Robin's Blog for Dauphin Island

Message From Bill Harper

March 17, 2009

Dear friends,

Our March 9th board meeting was sparsely attended. It may very well be that sparse attendance is a direct result one person rudely interrupting the business of the Board with pointless remarks and nonsensical questions. The person who does this obviously believes freedom speech means the right to speak whenever the ego demands it. Over the years here on the island, and after attending many meetings and being involved in most organizations here, I am convinced we have the highest per capita ratio of experts than anywhere in our nation. Contrary to what these persons believe, their selfish behavior does not comport with democratic process. The Board denies no one a right to speak, but parliamentary rules provide a time and place for that to happen. Henceforth, I will insist that the rules be observed, and if they are not, I will adjourn the meeting.

On the financial side, we continue to show modest growth in our several revenue streams. We are entering the spring-break season, the longest in years, and it should help us as well as the rest of the island. Golf play continues to increase which can only be a good sign in these troubled economic times. Starting in May and the start of our fiscal year we will concentrate on increasing the number of members paying dues. With all the legal issues coming to an end, our hope is that we can come together as a stronger organization doing things that make our community a better place.

Jeff Collier, our Director of Operations, announced that snowbird golfers, who play almost everyday, is at about the same level as in years past. The parking lot, recently resurfaced, has been striped and is looking quite good. He also told us the recent golf tournament, benefiting Dauphin Island’s boy-scout troop, raised money for these young men. We are preparing the beach and grounds for the beachgoers, starting to arrive. We have hired some young fellows to collect the $2 environmental fee. The fee offsets our costs in keeping this popular spot clean and enjoyable.

We have started cleaning out the old office, which over the last several years had become a warehouse for useless items and records. We sorted the files, boxing the ones that we need to retain, and will store these files off the island. You cannot believe the "stuff" we have accumulated over the years!

Our legal issues are dormant. I still can't comment about the ongoing Corps lawsuit/settlement.

The agenda item that occupied the most time this month was a proposal from a local businessman to operate a watercraft and beach chair/umbrella operation from our shoreline. His proposal included the rental of kayaks, sailboats, and Personal Water Craft (aka, jet ski's), as well beach chairs and umbrella's. In exchange, he would pay the DIPOA a monthly fee. Naturally, the jet ski's were the most controversial item. Concerns over noise and liability were paramount. Our attorney and insurance agent has advised that the vendor needed at least a $2 million line of insurance for personal injury with the DIPOA being included as a listed full name party. The vendor said he would do this, but a motion was made and seconded to exclude the jet skis from our beaches, which passed in a 4 to 2 vote, with two members absent, and one member abstaining. The vendor is mulling over whether to re-submit his proposal minus jet ski's.

We voted to join the American Beach and Shoreline Preservation Association, an association of beach communities concerned about the lack attention shown by State and Federal governments for our shorelines. The Town of Dauphin Island voted to join this group last week. For $500 a year we can participate in their advocacy efforts for beaches and shorelines.

Last week I attended a public hearing in Montgomery concerning coastal insurance, its cost and its decline in availability. There appears to be quite a north/south divide in the State of Alabama on this issue. It is hoped that several bills proposed by Mobile and Baldwin county legislators will pass. These bills will help to cut some costs of insurance on the coast. The Alabama director of revenue spoke reminding all that Mobile and Baldwin counties are growth engines for Alabama supplying anywhere from 20% to 40% of the sales, ad valorum, and lodging taxes to the State of Alabama. And that doesn't include the gas/oil royalties which add up to hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

And lastly, we have three positions on our Board of Directors open for election/re-election this year. To date, I have only received one nominee. We would like to see an election that includes several candidates. If we don’t have enough candidates the Board will be forced to appoint new members. Send us a 200 word biography by close of business on April 1, 2009 to dipoa@skyynett.net or DIPOA, PO Box 39, Dauphin Island, AL 36528

Have a great Spring.