Hello, Team LMOA!

Fireworks Discontinued: At the regular Board meeting on September 26, the LMOA Board of Directors (BOD) voted unanimously to discontinue the fireworks show at Lake Monticello due to safety concerns. Their decision not to enter into a contract for a 2025 fireworks display was based on recommendations from the Department of Public Safety, the General Manager and senior staff, legal counsel, the insurance carrier, and input from the Membership (through the survey and Contact the Board). The Board said they considered many alternatives, which included running shuttles to the Main Beach and even asked Fluvanna County to partner with LMOA and hold fireworks at Pleasant Grove Park. This request did not get enough traction for 2025, but LMOA would like to continue the dialog with the county for 2026. All other Independence Day activities will be planned and held as usual.

Background: During an open discussion, Vice President Gary Sellick said the Board’s primary function is to maintain the financial and legal stability of the Association. “It is for this reason, and that reason alone, that I will not be voting to approve the fireworks contract this year.”

“Since becoming a US citizen and moving to the lake,” Director Sellick continued, “It [the 4th of July holiday] is one that I have celebrated with gusto. I work at Monticello, where every year, I see new citizens get created on the anniversary of this country’s birth and Jefferson’s death. I have also regularly volunteered at the event and have attended the fireworks displays, both on land and water. I know how much July 4th matters to myself and you all. Sadly, however, times have changed. The Lake is no longer fit to handle the sheer number of people who come every year to watch the fireworks display. We lack the parking infrastructure, the number of police needed for such an event, and a safe space to even watch the fireworks from without the benefit of a waterfront property or access to a watercraft."

"As of right now, as we vote on this contract, there is no viable plan that has been presented that can guarantee the safety of attendees, and by consequence, the wellbeing of the Association. This situation will only worsen as more people move into this area, and more municipalities join the growing number that have come to the realization that the risk is not worth the reward when it comes to fireworks.”

Director Sellick reiterated that BOD’s decision should be based entirely on safety rather than financial reasons. “If a tragic event occurs, it is not you [residents] who will have to bear the moral and possible financial burden of knowing that it was you who ignored the warnings of the man assigned to protect Public Safety here at the lake, as well as the advice of legal counsel, to allow an event fraught with unacceptable levels of risk.”

Sellick also thanked Chief Wells for having the courage to bring this situation to the board’s attention, knowing the backlash he would receive by doing so. “Sometimes doing the right thing is hard," he said.

Finally, he addressed the survey results that are posted on lmoa.org under the COMMUNICATIONS tab, “The fireworks display is by far the busiest event on the LMOA calendar, and therefore, comparing it to other events or implying that other events will be banned by the board is erroneous. This board allowed the community to have some input on this with the recent survey, but the results simply do not show a good cross-section of our community: only 10% of residents answered, and of these, a majority of respondents (66%) have either not been to see the fireworks in the past two years, or watched from either a boat on the water or lakefront property. These people were not at the Main Beach and seen fights break out – I have - or have received intelligence about potential violence specifically orchestrated to occur during the event as David has. And now, what of LMOA’s liability? Our chief of police has said that the event carries excessive risk, and our legal counsel concurs. I personally will not have the jeopardized safety of our residents rest on my conscience or put LMOA at increased risk, and I would ask my fellow board members if they are willing to bear such a heavy burden.”

Several Board members, including Jennifer Richardson and Larry Henson, shared that they love fireworks but cannot ignore the opinions of legal counsel and LMOA’s Director of Public Safety. 18 residents attended the meeting. One homeowner, Jacie Dunkel, spoke in support of fireworks. No other homeowners signed up to speak about the topic. The decision to discontinue fireworks passed 0-7.

Trees: At the same meeting, BOD approved a request by the Wildlife Committee to purchase more trees to replace ones that were removed from the golf course. BOD amended the Resolution Proposal for $30K, capping the expenditure at $10K. This is in addition to the $10K received earlier this year. Committee Chair Jean DeMarco spoke at several Board meetings, explaining her opinion that Lake Monticello’s trees should be protected and more thought should be put into removing trees, especially White Oaks that are especially beneficial to the ecosystem. If you would like to learn more about preserving trees and their benefits, please watch the Tree Program hosted by the Wildlife Committee and recorded by the LMOA Broadcast group.

THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

We asked LMOA Staff what they are doing this weekend, and these are their picks:

• Birds of Prey: On Sunday, September 29, the Birds of Prey program will come back to the Lake! Get up close and personal with hawks, falcons, vultures, and owls while learning about these fascinating and beautiful birds! The event is sponsored by the Wildlife Committee and starts at 2 PM on the Ashlawn Clubhouse lawn (41 Ashlawn Blvd.) Bring your own chair. If it rains, the event will move indoors with a session at 2 PM and a session at 3 PM. Due to the capacity of the Terrace Rooms, each session can fit 90 people.

• Fall Fest at Pleasant Grove Park: The first annual Fluvanna Family Fall Festival is an FLDP project and takes place on September 28 from noon - 5 PM. It will feature local arts & crafts, music, food trucks, and a beer garden! Find out more at findfluvanna.org!

• "Pay What You Want" Yard Sale: Multiple families will hold a yard sale this Saturday, Sept. 28, at 25-27 Vine Ridge Dr., to benefit the Lake Monticello Community Foundation. The sale includes furniture and kitchenware, silver and crystal, sporting and camping goods, Christmas and Halloween decor, bikes and bicycling gear, and much, much more. There will also be donuts and coffee.

Have a great weekend!

Tom Schauder
LMOA General Manager