More floating around LOP besides sewage stench

by Jim RuffaloHoping this latest column won?t stink as bad as our lake did the other day, we press onward in a never-ending effort to empty this notebook. That stench, by the way, was caused by a sewage spill from the Park Three restrooms. At least that?s what a Nevada County Sanitation source told me, providing much more information than did the Lake of the Pines higher-ups. Administration was silent on the issue, while all Public Safety would only admit to the lake being closed because ?of a safety issue.? ? And as for the still promised board goals, which had been scheduled to be formulated that last Tuesday?s meeting, well, that?s now set for a special study session. Board President Ralph Kendrick, infirmed due to a painful pinched nerve, has scheduled that get-together for 7 p.m. tomorrow at the Clubhouse. ? LOP has signed a new general manager. He?s Truckee resident Bob Broyer, who brings about three decades worth of experience when he checks in next month (although he?s already been attending some board meetings). Broyer, currently a consultant, boasts previous stints at some well-known homeowners? associations, including Tahoe-Donner.? The proposed pool and performing arts center for Bear River High, earlier approved by local voters, remains on hold. But don?t blame the school district. Turns out that the same state agency which dragged its collective feet long enough to add a nearly $1 million hike to the Bear River Library a few years ago, now is sputtering through the process to deem the land free of lead shot (the site in question was long ago a shooting range). ? We got an answer to a recent query concerning the vote on quiet time on the lake. It seems 279 voters liked the current schedule, while another 222 wanted even more tranquility on the water. ? Although there was no real announcement, turns out that the proposed parcel charge for the Bear River Park and Recreation District was narrowly defeated. It couldn?t have lost because of the amount of money being asked for ($15 per lot for LOP residents, and $20 for others). By the way, more than once I heard locals claim they would gladly donate that amount to the local recreation district, but were incensed that they?d have to pay it on demand. Well, now?s your chance. Toss off a $15 check to the district. Those folks do a lot of good. ? Here?s today?s quiz: Is LOP?s 17th fairway a golf course, or is it a gravel pit? If it gets any worse, groundskeepers will have to trade in the lawn mower for a bulldozer.? Quick add to Gus Thomson?s (see, I can spell Angus? name correctly) recent article on the completion of the Highway 49 Bear River Bridge project. It?s the second time Teichert construction has brought in a major Highway 49 project under budget and well before the deadline. ? As was just about everybody else, I was hoping that LOP?s new board would improve communications. But that dream was dashed when President Kendrick said member communication (formerly known as public comment) would henceforth be limited to 15 minutes per meeting. That way future meetings won?t keep getting cluttered by input from the governed.? Our condolences to the family and friends (especially Janet) of Herb Beardsley. The longtime LOP Association fleet mechanic passed away July 14 at age 62. I first met him while he was towing a lawn mower tractor out of my backyard (it had tumbled down from the steep fourth hole). ? Quick congrats to new board member Garrett Musch. He tried to get meetings scheduled at 3 p.m. (instead of the current 1 p.m.). How?d he do? His motion died for a lack of a second! And while we?re tossing out kudos, a set of those to Jan Townsend for attending board meetings, then writing up a report for Member Forum.Jim Ruffalo?s column appears Sundays in the Journal. He can be reached at sewthin@juno.com.