Come see us one more time!

We will close our doors after this weekend but will remember you always. Many of you have already heard that Anna’s Bananas is closing the doors.

This weekend will be their last. We all hate to see a grand location close but I know you will join me in wishing them all the best in the years ahead. I know I want one more helping of grilled Brie and Oysters Kelly!

Take in Anna’s one last time and order your favorite! They have asked us to let you know the news and tell you that they would love to see you in person.

Marketing expenditures projected by the GLA for 2012-2013

Magazine Ads $35,070

Radio $2,800

Newspaper $7,630

Grand Lake Visitors Guide $45,000

Postage $12,000

Website $4,000

ABA AFT National Fishing Championship $39,000

Bass Classic $25,000

Tulsa Boat Show $14,000

Pelican Festival $8,000

Grand Lake Boat Show $9,000

TV Commercials $3,000

Travel Shows $4,400

Special Events $800

Total projected income of $407,000 includes revenues from memberships, ad sales, sponsorships, Co-op Advertising, trade show booth rental, golf tourney fees, and building rental fees of $9,600 from rent for the Grove Chamber of Commerce, which is paid for the City of Grove. The City of Grove also sponsors events by the GLA.

Tad Jones and Marty Follis, Grove’s Mayor and President of the Grand Lake Association submitted the budget to the GLA Board at their monthly meeting, held this week at the South Grand Regional Airport, hosted by airport founder Bret Howard, with lunch provided by Pensacola Pizza and Pasta, (Judy you left before we could thank you)… We had one of their specials Fettuccini Alfredo with Chicken. Alfredo sauce is a mix of cream and parmesean cheese and herbs.

In other business, the board approved a funding proposal to the City of Grove for $18,000 for marketing the City of Grove in Special Events, approved a letter of support for the City of Grove to build a “world class fishing facility on 16^th street, and approved the contract with the Tulsa Boat Show for $13, 997.60 for booth space for the GLA for the 2012 Tulsa Boat Show.

The attachment is the marketing plan of the GLA
GLA Marketing Plan

First on the agenda was the method and timing of paying for the audit, and it was agreed that the city of Bernice would pay 75% of the expense, or $13,411.96, and the town water department would pay the balance of the $17,882.62.

The issue of repayment to hundreds of motorists from the “Overcharging Error” was next on the agenda. It seems that the town properly followed legal procedures to increase their traffic fines and costs, properly advertised the new rates as required by law, but neglected to file their these new fines and costs with the Delaware County Clerk. This technically means they were improperly enforcing the new fines

The city fathers had a healthy discussion on the merits, the costs and difficulty of reimbursing several thousand motorists, with town Attorney David Jones suggested letting the issue ride for a while, hoping motorists don’t bring a class action law suit that may require refunds. It was unclear if reimbursement would occur, if a motorist asked for the overcharge back.

The Trustees affirmed the purchase and installation of the video security system for Town Hall, and the raising of the city clerks salary, both purchased without following proper procedures.

Town Attorney David Jones advised the Trustees that the law regarding paying volunteers for “fire runs” is unclear, and Jones will continue to wait for the State Auditor to make a determination.

On the agenda was item #11, Repeal of the Zoning Code, one of the major illegal issues from the Auditors Audit. The Zoning Code, a big success for Bernice Mayor Bill Raven, was illegal from the get go. “I’m not proud of the difficulties this has caused, but we were following the advise of our town lawyer” said Mayor Bill Raven. Town attorney during the zoning discussions was Thomas Jot Hartley, from Hartley Law Firm in Vinita.

Apparently the Town Council did not approve the code properly, did not give proper notice of the code to be adopted, the public hearing was not given proper notice, and therefore Bernice has a Zoning Code that is “unenforceable” according to Town Attorney David Jones.

Then the trustees (now follow this) heard a petition from Brandon Johnson, attorney representing Terry Draper requesting a variance in the Town Zoning Code, because the proposed set back on the plans of building to be built is in conflict with the new “unenforceable” Zoning Code…. that the Town Attorney just told the Trustees was unenforceable.

Guess What? The Trustees gave these nice folks a zoning variance.

Trustees then decided to follow state law and appoint a Zoning Board, which they have not done, and residents say that Bill Raven acted as the Zoning Czar since the illegal approval of the Zoning Code. Bernice will advertise for volunteers, citizens of Bernice to come forward and make known their willingness to serve.

Trustees considered repeal of the code, but good sense prevailed, and efforts are now underway to follow procedures to re-adopt the Zoning Code. Bernice citizen Larry Vanwey requested that the signs at the city limits stating that the Zoning Laws are enforced, be removed. Mayor Raven said that could be arranged.

Bernice has been without a trustee from Trustee District 4, since last August, when citizens petitioned the Town Trustees, that trustee Duane Langley was illegally holding office, and the Trustees removed him from office.  Sources say Bernice officials, through behind the scenes a Bernice citizen challenged efforts, tried to get Langley elected again, but the “arrangement” they had made to skirt the law, and Langley withdrew from the race.

The Trustees then, authorized expenses to buy Fire Department foam $963, foam inductor, $400, a new fire nozzle for one lost for $660, ammunition for police practice $300 for 1000 rounds, advertising expenses for new volunteer officers, one radio for a police car, $400.

Trustees turned down an opportunity to buy a tractor, and a Ford 150, from Military surplus. Last month, the trustees purchased a Humvee for the police department.

Mr Wayne Crouse owner of Bernice Sanitation attended the town Council meeting to respond to a letter he received from the Town of Bernice, advising the company they had a complaint from a citizen of Bernice about trash on their property. Crouse was upset that he get a letter from the town, telling his he has to pick up the trash or the Town of Bernice will pick up the trash and bill Bernice Sanitation. Crouse noted that no one called him, there was no description of what trash the city was referencing, so how was he to satisfy the Town request. No action taken.

Editors Note: To improve communications with the citizens of Bernice, the city Clerk and Mayor Bill Raven have agreed to have a “Trustee Packet” available to the Grand Lake Business Journal each Friday before the Town Council. The Journal will post that materials online, and will include a Accounts Payable list, that will be presented to the Trustees.  This courtesy is given to media in most communities and we appreciate Connie and Bills cooperation in this new outreach to the Citizens of Bernice.

Julie Yeabower (second from left) had her friends Sherl Meek, Sherl Salyer and Ellen Helterbrand on hand to witness her hole-in-one at Shangri-La.

Julie Yeabower scored her first ever hole-in-one on Shangri-La’s #14, hitting a 19-degree hybrid from 133 yards.  Her ace was witnessed by Sherl Meek, Sherl Salyer and Ellen Helterbrand.

Louis Hunsucker made double history with his tee shot of 160 yards using an 8-iron on Shangri-La’s #2 hole on the Champions Nine.  Not only was it Hunsucker’s first hole-in-one, it was also the first time anyone has ever aced the #2 hole on the Champions Nine.

Louis Hunsucker not only scored his first hole-in-one, he also became the first person ever to ace the Champions Nine #2 hole at Shangri

City council members voted during their regular meeting Tuesday evening to approve a lakefront land purchase contract with Grandwood Assisted Living Facility LLC in the amount of $500,000 for a little over 21 acres; land to be used to build a fishing facility including ramps and docks. To pay for the land and the construction of the facility, the council also approved issuance of a $1 million bond for a four-year term.

City Manager Bruce Johnson advised the council that the $1 million bond will bring the city to capacity on its capital improvement fund, which is paid for with sales tax revenues; however, Johnson said that the indebtedness of $150,000 per month is less than the $250,000 per month that the city has just finished paying to help the Integris Corporation build a new hospital in town.

Grove citizen Bill Miller was on hand during the council meeting to express opposition to the project. “I don’t want to see a note on the back of our utility bill about this,” Miller told the council, referring to the city’s recent method of notifying utility customers that they are now paying fees for street lights. He told the council that he felt the money would be better spent on infrastructure, including road improvements. Miller also warned the council of the dangers of making a hurried decision.

Ward III Council Woman Ileta Bray took exception to Mr. Miller’s assertion that the council was making a “hurried decision”, explaining that the council members have individually discussed the matter with City Manager Johnson at length. “We’ve had our questions answered,” Bray said. The councilwoman continued to defend the project by stating that it has the potential for generating sales tax.

Grove council members proclaimed May 19-May 25 as National Safe Boating Week to encourage the use of life jackets and other personal flotation devices. Members of the Grand Lake Sail and Power Squadron were on hand Tuesday night to receive the proclamation from Mayor Marty Follis. Shown on the back row (L-R) are: Bill Miller, David Sloan, and Pegy Miller. Shown on the front row (L-R) are: Susie Holden, Janet Sloan, Kathy Hunt, Mayor Marty Follis and Squadron Commander Bob Hunt.

In that vein, Ward I councilman Ed Trumbull avowed, “This is an investment in our future,” stating that fishing is a huge participation sport and that a new fishing center will bring sportsmen to Grove and draw sales tax dollars.

However, it was Ward IV councilman Marty Dyer who addressed the lack of public access to the lake. “We exist because of the lake. We need more access—This is the way to address the longstanding agreement we all have over lack of public access.”

Local businessman Randy Wheeler attended the meeting, and stood to tell the council that he was there solely to defend the decision to move forward with the project. “Mr. Miller’s comments are unfounded,” said Wheeler, who went on to say that he believes the project cost will not be borne by utility customers but will be paid for with sales tax dollars generated by visitors to the lake drawn by the new facility.

At-Large councilman Berwin Kock weighed in before the vote, agreeing that Mr. Miller is correct that the city needs to spend money on infrastructure improvements, mainly roads; however, Kock said that spending $1 million on the project would cause a “near-term trade off” between infrastructure improvement and growth of tax revenues. “This is a small investment compared to the return,” said Kock, who went on to explain that increased sales tax revenues expected to be generated by the investment are essential to infrastructure improvements.