Management Company Update:
As communicated at the Annual Meeting as well as in the March “State of the Isles” letter, the V.I.H.A. Board has formed a committee to evaluate engaging a property management company to assist with day-to-day functions, instead of relying on volunteers.  This has become necessary given that fewer people are able to commit their time and longtime volunteers are no longer able to contribute as many hours as they have in the past. 

We had scheduled a Town Hall meeting in May where property management companies could provide an overview of their services and answer residents’ questions.  However, we cancelled the meeting due to the need for additional due diligence. The committee has completed further due diligence, including conversations with legal counsel, which indicate that transitioning the “voluntary” membership in the V.I.H.A. to a “mandatory” membership, including the requirement to pay annual dues, is an initiative that would prove to be tremendously difficult to implement and might not be legally enforceable. 
 
That leaves the V.I.H.A. with the same problem: effectively enforcing Deed Restrictions and seeking to improve our community with a shrinking volunteer base.  The Board will continue to research a cost-effective way to have third-party property management services that would not be dependent on mandatory dues which we hope to be able to discuss at the October General Meeting.  If you have any suggestions, please let us know.  
 
Maintaining high standards dictated by the Deed Restrictions and continued community improvements have contributed to increasing real estate values in V.I. We recently added a graph to the www.ourvi.org homepage which tracks “Property Sales in Venetian Isles” that shows a positive trend. We plan to update and share this graph regularly. Our thanks to Thomas Flynn for compiling these statistics.
 
“Better Idea Time”
Subsequent to the release of the March “State of the Isles” and my mid-April update, there was quite a lot of “chatter” on the “Next Door” website about the concept of mandatory dues.  Let me make the following points to clarify some of the issues that were raised:

• The VI.H.A. Board debates issues through our official forums and not via social media. Board meetings are open to V.I.H.A. members.  Further, all changes to the Deed Restrictions are subject to approval of 66.67% of V.I. Property Owners.  We will not respond to or acknowledge unfounded, unsupported claims or criticisms made in social media. Posts by Board Members in social media, represent their personal opinions rather than official V.I.H.A. Board positions.

• The Board is not seeking to consolidate power within Venetian Isles through the engagement of a management company.  Quite the contrary, a third-party independent management company should eliminate any perceptions of individual bias in the enforcement of the Deed Restrictions.  

• As long as I am still President, the Board will operate with full transparency and will facilitate ongoing dialogue with residents on key issues particularly at the General Meeting and Annual Meeting.  Similarly, we have sought residents’ input on key issues through surveys sent out to current V.I.H.A. members for whom we have an email address. (If you are a dues payer and you are not signed up for emails and surveys, you can opt in on  http://www.ourvi.org/feedback-and-inquiries.html ).

• The V.I.H.A. Board’s primary goal is to make life better in V.I..  However, we are all volunteers and do not pretend to have “all the answers.”  We greatly welcome your feedback on how we can improve the functions of the V.I.H.A., better meet your expectations and communicate more effectively.  The contact information for all Board and Committee members is available on the VI website ( http://www.ourvi.org/board-members.html )  

Beautification Efforts
Work is almost complete on the Overlook Bridge entrance to VI.  Accent lights have been installed on the trees and additional landscaping will be finished by August 1.  
 
Police Reports
I get a report every week from our Community Police Officer which averages maybe one call a week.  There was one burglary of a vehicle in the past month, but the vehicle was left unlocked.  Please remember to remove items of value from your cars and keep them locked so we can continue with this positive trend.
 
Hurricane Season
Hurricane season is upon us so, especially for those new residents of VI, be prepared by having all the recommended supplies. There are numerous hurricane preparedness guides available online, including the City of St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay Times and local TV station websites.
 
Other Items

• The General Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, October 11 at Lutheran Church of the Cross.  6:30 p.m. social followed by meeting at 7:00 p.m.

• Oktoberfest is Saturday. October 20 on Kansas Ave. South.  Details to follow. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Julie Scanlon at jscanlon2048@gmail.com

• The 2018 Directory of Homeowners has been distributed to property owners who have paid their 2018 dues.  Annual dues of $120.00 may be paid online at https://www-ourvi-org.checkout.weebly.com/#payment

• We are looking for advertisers to support the New Residents’ reception in September.  Please contact Virginia Brenman at vbrenman@ourvi.org for details on sponsorship opportunities.  

Please let me know of anything you think the V.I.H.A. Board should be aware of. 

Thank you.
 
Rich Scanlon
V.I.H.A. President
rscanlon@ourvi.org

March 31, 2018

Dear Neighbor: 
 
I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend and enjoyed the temperatures and as we start to see heat of summer ahead of us.  Lots going on in Venetian Isles so let me give you an overview. 
 
Annual Meeting: John Romano, long-time columnist for the Tampa Bay Times was the guest speaker at the Annual Meeting on January 23.  John’s “no-nonsense, common sense” perspective on many of the significant issues that impact the Tampa Bay area certainly was brought to this meeting.  While not everyone necessarily agreed with John’s perspective on certain ideas, the conversation was robust and enlightening for many.  If you have a suggestion for a speaker for future meetings please let me know and we will try to schedule that person. 
 
Town Hall Meeting: At the Annual Meeting I disclosed that the V.I.H.A. has formed a committee to evaluate property management companies to assist with the day to day functions required to maintain Venetian Isles.  Long-time volunteers are either moving from our community or are unable to continue with the number of hours that they have contributed in the past and are not being replaced.  A management company would be beneficial in supporting the efforts of a committed group of volunteers to assure that our community retains its high quality of life.   We have scheduled a Town Hall Meeting on May 3, 2018at 7:00 p.m. at Lutheran Church of the Cross, with a social event starting at 6:30pm sponsored by Northstar Realty.  A representative of one of the companies we have been speaking with will be on hand to provide an overview of their services and answer any questions.  
 
Life on the Isles Publication: Many of you have seen a new publication that was mailed in mid-March titled “Life on the Isles.”  This publication is prepared by N2 Publishing, a North Carolina based firm, and has no connection to, nor endorsement from, the V.I.H.A.  The V.I.H.A. has no control over any of the editorial content in this publication and the advertising dollars they collect are not used to benefit projects in V.I.   Those companies that advertise in our Annual Directory, a copy of which is provided to each homeowner who pays their VIHA dues, have been instrumental in funding beautification projects (see Beautification Items below) throughout V.I. and we encourage you to patronize those companies who support VI directly. 
 
Traffic Calming: I guess “the third time’s a charm!!!”  After the third try, the City finally installed the traffic calming device on Overlook that was approved in October 2017 by a City ballot in Venetian Isles.  On Friday, March 30, the City’s contractor completed the brick imprinting that had been anticipated.  You undoubtedly have noticed when entering V.I. from the Overlook bridge that there is a small bump before you actually get to the speed hump.  That was caused by the City having to “re-pave” that short section and there is nothing they can do about that “bump.”  I have not gotten many comments from residents within VI about this, but of those that I have received, the vast majority have been positive.   We will work with the City to study the impact on speeds on Overlook to see if it has had the intended result.  After assessing that information, the Traffic Calming Committee will decide how to proceed with similar devices on Grand Canal.   
 
Beautificaton: City repair of the seawalls in V.I. continue should be completed in April 2018.  The section between Hawaii and Carolina was the most recent to be repaired.   
 
The street light that was damaged with the collapse of the seawall between Overlook and Massachusetts was finally replaced.  But as several of you have noted to me, there is an overhead wire from the light closer to the corner of Overlook that runs to this street light.  We are working with the City to get this line buried as the previous one was.    

In the December issue of State of the Isles I included a photo of the monument to replace those at the three entrances to V.I. (including Mermaid Point) using funds that have been generated from sources other than V.I.H.A. dues (thank you to our advertisers!!!!).    Upon issuance of a purchase order by the City, V.I.H.A. will apply to the City for a matching grant and then begin installation. 
 
Property of the Month: Different streets are randomly selected each month and for this award are randomly selected and a committee selects the winner based on the curb appeal.  The winner receives a gift certificate courtesy of Dolan’s Nursery and the “Property of the Month” sign which is displayed prominently.  The winners for the first quarter of 2018 are:

• January – Cathy and Larry Gnage – 2092 Illinois Ave.
• February – Larry and Dottie Craton – 2005 Iowa Ave.
• March – Brandon Cathey and Sarah Carlson – 4717 Overlook Drive Ave. 

 Congratulations to each of the above and “thank you” for taking extraordinary care of your properties.  See photos of all the winners on www.ourvi.org under “News and Events” look for “2018 Properties of the Month.” 
 
Text Messaging System: The V.I.H.A. Communications Committee has launched a text alert system to  notify participants of important neighborhood information, which will be especially important as we head into storm season.  To subscribe , text “VIHA” to 77948.  You will then receive a text confirming that you have “opted in” to receive messages from V.I.H.A.  
 
Other Items:

• Annual VI Garage Sale is Saturday, April 7.  Visit ourvi.org for details.  Many thanks to Greg Cahue Handyman Services for his sponsorship of this event

• The 2018 Directory of Homeowners has been distributed to property owners who have paid their 2018 dues.  Information on how to pay your annual dues of $120.00 can be found on www.ourvi.org.  

 
Let me know of things that you see and hear in V.I. via email or phone.  Please understand that I do not respond to posts on social media sites regarding V.I.H.A. matters.  

Hope to see you all at the Town Hall Meeting on May 3!!! 
 
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org ​

Dear Neighbor:
 
“We dodged a bullet!!!”  No way around it.  Hurricane Irma could have done far more damage in VI than what we actually saw.  Whether you evacuated or stayed put, this storm demonstrated how vulnerable we are to major weather systems and emphasizes the need to be prepared.  We made it and nearly everyone in VI is dealing with some form of storm repair but, remember, it could have been much worse!!!  As I tell people who come over to our house and marvel at the view “living here is 362 days a year of beauty and 3 days a year of pure terror!!!”  I still would not live anywhere else.
 
New Neighbors:
So far in 2017 a total of 26 homes have sold within VI.    New residents should have already had a visit from the Hospitality Committee welcoming you to the neighborhood.  Please take the opportunity to welcome your new neighbors to VI. 
 
Upcoming Events:

• October 2 – VIHA Board Meeting, LCC Day School starting at 6:00pm
• October 21 – return of Oktoberfest, bigger and better than last year – please call Julie Scanlon at 525-0477 to volunteer or sponsor.  See additional information below.
• October  26 – 7:00pm General Meeting which will include a Deed Restriction Committee “Town Hall” Meeting to review deed restrictions and discuss potential future changes.  6:00pm “Social Hour” sponsored by Northstar Realty.
• Spring TBD – the VI Golf Tournament will be moved to the spring because of the number of conflicts in the fall, mostly college and pro football.

 
Traffic Calming:
To follow up on my President’s Letter from June and the meetings which preceded that, the City of St. Petersburg (the “City”) will be sending residents of VI a ballot on October 6 seeking approval for the installation of a traffic calming device across from 4712 Overlook.  A speed table is the width of the street and will be 3 inches tall and 12 feet long.  Additional information will be provided on the ballot distributed by the City.  Ballots must be returned to the City by Monday, October 23.  If a majority of the ballots that are returned are in favor, the speed table will be installed using funds from the “Penny for Pinellas.”   A copy of the ballot has been posted to www.ourvi.org.
 
Oktoberfest:
Saturday, October 21 starting at 4:00pm at the south end of Kansas Ave.  Admission is $10.00 per household. Face painting and games for the kids.  Bratwurst, hotdogs, beer, water and lemonade will be provided.  Please bring a side dish in a disposable container to share (last name A-S) or dessert (last name T-Z). Bring a lawn chair or blanket. Kansas South will be closed to traffic for several hours.
 
Beautification Items:
The City started repairing the seawalls on June 27 adjacent to the Overlook Bridge and those repairs were completed by the end of the month.  Two Royal Palms were installed on the west side of Overlook to enhance the attractive entrance to VI.  I hope you’ve noticed and appreciate the improvements.  Thankfully, all those palms survived Irma, although a few palms on Grand Canal will be replaced shortly.  The VIHA Board is studying lighting and irrigation options for the Overlook Palms to enhance the appeal as you enter VI.
 
Seawall repairs to Grand Canal should start in mid-October and are scheduled to take 6 months to complete.  Be advised that there are likely going to be some traffic restrictions that are put in place at various times.  “The inconvenience is temporary but the improvement is permanent…”
 
Property of the Month:
As I described in last quarters President’s Letter, streets are randomly elected and a committee selects a winner.  The winner receives a gift certificate courtesy of Dolan’s Nursery and the “Property of the Month” sign which is displayed prominently.  The winners for 2017 to date are:

• January – Prewitt and Peggy Pace – 2081 Michigan Ave.
• February – Trevor and Shannon Zetrouer – 2032 Massachusetts Ave.
• March – Horst and Rita Brands – 1998 Illinois Ave.
• April – David and Michelle Payne – 2058 Kansas Ave.
• May – Randy and Linda Wilcox – 1990 Iowa Ave.
• June – Eugene Succow – 2250 Mermaid Point
• July – Mike and Grace Wagner – 2052 Michigan Ave.
• August – Bonnie Drake – 1969 Carolina Ave.
• September – Hugh and Sharon Seeley – 2040 Mass. Ave.

 
Congratulations to each of the above and “thank you” for taking extraordinary care of your properties.  See photos of all the winners on www.ourvi.org under “News and Events” look for “2017 Properties of the Month.”
 
Text Messaging System:
The VIHA Communications Committee has arranged a system whereby participants will receive texts notifying them of important information.  To subscribe to this service text, “VIHA” to 77948.  You should receive a reply that you have “opted in” to receive messages from VIHA. Speaking of the Communications Committee, we are looking for an “IT professional” who can volunteer some time to assist with the website and other tools that have been developed.
 
Website Listing of Non-Profits:
For those of you looking to volunteer your time to worthwhile (and fun!!) organizations that give back to the community, we have started a list on the website under “Welcome/Informational Resources/Non-Profits” for you to consult.  If you are affiliated with a non-profit and are looking for members that same site will provide information on how to get your organization listed.
 
Let me know of things that you see and hear in VI.  Hope to see you all at the Oktoberfest on October 21!!!
 
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
rscanlon@ourvi.org
www.ourvi.org

​
Dear Neighbor:

The lights are up and the decorations abound throughout and VI once again takes on that magical
holiday glow. We’re all waiting for the temps to drop so we can wear those “ugly Christmas”
sweaters and leather coats as we tell our northern friends how “cool” it is down here – well, not
quite yet. The VIHA Board hopes you have a great holiday season and best wishes for the New
Year.

​Don’t forget to get your seawall candles from the “candle seller” for your block and light
up your street on Christmas Eve!!! Call Terri Boyle (521-4772) for the name of the candle seller
on your street.

We have a lot planned for 2017 and, as always, there are lots of things going on in our
neighborhood so let me catch you up on the “State of the Isles.”

2017 Membership Dues – invoices have been mailed to all the properties in VI. Annual dues
remained at $120.00 again for 2017. You can pay your dues via Pay Pal by going to
www.ourvi.org. Please support the efforts of your homeowner’s association to maintain VI as
the one of the highest quality neighborhoods in St. Petersburg!!! Members have the ability to
vote in the elections at the January 26 Annual Meeting.

2017 Annual Meeting - Thursday, January 26 at Lutheran Church of the Cross. Social Hour
starting at 6:00pm (sponsored by Northstar Realty – once again, “Thank you!!!”) with the
business meeting starting at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall so attendees can continue to enjoy food
and drink. Based upon feedback from the October General Meeting, outside speakers will be
limited so we can have plenty of time for the election of VIHA Officers and Board Members and
to discuss VI related topics.

Review of 2016 Accomplishments – The “lifeblood” of VI are the committees comprised of your
neighbors who work extremely hard during the year to maintain the quality of life here in VI.
Here is a summary of what some of these committees have done through November 30:
Architectural Review – 83 projects approved including 28 docks and 2 lifts; 8 fences; 10
seawalls; 6 roof and 2 driveway replacements; 5 home renovations; 5 new homes; 2 pools
and 15 other projects.

Beautification – completion of the Overlook Bridge landscaping including 11 Royal
Palms and sprinkling.

Oktoberfest - a “signature event” of VI was brought back to life thanks to the efforts of a
great group of volunteers and sponsors. Over 300 people participated on an October
afternoon that brought a few “sprinkles” but was a great neighborhood event.
Deed Restrictions – Six community reviews were completed; 261 deed restriction
violation notices were mailed to property owners with over 30% corrected within 30
days.

Hospitality – 30 welcome gifts have been presented to new residents of VI.

Membership – Continues to work with new residents and also developed the “Property
of the Month” award (with a gift certificate from Dolan’s Nursery) recognizing
homeowners who have put a little “extra” into maintaining their properties.

Committees – if you have just a few hours a month to dedicate to VI please volunteer for one of
the VIHA Committees. The 2016 Oktoberfest was wholly the result of the work of a dedicated
group of volunteers who worked hard, and had fun, planning and running this event. Plans for a
VI fishing tournament this spring are in the works. Please contact me at rscanlon@ourvi.org and
I’ll be happy to assist you with joining the committee of your choice.

Architectural Review Committee (“ARC”) – The ARC is responsible for reviewing construction
projects outside the four walls of your home. The Venetian Isles Protective Covenant (Deed
Restriction #13) requires that all construction plans must be approved by the ARC to make sure
they meet the particular Deed Restrictions applicable to that project. Information on the ARC and
the projects requiring approval can be found on www.ourvi.org under the “Residents” tab.
Remember that the ARC committee members are volunteers and have “day jobs” just like most
of the rest of us so please give them enough lead time with your project submission to review on
a timely basis and not lead to any delays in construction.

Email Addresses – Currently, we have email addresses for approximately 420 persons which
represents approximately 350 properties within VI (there are a total of 532). Email is a far more
efficient and effective way for us to communicate within VI. Block captains and Board Members
will be canvassing the community in an attempt to increase the number of email addresses that
we have on file or you can go to www.ourvi.org. The VIHA does not release the email
addresses of our members for any purpose other than the furtherance of VI business and
activities.

VI Based Businesses – if you are a VI resident who owns/operates a business consider becoming
a “VI sponsor” which includes advertising in the Directory of Homeowners and on the website.
Additional advertising opportunities in the Directory of Homeowners are also available.
Information is available on www.ourvi.org.

Future Board Meetings – the first 10 minutes of each Board meeting are set aside as “open mic”
time for property owners to voice their opinions, concerns about life in VI. The next Board
meeting is scheduled for January 9, 2017 at 6:00pm at LCC Day School. Meetings for the
balance of 2017 will be set after the elections on January 26. Please check www.ourvi.org
immediately prior to a meeting to make sure it has not been rescheduled.

4rd Annual VI Golf Outing – was held Sunday, October 30 at Mangrove Bay Golf Course with
36 players participating. Thanks to Tom Testa for serving as the “Grand Master” this year.

Garage Sale – set for Saturday, April 1. The contribution to offset advertising costs is $5.00.
2017 Directory of Homeowners – will be printed and made available to VIHA members shortly
after the Annual Meeting.

Let me know of things that you see and hear in VI. Remember, the VI Annual Meeting is
January 26 at LCC Fellowship Hall. Have a great Christmas and all the best for 2017.

Rich Scanlon
VIHA President

Dear Neighbor:
 
Summer is upon us and Tropical Storm Colin was an early reminder of the need to make sure our homes are in “storm shape” and that all the items necessary for sustaining our families are safely secured just in case…..The impact of TS Colin leads the items of significance upon which I want to advise you in this quarterly letter.
 
Seawalls – As I described in the March 2016 Presidents’ Letter, City representatives attended a March 7 meeting to discuss the state of VI Seawalls and the repair plan anticipated. Unless you’ve been out of town since TS Colin, you know that the Grand Canal seawall between Overlook and Massachusetts Avenues suffered what can only be described as a “cataclysmic failure” during the storm. Thanks to timely notifications of this condition by VI residents and prompt action by the City, it appears that the damage was contained to the seawall and sidewalk and not the myriad of utilities that run below the surface. The seawall study commissioned by the City identified this section of seawall as one of the worst in our community and contracts were already being bid for its repair. TS Colin certainly facilitated that and required the closure of Grand Canal between those two streets, unfortunately as of the date of this writing I do not know when Grand Canal will be open for vehicle traffic. The seawall study has been posted to the VIHA website, www.ourvi.org.
 
Congressman David Jolly – will facilitate a presentation on June 20 at 6:30pm at Lutheran Church of the Cross to discuss recent changes in the national flood insurance program. As TS Colin has reminded us, this is an item of particular importance to our neighborhood. Please try and attend this event which is also being sponsored by the Shore Acres Civic Association. Get there early as parking is expected to be in short supply.
 
Special Board Meeting – also on June 20, at 6:15pm immediately preceding the Jolly presentation at LCC, there will be a Special VIHA Board meeting to accept nominations, discuss and vote on a candidate to fill the open position of Vice President on the VIHA Board.
 
Communications:
 

• Website – www.ourvi.org has been updated to be more current and emails will be sent to those who have provided us their email address when new items are posted; -
  

 

• Next Door – in the past, the VIHA has tried to maintain a Facebook page upon which community information could be posted. We found this to be only “marginally effective.” I’d like to encourage all of the VI residents to sign up for “Next Door,” a web based application that allows residents to post items of interest that can be viewed immediately. To register, go to: www.nextdoor.com.

 
 
WANTED: Volunteers – VI has become the community of choice in Tampa Bay because of the tireless efforts of a number of volunteers. One of the criticisms I’ve heard of the VIHA is that “it is run by the same group of people and nothing ever changes…..” In response to that I would advance that 4 of the current 12 VIHA Board members have been on the Board for less than one year and 2 others have been on for less than 3 years. Never have the opportunities for you to  become involved in your community been so numerous. Volunteer opportunities include:
 

• Committees - please see if one of the committees listed below is one where you have an interest and can assist VI in reaching the “next level:” (i) Membership; (ii) Architectural Review; (iii) Arbitration; (iv) Beautification; (v) Communication; (vi) Deed Restrictions; (vii) Deed Restriction Revision; (viii) Finance; or (ix) Hospitality.
  

 

• Membership Committee – this is one of the most important committees and recently was reconstituted by the VIHA Board with a focus on connecting with residents and finding ways to improve life within VI – and having a lot more fun!!!!!
  

 

• Oktoberfest – “Book it Dano!!!” The favorite activity within VI by a long shot and one that residents have requested return as a way to usher out the heat of summer and welcome in fall is set for Saturday, October 15, 2016.  Julie Scanlon has taken on the task of coordinating this event, but she needs more volunteers to ensure we have a first class event. Please contact Julie at 525-0477 if you would like to join this committee. Another way to meet your VI neighbors and have some fun!!!
  

 

• Other Social Opportunities – the fourth annual VI Golf Tournament will be scheduled for October as well as the first annual VI Fishing Tournament.
  

 
 
Speed Limits - Speeding and aggressive driving on Grand Canal and Overlook continues to generate numerous complaints from walkers, bikers and people just out enjoying their yards. The speed limit within VI is 25 mph for a reason. No one wants to be that “guy” (or the parent of a younger driver) who causes a serious injury due to excessive speed. The SPPD admits resources are limited but they are doing their best to enforce the traffic regs in VI and other neighborhoods.
 
Short-Term Rentals – Deed Restriction 54 which will limit short-term rentals in VI is still being reviewed by the Deed Restriction Committee and by our legal counsel to make sure that the language is clear and supportable should we need to go to litigation against any violators. This is a very important issue that currently impacts only a small number of VI property owners; however, it quickly becomes a case of “NIMBY” - literally. Admittedly, we have been working on this for a while but we want to make sure we get it “right.”
 
SeeClickFix – a St. Pete website and mobile app that provides a faster and easier method for citizens to submit requests for assistance with City services, or to report issues that they see while out in the community. More information will be posted to www.ourvi.org.
 
Safety and Security – Ray Merritt, the SPPD Community Policing Officer for VI, related to me that approximately 8 guns a week are stolen from vehicles in St. Pete. While it seems that auto thefts in the neighborhood are down recently, please keep your cars locked and remove all items of value including your garage door openers.
 
Reclaimed Water – one of the biggest sources of algae growth in Tampa Bay is the runoff from reclaimed water which is rich in nutrients and fertilizer. Please check your sprinklers and inform your neighbors if you see a missing or damaged sprinkler head which is leading to runoff to the bay.
 
We’ll advise you of the date of the General Meeting in October via a notice to the website and email blast. The next VIHA Board meeting is September 6, 2016 at LCC Day School starting at 6:00pm. Please feel free to attend and advise the Board of any items of significance within VI.
 
Have a great summer!!
 
Rich Scanlon -VIHA President