New directors, service award, incorporation study highlight HOA Annual Meeting Print E-mail

Big Canoe property owners invited
to attend monthly HOA board meetings

Beach
The beach at Lake Disharoon in Big Canoe

By Barbara Schneider
bschneider@bigcanoenews.com
The HOA Annual Meeting introduced four new directors, presented the Outstanding Achievement Award and reviewed the yearlong Incorporation Study on Saturday, July 10, at the Chapel.

Elected for the HOA’s 2010-2011 term were Mike Monroe, Alex Henderson, Verna Rauschenberg and Bill Holyoak. They fill seats vacated by Carl Deane, Eric Lindblom, Sue Hauseman and Kay Born. John Farris, who ran for the HOA Board last year, will complete the term of Mike Essman who resigned in the spring.

Chris DeJarnett and Mike Ehrlich, who also ran for HOA Board, agreed to offer their expertise and serve on HOA committees.

Officers for the HOA’s new term include Dick Scharf, president; Sandi Smalley, vice-president; Lynn Roberts, secretary and Arnold Reynolds, appointed, non-voting treasurer.  Scharf discusses the HOA’s plans and restructuring for the new term in the HOA President’s Letter.

Kay Born and Bill Wilson, representing the HOA and POA respectively, presented the Outstanding Achievement Award to Dr. David Holty. (See David's recent article on usage of nuclear power right here in Big Canoe.)

Committee member Phil Anderson presented a comprehensive report on the Big Canoe Incorporation Study, which has been a major focus for the last year. The study considered the desirability, difficulties, risks, political considerations and financial impact of incorporating of Big Canoe.

Over the last year the committee discussed the advantages and disadvantages of incorporation with the Georgia Municipal Assoc., Assoc. of County Commissioners of Georgia, and several cities and/or communities that had either incorporated or considered incorporation.

Based on their comprehensive review of the issues, advantages and disadvantages, the committee concluded there was no compelling reason to incorporate at this time. However the committee identified “red flags” that might cause renewed consideration of incorporation. These red flag issues include: the perceived threat of annexation by another municipality, departure of the developer, political developments leaving our community underrepresented and threat of catastrophic event, e.g. dam failure, wildfire destruction.

In related business:

  • Eric Lindblom presented a report on Firewise strategies
  • Former HOA President Carl Deane discussed membership, the HOA’s financial audit and a review of his 2010 objectives.
  • Arnold Reynolds reviewed HOA financials.
The HOA Board meets on the third Tuesday of each month in the Smoke Signals office, located on the second floor of the Brownstone Centre Building in the Foothills Shopping Center. Meetings begin at 8:30 a.m. and all Big Canoe property owners and interested parties are welcome to attend.