8/25/2010
8/24/2010
Police Shooting Update
Update on police shooting of July 21, 2010.
From Charles Wood DPOA President
Fred Ensminger is out of the hospital recovering from the injury to his arm. Mr. Ensminger is not currently working for Diamondhead and is not receiving any compensation. All individuals involved have been advised by legal counsel not to say anything regarding this matter.
This is all the information I received as a Board Member. As President, I intend to find out everything I can concerning this issue. It is my goal to encourage transparency in the functions of the board and staff of Diamondhead.
I appreciate any concern you may have regarding this matter. Let it be known that I hear your concerns and will be obtaining this information and sharing it as it is received.
Charles Wood
WoodCharles@Hughes.net
From Charles Wood DPOA President
Fred Ensminger is out of the hospital recovering from the injury to his arm. Mr. Ensminger is not currently working for Diamondhead and is not receiving any compensation. All individuals involved have been advised by legal counsel not to say anything regarding this matter.
This is all the information I received as a Board Member. As President, I intend to find out everything I can concerning this issue. It is my goal to encourage transparency in the functions of the board and staff of Diamondhead.
I appreciate any concern you may have regarding this matter. Let it be known that I hear your concerns and will be obtaining this information and sharing it as it is received.
Charles Wood
WoodCharles@Hughes.net
Bow Hunting Meeting !
Mike MacFarlane - Chairman of the WildLife Committee has called a meeting for September 15th. This meeting is for residents of Diamondhead, only. It will be held in the Club House at 7:pm.
Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to attend.
Some concerns were raised at the July Town Meeting.
Anyone with questions or concerns is encouraged to attend.
Some concerns were raised at the July Town Meeting.
Estate PlanningBasics 101
ESTATE PLANNING BASICS 101 – Tuesday, September 21st 6-7 p.m.
Karen Reagler of the Baim Law Firm will be conducting an estate planning seminar on Tuesday, September 21st from 6-7 p.m. in the banquet room at the Diamondhead Club House. She will discuss the basic documents that everyone should be aware of and plans to avoid family conflict and the court system. Karen will talk about the ins and outs of estate planning in language you can understand. There will be time for questions and answers after the seminar. Please contact Dana Myers at (501) 609-9800 if you would like more information.
Karen Reagler of the Baim Law Firm will be conducting an estate planning seminar on Tuesday, September 21st from 6-7 p.m. in the banquet room at the Diamondhead Club House. She will discuss the basic documents that everyone should be aware of and plans to avoid family conflict and the court system. Karen will talk about the ins and outs of estate planning in language you can understand. There will be time for questions and answers after the seminar. Please contact Dana Myers at (501) 609-9800 if you would like more information.
8/22/2010
President's address to Diamondhead
President Charles Wood's address to Diamondhead
I would like to thank each of you for supporting my re-election to the Diamondhead POA Board of Directors. As president, I am seeking your involvement in our community. The committees that serve, under the board's leadership, are vitally important to the Diamondhead membership in two primary ways.
We are in the process of recruiting members for our committees. It is my hope that you will seriously consider allowing Diamondhead to benefit from your unique talents. And, if you know of someone especially qualified in a particular area, I want to know about it !
The most effective way to reach me is by email. I check my messages twice daily, and I have found that to be the most effective means of communication. Please contact me at the following email address: woodcharles@hughes.net
I would like to thank each of you for supporting my re-election to the Diamondhead POA Board of Directors. As president, I am seeking your involvement in our community. The committees that serve, under the board's leadership, are vitally important to the Diamondhead membership in two primary ways.
- First, and most importantly, the committees act as advisers to the Board and hold each Board member accountable.
- Secondly, the committee members function as the heart and soul of this community. Your involvement and encouragement give our community the strength / power to work through the tough times together.....giving advise and counsel, working side-by-side, ..... and celebrating a job well done !
The most effective way to reach me is by email. I check my messages twice daily, and I have found that to be the most effective means of communication. Please contact me at the following email address: woodcharles@hughes.net
Special note: I look forward to reading your constructive remarks on the "Your Thoughts Matter !" page of The Committee Report.
Thank you for allowing me to serve with you,
Charles Wood, President
Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting was held last evening. Read below for the full report.
The newly elected officers are as follows:
President -------------Charles Wood
Vice President -------Jim Hannon
Treasurer -------------Tom Lockett
Secretary -------------Jack Watson
Congratulations to each one! May you serve our community responsibly, with steadfastness and joy.
Diane
_______________________________________________________
The Annual Meeting was opened in prayer by Jim Willis. Board Secretary, Mary Pracht, read the minutes of last year’s meeting. These minutes should become available on the Community web-site: www.diamondheadcommunity.com
President Massey reported on the condition of the roads, thanking the Roads Committee for a “job well done”. Mr. Massey explained how the weather conditions last winter caused unexpected necessary repairs to the roads in our community…. “In excess of $150,000.00, most of which is complete.” The necessary repair to the culverts located in the entrance to Diamondhead added an additional expense. “It had to be done.” “I am pleased with the way the roads are going. Hopefully, we will be able to put, in the neighborhood of $150,000 a year toward the roads.
“As many of you know, one of the things that I was big on when I ran for the board, and was elected president of the board, was to get this facility. I felt like it was one of our amenities that was being denied to us when we sold the old country club. I felt like we deserved it. We did get it done, and we occupied this place on, or about, January 1st of this year. It has been doing well. As Todd has said many times, ‘It is a work in progress, we’re learning as we go’. We have had great leadership from him. And, also, Tina has done a tremendous job keeping this (19th Hole) organized. It is not an easy chore. We have had a lot of activities taken place here. During a wedding reception held here, Governor Mike Beebe was in attendance, as well as, Senator Blanche Lincoln. Regardless of your political views, when you can get a governor of the state and a US senator here in our club, it is something to be proud of.”
Our golf tournaments have increased since we’ve had this facility. Money from our outside play has increased tremendously. Our membership has fallen down, but our outside play seems to be somewhat making it up. I can only see bigger and better things for our golf course.
Another good thing that has happened to us is the Lion’s Club sponsoring Bingo. We have it on Saturday nights and it has provided an additional income for the POA. It has provided something fun and inexpensive to do.
DRC has done well this year, especially with their energy homes. They sold their spec house and their Easter Seals House as soon as it became available. They are building another on the South side. Every time they sell a house, that is good for us, because we get the additional income.
Also I am very proud of Eddie Gilbert and his crew. They are doing a great job. This is one of the best golf courses in the state that does not cost over $200.00 a round.
So, we have had a lot of good things going on. Everything has not been rosy all the time. I know that I’ve been a disappointment, a time or two, to different people. But, again, I’ll say, I’ve done my best, and I thank you for the opportunity I’ve had.
________
Terry Shipp gave the Financial Highlights. This will appear in a separate post.
________
Audit Report by Gary Woosley. Copies of this report are available in the POA office.
Quoted from the report, page 3, paragraph 3:
“In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Diamondhead Property Owners Association, Inc. as of March 31, 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles.”
Membership Equity – March 31, 2010.......................... 3,848,134
For detailed information contact the POA office at 262-4470
Note 9: Subsequent Events – Subsequent to March 31, 2010, the Association entered into an agreement with Diamondhead Condo Hotel, Ltd. (DCH). DCH is going to construct a family recreation center and condo/hotel, with no less than 100 units, outside of the Association’s gates. The Association granted rights to owners of the constructed units to use facilities of the Association at negotiated rates, all of which is contingent on DCH preselling 100 units. The ultimate outcome of these matters is not presently determinable; therefore, it is the opinion of management that the resolution will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Association.
Also, during the board meeting in July 2010, the board accepted the resignation of the Association’s general manager.
_______
Chief Matt Simpson – Fire Department Report
Assistant Chief Leonard Anderson and Jennifer Lefevre live here in Diamondhead
Thank you for the fund-raiser held by Diamondhead Community Church which raised $6,000.00 for the rescue truck. This truck will soon be assembled and located in the ‘Big Blue building’. Many thanks go to Dean Hartwell for selling 270 tickets by himself ! …“He is a Dynamo!”
Last year we responded to over 800 calls. Just today alone, since 6am, we have had 8 calls.
We have been talking with an architect regarding a new building. This station will be large enough to house an ambulance. Just outside of the South gate, we hope to be able to build it… Diamondhead Reality has offered the land if we can raise the money for the building.
We have 74 volunteer fire-fighters on our roll, including a cadet crew. This is our 5th year to be recognized as a “Fire –Wise Community USA”. We are really proud of that.
Call the main station to speak with any members of this department - 1111 Hwy 290. If you have an emergency please call 911….. I am not home much.
Remember to use the control burn number in the phone book (623-4382). This will save you money and it saves us money.
On the Condo/Hotel, we are thrilled that the community is developing, but I didn’t know it was going to be 3-5 stories tall until the other day. That is going to add over a $100,000.00 worth of expense to the fire department to get the equipment to protect that building. I’m not sure where we are going to find that money, but we will have to add a second aerial truck to keep our ISO rating, which is what keeps your insurance low. We will have to add another ladder truck to the department. Which brings us to another place… where we are going to put it ? This makes that fire station even more important. We have all we can get in the Blue building right now. It is not tall enough to put one of those trucks in there, anyway.
We are thrilled to be here, we love the community support, and anything we can do to help please call us. Thank you.
_______
Citizen of the Year: Bob Jones
“All I can say is I love Diamondhead. I can’t think of any place better to live.”
_______
New Members of the Board took the oath of office. Jack Watson, Charles Wood, and Doc Norwood
_______
Good bye to Frank Pohlkamp and Tom Wright
_______
Board members were excused to Executive session.
_______
Todd Belz says good bye as general manger. “Thank you for allowing me to be your general manager. I really am a people-pleaser and I was not able to please every single person here. That was one of the hardest things about the job and that really had a big influence on why I stepped down to being the golf pro. It was very hard to do both duties. But I really did want to please every single person out here. That is just my personality …..”
_______
Social Committee - “Thank you to everyone on the Committee this year ….” Debbie Clement reviewed the social events of the year.
John Cummins thanked the Lion’s Club for sponsoring Bingo Night.
_______
Max English spoke regarding the trash he has been volunteering to pick for over 30 years. However, since the 19th Hole opened up last January, he is not able to fit all the trash into his truck. He spoke with Todd regarding the excessive trash in hopes of solving this problem.
_______
Board members returned -- Executive Board members announced:
• President Charles Wood
• Vice President Jim Hannon
• Treasurer Tom Lockette
• Secretary Jack Watson
Charles Wood: We will need a lot of committee members to sign up. I hope you will all sign up for a committee. Special thanks to the police department. You always do a great job out here. Okay, since I’m noted for long speeches.(!) That’s all. Meeting’s adjourned.
Notes by Diane Porterfield
The newly elected officers are as follows:
President -------------Charles Wood
Vice President -------Jim Hannon
Treasurer -------------Tom Lockett
Secretary -------------Jack Watson
Congratulations to each one! May you serve our community responsibly, with steadfastness and joy.
Diane
_______________________________________________________
The Annual Meeting was opened in prayer by Jim Willis. Board Secretary, Mary Pracht, read the minutes of last year’s meeting. These minutes should become available on the Community web-site: www.diamondheadcommunity.com
President Massey reported on the condition of the roads, thanking the Roads Committee for a “job well done”. Mr. Massey explained how the weather conditions last winter caused unexpected necessary repairs to the roads in our community…. “In excess of $150,000.00, most of which is complete.” The necessary repair to the culverts located in the entrance to Diamondhead added an additional expense. “It had to be done.” “I am pleased with the way the roads are going. Hopefully, we will be able to put, in the neighborhood of $150,000 a year toward the roads.
“As many of you know, one of the things that I was big on when I ran for the board, and was elected president of the board, was to get this facility. I felt like it was one of our amenities that was being denied to us when we sold the old country club. I felt like we deserved it. We did get it done, and we occupied this place on, or about, January 1st of this year. It has been doing well. As Todd has said many times, ‘It is a work in progress, we’re learning as we go’. We have had great leadership from him. And, also, Tina has done a tremendous job keeping this (19th Hole) organized. It is not an easy chore. We have had a lot of activities taken place here. During a wedding reception held here, Governor Mike Beebe was in attendance, as well as, Senator Blanche Lincoln. Regardless of your political views, when you can get a governor of the state and a US senator here in our club, it is something to be proud of.”
Our golf tournaments have increased since we’ve had this facility. Money from our outside play has increased tremendously. Our membership has fallen down, but our outside play seems to be somewhat making it up. I can only see bigger and better things for our golf course.
Another good thing that has happened to us is the Lion’s Club sponsoring Bingo. We have it on Saturday nights and it has provided an additional income for the POA. It has provided something fun and inexpensive to do.
DRC has done well this year, especially with their energy homes. They sold their spec house and their Easter Seals House as soon as it became available. They are building another on the South side. Every time they sell a house, that is good for us, because we get the additional income.
Also I am very proud of Eddie Gilbert and his crew. They are doing a great job. This is one of the best golf courses in the state that does not cost over $200.00 a round.
So, we have had a lot of good things going on. Everything has not been rosy all the time. I know that I’ve been a disappointment, a time or two, to different people. But, again, I’ll say, I’ve done my best, and I thank you for the opportunity I’ve had.
________
Terry Shipp gave the Financial Highlights. This will appear in a separate post.
________
Audit Report by Gary Woosley. Copies of this report are available in the POA office.
Quoted from the report, page 3, paragraph 3:
“In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Diamondhead Property Owners Association, Inc. as of March 31, 2010, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the year then ended, in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles.”
- Total Current Assets........................................$.. 713,025
- Total Assets .....................................................4,642,725
- Total Current Liabilities....................................... .524,733
- Total Liabilities ....................................................794,591
- Total Membership Equity................................ $3,848,134
- Total Liabilities and Membership Equity............. 4,642,725
- Total Operating Revenue................................. $1,686,261
- Total Operating Expenses.................................. 1,547,619
Membership Equity – April 1, 2009 ............................$3,731,527
For detailed information contact the POA office at 262-4470
Note 9: Subsequent Events – Subsequent to March 31, 2010, the Association entered into an agreement with Diamondhead Condo Hotel, Ltd. (DCH). DCH is going to construct a family recreation center and condo/hotel, with no less than 100 units, outside of the Association’s gates. The Association granted rights to owners of the constructed units to use facilities of the Association at negotiated rates, all of which is contingent on DCH preselling 100 units. The ultimate outcome of these matters is not presently determinable; therefore, it is the opinion of management that the resolution will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of the Association.
Also, during the board meeting in July 2010, the board accepted the resignation of the Association’s general manager.
_______
Chief Matt Simpson – Fire Department Report
Assistant Chief Leonard Anderson and Jennifer Lefevre live here in Diamondhead
Thank you for the fund-raiser held by Diamondhead Community Church which raised $6,000.00 for the rescue truck. This truck will soon be assembled and located in the ‘Big Blue building’. Many thanks go to Dean Hartwell for selling 270 tickets by himself ! …“He is a Dynamo!”
Last year we responded to over 800 calls. Just today alone, since 6am, we have had 8 calls.
We have been talking with an architect regarding a new building. This station will be large enough to house an ambulance. Just outside of the South gate, we hope to be able to build it… Diamondhead Reality has offered the land if we can raise the money for the building.
We have 74 volunteer fire-fighters on our roll, including a cadet crew. This is our 5th year to be recognized as a “Fire –Wise Community USA”. We are really proud of that.
Call the main station to speak with any members of this department - 1111 Hwy 290. If you have an emergency please call 911….. I am not home much.
Remember to use the control burn number in the phone book (623-4382). This will save you money and it saves us money.
On the Condo/Hotel, we are thrilled that the community is developing, but I didn’t know it was going to be 3-5 stories tall until the other day. That is going to add over a $100,000.00 worth of expense to the fire department to get the equipment to protect that building. I’m not sure where we are going to find that money, but we will have to add a second aerial truck to keep our ISO rating, which is what keeps your insurance low. We will have to add another ladder truck to the department. Which brings us to another place… where we are going to put it ? This makes that fire station even more important. We have all we can get in the Blue building right now. It is not tall enough to put one of those trucks in there, anyway.
We are thrilled to be here, we love the community support, and anything we can do to help please call us. Thank you.
_______
Citizen of the Year: Bob Jones
“All I can say is I love Diamondhead. I can’t think of any place better to live.”
_______
New Members of the Board took the oath of office. Jack Watson, Charles Wood, and Doc Norwood
_______
Good bye to Frank Pohlkamp and Tom Wright
_______
Board members were excused to Executive session.
_______
Todd Belz says good bye as general manger. “Thank you for allowing me to be your general manager. I really am a people-pleaser and I was not able to please every single person here. That was one of the hardest things about the job and that really had a big influence on why I stepped down to being the golf pro. It was very hard to do both duties. But I really did want to please every single person out here. That is just my personality …..”
_______
Social Committee - “Thank you to everyone on the Committee this year ….” Debbie Clement reviewed the social events of the year.
John Cummins thanked the Lion’s Club for sponsoring Bingo Night.
_______
Max English spoke regarding the trash he has been volunteering to pick for over 30 years. However, since the 19th Hole opened up last January, he is not able to fit all the trash into his truck. He spoke with Todd regarding the excessive trash in hopes of solving this problem.
_______
Board members returned -- Executive Board members announced:
• President Charles Wood
• Vice President Jim Hannon
• Treasurer Tom Lockette
• Secretary Jack Watson
Charles Wood: We will need a lot of committee members to sign up. I hope you will all sign up for a committee. Special thanks to the police department. You always do a great job out here. Okay, since I’m noted for long speeches.(!) That’s all. Meeting’s adjourned.
Notes by Diane Porterfield
8/13/2010
Diamondhead Election Results
Board Member Election Results:
Jack Watson 287
Charles Wood 253
Clinton "Doc" Norwood 241
Byron Efird 222
JoAnn Rhodes 217
___________________________
Total Ballots received 444
Congratulations to Jack Watson, Charles Wood, and Doc Norwood !
We all send our thanks for each candidate who offered their service to our community. This was my first time to attend an election count. I must say that I was extremely pleased with the effeciency and apparent accuracy of the process as presented by Bob Jones and Jim Hannon. Many thanks go to the actual counters: Jeanie Zdziarski & Mary Becker. Don Oseroff & Vicki Schanlaber were in charge of recording the ballot numbers. Several others assisted in compiling the ballots into 50-ballot groupings. All present were in good spirits. This has been a good example of Diamondhead Community.... the place we all call home.
Diane Porterfield
Jack Watson 287
Charles Wood 253
Clinton "Doc" Norwood 241
Byron Efird 222
JoAnn Rhodes 217
___________________________
Total Ballots received 444
Congratulations to Jack Watson, Charles Wood, and Doc Norwood !
We all send our thanks for each candidate who offered their service to our community. This was my first time to attend an election count. I must say that I was extremely pleased with the effeciency and apparent accuracy of the process as presented by Bob Jones and Jim Hannon. Many thanks go to the actual counters: Jeanie Zdziarski & Mary Becker. Don Oseroff & Vicki Schanlaber were in charge of recording the ballot numbers. Several others assisted in compiling the ballots into 50-ballot groupings. All present were in good spirits. This has been a good example of Diamondhead Community.... the place we all call home.
Diane Porterfield
8/05/2010
GM Search Update 8-23-10
Update on GM Search Committee:
The Committee will be narrowing down the search from (50?) applicants. The Finance Committee will be consulted regarding appropriate salary. If the salary meets the persons they want to interview, recomendations will be made to the Board.
_____________
A search committee has been formed to interview applicants for a new Diamondhead general manager. The committee members are: Frank Pohlkamp, Tom Wright, Jim Hannon, Joe Pelt, and Karen White. Adds have been place in the Sentinel Record and Demorcat Gazette requesting applicants to send their resume to the DPOA office. These adds will come out in this weekend and next weekend's papers.
The Committee will be narrowing down the search from (50?) applicants. The Finance Committee will be consulted regarding appropriate salary. If the salary meets the persons they want to interview, recomendations will be made to the Board.
_____________
A search committee has been formed to interview applicants for a new Diamondhead general manager. The committee members are: Frank Pohlkamp, Tom Wright, Jim Hannon, Joe Pelt, and Karen White. Adds have been place in the Sentinel Record and Demorcat Gazette requesting applicants to send their resume to the DPOA office. These adds will come out in this weekend and next weekend's papers.
8/03/2010
Lake Catherine Water Standards
Update 8-23-10
Hi Diane,
Teresa and I both attended the "public hearing" on the water standards request. There were about 60 people in attendance and of those, I think only 1 or 2 in the crowd (UMETCO reps) were in support of raising...-or lowering- the standards. There were several people that spoke in opposition to the request including Judge Chris Williams, a retired fish biologist, two or three people that have lived in the area most of their life and have cancer, and the water standards rep from the Arkadelphia water department. There was NO ONE that spoke that was in favor of allowing the standards to be changed.
_______________________
Diane,
A friend passed the following article to me and I thought all residents in Diamondhead might be interested in knowing this is happening. I thought you might have the best way to distribute this article.
Thanks
Steve Holt
From: NewsFromADEQ newsfromadeq@adeq.state.ar.us
Date: July 28, 2010 10:55:44 AM CDT
To: NewsFromADEQ newsfromadeq@adeq.state.ar.us
Subject: News Release
Attached is a news release concerning a public hearing to be held by the Arkansas Pollution Control and Ecology Commission on August 16. The text of the release appears below.