An Anchor for our Community

President’s Corner

      We want to thank all those that have already sent donations for the Mosquito spraying in 2004.   The mosquito population seems to get larger each year and we are in hopes that we can build a large enough cushion to enable us to adequately control them next year.   There are still some people that feel that we should just use the money out of the general fund for mosquito control.   Out of curiosity I calculated the necessary amount to cover what we spent in 2003 using the number of memberships in 2003.   The current $25 is pretty well used up by items including; the Riparian magazine, the BLA Newsletter, Michigan Lakes and Stream membership, Insurance, Lake water testing and the Picnic.   If we had the same number of sprays as we did this year the dues would need to be increased to $50 per year.   In 2003 we were about to get another spray done when the rain, wind, & temperatures made it less economical or effective.   That is because it is a waste to spray if there is a wind, or the ambient temperature is not at least 70 degrees at about 7:00 P.M., or during a rainy period since the spray is not as effective.   If we had been able to make that additional spray it would mean that the dues should be raised to almost $60.   If we were to raise the dues to either of those amounts we would have few enough members left that we wouldn’t have enough money to make any sprays at all.   This is probably why the plan to spray from donations was first decided.   I don’t really know since I did not live here at that time.   That is why we keep begging for donations and are thankful that we get what we do with many greater than the requested $25.

      The results from the Secchi Disk and Fecal Coliform tests for 2003 are still on the Website and we will be starting a new page for 2004 so that comparisons can be made.

      We did not have a 2003 Flotilla because of an apparent lack of interest.   If we have one in 2004 it will be July 3rd.   We are still looking for a Flotilla Committee Chair so they can, with help from the previous Chairs, have time to plan for the Flotilla.   It would be of assistance to that person if those interested in having a float would contact us by May or early June, either by e-mail, phone, snail-mail or in person, of their desire.   That way we will know of the interest to plan for.

      We hope to see many of you at our Association meetings which are scheduled for the third Monday of the month, except July and December, at the Porter Township Administration building, just north of the Fire Station on Baldwin Prairie north of U.S. 12.   Although the voting needs to be channeled thru your Advisor, we appreciate the discussion and ideas from all members to be sure that we are handling things the way you wish it to be.   Remember that this is YOUR Lake Association and we want to listen to your requests that will help to fulfill the Baldwin Lake Association’s mission: MAINTAIN AND PRESERVE OUR LAKE COMMUNITY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS THROUGH EDUCATION, COMMUNICATION, AND COMMITMENT TO BALDWIN LAKE.

      We want everyone to know that the officers and advisors always welcome your suggestions and comments by E-mail to baldwin-lake-366@mlswa.org, by Snail Mail to P.O. Box 311 or by phone to any officer or advisor.

H.C. Scot Billings
BLA President