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WESTWIND CLUB
WESTWIND CLUB |
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MANAGERS REPORT
Our roofing project has successfully been completed with
final work done on the Clubhouse and unit 22 during the last
maintenance weeks. The ceiling of the Clubhouse was also
stained and restored during that time.
And we now have deadlocks on all our doors. You will have to
remember to lock your door when you leave the unit as they
are no longer self-locking! We have also ordered new
closures for the doors that will be placed on the inside
rather than the outside of the door; they will not only
improve appearances but will last longer being protected
from the salt spray.
As for interior upgrades, we have ordered new silverware for
all units and the remaining pots n’ pans for units 1 thru
10; also being considered are new bedspreads and sheets for
the lofts and master bedrooms. When all is said and done,
the units will really look sharp!
Last but not least, we have ordered the equipment for our
water pressure system from the States. We are hoping to be
in operation within the next few months but all depends upon
the manufacturing time and then shipment to Nassau.
So that’s about it for now; we wish you all the best for
this New Year and look forward to your return soon!
PRESIDENTS LETTER
The 32st
Annual General Membership meeting was held January 3, 2012
at the Westwind clubhouse.
It was well attended by the owners present at the
club as well as all the directors.
Several suggestions came from the floor.
The subject of grills was again approached.
One suggestion was to have a couple larger grills
with covers scattered on the property where people cooking
for larger groups could cook more food than the patio grills
can accommodate.
It was decided that the club would make a portable
gas grill available that could be wheeled to a person’s unit
for this purpose.
If the demand is great enough, an additional grill
could be purchased.
We have been very successful with our non-smoking policy in
the units. We
thank all the smokers for their cooperation. The subject of
making the clubhouse a non-smoking area was approached.
It was the consensus that being an open air area most
the time, this was not necessary.
However, under certain weather conditions, the
clubhouse doors are closed which can be a problem.
We request that smokers consider the drifting of
their smoke and be courteous to those around them and, if
conditions warrant it, moving out of the clubhouse or to a
different area to have a cigarette.
This is especially true in the bar area when smoke
can drift behind the bar where our non-smoking staff need to
work.
Although progress has been slow on the analysis for adding a
second bathroom to the units, things are moving forward.
One of the Architect’s layouts has been given
preliminary approval by the Board and has been sent to a
contractor for pricing.
Once this is received and it is determined that it is
affordable we will develop some options on how money will be
raised. At that
time, information will be sent to all the members for their
feedback and/or a vote to proceed.
It was amazing to Sharon and I how much progress is being
made on the Bahamar project.
(See article and photos page 6)
If this is indicative of what the project will be
like
when completed, it will be a real asset to Nassau and our
end of the island.
A solar water heating system has been installed on our first
building servicing Units 16 and 17.
It was completed just before my arrival at Christmas.
There are a few wrinkles to be ironed out but by the
time I left, things seemed to be working as expected.
We are running tests now to maximize the efficiency
of this unit and are hopeful of continuing with the rest of
the buildings very soon.
This is expected to have a dramatic effect on our
cost of electricity.
Hot water is second only to air conditioning on power
consumption.
The tinting of the doors and windows with infrared filtering
material has been completed and the replacement of the
kitchen jealousy windows is over 60% complete.
These improvements are the beginning of our projects
to reduce our air conditioning cost.
Congratulations to Bob Biemesderfer and Jim Robinson for
being re-elected to the Board.
TREASURES
REPORT
Treasurer’s Report, January 2012:
The final results for 2011 will not be available until the
end of January when all the bills from 2011 have been
received. We
do, however, have enough information to give you all a very
good picture of our finances for the year end.
The past year continued to see the Bahamas Electric Company
challenge our budget.
During the summer BEC promised a reduction in
electric costs beginning early in the fall.
We have yet to see any reduction in their fees and,
in fact, the fuel surcharges in November jumped from 22
cents a kilowatt hour to 27 cents.
To get better control over the electrical bills the board is
taking several initiatives to lower these charges as soon as
it is possible.
The cost of these new features will be paid out of the
reserve account and, if we realize the savings we expect,
these savings will replenish the reserve account while
keeping our fees in check.
You will read about these in more detail in the
messages from Steve and our chairman Donavan Meyer.
Some of those initiatives we are undertaking are; solar
water heating, an aggressive control system of our A/C so
that the A/C will not function if the door or windows are
open during hot weather, new windows that will seal
efficiently and a new tint on the windows that will help to
keep the units cool.
After all is said and done the Club is still in a very
strong position financially.
Also, going forward the Bahamas seems to be coming
out of the recession very nicely.
The addition of the mega resort, Baha Mar, scheduled
to open in late 2014, makes the future of Westwind Club very
positive.
DINING OUT
Bob Biemesderfer
Olive’s Mesa Grill is now open.
It is located west of Westwind between Capriccio’s
and the City Market.
On our first visit there for dinner we felt while the
pricing was at the “high end” the quality of our meal was
excellent. The soft lighting, interior stone walls plus the
table decor creates a positive relaxing atmosphere.
The menu is structured to encourage each diner to build a
personalized meal by combining several items to share
with your dinner partners.
We found the Greek Salad generous and adequate for
two. The
calamari could serve as starter for several, check with your
server for portion size determination.
On our visit several seafood “specials” were available.
The red snapper filet prepared with a lemon herb
sauce was one of the best entrees we have had in Nassau over
the past years.
The Mesa Grill has a full service bar tucked away in one
corner and is open Monday thru Saturday for dinner.
FROM THE FRONT DESK
With 2012 upon us, the Island is hopping with building
projects, new roads and a great outlook for the year
ahead!
Our new airport is coming along nicely, and the arrivals
terminal will be completed in the Fall; however,
in the meantime, be warned that upon your arrival –
the walk from your plane to Immigration is an incredibly
long one! Anyone with mobility challenges
should definitely get a wheelchair.
Also, FoodToGo has been very handy for many of our
owners on arrival because City Market is a grave
disappointment
these days; the better market is Super Value
which is a bit farther away. We also have a brand new
food store called Fresh Market which is comparable to
Whole Foods; however, that’s en route to Lyford Cay.
Definitely worth a peek at least once during your stay.
BAHA MAR UPDATE On our last visit many of us walked the redirected West Bay Street where the new police and fire stations and several banks are located. The new Bay Street begins at a roundabout located across from Westwind II and continues around the back of the project to a new roundabout across from Breeze's. The divided four lane roadway is beautifully landscaped and includes a boardwalk out over Hobby Horse Lake for wildlife viewing. The Westwind II traffic circle features a multi building Straw Market and a Daiquiri Shack for thirsty walkers to enjoy. To stay up to date on current activity go to the Baha Mar web site or the Nassau Guardian.
Please follow our rules which forbid defacing the building or
hanging items on the building.
Screw hooks and nails used for festive Holiday decorations
could compromise our efforts to keep the buildings termite
free. Each hole in the
fascia board presents an opportunity for an entrance to the wood
being protected. We all want to celebrate our Holidays but we need the support of all
owners in following
this rule. Also do not
hang clothing items on the building.
Another housekeeping issue is the extreme soiling of our towels and
face clothes. Please use the Kleenex provided in each unit to remove make-up—–the
biggest culprit!
With your help we will need to throw away less laundry
We have mounted an Emergency Cabinet in the hallway
closet door, beside the office. It is available for use 24/7. In addition to medical first aid supplies it contains our
Defibrillator.
AS A REMINDER FOR THOSE WHO ENJOY THE CLUBHOUSE AREA IN THE
EVENINGS TO SWIM, SOCIALIZE OR WATCH TV, PLEASE BE
CONSIDERATE OF GUESTS AND OWNERS STAYING IN UNITS 20, 21 AND
22. AND KEEP NOISE LEVELS AT A MINIMUM.
CLOSING THE SLIDING GLASS DOORS NEAREST THE POOL WILL
HELP TO BUFFER VOICES AS WELL.
EVERYONE ENJOYS A GOOD TIME AND FOLKS ARE HERE FOR
REST AND RELAXATION AS WELL, SO DO KEEP YOUR NEIGHBOR’S BEST
INTERESTS
IN MIND AND BE RESPECTFUL OF THEIR PEACE AND QUIET!
PASSPORT///PASSPORT///PASSPORT/// AIRLINES MAY DENY BOARDING TO THE BAHAMAS IF YOUR PASSPORT EXPIRES WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF ENTRY. If you make a sandwich for your flight home from the Bahamas, make sure it does not contain meat from a 4 legged animal - U.S. Immigration will make you remove and discard the meat from your sandwich! |
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CURRENT BOARD OF
DIRECTORS |
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Donavan Meyer, President |
Michael
O’Connor, Secretary Pete Seibert , Webmaster Raymond Weigel III, Sales and Resales Stephen Darville, CLUB MANAGER |
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