NORTH-SOUTH SKIRMISH ASSOCIATION, INC.
Charles Smithgall, National Commander
534 West Lemon Street, Lancaster, PA 17603
Telephone: 717.393.1985, cannon534@aol.com

January 26, 2008

Dear Fellow Skirmishers:
As you know, the N-SSA Board of directors held a very intense, business-filled meeting
in Reston, Va., this weekend. Of all the business we accomplished, I think the most
exciting and important was the board’s agreement to pursue the purchase of additional
land adjacent to Fort Shenandoah. For several years, we have been negotiating with our
neighbor on the road leading into the Fort to purchase their property. Shortly after the
Fall Nationals, we were able to reach an agreement in principle to buy the 30-acre tract
that includes a well, a cabin, and gives us potential for an alternate exit road connecting
with Route 600. This is a significant opportunity for us to immediately increase our
available camping space, which as we all know, is at a premium. There are 10 acres
available for immediate use as campsites. The remaining 20 acres can be developed over
time.
The Board today approved the following measures to allow us to finalize this purchase.
The down payment and closing costs for the $550,000.00 purchase will come from the
land fund. The remaining balance will be paid through a 15-year bank loan. We
discussed various options for paying for the property, and we came up with the following
plan.
We are proposing a dues increase, effective January 1, 2009, of $15.00 per year. This, of
course, requires a by-laws change with the approval of the membership. The proposed
change will be voted upon at the May membership meeting. More details will be made
available shortly.
In addition, units and members who use Fort Shenandoah will pay range rental and
skirmish fees increased by 25 percent at both the regional and national level. This change
will become effective March 17, 2008. We believe it is important for the members who
use the property the most to absorb more of the cost of this purchase rather than simply
assess each member a flat fee.
I am confident our members will support the Board in this decision. We owe it to
ourselves and to future skirmishers to acquire whatever land adjacent to Fort Shenandoah
becomes available. Otherwise, we run the risk of waking up some morning to find our
range shut down by residential or commercial development as Winchester continues its
expansion into surrounding rural areas. We believe that we have made the correct
decision that will protect our greatest asset, Fort Shenandoah, from possible encroaching
development.
You will be hearing more details about the purchase from your representative on the
Board. We welcome your suggestions for ways to finance this and future land purchases
to preserve our home range and the sport we all love.

 

Sincerely,
Charlie Smithgall
Charles Smithgall, National Commander

 

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