The President's Comments appears on the front page of each issue of the Sea Breeze.

September 2007

Summer is over, at least officially.  There's still a lot of really hot days left before it gets colder.  Our community beach has been the focus of summer activities for many residents and families.  As usual, Randy, our beach security guard, did a terrific job this summer.  He has been a great asset to our community. 

The beach is going to be the focus of a lot of our attention for the next year as well.  We are beginning a major beach restoration project that will greatly improve the community beach area and make it even more enjoyable for everyone.  If you attended our July General Meeting, you saw John Flood, an environmental engineer, discussing how he would approach the design of our project.  His firm was awarded a contract for the design and gave a preliminary report to the board at its August meeting.  I am very excited about what he presented.  His comprehensive plan, that will be implemented over the next 2-3 years, will increase the sandy beach areas while maintaining the swimming, sitting, and picnicking areas. 

Another important consideration will be to maintain the beautiful views of the water that we all enjoy.  The plan will be presented at or before the November General Meeting.  Thanks to Kate Penn, Kevin Green, and the rest of the Beach Committee for all their hard work to make this happen.  If you have any questions or concerns about this project, please contact Kate Penn at 443-482-9870 or email her at beach @hillsmereshores.net.

There's another interesting development at the beach.  A few months ago, the board authorized replacing six of the benches at the beach at a cost just over $6000.  Since then, residents have come forward and asked if they could make donations to dedicate a bench.  In most cases, it is to a loved one who has passed away.  This has been a very emotional process for many of the families.  They have often asked that their bench be in a particular spot where their loved one would sit and enjoy the beach.  It shows how much the beach is a part of our community and how wonderful our residents are to make such a significant donation.  Thanks to Lee Ann Havard for coordinating this effort.

The appeal has been filed in the beach strip lawsuit case.  The case should be completed within a year.  We are optimistic that the Court of Special Appeals will not agree with the decisions made by Judge Loney.  Remember, he is the third most reversed judge in Anne Arundel County.  However, we are still open to some kind of negotiated settlement.  The Board, at its August meeting, voted to investigate possible ways to settle the lawsuit.  One option discussed was to agree to allow the land behind the bulkheads to go to the plaintiffs while we retained the riparian rights.  This would allow us to restore the sand beach, similar to the community beach restoration project.  This would give our residents a way to enjoy the beach as it was when the community was created.

Our new security company has been working out well.  The company installed about ten buttons around the community.  The security guards have a wand that they touch the button with while on patrol.  Once a week, we get a printed report that shows the time and date that the guard was at each spot.  This kind of management, by the security company, is just what we needed.  In addition, I've received several comments about how residents are seeing the patrols.  Thanks to Alan Weiss for all the had work he has done to make this successful.

Tom Anton has resigned as the Chairman of Piers & Harbors.  Tom did a great job and we sincerely thank him for his hard work over the last few years.  The new Chairman is Mark Jones.  Mark had been helping Tom as Co-Chairman.  Mark is a long-time resident of Hillsmere.  I am excited about his agreeing to take over this difficult job.  Not only has he agreed to take over Piers & Harbors, but he has also agreed to join our Board of Directors.  Mark was appointed to fill the open Secretary position at the August Board Meeting.  He will serve the remainder of the term, until the end of 2008.  Mark has a lot of great ideas for the marina and our community.  I am thrilled that he has joined our team.

Nancy Fulton, our new webmaster, has been working on getting the web site up to date.  The updated site should be in place by the time you read this.  This is a big job and I very much appreciate her effort.  Several people have volunteered to help out with Zoning & Covenants.  That committee should be operational again soon.

It's been a great summer.  I hope you have enjoyed the wonderful place that we live.  There is still plenty of time to get out and enjoy the Fall before the weather turns and leaves start to come down.  I'll see you at the beach!