Sunland North Newsletter July 2025
Website: https://sunlandnorthownersassociation.com
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1655, Sequim, WA 98382
Business Hours: Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 3 PM
Upcoming Sunland North Board Meetings
Homeowner Association (HOA) monthly Board business meetings are open for all owners to attend. The Board meetings always include a separate “Owner Comment Period” in which owners are encouraged to participate. The meetings are also a good way to find out what is happening in the neighborhood and how our volunteers handle different aspects of our shared HOA life. The meetings will be held at The Gathering Place, 135 Fairway Drive.
The Sunland North Board Meeting schedule for the third quarter of 2025:
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- July 9, 2025, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- August 13, 2025, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- September 10, 2025, 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Note: Sunland Owners Association (SLOA) is a separate, overarching HOA that includes several other divisions, the pool and tennis courts, and all the individual homes in Sunland; their Board meeting schedule is separate from Sunland North Division 17.
Call for Volunteers
Gary Hatler, President
It’s that time again for me to remind everyone who lives in Sunland North that we are a volunteer organization that relies on the time and talents of all the homeowners to manage and run the association day to day.
I would like to thank all the volunteers who are making our association successful. I would also like to let you know about the various ways our homeowners assist our community.
Four standing committees oversee areas such as the natural habitat, developed landscape, architectural change requests, and exterior maintenance.
At the present time, two Board positions are opening due to normal term rotations. We also have two Committee Chair positions that need to be filled: Insurance Review and Architectural Control. The current chairs have served well, but would like to share the responsibility with others. We will also need a newsletter editor.
Since we have had many new homeowners join us over the last couple of years, I am asking each of you to complete a volunteer form on our website. Here is the link to the form:
Once you have completed the form, you can email me at president@sunlandnorth.org. I’ll pass it along to the Board member responsible for that volunteer area, and they will follow up to answer any questions you might have.
We will also be having the Homeowner Happy Hour, Thursday, July 17, at the Sunny Shores Cabana where the Board will be available to answer any questions you might have.
Thank you for taking the time to give back to your neighborhood. It will give you a sense of participation, and it will help us to keep the HOA dues lower since we don’t engage a Management company to fulfill these roles.
Vice President’s Report
Mark Anderson
Transparency seems to be a word thrown around by news agencies these days. Snopes (fact checker) and GPT (AI) are some of the tools we can use to defend ourselves against misconceptions. After reviewing past newsletters (you can find them on our website), there is always gleaning to be had by looking at our history here at Sunland North and reminding ourselves as to who we are and how operations are conducted.
“Do You Know Who’s Managing Your Investment?” Parts 1 and 2 stood out and were published in the April and July Quarter 2023 Newsletter – worth checking out (again). After revisiting this article, I had flashbacks of people who have never read their HOA Bylaws. This reminds me of myself at one point in time. However, even if you have read them, if something did not apply to you at the time but does now, you may need to take the time to reread the Bylaws. Yet this rarely happens; it is often easier to ask a neighbor who will give you an answer or contact a Board or Committee Member for an answer.
Owners have issues or concerns they want addressed and want to understand why and how our systems work. And it is important to all owners that there is an understanding of how our system of management works and that issues that come up from time to time are addressed promptly.
Misconceptions can be our biggest time wasters and cause the most frustration when expectations are not met. Having questions and answers at your fingertips on how one navigates through our membership/ownership at SLN17 is essential to receiving all the benefits of living in a “Condo-Like Living’ community.
It seems that the best tool to have at your fingertips is: sunlandnorthownersassociation.com website and “About Us” in the drop-down menu. This gives you direct access to every volunteer who takes part in all the responsibilities of SLN17. Connecting with these individuals with any concerns or issues will increase the likelihood of a positive experience and heighten the experience you expected when you first became a part of the community.
Treasurer report
Betty Gwaltney
2025 is already half over, and we are already starting to plan for 2026! So far this year, our budget plan has served us well, and in fact, we are under budget YTD by $36,000! We know there are some repairs coming, house painting, etc., but it’s nice to have a cushion. Just a reminder, the third quarter assessment ($1186) is due in July, so please pay to avoid a late fee, which is now $25/month. Also, I wanted to explain the “Notice of Delinquency” document we are required by WA regulations to send whenever a late payment notice is sent. This document explains that a lien could be placed on units that have delinquent assessment payments. It is not the Governing Board’s intent to immediately start the lien process; however, the notice is required to be included. As Treasurer, I so appreciate our owners and their prompt attention to paying assessments.
From the Secretary
Susan Hamman
Save the Date! Division 17’s Annual Meeting is scheduled for October 8, 2025, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Sunland Golf Course ballroom.
The annual meeting of the members of the Association is held to 1) elect directors (two vacancies to fill this year), 2) present a financial statement showing in detail the current financial condition of the Association, 3) propose and ratify a budget for the upcoming year (2026), 4) determine if a certified public accountant will conduct an audit or a financial review of the Association’s accounts, 5) appoint two inspectors of election, and 6) for the transaction of such other business as may be properly addressed at the meeting.
SLOA Notice: You may have received a recent notice from SLOA about an upcoming community garage sale on July 25 – 27, 2025. Please note that this community garage sale does not apply to Division 17. Our Division 17 governing documents only permit garage sales in Division 17 when a unit owner is moving in or moving out of the community.
Insurance
Volunteer Insurance Coordinator, Susan Hamman
Save the Date! Mark August 29, 2025, 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on your calendars to attend a Community Association Underwriters (CAU) insurance presentation to Division 17. Dianna Kaspar, CAU’s liaison to Division 17, will once again give the presentation. She will discuss how our master insurance policy works and what you need to know to obtain condo insurance for your personal property items not covered by the association policy. The presentation will be held in the Sunland Golf Course ballroom.
Insurance Premiums are Going Up!
Insurance premiums are on the rise due to several factors. These include natural disasters such as wildfires and floods, and the increased costs to replace or reconstruct buildings and appliances. Division 17’s premium went up approximately 13% for 2025-2026.
We, as unit owners, have a responsibility to help the community retain our master insurance policy. You can do your part as a unit owner by maintaining the interior of your home, making sure that plumbing leaks are fixed promptly, and taking care with your appliances to avoid electrical shorts, which may cause a fire. The HOA is responsible for the exterior maintenance of your home, which is why it is also important for you to notify External Maintenance of any issues you find affecting the exterior of your unit. We are all in this together!
Landscaping
Volunteer Landscaping Coordinator, Tom Steffen
Welcome to summer! Thanks to our professional landscaping crew, our lawns and extensive landscaping look spectacular. And thanks to a growing number of owners who are regularly tidying up their bushes and beds, power washing their driveways and walkways, and looking out for the occasional misguided sprinkler head. Special thanks to the volunteers who continue to beautify the entrance to our little paradise.
Several of our many hedges of escallonia around the power boxes on Blakely, Cascadia Loop, and Mendel are looking pretty good after being damaged by two consecutive winters of low temperatures. If you would like to improve the hedge nearest your location, feel free to give loving attention by pruning, watering, fertilizing, and speaking kindly to the escallonia attempting to grow. At least monthly, perhaps you would consider running a hose from your spigot and soaking the roots for a few minutes. Most of the hedges do not receive enough water during the summer heat; they live off overspray from lawns.
If you have questions or requests concerning landscaping and irrigation issues, please continue to use the email link prominently displayed on our website. By communicating via our website link, we have a record of requests that allows us a way to keep track of the ongoing issues in our community. Our volunteer landscape coordinator will copy and paste all email requests and forward them to our landscape contractor or irrigation plumber.
Natural Habitat
Volunteer Natural Habitat Coordinator, Sarah Miller
We’ve seen the completion of our second (of three) field mowings in the last week or so. It’s fun to be able to spot the covey of quail and the numerous fawns now that the tall grass is down. The crows and ravens have a great time looking for treasure in the cut grass as well.
Two weeks after the mowing, it will be time once again for our Poison Hemlock Control Team to get out to spray this noxious weed. We plan to do this over the weekend after Independence Day.
Many thanks to all of the volunteers who have been stepping up to help take care of the Natural Habitat. Special thanks to Gerry Halter, who assisted on very short notice with the removal of a deer carcass. It’s important to get to those quickly!
Owners Who Lease/Rent
Do you lease or rent your unit? If so, Sunland Division 17 requires owners to inform the HOA of any lessee/renter’s name and contact information in case of an emergency. You can email Betty Gwaltney, Treasurer, at treasurer@sunlandnorth.org or call 907-382-0848 about this requirement.
Don’t Feed the Deer; Washington Bans Feeding Deer, Elk, and Moose
As published in MYCLALLAMCOUNTY.COM, Posted By: Radio Pacific, Inc. May 15, 2025
OLYMPIA — Starting Saturday, it will be illegal to feed deer, elk, or moose anywhere in Washington. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) approved the new rule as part of a broader effort to prevent the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD).
The new rule bans both intentional feeding and using bait to attract these animals during hunting. It also applies to feed placed for other wildlife if it causes deer, elk, or moose to gather in one place.
WDFW Director Kelly Susewind approved the change along with several other new rules in March. These include:
Limits on transporting harvested deer, elk, and moose within the state.
A ban on importing meat or other parts from these animals into Washington, unless certain conditions are met.
A ban on using scent lures made from deer or elk urine or gland materials.
Mandatory testing for CWD in any harvested or salvaged deer, elk, or moose in areas where the disease has been found.
CWD is a neurological disease that affects members of the deer family. It spreads through prions—abnormal proteins that can be present in saliva, urine, feces, and tissues. So far, CWD has only been found in Eastern Washington. However, the new rules apply statewide to prevent it from spreading to new areas.
WDFW is also reviewing its wildlife feeding programs, especially in places where elk are fed, to prevent damage to crops.
Meet Your Neighbors
Jan and Doug Hale, Mt Baker
Meet Jan and Doug – although you have likely seen Jan walking with Oscar all around the neighborhood. They moved to Sequim in 2003 from the San Francisco Bay area( having lived there all their lives) after discovering the beauty of the Olympics from pictures at a fair. Doug had a career as a security trader, and Jan had a career as an RN working in home health. They have 3 daughters and 3 grandkids – including a set of twins! Through the years, they have spent time in their RV visiting lots of national parks (Yellowstone, Mt Rainier, etc and enjoying the outdoors – especially going on hikes and watching the wildlife (I think they’re referring to 4-legged critters and not their 2-legged neighbors). Jan also serves on the Welcoming Committee for Sunland North, and Doug mans the TV remote at home. Of course, there are the walks with Oscar and also caring for their cat Piper, who once decided to hide under the bathtub, which only took 8 plumbers and $600 to get her out! We love our pets!
David Breeding and Julie Moormeier, Mt Baker
David and Julie are lifelong Washingtonians who moved to Sunland North just last year from the Seattle area. As they planned for retirement, they made a list of what they wanted, and “Sequim checked all the boxes,” so here they are! David worked as an elevator mechanic, and Julie also worked for the same company, so they’ve had their share of ups and downs! Julie continues to work part-time at a yarn store in Seattle to feed her other specialty – master knitter! (Note the golf sweater she’s wearing!) They have both found lots to do in and around Sequim – hiking with the Sweat Sisters (girls hiking group) for Julie, photography group for David, and pickleball and wine tasting for both. David also volunteers with Sequim Wheelers – a biking group that provides recreational opportunities for individuals who cannot ride on their own! And when Julie isn’t knitting beautiful things, she’s cooking – and according to David, is an “amazing cook!” I haven’t verified that claim, but maybe someday I’ll get the chance (hint hint). They are enjoying their new life here in Sunland North and the great neighborhood we have.
Richard and Joan Bennett, Cascadia Loop
Dick and Joan moved to our Sunland North neighborhood in late February from Gardiner where they lived overlooking Discovery Bay and the Straits since building their home in 2002. Joan’s grandparents were Gardiner pioneers. Joan’s family moved from California to join them when she was a toddler and lived there until she met her first husband, Marvin Shields. He died serving in the Navy in Vietnam and is the only SeaBee to have ever received the Congressional Medal of Honor!
Dick was serving in the U.S. Navy when they met and they married following his tour in Vietnam. He retired from the Navy as a Captain following a 26-year distinguished career. They lived several years in Mukilteo while Dick worked as a consultant, President and CEO of the Everett Area Chamber of Commerce and retired finally as an executive in a regional transportation engineering firm. As retirees, they remained busy volunteering in the local area. A former active fly fisherman, Dick now focuses on his family history and genealogy. Joan is active in PEO (Philanthropic Education Organization), the Daughters of the American Revolution, and spends time with their two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. An award-winning quilter, Joan relaxes with needlepoint, knitting, and crocheting when not socializing at the Rainshadow Cafe. Both actively participate in their church and the MOAA (Military Officers Association of America). Welcome to Sunland North!
Homeowners Association (HOA) Office Hours: Monday—Friday, 9 am – 3 pm
We want to remind all new and current residents of the Sunland North (Division 17) Homeowners Association (HOA) Office Hours, except in an emergency. Contact information for each Board and committee chair member is on the Sunland North Website (https://sunlandnorthownersassociation.com/about-us/); or use the generic “Contact Form” on the website (https://sunlandnorthownersassociation.com/contact-us/).
Sunland North does not have paid administrative staff, and people may be away from home or otherwise occupied; anticipate at least a few days for a response.
2024-2025 Sunland North Board of Directors
President: Gerry Hatler, president@sunlandnorth.org
Vice President: Mark Anderson, vicepresident@sunlandnorth.org
Treasurer: Betty Gwaltney, treasurer@sunlandnorth.org
Secretary: Susan Hamman, secretary@sunlandnorth.org
Board Member-at-Large: Beverly Stern, member-at-large@sunlandnorth.org
Thank You!
Volunteers are central to the running of Sunland North. While we do hire contractors for landscaping and repair work, the management of the contracts and much volunteer labor go into keeping our homes in proper repair, our landscaping well maintained, HOA insurance researched and renewed, debris picked up from the natural habitat area, and countless other chores. Remember to thank your Board members, coordinators, and committee members for their ongoing support and the volunteer time they donate to our community – we couldn’t do it without them, and you.
Kathy Gross, editor, information@sunlandnorth.org