Patrolling the Pond-January 6th Edition

/ News from the Association / By

Patrolling the Pond: The Deep Freeze Issue

By Mike Miller, Board of Directors and Sergeant at Arms, Lake Lotawana Association

Happy New Year! There’s nothing like kicking off a new year with some fresh snow! Like the beginning of any new year, a few inches of powdery, white snow and everything looks clean and fresh. Of course 12-14 inches of snow is a little more than just a fresh restart! Stay warm and safe out there!  We are all afforded a great opportunity to hit the “clean start” and “restart,” button at the beginning of a new year. Many of you have probably started your New Year’s Resolutions or picked your word for the year. Have you done that? If so, please share it with me at [email protected].  I’m always interested in hearing about goals and what motivates other people.

One goal set by the Association in 2024 was to combine all dues into one bill that could be paid online. Mission accomplished! I received my bill for dues and will be putting it in the que for payment in January. It’s important to note that ALL fees are included in this year’s bill. That includes a 5% increase in dues, the annual Road Reserve fund, all of your motorized watercraft, docks, and sailboats. There is one new reserve fund added as well: the Dredging Reserve. Remember, there are no longer fees for kayaks, SUPs, and other toys you’ve registered in the past. As a reminder all dues are due by February 28th to avoid interest. The all-in-one dues invoice and new ‘forever’ registration stickers go a long way toward simplifying annual registrations. Kudos to Marilee Magerkurth and her team for bringing registration into the digital era.

I am a goal setter by nature. Scientific evidence supports goal setting as a way to get thing done and experience the success that comes with achievement. If you’re interested in the data on goal setting just let me know and I will share more ([email protected] ). This column was birthed out of need for another resource for continuing education of the lake rules and regulations and promote safety first on the water. Reflecting on goals achieved is another powerful way to learn, reset, and recalibrate goals for the future.  As I evaluate some of the achievements of Patrolling the Pond in 2024, here are a few reflections:

  • First publication of the new Patrolling the Pond July 2024.
  • Met the publication deadline for every issue since July.
  • Introduced, “Safer Seven,” knowledge test in September 2024.
  • Reviewed nine of seventeen sections of the Rules and Regulations Water Use Section.
  • Reviewed Section V of the Lake Lotawana Rules and Regulations.
  • Reviewed Holiday Rules.
  • Shared lived experiences at Lake Lotawana events (Lotawana Days, Lotasmoke).
  • Readers like interesting stories more than just facts.

What can you expect from this year from reading Patrolling the Pond?

  • A continued focus on reviewing rules and regulations to promote safety and community on the water.
  • Interesting stories, experiences, and perspectives from our community that support lake operations and members at large.
  • Engaging activities that increase readership and awareness of the rules and regulations that make our lake a safe and special place to enjoy with family and friends.

Of course all of the other things that come with publishing a bi-weekly article, the more tactical side, are just table stakes at this point. Here is a brief overview of what you can look forward to in 2025:

  • Interviews with members of the Lake Lotawana Association staff.
  • A Day in the Life of Water Patrol.
  • Interviews with the Rules Committee, Water Patrol Committee members, and others.
  • Special research on carbon monoxide risks and boating.
  • Reviews of new rules for 2025.
  • Updates of upcoming dredging activities that effect navigation and lake life.
  • Reviews of new lake and water accessories that help increase safety in lake activities.
  • More give aways (with some potential sponsors) for sending your Safer Seven answers to Patrolling the Pond ([email protected] ).

With the lake on the verge of freezing over in the cold temps, perhaps the last thing on your mind is your time on the water this summer. No worries! Leave that prep time to Patrolling the Pond! We have a few months to get ready for warm weather boating and my commitment is to help you be prepared when the warm weather gets here. If nothing else, just curling up with the latest issue of the Lotawana News and Patrolling the Pond will take a little of the chill off of a frigid night. Stay warm out there!

Safer Seven: The Annual Association Dues and Registration Knowledge Test. Submit your answers to [email protected] for the chance to win a set of 4 Lake Lotawana Koozies for the month of January.

  • The bill sent for 2025 Association dues includes ONLY your Association Fees and The Road Reserve Fund. True or False? FALSE. 2025 invoices include Association Dues, Road Reserve Fund, Dredging Reserve Fund, Dock fees, Motorized Watercraft, Sailboats, and Golf carts.
  • Kayaks and Stand-up Paddleboards require registration in 2025 to be used on the lake. True or False? FALSE.
  • All docks, motorized watercraft, and PWCs are included in your 2025 Association invoice. True or False? TRUE. The 2025 Association dues invoice is ALL INCLUSIVE.
  • You must have insurance coverages of $300,000 to register powered watercraft. True or False? TRUE.
  • Dues for 2025 are payable by the last day of March to avoid interest charges and additional fees. True or False? FALSE. Dues are payable by the FEBRUARY 28, 2025 to avoid interest and other charges.
  • Any new owner or renter of lake property must pass an open book test of the Lake Lotawana Rules and Regulation and pass with 80% accuracy before registering boats or docks on the lake. True or False? TRUE.
  • You got a new speedboat for Christmas. As soon as the ice has cleared the lake you decide you want to give it spin. Go for it! True or False? FALSE. All watercrafts are required to be registered before operating on the lake. (Ref: Section III, Part A, #3. No unregistered watercraft shall be placed on the lake. (6 points)). NOTE: You can get a temporary, 2-hour permit to test a potential new watercraft purchase. (Section III, Part 3, #2)