From our President, James Fletcher
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome and introduce our new board members:

Pam Bailey and her husband of 38 years, Craig, maintain their primary residence in Houston Texas, with more and more time spent in the Wood River Valley.  They have owned their unit at Sunburst since 2003.  In addition to frequent trips to Idaho, Pam spends most of her summer in the Wood River Valley, golfing, fly fishing and hiking. She is CEO & President of a Houston based Property Management Company specializing in Community Association Management which handles over 70,000 doors for associations. Pam looks forward to contributing her knowledge of the HOA industry and volunteering to the Sun Valley Elkhorn Association.

Margaret Walker is a full-time Sun Valley/Elkhorn resident, who has lived in Twin Creeks for nine years. She has had second homes in the Sun Valley area for over 20 years and has served on the boards of several condominium complexes in Ketchum, as president and in other capacities. A retired business executive, Margaret owned her own Public Relations firm in California consulting to clients with worldwide requirements. Now she is very active in the Sun Valley/Ketchum communities and has a passion for skiing, tennis, hiking, biking and cooking.

Ted Witt first came to Sun Valley on the infamous ski train from Los Angeles in 1961. He and his wife Candace fell in love with this valley and purchased a Ranch condominium here in 1978 and subsequently, a bit larger Twin Creeks home in 1997. Ted retired, after 42 years, from an active dental practice in Southern California; this now provides him time to become a more involved member of this community. Ted brings a fresh, uncluttered perspective to the table and will work with the members of the community and the board to continue the work that has already made Elkhorn one of the most beautiful places on earth and a wonderful place to call home.

Stephen Smith divides his time between Elkhorn and La Jolla, California.  He and his wife Judy have been coming to Sun Valley since 1976.  Previously, he served on the Board of Snowcreek.  They have owned a home in Arrowwood since 2002.  Stephen is currently President of Arrowwood and has led, with his Board, the completion of major projects for that association.  He has spent fifty years in the equipment finance industry.

Thank you all for your involvement and expertise. 2008 promises to be an exciting and productive year for SVEA.

James Fletcher, President

Annual Audit
The audited financial statement of our fiscal year ending October 31, 2007 has been completed. You may review the document on the SVEA website (www.elkhorn-assoc.org). If you do not have access to a PC and would like a copy sent to you, please contact our office at 208-622-7420.

Harker Upgrades
The Harker Center Upgrades Committee is hard at work. Architectural plans have been approved by the SVEA’s Architectural Design Committee, and have been submitted to Sun Valley P & Z. Once both approvals are received, work will begin on the construction drawings. It is expected that work will commence on the upgrades immediately after the Labor Day weekend, continue through the winter, and be completed by the 2009 summer season. Plans are available at the Harker Center offices and once approved will be posted on the website.

Cris Thiessen, VP & HC Upgrade Chair

Winter Spa Operations
The Village facility with a steam room, sauna and hot tub is open daily from 3 pm to 9 pm. This facility will remain open until April 20th, or until the ski mountain closes, and may be accessed with a valid amenity card. You may arrange for guest cards by contacting the office or by sending an email to svea@cox-internet.com

Elkhorn Swim Season
The Elkhorn swim season officially begins on Memorial weekend. Look for more information on dates, events and times in our next newsletter.

Tennis
Though the courts are still covered in approximately two feet of snow, we expect that we will have some nets up by the first part of May. Our Tennis Pro, Bill Van Deinse, and his staff will be here, operating the Harker and Village courts in full force by May 15th. To reserve a court or for any other tennis information, please call the Harker Courts @ 622-9281 after May 15th. Additional tennis information will be provided in our May newsletter.

Elkhorn CC & R’s
Many of the restriction compliance letters that staff sends are related to trash containers. Master Declaration, Section 3.13 states "Refuse, garbage and trash shall be kept at all times in a covered, noiseless container and any such container shall be kept within an enclosed structure or appropriately screened from view".

In an effort to be helpful the following is offered: If you rely on a property management company to see that your trash cans and recycle bins go out for pick up and are returned and properly stored, please remind them of the restrictions. Sun Valley’s trash hauling company, Clear Creek Disposal (208-726-9600) offers a special service to take trash containers to the roadside and return them for a nominal fee. Many owners trade trash responsibilities with their neighbors who have the same needs. The City of Sun Valley (at City Hall, between the Police Station and Transportation Building) has a dumpster which is available for dumping trash or recycling at any time. A second trash facility is planned, in the near future, for the Elkhorn Fire Station. Recycling is currently available at the Elkhorn Fire Station. For trash of non-conforming sizes (Christmas trees, lumber, large cardboard, etc.), Clear Creek Disposal will provide for a special pickup for a nominal fee. These items can also be dropped off at the Ohio Gulch Transfer Station (208-788-2351) Hours: Mon–Sat 8am – 5pm.

New Operations Manager
Your Board is very pleased to introduce the new Operations Manager, Chuck Williamson. Chuck is an Oregon State graduate, with a degree in business administration. He owns a home in The Heatherlands and has lived and worked in the valley since 1981. Many of you may already know Chuck from his past employment with SVEA or his extensive experience in Association management in the Elkhorn area. He will be handling the oversight of SVEA amenities and common areas, working with the tennis & pool committees, and hiring seasonal staff. The Board believes that he will be an excellent addition to your SVEA staff. Please stop in to enjoy your wonderful amenities, meet Chuck and the rest of our staff, and as always, let us know how we are doing.

Review of 2007 Accomplishments
Your Board and Staff worked hard last year and with your involvement we received approval for the Harker Center Upgrades. Other successful undertakings pertaining to our facilities and open space included working with Sun Valley Company to allow snow making on Elkhorn Hill, developing new and updated pool rules, beginning the open space willow maintenance program to mitigate potential danger from wild fires, continuing the work to eradicate noxious weeds by joining forces with all agencies in the valley to work together for better results, and supporting the XC-Skiing on the Elkhorn Golf Course.

Improvements to the Architectural Design procedures were accomplished by appointing an ADC Review Committee to work with staff to streamline the plan submittal and review process. We waived the exterior lighting guidelines as they were a duplication of the City of Sun Valley’s ordinance. The chimney shroud requirements were amended and we modified over 20 review processes to make them more "user friendly".

In the area of communications we engaged in proactive, two-way exchanges with the membership through the Town Hall meetings. We added considerable information to the website, initiated interaction with the sub-associations by hosting the July and December Sub-Association Presidents’ meetings, and developed a new format for the "Elkhorn Community News".

The careful and consistent monitoring of the finances was made easier and more efficient by improved monthly financial reporting and budgeting guidelines and the review of the capital reserve study and reserve balance. A non-board member was appointed to the Finance Committee. As reported at the Annual Meeting, we finished the 2006/07 fiscal year under budget.

Other activities completed included researching the potential of outsourcing the management of SVEA, meeting with Sun Valley City officials and staff to discuss management of SVEA functions and/or the coordination of activities and responsibilities.

Preview of 2008 Goals and Plans
To continue the momentum of last year our plans for 2008 consist of work in the areas of Facilities, ADC, Communications and Finances. The commencement of the Harker Upgrades immediately following the Labor Day weekend is one of our most exciting tasks. We will work hard to ensure an excellent end product that is finished on-time and under-budget. We will also continue the work already begun on the open space willows fire mitigation, and we plan to work with the City of Sun Valley to investigate the potential for development of small parks and hiking trails. The ADC Review Committee is planning to meet as needed to work with staff to continue streamlining the design overview requirements as specified in the Master Declaration. Our new Communications Committee has developed a plan that includes working with the City Mayor and Council, the sub-associations, additional development of the website, and improved annual and summer membership meetings. We will also be reviewing and considering revisions to the Board election process as well as amendments to the bylaws. Our financial plans include non-board members serving on the Finance Committee, an updated Capital Reserve Study and continued careful monitoring of all expenses.

Fire Department Safety Message
From Sun Valley Fire Chief – Jeff CarnesKeep or maintain a three-foot (one-meter) space between all heating equipment and anything that can burn. Baseboard heaters are dangerous and get quite hot. Portable space heaters should be turned off every time you leave the room and before going to bed. Do not use extension cords for power supplies. They are meant for temporary use only. Check to make sure all smoke detectors are operational.

It is your responsibility to keep your address visible. We cannot help you if we cannot find you.

Set the date; your 2008 Summer Membership Meeting and Barbeque are scheduled for 5:30 pm on Friday, July 11th at the Harker Center. Invitations and RSVP’s for the event will be sent out in May.

Elkhorn Springs – Country Store
Dave Hennessy’s office has informed us that a contract is in place with a tenant for the Country Store. Refrigeration and other equipment are currently being installed, inventory is being delivered daily and the operation is schedule to open to the public by the end of April.

Restaurant- There are three separate parties currently considering the operation of the restaurant. A Seattle group appears very interested. CG-Elkhorn is committed to doing all they can to ensure the ongoing success for this venture.

Phase I – There are 36 condominiums and 6 paired homes (3 buildings) for a total of 42 units. All except 10 of the condos have sold. The installation of the main water feature in the Elkhorn Springs core is complete and will be running this summer. The landscaping around the feature and for the residential units of Phase I will be completed in the early summer. The KART bus station with a covered kiosk will also be completed this spring.

Phase II- There are 35 condominiums and 6 paired homes (3 buildings) for a total of 41 units. The 6 paired homes have been completed. Building B2 (18 units) is nearly complete and should be finished by the end of May 2008. Building C2 was redesigned from 5 stories to 4 and from 22 units to 17 units. This building should be completed by the end of October.

Phase III – The developer has no current plans to seek approval for the demolition of the remaining wing of the hotel so that construction of the approved Phase III can begin.