Dauphin Island Times

A property owner who works in a realty office suggested the Property Owners' Association (POA) develop a membership form which realtors would distribute to new property owners at closing. This would lead to a more accurate accounting of property ownership and more potential for dues income. It was also suggested that perhaps a volunteer could take this project on and work with the real estate offices on an ongoing basis.

Isle Dauphine Golf Course
Board member Jim Druhan reported that the Isle Dauphine Golf Course's nine open holes are in great shape, playable, and generating regular income. A big Thank You to the Volunteer Group lead by Ken and Baiba Guess, Kathy and Jack Howard. Their efforts have been enormous and they have organized a wonderful group of volunteers to assist with various aspects of POA activities.

Larry Britton presented a petition signed by 50 snowbirds praising the Isle Dauphine's playable nine holes; however, the petition also stated the snowbirds' intention to vacation elsewhere if the remaining nine are not opened for play. The Board, which had previously approved $12,000 for debris and sand removal on the front nine, approved an additional $58,000 to ensure all 18 holes are ready for play.

Berm Fund
The POA has received pledges and donations totaling $61,000. The Foundation has received $61,000 in donations and has a carryover of $60,000 from the initial berm fund. That's a total of $182,000, against a required $600,000 budget.

Long Range Planning
Board President John Reed reiterated the framework for proceeding with the planning process:

• Maintain local control of the golf course either through the POA or a public entity. Mr. Reed believes local control will ensure Isle Dauphine remains accessible and affordable to the local community.
• Preserve the dunes west of the Isle Dauphine clubhouse.
• Encourage the development of a hotel or resort affiliated with the Isle Dauphine, possibly incorporating the existing Isle Dauphine buildings. Mr. Reed believes such a facility will allow the Isle Dauphine Golf Course to remain a public community facility, and not become a less accessible private facility with higher fees.

Property owners in attendance were in general agreement with Mr. Reed's plans, as indicated by a show of hands and the positive comments made during the discussion.

Several property owners with experience relevant to the POA’s plans indicated a willingness to work with the Board. A property owner with a Master’s degree in restaurant management and impressive restaurant operations experience offered to help develop an overall concept for the Board. This will help ensure proposals for the hotel-resort facility are aligned with what the property owners' vision.

An eco-developer offered his expertise to explore future possibilities for the building, etc.

A former North Carolina resident related how she and fellow volunteers “rebuilt” their dunes after a hurricane. All three generated an enthusiastic response from the attendees and a group of interested parties had expressed the desire to meet immediately after the meeting!

Core of Engineers Lawsuit Settlement
The “Opt In” letters are in the mail. Call the POA office at 251-861-2433 if you do not receive a letter by the end of the week. You can download it and print it out here.

Other business
A one-year lease was signed to open and run what we islanders call “the grill.” Dauphin Island's newest restaurant will be called the “Beach Side Grill.”

Mary Scarcliff and her business partner, Penny Postlethwaite will be leasing the main building for planned events (weddings, meetings)