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Five seats open for YLP board of directors

By Kristin Berquist / Editorial@sierrastar.com

(Updated: Thursday, July 02, 2009, 12:00 AM)

Residents at Yosemite Lakes Park go to the polls July 18 to fill five open seats for the board of directors.

Seven of the eight candidates attended Candidate's Night last week, introducing themselves and answering questions from the 65 people in attendance. The event was held at the Yosemite Lakes Owners' Association Clubhouse and was moderated by current board member Al Clark.

Incumbents Mark Zoeller, Bob McDonough and Tom Swire face businessman Philip Farren, retired educators Sandy Johnson and Bryan Smith, grant writer Stan Chladek and retired business manager Dianne Cruce.

A common theme resonated among candidates as they discussed the issues facing Yosemite Lakes Park -- improving roads and water and maintaining the amenities in the park.

Tucked back into the rolling hills off of Highway 41, Yosemite Lakes Park has 1,850 developed lots spread over 2,400 acres, Clark said.

The park offers the members such amenities as a golf course, cafe, restaurant and lounge, equestrian center, youth recreation center, swimming pool, tennis court, fishing, clubhouse and trails.

"Obviously we need to support the programs and amenities that maintain the integrity of our community," Johnson said. "Residents moved here because of golf, horses, swimming or the restaurants. Even during this hard economy we need to spend to help in certain areas while always searching for ways to reduce operating costs."

Resurfacing the roads in the park is the No. 1 issue, Johnson said. However, old water lines should be repaired or replaced before the roadwork to avoid having to do the same job twice, she added.

Board member Elaine Loard read a prepared statement from current treasurer and incumbent Zoeller, who was not in attendance. Zoeller said repairing streets and water pipelines will be a gradual process as funds are limited.

"We absolutely must keep our assets repaired and in good condition," Zoeller said. "Because of the limitation of our funds we have not fully funded street repairs over the past few years. We need to see that our streets as well as all of our other assets are in good repair."

Current board president Swire said the water system is in great shape but the availability of water for future needs is of the utmost importance. In order to position the park for continued adequate water supply, Swire suggested the possibility of putting in a well to increase water capacity for future use.

Citing the recent work done to the clubhouse floors, roof and drapes, Swire said that maintaining park amenities means making improvements, which should also include immediate attention to the 52 miles of road.

McDonough said he was not as concerned with the road conditions but agreed with the other candidates that water is the top priority.

"Without water there's no park," he said.

Well-kept amenities are what keep property values up, McDonough said. He explained that the park dues are the sharing of the expenses and the fees, charged to members who use the amenities, and help to keep the cost of dues lower.

"Otherwise, if we didn't have all those (amenities), all we really are is a collection of houses a long way from Fresno," he said.

The roads and water system were not designed to carry out the daily activities of the current population, Cruce said, let alone build for the next generation of the park. Cruce said the park needs a well-developed plan to carry it into the future, addressing both the water system and roads.

"These are the two most important amenities Yosemite Lakes Park has," Cruce said. "We use these amenities every single day and without these amenities our home prices will suffer and our community will face an uncertain future."

Pursuing grants for additional and alternative funding and reducing costs to members of the association were part of Chladek's plan.

"Let's make YLP a pleasant, safe and invigorating place to live without exorbitant costs," Chladek said. "Let's pull together to create a community, with facilities and service to meet all groups."

A number of candidates suggested the park find alternate funding through grants. If elected, Chladek said he would bring to the board practical experience in grant writing.

Questions from the audience were raised about the park's status as a nonprofit corporation, which could affect the eligibility to receive grants. Swire said the park is not registered as a nonprofit; however, the park-owned water company, Yosemite Springs Park Utility, became a nonprofit corporation about two years ago. Swire said the park has already applied for grants through the water company, although none have been approved.

Smith said he supports the use of dues to repair and maintain the common areas like the clubhouse.

"If you take away the availability of meeting space, we lose the closeness of the community," he said.

Smith said he is bothered that Yosemite Lakes Park, with a population of nearly 6,000, does not have a full-service post office. With about 1,850 developed lots paying close to $3 million annually in property taxes to the county, Smith questioned whether the park is getting its money's worth.

Relying on past business experiences, Farren said he will be fiscally conservative if elected to the board. Farren came under scrutiny by an audience member for his profit-making approach to park amenities like the Blue Heron Restaurant and Lounge.

The audience member felt park amenities, like the restaurant, could not be profitable. Farren said there are different approaches to making money.

"I think that's part of the problem," Farren said. "We've got an attitude of 'you can't improve it, so why even try.' We've got to keep trying different things."

A number of the candidates voiced concerns about a lack of community involvement and volunteerism. Candidates agreed that the unwillingness of knowledgeable and talented members to participate in association activities and functions was a problem that must be addressed.

Loard ended the evening by encouraging association members to get out and vote and to inform neighbors about the upcoming election.

"If members don't vote, change cannot happen."