Drinking Water Quality Concerns Being Dealt With
The Lake Panorama water supply has been plagued by instances of poor water quality due to discoloration by mineral compounds. Since the Association's oldest well, the 2200-foot deep Jordan aquifer, is no longer in service, all water is now from the 2 Dakota aquifer wells which have much higher levels of iron and manganese in the water. A new removal process was installed at the end of 2007 to help remove the compounds. With the additional amount of material being taken out of the water, the water filtration system at the water plant was shown to need some new filter material to take out the smallest particles which discolor the water. Engineering services have been completed and permits from the Iowa DNR have been applied for to replace the existing filter material with material that will more effectively remove the higher amounts of mineral particles. This process will take several weeks as the system cannot be turned off to complete the job and only one filter can be renovated at a time. When the new medium is operational, water mains will be flushed to help alleviate the problem. The combination should take care of this situation.
       
       It is recommended that people having problems install an inexpensive filter cartridge in their home systems. Those who have them are not having these issues and this will protect laundry and water color for any future issues.
       

Old Starter Shack Burned
The Old Starter Shack (once the Pro Shop) at the number #1 and #10 tee at the LPN was burned on Saturday, March 1, as a training exercise by the Panora Volunteer Fire Department. The site will be cleared and filled in order for the new "Spikes" building to be built on the site. "Spikes" is being financed by the generosity of members, area businesses, and contractors.

Update for Rules and Regulations
The LPA Board has passed the first reading of an updated Rules and Regulations for the development. Most proposed changes are to clarify existing rules and regs, but there are some proposed additions that will help with such issues as signs, parking of vehicles, businesses, and more. It is expected that there will be some modifications of the proposal before it is officially adopted. LPA procedures require a rule change to have three readings before being put into effect.

Two Board Positions to be Voted On
Nomination petitions for the two board positions that come open this year are due by March 11. The terms of Courtney Allen and Ron Morden expire. Both are eligible to run again. For information, contact the LPA office.

Two Rules to Be Presented to Voters for Annual Meeting
The membership will be asked to vote on two controversial rules for acceptance into the LPA rules and regulations. Although the Board could just adopt the rules, counsel has advised that it would be much more legally enforceable to have the membership vote on them. One rule is a proposal about vicious dogs and the criteria for their removal from the development. The other proposal is a measure concerning prohibiting sexual offenders from living at the Lake. Details will be coming in the April newsletter and Annual meeting Mailing

Winter is brutal for Lake Roads--Annual Embargo Likely
The long winter has been brutal on lake roads. The spring thaw promises to be long and provide potential damage to the seal coat streets. The LPA will declare a 5-Ton limit embargo on non-asphalt streets when conditions warrant. The embargo, though inconvenient for a period of time, helps protect streets from damage caused by the thaw conditions and saturated road beds. The saturation causes extreme weakness in the road surface and seal coat is often severely damaged. Rock roads also suffer with deep rutting requiring a great deal of expensive repair rock. Watch for the embargo and plan ahead for deliveries and other activities that will be effected.

Construction Building Inspection Now Required for 2008
Building inspections are now mandatory in 2008 through action taken at the LPA Board Meetings in July and August. The rule requires owners to have certified inspectors to make periodic inspections during construction and report the results to the LPA and the owner. The inspections are required on homes, additions of any kind, and detached garages within 6 feet of a home.
        The Planning and Building Codes Committee recommended the requirement that only those certified by the International Codes Council, architects and construction engineers with experience, and building codes administration people with ten years experience be allowed to do the inspections. The LPA Board concurred. The owner will make the contacts and pay for the service. The LPA will require verification of the experience and credentials of the inspectors as well as the presence of insurance coverage.
       

Note new rules about Landscaping and improvements by the Streets

       The Board has passed a rule that member improvements of the road ditch or right-of-way that exists between the front lot pins and the road surface is at their own risk. Damage resulting from normal maintenance of roads and ditches, including seal coating, grading, snow removal and ditch cleaning by the Association is the responsibility of the owner, except in the case of mailboxes installed according to United States Postal Service Regulations. Damage to mailboxes not installed according to those regulations is the responsibility of the owner. The LPA must maintain over 70 miles of ditches to allow good road surfacing, clear winter roads, and proper drainage of surface and subsurface water from the roadbed.
       
       

Take Advantage of the Fitness Area at the LPN

       The fitness area in the lower portion of the Conference Center is open and available to members. Several first-class exercise machines, including treadmills, elliptical bikes, and a weight machine are available for fitness buffs and those just needing to get some exercise. The cost is reasonable...Please contact the Lake Panorama National Resort at 755-2080 or 1 800 879 1917.
       

Annual Meeting Set for May 10 at LPN
The 40th annual meeting of the LPA will be held on May 10th at the LPN Conference Center at 10 a.m.