By Helen Buckelew
HOA President

This year, the HOA Board is looking critically at its policies and practices to streamline its work and make it more responsive to the needs of our community.

The HOA has recently signed a one-year contract with 3by400 for web maintenance. Of the many entities in Big Canoe that use the services of our webmaster and his partners, the HOA is the first to sign a contract with them.

You may recall that the board contributed $10,000 toward a study of the fiscal feasibility of incorporation done by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government. The board determined that it was important to obtain authoritative information about such a contentious issue. In August, the HOA board unanimously approved publication of the Incorporation Study Final Report as an insert in the September issue of Smoke Signals. Smoke Signals is the most efficient vehicle for communication to all property owners at the same time. We hope that the pamphlet provides you with basic information about the concept of incorporation so that you can make informed decisions in the future. The Final Report is a summary of the full study with committee reports. The full study and reports can be found at http://www.incstudygroup.org.

Each of our committees has increased the number of its members to better reflect the needs and desires of the community. Our committees are developing plans to bring fresh and exciting programs to Big Canoe. We will keep many of the old favorites and introduce some new ideas.

Some reminders about upcoming events:

• Dr. Monica Yadav will present a program on cardiovascular disease prevention and management Sept. 19 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Chapel.
• The Wilderness First Aid course has been rescheduled for Sept. 29 and Oct. 13. This course is suitable for adults and Scouts.
• The next Trash and Bash will be Oct. 6. Join your neighbors to collect trash along Steve Tate, compete for the most unique item found along the roadway, and enjoy the BBQ afterwards.
• The screening clinic for hearing loss will be Oct. 9. Sign up for an appointment at the Fitness Center.
• Watch for announcements about the flu vaccination clinic in October.

To update your current listing or to add a new listing in the Big Canoe Directory, go toour Directory Listing Request .

Last, but not least, please register to vote. One of the HOA's lofty goals is to double the Big Canoe voter turnout. Dawson County has just launched its new and very informative website: http://www.dawsoncounty.org . Click on Government where you will find Elections and Voter Registration.

The Pickens County website is: http://www.pickenscountyga.gov. Scroll down the left side to click on County Services. Voter information is on the Government Services Directory.