THE MISSION OF CHRISTMAS LAKE VILLAGE IS TO GROW A UNIQUE, GATED LIVING EXPERIENCE, HIGHLIGHTING OUR BEAUTIFUL NATURAL SURROUNDINGS IN A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE.
WITHIN OUR GATES LIE 26 MILES OF PRIVATE ROADS, 3 LAKES, A BEACH, A RECREATION CENTER, FISHING, BOATING, 2100 LOTS, 850 HOMES, AND PARK
Spencer County has enacted a BURN BAN effective September 7, 2010. Call the office for more information.
BOARD MEETING
The Christmas Lake Village Board of Directors will meet in regular session on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 6:00 at the CLV Rec Center. All Members are encouraged to attend.
RESIDENTIAL TRASH
Click here for the new CLV trash pick up and container rules.
DRIVERS
Watch your speed and stay alert for pedestrians
WALKERS & JOGGERS Please wear reflective clothing when walking or running at night
Questions? Comments?
Please write care of:
Christmas Lake Properties
PO Box 352
193 South L.J. Koch Blvd.
Santa Claus, IN 47579
ATTN: Newsletter Editor
Commissioner’s Sale news – March 2009
Christmas Lake Village Property Owner’s Association recently purchased 34 lots at the Spencer County Commissioner’s Sale bringing the total number of lots owned by CLV to thirty-eight. The lots were purchased all at the same price based on a bid process.
“Our first desire is to sale these lots through the association,” said Property Owner’s Board President Don Vogel. “We are going to have each one surveyed and then drive large stakes in the four corners of each lot to visibly mark them.”
The lots were purchased at $1 apiece and they are spread throughout CLV. A locater map is available at the gatehouse for anyone interested in purchasing
these lots.
“If CLV sells these lots, the whole village wins because they will start receiving an assessment,” commented Property Manager Mark Kroeger. Currently each lot accrues a vacant sewer fee of $6 each month and an annual property tax amount which is nominal Kroeger commented.
“Some of these lots might be adjacent to a property owner who would want to expand their yard space,” said Vogel. “Or someone might want one for a building lot.”
The lots will be available for sale after the surveys have been completed. The village will base the price for the lots on the surveyed amount and covering any costs such as survey and vacant sewer fees. For more information inquire at the gatehouse.
Changes in the Gatehouse – March 2009
In an effort to save Christmas Lake Village Property Owner’s money, the board has made some changes with the office and gate staff in the gatehouse.
Gail Chappell, who previously worked four days a week in the office has shifted to covering the 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. gate position Monday through Thursday and then working Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Meanwhile Office Manager Sue Kleeman will add an hour to each day Monday through Thursday and take Friday off.
“We have moved one full-time person out of office to fill vacancy on front gate,” CLV Property Owner’s Association Board President Don Vogel said. “The office will be covered five days a week and we have reduced staffing by one full-time person.”
The changes have been made in response to the illness of gate guard Debbie Burkeen. Debbie has had to take a leave of absence during her illness. Please send get well thoughts her way.
New Chipper Policies Discussed – March 2009
Within the last year this area has seen its share of bad weather; high winds thanks to Hurricane Ike and extreme damage due to the recent ice and snow storm. The clean-up involved with these unusual storms has pinched an already slim budget.
“We’ve realized with the last two storms that we don’t have money in the budget to go and clean individual lots,” stated Board President Don Vogel. “A plan is being put into place to charge property owner’s for cleaning up in these extraordinary circumstances that create a tremendous amount of debris.”
The fall and spring chipper program will still be provided to property owners under the annual assessment. However when there are massive amounts of debris to remove and cleanup due to damaging storms, property owners will be charged a fee for removal of debris.
According to Property Manager Mark Kroeger, the debris cleanup “requires a lot of manpower and time.” This takes away from the regular duties of the maintenance staff.
After Hurricane Ike, CLV hired a service to help clean-up the debris left behind in addition to the CLV staff in order to complete it quickly and safely.
Eliminating Liens – March 2009
The Property Owner’s Association will no longer be seeking liens on delinquent assessments but rather seek more aggressive forms of collection.
“We are seeking new ways to collect delinquent amounts,” said Property Manager Mark Kroeger. “There is a chance we will publish lists of people who are delinquent. We might seek court action and small claims court.”
“We are going to become more aggressive in collecting delinquent lots,” CLV Property Owner’s Board President Don Vogel stated. “Publishing lists, court action, and garnishing income are all avenues we will follow.”
Two-Payment Program – March 2009
The CLV Board approved at the February 12 meeting a new two pay program to go in effect for 2010. This program will offer CLV residents the opportunity to pay their assessment in two payments rather than the current method on one lump sum due on January 1.
An additional handling charge will be charged with each payment if utilizing the two payment program. The Business Planning Committee of the Property Owner’s Board suggested this two payment plan in order to increase the amount of assessment taken in a timely manner for CLV and to ease the burden on CLV members.
Festival of Lights – March 2009
Christmas Lake Village Property Owner’s Association is looking to breathe new life into the Festival of Lights. The Festival, which will celebrate its 25th year this Christmas, has dimmed in recent years.
“We are going to put it on the agenda for the next two months and see if anyone says anything about it,” Property Manager Mark Kroeger said. “We would like someone to come forward and take the lead.”
“We need to hear from CLV people to hear what they want to do about Festival of Lights,” said Kroeger. Specifically if people want to continue, improve, or make changes.
“A board of nine people can’t do all of this,” Property Owner’s Association President Don Vogel said.
The board is hoping someone or a group of people who want to see the Festival continue and thrive will come forward to work toward this goal. Ideally, if there were at least one representative from each neighborhood to organize and energize them it would bring some excitement back to the festival Vogel commented.
A few changes have already been planned for the 2009 Festival of Lights such as limiting it to Saturday night only to help cut down on costs. The board pays for cookies, coffee, and hot chocolate at the Recreation Center and pays traffic control utilizing both civilians and Santa Claus police.
“We really need some people with some civic interest in preserving what we have done over the last several years” and taking it to the next level Vogel said.
This past year 2162 cars drove through the village compared to 1825 in 2007. In recent years 2004 and 2001 both saw the most cars at 2400 while 2005 was the lowest at 1700.
For the first time canned/dry foods were collected at the Recreation Center bringing in fourteen bags of groceries and $23 cash.
CLV Garden Club – March 2009
Christmas Lake Village Garden club will celebrate the changing of the guard at their March meeting at Santa’s Lodge. Sue Fuhrman will be stepping down as president and Karen Hayes will take over the position.
In April the Garden Club will have their Spring Fling Luncheon. The owner of The Window Box in Huntingburg will demonstrate how to arrange spring flowers.
The club will then travel to West Baden in May to tour the gardens.
The club is open to new members and welcomes anyone to their monthly meetings. If interested please contact Karen Hayes at 544-2960.
The Optimist Club of Santa Claus - March 2009
The Optimist Club of Santa Claus is offering a subscription to celebrate five (5) national holidays with our streets lined with American Flags for $30 per year. The Optimist Club of Santa Claus will place a 3 foot by 5 foot American Flag on a 10 foot pole in front of your home on these five national holidays: Memorial Day, Flag Day, July 4th, Labor Day and Veteran’s Day. This program is currently restricted to Christmas Lake Village. Over 300 residents participated in 2008.
Club volunteers will deliver the flags before the holiday and retrieve them after the holiday. You do not have to be present. A receptacle will be installed approximately 5 feet from the street in front of your home. The Optimist Club is responsible for replacement of any flag soiled, damaged or stolen.
Proceeds of the Avenue of Flags are used by your Santa Claus Optimist Club to support our local youth activities such as our Tri-Star Sports projects, the Oratorical contest, the Essay contest, Banana Splits, High School Honors banquet and many, many more. Consider subscribing in honor of a soldier or in memory of a veteran or loved one.
Please join your neighbors in this colorful and patriotic program. Just complete and mail the subscription form below and your check for $30, payable to Optimist Club of Santa Claus. Mail the form and check to Optimist Club of Santa Claus, P.O. Box 33, Santa Claus, IN 47579. For more information, call Bill Cherolis at 544-2722, Lee Ringeman at 544-3117 or any Optimist member you know. Email contact santaclaus@optimistindiana.org
Subscribing in honor/memory of __________________________________
Do you have lawn sprinklers? Yes __________ No ________
Do you have an Invisible Fence for pets? Yes __________ No ________
Thank you!
Optimist Club of Santa Claus
Message from Property Owner’s Board Director Jeff Stillman
As a director for the past two years now I appreciate hearing from our members with their ideas, comments, and questions. One of the main questions the Board receives is “what is the Board doing about delinquent annual lot fees?” We try to collect via reminders and letters to our members. Failing that, it is turned over to a collection agency. Another avenue used is putting a lien on the property with the delinquent fee. These are all standard practice for businesses; however, a change in the State law in regards to liens makes that avenue not as practical as in the past. We recognize that changes in the process of collections are necessary and we are making those changes.
The first thing we looked at is how to help our members from becoming delinquent. Thus, we have instituted a payment plan. Beginning next year each member will have the option of either paying their entire assessment on January 1st or paying half on January 1st and the other half on July 1st. There will be a small fee of $5.00 per payment to offset the additional administrative costs, similar to how the insurance companies do. For this year, if you are having a problem paying your annual fees, please contact the office and we will work with you to get you current.
The next thing we changed is the process of collections. We will now send out a letter to each member explaining how each member who has delinquent fees has 30 days to become current before it is turned over to our lawyer for court action. The court has other avenues for collection, such as garnishment of wages, which we do not currently have. This allows CLV to collect the delinquent fees along with costs and saves spending the amount the collection agency charges. In some cases we will still use the collection agency, typically for out of State members.
Two things that affect our collection efforts are bankruptcy and county owned lots. Many of the delinquent members are also delinquent on their taxes and sewer fees. If a member declares bankruptcy the CLV fees are dismissed by the court. If the county takes ownership of the lot for back taxes they do not pay the annual fee.
The Board is continuously looking at ways to save money. To that affect, we have reduced the CLV staff by one full time person and have taken measures to minimize overtime. We welcome any suggestions that you have on how to save or be more efficient.
The Board is made up of members just like you. Each June the term of three directors expire. It is not too early to start thinking about running for director. You have ideas about how to improve CLV and being a director gives you a chance to take an active role in implementing those ideas. We will remind everyone of the openings in April, but if you desire to run, please contact the office.
Holiday World Improvements – March 2009
When Holiday World builds a new ride, they don’t settle for a small thrill; they think big. Pilgrims Plunge, which will be the world’s tallest water ride boasting a 131 foot drop, will be ready for the park’s May 2 open.
“We’ve dreamed about adding a shoot-the-chute ride for years,” said Will Koch, Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari president. “When we saw the opportunity to break the world’s record and to use an open-air elevator in the design, we couldn’t resist!”
Public Relations Manager Paula Werne said Pilgrims Plunge will be much like a log plume ride but on a larger scale. Rather than a small narrow boat that travels up a hill, the Pilgrims Plunge will have large wider boats that will seat ten people and travel straight up in an open-air elevator.
When asked if people will get wet on the ride, Werne’s immediate response was “Soaked! I don’t think anyone will get off this ride without being completely soaked.” Because of this Pilgrims Plunge will be open for guests from both parks to ride.
Holiday World is also adding the HoliWatch program for the 2009 season. This will be a wristband-style radio frequency identification service that will be offered free to park guests. These water-proof devices will serve as locators for families or groups who become separated during their visit.
“When parents can’t find their small child, even for a few minutes, it’s enough to ruin their day,” says Koch. “The HoliWatch system will provide them with the most recent location of each member of their party.” The HoliWatch program will also include a messaging system as well as park information at the ten HoliWatch Info Centers location throughout the parks.
The 2009 improvements and additions will mark the second largest expansion in the park’s 63 year history. Pilgrims Plunge is more than half of the $8.4 million being invested in the parks for 2009. Other additions include more shade structures in Splashin’ Safari plus improvements to the Legend Parking Lot, including an access road and traffic signal at the junction of State Roads 162 and 245.
BACK GATE CARD – March 2009
Please remember to renew your back gate cards prior to April 1st if you have not already done so. The 2009 renewal is $12.00. Cards that have not been renewed on time will be deactivated. Late renewals will be charged $20.00 for each card.
Christmas Lake Golf Course news – March 2009
Christmas Lake Golf Course kicks off their 2009 season with a new tournament on March 21: the Back 9 Backward Classic.
“Basically you play the back nine backwards,” said Club Pro Tom Nelson. “You tee off on 18 and then go back to 17 and so on.” Nelson has played in a tournament like this before and said it was real fun and not as confusing as one might think.
The annual two person scramble/alternate shot will take place April 18 & 19. The entry fee is $200.00 per team and includes all golf fees for both tournament rounds, a practice round (cart fee only), a tournament gift, Saturday lunch, all prizes, unlimited range balls and a coupon for a return trip to Christmas Lake Golf Course (cart fee only) in 2009.
In May stop into the pro shop and request your free 10-minute lesson. May is a busy month for tournaments including the Lincolnland Economic Development Scramble on May 1, the Relay for Life Scramble on May 9, the Boys PAC Conference Tournament on May 16 and the McGladrey Cup Local Qualifier on May 30.
The Junior Golf Camp will take place June 2 through 5. The camp is for children ages 6 through 14.
For more information regarding tee times or outings, contact the Golf Shop at 544-2255 (extension 2) or check out the website at www.christmaslake.com.
Ladies Tennis – March 2009
The Ladies Tennis league of Christmas Lake Village would like to begin organizing for their 2009 play. The league is looking for both weekly players and players who would like to substitute on occasion. Please contact Mary Sue Johnson at 544-2554 for more information. The league will play on Wednesday evenings.
We need your e-mail address
Christmas Lake Village is going to step into the world of E-NEWS!
We are going to publish our Newsletters on-line to our mailinglist. If you have not previously sent it to us, please do so now so that we can get the news to you. You can call the gatehouse or you can contact us online with your email if you are an Association member, and have not previously sent.
Don’t hesitate to contact us should you have any questions.
A lot of people look forward to driving through the Festival of Lights.
— Mark Kroeger
CHRISTMAS LAKE VILLAGE • Phone: 812-544-2234 • Fax: 812-544-2038 • Email: clvillage@psci.net
Christmas Lake Properties • PO Box 352 • 193 South L. J. Koch Boulevard • Santa Claus, IN 47579
New Chipper Policies Discussed – March 2009
Festival of Lights – March 2009
Holiday World Improvements – March 2009
