AHL March 2016 - Aquia Harbour Living

Transcription

AHL March 2016 - Aquia Harbour Living
Welcome Signs of Spring
Free Online Magazine for Aquia Harbour Residents
Independent Magazine Written by a Harbour Resident
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
Policies of
Aquia Harbour Living
TM
TM
Aquia Harbour Living is not affiliated
with the BOD (Board of Directors) for
Aquia Harbour or Aquia Harbour
Property Owners Association. Articles
with a byline were written by that
individual. All other articles are written
by Phyllis Filoso, owner and long time
resident of Aquia Harbour.
Committees and clubs are encouraged
to provide jpegs of photos to accompany
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based on their article size. We will make
every effort to allow ½ page for
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Copyright ©All rights reserved 2016
No Ink Publishing LLC.
Aquia Harbour Living
Important Aquia Harbour Numbers
Front Gate (540) 659-5224
AHPOA Business Office Hours: M-F 8 -7pm
Emergency
AHPOA Police
Rescue Squad (non-emergency)
Country Club Restaurant
Golf Course Pro Shop
Marina
Stables
Pool Country Club
Pool Harbour Inn
Preschool
(540) 659-3050)
911
(540) 659-4600
(540) 659-8911
(540) 288-0091
(540) 659-4478
(540) 659-4232
(540) 659-5024
(540) 659-1258
(540) 659-4003
(540) 659-5771
Aquia Harbour Board of Directors 2016
Chairman, Christopher Greene
(540) 437-4590 email: director.greene@aquiaharbour.org
VP Director, Alexis Harvery
laudante@gmail.com
VP Director, Don Winter
(540) 659-6886 email: dcwintersr@verizon.net
Treasurer, Paula Philyaw
(571) 242-2420 paulanphilyaw@gmail.com
Shawn Desmon
director.desmond@aquiaharbour.org
Jim Hodges
(540) 720-8547 director.hodges@aquiaharbour.org
Mike Mishoe
(831) 747-4682 director.mishoe@aquiaharbour.org
March 2016
2
In This Issue
Page
Articles
Goal Of Aquia Harbour Living:
18
20
8
15-6
5-7
12
11
13
21
9
14
10
4
17
18
AH Golf
AHPD
Architectural Control
Committee
Suggested Action Items
Budget and Dues
Calendar
Fraud Alert
General Manager Report
Just Another Day
Monte Carlo Night
Odds and Ends
Thank You
Unofficial BOD
Highlights
Women’s Club
Code Violation Officer
TM
To make 2016 the
Year of Revitalization for
Aquia Harbour
TM
Our Style: Aquia Harbour Living
(AHL) is owned &
published by No Ink Publishing LLC. The owner is a current
resident, Phyllis Filoso. It is written in an informal,
conversational style. AHL is independent of the AHPOA
and its Board of Directors. AHL encourages comments and
articles written by other Harbour residents. Please use our
contact form found here. Articles selected will be in keeping
with the goals stated above.
We appreciate those committees,
clubs, and residents who took the
time to send articles for inclusion
this month.
We wish to thank all for the
positive feedback and
encouragement!
Thank You Neighbors in the
Harbour!
Aquia Harbour Living
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March 2016
3
Unofficial BOD Highlights
February 3rd the new BOD was sworn in.
Paula Philyaw, Mike Mishoe, Alexis Harvey, Jim Hodges, and Shawn Desmond
Elected officers were Chris Greene, President, Alexis Harvey First Vice-chair, Don
Williams Second Vice- Chair and Paula Philyaw Treasurer.
A special BOD work session is scheduled for Wed. Feb. 10th, 7:00 pm at the business
office.
A tentative scheduled for discussion includes the budget and reserve the previous 4
member BOD passed.
The new BOD appears to be ready to roll up their shelves and get to work.
AHL encourages residents to come to meetings and to join BOD committees. Without the
help of residents like you it would cost the Harbour 1000’s of dollars each year to do the
work that volunteers do here in the Harbour.
News FLASH -Other AHPOA Related Information
The upgraded accounting software allows for dues payments to be done through a bank
draft. Staff is working on implementing the change and hope to have it ready for sign-ups
with the July quarter. Please check the information with your yearly assessment (dues)
for more specific details.
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
4
Budget & Dues
User fee increases:
Pool passes family
(6 passes and then $25 for each additional one) Evidently the
number of people residing in households increases
dramatically during pool season.
Individual day pool passes
10 use punch cards are available for $50 at the business
office and an option only for owners in good standing
Room rental rate at CC
smaller room $25/resident $50/non-resident
Golf cart rental
5% increase
Golf monthly resident membership 5 % increase
Golf monthly associate membership 5% increase
Golf greens fee
5%increase
Annual golf membership
5% increase
Annual Assoc. golf membership
5% increase
Where does the money come from for the over 4 million dollar Harbour budget?
The larger income sources projected for the 2017 budget:
Lot owner dues
Initiation fees
Storage lot fees
Cellular tower rental
Annual surcharge
Late payment fees
LCC violations
Rental of Country Club Rooms
Rental of Country
Pool memberships
Pool rental
Pool day passes
Rental of Harbour Inn
Stable stall rental
Preschool lease
Golf club memberships
$2,776,356
$230,400
$19,980
$21,200
$70,000 $40 This is when you pay your dues quarterly
$60,000
$7,500
$8,000
$21,600
$95,683
$7000
$3000
$8,000
$31,500
$1,000
$66,000
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
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Budget & Dues
Golf cart rentals
Greens fee rentals
Driving range
Proshop sales net
Ships Store sales net
Marina rentals
Additional marina income
Cont
$40,000
$40,000
$15,000
$3,000
$5,000
$110,800
$14,800
As you can see there is almost $900,000 collected beyond our dues to pay the bills.
This is a home owners association with not only the expenses of a regular HOA but with
the additional costs of security , snow removal, maintenance of our roads, culverts,
ditches, dredging of the creek and amenities that are always in the RED. (Technically the
marina is in the green until you factor in dredging and replacement cost.)
There are some who live in here that prefer not to have people from the outside use
our amenities at all. And then there are those that want people from the outside to
come in to help offset the operating costs.
That’s a discussion this community needs to have.
Which brings us to the budget process.
It’s in need of a major overhaul! After sitting through 2 cycles of this I am dumbfounded.
I know it’s the way it’s been done in here for years but we can/need to do much better.
The process should have started months ahead of the due date. Instead it gets squeezed
into ~5 two hour meetings to review 31 pages of a spreadsheet from 15 different
department sources.
For example: I asked a question about a line item for the rental of a folding machine for
the office. ~$4000/yr. I asked about the cost of purchasing one versus rental. To
purchase was $1000. We’ve been spending ~$4000 to rent one for YEARS!
AHL wishes to thank Chairman Debe Caldwell for allowing questions to be emailed or
asked after the meeting as residents are not given an opportunity to speak.
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
6
Budget & Dues
Cont
There were at least 3 additional residents who asked to be on the budget committee and
weren’t selected. The previous 4 member BOD decided to downsize the committee from
7 or 8 to 5 committee members. No explanation was ever given for their reasoning or how
committee members were selected. One of those selected never showed up to any
committee meeting, leaving the seat vacant. AHL was told this individual never showed up
last year either.
Recommendations:
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Have clear guidelines for how committee members are selected.
Members of the committee should be required to disclose if they would in any way
derive money from items in the budget. It is a clear conflict of interest for a
committee member to propose/discuss an item or vote on an item where they could
possible benefit from it financially. Yes, there was a conflict this year.
The budget process should begin at least in September.
A thorough review of the budget process should be done.
A complete review of what exactly is required in our by-laws and covenants. Items
in the budget should be matched to those requirements.
Two additional employee positions have been added. The CVO this year was made a full
time position. (Part CVO and part admin asst.). There will be another full time position
added for maintenance.
Let’s hope the new BOD thoroughly reviews the 2017 budget
and asks for an After Action Report to be done to
include ways to improve the process.
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
7
Need to Know Item
FYI From the Architectural Control Committee (ACC)
As the weather turns nicer more attention is paid to the outside of our homes and yards.
The ACC would like to remind all property owners that BEFORE you make structural
changes to the outside of your home or build/add a new structure, such as, a storage shed
APPROVAL from the ACC is REQUIRED.
The application process is easy. The property owner fills out a form to request a permit.
You can stop by the business office to fill out the application or print one off at
http://www.aquiaharbour.org/policy/forms/ and drop it off at the office.
Projects requiring a county permit and meeting AHPOA requirements are given a
tentative approval conditional upon the AHPOA receiving the county permit. Work is NOT
to be preformed until all permits including the AHPOA permit from the ACC is obtained.
Failure to do so may result in fines and denials of the AHPOA permit altogether.
The ACC meets each Wednesday except holiday weeks at 4:00 at the business office.
Have questions? Just call the business office at 540-659-3050.
Missing building permits, no building permits etc. have the potential to holdup a closing
when it’s time to sell your house.
Why not call the business office and schedule an appointment to review your file to
ensure everything is up to date?
Shame on Us
Editorial
The Harbour has over 2300 homes in here. In order to have a quorum for elections, 433
votes were needed. We missed that quorum by 2 votes in the October election and a
new election was held as a result. Yes, there were other options available to include some
drama and a formal complaint filed with the court thrown in. The new election was held
January 30th and had 724 votes cast this time.
So why the Shame on Us? Enough of us finally voted and we elected a new BOD. The
Shame on Us comes because of the lengths that had to be taken to get a quorum. A vote
banner, vote signs, reminders on FOAH and the Harbour’s website, facebook page, and
yes passing out ballots at the gate. Even the ballot box was opened prior to the election
to count how many had been turned in. Come on folks. We can do better than this!
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
8
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WHEN: SATURDAY, MARCH 12
WHERE: AQUIA HARBOUR
COUNTRY CLUB
TIME:
7:00 PM
COST: $20.00/ticket
Advanced ticket sales only
ENJOY HORS d’OEUVRES AND DESSERTS
CASH BAR
Games include Blackjack, Roulette, Craps and Texas Hold ‘Em
Door prizes donated by many local businesses. Bring your
checkbook for some great items up for auction as well.
For reservations or more information, please call
call Dodi at 540-659-2825 or email bunkerdo@verizon.net
All proceeds go to benefit the Sight and Hearing Programs
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Aquia-Evening-Lions-Club/
http://www.e-clubhouse.org/sites/aquiaeve
Potomac CFC # 99070
Aquia Harbour Living March 2016
9
Thank you!
By Phyllis Filoso
I wish to thank all those who supported me in my bid for the AHPOA BOD. Although it
was disappointing at first not to have received enough votes, I‘ve come to realize it may
have been a blessing in disguise.
If I had been elected I probably would not have been able to continue AHL. I really do
enjoy doing the magazine. I meet a lot of people and hear what’s important to them. Not
only that but I’m finding I’m not good at politics. I tend to speak my mind about items
that are broken or need to get fixed in the Harbour and change is not always easy.
Thanks again for your votes and well wishes.
Communication in the Harbour
AHL has written on this topic a couple of times. The AHPOA can and should do better
than what it does and the problem needs to be fixed sooner rather than later.
How many of you are aware that the AHPOA has a website or Facebook page?
And if you are aware why haven’t you signed up for their FB page? Announcements that
need to get out quickly or between editions of the Harbour View or Harbour Newsletter
can be found on the Harbour’s FB page.
Residents in here need to be informed as to where they can go for Harbour information.
While I am amazed at the number of people who seem to live on social media there are as
many or more who don’t in here.
Communication from the AHPOA should be available to everyone at the same time.
While we’re on the subject of communications, exactly who is responsible for posting
AHPOA information?
Whose job description is it to speak for the AHPOA? Do we need or want Harbour
employees spending their time providing weather, traffic, lost dog information, or
monitoring social media in here? Is that what we pay employees in the Harbour to do?
AHL is looking forward to the recommendations from the Communications Committee
and hopefully it will address these issues.
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
10
The Harbour as well as the rest of the county is experiencing a lot of fraudulent phone
calls. IRS and possible arrest seem to be the favorite at the moment. NEVER give out
personal information over the phone to someone you didn’t call. I’m surprised with
elections upon us they aren’t using that as a scam as well.
There’s also identity theft occurring. Consider removing your mail from your mailbox as
soon as possible. A number of residents have reported having their mail opened. If the
mail is a credit card statement etc. consider contacting your bank and asking for a new
card.
And don’t forget to shred anything with your personal information on it before putting it
in the trash. This includes credit card offers etc. Don’t make yourself an easy target!
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
11
2016
Mark Your
Calendars
September
October
AHPOA election
November
December
March
12th Monte Carlo Night at CC
19th Hazardous Household
Waste Colletion
20th Easter Egg Hunt at AH
Preschool
April
23rd Spring Clean-up
May
30th Memorial Day
June
July
4th Parade, Fireworks and day
long events
23rd Stream Cleanout
AHL needs input from all the different clubs and organizations
to complete this calendar.
Please send your event information here.
http://www.aquiaharbourliving.com/contact-us/
A Few Words From
General Manager, Ken Laneger
Elections: The election was completed on Saturday January 30th. There were a total of 2,167 eligible
voters. A quorum of 433 votes was required. There were 724 votes cast. Thank all of you for voting.
The results of the election were as follows:
Shawn Desmond - 516
Alexis Harvey -
458
Paula Philyaw -
377
Michael Mishoe -
Jimmy Hodges -
Chip Collins -
329
Phyllis Filoso -
266
Anthony Worthey - 146
365
373
Therefore, Shawn Desmond and Alexis Harvey will serve three year terms. Paula Philyaw will serve a
two year term. Michael Mishoe and Jimmy Hodges will serve one year terms. At the special board
meeting of February 3rd, Chris Green was elected as President, Alexis Harvey as First Vice-President,
Don Winter as Second Vice-President, and Paula Philyaw as Treasurer.
Snow Removal: The weather forecasters did not do too good a predicting this time. They said 1 to 2
inches and we actually got 7 to 8 inches. It was also supposed to get to 50 degrees with hard rain
during the night which did not happen. The Road Crew did a great job and got the streets in good
shape. Many people did not shovel their driveways thinking it would melt during the night but woke
up to a solid sheet of ice. All in all things went well. We did have a few persons slide into ditches.
Thanks to all of the Roads and Grounds Crew, Ray Parsons, the police and the volunteers for their
efforts. Unfortunately, I am told they are predicting another snow storm next week.
Maintenance Building: As reported last month, the building itself is complete. The restroom/loft was
rejected by the County and will be re-inspected next week. The heating system has now been installed
and is working. The heating system still has to be inspected by the County.
Budget: The budget has now been approved by the Board of Directors. There will be a dues increase of
$12.00 per household. Copies of the Budget are available at the Business Office.
Illegal Parked Vehicles/inoperable vehicles on properties: I want to emphasize again, that only
automobiles may park on common property for up to three days without a permit approved by the
General Manager. Vehicles, boats, trailers, etc. that are parked illegally will be towed. After being
warned by the CVO, inoperable vehicles on properties will be towed as well. This is a hassle for
everyone, so please do not park illegally and take the necessary action to repair or remove inoperable
vehicles from your property.
CVO Duties: The Board of Directors is very concerned with the condition of some of the properties in
the Harbour. A checklist was approved by the Board which is used by the CVO in his inspections. If a
discrepancy is noted, a letter will be sent by the CVO asking for correction by the property owner. If
the item is not corrected, the case will be referred to the LCC (Legal Compliance Committee). If you do
not agree with the CVO’s findings, you may attend the LCC meeting and appeal your case. Please don’t
be angry with the CVO, he is just doing his job.
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
13
Odds and Ends
Please take a look as you’re out walking, jogging, or even driving your car. There are some
serious breaks and potholes developing on the side of some of the roads. Please email or
call the business office and let them know locations. (540) 659-3050 or ahpoa@aol.com
I don’t know about your house but with the warm fall and winter that green/black stuff
(mold/algae) is everywhere. If you had a touch of it going into the fall its growth has
and it doesn’t have to be on the North side either.
I know it’s too cold to do anything about it now. The CVO holds off until April 1 about the
green stuff and paint issues. I’m passing info on so you can add it to your to do list sooner
rather than later when warmer weather returns.
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
14
www.aquiaharbourliving.com/contact-us/
Editorial
Suggested Topics/Action Items for the New BOD
AHL has been giving the new BOD some breathing space. Problem is they are don’t get
a breaking in period; decisions and action items demand attention from day 1.
AHL has put together a list of items we’ve seen as needing attention.
General
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Website redesign/overhaul
Communications -a complete overhaul
Harbour calendar of all yearly events from clubs/organization/AHPOA
Employee evaluations (quarterly) done by amenity managers, GM then does the managers
Employee bonuses criteria etc. spelled out (possible committee to decide)
AHPOA general maintenance calendar and then checklist specific for each amenity/park
AHPOA yearly maintenance calendar for equipment and vehicles to include a checklist for
service
AHPOA general maintenance calendar and then checklist specific for each amenity/park
Authorization for AHPOA announcements – who writes/speaks for the Harbour, who puts
out the information and where
Roads and grounds maintenance calendar and checklist
Golf course maintenance calendar and checklist
Inventory of AHPOA property/yearly accounting
Employee handbook
OSHA requirements/updates and accountability for employee compliance
ADP services ( who’s responsible to use, updates)
Make 2016 the Year of Revitalization for the entire Harbour
CVO monthly violations broken down by categories
Police monthly summaries broken down by categories (number of tickets written for
residents/nonresidents
Neighborhood watch
After Action Report for Elections (Review of the voting procedures to include vote
counting process)
After Action Report for Budget/Finance Committee
Review of mass mailings to residents (what information should be include)
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
15
Editorial
Suggested Topics/Action Items for the New BOD
BOD Specific:
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BOD calendar for yearly required actions/contracts/etc.
1, 2, 5 yr plan for Harbour (A master plan for the AHPOA)
Harbour calendar of all yearly events from clubs/organization/AHPOA
Reserve spreadsheet to evaluate necessary items on a year by year basis and to
evaluate amount required for those items
Employee pay evaluation
Employee evaluations (quarterly) done by amenity managers, GM then does the
managers
Employee bonuses criteria etc. spelled out (possible committee to decide)
Budget process review and recommendations (After action report, overhaul)
Rewrite of Revitalization Committee Charter
Conflict of interest for employees form
Procedure/criteria for BOD committee member selection to include attendance
policy
After Action Report for Elections (Review of the voting procedures to include vote
counting process)
After Action Report for Budget/Finance Committee
After Action Report for winter storms
Committees:
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Marketing strategy for CC, HI, marina, golf course, stables, pools
Back gate- ad hoc committee to include funding, gate arm, hours etc.
Ad hoc committee for the Towne Center ( to review plans, costs, all aspects of
impact on Harbour residents and roads
AHPOA committees to improve communications with residents- ACC/ LCC in
particular, reminders and updates
Minutes of the committees timely posted on AHPOA website.
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
16
http://www.aquiaharbourliving.com/contact-us/
Aquia Harbour Women’s Club
March 2016
Submitted by Mitzi R. Champion, Women’s Club Secretary Email:mchampion5112@aol.com
The Women’s Club took themselves out to dinner last month. The meeting was held at the
Roadhaus Eatery on Route 1. Women’s Club Member and Roadhaus Eatery owner, Trisha
Englman kept her restaurant open late just for the Women’s Club. A great time was had by all.
Our March meeting is Bunko Night and will be held at Art from the Heart located at 325
Garrisonville Road. This is a members only meeting. However, if you’re thinking about joining
the Women’s Club , welcome to attend our April Meeting . Please contact our Membership
Chair Yvonne Garcia at wysnagarcia@aol.com or our President, Dolena Sinclair at
dolenaj@gmail.com
Mark your calendars for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt to be held 20 March beginning at 1:30.
Children 10 and under are invited to hunt for Easter Eggs, search for the Golden Egg, visit with
the Easter Bunny and enjoy refreshments. The hunt will take place in the Business
Office/Preschool/Playground area in Section One.
The hunt is divided by age categories:
o 1:30PM Children ages 7-10 will hunt
o 1:40 PM Children ages 4-6 will hunt
o 1:50 PM Children 3 and under will hunt. ****(CHILD MUST BE ABLE TO HUNT ON
HIS/HER OWN. PARENTS, RELATIVES, CAREGIVRS ARE NOR ALLOWED IN THE
HUNTING AREA) Women’s club members and other volunteers will be on hand o
make sure everyone finds some eggs.
o Children need to bring their own basket or bag to the hunt
There is no fee for this event. The Women’s club provides eggs, candy, other treats at no
charge. New this year, we will be offering hot dogs and other refreshments for purchase, so
bring your change purse and your appetites.
The Women’s Club will be accepting donations of bagged candy at the Business Office between
now and then.
AHWC Scholarship: Each year the AHWC awards a $750 scholarship to a graduating Harbour
resident. To qualify for consideration, a student must be a graduating female from Brook Point
High School or from an accredited private school or home school curriculum. The 2016
application form and scholarship guidelines are available on the BPHS website, The Aquia
Harbour Website and at the business office.
If you need to post a community message on the signboard in March please contact Mitzi Champion
mchampion5112@aol.com If you encounter problems contacting the above, please contact the Business Office at 540659-3050.
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
17
AH
Aquia Harbour Golf Club
AH Golf Course offers the best values in the area:
Single
Family (2)
Family (3)
Family (4+)
Junior
Junior Family
$600
$780
$870
$960
$150
$195
A single membership with golf cart is only $600.00 for the year or $72.00 per month.
Compare that to Augustine Golf Course at $4,150.00 per year, or Forest Greens Golf Course at
$209.00 per month. The following are annual membership rates for Aquia Harbour Residents.
Want more flexibility, then a Easy Pay Membership might be just what you need. Easy Pay
Memberships require a $50.00 initiation fee and your first month's membership payment.
Thereafter, the pro shop will bill your credit card each month for your membership. When the
weather turns cold, no payments are required for the months of December 2016 and January
and February 2017. Easy Pay Memberships are just like Annual Memberships, they expire on
March 31, 2017. Easy Pay Memberships Rates are as follows:
Single $72.00
Family( 2) $92.00
Family (3) 102.00
Family (4+) $112.00
Aquia Harbour Golf Association
The Aquia Harbour Golf Association is seeking new members this year, and welcomes golfers
of all skill levels. To kick off the year, the Association will be hosting their Membership Drive
Tournament on Saturday, April 16th. The entry fee is just $20.00, which covers your
membership fee to the Association. The format for this tournament is captain’s choice best ball
and you can pick your own team if you like. Show time for the tournament is 8:30 a.m. with a
9:00 a.m. tee off. Immediately following the tournament, the Association is sponsoring a
cookout at the Club House Restaurant. Come on out and join the fun and good food! You can
sign up for any of these tournaments in the Pro Shop or RSVP at (540) 659-4478 or
ahpoagolf@verizon.net. This is the first of twelve tournaments hosted by the Association for
the coming year. Additional information concerning the 2016 Tournament Schedule can be
found at aquiaharbour.org or aquiagolfing.com websites.
Aquia Harbour Living
March
2016
18
As you can see from the Code Violation Officer’s Report the AHPOA is serious about
improving appearances in the Harbour.
The funniest thing AHL saw on FOAH Facebook page the other day was someone reporting
the CVO was out “sniffing” around on their street. The following comment was priceless,
“And exactly what are you suppose to do with that information? Run out and power wash
or paint your house before he gets to yours?”
April 1 is the date that notices will again go out concerning green on your siding or
problems with your paint. We all should get behind improving the appearances in the
Harbour. It helps all our property values in here.
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
19
http://www.aquiaharbourliving.com/contact-us/
AHPD MARCH 2016
Teen Summer Programs
My wayward youth led my interest in police work in a very odd way – the caged seat of a police cruiser.
I spent much of my early teen years running from the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office and skipping
school, following a family crisis. As a last ditch effort I was enrolled in a school program that sent
students to weekly apprenticeships in the hope of sparking an interest to distract us from our
destructive ways. One of the apprenticeships involved a police ride along which I immediately refused.
My advisor overrode me and my father backed him up and ordered me to report to the Prince William
County Police for an evening shift ride along. I was infuriated. We caught patrol calls for 9 hours that
included a domestic, an accident and a drunk in public arrest. I watched from the safety of the cruiser
of course, but I was hooked. From that night on I straightened myself out, brought up my grades, got a
job in Police Records at age 16, a job in 911 Communications at age 17 and was sworn in as a police
officer on my 21st birthday (33 years ago – please don’t do the math) all because of that ride along.
Summer is just around the corner and the influence that week or two week summer program could
have on your teen could change their life. Your teen’s school counselor is a great place to start. My
son attended a school sponsored leadership camp at Va. Tech at age 14 that shook him up in a similar
way. He just finished 5 years as an Army MP including a tour in Afghanistan and is currently attending
the PWCPD Police Academy as a police recruit and he still reflects on the lessons of that summer camp.
Here are some other resources. These summer programs fill up fast. Some can be very expensive but
most have money set aside for “scholarships”. If you need the help, it doesn’t hurt to ask. Google:
YMCA Summer Programs; Riverside Theater Summer Camp; Volunteer Match, Summer Internships
(grovejob.com), Mary Washington Teen Volunteer Program. Local churches also have programs. The
AHPD MIGHT be adding one more camp to your list for consideration. We are currently working on
putting on a one week TEEN POLICE ACADEMY this summer. It would be mostly academic but may
involve a pursuit and firearms SIMULATOR as well as roll playing and first aid. We are in the very early
planning stages and still have a lot of hoops yet to jump through but I wanted to ask if there are any
law enforcement instructors out there who would be willing to donate their time to supplement our
instructors, if we are able to put this together. If so, please contact me at chiefharmanAHPD@aol.com.
I’ll keep you posted. Thanks!
Make it happen. Light that spark for your teen!
Chief Harman
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
20
http://www.aquiaharbourliving.com/contact-us/
Just Another Day in the Harbour
This was on Farragut after the heavy rain we had a couple of weeks ago. The tree
caught the power line. That’s what’s holding it up in the air. Fortunately no
cars/people were there at the time.
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
21
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Aquia Harbour Living
March 2016
22