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JACKSON LAKE ASSOCIATION GENERAL MEETING MINUTES FEBRUARY 21, 2020 The Jackson Lake Association general meeting was held on Friday, February 21, 2020, at the FFA/FCCLA dining hall with 123 in attendance.
President Vance Burgess called the meeting to order around 7:15 p.m. He recognized board members and other JLA volunteers. Guest Speaker: Alexa Robinson The speaker for the evening was Alexa Robinson, watershed protection specialist with the City of Griffin. She has worked closely with JLA volunteers that perform water quality testing. She commended JLA on having such a strong team. Each member must be certified on an annual basis and some of our volunteers have been certified for as long as seven years. Ms. Robinson grew up in Costa Rica and shared photos of her growing up as a nature lover, which she said contributed to her love of water. She is heavily involved in Georgia Adopt-A-Stream, which is part of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. Her role includes educating students in the classroom as well as helping citizens evaluate and protect their local lakes and other local waterways. Introduction of Wes Lewis Vance introduced Wes Lewis, who is the new Georgia Power Company (GPC) representative for Jackson Lake. Wes took the podium and said that he is currently the only employee in the office, but that approval has been given to fill Debra Laabs’ position which has been vacant since her retirement. He provided his cell phone number (478-223-1105) in case he can’t be reached in the GPC office. Wes said that the most frequent question he had been asked recently is why GPC doesn’t react more quickly to drop water levels when heavy rains are predicted. He said that they would basically need information two weeks in advance which is impossible due to unpredictable weather and that it is a misconception that GPC can be doing more. He praised the Obermeyer gates’ performance in controlling the lake level during the recent heavy rains. Wes said the GPC has updated its statewide shoreline guidelines. These are available at www.georgiapowerlakes.com/shoreline_guidelines/ Updates were provided as follows: Disabled Vessel Assistance Program – Vance Burgess said that JLA is researching the formation of a service to assist stranded boaters. It would require at least 20 volunteers who would rotate being on call and assisting with dispatch. He said that there are a lot of hurdles to such a program and it is only in the exploration phase at this time. He passed around a sign-up sheet to volunteer with this project. Lake Cleanup – Smitty Smith reminded us of the trash cleanup to be held on February 22nd at 1:00 pm. Participants are to start at three locations with a meal to be served after the cleanup. He asked members of the Water Quality committee to stand and commended them on their efforts. Trash Trap – Jared Godin reported that the trash trap that has been purchased by DeKalb County has been completely built and is scheduled to be installed on the South River by the second quarter. He also said that a location is being studied for a second trash trap on the Yellow River. He said that if anyone had a contact for a shooting range that is located near the Yellow River in Newton County, to let him know. Funds that were donated for the trash trap will be used for the second trash trap. Barge – Jared Godin also said there is a private barge on the lake that is for hire for performing cleanups in hard to reach areas. Events – Jared Godin displayed a poster listing all JLA events for 2020 and said they are available to anyone wishing to display them in local businesses. He also urged members to let him know if they had ideas for other events that JLA might sponsor. Finance – JLA is in a good financial position. Revenues from annual dues will be received during the early part of the year. JLA has approximately $160,000 with more than half of that being donations received for the trash trap. Locators – Bud Cowan reported that along with other committee members, Ken White and Skip Davis, the committee has come up with a prototype for a locator, which was on display. They are recommending that the locators be installed at 10 permanent locations throughout the lake. They would be installed in concrete on homeowners’ private property. Bud was available to display a map of the lake showing proposed general areas for the locators. He asked for volunteers of homeowners in these locations that are willing to use their properties for the locators. The committee has been working with Wes Lewis at GPC to get approval, and the installations are pending legal approval from GPC. Bud also commended JLA member Roger Fenton, who originally suggested the locators, whose purpose is to provide a reference to 911 operators and others in responding to incidents on the lake. The locators will be marked with a letter and a number that will be used to indicate the general area of the lake along with the location within that general area. JL Sun – The latest issue will be in the mail in early March. The deadline for the next issue is May 1st. Article submissions are requested. Art Contest – Nick Ellis said that the art contest is underway. Schools in Jasper, Newton, Butts and Henry Counties have been provided applications. Private schools have also been included. He urged members to spread the word about the contest also. In addition to awarding prizes to individual winners, the teacher of the class of the student providing the winning submission will be awarded $500. The winning artwork will be used on future JLA T-shirts and promotional materials. CPR Training – CPR training will be provided at Turtle Cove on May 2nd for a charge of $46. The training will be provided by JLA member Jimmy Smith, who is a fireman and is also involved in the Disabled Vessel Assistance Program. Vendor Exhibits – At a member’s suggestion, at the May 22nd JLA General Meeting, vendors will be allowed to set up booths to promote their local goods and services. The exhibit time will begin an hour before the meeting begins. Wendy Williamson has forms that must be completed in order to obtain a booth. Exhibitors must be JLA members. Booths are available on a first come, first served basis. Membership Committee – Diane Davis said that two additional volunteers are needed to serve on the Membership Committee. The committee has a goal of increasing JLA membership. After door prizes were awarded, the meeting was adjourned. Minutes prepared by Beth Rogers, Recording Secretary
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JACKSON LAKE ASSOCIATION
GENERAL MEETING MINUTES NOVEMBER 15, 2019 The Jackson Lake Association general meeting was held on Friday, November 15, 2019, at the FFA/FCCLA dining hall. The quarterly meeting had a Fall Family Fun theme with activities beginning at 5:30 pm, featuring kids’ games, crafts, popcorn and decorations. There were around 140 adults and 15 children in attendance. President Vance Burgess called the meeting to order around 7:15 p.m. He recognized board members and announced that Michelle Beal is taking over as District 4 Director. Diane Davis provided information on the Smithsonian Exhibit that will be held in Monticello and said that volunteer docents are needed for assistance with the exhibit. Docent training will be held on Friday, Dec. 6th at the Visitor’s Center. A member from Turtle Cove announced that the Turtle Cove Women’s Club is holding a health fair and pancake breakfast on November 16th and urged members to attend. Vance Burgess announced that JLA will again sponsor an art contest during the current school year and that more information will be provided. The speaker for the evening was Christina Rogers, an environmental educator with Dauset Trails Nature Center. She brought along a box turtle, several snakes, a possum, and several other wildlife specimens and provided “hands on” demonstrations for the kids prior to the meeting. She gave a history of Dauset Trails and highlighted its attractions. It was founded in 1978 by Hampton Lamar Daughtry who was heavily involved in scouting and youth programs in the area. He left his entire estate to Dauset Trails. There is no admission charge or parking fee for the recreation center which spans 2300 acres and includes a black bear exhibit, a 19th century barnyard and extensive bike trails. It is home to Gen. Beauregard Lee, Georgia’s official groundhog. Ms. Rogers said this year around 700 people visited on Groundhog’s day and they’re anticipating 1000 next year. Ms. Rogers, a biology major who has a wildlife rehabilitation license, has been employed at Dauset Trails for more than 15 years. She has been involved in rehabbing many species, including black bear cubs, skunks, coyotes, possums, and owls, averaging 400 rehabs at the facility per year. Vance Burgess provided the following updates: Lake Cleanup - Trash cleanup to be held on November 16th, with 4 boats and lunch provided at Lakeview Restaurant. Finance – JLA is in a good financial position. High level discussion of how we raise funds and how funds are spent. JLA has approximately $170,000 with more than half of that being donations received for trash trap. Georgia Power – New shoreline manager, Wes Lewis, is now the only employee at Lloyd Shoals due to company cutbacks. He is replacing Clint Brown. Silt Committee – Rhonda Smith, District 9 Director, will be chairing a committee related to the silt issue. Boat Rescue Program – JLA member Jimmy Smith is looking into starting a boat rescue program on Jackson Lake. Vance also commended Rhonda Smith on for her efforts in organizing the Fall Family Fun evening. In addition to having the idea for the event, she also spent many hours organizing, recruiting help from others and setting up the event. Fred Grimes, JLA Liaison with DNR, spoke about his recent meeting with the head of boating safety with DNR. He provided information about JLA to the DNR and is laying the groundwork for getting DNR’s involvement in boating safety initiatives at JLA. Jared Godin provided an update on the trash trap, which has been ordered by DeKalb County and is currently under construction. The next issue of the Jackson Lake Sun will have more detailed updates. After door prizes were awarded, the meeting was adjourned. Beth Rogers, Recording Secretary The Jackson Lake Association general meeting was held on Friday, August 9, 2019, at the FFA/FCCLA dining hall, with around 130 in attendance.
President Vance Burgess called the meeting to order around 7:15 p.m. The speakers for the evening included representatives from the counties surrounding the lake.
Vance Burgess provided the following updates:
Ken White, speaking on behalf of the nominating committee, presented the slate of Jackson Lake Association officers for the coming year. They include:
Smitty Smith spoke briefly about water quality and urged members to participate in the trash cleanup the following day, August 10 th . After awarding door prizes, the meeting was adjourned. Beth Rogers, Recording Secretary The Jackson Lake Association general meeting was held on Friday, May 17, 2019, at the FFA/FCCLA dining hall, with around 130 in attendance. President Vance Burgess called the meeting to order around 7:15 p.m. After recognizing elected officials and military, he introduced new directors, Rhonda Smith (District 9) and Bill English (District 2). He also recognized Debra Laabs, who is retiring from Georgia Power after forty years of service. Nick Ellis took the podium and announced the winners of the ‘Lake Life’ art contest. Art students in Butts, Newton, Henry and Jasper counties competed for middle school and high school prizes. The winning entries will be used on various JLA promotional materials. Nick and his wife, Tasia, coordinated this effort with local schools. Olivia Miller won first place for the Middle School award. Allison Aguiliara won first place for the High School award. The dinner speaker was Adam McGinnis, of Southern Edge Realty in Monticello. Adam has been involved in the development of “The Peninsula at Jackson Lake” since the prior owners of the property approached him for advice on the best means of selling the large tract of land. The property was previously owned by seven individual family members before being sold to Premier, the development company for The Peninsula. The development will include a clubhouse, a saltwater pool and a common boat slip. McGinnis said that the property includes 114 lots, with 77 being waterfront. Some of the lots are not dockable. Eighty-two of the lots have been sold at prices ranging from $14,900 to $249,000. According to McGinnis, many of the sales were to local, cash buyers. McGinnis said that he will have exclusive rights to sell any remainder unsold lots and said that other agents with interested clients should contact him. Jared Godin provided an update on the debris removal systems. The first litter trap is out for bids by DeKalb County and a location has been identified for the second installation, which is visible from the bridge on Hwy. 81. The second installation will be engineered locally. Jared also provided an update on upcoming events, including paddling events, Ice Cream Giveaway and the Poker Run. He announced that JLA will sponsor a professionally run fireworks display on July 6th, along with the boat parade. It will be held at the Georgia Power Dam. Committee updates included a trash and water quality update from Smitty Smith, a finance committee update from Vance Burgess, and a scholarship update from Ken White. After awarding door prizes, the meeting was adjourned. Beth Rogers, Recording Secretary |
JLA MeetingsTo promote transparancy and communication we are going to start posting minutes from meetings here. Archives
February 2020
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