Page 3 - The Friday Flyer • April 21, 2017

APRIL 21, 2017 THE FRIDAY FLYER A-3
Tom Nathan Phil Hawgood Paul Chenette Michael Harris
Candidates discuss front gate improvements
Candidates discuss subsidies, ameni- ties and dues
Tom Nathan, Phil Hawgood, Paul Chenette and Michael Harris have an- nounced their candidacy to run for a seat on the Canyon Lake Property Own- ers Association Board of Directors. The seats currently held by Bruce Yarbrough, Eric Spitzer and Edward “Ed” Horton are up for election on May 11.
The Friday Flyer invited the four can- didates to answer a series of questions. Last week, The Friday Flyer asked the candidates a questions pertaining to sub- sidies and dues.
In this week’s Q&A, The Friday Fly- er asked the candidates what improve- ments they would like to see to complete the front gate project and if they would support improvements to the other two gates.
Candidates were asked to answer the question in 400 or fewer words. The candidates are listed in order drawn by official lottery as they will appear on the ballot.
QUESTION:
What improvements would you like to see to complete the front gate project and would you support improvements to the other two gates?
Tom Nathan
Many gated communities display large monument signage to mark an en- try point and identify the neighborhood to passersby. Our front gate project has increased the capacity of cars entering the community, but Canyon Lake’s iden- tity was lost in the process. A member recently commented to me that entering through the main gate now looks a lot like going through the parking booths at Dodger stadium. I think the comparison is humorous, but I’d have to agree with him.
Entry gates to private communi- ties are the first impression to all visi- tors. We need to complete our front gate project with monument walls on both corners along with additional improve-
ments to the median and entry lanes to more clearly identify the different driv- ing paths for members and guests.
A well-designed entry gate could in- crease property values for all homes within the community. The entry to Canyon Lake should inspire people to become part of the community as well as give pride to all those who already live here.
Each of the three gates into Canyon Lake are important. The technologies implemented with the front gate proj- ect should be implemented into each of our Canyon Lake gates. Monument sig- nage in smaller scale should be present at both the east and north gate entries to the Canyon Lake community.
While the gate on Railroad Can- yon Rd. is commonly referred to as the “main’ gate, those living nearest ei- ther the east or north gates likely con- sider those to be their “main” gate of use. Each of our three entry gates should function alike and exude a similar sense of security, exclusivity and appeal to all.
Phil Hawgood
Renovation and improvements of the main gate have come a long way, but there are still improvements that I be- lieve need to be made.
First, historically, we have had a mag- nificent waterfall, so that visitors would know how great our city actually is and I believe that we should again add a wa- terfall fountain. However, given the sig- nificant expenses of the main gate so far, we need to be cost conscious.
To that end, I believe we can cut down on the expense of designing the fountain by creating a design competition with a reward of $10,000. We can place ads in and around the county and in local art schools. That way, the board can com- pare and decide on dozens of different designs with one, low, fixed cost. More- over, we can even include the members by having the board first select the five best designs and then submit those to the members to select a final design.
I believe a design competition will be a more affordable approach because, compared to the traditional approach, the board would not need to hire an ar- chitect, which would require it to pay for every single design. Given that we would want multiple designs, that ap- proach would most certainly cost more than $10,000 and could actually cost up- ward of $50,000.
Second, the principal improvement to the Main Gate was supposed to be the introduction of an electronic pass sys- tem. However, this equipment is so slow that it frequently makes more sense to use the manned decal lane. We should upgrade the technology so that it can both better read the transponders and re- act much more quickly. This is certainly a necessity before we expand this tech to any other gate.
I personally believe that the overall design of the east gate still looks very good, and may very well be nicer than the newly renovated main gate. As such, given monetary constraints we should do minimal renovations like cleaning and repainting to spruce it up.
Similar to the east gate, the north gate could use some cleaning and repainting. I do not believe that we should invest much money into the north gate because it is our least frequently used gate.
Paul Chenette
For many years our main gate en- trance had been the welcoming identity to our community. Today, if you don’t live here, driving by you wouldn’t even know what was here. If you do live here and you’re like me, you ask what hap- pened to our identity.
Outside our gates there are new de- velopments, Audie Murphy Ranch and Canyon Hills both with beautiful and welcoming entrances. Why not us? Let’s be honest, our gates are not beautiful, not welcoming and don’t give a preview to what you are about to enter.
I believe we need to beautify and or update all of our entrances, first and
foremost the main entrance. With that said, I know the Facility Review Com- mittee is working on drawings and ren- ditions and a plan to accomplish that at the main gate.
In regards to the east and north gates, I would definitely support improve- ments to both with a priority of the east gate. However, I would love to get input from the community on what they would like to see at these gates.
Michael Harris
The POA submitted sixteen designs for the entrance signage on the website for members to review and vote on the design they favored. I have not seen the results of this survey nor how many members participated. However, the Fa- cilities Review Committee conducted a survey for future projects to be incorpo- rated into the long-range planning and the number one item receiving seven- ty-two votes was a water feature at the main gate. Another popular idea was a pre-gate structure at the main gate.
I personally believe, before commit- ting to any improvements for the front gate I would review the original signed contract and any amendments. It is very difficult to jump into a position as a board director without knowing the his- tory of an incomplete project. I would also want to review the as-built plans with the red lines marking all changes, and all change orders submitted and paid.
After reviewing the above mentioned items, I would be able to make an intel- ligent decision on how to proceed with any improvements needed to complete the front gate entry and landscaping. Er- rors and omissions is a standard practice for construction contracts and should be enforced in all future negotiations.
The water feature should be incorpo- rated into the final design. I agree with the overall recommendation that a pre- gate structure be placed over the guard booths predicated on the cost factor. A
uuCONTINUED PAGE A4
THE FRIDAY FLYER
Volume 36 Number 16
The Friday Flyer (USPS 006-865) is published weekly every Friday by GOLDING PUBLICATIONS, 31558 Railroad Canyon Road, Canyon Lake, CA 92587 (244-1966). The appearance of advertising in this publication, including inserts or supplements, does not constitute endorsement of the advertised products, services or opinions by GOLDING PUBLICATIONS. GOLDING PUBLICATIONS claims no liability for said advertisements.
Newspaper Office ........................................951-244-1966 FAX ..............................................................951-244-2748 E-mail (articles)............... news@goldingpublications.com E-mail (ads) ....................... ads@goldingpublications.com
Publisher.................................................... Chuck Golding Executive Editor ........................................ Carolyn Knight Editor ............................................Donna Ritchie, ext. 228 Reporter/Photographer ...................................................... Teen Reporters ........Spencer Massicot, Hannah Monson Columnists ............ Ron and Leigh Martel, Betty Williams,
Alyssa Landau, Kerry Keith, Pat Van Dyke Weatherman Pat Elliano, Aprile DeAnne, Marti Morrison Advertising Executive .....................................Marti Norris Advertising Executive ................................ Lynda Hoffman Advertising Executive .................................. Kailey Barnes Production Manager ............................. Dominic Johnson
Production Assistant ................................. Al Van Beenen Office Manager/Classifieds...............................Gina Wells Mailroom........................................................ Kelli Fischer Annual weekly subscription rates are $10.90 a year for subscriptions mailed within the County of Riverside and $74.90 all others. Periodical Postage
Paid at Perris, California.
Postmaster: Send address changes to THE FRIDAY FLYER, 31558 Railroad Canyon Road, Canyon Lake, CA 92587.
©2015—All contents copyrighted by Golding Publications.
PHOTOS BY DONNA RITCHIE