Robin's Blog for Dauphin Island

Message From Bill Harper

August 14, 2008

Dear friends,

Our summer is almost over and a calm and peaceful summer it was. I just hope this continues into September and the fall months, for these are often the most active months for hurricanes.

Our beach area was quieter this season, but our golf course, tennis courts, and pool were bustling. The accretion of sand, solidly joining Pelican Island to Dauphin Island at the pier/public beach area has changed beach dynamics at Dauphin Island. Our golf-course beachfront has calmer water now, perfect for families and children. Quite a change from Memorial Day weekend, 2007, and the crowd we saw then! The two-dollar environmental fee for keeping the grounds and beach clean and for paying a security officer has proved its worth. I remind you that dogs must be kept on a leash at all times.

We recently sent out a reminder note for the 2008/09 membership dues which included postage paid envelopes. If anyone was offended, I apologize and take complete responsibility for this note. Trying to raise money is not a pleasant task. Since, as everyone knows, making dues mandatory is not feasible, we remind, cajole, beg and urge our members to send us money to keep our association solvent. As a wise member recently said and I am paraphrasing:

The Dauphin Island Property Owners Association protects and manages the property owners land, and the largest and most valuable piece is the Golf Course/ Isle Dauphine Club. We as property owners are all part owners of this valuable land owned by the DIPOA. How can anyone believe that $100 is too much to give to such a valuable organization on the island. Does anyone have any idea what the course and club property could become if the DIPOA ceases to exist? This organization protects our island no matter what happens to the Town of Dauphin Island. The Dauphin Island Property Owners restrictive covenants on the deeds to your property govern what type of buildings can be built. We as property owners have at least one voice on some matters affecting the island, and that is through our Property Owners Association.

To date, we have over 650 members contributing yearly dues to our effort. We have over 2,800 members in our association. I am hoping that we can reach the 1,300 member level this year. I urge you to support our membership drive this year, it does make a difference. Send your checks for $100 to DIPOA, PO Box 39, Dauphin Island, AL 36528.

At our August 7th, 2008, Board of Directors meeting our finances showed a slight dip in total financial assets, but we had a large insurance payment during the last month as well as some unforeseen repair bills. We still have, including an outstanding receipt of $73,000 from the Alabama Historical Commission, over $960,000 in the bank and in reserves. I am hoping we can break the one million mark soon.

Jeff's course and Club report was encouraging. Golf rounds continue to go up with full paying public guests leading the way. Recent rains have helped the course, which is in the best shape in years. The road leading into the grounds has been temporarily repaired. We expect to resurface it this fall. Vernon Fly, our one-man landscaping and painting crew, has been busy tending to the grounds and the Club buildings this summer. We will have volunteer work parties this September and October, when it is cooler, to complete the painting of the Isle Dauphine Club structures.

On the legal front, the Corp of Engineers settlement is moving toward the Federal Claims Court's hearing which will hear arguments on the Expert's Report and then make a final decision. Our lawyers tell us that this may happen this fall, but no one is sure. The plaintiffs in the West Surf Beach lawsuit filed for a continuance last week, and we heard Monday, August 11th that it was granted by Judge Graddick. He cited the need for clarity regarding the Corp settlement—whatever that means—but ruled that if a settlement does not take place as of the end of November, 2008, a trial will be set at the earliest date in December. The Pitt's covenant case is moving forward toward a re-trial.

A few members have written me about our island allowing street-legal golf carts on side streets. This could be an excellent idea, adding quality to our little island, but, of course, such an innovation would require enforcement of strict regulations. We are hearing that Daphne and Fairhope are considering something similar. We are researching this issue along with the Town's attorney, but I would like to hear your comments on this issue.

Again, we welcome any and all comments from our membership.

Sincerely,

William (Bill) Harper

DIPOA