Election time for the Board of Directors is almost upon us. If you are interested in dedicating some time to serve your community, consider running for a seat on the RRA Board of Directors. This year, there will be 2 open seats. In order to have your name on the ballot, you must present your written request, bearing the original signature, to the RRA Office no later than Wednesday, March 1st at 1pm. You will then be sent additional paperwork to fill out and campaigning rules.  Please include a statement of 100 words or less.  This information may be used, all or in part, during election time. Qualifications for becoming and maintaining a Director are found in Article VIII, Section 2 of the By-Laws*.

To qualify as a candidate, you need the desire to give some time to the administration of your property owners’ association and be an active member (not delinquent).  You do not have to be a full-time resident of Roaming Shores.

Two positions are to be filled for 2023.  All terms are for three years.

Note: The 3 meeting requirement has been waived.

Election Timeline

• March 1, 2023 – 1 P.M. deadline to have name placed on ballot
• March 31, 2023 – Ballots must be postmarked prior to 1 P.M.
• April 26, 2023 – Balloting closed at 1 P.M.
• Time Arranged – Committee counts ballots at Clubhouse
• April 29, 2023 – Annual Meeting at 1 P.M.

The winners of the 2023 Early Bird Drawing

#1 – $500: David & Shannua Crossman – Lot #179
#2 – $450: Daniel & Jessica Pocci – Lot #2486
#3 – $400: James & Tina Wood – Lot #677
#4 – $350: John & Mary Lou Watt – Lot #10
#5 – $300: Keith & Kelly Bucklen – Lot #1829
#6 – $250: Robert Delphia – Lot #1324
#7 – $200: Karen Sethman – Lot #172
#8 – $150: Charles Thomas – Lot #1509
#9 – $100: Rick and Janice Rumbaugh – Lot #2413
#10 – $50: John & Shelley Samsa – Lot #1327

There has been a good amount of discussion and opinion sharing on social media recently regarding implementing a dog park in Roaming Shores.  I believe everyone certainly is entitled to their opinions and thank God in our country, we have the right to share those opinions openly without fear of reprisal.  While I respect all the comments made to date regarding feelings on whether a dog park is a good idea or not, I think it important to add some fact to the dialogue and share with all members.  Remember, we are in the developmental stage only.

1. A dog park is being considered and all aspects being reviewed.No official decision has been made.
2. Community interest and involvement is needed to make this a reality.Our current staff is not to be burdened with handling maintenance, entry, and complaints.That’s why a “Dog Club” is needed and if the interest is not there it can’t happen.
3. Certainly, procedures would need to be implemented to reduce the risk of accident and disease.
4. Locations are being considered.No decisions will be made until a dog club is formed so there is no need for discussion regarding location at this time.Certainly noise, traffic, and convenience to all will be part of the decision.Any decision will be communicated before a park is implemented.
5. Since our Association owns property such as RRL lots, Dawn Park, Sunset Park, there is no expense for property purchase.It makes sense to utilize our current properties in the best possible way for the most resident use.
6. No additional liability insurance is needed so there is no additional expense from that front.
7. Fencing estimates were obtained.We need this to know how much cost is involved.
8. Dues WERE NOT raised to fund this project.
9. Funding potentials are donations from veterinary clinics, dog groomers, dog boarders, dog trainers, etc. as well as selling memorial benches and personal donations.Fundraisers are also a possibility.Again, these will not happen if residents are not interested and not involved.
10. Americans spend more on their pets than anytime in history.Most communities have a dog park.It is a way to recreate and meet people while sharing a love of animals.
11. The newspaper article was a request on their part after reading of our consideration of this amenity.It shows the human-interest side.It was by no means a hands down approval of the project.
12. There were individuals who reached out to be involved.An in person or zoom meeting will be held soon to further discuss this initiative.Information regarding the meeting will be shared in the EBLAST.Feel free to participate and verbally share your thoughts while respectfully listening to your neighbors’ opinions as well.

On a side note, please remember those that serve your community as an Association Director do it for only one reason; to serve and help make Roaming Shores a good place to live and recreate.  There is no power or glory involved.  We need diverse opinions and strong dialogue to move forward. We need good financial stewardship, but we need to invest in our neighborhoods and provide amenities for everyone.  There is no one size fits all.  Not everyone will be happy with any decision.  We also need respect for one another whether in person or in writing.  Stay informed, stay involved, go to meetings, and stay committed to Shores Strong.  Be part of the future not the past.

Annual Dues and Assessment bills for 2023 have been mailed. Please note your 2023 Assessments have increased by 10%.  This decision was not made lightly but was thoughtfully implemented to keep pace with inflationary increases hitting all of us.  The 2023 Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment has been set at 8.7% and is the largest since 1981.  It is based on shifts in the Consumer Price Index which charts fluctuations for goods and services.  While an increase in our Association expense is not what any property owner wants, the alternative is degradation of services and no property owner wants that.  Your Board of Directors continues to be creative in finding cost effective methods to improve our community and ensure our amenities are available to everyone. This will continue throughout the fiscal year.

Dues and assessments are payable by May 1, 2023.  Late charges will be assessed on any account not paid by that date.  Avoid unnecessary charges and pay your assessed amount on or before May 1, 2023. If you are in the process of selling your home and/or lots, you must pay your billed amount.  Your title agency can prorate the dues and assessments you have paid based on your closing date.

Dues and Assessments will be mailed out this week. You may pay your Dues and Assessments in installments, however, a late charge of 10% will be applied to the remaining balance after May 1st.

There are several different payment options available.

In Person:
Checks, credit cards/debit cards and cash are accepted at our office location (1875 US Highway 6). There is a 5% convenience fee for credit/debit cards. Our office hours until mid-April are Tuesday – Saturday, 9am – 5pm. You may also use our dropbox located on the front porch. The box is under video surveillance and emptied daily.

Bank Bill Pay:
Many banks offer their customer’s bill pay through their website. You can set the RomeRock Association as a payee. If you use this option to pay your Dues and Assessments, please make sure to set your Account Number as your Lot number(s). Your lot number is your property address.
Note: If you already use your bank’s Bill Pay feature to pay your RSV water bill, make sure to create a new, separate payee for the RomeRock Association with the mailing address of P.O. Box 8, Rome, OH 44085 as we are a separate entity from the Village and their Utility Department.

Mail:
You can send your payment via US Mail to P.O. Box 8, Rome, OH 44085. Checks and credit cards/debit cards are accepted. If paying by credit/debit card please use form on the back of the return portion of your statement, there is a 5% fee. Be sure to include the 3 digit code on the back of your card.

Pay Online:
Follow the instructions on this page for paying your Dues and Assessments online.

Early Bird Drawing

The RRA will again be holding an Early Bird Drawing for those who pay their Dues & Assessments in full early. Each account paid in full before 5pm each Thursday between January 19^th and March 23rd will be eligible for weekly drawings for cash prizes. These prizes start at $500 and are reduced by $50 per week until the award for March 23rd becomes $50.  This totals $2,750 in prizes.  GOOD LUCK!

Pay your total RRA balance, at one time, as soon as possible. Full payments by 5pm on January 19^th provides eligibility for all ten drawings!

Notes: If your lot(s) are owned jointly, each joint owner must be paid in full to be eligible (in turn, each joint owner is eligible to win). If you own multiple lots, all of your lots must be paid in full to be eligible (in turn, each lot you own is eligible to win).