By John Reinboldt, AHPOA Board of Directors
This is my first newsletter since being elected, and I would like to thank all of my supporters. I intend to work hard on the issues in my platform. These include everything from keeping trash off the roads to making sure our amenities are kept in good working order and having amenities available for all age categories of residents. I call this whole category “Quality of Life” issues. Most of us moved here because of one or more of the amenities, security or simply that it wasn’t a cookie cutter community. Once I get off I95 and past the gate, a sense of elation comes over me. Everything I want or need is here. From walking the lovely paths and watching the wildlife, to playing with the kids in the park or floating down the creek. It’s all here. It’s like being on vacation. I want to make sure this community continues to get better. For those of you that did not vote for me, I will try to earn your trust by working hard for our community.
Now to briefly discuss what has gone on recently.
During the election I promised to support Dredging and get it under way. I also wanted to encourage Stafford County to help. Fortunately both have already happened. As most of you know, Bob Hunt (our AHPOA President) was able to enlist our County Supervisors Jack Cavalier and Ken Mitchell in the effort. Through their combined effort, the Stafford County Supervisors unanimously supported our dredging project. Bob, Jack and Ken truly deserve our congratulations. As of February 4th. The dredging was going forward at a furious pace. Unfortunately low water in the creek, and a host of engineering challenges in the early stages made progress slow. Our contractor (United Land and Marine) put more equipment to work, and has redoubled his efforts. We are looking forward to completion by Feb 15.
The following is an abbreviated list of some of items that I have requested to be reviewed for the new budget (2003):
Harbour Inn Pool review….I believe that this pool is near or at the end of it’s useful life. In an effort to determine if this is true, we are going to have professionals look at the pool and get written reviews. We need to find out if we can spend a modest amount of money to get the pool into top condition, or whether it needs to be replaced.
Secure Storage Facility….It seems obvious that we need somewhere to put our boats, motor homes and commercial vehicles.
Security Fencing…..We have serious encroachment from outside the Harbour.
Second Gate…..We have to keep trying!
Clear the Bridal Path….Did you know that most of the Harbour is surrounded by a bridal path that would also be a wonderful walking path?
Tennis court repair in Section One. At the very least, get the fence repaired!
Friendship Park …..additional parking
Upgrade Wright Park
Kitchen Area for Harbour Inn
Fire Truck at the rescue squad at the front gate
Adopt a Street Program …some of our roads and ditches (or to use the new EPA term for ditches, restricted area wetlands RAW) are a real eyesore.
Upgrade Ballparks… Soccer and Baseball…. more grass less rocks!
New Field development…..We have a large amount of ground that could be developed into fields.
The Restaurant Issue.
Last but not least, we have a new issue at hand. We lost our restaurant contractor. This was somewhat surprising since the Board had met with them just weeks earlier to hammer out what we thought was a mutually agreeable contract. Fortunately, we have had great responses to our advertisements from people who seem to really know the business. One of the respondents (The current owner of Rooney’s) has made a particularly unique inquiry. He has exhibited great interest in the Harbour Inn (HI) for a family style restaurant. This is a very interesting situation. Before we can entertain this issue, we must first review what the community has asked for in the past. The HI is a community center because the majority of the residents wanted it that way (although it is still short of the final vision). So I ask you, what do you think of having a Family Restaurant at the Harbour Inn? Let me give you a little background while you think about this.
The Country Club (CC) has some real shortcomings. The kitchen is where the bar or tables should be. The existing bar is poorly designed. The trash for the restaurant is near the pool eating area and has to be wheeled past the entrance to the restrooms and pool entrance to the front. Frankly it’s a real mess. The locker rooms are configured poorly for the golfers and swimmers, and the ladies room is too small. The HI as a community center is incomplete. We need a kitchen. It is very difficult to use it without one.
Possible solutions abound.
*We could simply acquire a new contractor for the CC and keep the status quo. In my opinion the contractor should be someone who is family food oriented with the ability to cater.
*We could hire someone who is catering focused and simply run the CC restaurant for sandwiches and sodas. This would be more inline with the typical pro shop eatery.
* We could open the HI as a restaurant (thereby getting the kitchen we need) and have that person run a sandwich shop at the CC and manage catering as well.
As you can see, there are many possibilities….BUT… Before we look at any solutions we need to understand the desires of the community. If the community is open to a HI restaurant then the board has significant flexibility. This does not mean that a restaurant at HI is a given. It does mean we would have the ability to go back to the community with multiple opportunities for solutions. Flexibility is a good thing. I would appreciate feedback. Please let me know what you think using my email address below.
John Reinboldt
john@reinboldt.com