Good Day fellow River benders!

 

While 2015 was a GREAT year, 2016 will be even better! As many of you may remember, at the end of the 2015 season, there were a number of Golf cart thefts that occurred.  For the parties involved, prosecution is inevitable. In addition, if they were season pass holders, the will receive NO trespass orders from RBMC and if they were lot owners or kids of the lot owners they will receive a lot restriction for the 2016 season, this will be in addition to any criminal charges pending and/or restitution for the damaged goods or property!

 

I would like to take a minute and share with you what I heard during the investigation when the golf carts were stolen.  I distinctively remember that one of the parties involved were discussing the sale of their property because of the embarrassment that had come upon them because of their child being involved.  I want to say this; you can lead a horse to water but you can’t force it to drink!  While sometimes our youth may get with “the wrong crowd” or be influenced by someone that should know better, you can’t blame yourselves.  What can be done is a stern talking too, and ultimately they must face the music and accept the consequences for their actions!  This in no way should impact one’s decision as to whether or not they should enjoy what they have worked their butts off to achieve!  We have ALL encountered issues at some point during our parenting days, we do our best to guide, but again, we can lead a horse to the trough, but we can’t force it to take a drink!

 

Don Swope

President, RBMC

  

During the 2015 season, there were a number of initiatives that were kicked off.  We have the Parental awareness initiative; If a minor was caught to be in violation of any rules or regulations, a notice was completed and the parents or guardians were notified immediately, via; a notice delivered to their lot within 24 hrs., this insured the parents were aware of the issue at hand and were able to deal with it accordingly.  This will continue and will become a part of the rules and regulations of the governing documents of RBMC! We intend on presenting this to the membership along with a number of other changes and/or additions to our governing documents at the annual meeting for vote!

 

“Dear RBMC Member, we would like to first say thank you for everything you have done and continue to do as a member.  One of the few initiatives that RBMC is in the process of kicking off, is the property identification initiative.  Through partnering together, we can insure that each and every member receives services in a timely manner.  Services include emergency services, maintenance services, and utility services.  By properly marking your property with the block and lot we can help insure that you as a valued member can receive service in a timely manner and without delay.”

Some of you may remember receiving the above notice during the 2015 season.  The traffic and safety committee will be policing the park and checking to insure that all members are incompliance, should you receive a notice, please bring your lot into compliance at the start of the season, we would like to thank you in advance for your willingness to help insure all members are in complete compliance.  We have numbers on hand at the front office for your convenience.

 

This initiative has to do with the proper markings of your Golf cart and minibike registration to again insure compliance with the governing documents of RBMC that the members of this great park has voted on. In addition, we are currently seeking pricing on barcode tags that can be placed on recreational vehicles so that as the enter and exit the park they can be scanned.

 

A GREAT BIG THANKS to our maintenance department!  We are on track for the completion of 250 upgrades!  Yikes! To date 208 of the 250 pedestals have been installed with the hookups for Comcast and frontier at each pedestal!  Over 8,500 feet of wire installed thus far from the disconnect to the pedestal!  3,320 feet of 2” water line has been installed and each block has their own shut off valves to isolate any potential problems in the future!  We met with both Valentine Electric and Chris to discuss future upgrades. Based on the rate for which this year's number was achieved, we project we could nearly double next years numbers. That is correct, if we can fund the upgrades, without any increase in dues, we could potentially complete 400 to 500 upgrades next year. (weather permitting)  This means that within 3 years ALL upgrades could be completed!  We have our wheels turning and hopefully will have a proposal on how to fund this by the annual meeting for vote!  In addition to the upgrades, Valentine is currently assessing the outages that occurred last year and we are collectively making changes to keep those outages from occurring in the 2016 season.

 

There have been a few storms recently that has caused some downed trees, if you have received a call from the office, please get in contact with them to assure the trees can be cut and removed from your property’s.

 

We are currently working on brokering a deal with Comcast and Frontier for special pricing on their services for the membership!  In addition, we are hoping that they will provide services to All common areas so we can also consider the following for the 2016 season;

Security cameras to the common areas; this will help to minimize vandalism.  Access scanners to be placed on all bathhouses and pool area so that entry will be gained by the swipe of your pass.  If we are successful, the bathhouses could be accessed 24 hrs. a day with the swipe of your pass, again providing additional service to the membership all while assuring that vandalism will not only be minimized but responsible parties will be caught and prosecuted for said atrocities to membership property!

 

We have received the necessary quotes for the resurfacing of the courts, this will be done once the weather breaks and before the park opens.

 

We are currently seeking proposals for shading of the pool area and once pricing is received we will be installing those shades prior to the pool opening.

 

The budget had allowed a replacement of the sliding board in the amount of $3,000.00.  The concrete and one of the support arms of the sliding board can be repaired for a fraction of that cost, again, this will be completed prior to the opening of the park.

 

As per the membership vote, outside dining will be available to the membership via; Cottle LLC.  Larry is currently working on all necessary permitting and upgrades to pave the way for said services in addition to some remolding that is occurring inside of the lounge and dining room areas.

 

We are currently assessing the current infrastructure and will be making the necessary repairs/replacement of equipment to extend the Wi-Fi at the ranger station by adding additional WAP (wireless access points) so that whenever you are visiting within a few hundred feet of the building you will have access to the internet, this may included the pool area and beyond!

 

We are currently in the planning stages with Cottle, LLC and RBMC in the renovations of the Putt putt Golf course, again any upgrades will be completed prior to the opening season.

 

We have reached out to our insurance rep and are seeking competitive bids for insurance coverage to include Workers compensation along with other polices up for renewal in 2016, will keep the membership informed as updated information becomes available.

 

We have been in constant communication with the pastor and elders of the chapel.  They are currently working on a long list of activities for our youth in the upcoming 2016 season.  Those activities consist of movie night on Saturdays as well as camping in the field.  They are currently seeking a youth pastor to assist with the activities.  There are many activities that are being planned to include but not limited to putt putt tournaments, whiffle ball tournaments, basketball tournaments, as well as dodge ball!  Any help in the coordination and organization of such activities will be much appreciated, please contact Lisa (event coordinator) in the front office for further details.  The Chapel is also seeking volunteers to help complete the new chapel so they can have a grand opening at the beginning of the season, please contact the front office for additional information.  We are also requesting that anyone with activities contact Lisa at the front office to have put on calendar for 2016, these activities include but are not limited to the “boat club” "Horse shoe club” “Christmas in July” “golf cart licensing” etc.… we are also looking to incorporate different themes throughout the park for 2016, such themes could consist of “cowboys and Indians” etc.…. again, please contact Lisa for additional details and suggestions!

 

We are working with Cottle, LLC in the licensing process for such activities, it’s our hopes that we can offer the community such entertainment during the 2016 season.  In addition, we would like to hold dance lessons for country line dancing and swing dancing, anyone with contacts are encouraged to contact Lisa with the front office!

 

We would like to announce that Chris Miller has been promoted to General Manager of RBMC!  This had an effective date of January 1, 2016.  Please welcome Chris to his new position!  Chris has been with RBMC for almost 4 years now and has the knowledge and skills necessary to fill said position.  Chris has 12 plus years’ experience in the “professional arena” Chris has an extensive background in real estate exceeding 2.5 million in land sales in 2003 & 2004, he has demonstrated exemplary performance in all functions of his current duties as well as with previous employers prior to RBMC!  He is a forward thinker with the following experiences as his highlight: Management collaboration, Member and customer service skills, Team Leadership skills, staff development, Revenue generation, Vendor Coordination, inventory and supply, competitive cost control, analytical thinker, active thinking skills, problem solving skills and real estate development.  Chris comes to us with letters of accommodations from Building Management Systems, Inc., KelScott Properties Division, LLC, as well as his proven track record of performance!  Again please welcome Chris to his new position.  We fill that with the continued TQM (Total Quality Management) approach and the willingness of our entire Team ranging from the maintenance staff, to security staff, to administrative staff and recreational staff and the countless hours the volunteer staff from board of directors to committee members we will continue to move RBMC forward in the utmost professional and expeditious manner, all for the benefit of the membership from a collaborative standpoint!

 

We are currently in the process of seeking proposals from outside firms.  There will be a meeting held with the membership to discuss the said proposals for such services, depending upon the community response during the meeting will depend on any increase in dues for said structure.  A “call of a special meeting” will be sent out with the “call of the annual meeting” in the near future!  We encourage the entire membership to be in attendance for such meeting, there will be pricing for mentioned services and recommendations by the board of directors during such meeting as to how our park will be managed in the future and what the cost of such services will be to the membership.  Please keep an eye out for further details.  Thank you!

 

We are pleased to inform the membership that 2015 was a great year and we will continue to operate in a professional manner as to limit any liabilities going forward.  The only liability or case still in question is the “Baker vs RBMC & RBMC vs Baker” claim.  This case is set to go to trial on January 2016 and is expected to last approximately 5 days.  Once a ruling has been issued, we will inform the membership!  This case is approximately 3 years from inception and all parties involved are welcoming a resolution!

 

We are currently working on a marketing plan for all lots that are for sale by RBMC.  Pictures are in the process of being taken and will be advertised via craigslist and with a real-estate agent, dues are the generating factor of RBMC survival, it is our hope that in 2016, 70% of existing lots can be sold and will add to the additional generation of dues!  With this being said, we ask that each and every member continue to improve their lots and provide a clean and neat appearance to the community’s eye.

 

Last year there has been several comments of the shape or lack thereof with the fishing hole.  We are currently in the process of clearing brush and debris from this area.  With the strategic planting of grass seed, trees, mulch and some fencing, it is our hopes that the entire membership will be able to enjoy this area as a place of serenity.  We are asking for any donations of benches, shrubs or trees as well as your time to make this happen!  Please contact the front office for any donations.  Thank you!

 

Audit, Election, Traffic and safety, Haunted Trail, Land Sales, Recreation, Communication, A & E, etc. it is now time to step up and either join and form such committees or kick of the season and play an instrumental role in RBMC 2016 season to make it wonderful for each and every member of RBMC!  If you are currently on a committee, please reach out to the Chair, if you would like to join a committee, please contact the front office!

 

We are pleased to inform everyone that baby changing stations have been installed in the restrooms by poolside and several have had the placement of handrails that were donated by a member!

 

We would like to encourage new faces to step up and run for the board of directors this year.  There have been great strides in moving our park forward and we as a membership want to see that continue in the 2016 and 2017 season!  Likewise, we want to see more of the membership vote and attend such meetings, it is your vote that counts in the way in which RBMC moves forward. There will be six seats available this year, some will be for a 1-year term and others will be for 2-year terms. Again please step up and do your part!

 

In closing We would like to thank each and every member for their participation in making RBMC a great park!  Weather you volunteer your time in the day to day operations, just pay your dues or be a neighbor that respects your neighbor, you are what makes RBMC a great community!  The park is scheduled to open on April 1, 2016, and no that is not an April fool’s joke, we assure you of that!  Looking forward to seeing each and every one of you soon!

 

Sincerely;

RBMC; Board of Directors!