President’s Message, June 12, 2008

Last August, in the president’s message for 2007, I made the following statement:

“As we approach the end of the 2007 lake season, I want to take the opportunity to thank all of our patrons, individuals and businesses who have committed their resources to help the HLA keep Hamilton Lake one of the pristine jewels of our nation, not to mention our part of northeast Indiana. Hamilton Lake is possibly in the best condition as a Midwestern lake and location for recreation in its recent history.”

Despite the fact that the lake was in excellent condition in August of 2007, 2008 is a new year with new problems and issues. We know that Hamilton Lake will require, within one year, a fluridone treatment (Sonar) to regain control over the invasive non-native weeds, particularly Eurasian milfoil. This treatment will cost in excess of $100,000. It is frequently an unhappy part of being on the Hamilton Lake Board that most of our time and energy is spent on trying to raise money for weed control and this year is no exception.

As of today’s date, fewer than four hundred of a potential of one thousand donors have replied to our request for weed control donations and HLA memberships. This is less than forty percent of the potential. Further, it must be noted that many who have sent in a $10 check for membership, are under the misapprehension that this $10 represents their share for weed control. Others believe, mistakenly, that their neighborhood association has taken care of their weed control donation. To my knowledge, only two neighborhood associations collect weed control for all of their members and submit it to the HLA treasurer. It must be emphasized that, even if all one thousand potential contributors paid for their membership, this would only produce $10,000 in annual revenue. The HLA Board typically spends $40-60,000 annually for weed control and other expenses. Next year, as earlier noted, the expenditure will need to be in excess of $100,000 in order to control the most aggressive weeds.

Those of us who work on the HLA Board urge all members and potential members to check their donation and, if they are not certain about their weed control obligation, to check with their association treasurer. Property owners with lake frontage are asked to pay $2 per running foot for weed control. Property owners with lake access are asked to make an appropriate donation of at least $25 in addition to their membership fee.

Hamilton Lake is a beautiful place to live, visit and enjoy, but it is not free. Everyone who takes the opportunity to use the lake for fishing, boating, water sports, everyone who profits from the condition of this lake has an obligation to maintain it.

Thank you for your attention to this letter and the plea at its heart and I hope that all of the Hamilton Lake community will have a great, fun-filled summer of 2008.

Bill Dillon, HLA president