March Meeting
The Association would like to thank Lisa Dover, Director of Keep Etowah Beautiful for speaking at our March Meeting. Lisa gave a very informative speech about the important work her organization does for our area.
SPRING CLEANUP
Renew our Rivers Spring Cleanup was a big success. The Association would like to thank all who participated in the event. A special thanks goes to Fred DeJong for heading up the distribution of T shirts and supplies.
OFFICERS NEEDED REMINDER
Anyone interested in serving as an JUNE IS THE MONTH FOR
officer or board member for the 2008 ANNUAL DUES Mail to:
2010 term contact nominations com- Connie Thrasher
mittee chairman Charles Dixon at 12115 Greensport Rd.
(256) 892-0728 or Jimmy Owens at Ashville, Al. 35953
(256) 442-5484.
2008 SCHEDULE VISIT THESE WEB SITES
June 5 Water Plant Tour 6:00pm
Aug. 19 Board Meeting 7:00pm
Sept. 4 Regular Meeting 7:00pm
Nov. 18 Board Meeting 7:00pm
Dec. 4 Regular Meeting 6:30pm
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
I thought it would be interesting to look back at the history of the Neely Henry
Lake Association. The following is a list of important moments in our
Association:
In January 1976 a group of concerned lake front owners met and was responsible for getting buoys and hazard markings installed on the lake.
In 1987 the Neely Henry Lake Association met as an organized group. The group petitioned the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the US Army Corp of Engineers and Alabama Power Company to remove floating trees from the lake. Removing floating timber became an annual effort with the Association and Alabama Power Company.
In 1995 the Association petitioned to have the stumps left in the lake cut to 4.9 feet below water level. This was accomplished in 1997.
In 1999 the Neely Henry Lake Association became incorporated as a nonprofit environmental and recreational organization. The Associations motto is to preserve, protect and improve the quality of life in and around Neely Henry Lake. The Association also strives to improve safety and water quality by working together with local, state and federal agencies along with homeowners and all persons that use and appreciate our beautiful lake.
In 1999 the Association petitioned to raise the winter level to 507 feet above sea level, which is 1 foot below the summer level of 508 feet above sea level.
In 1999 the Association assisted Keep Etowah Beautiful and Alabama Power Company in the first annual river cleanup project on the lake, which was called Renew The Coosa. The Association has been a sponsor of this event annually. After 2000 the name was changed to Renew Our Rivers. We are also sponsors of the annual Message In a Bottle Symposium and the Etowah County Water Festival.
In 2001 we had seven members qualify and become volunteer water monitors under the Alabama Water Watch Program.
In 2001 the association hosted the Alabama Rivers Association Coalition for the "Alabama and Georgia Water Wars" negotiations.
Since 2002 the Association has provided a team of volunteers as negotiators with Alabama Power Company’s renewal application for their Federal Energy Regulatory Commission License to operate the Coosa River Hydroelectric Projects. The Association has negotiated with the other lake associations and Alabama Power Company to make changes in the application to benefit lake users and lake front owners.
MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
In 2008 the Neely Henry Lake Association has an exciting slate of things to do. Besides having some interesting guest speakers at our regular meetings, the Association will also take a field trip, participate in the spring cleanup, and enjoy a Christmas BBQ.
At our March 6 meeting we will have Lisa Dover, Executive Director of Keep Etowah Beautiful. Lisa will be outlining all the many activities that her organization oversees.
The spring cleanup will be the week of April 28 through May 3. Our Association has always been very active in the combined efforts of many civic organizations to clean up Neely Henry Lake. Anyone interested in being part of the cleanup call Fred DeJong at (256) 442-4628. Be sure to give Fred your t shirt size.
On June 5 the Association will take a tour through the Gadsden Water Works. Jack Rutledge, the General Manager of the Water Works, has graciously invited us to take this field trip. There will be more details forthcoming in our May newsletter about the exact time.
At the third quarter meeting on September 4, the Association will have as its guest speaker Greg Noah, City of Gadsden Fleet Management Superintendent, to discuss the recycling of cooking oil to produce biodiesel fuel that the City of Gadsden has implemented. Greg will go into detail about how this program works in an effort to keep Neely Henry a clean lake.
The December 4 meeting will be our annual BBQ. We hope that you will be able to attend this festive occasion.
In closing, I hope the membership will be able to attend our meetings, help in the spring cleanup, take the Water Works’ tour and close the year out at our BBQ. I look forward to seeing you this year.
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Feb. 19 Board Meeting
7:00pm March 6 Regular Meeting 7:00pm (April 28 Spring Clean Up TBA May 3) May 20 Board Meeting 7:00pm June 5 Water Plant Tour TBA Aug. 19 Board Meeting 7:00pm Sept. 4 Regular Meeting 7:00pm Nov. 18 Board Meeting 7:00pm Dec. 4 Regular Meeting 6:30pm
WATER FESTIVAL The Water Festival held December 7 at Gadsden State Community College was an overwhelming success. The Neely Henry Lake Association helped sponsor, as well as, participated in the festival. The general consensus by the planners of the event was that it was the best festival to date.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SERVE? Anyone interested in serving as an officer or board member for the 2008-2010 term contact nomination’s committee chairman Charles Dixon at (256) 892-0728 or Jimmy Owens at (256) 442-5484. The term starts in June 2008. The positions up for consideration are President, Treasurer, and three board member positions. PRESENT OFFICERS AND TERMS President Jimmy Owens 2006-2008 V.P. Fred Dejong 2007-2009 Tres./Sec. Connie Thrasher 2006-2008 B.M. Jerry Morgan 2006-2008 B.M. Dennis Henderson 2006-2008 B.M. Jimmy Sewell 2006-2008 B.M. Charles Dixon 2007-2009 B.M. Ken Swafford 2007-2009 B.M. Norm Dassinger 2007-2009
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WEB ADDRESS: neelyhenrylakeassoc.org
McClendon. Jimmy was stationed for many years on Neely Henry lake. Mr. McClendon was very cooperative in assisting our association in trying to make our waterways a safer place to enjoy. Jimmy McClendon will be sorely missed but his many contributions will not be forgotten.
MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE:
The sixth annual Message In The Bottle
Anti-Litter Symposium was held Thursday October 26tn at the
Gadsden Convention Center. Approximately 1000 students were in
attendance from over 45 schools in Etowah County. Projects
entered by the schools were judged in elementary, middle school
and high school divisions. Many booths from different civic and
government
organizations were also there for the schools. Neely Henry's
booth was again headed by Fred DeJong who brought his electronic
question and answer board. Fred's electronic board was a great
hit as usual with the students, students would answer a question
and would then receive a Neely Henry Lake Association pencil .
Being one of many sponsors for the event our name was on the back
of the "Message In A Bottle " Tee .shirts that were given out to
the students. Congratulation Fred and the association for a job
well done.
I have enclosed several letters and notices Bill and I have received from Corp of Engineers, Alabama River Alliance and also a letter sent from Alabama Power from Lake Jordan.