Isle of Pines Property Owner's Association

Dear Members,

During the December Board meeting for IOPPOA, the budget is discussed and motions are made pertaining to the stewardship of the property and the accommodation of our members. Over the last few years our budget has been running at a deficit. We have made budget cuts and have increased fund raising events. However, this year, we again face a deficit.
During our December 2017 Board meeting, the following measures were discussed in an effort to ensure our budget continues to serve our membership and our property and facilities. Your attention to the below information and consideration are greatly appreciated. We encourage all members to bring forward any suggestions and/or concerns.

Reducing Expenses:

Newsletter delivery costs have been reduced. You will now see your Newsletter in your mailbox. This change in our delivery method allows us to eliminate the plastic bags. Our Postmaster has ensured us that as a non-profit organization, we can utilize member mailboxes.

Contingent IOPPOA Sponsored Events: The Board has discussed eliminating certain annual events from the calendar if the balance in the operating account is not adequate to end the year without a deficit. The events currently being examined for possible elimination are St. Patty’s Day and Memorial Day. We also may find it necessary to reduce the budgets for the remaining events.

Increasing Income:

Membership Dues: A motion was made and carried to increase membership dues by $10/year for the new total of $135/year. All discounts still apply.
Wedding Venue: The Board has approved the use of the Park and its facilities to host Wedding Ceremonies under contract. We are hopeful that we will realize the financial benefit of this new initiative in 2018. Please tell your family and friends who may be planning nuptials in our area. (ISLEOFPINES.ORG & VENUE.ISLEOFPINES.ORG)

Thank you,
Terry Gardner

Hello Neighbors,
This will be our last newsletter of 2017. I want to begin by thanking our outstanding Team
of board members for an incredible year of hard work and dedication to our community,
as well as all the wonderful people who volunteered. You are all what makes this
neighborhood so unique and special. Myself and our community appreciate all of your
time.
Further discussions of an increase is dues to supplement fundraisers and future improvements
to our community will be discussed at our board meeting the first Tuesday in December.
We have our 3rd annual chili cook off kick off membership drive coming up in January.
This was really a fun event and should be more exciting this time around. All are welcome
to attend. Come meet your neighbors, enter your chili in the contest, enjoy some chili and
get a discounted membership. More details in this newsletter.

Thank you,
Terry Gardner
IOPPOA President

Hello Neighbors,

I don’t know about everyone else but I am ready for some cooler weather! It has been a long hot and eventful summer thus far especially with all the debris left behind from hurricane Irma. Slowly our neighborhood is starting to get back to normal as the crews continue their debris clean-up efforts.

The IOP Board wishes to receive feedback from our members about raising the yearly dues. We have not had an increase in membership dues for many years. In order to continue improvements and maintain the events throughout the year that are free to our members we feel that it is necessary to increase membership dues. Our yearly expenses have gone up and in order to not have to dip into our emergency fund set aside for any repairs to restrooms, well, septic system, boat dock or any other unforeseen events. Our operating expense will increase because we need to insure our dwelling at the South Park in which are: Bathrooms, Pavilion, Boat Dock and Well Enclosure. The increase in membership dues will be discussed at the next board meeting scheduled for Tuesday November 7th at 7:00pm at the South Park. Please join us with any suggestions or concerns.

Please be aware that the lake water level is still extremely high so please be considerate when on the lake while operating your watercraft.

On another note there have been reports of people speeding and passing the school buses. Please be considerate and drive safe.

Thank you,

Terry Gardner
IOPPOA President

Hello Neighbors,
We survived Irma!! I am so proud of our community and the way everyone rallied together to help each other!! We really need to be careful and drive safely with all the debris in the roads. It’s difficult for pedestrians to move off the road so please remember this when navigating around them.
Our potluck party was quite a success; it was great to see so many new faces! The kids had a great time on the water slide. We hope next year will be even bigger and better!!!
The lake water level is extremely high at this time so we ask if you are out for a cruise in your boat please be considerate and maintain a no wake policy close to the homes on the lake. Thank you and stay safe!
Terry Gardner
IOPPOA President

Dear Neighbors,
 
REMINDER: Kids are back in school!!! Please drive safely and keep an eye on kids at the bus stops. Please DO NOT PASS BUSES!!!!!! Parents please photograph or video any violators and report it. I am sad to announce the cancellation of the Carnival Fundraiser, but I am excited to announce that in its place, we are having a POTLUCK PARTY!! A FREE EVENT! BRING A DISH!! We will have the water slide, free hot dogs for kids, and we will still be selling raffle tickets, so bring some cash and win some great raffle items. (More details inside this newsletter) This event is open to Members, NonMembers and all guests!!!! Let’s all come together and have a great time!!! Thank you to all that volunteered and organized the Father’s Day Fishing Tournament!!! What a great event that we are fortunate enough to live in an area that can host such a unique event! Great job to all the anglers!!! Who knew we had so many big bass in our lake !!!
 
 
Thank you,
 
Terry Gardner
IOPPOA President
 

Hello Neighbors,
I must start off by saying WOW!! What a spectacular 4th of July party we had!! A great job by all that volunteered!!! Thank you for your time and efforts!!
I would like to address an issue that puts me in an awkward position. I would like to ask all residents to abide by the park rules. I don’t like having to approach non-members at the park and asking them to leave. This is not fair to the members that pay their dues for access to the park and events. Please contact a board member to join the association if you would like to attend parties or use the park.
Speeding seems to be an ongoing battle. Please discuss this with all family members the dangers of speeding. Our children can’t even travel the neighborhood for the summer without being in constant danger.
Our Carnival Fundraiser will be here before we know it. September 3rd!!! Purchase tickets at eventbrite.com search Isle of Pines. Please share this event with family and friends and together we can make this event a huge success to benefit our community.
Do you have questions or concerns regarding the community or the association? Please feel free to attend meetings the 1st Tuesday of each month at 7 pm and the board is always willing to answer all questions. If you are unable to attend meetings, please email any questions or concerns to myself or a board member.
Thank you,
Terry Gardner
IOPPOA President

Hello Neighbors,
Let’s start off with a very important reminder: Kids are out of school for the summer so let’s please mind the speed limit. It is 35….not 40 or 45. Please be alert and be safe.
The Burn Ban has been lifted, so you won’t see any of my quirky signs for a while. Lol
Please burn with caution and remember that our area is prone to muck fires.
It has been brought to my attention that some have violated park rules when reserving the park for events. Please read the rules before inviting your guests. The rules state that residents that are not members, but are eligible, are not able to attend parties or events reserved by members. I am sorry, but these are the rules and we have to enforce them.
We have been working diligently on a Carnival fundraiser for the Labor Day weekend and hope that we can have the help and support of all in our community. This event will be open to everyone!! Members, Non-Members and Non residents are all welcome! We will be posting this event and links on the facebook group page and in the newsletter, please feel free to share this event on your social media. Please be sure to buy tickets early and encourage your family and friends to purchase as well. Let’s work together to make this event a HUGE success!! Go to eventbrite.com and search Isle of Pines for event info and purchase tickets. We are also in need of volunteers for this event. You may contact me or any board member if interested. Teens welcome also to help with this event!!
Our lakefront park is a great place to cool off and enjoy the summer close to home. If you aren’t already, get your membership soon and enjoy all the amenities with your family and friends.
Thank you,
Terry Gardner
IOPPOA President

Hello Neighbors,
Well it is beginning to get hot again and we have to be mindful of our surroundings living in our unique area. Many neighbors have had encounters with many venomous snakes. Please keep a close eye on children and pets as these snakes are easily camouflaged. Other animals are on the move as well, especially the alligators. Please do not feed or entice them if you are near the water. If you encounter a nuisance alligator please call 866-392-4286.
The water temperatures are rising quickly and every year we have concerns about the high bacteria counts in the lake. If you are unsure about whether or not to swim because of bacteria or amoeba, you can call Moss Park and ask if their swimming area is open or if they have detected any high bacteria, as they do regular bacteria tests. Moss Park 407-254-6840
We are excited to announce we are hosting our first annual Family Carnival FUNdraiser on September 3rd to raise funds for park improvements and the dog park. We are working diligently to provide a great event. Save the date and please share this with your family and friends and let’s create a successful FUNdraiser event to last for generations. If you are interested in helping with this event please contact myself or any board member. More information will be posted on the via newsletters, emails, and on the neighborhood facebook group (Isle of Pines-Residents).
Lastly, I and others have seen quite a few people not being responsible for their dogs mess. Please Please Please pick up after your dogs when you walk them. We have an active community and nobody wants to step in or smell dog poo while out for a nice walk. We prefer the aroma of all the blooming jasmine.
I personally welcome all residents to attend our monthly board meetings held the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm at the south park.
Stay safe and be kind,
Terry Gardner, Sr.
IOPPOA President

Hello Neighbors,

Summer is upon us and we are in a drought and conditions for wild fires are extremely high so please observe the no burn rule to insure all of us stay safe.

We have scheduled a park clean up on Saturday May 6 at 8am and hope some of you will be able to help out. We will also be cleaning the dock, replacing some of the deck boards, staining the dock and also installing some bumper guards on the post to help protect your boats. If enough people show up some of us can venture down to the North Park and begin some clearing down to the main property so we may in the future begin development of at least 1 acre of the 5 acres as a dog park. If you are willing to help, it will be greatly appreciated. Coffee and donuts will be furnished.

I know some of you especially the speeders are tired of hearing about it but don’t you think it is time to mature up and observe the posted speed limit within the Isle of Pines before there is a tragedy. If anyone has any ideas of how to slow them down you are welcome to join us at the Board meeting held the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm at the South Park.

Thank you and have a Great Summer,

Terry Gardner

Dear Neighbor,

Happy April! Hopefully you are looking forward to the warm weather and being able to enjoy the outdoors as much as myself. Summer is just around the corner and all of us will soon be spending more leisure time at the South Park. Please enjoy the park and also help us maintain it by cleaning up after yourself before you leave the Park. If you happen to see something that is out of order it would be great that you take the time to make it right.

I would encourage each member to speak to your surrounding neighbors about joining the Property Owner Association as the more members we have it enables us to accomplish more projects and maintain our existing property. We are seeking feedback from anyone that is interested in helping with the clearing of the North Park property. We would like to schedule a work day in the near future. Please contact Rachel Dance at iopdogpark@yahoo.com or myself at gardnerinc@bellsouth.net or call me at 407-496-1522 to add your name to the list of volunteers so we may schedule and get started. There are many other things that can be accomplished at the North Park besides a Dog Park!

As a reminder the Board Meets the first Tuesday of each month at the South Park at 7:00pm and everyone is welcome to join in.

Thank you,

Terry Gardner
IOPPOA President