LAKE GASTON — The Lake Gaston Association didn’t need a guest speaker at its June directors meeting. They had plenty of members riled up about taxes and budgets to fill the time, and they did.

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It’s been a longtime complaint at Lake Gaston that they carry the brunt of the tax burden in all five of the Tier I counties around the lake. Couple that with the issue of diminished services and you have a mix that can get verbally volatile, especially when a venue is opened.

There was a great deal of discussion about use of the undesignated fund balances and the possibility that they may be able to bail out some of the lake counties facing reduced state funding on multiple levels. This erupted in minor disagreements but everyone could agree there was a definite problem.

Longtime Warren County activist Roland Beauchaine expressed his concerns that Warren County, instead of following suit and trimming back like other lake counties, was growing its government, adding new positions and departments.

Northampton County resident Clarence Drumgoole mentioned his tax increase of 35 percent two years ago, after reassessment, yet with the increased revenue the county can’t find the money to pay employees for 2009-2010. “What’s the purpose of increasing taxes then, they don’t spend it wisely.”

Pete Deschenes said people were getting what they deserved because the organization had been trying to get people to attend the meetings and contact commissioners about the budgets for years to no avail. He reminded directors the LGA “had looked at being a political activist group before and we walked away because we were afraid of losing the nonprofit status. Perhaps it’s time to revisit.” While there was some agreement, President John Cataldo felt it might be more prudent to pick policies to support rather than supporting politicians. The group decided it would be best at present to adopt a letter to the Warren County manager and officials with questions on the ways budgets are being put together and monies are being spent.

Director Vernon Wilson informed the association there is presently no public treatment plan for hydrilla. The Lake Gaston Weed Control Council (LGWCC) is awaiting final word from county governments on whether or not there will be any funding. Wilson said, Warren and Mecklenburg counties are showing 100 percent of the agreed $116,000 funding in their budgets, but Brunswick is only showing 47 percent funding and Northampton County is not funding at all, at present. The council is not expecting any funding from the State of Virginia and there is a danger the North Carolina matching funds will not be there. “The problem is they should be treating it now,” said Cataldo. “It takes 45 days of dwell time to get the maximum benefits and they need to treat it now to get the plants while they’re in the early growth.”

According to Wilson next Tuesday, June 9, volunteers will join Dr. Mike Smart of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at River Ridge from 9 a.m. to noon. Smart and volunteers will be busy with revegetation efforts on the lake. Smart had planned these efforts in the autumn of last year, but weather issues forced them to be postponed. Volunteers are needed and everyone is invited. You do not have to live at Lake Gaston or be a member of the LGA to participate. If you would like to get involved call (252) 689-3096 or (252) 537-3624.

Director Larry Jolly said the LGA’s annual meeting is June 13, at the Lake Gaston Baptist Church starting at 9:30 a.m. Guest speakers include Attorneys Tom Skinner and Russell Slater. They will discuss with members about homeowners associations and covenants. Jolly said there were serious changes in homeowners association laws that can seriously effect people at the Lake. Everyone is invited.

On ecological issues, Director Jack Saunders informed everyone about a Storm Water Runoff Forum at the Littleton Community Center June 27, at 1:30 p.m. Members of the Center for Watershed Protection in Endicott, Md., will be present and guest speaker is Laurel Woodworth. The group will present to the board at Eaton’s Ferry Grill in the morning. This is a free forum that can benefit anyone who is concerned about water quality and ecology. It will address general issues and inform people on how to encourage elected officials to protect this vital natural resource. The Littleton Community Center is located 225 Oak Street.