from the potential health problems.   Our dues are not enough to try to use even a part of them for the spraying and still be able to continue with things like: "The Riparian" magazine; Membership in "Michigan Lakes and Streams" (statewide association of lake communities); the quarterly BLA newsletter; the continuation of this Website; the monitoring of water quality of Baldwin Lake; and preservation of our Lake Community.   If you have not supported the Mosquito Control lately we ask for your support so that we can continue it.   We have been asking all residents in our community to help in this matter by annually contributing at least $25.00 which we felt would be enough money to continue this program on a regular basis each year.   2006 made it obvious that we will need additional funds for Mosquito Control, like a greater number of people making donations, or we will not be able to continue it regularly. Please mail a mosquito contribution, made out to "BLA", to: