Message from the President
Mike Berriochoa
November 2005
Dear CPCOA members:
This year is coming to a close after more than a few surprises for many of us. From the inspections leading to permit renewals to the water rights issues, few of us escaped the mandated and sometimes seemingly unfair reach of bureaucracy at both the state and federal levels.
Through it all, however, the leadership team of the Chinook Pass Cabin Owners Association has worked on behalf of all cabin owners, whether association members or not, to bring reason and understanding to these processes. A special thanks goes to Vice President for Communications Jack Selby, and Vice President for Special Projects Carl Buchholz for following these issues so closely and keeping us all abreast of the changes that we are facing.
The strength of this organization is in its membership and the willingness of each of us to take action to protect our rights to continue to enjoy our cabins and the forest. We saw what happened a year ago when we contracted our legislators about our water issues. We received a temporary allocation that got us through the summer. Now it is time for all of us to again write our legislators to ask for a domestic exemption from having our access to surface water cut off during periods of low water. We use so little water and give so much back to the forest that we should not be denied water for our domestic needs. A suggested letter format is now posted on the CPCOA Web site. I encourage each of you to use the information to craft your own letters to your own lawmakers so we can get the protection we need.
But 2005 wasn’t all about issues. We took time to have some fun too. We tried something new and organized several field trips with topics that included salmon spawning, fossils and mushrooms. The field trips were so popular that we’re going to do even more in 2006 and I encourage you to watch this Web site for details.
I also want to encourage each of you to talk with other cabin owners in your respective tracts and ask them to join the CPCOA. A portion of the annual dues stays with this association and a portion goes for an automatic membership in the national organization which works on our behalf every day. For membership information please contact our treasurer, Greg Selby. You will find contact information for Greg listed under the Board Members button on the home page.
Another highlight of the year occurred at our fall meeting in November when the current slate of officers was re-elected to another two-year term and we appreciate the confidence you have shown in us. We will do our best to retain your trust, but we can’t do it all ourselves. We need your involvement. Whether it is writing letters to legislators, leading field trips or taking on one of the leadership offices, your participation is essential to keep CPCOA a strong and vital organization.
We plan to hold our summer picnic in late June and look forward to seeing you all there.
Best wishes to each of you
Mike Berriochoa, President
Chinook Pass Cabin Owners Association