2 THE CHARBONNEAU VILLAGER April 2023

By GARY NEWBORE

Hello everyone . The theme for this edition is leadership . We have about 46 clubs and organizations in Charbonneau . These groups comprise most of our activities . Every one of

NEWBORE them started with a person who wanted to get a group together for a common activity . Some didn ’ t make it , but most did . The person who pushed those organizations to get them going , and kept them going and growing , exhibited leadership . I really applaud these folks . The result of their leadership initiatives is all the activities we have today in Charbonneau .

I ’ m sad to report that one of our hardworking Charbonneau Country Club Board of Directors has passed away . Steve Switzer , who was fighting a multiple set of health issues , died at OHSU in February . As the CCC Board Chair of the Civic Affairs Committee , he spent hours and hours trying to keep the Aurora Airport from expanding and was also very active on the tolling fight . He was a good friend of mine and I thoroughly enjoyed working with him on the board .

As I reported last month , a Country Club Estates ( CCE ) leadership committee has been formed to give residents living in this area a better way to communicate with the CCC and to provide a way to self-govern , just as the other HOAs in Charbonneau do . The CCC Board approved the name CCE Neighborhood Committee ( NC ), its charter and the initial Committee members . These are April Marcell and Pat Hickman , Co-Chairs , and include Don Royce , Glen Lancaster , David Mauk , Maryanna Wiese , Marion Bailey , John Hector and Marylee King as NC members . Subcommittees were

also established for Budget , Financial , Landscaping , Architectural Control , Social , Communications , Facilities and Emergency Preparedness . Many other CCE residents have volunteered for these subcommittees as well . If you live in this area on the east side of Charbonneau , east of French Prairie Road , you may have already been contacted by a NC member , and , if you haven ’ t been contacted yet , you probably will be shortly . More on this important committee appears later in this edition .

In board and staff news , security cameras are in the process of being installed in the Village and Sports Center and will soon be installed in the RV lot . These cameras will be tied into our IT system . A proposal from first response was received for an improved way of protecting our residents rather than the current system of just evening patrolling and is being analyzed . Other proposals may be sought as well . We are also still researching the possibility of installing cameras on our two exits and are getting some ideas from outside parties . Permitting is still slowing the actual construction start of the building over the two outdoor tennis / pickleball courts , the Event Center window and siding project , and improvements at Edith Green Park . As of March 1 , tennis membership is at 161 , or 225 when including families and children , and pickleball membership is up to 159 members . Staff is also working on a new audio / visual system for the Event Center . I think the current system is older than I am and doesn ’ t work very well .

In other news , the Sacagawea bronze statue fund raising effort has now raised approximately $ 30,000 toward the $ 52,000 purchase price and has several fundraising events planned for the next few months .

It ’ s funny how one ’ s perspective changes as we age . I used to sneak out of the house to go to parties . Now I sneak out of parties to go home . Happy hour used to be an alcoholic drink before dinner time . Now happy hour for many Charbonneau residents is also a fitting title for an afternoon nap . Happy April everyone .

By GARY NEWBORE

am very saddened to report in this edition the recent passing of fellow Charbonneau Country Club Board member Steve Switzer . Steve was a wonderful guy with high moral and ethical standards . He had the unique ability to listen to people and make them feel heard . He was highly respected by the other board members and , as chair of the Civic Affairs Committee , was very involved in our efforts to keep the Aurora Airport from expanding and sending more airplanes over our heads . As a licensed pilot with a political background , he was ideal for this role and spent considerable time the last two years in this effort . Steve loved Charbonneau and was continually driven to look for ways to make it even better .

Since moving here in 2013 , Steve and his wife Lee Harker have become well known throughout the Charbonneau community through their involvement in many Charbonneau organizations . He loved playing golf and could usually be found on the Charbonneau golf course several days a week . He was an air force veteran , had

SWITZER

his own public relations and marketing consulting firm in California and was a football referee and baseball umpire at both the high school and junior college levels for over 25 years .

We will miss Steve ’ s good work on the board . But much more than that , we will certainly miss his warm personality , friendship and his great sense of humor .

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