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Happy Winter, Merry Christmas
And Happy New Year
By Ted Breiner
The MVOP Board of Directors hopes everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. This will bring you up to date as to activities in the neighborhood and what your Board of Directors has been doing.
The Annual Meeting was held on Thursday, September 17, 2009 at Washington Mill Elementary School. There were approximately 11 families (excluding Board of Directors) present at the meeting. The meeting went smoothly and each of the Board of Directors provided a report to the Association. The minutes of the Annual Meeting are available on request from any Board member.
Additionally, the Editor position for the Association Newsletter is open. Anyone wishing to prepare the Association Newsletter should contact Ted Breiner.
Again, we hope everyone has a happy and safe holiday season.
Treasurer's Report
By Mary Lewis
At the Annual Meeting in September, I distributed financial reports showing 2008/2009 actual expenditures and a preliminary 2009/2010 budget. Anyone who wants a copy of this report can contact me at mlewis@lasystems.com or (703) 204-1006.
The Board has retained the services of GJB Community Association Engineering to conduct a reserve study for MVOP. The Commonwealth of Virginia requires neighborhood associations to periodically conduct reserve studies. MVOP previously used GJB to conduct the last reserve study. GJB has now conducted the study and provided the Board with a draft report. The final report should be complete at the at the beginning of 2010. Based on the preliminary report, MVOP will need to increase the amount of funds it sets aside for future projects. The Board took this into consideration in deciding to raise next year's dues as discussed hereafter.
The GBJ preliminary report finds the MVOP community property in good condition. Any MVOP resident wishing to obtain a copy of the final report should contact me or any Board member after the first of the year.
At the Board's December 2009 meeting, we considered next year's dues and the Board agreed to a dues increase from $1050 to $1300. The Board also increased Marina assessments as follows:
YEAR 2009 2009 2010
Canoe Rack $ 50 $ 50
Boat & Trailer Storage $ 275 $ 325
Inside Slips (No Power) $ 425 $ 475
Inside Slips (w/Power) $ 525 $ 575
Large Boat/End Slips $ 575 $ 625
The dues are being increased based on the upcoming paving of the cul-de-sacs and the reserve study indicating that MVOP should be setting aside more funds for future capital improvements. It should also be noted that approximately $300 of the dues covers each resident's trash removal by AAA.
Assessment letters and marina registration forms will be mailed out in early January 2010. As in the past, all fees are due by March 31. This information is provided in advance of the letters for your planning purposes. I have adjusted the preliminary 2009/2010 budget distributed in September for these increases. Anyone desiring a copy of the finalized budget should feel free to contact me.
Holiday Greetings from the MVOP Grounds Committee
By Mary Morrison
We also enjoy anticipating the holidays in MVOP. As soon as possible after Thanksgiving, the holiday lights at the front entrance are illuminated, the wreaths are hung on the pillars, and decorations begin to appear on our neighbors' doors, windows, and lawns. It is a treat to see the varied and creative ways MVOP houses say "Happy Holidays to All!" If you can brave the chill of a late afternoon walk to the marina at the time "when light turns into night," you may be stunned by the beauty of a winter sunset over the water. On your stroll home you may glimpse Christmas trees and holiday decorations through the lighted windows - so cheerful!
This time of year as we approach the shortest day, we read a wonderful poem by E. E. Cummings as we decorate our tree. We offer it to you with our wishes that your holidays be filled with laughter, gatherings of loved ones and good friends, happy memories, and a deep sense of Spirit and love.
"little tree
little silent Christmas tree
you are so little
you are more like a flower
who found you in the green forest
and were you very sorry to come away?
see I will comfort you
because you smell so sweetly
I will kiss your cool bark
and hug you safe and tight
just as your mother would
only don't be afraid
look the spangles
that sleep all year in the dark box
dreaming of being taken out and allowed to shine,
the balls and chains red and gold the fluffy threads,
put up your little arms
and I'll give them to you to hold
every finger shall have its ring
and there won't be a single place dark or unhappy
then when your quite dressed
you'll stand in the window for everyone to see
and how they'll stare!
Oh but you'll be very proud
and my little sister and I will take hands
and looking up at our beautiful tree
we'll dance and sing
"Noel Noel!"
Neighborhood Author Craig Shirley's "Rendezuous with Destiny" Gets Rave Reviews
In the sequel to his critically acclaimed 2005 bestseller Reagan’s Revolution, about the Californian’s unprecedented insurgent challenge to incumbent Gerald Ford, neighbor Craig Shirley now tells the incredible behind-the-scenes story of the thrilling, nail-biting 1980 campaign.
Based on interviews with more than 150 campaign and political insiders, Rendezvous with Destiny: Ronald Reagan and the Campaign That Changed America is a gripping account of a race that was judged “too close to call” even as late as Election Day. Filled with countless untold stories, Rendezvous with Destiny reveals:
• How Reagan rescued the GOP, making it a populist conservative party—a lesson for Republicans today
• How Walter Mondale admits he considered resigning as vice president because he was so opposed to Jimmy Carter’s now maligned “Malaise” speech
• Why almost the entire Kennedy family voted for Ronald Reagan
• The solution to one of the most enduring mysteries in politics: who stole Carter’s debate briefing books
• How Reagan’s campaign almost collapsed
• Surprising admissions from an interview with Jimmy Carter
Congratulations Craig, Zorrine and Family.
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