Sudden Valley services restored

Owners of developed lots, who previously paid $548 in annual dues, now pay $717. Owners of undeveloped lots had their annual dues raised from $472 to $612.

The dues increase, which took effect July 1, has returned most services to the 2007 level, said Dave Wareing, general manager of Sudden Valley Community Association.

Both pools opened this summer, and a number of jobs were restored, Wareing said.

Two recreational staff members, two security guards, a groundskeeper, a receptionist and a maintenance worker were hired to fill seven of the eight positions lost in April.

Except for the groundskeeper, all of the employees are new hires because the original employees found positions elsewhere, Wareing said.

A technical administrative specialist position is the only job that will not be refilled.

The specialist was in charge of creating brochures and other documents for Sudden Valley, as well as running Channel 10, Sudden Valley's local cable television access channel.

The channel has since been switched to the countywide access channel and is no longer specific to Sudden Valley, Wareing said.

Also not returning are Sudden Valley's two recycling centers, but residents can use curbside recycling offered by Sanitary Service Company, Whatcom County's largest full-service recycling and waste collection company.

The future of the former recycling centers is unknown. The concrete structures may be demolished or converted for a different use, Wareing said.

The new dues will be in effect until the end of the year, but may increase again in 2009 to help pay for road repairs, Wareing said.

Part of the repair work includes repaving the road with asphalt, which is petroleum based. The rising cost of petroleum has made the road repair work more expensive, Wareing said.

A vote for a dues increase is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1.