Applicants may apply for a Three-year term or a One-year term

Nominations for 2009 Board of Directors' election are now open. The deadline for applications is October 1, 2008.

ACL is wonderfully diverse and equal representation goes a long way in protecting that diversity. Won't you consider becoming the ultimate ACL volunteer? Your Association needs you.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU?
Why should you consider running for a seat on the ACL Board of Directors? There is no pay, no perks, and no plaudits! There is work involved. Prior to every monthly meeting every Board member gets a packet of material relevant to the decisions that have to be made. But therein lies the reward. You will have an opportunity to help make the decisions that will preserve all that Apple Canyon Lake has come to be, and set the priorities that will keep it moving in the right direction within the limits of financial soundness. And you will be able to look back with pride at what you and your fellow Board members accomplished.

REAPING THE BENEFITS
In the long-run there are financial rewards too. The future well-being of ACL and how it is perceived by outsiders compared with other recreational communities will be reflected in the value of its properties and its reputation as a good investment. Surely most of those who have served on the Board over the past thirty years have had two kinds of motivation. First, a genuine desire to do their share in helping to run a beautiful community; second, to make sure they have a voice in decisions that affect both the quality of their lives at Apple Canyon Lake and the value of their property as an investment.

HOW NOMINEES ARE SELECTED
The Nominating Committee, made up of property owners representing all subdivisions, is responsible for soliciting and interviewing candidates. The By-Laws specify that the Committee shall make at least two more nominations than the number of openings to be filled.

The Board is composed of nine members. Each year three terms expire and three directors are elected to the Board for a term of three years. This system, specified in the By-Laws, encourages participation of new members while providing substantial continuity in the conduct of Association affairs.

If a vacancy occurs because a Board member resigns before his three-year term is over, the Board appoints someone, selected from three names submitted by the Nominating Committee, to fill the vacancy until the next election. In April 2009, three Board members will be elected for the regular three-year term and two Board members will be elected for a one year term.

While no specific qualifications are required, applicants should consider whether their circumstances will allow them to attend the monthly meetings (on the third Saturday of every month at 7:30 a.m.) and to devote the time necessary to prepare for the decisions that have to be made. The most important element is a willingness to work with others to promote and protect the interests of the Association as a whole.

If you feel you could serve the Association in this capacity, click on the link below, fill out the brief form and mail it to ACL office by October 1.

Your brief bio and your answers to both the written questions and to those covered in the interview will be published in the Apple Core. Also, a "Meet the Candidates" reception will be scheduled before the April election. The election will be held April 11, 2009 at the Apple Canyon Lake Property Owners Association's Annual Meeting. Ballots will be mailed to the membership at least 20 days earlier.

Questions may be directed to the Nominating Committee at 815-492-2002.

APPLICATION FOR BOARD CANDIDACY

Ebola for fish?
By Tracy Finnegan and Erin Winter
ACL Conservation Committee

What is this? No, it is not exactly  the same Ebola your hear about infecting people, but yes, VHS or Viral hemorrhagic septicemia is an aquatic fish disease that has been sweeping through the Great Lakes for the past three years and has now found its way into the waters in Illinois. Fish that carry this virus eventually bleed to death. Dead rotting fish can spread the disease as well as cause other harmful issues.  VHS has recently has become an emerging disease of freshwater fish in the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada.  Since 2005, the list of species known to be affected by VHS has risen to more than 40, including a number of ecologically and recreationally important fish.  In the Great Lakes, VHS has been found in smallmouth bass, yellow perch, crappie, muskellunge, northern pike, bluegill, walleye, round gobies, sheepshead, and some sucker species. Scientists are concerned; however, that VHS could also strike native salmonids such as trout, salmon and whitefish in the wild, and salmonids in hatcheries and net pen operations.

How does VHS spread?

It is unclear exactly how the disease is spread but it appears that the virus can be shed by infected fish into the water through metabolic waste materials, particularly by fish that survive the disease and become carriers. It also appears that carrier fish or offspring of carriers become more resistant to the disease. The virus can infect fish of all ages. It may enter a host fish through the gills or food or contact with some contaminated object. Stressed fish appear more vulnerable to this viral infection. Typical fish stressors may include sudden water temperature changes, low Dissolved Oxygen (DO), algae blooms and, spawning activity. The timing of the recent fish die-off in the Great Lakes coincided with the spawning by some of the fish species, such as muskellunge.

Is it a health risk to people?

There is no apparent health risk yet for people contracting VHS. Because it takes a long time to identify the causes of fish kills in lab studies, people should be cautioned against handling or eating any fish that does not act or appear to be healthy because of the risk of contracting avian botulism, a bacterial disease that does pose a human health threat.

How do we keep it out of Apple Canyon Lake?

Illinois Department of Natural Resources has imposed new rules that require fisherman to clean out their boats when moving between bodies of water and to empty all bait buckets, live wells and bilges. Also, wild bait fish must be used only in the water where it is caught.

We need to make sure that all boats entering Apple Canyon Lake have been dry for 5 days or cleaned thoroughly so we do not allow this virus to spoil our lake.  We cannot allow this virus to get into our lake!! It can impact not only the fish, but as these fish die off, they release nutrients that can cause algae blooms or bacteria growth, that can cause odors, suck out the oxygen and cause more decay, as well as other possible toxic conditions to the lake, such as swimmers itch.

This is just one “critical” invasive species that can come in on your boats. There are many other reasons also why we must have guidelines to cleaning out boats that have been in other bodies of water prior to entering our lake. Many types of invasive species can hitch a ride on your boat or trailer if you enter other bodies of waters.

People have to shower before entering a pool, some people make you take off their shoes before entering their house, so please clean your boats prior to entering our lake and help keep our lake healthy.

The Galena Territories have banned the use of minnows from outside the lake and sell certified bait from Dodgeville, Wisconsin.  The bait is certified to be free of the virus.  They also have a gate at their launch so boats can be inspected to make sure live wells and bait wells are dry before launching.

What can WE do?

• Buy bait from only certified dealers.
• Never bring in fish or fish eggs from other waters.
• Clean your boat and trailer of aquatic plants, animals, and mud thoroughly.
• Drain the water from your boat, motor, bilges, live wells, and bait containers.
• Never dump a bait bucket in the lake.
• If on another body of water let your boat and trailer dry completely for 5 days before launching at ACL.
• If you see large numbers of dead fish or find any with blood spots, report it to the DNR or conservation officer.

What should I do if I see a fish kill?

If you observe a fish kill please contact t your local DNR office. If you see fish with any of the outward signs of VHS as described above please mention this as well. This will help biologists keep track of where the disease may be appearing. You can also contact the ACL office or the conservation committee.

Greetings friends!

Thanks to those of you who have been patient with us as we get accustomed to operating a seasonal business in a remote location. It's been a little different for us, and we're getting used to doing business in a much smaller community with a more laid back lifestyle than what we are used to in the suburbs.

We are happy to announce our new kitchen staff - Kevin Scharpf and his assistant David Hannaman. Both Kevin and David are excited about this new relationship and so are we.

We are looking forward to a new menu and new specials coming soon. We hope that you continue to be patient as we get accustomed to what our patrons desire. Since the response to the Sunday brunch was limited, we are now opening at 11 a.m. Sundays with our regular menu. We also will be serving brats, burgers, and hot dogs from the beautiful lakeside patio every Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

We will continue to try new things and continue to keep looking for new employees. As you all know we will be losing a majority of our staff come August 10 when the school year begins. We would like to thank our seasonal staff and wish them well in the upcoming school year. So, as we have to understand, we hope you will also. We, of course, are enthusiastically looking for help in all aspects of the restaurant business: prep, short order cooks, dish washers, wait staff, and hostesses are needed. Please stop in and let us know if you're interested in helping out!

We have some exciting upcoming events and we hope you make plans to join us. We have Karaoke by Jackie Lee  returning on Saturday evening, August 30 during Labor Day weekend, and a pig roast and DJ planned for September 20! We hope to see everyone here!

Until then,

Eddie and Lisa

Civil Constructors Paving Division has been awarded the ACL parking lot paving contract and  will begin paving the marina, golf course, and Nixon Beach parking lots in August. Attempts will be made to do the work during the week to avoid inconveniencing the majority of property owners.  Please watch for postings as we become aware of the exact schedule. We will also update this announcement.

When the Marina is being paved all boaters must launch from Nixon Beach, and vice versa.

Anyone wanting their driveways paved during this time should contact Civil for information at 815-235-2200.

Thank you in advance for your patience and consideration during these much needed improvements.

 

County Tax Assessor addresses ACL property tax concerns at BOD meeting
By Cynthia Carton
Apple Core

(Click here for the complete questions and answers.)

Members of the Jo Daviess County Tax Assessor's office were guests of the ACLPOA Board of Directors at their May 17 monthly meeting at the Clubhouse. Donna Berlage, Chief County Assessment Officer; Edna Penticoff, JDC Board of Review Chair; William Reddy, JDC Board of Review; Larry Wiedenheft, JDC Board of Review; Marvin Schultz, County Board Chair; and Dan Reimer, County Administrator came to explain the Property Tax Cycle and Equalization Process, and the County's decision to place a 1.1256 multiplier on property values in Apple River and Thompson Townships.

ACL members received the opportunity to submit questions which were answered one by one by until the allotted time had expired. Chief County Assessment Officer Donna Berlage took the remaining unanswered questions with her, answered them, and returned them to the ACLPOA.

Berlage told the crowd that the decision to place the multiplier on Apple River and Thompson Townships was made following the Illinois Department of Revenue's determination that these townships were under the State-required assessment of 33.33 percent of market value. The failure of the County Board of Review to apply this multiplier would result in a county-wide upward adjustment of 2.5 percent that would remain permanently in place on all real estate taxes imposed by law by the Department of Revenue.

She explained that the determination was made with the knowledge that the increased adjustment factor would inevitably be applied to Apple River and Thompson Townships next tax assessment season regardless of the county wide increase of 2.5 percent for the 2007 tax year. While the Board of Review is sympathetic to the affected taxpayers, there are no other options available under Illinois Revenue Statutes.

According to information released by the Assessor's office, a similar situation occurred in West Galena Township in 1991 and 1992 when real estate taxes rose 28 percent each of these years to adjust for rising market sales.

The release also states that the consequences of the action of applying the multiplier would result in property values being balanced and equally assessed by townships throughout the County.

A complete document explaining the Property Tax Cycle and Equalization Process was provided to everyone in the audience by the Assessor's Office. The pamphlet contains a glossary of terms, assessment sales ratio studies and summary, 2006 assessed values by township, and a number of graphs including a comparison of vacant ACL lots with and without transferable boat docks.

CLICK ON THE LINKS BELOW TO READ PAGES FROM THE ASSESSOR'S HANDOUT

Jo Daviess County Property Tax Cycle

Jo Daviess Property Tax Cycle Explanation

Glossary of Tax Terms

Sales Ratio

2006 Sales Ratio Summary of Apple River/Thompson TWP including ACL

Example of Vacant Lot Sales Used by Dept of Rev in Sales Ratio Study

2006 Assessed Values by Community

2006 Assessed Values by Township

Vendors wanted for Apple Canyon Lake’s 30th Annual Ice Cream Social & Craft Fair on  August 31, 2008, from 10 am - 4 pm. 

This event has grown tremendously over the past few years. Dan Metzger will return again to host the Community Drum Circle from 1-3, and Jarret DuBois and friends from JETS Observatory will once again host Solar Obervation from 11 am - 2 pm.

Don't miss the 30th year of this wonderful Apple Canyon Lake tradition. Event goes on rain or shine. Indoor booths fare full but there are plenty of spaces available outdoors. With more vendors than ever last year, you will want to be sure to get your application in right away!

Pick up your vendor application at the ACL office,  download your application by clicking on the link below, or call 815-492-2769.

DOWNLOAD CRAFTER APPLICATION

Property Owners are invited to submit a Letter to the Editor of the Apple Core. See policy for word limits and restrictions.
Email your letters to Cynthia Carton, Apple Core Managing Editor, at applecore@applecanyonlake.org

 

Property Owners may rent the clubhouse for their special occasion.  Call the Communication Director  at (815)492-2769 or email applecore@applecanyonlake.org  to make your next get-together a beautiful one.

FEES

Purpose	Number in Party	Fri-Sat	Sun-Thurs
Private Receptions/Parties	1 - 75	$125	$ 75
	76 -150	$275	$175
	151 - 250	$450	$325
Business Meeting (weekday only)	1 - 100              $ 75
	Over 100          $175
ACL Club usage Fee	$ 25

Download our  Clubhouse rental agreement for more details.
Click on the Floorplan to see if our clubhouse is right for your next occasion!

 

The ACL Conservation Committee has created a website to provide property owners with the latest information about their ongoing projects as well as other Conservation issues regarding our Number One asset.
Go to aclconservation.com for more information about conservation at ACL.

Solid Waste Recycling Center

 

OCTOBER 1 THRU MARCH 31
Monday 8 - 10 AM
Thursday 4 - 6 PM
Saturday 10 AM - 2 PM
Sunday 2 - 4 PM
Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays 

 

APRIL 1 THRU SEPTEMBER 30
Mon, Wed, Fri   7:30 - 9:30 AM
Tues & Thurs   5 - 7 PM

Saturday   10 AM - 2 PM
Sunday   10 AM - 7 PM

 

MEMORIAL DAY, JULY 4TH, LABOR DAY    10 AM - 7 PM

 

CLOSED THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS, & NEW YEAR'S DAY

---

 

Office Business Hours - Open Year 'round

Monday - Friday:  9 AM - 4:30 PM

 

---

 

Customer Service Window Hours

 

APRIL 1, 2008 THRU MAY 10, 2008
Monday - Saturday:  9 AM - 3 PM
Closed Sundays

 

MAY 11, 2008 THRU JULY 6, 2008

* WITH SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS
Monday - Saturday: 9 AM - 4 PM
Sundays: 9 AM - 1 PM

 

* SPECIAL HOLIDAY HOURS:
Memorial Weekend
Sat, May 24 & Sun, May 25:  9 AM - 4 PM
Monday, May 26:  9 AM - 12 PM
4th of July Weekend
Sunday, July 6: 9 AM - 4 PM

 

JULY 7, 2008 THRU AUGUST 31
Monday - Saturday:  9 AM - 4 PM
Closed Sundays

 

SEPTEMBER 1, 2008 THRU MARCH 31, 2009
Monday - Saturday: 9 AM - 1 PM
CLosed Sundays *
* EXCEPTION: OPEN LABOR DAY SUNDAY, AUGUST 31,  9 AM - 3 PM

 

---

Pool
Opens Saturday, May 24, weather permitting

 

---

 

Golf Course/Pro Shop

Opens April 4, 2008  weather permitting

 

---

Marina

Opens Friday, April 4

 

---

 

Campground

Opens Friday, April 4

 

---