Patrolling the Pond-November 7th Edition

/ News from the Association / By

November 7th Edition.

 

Patrolling the Pond by Mike Miller, Board of Directors, Sergeant at Arms.

 

Civility, Civics, and EnJOYing the Way Forward

 

By the time this edition of Patrolling the Pond hits the stands the 2024 election results will most likely be tallied. The question of who the next President will be will have been answered. The people will have spoken. This will by my 10th Presidential election. Experience tells me that elections aren’t always determined the night of the election. We hope that to be the case but in races as close as this one (and others in the recent past) it may take a few days. If you think this election was special because it was too close to call in all polls, you need not look too far into history to see that there have been very few times when Presidential candidates ever won by a landslide or received a “referendum” from the vote of the people. One famous Missourian, Harry Truman, surprised everyone in 1948 by winning a second term. In reality it was really a first elected term for him as he was sworn in as President upon the death of Franklin Roosevelt in 1945. He famously held up a premature headline of a two-day old copy of the Chicago Tribune that said, “Dewey Defeats Truman.” (1) Think someone lost their job over that one? Of course this was some time after he, as legend would have it, visited certain residences around the lake from time to time (2). Be it early predictions from exit polls or the infamous hanging chads of the election of 2000 (George Bush II, Al Gore), the good news is that the election results will get figured out and someone will be our next President. It’s happened 46 other times and it will happen this time as well.

 

Regardless of who wins, some will be happy, some won’t AND we will all move forward. Signs will come down, political ads will be replaced by early Holiday sales ads, and everyone will move on with their lives. I heard an interesting fact the other day that sounds right. Essentially, 6% of people on each side of the aisle (12% total) represent the extreme of the two major parties. This small minority make most of the noise and cause most of the strife and division. I wasn’t a math major but that means 88% of the rest of us are just looking to live the best lives possible and treating everyone, agree or disagree politically, with respect and kindness. From what I have witnessed this year when it comes to any issues or violations regarding the Rules and Regulations at Lake Lotawana, the percentage that cause any commotion around the rules is a less than 12%. Fortunately, that means that nearly everyone sees our Rules and Regulations as something that should be followed, amended as needed, enforced, and supported. They are what keeps it safe, civil, and fun for everyone. One of the goals of this bi-weekly feature is to remind everyone, those new to the lake or full-time residents since the beginning of time, better understand and know the rules and regulations that keep us safe. Fortunately most know the rules and live them out every time they are on the water. You are the quiet majority.

 

Our country was founded and designed for the government to, “make haste slowly.”  Checks and balances have been built into the system that make sure of that. This may mean that the speed of change is like turning a cruise ship around in Quantrill’s Cove. In many ways, the way that the Rules and Regulations at Lake Lotawana have evolved over the years is very much the same. But it didn’t start that way. This might be a good opportunity to review the way the Rules and Regulations all came together as part of a mini “Civics” lesson.

 

You might be thinking, “How in the world did we ever get so many rules?” A good source for learning more about some of the history of how the sausage was made can be found on the Lotawana website at https://lakelotawana.net/history/ . This overview of how the lake has evolved historically is an interesting read. Control was centralized in the early years of Lake Lotawana. That changed over time. The first Rules and Regulations were created in 1999. The latest version of the Rules and Regulations is dated 8-14-24. To amend or add a new rule is a process that works through several committees. It includes extended re-writes, first reads to the Board of Directors, public review, second reads, re-writes as needed, and then a final vote of the Board of Directors for approval. The committees and internal boards involved include the Rules and Regulations Committee, the Water Enforcement Board, and the Lake Improvement Board. The Chair of the Water Patrol Committee, Chair of the Documents Committee, and Chair of the Legal Committee also serve on the Rules and Regulations Committee. Without getting too much into the reeds, it should be clear to see that there are many checks and balances in place around the Rule and Regulations that govern water safety and improvements around the lake. If you would like a deeper dive into how all of the committees operate you can check out the Lake Lotawana Association Bylaws at https://lakelotawana.net/association-bylaws/  The willingness to serve is something to be respected. If you feel passionate about a certain area that makes our community work, please know that volunteers and the willingness to serve are the lifeblood of how it all comes together so that we can enjoy the water and water activities 365 days a year.

 

While campaign promises come and go, there are a couple of promises we can depend on after the election. We will continue to live in a great country. Not perfect but great! And we are blessed to live in one of the best places in the best places. There will likely be a bit of hoopla after the results come in just like there is every election year. Like silt in the lake after a summer rainstorm, it will all settle. Then we will all get back to the space where most of us spend the majority of our time: Enjoying the company of our neighbors, friends, and family on a peaceful and beautiful lake that brings most everyone joy. No signs. No empty promises. Just joy.

 

See you on the Pond!

 

References:

 

The Safer Seven Quiz. Know Your Rights.

 

In recognition of our right to vote, a precious and enduring right we have as Americans, this edition of the Safer Seven Quiz will focus on the rights you have if for some reason you break enough rules to face a suspension of lake privileges. Let’s test your knowledge of something that will hopefully never be a reality.

 

  • You can lose your lake privileges if you accumulate 9 points in one calendar year. True or False? TRUE. You can lose 14 days of lake privileges if you accumulate 9 points in violations in any given year. 12 points will get you 28 days off the water and 15 will get you 12 months. Lake Lotawana Rules and Regulations (Appendix B. Section A, Part 1. p. 41).
  • If you receive a certified letter from stating that you may lose your lake privileges because of accumulated points, you have no recourse and must take the suspension. True or False? FALSE. Once you receive a letter from the Water Use Enforcement Board (WUEB), you have the right to review all documents and present evidence at the WUEB meeting (Appendix B. Section A, Part 4, p. 41).
  • A vote of 75% of the WUEB is required to enforce a suspension of lake privileges. True or False?
  • If you are facing a suspension and are meeting with the WUEB, you will know the day of the meeting if you will be suspended. True or False? FALSE. You will know within 7 days of the meeting via a written, First-Class and Certified mail to the property owner or leasee of record at the Association office (Appendix B. Section A, Part 5, p. 41).
  • You have 14 days to file an appeal with the Appeals Board, a quorum of the Association Directors, of any suspension or the decision of the WUEB will be final and an action of the Board of Directors. True or False?
  • The Appeal process with the Board of Directors is a formal process with Board Members and defendants (violators) asked to swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth over an original copy of the Lake Lotawana Deed of Restrictions dated 1927. True or False? FALSE. The process is informal and offers the opportunity for both sides to be heard including any witnesses (Appendix B. Section B, Part 2, p. 42).
  • If you ever receive a suspension you must take written, closed book test of the Rules and Regulations and receive an 80% to have your privileges reinstated. True or False.

 

Of course if you are taking this quiz, regularly read this column, and review the Rules and Regulations at least once or twice a year, you will never have to worry about any of the above consequences of a suspension of lake privileges. Enjoy the joy that comes with being on the sparkling water.