Hello, Team LMOA,

The LMOA Board of Directors and the General Manager want to extend a warm thank you to the LMOA employees who dedicated themselves this week to keeping our community safe! If you see any of these people out and about, please take a minute to thank them for their commitment to Lake Monticello. We’re also grateful to the residents who heeded the warnings and chose to stay off the roads as much as possible. Please keep reading for the latest official news update from LMOA:

Staff Recognition: Chief Wells would like to thank his police and security staff for weathering the winter storm and helping keep everyone safe. He also wants to thank the residents for being responsible; because most stayed home, he says only a few minor crashes were reported. Tracy Chandler also recognized the Facilities & Operations Team (F&O) for their hard work during this storm event, with a special shout-out to F&O Manager Ken Winton and Coordinator Denice Flynn for their planning and execution of this winter storm recovery. Tracy said, "Preparation and planning begin in early September and are much more complex than one would expect. Winter Storm Recovery plans need to stay flexible because storms are unpredictable. F&O has six plow trucks, a dump truck with a plow, and four salt spreaders. We have a sand/salt mixture for pretreat and one for traction once the storm starts, covering 62 miles of road. We prioritize roads based on the number of homes they serve. Jefferson serves 3,500 homes, so it is the top priority. Once a storm hits, my team of 17 quickly transitions from a Monday - Friday daylight job into a 24-hour around-the-clock operation. To keep our drivers and residents safe, we try our best to limit shift driving time to 10 hours. All these factors must be taken into account to run a successful operation.” 

In addition to Ken and Denice, Tracy would also like to spotlight these men and women’s dedication to making Lake Monticello a better place:

Steve Johnson – 23 years with LMOA; Tommy Shifflet – 19 years; Rodney Lamb – 7 years; Mike Via – 5 years; Russell Wilkins – 4 years; Mike Gentry – 4 years; Hunter Halliday – 3 years; Travis Perry – 3 years; Josh Myers - 1 year; John Harp – 1 year; Ronnie Oakley – 6 months; Jacob Perry – 6 months; Stanley Payne – 2 months; Sarah Blackwell – 2 months. 

More Snow: With 1-3 inches of snow expected this Friday night and Saturday morning, we want to let you know that the Barcode Office won’t be open this Saturday as we originally planned. If you’ve already made an appointment, don’t worry—we’ll be in touch to help you reschedule. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, and our team is here to assist you in finding a new time that works for you as soon as possible. F&O also requests that no one parks in the cul-de-sacs or easements when snow plowing is necessary, as it makes it difficult for our trucks to maneuver in and out. Thanks!

Billing Statements Underway: We thank our Finance Team, particularly Kim  Crowder and Kim Spitler, who worked through the snowstorm to keep billing on schedule. They sent out the Annual Billing Statements on Thursday to all LMOA Members who chose electronic delivery, and paper statements will be on their way in just a day or two. Everyone can view their annual dues online by logging into their account. For your convenience, they also included the 2025 LMOA Dues and Fees Letter. It’s a good idea to take a moment to review it alongside your statement so you can stay in the loop about your payment options and all the helpful information it contains. This year, your Annual Barcode Renewal isn’t included in this statement and will be billed to you next month. Be on the lookout for that at the end of January. Thank you for your attention!

Blood Drive at Ashlawn: The American Red Cross Virginia Region will visit Lake Monticello on January 20th! Please see THIS HANDOUT for more info. 

West Coast Swing Correction: The correct date for West Coast Swing is January 15. Kyla Miller will start a new beginner West Coast Swing class then from 6:30 - 8:00 PM in the Terrace Rooms of Ashlawn Clubhouse. This is a progressive class that will last for 8 weeks, and it is FREE! For more information and to register, please contact Kyla at [email protected].

Annual Solitude Presentation: Residents are welcomed to attend the Facilities & Lake Operations Committee meeting on January 14. Our Lake Health Partner, Solitude, will present the latest test findings and research in the Lake Room at the Ashlawn Clubhouse from 3:30 to 6:30 PM. 

Boat Slips and Racks Renewal: Though payments aren’t due until March 1, 2025, the Marina is already accepting payments for boat slips and kayak/canoe racks. Be sure to secure your spot as soon as possible because payments for slips and racks are late after March 31, and unpaid spots will be offered to the next person on the waiting list. The Marina is open Thursday - Monday from 10 AM - 4 PM and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. For more information, visit the Marina at 962 Jefferson Drive or call 434-589-1692.

Have a great weekend!

Tom Schauder
LMOA General Manager