Open Letter To Shareholders, Residents and Guests From Your President and Board of Directors Of Alligator Park.

 

To the shareholders, new and old, renters and guests.

We here at Alligator Park have been through a lot and I am concerned that we are going to get complacent or forget the things that our residents and volunteers have done to help rebuild this Park to a 2006/2007 RV - MH Park.

We must never forget the days of help we received from so many people; the residents who worked day and night to get water and power back to the Park. The many storms that lashed the Park after Hurricane Charlie and yet, we survived and came back to a better and more financially sound home for us all.

We need to really thank all the volunteering that allowed us to rebuild the Park. I mean the manual laborers, the accountant and office staff, our faithful employees and the Board of Directors who have come together to make it all work.  Our residents who personally gave of themselves and funds to make the Park so great.

This is why strangers who have come into Alligator Park experience the true meaning of family and friendships.

I have had the Great Honor of being President of the Board of Directors of HOAP during the last two years and I want everyone to know what a great experience it has been.

We have accomplished so many things by working together. I have tried to put together a list of what we have accomplished in the past year. I hope I have gotten them all. The most important, I feel, is that we are finally Financially Sound! With almost 2 million dollars on the positive side of the ledger and only 3.5 million in long term debt loans. We have even locked forward our mortgage of $2.9 million at 6.99% maximum and a small SBA loan of $750,000. @ 2.7%. We really can handle these loans with no problems.

THE FOLLOWING IMPROVEMENTS MADE TO ALLIGATOR PARK IN THE PAST YEAR TO MAKE THIS PARK A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE AND A MORE FINANCIALLY SECURE HOME FOR ALL SHAREHOLDERS, RENTERS AND GUESTS.

PHYSICAL IMPROVEMENTS:

1.           Multi-purpose buildings cement parking area with vehicle stops and painted lines.

2.           Vehicle stops and handicap stops at clubhouse and pool parking areas.

3.           The painting and refurbishing of the shuffleboard courts and benches.

4.           Humidistat and thermostat in Clubhouse along with time & temperature control thermostats in all public buildings.

5.            Fan control in Laundry room to control inside temperature to not exceed 80" with backup AC unit.

6.           Temperature controls on our electric usage on 100 gal. hot water unit in the multi-purpose building.

2.           New official bulletin board in Clubhouse for organizational information and special notices.  Also bulletin boards in multi-purpose building.

3.           New sprinkler system with timer and rain sensing controls along Alligator Blvd. and around pool and multi-purpose building.

9.     New palm trees along Alligator Blvd. and around Clubhouse.

10.   Humidity control on second floor storage area in Clubhouse for important   

        records for HOAP and APA.

11.   New high service pump for the RO plant.

               a.  New high pressure storage tank

     b.  Refurbished storage tank increasing volume of RO water from 15,000 gallons to 30,000 gallons

     c.  New automated chemical controls to add chlorine and softeners to the water before it is sent out to the Park

     d.  Complete replumbing of the water system at the RO plant – a MAJOR project

     e.  New alarm system on power generator

     f.  New telephone calling system to call service if water or power is down for 5 minutes

     g.  Activated system alarm on sewer system if volumes get too high

     h.  Cleaning the area of the old tank (and removal of same from the RO facility)

12.     Rebuilding of the sewage leach field area and improvising the proper operation of same to maintain the leach field circling.

13.     Completion of the new RO maintenance building.

14.     The removal of the last of Hurricane Charlie debris from the overflow area.

15.     The moving of the POD to our new 40+ acre lake property.

16.     Removal of tree stumps on lots owned by the Park and Shareholders caused by Hurricane Charlie.

17.     Removal of all but 8 lanai pads on lots turned back to the Park after Hurricane Charlie.  29 sites were turned back.

18.     Security fence around Park perimeter, with gate areas to ditch and property.

19.     Gate and road to the 40 acre lake property.

20.     Fencing of the lake property for security – even into the water area.

21.     Creation of a dry storage area for residents of Alligator Park

22.     New riding mower to handle the mowing of the lake property.  (Special Thanks to Pete Henry for volunteering to handle this job all summer.  Also, note the SECURITY PATROL signs on Pete’s golf cart.  Great job, Pete!)

23.     A major obstacle to overcome was obtaining the CO’s from Charlotte County on the Clubhouse, multi-purpose building and the RO maintenance building.

24.     The new generator at the Clubhouse and the moving of the old generator to the RO plant and hooking up both facilities.  Note:  we can now handle the Clubhouse and Multi-purpose building from the new 100kw generator at the Clubhouse and we handle the RO plant and sewer plant from the 65kw generator.  ­­­­Plans are still underway to hook into the office building for power – lights, phone plus AC for front of the building.

25.     For the first time since Bob Wellar and his crew, we have a drainage ditch along the back of the Park to Jones Loop Rd.  Major Water Relief for the Park.

26.     We installed a new culvert from N. Manatee ditch through the Park to the old Roberts Rd. drainage to Taylor Rd.  This relieves a lot of water pressure on our sewage system in that area.

27.     This is the first year we have been able to hire two part-time employees to help Richard and Jay maintain the Park and continue improvements.  This was done without added costs to Shareholders, but through cost savings.  A big Thank You to Richard and Jay for the wonderful condition of Alligator Park.

 

Please note that on January 9, 2007 we finally took ownership of the Lake Property which includes a 30 acre lake and approximately 10 acres of land around the lake.  This addition changes our total worth almost double what we had with the 51 acre RV/MH Park.  Think about it – we now own 91 acres in the premier area of Southwest Florida.

 

We need to recognize that for the first time in the history of Alligator Park, we have funded our reserves to $501,000 effective April 1, 2007.  We have also placed $100,000 in an insurance deductible account to cover our deductibles for our $2,200,000 insurance coverage for the public facilities in the Park.  This makes us 100% insurance protected.

We also placed $200,000 in a reconstruction fund for the Shareholders and Board of Directors to use as needed, and $250,000 in a major improvement fund for that really important project – all at the Shareholders and Board of Directors direction.

 

MONETARY AND LEGAL IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PAST YEAR

(Not necessarily in the most important order)

 

1.       Managing power usage in the off season – May to November.  This reduced our costs for all facilities by $1500 per month.  We see a slow increase in usage for October.

2.       Converting the checking account from monthly charges of $160 to $200 down to 0 costs to have a BOA checking account.  Savings to us from $1600 to $2400 annually.

3.       Converting all accounts with BOA from ¼% to accounts that will receive 4.5% to 5% monthly on all accounts in our Operating Funds.

4.       Freedom to manage our assets, i.e. CD’s, share monies to the highest amounts available.  We have laddered out our CD’s for 12 months at rates ranging from 4.8% with BOA to 5.57% with Florida Community Bank.  We are still working with Wachovia Bank for higher rates.  Estimated returns this year are $60,000 to $70,000 +.

5.       We have made one long range investment with Florida Community Bank that will yield 5.4% simple interest on $300,000 for 5 years.  The interest on this investment is being drawn off each month or two and reinvested at 4.5% up to 5%, almost doubling our interest rate on this money -- $92,000 in simple interest alone.

6.       On 11/02/07, we will convert our telephone system (9 phones) from Sprint to Comcast.  The charges with Sprint/Embarq were $700 per month.  Now our service will be only $350 per month.  This will allow us to save approximately $4200 a year.

7.       Managing our BC/BS costs, we were able to maintain our employees coverage and allow us to increase all employees’ wages by $.75/hour.  This is certainly a small Thank You for our wonderful employees.

8.       We have instituted a new process that sends information to 7 of our 9 Board members by e-mail.  This alone has saved the Park $70 per week for the postage for the 4-5 months we are away.  A savings of approximately $1120 to $1600.  The best part of this is that the info is in a Director’s hands in a matter of minutes, and therefore, they can react/act on it quickly.

9.       Another item put in place and supported by most of our residents was that the newsletter was put onto the web site and anyone wanting to receive the newsletter by mail provided the office with self-addressed, stamped envelopes.  We are also able to e-mail reservation invoices instead of mailing to many people.  These two items also save us a large amount of postage.

10.     We now employ a full-time accountant/bookkeeper who has helped us to manage our finances so that we will really know how to make a budget and make it work.  THANK YOU, DONNA!

11.     We renegotiated our annual audit fees from $10,000 in 05/06 to $6200 in 06/07, and again, this is because of the work Donna Mohn has done with our bookkeeping.  We also got the audit done on time – a first for many years.

12.     We hired a new CAM who has worked hard to conserve our facility in a fiscally responsible way and works very closely with the employees who enjoy working with him.  THANKS, KEN MARTIN!

13.     Last but not least!  We need to be very proud of our new Front Desk person.  She has made everyone very comfortable when they come to the Park, and yet she also lets everyone know what we expect.  GREAT JOB FOR A VERY DIFFICULT RESPONSIBILITY.  THANK YOU, MARCIA!

 

REFINANCING THE MORTAGE FOR ALLIGATOR PARK

 

1.       We have reduced our costs for refinancing our mortgage from $72,000 to $110,000 to just $24,000 and locked our loan at 6.99% maximum interest.

2.       We retain our present loan/swap rate at 6.89% until 2011 with the option to pay down our loan every November by $50,000.  This can reduce our mortgage payment by $285 per month or $3420 each year.

3.       Securing a lock forward loan at 6.99% to 2021 or earlier if we pay down the mortgage each November.  This will help in keeping our maintenance fee increases to a minimum.

 

ALLOCATING INTEREST TO REDUCE OUR MONTHLY FEES

 

1.       For the first time, the Shareholders authorized the Board of Directors to use Interest monies as needed from accounts to assist in the operating of the Park.  At our budget meeting, we will decide how excess funds will be used to assist with the Maintenance Fee/Reserve accounts.  This will be the first year we will make this work for the Park.

 

IT CAN BE BIG!  LET’S MAKE IT A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR OUR SHAREHOLDERS/RESIDENTS.

NEWS FROM A.P.A.

Snow Birds are slowly returning to Alligator Park.  It is good to see everyone.  Some people will be late coming back because of health problems.  We will keep them in our daily thoughts and prayers.

Virgil Zuspan is in the hospital receiving radiation treats for brain cancer.   Please keep him in your prayers. 

It was good to see Mel & Linda Thomer back visiting for a while.

Those in the park recovering from their illnesses are Gayle Thornton, Fran Kuhn, Joe Stone,  Rosemary Brandon,  Donna Singleton,  Winnie Bean,  Bill Ward, Tom Lamendola and Ron Harbin.

Our first APA Board meeting will be Nov. 7, at 9:00am in  the Club House.  The APA General meeting wll be Nov. 14 at 10:00 a.m.  Coffee & donuts at 9:30 a.m.

We had a Halloween Party with a Pot Luck Dinner on October 31 at 5:00 p.m.  Everyone had a good time catching up on all  accomplishments to the park.

We are going to start Pot Lucks on Saturday, Nov. 4 at 5:00 pm.  Friday night dances will start on Nov. 23 from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m.

 Cards and water aerobics have already started.  There will be lots of things for everyone to participate in his year.

 

 

November brings our Annual Thanksgiving Dinner at 4:00pm on Nov. 22.  Watch for sign up sheets in office and Club House.

Christmas Craft Show, Bake Sale and lunch on December 8 from 9-2pm. 

I would like to THANK ALL the VOLUNTEERS  who have been doing odds and ends to the park,  so that it well be ready for full use for everyone.  This is the best the park has looked since Charlie.

For those who can not be with us this season, we will miss you, but please stay in touch if at all possible.

Have a safe trip back.

Sharon Page, APA President

       

A DIFFICULT JOB

One of the major issues in this country is the ongoing problem with health care and the costs related to it.  To give you and idea of the complexity of it, imagine, if you will, ten people picked at random for the purpose of trying to decide how to come up with an equitable solution to the problem.  The answers would be indecisive and of course incomplete, the reason being that each individual has their own idea and individual thoughts on the matter.  They would render an opinion based on the known fact that no matter how well thought, someone is not going to agree.  Another example that relates to the title of this article is the following.  How would those same ten individuals decide what to do with an alleged sizable cash donation to our park?  After much discussion, the decisions, based on thorough investigations of the financial status of the park, would also vary in intensity.  It would be safe to assume that no one individual would come up with the same decision.  When asked why there is so much diversity in their answers they would simply say that it is “A DIFFICULT JOB.”

Everyone knows that the old saying of “You can’t please everyone” is just as true today as it was when ever that phrase was first spoken.  Trying to keep everyone on an even keel as far as keeping them happy is almost an impossibility.  Taking into account the various different ethnic backgrounds and individual likes and dislikes, our activities directors, Jim and Miriam Besaw, have a “DIFFICULT  JOB” in determining what type of entertainment will generate approval from the majority.  In scheduling different entertainers, they determine the cost factor and whether we will sell enough tickets to cover our costs. This and other factors are involved in providing quality entertainment.  There are those who like one thing and not another, and as always there are those who don’t like anything.

 Jim and Miriam deserve our support in all that they do.  The entertainment that they schedule for our listening or viewing pleasure is what makes life here at Alligator Park what it is.  If entertainment was the responsibility of anyone of the ten chosen at random, beyond a doubt they would agree on one thing, it’s “A DIFFICULT JOB.”

            Art Hayek, A.P.A. V.P.

 

TRAVEL & ENTERTAINMENT

 

Hello, everyone!  It’s really fall already!  We’ll soon all be back in that paradise called Florida.  Jim and I plan to arrive about November 18 if all goes well.

The coming season’s entertainment promises to be bigger and better than ever.  We’ll welcome Fred Moore again in December with his Grubstake McGregor’s Colorado Christmas show on the 20^th.  We’ll plan to attend and create other Christmas events during December, as well. January 17 brings back the talented and hilarious “River Rats”.  On February 14 you can look forward to being thoroughly entertained by Patty Waczak who, among more than thirty other instruments, plays the “sweetest sax this side of Heaven.”  Patty’s high-energy vocal and instrumental arrangements will make this evening fly by! 

Adding to our already busy calendar, look for word on the “Satiniques” bringing us a fabulous show on March 6.  Their smooth, fun vocal sounds of the 50’s will have you on your feet!

What about travel?  Besides our cruise February 2-7 to Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman, mark your calendar for a January 14-15 Orlando adventure to the Dixie Stampede.  Details on this overnight excursion will be coming soon.  A day trip to the Holy Land in Orlando is scheduled for March 18.  Other trips are in the works, too.

It’s going to be another splendid winter at Alligator Park.  We hope to see you taking advantage of as many opportunities as you can.

Stay safe, be well.  See you soon!

 

          Miriam & Jim Besaw

          Entertainment & Travel

 

HEALTH WATCH

 

            Several of our residents have made unexpected extended visits to Charlotte Regional Hospital in Punta Gorda recently, including GAIL THORNTON, #93, for hip replacement surgery; Ben Turner, suspected cardiac problems; and Vic Oesterling, CHF.  All are home now and doing “as well as can be expected.” 

            Health news of many others can be found in the APA NEWS column.  Sharon Page does a fine job of keeping track of these things.

A Memorial Service for Carol Bistarkey, # B-5, will be at the Edgewater United Methodist Church on Cochran Blvd., Monday Nov 5, at 6 PM.

We send our sincere condolences to Paul and Pat Massanopoli, #177, whose 20 year old grandson was killed in a auto accident this past week.  Our hearts go out to them at this tragic time.

 

EDITOR’S NOTE:  Vic and I have experienced the great warmth and caring nature of Alligator Park residents first hand.  We feel extremely fortunate to have chosen this place to make our home.  Many thanks to all for your many expressions of kindness.

 

                                     

 

 

NOTE FROM THE OFFICE:

Marcia tells us that the vegetable man will start on Tuesday, Nov. 27.  Until that time, I guess you’re on you own.

 

 

MANAGERS MESSAGE

 

It’s great seeing the increased activity here in the Park. As you can see, there have been some changes, most for the good. We will be continuing to make improvements, and your cooperation while we do so is appreciated. Next week look for the maintenance crew to be edging the roadways to neaten the appearance. The Clubhouse is open, and Park facilities are back on regular hours. Repairs to the pool heater have been completed, and the clock will be going back on the Clubhouse exterior wall. Board and Budget meetings will resume this month. All in all, Alligator Park is becoming a very busy place. So, Welcome Back to our residents who have returned, an a safe trip to those who are yet to get here.

 

On the lighter side

 

A 6 year old was asked where his Grandma lived. “Oh” he said, “She lives at the airport, and when we want her we just go get her. Then when we’re done having her visit, we take her back to the airport.”