MINUTES OF PARADISE BAY BOATING & FISHING CLUB MEETING

March 8, 2017

Club Officers:

President, Carl Shaver

Vice-President, Gary Armour

Treasurer, John Mattei

Secretary, Sheila Gilstrap

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 AM by President, Carl Shaver, 78 of 181 Members present, Justin Wallheiser Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was our guest.    Carl gave the opening prayer.

Susan Miller spoke about needing volunteers for the Easter Dinner and a sign-up sheet was passed.

Treasurer’s report and Secretary report were read and approved.

Sign-up sheets were passed for the Non-Award Winners contest, March 29.

Next One Day Contest is March 16, 2017.

Vice President:  Gary Armour passed around a new name tag available with the Paradise Bay Boating & Fishing Club added to the tag.  It is available with both a pin and magnetic back.  We also have Club hats and t-shirts available for sale.

DOCKMASTER:  Don Vogel reported the dock projects are almost complete, our permit expires 3-17-17.  He and John Jelink thank everyone for all their hard work on the docks.  Channel markers will be installed soon.  He asked people to turn the water off down by the docks at night.  Storage area, please leave boat motors in the down position, don’t use any blocks for the trailers, no wood, lumber, crab traps are to be left in or under your trailer.  Take hoses & extension cords off the docks for summer, secure your dock lines so they don’t drape into the water.  Counter weights should be stored on the lower walk way.  The dock wait list is now at 60 people with an estimate 3 year wait list.    We still need two people to volunteer for the Dock master and Assistant positions.

MOTION:  Donate up to $1,000 for purchase of lights for the new channel markers.  MOTION PASSED

BOAT ASSIST LIST:  Don Domrose reported no changes.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS: Nominations were open from the floor, there were none. 

MOTION:  Existing Officers serve next season.  MOTION PASSED          

CPR: John Stump, West Manatee Fire & Rescue certified 22 people on March 3.  Another class on March 10 still has openings, please contact Gary Armour.

Coast Guard Safety Course is available at their GT Bray Park location.

FISH FRY DINNER:  Jim Waller reported we have a freezer available in ParaBay Hall for storage.  Helpers please come at 8:30 AM, the dinner will be held Friday, March 24, 2017 at noon at the Paradise Bay Hall.  This dinner is for members only.

SPECIAL REPORT:  Bill Booher reported There are many organizations out there who strive to slow development and save the remaining Sarasota Bay Mangroves. Groups like FISH out of Cortez and Suncoast Waterkeeper's work to protect what all of us consider beautiful about the Bay and especially the essential Mangroves that provide us great fishing, great wildlife, and great boating.

I would like to suggest to all here to consider becoming Members of these two local organizations.

Membership is $10.00 annually for FISH and is FREE for Suncoast Waterkeeper's.

So, go on-line...look into it Suncoastwaterkeeper.com and Cortez-fish.org

GUEST SPEAKER:  Justin Wallheiser spoke about changes to some FWC Regulations, there was a question/answer session.  Justin also brought several new handouts from the FWC.

Fish Awards were presented.  Meeting adjourned 10:02 AM

Respectfully submitted, Sheila Gilstrap