Aquia Harbour Living

Free Online Magazine for Aquia Harbour Residents

Independent Magazine Written by a Harbour Resident

January 2016

Special Election Edition

Policies of Aquia Harbour Living

Aquia Harbour Living is not affiliated

with the BOD (Board of Directors) for

Aquia Harbour or Aquia Harbour

Property Owners Association. Articles

with a byline were written by that

individual. All other articles are written

by Phyllis Filoso, owner and long time

resident of Aquia Harbour.

Committees and clubs are encouraged

to provide jpegs of photos to accompany

their article. Use will be determined

based on their article size. We will make

every effort to allow ½ page for

committees and ¼ page for clubs each

month. Harbour Committees and Clubs

are not charged for their space. We

have a read more button available for

articles needing additional space.

Click here for advertising information.

Deadlines

Articles and ads must be submitted no

later than the 15th of the month for

publication in the next issue.

A subscriber may print 1 copy of an

article for their personal use only. Any

other reproduction of articles, photos, or

advertising is strictly prohibited without

written permission of the publisher. You

may contact No Ink Publishing here.

Copyright ©All rights reserved 2015

No Ink Publishing LLC.

Aquia Harbour Living January 2016 2

TM

Important Aquia Harbour Numbers

Front Gate (540) 659-5224

AHPOA Business Office Hours: M-F 8 -7pm (540) 659-3050)

Emergency 911

AHPOA Police (540) 659-4600

Rescue Squad (non-emergency) (540) 659-8911

Country Club Restaurant (540) 288-0091

Golf Course Pro Shop (540) 659-4478

Marina (540) 659-4232

Stables (540) 659-5024

Pool Country Club (540) 659-1258

Pool Harbour Inn (540) 659-4003

Preschool (540) 659-5771

Aquia Harbour Board of Directors

President, Chip Collins (540) 659-3691 email: ccccpa@aol.com

VP Director, Christopher Greene

(540) 437-4590 email: cgreeneahpoa@gmail.com

VP Director, Don Winter

(540) 659-6886 email: dcwintersr@verizon.net

Treasurer, Debe Caldwell

dcaldwell.ahpoa@gmail.com

TM

Aquia Harbour Living January 2016 3

Goals Of Aquia Harbour Living:

To help raise awareness in residents about the

changing needs of our community.

Facilitate communication to residents regarding

Harbour events, committees, schools, and clubs.

To keep residents informed about “Hot Topics”

of the AHPOA and BOD actions.

Provide articles/tips on home maintenance and

DIY landscaping/gardening ideas.

To showcase amenities.

Have “the talk” about “curb appeal” in the

Harbour.

Provide discussion on the best ways to maintain

our property values; our homes and our

community.

Provide quality business information to residents.

In This Issue

page

Articles

AH Golf 14

BOD Candidates 9-11

General Manager Report 4-5

In This Issue/Policy 3-4

Make Your Opinion Count 7

Meet the Candidates 15

Treasurer’s Report 12

Why We Love the Harbour 6

Women’s Club 13

This is an abbreviated issue.

I’m still supposed to be on

holiday. The election of

BOD members was too

important not to get a special

edition out. I hope you’ll

find useful information and

VOTE!

TM

We appreciate those committees, clubs, and

residents who took the time to send articles

for inclusion this month.

We wish to thank all for the positive

feedback and encouragement!

Thank You Neighbors in the Harbour!

Be sure to sign up for your

free subscription before you leave today.

It’s a monthly reminder sent to your email

when our next issue is available. (1

st of each month)

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And we never share email addresses!

TM Our Style: Aquia Harbour Living (AHL) is owned &

published by No Ink Publishing LLC. The owner is a current

resident, Phyllis Filoso. It is written in an informal,

conversational style. All articles and photos are written/taken

by the owner unless there is a byline for an article or photo

credit. AHL encourages comments and articles written by

other Harbour residents. Use our contact form found here.

Articles selected will be in keeping with the goals stated

above.

PROPERTY APPEARANCE: I would like to encourage all residents to a survey of their property and take

care of the items that do not meet the requirements of the Harbour’s. controlling documents. Typical

items include grass cutting, tree trimming, mold on houses, untidy ditches, and inoperable vehicles. The

Code Violation Officer will be continue to make inspection and will issue citations as necessary. It protects

our property values if we keep the Harbour in good repair..

From the desk of the General Manager, Ken Laenger

Dredging: We did attend the Virginia Marine Resources Commission Public Hearing

and our dredging plan was approved without any changes. We have now received our

approved permit from VMRC. We have now received all of the required permits. Due

to the restrictions on dredging during spawning season, we will not be able to start the

dredging until July 1, 2016. I intend to solicit bidders and award the contract as soon as

possible.

Maintenance Building: The maintenance building has been built. The electrical and

plumbing have been installed and approved by the county. The heating system is being

installed and yet to be inspected by the County. The permit to fabricate the

bathroom/storage loft has been rejected. We will be required to add additional floor

joist to meet the load requirements for the loft.

Aquia Harbour Living January 2016 4

Turn Lane into the Town Center: The developer, Mosaic, of the Town Center has hired

and engineering firm to develop engineering plan for the proposed entrance. The

Board has not agreed to anything at this time other than telling them that we will

entertain the proposal of the entrance provide that the entire cost will be paid for by

the developer and will have no effect on the traffic into or out of the Harbour. As soon

as the developer develops a proposal, I will submit it to the Board for their

consideration. Coming out of the Town Center will be right hand turn only. The

developer still has not disclosed the name of the grocery store.

Conversion of the Emergency Gate: A traffic study was submitted to the Virginia

Department of Transportation. The plan to make this an entrance/exit can be

approved if a right hand turn lane is added to the existing road. When the Engineering

Company develops the plan and provides an estimated cost, I will submit it to the

Board for their consideration.

2017 Budget: A special BOD work session is planned for Jan 18th for the BOD to discuss

the proposed FY17 budget.

Christmas has come and gone and we are back in business as usual. I hope all of you

had a wonderful holiday. There are lots of things going on and I will try to give you the

highlights of the things that I consider to be the most significant.

PROPERTY APPEARANCE: I would like to encourage all residents to a survey of their property and take

care of the items that do not meet the requirements of the Harbour’s. controlling documents. Typical

items include grass cutting, tree trimming, mold on houses, untidy ditches, and inoperable vehicles. The

Code Violation Officer will be continue to make inspection and will issue citations as necessary. It protects

our property values if we keep the Harbour in good repair..

From the desk of the General Manager, Ken Laenger cont

Collections: We have turned over a significant number of delinquent accounts to our

Attorney for collection. They have been successful on several occasions with

garnishments of bank accounts and/or salaries. We will continue to do liens, filing of

Warrants-in-Debts and foreclosing on properties that have delinquent accounts.

Again, I encourage anyone that has delinquent accounts to come into the office and

negotiate a payment plan.

Election of Directors: As you probably know by now, the election that was held in

October was declared invalid due the lack of a quorum. Based on our Attorney’s

recommendation, the Board decided to hold a new election which will take place on

January 30. Hopefully, everyone will vote.

Aquia Harbour Living January 2016 5

Voting In Harbour Elections

You should be receiving ballots shortly. The repeat election is necessary

due to a quorum not being met in October. There are 3 additional

candidates making a total of 8 individuals running for the 5 positions this

time. Please take the time to attend the Meet the Candidates on Sat. Jan

23rd and Tues. Jan 26th. Your ballot needs to be received by 12 noon on

Jan 30th. Please VOTE. It costs ~ $2000 to hold these elections.

Trash Removal: In order for the trash trucks to pick up your trash, there needs to be a

minimum of 3 feet of clearance between the cans and/or the mail box. Remember that

recyclables and yard waste are picked up on Mondays. Household trash is picked up on

Tuesdays. Please remove the trash receptacles from the street after they have been

picked up. There should not be any cans on the street and Wednesday thru Sunday. If

the trash company misses your trash pick-up, call the office.

Unauthorized Parking on Common Property: Our present regulations specify that

automobiles may park up to three days without association approval. Individuals must

get approval from the association to park on common property that exceeds three

days. Parking of boats, trailers, etc. must get written approval from the Association to

park on any common property. Warning: Vehicles or other items that are illegally

parked on common property will be towed at the owners’ expense.

Aquia Harbour Living February 2016 6

Why Not Make This the

Year Your

Opinion Counts?

Take the time to educate yourself on the issues

and the people running for the BOD. Help

choose the Harbour’s direction by VOTING.

Aquia

Harbour

Living

Why not join a club or

organization,

volunteer to

help out with

a Harbour

event,

become a

committee

volunteer!

or

Come Join Us editorial

The Harbour needs you to volunteer! Volunteers really do make a difference. Whether

you’re new to volunteering or a seasoned pro, we need you.

Volunteering can be:

Hard work,

Time consuming,

Frustrating,

and immensely rewarding. Just knowing that you were a part of making something

happen, improved the quality of life, or enhanced our property values are all good

reasons to volunteer. Every little bit helps.

So come on, sign up today to make your community a better place. There’s sure to be

something for everyone’s interest.

Committees Needing Volunteers:

Architectural Control

Beautification

Bylaws

Communications

Community Events

Electronic Gate- ad hoc

Golf

Information Technology

Marina Resources

Public Safety

Recreation, Parks and Waterways

Revitalization

Stables

Joining is easy. Just send an email to AHPOA@aol.com letting them know you’re

interested or to request more information. Your name can be presented to the BOD for

appointment at their next regular meeting.

Aquia Harbour Living January 2016 7

Aquia Harbour Living January 2016 8

N

Why We Love

The Harbour:

Convenience to 95 & Rt1

Surrounded by Nature

Large lots

HOA

Parks and Pools

Security Gate

Snow Removal

Friends & Volunteers

January 2016 Page 1 of 3

JANUARY 2016 ELECTION

Chip Collins My name is Chip Collins. My wife and I have lived in Aquia Harbour since 1990 and raised three wonderful children here, all three of whom have graduated college. We love the Harbour and cannot think of a better community to live in.

I have been a member of the finance committee for the last thirteen years and the treasurer of the association for six years and the president for three. Over the years, my family has used all the amenities and feels that the association needs to maintain all of them. The Association has major construction projects and upgrades to complete in the near future and I like to be of assistance if possible

Being a self-employed CPA, I have the time to serve and would appreciate the opportunity to continue to do so. Shawn Desmond

As a former BOD member and active community advocate I am seeking to lead the community again. During my previous tenure I worked hard to foster local, state and federal partnerships. Through these partnerships and grant submissions, I was able to bring in approximately $300,000 for Harbour maintenance and improvements. My last grant submission was last July for the Aquia Harbour Police Department. I believe obtaining these funds strengthens our community and saves residents' HOA fees. I worked closely with the Dog Park Committee and helped create the first dog park in Stafford County right here in Aquia Harbour. I recently developed a strategic partnership between the Harbour and the county to develop a storm water management program in compliance with the Chesapeake Bay Act. I am able to satisfy the time commitment associated with an AHPOA position. My goal is to keep Aquia Harbour the premier gated community. Please cast your vote for me and I will continue to work hard to represent the residents of our beautiful community. Phyllis Filoso I'm Phyllis Filoso, resident of AH for almost 30 years. For the past year and a half I have written and published the Aquia Harbour LivingTM magazine to help raise awareness for the need to maintain all our amenities, to address the appearance of AH property including homes in the Harbour, and to help facilitate communication with Harbour residents.

I have served on the LCC, ACC and Beautification Committees. I also attended all the meetings of the last two Finance Committee cycles. These experiences have provided me with valuable insight to the needs of the community.

My goals are to improve the management of the Harbour by making better fiscal choices, having more accountability for financial decisions, and improving communication in order to make the Harbour more competitive with surrounding communities.

I am willing to put in the time and effort to serve on the BOD because I believe Aquia Harbour has the potential to again be “the” place to live in Stafford County.

January 2016 Page 2 of 3

Alexis Harvey I have worked as an engineer for Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) since leaving the Marine Corps in July of 2014. At GTRI I manage several DOD research and development projects, and am responsible for millions of taxpayer dollars. I was a Marine Officer on active duty for eleven years, my primary job was as a helicopter pilot, and I deployed in support multiple phases of OIF. I continue to serve as a Marine Corps Reserve Officer. I am an engaging public speaker, a military trained financial manager, and an excellent communicator. I graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2003, and earned my Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from Naval Postgraduate School in 2012. I have the desire and time to commit to working on our community BOD. My vision for our community includes increasing walkable paths, maintaining and upgrading our parks, and hosting community events that increase the sense of community we share for our neighborhood. It would be a privileged to serve my community. James (Jim) Hodges

Qualifications/Abilities: Resident since March 1982, undergraduate and graduate degrees (Accounting, Business and Financial Management), 33 years management experience (retired Naval Officer and Civil Service) in comptroller functions including planning, budgeting, accounting, contracting, auditing/internal review, payroll and management/efficiency studies.

Community activities experience: - AHPOA Golf/Finance/Public Safety/Nominating and Legal Compliance Committees, Chairing "Meet the Candidates" meetings - 6 years service on AHPOA Board of Directors/2 years as President and 2 years as Treasurer

Goals: My goals are to ensure sound business practices (administratively and financially), strict adherence to our by-laws as written, keeping executive sessions to the absolute minimum necessary and for only matters justified by our by-laws and good common sense solutions to issues with far less reliance upon attorneys.

I have the qualifications, integrity, time, intellect and desire to serve as a Director. Michael Mishoe

I retired from the Marine Corps in 2012 after 21 years and 4 months of active service in which I spent the majority of that time leading Marines and Civilians. My wife and I have lived in the Harbour since 2008, and I have been an active member of the Golf Committee and Golf Association, serving in the various elected positions. I am a new member of the Aquia Harbour Host Lions Club. I also support most functions held in the Harbour. I am a life member of the VFW and a member of the American Legion, the Masonic Lodge, and the Moose Lodge (all service oriented organizations in which I have volunteered a lot of my time over the years). My goals for the community are as follows: 1) Serve the property owners and their interests and 2) Ensure every member is heard, treated fairly, and with the utmost respect. I have the availability to satisfy the time commitment associated with the position of a director on the AHPOA Board.

January 2016 Page 3 of 3

Paula Philyaw Education: • Radford University, Bachelor of Science, Cum Laude, English and Sociology

Applicable Experience: • Current Chairman for AH Parks & Waterways sub-committee Playground Revitalization • Vice President, Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity (versed in Robert's Rules of Order and

managing committees) • Project Management • SharePoint Developer (IT development to disseminate information, facilitate

collaboration, and improve transparency)

Availability: Able to satisfy the time commitment associated with serving as a Director.

Community Goals: • Improve communication between the BOD and residents • Convert the "Emergency Gate" to a 2nd entrance or get a 2nd entrance • Improve the maintenance of our grounds and amenities • Allow community to vote on proposed decreases in services • Implement on-line dues payment system and violations tracking/response system • Add additional structures for teens funded through already approved reserve funds • Add a playground to Lions Park to improve usability during community events, increase home

values, etc. funded through already approved reserve funds.

Anthony Worthey Goals To oblige holistically to the duties in an appropriate effort within the AHPOA BOD which follows the Virginia Property Owners' Association Act 2015; work diligently connecting the adjacent new Town Centre to benefit Aquia Harbour residents while introducing technology services to and forging effective communications for the community’s best interests.

Experience Office of Personnel Management Project Manager who plans manages and coordinates Public Trust federal investigative security projects. Forensic Computer Scientist with six classes from completing my MBA and MPMP.

Background I am a decorated retired and an honorably discharged and severely disabled U.S. Navy veteran; Chief Election Board Judge for the State of Virginia; former Christmas in April volunteer and a former Big Brother volunteer for Regional Institute for Children & Adolescence. After two Achilles Heel surgeries I volunteered to clear my elderly neighbor’s driveway by cutting, loading, transporting and dumping their overgrown shrubs and branches at the public landfill.

Aquia Harbour Living January 2016 13

Aquia Harbour Women’s Club

Submitted by Mitzi R. Champion, Women’s Club Secretary Email: mchampion5112@aol.com

If you happened to notice a group of women, some in their pajamas, walking down Portugal Drive on the evening of January 12 it was just the Women’s Club members heading to the first meeting of 2016. If you had been there you would have known why this is one of our most popular and fun meetings of the year. Every January, after our regular business meeting, the ladies have a Pajama Party/White Elephant Auction. Admit it, we all receive gifts that we simply don’t need or are not suited for us and this is a way to re-home these gifts by auctioning them off to other club members. It’s always great fun and the club uses the proceeds for our community service projects. Our February meeting, “Take Ourselves Out to Dinner” is on the 9th at 7:00 at the Roadhaus Eatery located at 3925 Jefferson Davis Highway. Our Community Service Project will be in support of the SPCA and donations will be collected to benefit our local SPCA. If you’re thinking about joining the Women’s Club please contact our Membership Chair Yvonne Garcia at wysnagarcia@aol.com or Dolena Sinclair at dolenaj@gmail.com The Women’s Club annual coat drive is complete for this year. Thanks to the Harbour Residents who donated coats to benefit the Stafford County Head Start.

Mark your calendars for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt

to be held 20 March beginning at 1:30. Children 10 and under are invited to hunt for Easter Eggs, search for the Golden Egg, visit with the Easter Bunny and enjoy refreshments. The hunt will take place in the Business Office/Preschool/Playground area in Section One. More details to follow in the March Harbour View. The Women’s Club will be accepting donations of bagged

candy at the Business Office between now and then. If you need to post a community message on the signboard in February please contact Rona Donahue rtray4@verizon.net

Aquia Harbour Golf Club January 2016 by: Scott Marshall, Manager

Winter Golf

As I put my pen to next month’s newsletter, Old Man Winter has stayed away so far,

but I suspect that snow is around the corner. As a reminder, the Aquia Harbour Golf

Course does remain open year round, weather permitting. Our die hard golfers from

the Aquia Harbour Golf Association are still meeting every Saturday and Sunday

mornings at 8:00am for their weekend scrambles, and our senior golfers are meeting

every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:00am for their captain’s choice best ball

scrambles. Please come out and join them. This is a wonderful opportunity to socialize

with your fellow golfers and have a great time. Golfers of all skill levels are welcomed,

so don’t worry hackers and three-putters.

Before heading to the course on those cold mornings, please contact the Pro Shop to

find out when the course will be open for play.

Sledding Reminder

The Farmers Almanac says that we should be getting some snow this winter.

When it snows, families come out to the golf course for some exciting

sledding action. The golf driving range is an excellent place to do some

sledding. However, please remember not to use golf hole number 9

behind the Country Club to sled. The snow sleds will damage the golf

green, and the trees and pond at the bottom of the hill poses a safety risk.

Aquia Harbour Living January 2016 14

Frost Delays

During the cold weather

months, we experience frost

on our golf greens early in

the morning from time to

time. Playing on a golf

green with frost kills the

grass. During mornings of

frost we have to delay play

on the course until the frost

melts.

Meet the Candidates Schedule:

Saturday, January 23 at 10:00 a.m. at the Harbour Inn

Tuesday, January 26 at 7 p.m. at the Country Club

Ballots must be received by noon on January 30th!

Please take the time to read the information about the candidates you will receive shortly with your ballot and join us at the

Meet the Candidates.

It really does matter who is elected to the BOD. How and what a BOD does or doesn’t do affects property values, dues, appearance and

maintenance of our amenities , common areas, and how attractive the Harbour is to those wishing to purchase homes here in Stafford.

We have over a $4,300,000 dollar budget and how it is spent affects all of us in here.

Please take the time to educate yourselves about the candidates. AHL has included their resumes in this edition. You’ll also receive a copy

with your ballot shortly.

Please VOTE

Aquia Harbour Living January 2016 15

Aquia Harbour Living January 2016 16

AHL Winter Weather Prediction

That About Covers It!