Hello, Team LMOA!

LMOA wishes you a well-deserved break this Labor Day. Our Administrative Team will also be enjoying the holiday, and their offices will be CLOSED on Monday. This will also be the last day the pool is open. We want to thank all of the Public Safety, Marina, Golf, Pool, and Food & Beverage Staff who will continue to work throughout the weekend so that we may enjoy our community to the fullest! We appreciate you!
 
Happy Retirement, Mike! Our Finance Director Mike Warner retired today; however, he will assist the GM, Board of Directors (BOD), and Finance Team with the 2025 Budget Planning this fall. Until a new Finance Director is hired, we are confident the Finance Department can continue to operate well with the support of seasoned experts Laura Payne, Kim Crowder, Kim Spitler, Brenda Jenkins, the Finance & Audit Committee, and the BOD Treasurer. LMOA wishes Mike a happy retirement. We appreciate all the hard work that led to significant improvements in the department, Mike!

Pool 2025: We thank the Pool Staff for a job well done keeping our pool visitors safe this summer. LMOA Operations Staff is developing a system for managing free pool passes next year. We will communicate the plan in the new year.

GFL Holiday Schedule: Next week, trash and recycling collection will be on a 1-day delay due to the Labor Day holiday. If your normal day is Thursday, your totes will be emptied on Friday. If your normal day is Friday, your totes will be emptied on Saturday. The remaining holidays for 2024 that will delay trash by one day are:

• Thanksgiving Day (week of November 28)

• Christmas Day (week of December 25)

• New Year’s Day (week of January 1)

Please remember when you take out your trash that your totes should be at the road’s edge but not on the road surface. Also, the lid of the tote should be able to close. Reduce your yard debris etc. into pieces that fit in the tote or save them for another week.

Fire Safety: Several devastating house fires have occurred in our county this summer, resulting in the loss of homes and human life. The LMVFR Fire Chief, Richie Constantino, would like to remind our residents that there are many precautions you can take to prevent a house fire. In an ARTICLE on lmoa.news, he writes about the safe storage of lithium-ion batteries (rechargeable batteries for devices, e-bikes, power tools, etc.) and several other ways to keep your home safe from fire. Tips include having the chimney cleaned, never leaving candles and burning fireplaces unattended, and replacing smoke alarm batteries twice a year. Please read the article; it could help save you a lot of heartache. 

Job Opening: The Lake Monticello Police Department (LMPD) always has room for qualified law enforcement officers. Currently, the team consists of a police chief and three officers, and there is budget for one or two more. LMPD is one of 8 authorized Private Police Departments in Virginia and offers a unique opportunity to serve a non-traditional police agency in a community with a very low crime rate. Because private police are not covered by the Virginia Retirement System, the position is ideal for a recently retired police officer who is a Virginia-certified police officer in good standing who is eligible to be re-certified. If you are interested, please submit a resume and cover letter to Chief David Wells at Lake Monticello Police Department, 857 Jefferson Drive, Palmyra, Virginia, 22963, or email it to [email protected].

DMV Connect at Ashlawn: DMV Connect at Ashlawn: DMV will be at the Ashlawn Clubhouse from 9 AM – 4 PM on September 17 by appointment only. Please note, they will be closed for lunch from 12 PM to 1 PM. Starting September 3, you can schedule an appointment at https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/appointments. Click Book an Appointment, choose a service, and then look for DMV Connect at Lake Monticello.

Swimming: LMOA does not recommend swimming in the Lake after heavy rain. Rain washes chemicals and animal feces from yards into the Lake. Also, sewage can back up and overflow. We recommend you wait at least 48 hours after a storm before swimming in Lake Monticello.

Gravel Driveways: With the recent heavy rains, the Lake Monticello Department of Public Safety has noticed several gravel driveways that have washed out onto LMOA roads. We would like to remind property owners they are responsible for their gravel driveways, and they should take a few minutes to shovel their gravel off LMOA roads.  Not only is loose gravel on the roadways a safety hazard, but it also clogs drains and affects runoff into the lake.

Broadcast Group’s Newest Video: LMOA’s latest production is now on YouTube. The group of volunteers documented the Centennial Celebration of the Dunbar Schoolhouse which you can watch HERE. Please support their efforts by liking the video and subscribing to LMOA's YouTube Channel. The historic building is part of Fluvanna County’s rich and surprising Black history and has been transformed into a community center. Starting September 6, JABA will utilize Dunbar Schoolhouse on the 1st & 3rd Fridays of every month. The center also offers free yoga lessons, STEM programs, and health fairs. Check out their FACEBOOK PAGE for more info.

Things To Do Tonight
Don't stay home, go out and have some fun! LMOA Staff suggests the following activities for August 30:

• Bunker Bistro (at our golf course at 51 Bunker Blvd.) is celebrating the worldwide Music on the Porch Day. There will be live music on the patio until 7 PM. By the way, the owners of the bistro, RocDun Hospitality, plan to launchMeals To Go on September 15, serving family meals to be picked up at Lakeside Restaurant at 41 Ashalwn Blvd. Details will follow next week!

• Cunningham Creek Winery is hosting Cousins Maine Lobster Truck all afternoon until 8 PM. The Winery is at 3304 Ruritan Lake Rd, Palmyra.

• Football: The Flying Fluco Varsity Football Team is playing at home against Broadway High School at 7 PM (1918 Thomas Jefferson Parkway, Palmyra). 

• Wahoo BBQ: DJ Crawdaddy from 8 - 11 PM at 10 Centre Ct, Palmyra.

Have a great holiday weekend!

Tom Schauder
LMOA General Manager