09/24/2025
Farewell from the Past President
Since 1984, it has been my pleasure to lead this extraordinary organization as both your vice president and your president. Forty consecutive years of managing the association property have been a fun time for me, as well as for my family. During those years, the association property has been upgraded numerous times. The following improvements have been made possible thanks to the hardworking property team volunteers, members, and donations from our co-sponsors.
In the main campground, after leveling off a mountaintop, we added eight 16x20-foot tent cabins and one hard cabin, installed new playground equipment, remodeled the campground bathrooms, added a large BBQ pit cooking area, and added a three-section stainless steel sink complete with hot water. Creek water was diverted into the campground area to create a waterway in the middle before being fed back into the creek below. A well was drilled in order to supply the campground bathrooms with a better source of water. The main entrance road was upgraded from dirt to asphalt. New drainage culverts were built to help reduce water runoff damage to the roadway.
Several miles of two-inch waterlines were installed underground from the water storage tanks down to the campgrounds. These new underground pipes added both hose spigots and two-inch valves for firefighting capabilities throughout the campground area, replacing the 55-gallon drums that had been in place. Four 2500-gallon water storage tanks supply the campgrounds, and 2500 gallons of well water is stored for use at the range site. Overhead wires from the maintenance shop to the restroom were buried underground. A battery backup system was also installed for the bathroom solar lighting.
I set up (with a little help) the first SCCPOA website and revamped the cumbersome and costly annual dues payment/membership renewal system from a hardcopy mail-out procedure to an online process, thereby saving both time and money.
The maintenance shop was remodeled and extended to accommodate four additional tractors, and a large crane was installed to aid us in working on the heavy equipment. Our tractors were upgraded, one from a pony start farm tractor, (old-timers will know what a pony start tractor is) to a Caterpillar (D9) tractor capable of clearing roads and toppling trees as needed.
The range facility was completely torn down, and a new covered structure complete with bleachers, solar lighting, and electrical outlets was installed. Replacing / repairing the range fence and steel targets is a neverending task. What’s more, a new range maintenance structure was also constructed that included a much-needed restroom, complete with a flush toilet, solar lighting, and hot water.
Forty years of scheduling the monthly work (maintenance) day’s tasks also meant buying all the supplies as needed, and buying and preparing the food for the hardworking property crew members. I alternated with Joe Charvez (due to term limits) as both your president and vice-president over the years, but still managed the property the entire time. The decision not to seek reelection was difficult, as this job can get in your blood. It has been the honor of a lifetime because I got to work alongside the numerous volunteers who helped make the association property what it is today. The camaraderie among the entire crew is evident, as many of the monthly volunteers have been steadfast in their service to the association for decades.
I’m grateful to my family and especially to Barbara, my wife of 53 years, for her unwavering support and assistance during my years with this exemplary organization. So, it’s time to say goodbye. It is from my heart that I say it has truly been an honor to serve this association.
Bud C. Smith
Past President
