The golf course: Two employees have worked nonstop to get the greens in shape for the opening.The greens on the back nine have been cleared of debris and have been overseeded with rye. There will be a driving range on hole #1.

Jim Druhan reported that insurance money ($60,000) will be forthcoming to repair the roof of the main clubhouse, etc.

Volunteer report-Under the enthusiastic guidance of Beiba and Ken Guess, Jack and Kathy Howard, the volunteer committee is in full force. They have designated the second Saturday of each month as a volunteer day to help with POA projects. All are welcome! The group will meet at the Pro-shop at 8:00 am or you may join them a little later if you cannot get up that early on a weekend morning.

On their first volunteer Saturday, the group cleaned out the tennis courts and fixed the fence which had been twisted and torn down by the storms. Mayor Jeff Collier, in his capacity as manager of the course,  rode a tractor for hours to help move large tree limbs and other heavy objects as well as pine straw. Wheel barrow after wheel barrow rolled along until all of the debris was gone. Afterward, Island Chevron provided some of the best hamburgers this island has seen!! Thank you to the volunteers and Island Chevron.

The volunteer group is currently working on craft projects to raise money for the POA during a  "Christmas by the Sea" sale. Details to be announced shortly. In the meantime, anyone who wishes to do some crafts for the sale or to donate "white elephant treasures" may contact Beiba at 861-5530.

Corps Law Suit:

There will be a "fairness hearing" in January to determine if the settlement with the Corps was considered fair or not. Apparently this mandatory. Subsequently, property owners will receive a notice to "opt in" to the settlement. It is imperative that the notices be returned to the proper party when they are received. Instructions will be on the POA website. If not enough people opt in the government is concerned that there will be potential individual lawsuits. So please, when you receive these notices, property owners need to respond, especially beachfront property owners.

Membership lists:

It was voted on at the meeting to make membership lists available to any member requesting such a list. The disk would be free to those who have paid dues and $100 to those who have not. It was also decided not to provide e-mail addresses as it was deemed to be too invasive to the owners' privacy. The list that the POA uses is the current Tax Assessor's List which is available to the public from the Tax Assessor's Office from that office for $400.

And least but certainly not least was the heated discussion by the standing-room only crowd on the future of the Isle Dauphine and other POA property. The Board is facing extremely difficult decisions concerning the fate of the club, etc. At the September meeting a motion was made to seek possible public funding in return, providing access to the Property Owners' Beach along the west end of the island and the area surrounding the Isle Dauphine facilties.

Since that time a letter has been sent (see DIPOA site) to various office holders at the state level as well as the Mayor, and other people who have input on island issues. Board member David Connolly contended that it was sent out without the explicit knowledge or consent of the rest of the Board. After some debate on the responsibilty of the President to inform the Board of matters before sending such a communication, the rest of the Board indicated that they had given tacit approval to President Reed to go forth with measures to accomplish the provision in the motion.

Board Member David Connolly read a letter that he wanted to be entered into the minutes of the meeting, requesting a motion to rescind that prior motion. He stated that he withdrew his support for the motion and requested a vote by the Board. He indicated that he wished to take this action to protect himself and his personal assets from potential attachment in the event of a lawsuit against the DIPOA Board of Directors or individual Board members. A vote was taken and the motion to rescind was denied.

At issue for many in the audience was the wording used in the letter:

   indicating that the POA was "willing to afford public access to the beaches on Dauphin Island and to transfer property to public control as part of a concerted effort to restore the Dauphin Island coastline. " The letter goes on to say, "In concrete terms, this would mean the three and a half miles of west end beaches to the public, and the permanent dedication of the east end golf course property (over 180 acres and a mile of beach) to public recreational purposes. It would entail public financial support for acquiring the east end property and for restoring the beaches."

and,

"The Katrina disaster presents an historic opportunity to recast Dauphin Island as a coastal and recreational asset that benefits the entire state.By its recent resolution, the property owners have shown their willingness to give their efforts and resources to the pursuit of that goal."

The audience posed questions as to why the Board has not given consideration to multi-tasking and entertaining other options at the same time. Mr. Connolly indicated that that was originally the plan but that his committee was shut down in order to pursue the "public avenue" first.

People voiced many opinions regarding the transfer of the property in any form, both pro and con. Mr. Reed indicated that any decision (option) would ultimately have to be passed by 7 of the 9 Board members and then 60% of all property owners, assuring the audience that the property owners would have the final say. Another Board member spoke to the fact that Mr. Reed took measures to amend the constitution to assure that the property would have the final say.

There are many decisions yet to be made and the uncertainty of the fate of our island is a very emotional issue. Property owners are hurting from the events of this past year. As both the Town Council and the POA strive to move forward in light of recent events, your input will be more necessary than ever. Currently, the Town is going forward with a new Comprehensive Plan. Island Watch will be asking for information regarding the plan in order to inform you and to make sure that your voice is heard.

Island Watch wishes all of you a blessed Thanksgiving .