I want to thank all of the Members who have taken the time to comment on my column. It means a lot to know I’m striking a cord with you and even more that I’m causing some of you to think about our Montclair community.  Thank you!

Considering Lake Montclair as the heart of our community, it then follows that the Montclair Events should be viewed as its soul.

James V Cech (Dec 2007)

Happy New Year, 2008.  Seems like it was just yesterday that we worried about computers crashing on 1/1/2000.  Tina and I as baby boomers celebrating our 28^th anniversary find we are more worried about the housing market crashing just before we retire.  Fortunately, judging by the disclosure packets issued and submissions of property improvement requests (PIR's), the desirability of our Montclair community remains constant.  We must keep Montclair competitive in the market place.

Ho! Ho! Ho!  Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukah and a Joyous Kwanza!  Santa is really looking forward to his annual ride through Montclair on Saturday, December 15.  PLEASE tell all of the children to be very careful, especially near the sides of the road when the fire truck comes by.  I PROMISE I will have plenty of candy for all of the good girls and boys.  If you should miss us coming by your street just look within the Montclarion and you will see all the way points along my route.  Afterwards, I hope your whole family will come down to Dolphin Beach in the early evening for some snacks, our Holiday Caroling and bonfire.

Summer is over and the cooler fall weather has finally come.  My prayers for a warm dry weekend for Liz and Guy's wedding were answered.  Now we are all ready for the much needed relief to our lawns and air-conditioning systems.  The staff is busy prepping for the winter, and the snowplowing plan for the sub-associations has been revised to reflect a rotating order of priority and sent out to their Boards for signature. 

I hope many of you have taken the opportunity to go down to the lake and see the progress Lake Services has been making on the dredging project.  You should also take note of the work now in progress along the 18^th hole.  I'm very pleased to report to the Membership that the new owners of the Montclair Golf, Tennis and Swim Club appear very interested in working with the MPOA to our mutual benefit.  The retaining wall at the 18^th tee is our first of hopefully many joint efforts to address common area concerns that affect all of us.

You can choose to sit still and feel frustrated, because you are stuck, Or, you can get out and push!

James V. Cech (Oct 2007)

As I begin this letter, my thoughts are filled of my upcoming walk down the aisle with Elizabeth. On that day, Tina and I will witness our little girl joining with Guy on their new adventure together.  I find myself reflecting upon the Montclair influences that have helped shape the caring and community minded young teacher that Liz has become.  I know people often snicker at my unabated enthusiasm for our Montclair community but I do not mind.  I look at Liz and think back over twenty years of Montclair events that filled her full of wonder. We are deeply grateful for all of the volunteers and caring neighbors who through their example touched her heart, imparted to her a sense of community, and taught her to think outside her own selfish interests.  So go ahead and snicker if you must, for I will remain steadfast and thankful we were led to settle here.

Is it really time for Oktoberfest? Where did the summer go? Tina and I find ourselves wondering what happened to that whole year we had to get ready for the wedding. We hope your family took advantage of the Montclair recreation facilities and the fun summer events. New in 2007, Friday Night Movies at the beach was a great success. Nearly 50 children and their parents enjoyed popcorn and the walk-in movie. I'm sure the Events Committee is planning more movies for summer 2008 so be sure to vote for your favorite family movie. Our Events Director Maryanne Toal, supported by the hardworking Maintenance Dept. took the Montclair Teen Beach Party to a new level. The Joust and a giant Slip & Slide provided ample opportunity for the teens to get wet and let off steam while being entertained by local bands and an excellent DJ, John Caniford. A special thanks goes to the Montclair Lions who again responded to a last minute call to serve pizza and drinks when the planned provider backed out. I was very disappointed that of the three hundred teens who benefited from this event, only a couple parents responded to the call for chaperones.

Last month I drew your attention to the planned Town Meeting to discuss the upcoming Lake Montclair dredging project. I'm very pleased to report that a great turn out, including Delegate Jeff Fredrick, took advantage of this opportunity to hear an informative and detailed presentation by Chair Ned Greene and the Lake Management Committee (LMC). The total briefing can be found on ArmstrongConnect. At the August Board meeting, the Board approved the proposed lake dredging project and even expanded the effort to include more of the head of the lake adjacent to the Southlake Cove and Waters Edge shoreline. This contract, worth nearly $900,000, is a significant investment in our lake, which in turn benefits the entire downstream watershed of the Chesapeake that Lake Montclair protects. To help stretch out the need for future dredging I am asking the Membership to write and encourage our PWC supervisors to fund and build the proposed fore-bay upstream of Lake Montclair.