I t is a brand new year and while we have many things planned which we will discuss below. it is important to recognize the people who have made things happen throughout the holiday season which just ended.
First, we should all give Molly Cash a big thank you for her work on the decorating of the entryway and as in previous years, it was very, attractive and well done. She also deserves a great deal of thanks for organizing the Girl Scouts and other volunteers within the neigh-borhood to fill, place and light the luminaria throughout the Gate Post Estates development. Equally critical in this task were Bill Wood, Chris Cluster, Nancy Vonesh Joe Roscher. and Bill Wilkinson who loaned their trucks for the distribution of the luminaria. This year we expanded the luminaria to encompass all of White Post Road from the corner of White Post and White Post and then throughout Gate Post. in the future, if residents of Gate Post I would like to join us in this activity, we would more than welcome the participation, recognizing that for a small investment of time and money. the entire development of Gate Post Estates could participate. Ruta Bailey and Patty Denbrook from Gate Post I, also helped in the distribution and placing of the luminaria in Gate Post I. If we have inadvertently failed to recognize anyone who helped, especially the youth in the development, we apologize, and in the future, we will

gladly recognize those individuals if they will let us know who they are.
The residents from both Gate Post I and II participated in the judging of the Christmas lights contest. The competition was intense between a number of very competitive entrants in all categories - traditional, colorful, creative and entryway. Beyond those who actually competed, numerous homes caught the spirit and decorated more extensively this year than in past memory. In an accompanying article the winners of the contest are noted, and one of our residents, who has been a four time winner in the past, was recognized in the Fairfax Journal as one of the top homes in the county. The Board is considering beyond the categorical winners, recognizing an overall Christmas star award If you have any ideas along these lines, please feel free to share them with the Board. One last note, please understand, as this year and in the past, anyone wishing to participate in the judging, whether you are a block captain, a resident or a contender. please feel free to do so. This is clearly one of our more successful activities of the year.
On January 20, 1998, Gate Post Estates II Homeowners' Association spoke and forwarded a letter to the Western Fairfax County Community Association regarding the Izaak Walton League's intention to expand their rifle and pistol ranges which are adjacent to our community. Thanks to Karen Banick, who

has worked intensively over the past year and a half with the WFCCA, the Izaak Walton League, and the Fairfax County Plan Commission, we are, with other neighborhood associations in the area, close to an agreement that meets the needs of both the Izaak Walton League as well as promoting an environment that is healthy and safe. In an accompanying article written by, Karen, she summarizes the three conditions that we have asked the Planning Com-mission to consider at their February 11. 1998 meeting regarding the approval of the Izaak Walton league's modifications. It is important to understand that this Association has had good relations and intends to maintain such with the Izaak Walton League of America and will do everything possible to maintain a possible good neighbor relationship so long as it does not jeopardize the health and safety of the residents of this community.
We want to thank each of the residents of the Association for responding to our request for prompt payment of Association dues. The $315 annual fee is not only one of the very lowest association fees in the entire county, it is also one of the most efficient in providing a broad range of activities for the Association members. As you are aware, there have been no increases in fees over the past three year period However. to maintain the efficiency of the Association we need to assure that we have sufficient working capital at any given time with

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