AN INVITATION TO JOIN FORCES WITH CALM

The Coalition of Associations at Lake Martin (CALM) was formed to provide the public with an opportunity to contribute their thoughts and interests in matters concerning the management of Lake Martin. In addition to sending a letter to the Alabama Power Company that asked for the public’s inclusion, “to get up and running” we had invited existing associations, organizations and clubs to become affiliated with CALM. That has been a very successful effort. We have grown faster than we thought that we would.

While we continue to build our base through associations, CALM extends an invitation to all of the public here in Alabama to become supporters of our cause. If you are interested in helping us to achieve our purpose please send an e-mail message to the attention of our Steering Committee at www.calmlakemartin.org.

Nobody’s voice is more important than another’s voice when it comes to matters that concern our lake. Therein lies the main difference between CALM and another local group, the Lake Martin Resource Association (LMRA). They will have you believe that they represent the public in their discussions, held during the past ten years, with the Alabama Power Company. They argue that their “plan” for lake level management represents the consensus of all stakeholders concerned about the economic and quality of life benefits of Lake Martin. Did you have input to “their plan”?

That is not an attack on LMRA, whose president I greatly admire. They do, and support, a few activities that are very beneficial to the lake and the citizenry. But the overriding issue of the management of these public waters requires the true representation of the public. CALM was created for that purpose. It is your best chance to have your interests represented. The information that flows within and out of this organization will be available to you through our web site. If you are among those who don’t have that access you can contact us by mail. Address your letters to CALM at PO Box 190 in Dadeville, AL. The zip code is 36853. A newsletter that can be delivered to your homes would involve considerable expense. We wouldn’t implement that unless our members agreed to support it with funding.

Our Steering Committee is comprised of one representative from each organization that is affiliated with CALM. Many of those representatives attended a Stakeholders Meeting that was held on March 14. Those who were unable to attend were presented with the content of that evening’s discussions.

So, what’s next? That depends on what you do with all of the information that you have been given. Need more? Just ask.

Dave Heinzen
Chairman, Steering Committee, CALM
PO Box 190, Dadeville, AL 36853