August 8, 2013

To: GSRA members

From: Bob Lick, GSRA President

Early into our 2013 annual meeting the winds blew and the rains came. Quickly we learned the Park pavilion doesn’t provide much shelter from the elements. Always reliable Nancy Fillion came through when she invited everyone to continue the meeting in the dryness and comfort of her home. Thank you Nancy!

The minutes of the meeting are included in this mailing. There are action items that are in bold type and a few other points I’d like to highlight for you.

You all should have received information about Firewise. Several members are already beginning this program with their properties either in compliance or well along the way. It makes sense to become involved for not only the protection of our community, but more importantly for the protection of your own investment. Joe Marek is our Firewise Captain. We urge you to contact Joe to begin the process for your property. Joe can be reached during the day at 432-2443.

A question was raised at the meeting if there was an AED at the Park headquarters. I have learned there is and that it will be relocated to the new building once the building is completed.

When driving on our roads please keep your speed below 25 mph. We have more children living in our community; let’s be mindful of this fact as we travel our roads. The FedEx and UPS drivers will be notified as well as our adjacent neighbors.

The minutes also report that a Covenant Committee will be formed to review if a few points contained in the covenants need revision. If you would like to serve on this committee please contact me.

Curt Gowdy State Park is soliciting donations, large and small, to be used in a new interpretive center at the Park. As I have been told that GSRA will be able to use the meeting room for all Board meetings and the annual meeting I made a personal donation in the name of GSRA. If you are interested in making a donation I suggest you mention you live in Granite Springs Retreat. Simply send your donation to the State Park office telling them where you wish your funds directed.

I wish to thank the members that took the time to attend our annual meeting as your input is needed and appreciated. Chef Joe Marek did an outstanding job at the grille. The bratwursts were excellent (I had two). Please remember all members are encouraged to attend and take part in the governing of our community. If unable to attend, submitting your proxies to another lot owner to represent your views is the responsible thing to do. Also, we always like to meet and greet newer members of our community. Per our bylaws our next ANNUAL MEETING IS SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2014 at 4:00 PM. Please circle your calendars. I’m looking forward to planning to hold that meeting in the new Curt Gowdy State Park Visitor Center.

Your Board of Directors met on Wednesday, August 7. Always remember the minutes of all BOD meetings along with other GSRA information and documents can be viewed at our website (www.granitespringsretreat.com). Dates of all future BOD meetings are also on the site. Recently posted are all ACC rules and forms as well. Currently our Board meetings are held in the Curt Gowdy State Park headquarters building at 7:00 PM. For this coming year our Board meetings are scheduled for: October 2, January 8, April 9 and July 9.

The BOD scheduled several community works days. With the members agreeing to replace our well weathered road signs we request the assistance of everyone to install them, trim around the ponds and finish cutting down dead trees along Kate Cameron Drive. Please don’t let us down, help preserve and enhance YOUR community. Work days are planned for August 24 & 25 and September 7 & 8. We will meet at the upper pond at 9:00 AM on these days. Please do your part and help. BTW, we won’t burn the pit until we get snow.

I suppose it wouldn’t be a letter from a GSRA President unless a plea was made for everyone to read our covenants and be certain your property is in compliance. You can obtain a copy of the covenants from our website. Even the addition of corrals, fences, retaining wall, sheds, etc. requires ACC approval prior to installation or construction. This is for the benefit of the entire community.

At the annual meeting the members reelected me to serve another term on our Board of Directors and at last night’s Board meeting all agreed to maintain the current officer positions. I am honored to continue as President and be certain I am striving to do the right thing for our members and for our community’s benefit. If you think I am straying don’t hesitate to let me know. Our current dedicated Board members are a pleasure to work with.

Your officers once again are:
Bob Lick, President
Mike Trenam, Vice-President
Cindy Marek, Secretary
Cindy Koenig, Treasurer
Marty Gill, Director

ACC members are:
Dave Brumbaugh, Chairman
Andrew Koenig
Nancy Fillion

I hope you enjoy the remaining days of summer.