Whiteplains UNICOM #6: Hooray for Whiteplains

2006 is more than half-way over (only 140 shopping days left before Christmas), and a neighbor recently pointed out that it might be a good time to put out a UNICOM that reflects upon all of the good things that have happened in Whiteplains since the start of the year. The list is long.

Three houses have been completed, and we have welcomed the Souders, the Bridgers, the Nashes and the Bentons into the community. Three more houses are under construction: the Sislers, Lloyd Krueger, and the lucky family who will buy the Eastpointe spec house. Hangars are under roof for Dick Hitt and Vic Carilli, and ground has been broken for hangars for Ray Hill and Tommy Robbins.

Dennis Perry and Ray Ackerman have received their Commercial pilot’s certificate. Instrument rating training is underway for James Kiesler, Adam Skenes and Michael Cone… all under the watchful eye of instructor Jack Fastnaught.

Dennis Ramsey’s Mooney, along with the Froese/Fastnaught/Cone/Ackerman Mooney have received new instrument panels and avionics. Eric Demaray’s Cassutt got a fancy new paint job. Ray Chaplin’s Zenith and Bob Chatham’s RV-6 move closer and closer to completion… Ray expects the first flight in a month or so.

We have moved towards better landscape maintenance all around with the acquisition of a new commercial-grade mower. By cutting the unimproved lots for a fee, we are providing a service to absentee landowners while generating a revenue stream that is defraying the cost of mower acquisition.

We have devoted a very substantial $13,000 to the paving reserve this year, and we are meeting budget targets in all other categories.

We have put out one issue of a paper newsletter, and Don Cook’s blog provides a real-time update to the goings-on in the Whiteplains family.

The community has taken ownership of the Phase II infrastructure and the runway parcel from the developer. This will bring additional responsibilities and costs, but it is a very important milestone in the community’s march towards completion and self-governance.

A pretty good list for only a little more than six months. Just a few more reasons to be glad that we all live in one of the finest community of its kind in the nation.

Ken Plesser, President
Whiteplains Plantation Association