Lynden Chamber of Commerce

The following was sent from the Lynden Chamber of Commerce to a Facebook member on Aug. 4, 2023 in response to their comments on Homestead. There were some surprises for all of us, but it’s very encouraging to know our Chamber had more interest and involvement in our situation than we realized.

From: Lynden Chamber of Commerce:
To: We removed recipient’s name

“Perhaps you’re unaware of our early involvement in this case in the direct exploration via legal counsel, as to what is legally required to form a homeowners association, per Washington State Law, which of course at this point is the approval of 100% of the property owners within the area to be designated. Perhaps ask your legal counsel for the information.

You also seem unaware of our involvement in getting the majority of the trail system and associated costs transferred to the City of Lynden.

You also seem unaware of our involvement in 2008 with a group exploring the purchase of the golf course, the Lynden Regional Parks and Recreation District, at which time it was already common knowledge that, not unlike many golf courses, surrounding properties monthly fees are used by the course to assist in maintaining all the public areas, which includes the hiring of employees, insurance for all common areas, including the privately owned streets, sidewalks, street lights, irrigation systems, and drainage systems, and the electrical bills to power said services.

Then there is the cost of the purchase of equipment, the leasing of equipment, storage areas for the equipment, the insurance on the equipment, maintaining the equipment, all necessary to maintain the common areas, etc. and much, much more. An entity can either contract with a company that has all the necessary manpower and equipment, such as has been happening with the golf course, or do it on their own, which is an unnecessary duplication of services.

We are very aware of what is going on, and the fact is the case is not to form or take control of a homeowners association, it is about attempting to “win” monetary penalties, with the expectation such proceeds will be divided by legal counsel, the lead plaintiff, and others deemed to have standing.”