October 1, 2024

Dear VI Property Owner:
While we have faced storms in VI before, we have never before experienced flooding caused by an unprecedented level of storm surge of last Thursday night.  Those whose homes were fortunate not to have been flooded still feel the pain of our neighbors who experienced property damage. Together, we will undertake the overwhelming task of repairing and rebuilding our homes, businesses and our community.
We will all be looking for answers and solutions over the upcoming months in an attempt to put our lives back together.  Communities have rebuilt themselves stronger in the past after tragic events and I know we can do so as well in response to Helene.  Let’s do everything we can to assist those in VI whose losses were greater than our own.  I’m struggling to find ways that the VIHA can provide support to the community in the face of such an unexpected and unprecedented storm.  I’m happy to take any suggestions from VI residents as to how we can help the community recover.  So far, what we have come up with is:
October 12 – We are postponing Oktoberfest so I’d suggest we have a “Community Clean Up Day.”  We can focus volunteer efforts on the VI streets and canals as well as the properties of those who do not have the resources or “muscle” to do so themselves.  Obviously, volunteers will be the key to making this effort a success. 
October 24 –The focus of the VIHA General Meeting will now be on insurance issues and questions residents may have about filing claims and the process of receiving insurance proceeds.  Neighborhood insurance experts will be on hand to answer your questions and provide support.
Finally, please disregard the deadlines in the Deed Restriction violation letters that were mailed on September 23. Obviously, repairing our homes, not remedying DR violations is the focus now.  As a reminder, all outdoor construction projects, including patios, pools, docks, seawalls and roofs require approval from the Architectural Review Committee (“ARC”). Please go to the VIHA website at http://www.ourvi.org/architectural-review.html for details on the approval process and documentation requirements.  Please email [email protected]  if you have any questions.
Other communities have recovered and so will we, let’s be “VI Strong!!!!”
Rich Scanlon
VIHA President
[email protected]