Greetings LBV Family,

We hope you're doing well. We've put together some information that we think you'll find useful.

If you have any questions or need any help, feel free to reach out anytime.

Thank you!

Two Voting Options:

Absentee Ballots- to be used by the representative for each voting unit/lot that are unable to attend the Annual Meeting. This ballot will only allow you to vote for the candidates and not on any matters that may be voted upon at the Annual Meeting. All mail-in absentee ballots must be submitted and received by the Association Office no later than 12 hours prior to the start of the Annual Meeting (7 AM Monday November 8, 2021). If attending the meeting, the ballot can be brought in person to the Annual Meeting.

Proxies- are to be used only when you wish to allow someone else to vote in your place. At the Annual Meeting this designated person is allowed to vote for the candidates and also on all other matters that may be brought before the membership at this meeting. As required by the Lake Bella Vista by-laws, all proxies must be submitted to the Secretary 48 hours prior to the start of the Annual Meeting. The deadline for proxies to be submitted is 7 PM Saturday November 6, 2021. Absentee ballots supersede proxies for voting of Board candidates. Proxies may be picked up at the Office.

My name is Lorrie Haney and I’m honored to call Lake Bella Vista Home.  With my husband and two children, I have lived at 7114 Cuesta Way for 18 years.  

Thirteen years ago, I decided to run for a position on the LBVIA board of directors. My initial motivation was to learn about the lake I live on and how we care for it. Quickly I learned the lake I live on is one of many assets in the community and the responsibility the board has to protect, maintain and improve these assets is immense. As a new director, I relied heavily on the more experienced members of the board. Their historical knowledge of the community was invaluable. Fast-forward thirteen years and suddenly I’m the veteran. I serve on the parks committee, the personnel committee and I am the board secretary. I would like to continue my service.

The future of the Lake Bella Vista community is very important to me.  I enjoyed participating in the development of the Lake Bella Vista website and working on other projects such as the Arroyo Vista entrance sign park and the 4^th of July fireworks presentation. I also serve on the Cannon Township Planning Commission, which dovetails nicely with my efforts to improve our community. I would like to continue volunteering my time to serve the needs of Lake Bella Vista.  I ask for your vote and I enthusiastically look forward to serving another term on the LBVIA Board.

I have lived in the Lake Bella Vista community for 34 years and have been a member of the LBVIA Board of Directors for 27 years, most recently serving as Vice President. Over the years, my basic philosophy for serving has not changed. I believe that the Board of Directors’ function is to create an environment in Lake Bella Vista that expands the enjoyment of our life while still preserving and increasing our property values. This needs to be done in as economical a manner as possible within the limitations of our budget and assets.

The major assets of the Association, the lakes, green areas, and the water system, need to be protected, preserved, or enhanced so as to achieve the goals of the Association as well as the enjoyment and well-being of all the members.

It has become imperative that we work more closely with Cannon Township in order to preserve the quality of life in our Association as well as the Community at large. Please vote on the enclosed ballot.

I have spent the last six years on the LBV Board of Directors, and currently serve as Board President. I’ve also been employed as a Senior Project Geologist for SME, an environmental/construction engineering consulting firm in Grand Rapids, for the past 11 years. We specialize in water and land resources, environmental cleanups, and property redevelopment. I possess extensive knowledge and skills to understand and manage issues related to our lakes and community’s irrigation and drinking water wells. I have also  studied and understand our association by-laws and deed restrictions, financial status, asset replacement strategy, and overall association operations. An in-depth understanding of these elements is critical to managing a large lake/homeowners association such as LBVIA.

I have worked hard to help increase transparency in association business, improve the park/green space infrastructure, and foster community involvement. I feel strongly that it is  important for our association to maintain a strong asset replacement fund to ensure the long-term financial health of the association, and to make long-term plans for replacement of aging assets and community infrastructure (street signs, mailboxes, common area amenities, etc.) to keep our community safe and beautiful. We are fortunate to have very reasonable association dues, some of the lowest water rates in the area, and a good, clean source of drinking water. I will work hard to ensure this continues.

Some of the efforts in which I have been involved include administering the LBV residents  Facebook page, advocating for safer streets and lakes, revamping the e-mail listserv process, and helping organize the Winter Fest.

I look forward to serving our community for the next three-year term, and I would  appreciate your vote.

Lake

With all the existing members, new residents and young adults becoming of age to operate jet skis, ski boats and other watercraft, we like to promote and keep safety on LBV as the number one priority! The majority of residents operate safely and with respect to their neighbors, but unfortunately some do not.

We had Marine Deputy Don Hamilton at the most recent board meeting and he elaborated on the complaints his department received, responded to, or violations they noticed while on site. Loud music, disregard to the 100' rule and reckless PWC operation were among the top complaints reported to him. All lake safety complaints and concerns need to be reported directly to the sheriff.

Kent County non-emergency number: 616-632-6100 #1.

Kent County Marine Patrol: 616-632-6223.

Last year we launched the initiative to clean up and improve the database of members who have access to the boat launch. Currently we have 338 registered users who have gone through the process of registering their watercraft with the LBV Office to obtain access to the boat launch. Please register all watercraft you own and operate on LBV.

Community

We have nearly 3,500 residents within the LBV community and many of you are old enough to drive. Please obey the law and do not exceed the speed limit! With a limited number of sidewalks in the neighborhood, the streets are filled with inattentive young children at play in addition to bikers, joggers, pet walkers etc. Please drive safely and respect your neighbors!

Winter is coming and that means snow is around the corner as well. The association has roughly 190 fire hydrants within the water system. If you have a fire hydrant on your property, do your part and keep it clear of snow this winter. If you live near a hydrant that is not on your property, have a plan with your neighbors to keep it clear. The fire hydrant near your home is a direct benefit to you and your neighbors in a fire emergency situation!

See something, say something! If you ever suspect anything suspicious; a person, a vehicle, anything - please report it to the proper authority and let your neighbors know. A vigilant community is a safe community!

10/25 October Board of Directors Meeting, 7:00 PM LBV Office

10/25-10/29 Hydrant Flushing 8:00 AM-5:00 PM

10/31 Trick or Treating, 6:00-8:00 PM

10/31 LBV Water/ AD Dues Bills Due

11/2 Yard Waste Pickup

11/8 Annual Membership Meeting and Election

11/9 Yard Waste Pickup

11/16 Yard Waste Pickup

11/22 November Board of Directors Meeting

11/23 Final Yard Waste Pickup

11/25-11/26 Office Closed

Phase three - mailbox replacement

Mailboxes will be installed this fall.

Fire Hydrant painting

We aim to paint and refresh the look of 20% of our fire hydrants per year.

Tennis/Pickleball Court Improvements

We have heard the call from our growing number of pickleballers and have obtained quotes to resurface the courts to make them safer to play on as well as to redesign the layout to accommodate more games at a time. Details will follow when they are available.

Water Meter Replacement

The Association has recently initiated a water meter replacement program starting with the oldest meters in the system. If you happen to be identified as a candidate for a new water meter you will receive a letter in the mail from Nick Harris, The Association Water Operator requesting you contact him to schedule the appointment. There is zero cost to the resident and this is program only helps the integrity of our system.

Walking Path From the Lake to AGO

The Association acquired a 20' wide strip of land extending from the lake to the back of the AGO Gas Station. We plan to develop this into common area with a nice walking path to access the gas station, ice cream shop and other shops within their building. We also plan to have a dock or two for short term mooring for your convenience! More to come on this.

Water emergency-

LBVIA Office 616-874-6777

Answering Service 616-242-8626

Water shut off for repairs-

LBVIA Office 616-874-6777

Selling or sold your home-

LBVIA Office 616-874-6777

New resident-

LBVIA Office 616-874-6777

Street light out or damaged-

Consumers Energy 800-477-5050

Association park or property damage-

LBVIA Office 616-874-6777

Street sign or mail box repair-

LBVIA Office 616-874-6777

Pot holes in the roads-

Kent County Road Commission

616-242-6900

Barking or unleashed dogs-

Kent County Animal Control 616-632-7300

Speeding traffic/unlawful boat operation-

Kent County Sheriffs Department

616-632-6100or 911

LBVIA Office

6411 Bella Vista Dr.

Rockford, MI 49341

616-874-6777

lbvia@sbcglobal.net

Office Hours

Mon-Fri 9:00am-Noon and 1:00pm-4:00pm

LBVIA Board of Directors

The association board of directors meets at 7:00 pm on the fourth Monday of each month. Meetings often cover an array of topics anywhere from regular business to special projects to resident concerns. This is the best way to have your voice or concern presented as the board works as whole for the betterment of the community. If you ever have a topic or item you'd like addressed at a regular board meeting, please contact the office with the details.

2020-2021 LBVIA Directors

President- Casey Smith

Vice President- Gene Kuehle

Treasurer- Brandon Graetz

Secretary- Lorrie Haney

Directors-

Jeff Agar

Pat Dalton

Mark Wells

Adam Zuzelski

Association Staff

Association Manager-

Dave Schmuker

616-690-2104

dave@lakebellavista.net

Office Manager-

Robin R. Bell

616-874-6777

lbvia@sbcglobal.net