Name:	alatraveler50 -	Reply
Subject:	Pleasure Point
Date:	8/4/2015 5:10:52 PM

Just got email from a friend of ours who has a place at Pleasure Point.  Alabama Power has sent certified letters stating that they have until 9/15/15 to remove all property from the premises.  It is a really sad day when a lot of really good people have to be evicted from their vacation/weekend homes.  They may be trailers but not everyone can afford $1million homes, I sure can't.  Had the power company allowed it, my family would have probably put a trailer on our lot 50 years ago.  It's not what they have for a lake home, it's the person living there.

It's a shame the power company couldn't come up with some sort of agreement with the few remaining residents that would allow the to stay where they are.

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	Pleasure Point
Date:	8/4/2015 5:54:35 PM

I haven't seen it in the paper or anything but I am pretty sure that Alabama Power was awarded a "summary judgement" on that lawsuit, excusing them from the suit. If I have that correct, this means that the judge saw no merit in the plaintiffs suing them. In other words, they have no case. If I am wrong on the facts or definintion of a summary judgement, someone please correct me.

I have emailed the Outlook to ask about the case but haven't heard back.

Personally, I feel bad for anyone that is having to leave.

On the other hand, I can't imagine why anyone would think they have the right to pollute Lake Martin or its surroundings with a poorly constructed or inadequate septic system. That's what this whole thing breaks down to for me. I can't fathom how anyone can realize they have a septic problem and then just think it's ok and try to change the subject by talking about something unrelated like the value of their real estate. I don't care if you own a six million dollar home, a trailer, or are throwing trash out of a pickup truck. Littering is littering. Pollution is pollution. Raw septic waste is raw septic waste.

Disclosure: I have in the past and currently list waterfront lots at Lake Martin for Alabama Power, as a subcontractor. I don't speak for them and they don't tell me what to think. The above is my opinion, formed by plain common sense.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Pleasure Point
Date:	8/4/2015 6:12:23 PM (updated 8/4/2015 6:19:58 PM)

For me its even more basic, why would SUBleasers think they have any "property rights".

And BTW have they been paying rent to APCO or are they squatting and waiting for a court decision? They should all be tracking the crook that ran off with the money and suing her.

Name:	alatraveler50 -	Reply
Subject:	Pleasure Point
Date:	8/4/2015 6:52:39 PM

John,

You are correct in that no one has the right to dump raw sewage or trash into our lake.  My understanding is that the problem was "gray water".  Which is still not right.  The remaining residents, or at least most of them had hired engineers who had a plan for a new septic system that would work for the park.

My comment about trailers vs $1million homes was due to some previous comments about the "trailer trash" at PP.

The biggest problem was the person who actually had the lease with the power company.  Yes, the Alabama Power is out of the suit, but what are the residents going to get out of her.

By the way, my friend has been sending a check to the power company each month for rent.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Pleasure Point
Date:	8/4/2015 7:36:27 PM

From what I have read in the past, it was no secret that there were sewer issues. It is unfortunate the residents did not hire the engineer when they realized the problem and approach the owner with a solution which included  a rent increase to cover payments for a bank loan to pay for the new system. Sadly, they waited too long.

Name:	randyman -	Reply
Subject:	Pleasure Point- moving forward
Date:	8/4/2015 8:22:16 PM

is there a plan to do anything with property? A shame to let it sit in disrepair.

The store and fuel stop was a great benefit for the lake and lake residents. Would be a great place for restuarant/bar....with proper sanitation and health code validation. In a way, Pleasure Point Marina was a nostalgic place to experience and a definite part of Lake Martin history. I do miss the place.....

Name:	au67 -	Reply
Subject:	Pleasure Point- moving forward
Date:	8/4/2015 8:48:01 PM

I think it would be safe to say it won't sit in disrepair for long.

Name:	rga82 -	Reply
Subject:	Pleasure Point
Date:	8/4/2015 9:52:11 PM

This is a sad conclusion for the long time residents. However, this is the risk of leasing vs. owning. Even though there were no sanitation problems, what's the difference when the former Russell Cabin owners were notified that their lease was over and their property was now part of a new development? The landowner decides, not a lease holder.  

Name:	Little Gray -	Reply
Subject:	Pleasure Point
Date:	8/5/2015 6:39:11 AM

Once again, John C. an informative and enlightening post. It was your exceptional writing that caught my eye when we were in the market to purchase a place at Lake Martin. 3 years later, our love for this lake is not waning one little bit and I'm still enjoying your informative and often witty writings, no matter the venue. I have some in-laws with an interest in a lake place and I'm keeping my eyes out for potentials. Will surely be sending them your way!

It is very unfortunate for the residents dealing with the sewage/septic issues at Pleasure Point. I can only imagine how heart broken I would be to find myself in this type situation with no alternatives or options. But you are absolutely right, raw sewage IS raw sewage and can not be allowed to flow freely into the lake under any circumstances. As residents and lovers of all things "Lake Martin", I believe we are duty bound to be vigilant in it's care.

Name:	CAT BOAT -	Reply
Subject:	Dear JOHN C.
Date:	8/5/2015 7:33:59 AM

Copy and paste from YOUR above post>>>>  "The above is my opinion, formed by plain common sense."   <<<< If BIGFOOT was still doing yearly awards, he could have fun with that.  A statement one will NEVER read in the "Off Topic" section.  lol. 

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	Dear JOHN C.
Date:	8/5/2015 9:02:34 AM

thanks Cat and Little Gray. rga82 makes a great analogy about Russell Cabins. My family has been renting the same Russell Cabin since the 1950s. It's pretty run down and we make very little improvements to it. We realize that we are always 12 months from getting booted out because it's a lease and we don't own the land. No complaints here, we understand the deal.

Name:	cartdude -	Reply
Subject:	Pleasure Point
Date:	8/5/2015 9:06:21 AM

Let me enlighten everyone with some facts.The master leaseholder knew five years befor she was evicted by apco she had septic issues.She was given one year by apco to fix the problem or her lease would be revoked.She sent several letters to home owners that a solution was in the works.That turned out to be a lie.Apco then evicted her and in turn apco evicted the homeowners.Little to be known to all of you a homeowner in the park who won the ga lottery had a meeting with apco,presents a check for$500,000 to fix the septic issue and give him the lease.Apco told him NO.The master lease holder hides under an LLC and  her limit of liability is $5,000.What I have written here was told to several newspaper reporters but never printed.Hum I wonder why? Also The infraction report from the health dept showed only grey water issues,but no black water going into the lake.They stated there were to many homes and not enough septic tanks.An engineer explained how the problem could be fixed.Thats where the $500,000 comes in to play.

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	Pleasure Point
Date:	8/5/2015 9:23:59 AM

Thanks for the info cartdude. Some questions for you since you have some info:

1.) When can I start dumping my gray water on your property? No big deal, right?

2.) A $500k check sounds like a grand gesture, but what was the estimated cost of buying land and engineering and constructing a private sewer system? Weren't estimates $1 to $3 million?

3.) And how many (what % of the 100+ structures) of the residents were willing to sign up for ongoing maintenance of any system?

4.) If a Georgia lottery winner waved a $500k check at you for something you thought was worth $3 million, would you take it?

5.) When did this $500k meeting happen, with whom, and what were the exact terms of his offer?

6.) Let's make lots of assumptions for this next question: let's assume gray water dumping is no big deal, let's assume this $500k meeting really happened, let's assume it included realistic terms, let's assume it would fix the sewer problem. Let's also assume AP has in fact been awarded a summary judgement (which I will assume until I read it in the paper).  Assuming all that, why did a judge award them a summary judgement and dismiss them from the case?

Thanks for the info.

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	Black water at Pleasure Point
Date:	8/5/2015 9:49:45 AM

Cartdude - you might have missed this link: http://elibrary.ferc.gov/idmws/file_list.asp?accession_num=20150410-5059

It's very interesting reading.

Back in May it was posted on the forum. It is a link to the FERC website and contains some of the official court documents. You are incorrect about it being "gray water" only.

Black water and raw sewage have been documented by County health officials and PP residents themselves. They even refer to internal documents that PP residents wrote to each other and Ms. Walker, some dating back to 2008, discussing the problem of raw sewage, black water, and gray water.

Name:	Talullahhound -	Reply
Subject:	Pleasure Point
Date:	8/5/2015 11:15:53 AM

I have been watching this story unfold.  I have nothing to offer beyond some observations from a distance.  I am a property owner on the lake, so I have a vested interest it the water quality and things that affect that. 

I have empathy for those who are affected, but the truth is that they made a bad investment when they added permanent improvements on a lease held property.  It's like any other investment, it may or may not pay off, and when you do it, you assume the risk.  No one likes to lose, but they played the game and now they have to pay the price. 

My observation is that they  should be angry at the lease holder, not Alabama Power.  She apparently knew that the property was designated for recreation, yet she never informed the leasees.  Apparently, she witheld a lot of information from the leasees or they didn't ask the right questions.  And the reason that no action ws taken to improve the septic system before it became a huge problem was likely that, as a lease holder, she was not going to invest a large sum of money in something she only leased, and two, she was probably concerned that in doing so she would attract the attention of Alabama Power about how the property was actually being used.  I obviously don't know this as fact, but I think it is a reasonable assumption. 

I have watched people on leased property become outraged when their lease is terminated and blame everyone for their loss.  In my view, a more appropriate response is to be grateful that you had the place for your use as long as you did.   No one likes change, but you have to be prepared for it.   

Name:	cartdude -	Reply
Subject:	Pleasure Point
Date:	8/5/2015 1:58:57 PM

I did not say dumping gray water was ok.It is not.An engineer gave a drawing at approx estimate to fix the problem.The $500,000 was to show apco he wasn't blowing smoke.I went to the court house to get a copy of the lawsuit as its public information and I can only go by the page with the infractions from the health dept.Guess I'm sorry I chimed in on this thread.

Name:	realfast64 -	Reply
Subject:	Dear JOHN C.
Date:	8/6/2015 4:25:52 PM

 I hope everybody reads what you just replyed! "rented since 1950" never owning.  While looking at others property, low balling and never buying! Exactly what is wrong with this area and SOME of its so called leaders. Just my two cents not that it matters to some. But some KNOW exactly where i am comming from, don't they.

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	Dear JOHN C.
Date:	8/6/2015 5:18:24 PM

hey realfast - I have never made any excuses about my family renting a Russell Cabin. It's great. We love it. I'm 42, my dad leases it now, before that his father leased it. Will we be there forever? Who knows? Only God and Russell Lands knows that.  I am not sure what you mean by that??

As to your "lowballing" comment - I am not sure what you mean there, either. Please explain more.

Name:	boataholic -	Reply
Subject:	Black water at Pleasure Point
Date:	8/6/2015 8:15:33 PM

Thanks for posting that link.  I missed it back in May.  Completely explains how bad the situation was, and how AlaPower really didn't have much choice other than to do what they did.  

Name:	boataholic -	Reply
Subject:	Pleasure Point
Date:	8/6/2015 8:23:35 PM

The residents lost their suit against AlaPower, but what are he prospects for any recovery against the lady that ran the marina and rented he lots? 

Name:	John C -	Reply
Subject:	News Article: Summary Judgement re Pleasure Point
Date:	8/12/2015 2:46:01 PM

Alabama Power was in fact awarded a summary judgement in this case, here's an article in the Outlook that discussed it:

http://www.alexcityoutlook.com/2015/08/12/ruling-seals-fate-of-pleasure-point/

Name:	TNtoLM -	Reply
Subject:	Pleasure Point
Date:	8/24/2015 2:21:11 AM

I would ask that you get a copy of the actual Health Department report.  There was NEVER sewerage running into the lake.  Not. One. Drop.  The grey water was an ice machine and a washer.  No one in their right mind would have allowed their children and grandchildren to swim in that beautiful water, or residents would have reported it themselves.