The Nominations & Elections Committee has learned that some members who opted into electronic voting are having trouble receiving their ballot. After consulting our election services company, we identified two common causes:

• Email blocking: Some members have filters or blocking enabled on their inbox, which prevents the electronic ballot invitation from being delivered.
• Incorrect phone numbers: Some cell phone numbers are incorrect or out of service, which might be due to a data-entry error when information was entered online when opting into electronic voting.

What you can do:

1. Confirm that the email address and cell phone number you provided are accurate.
2. Remove any blocking or filtering that could prevent emails from reaching your inbox, and check your spam or junk folder.

Electronic voting is the Association’s preferred method, and we want every member who chooses it to be able to participate. Please take a moment to verify your information so your invitation reaches you.

Effective October 1, 2026, the South Whatcom Fire Authority has removed the burn ban that was in place for Whatcom County.

Now that the burn bad has been removed, SVCA’s Rules & Regulations allow recreational fires of less than three (3) feet in diameter and less than two (2) feet in height. Residents may NOT burn leaves, clippings, and other yard and gardening refuse on their property.

Please call Administration at 360-734-6430 if you have any questions.

• Theft / Larceny: Political signs cost money. Taking one that doesn’t belong to you is considered theft of property.
• Vandalism / Criminal Mischief / Property Damage: Intentionally damaging or defacing a sign is illegal destruction of property.
• Punishable by up to 90 days in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both confinement and fine.

Workers from Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District (LWWSD) are on site working on Marigold Drive between Lake Whatcom Blvd and the Clubhouse. They are diagnosing a problem that is causing water to bubble up through a manhole cover and travel across the road. Flaggers will be on site to direct traffic around the closure. LWWSD estimates that the repair will take about three hours to complete.

LWWSD sent SVCA the following report at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, September 30:

Wednesday, September 30, 2026 at 1:50pm, the District administration office received a phone call from a customer that sewer was spilling out from a manhole on Marigold Dr inside Gate 2 in Sudden Valley. District staff investigated and determined that the manhole housed an air release valve associated with the force main from nearby Ranch House sewer lift station.

Pumps at the Ranch House sewer lift station were turned off at 2:14pm to stop any further release of sewage. District staff then determined that the air release valve had failed to seal the flow of sewage through the 3/8” exhaust port. Using flow data from the lift station during the estimated time of failure, it was determined that approx 700 gallons of raw sewage was released onto Marigold Dr approximately 200 ft in each direction of the manhole.

Wastewater did NOT reach Lake Whatcom or Lake Louise. The sewage that was released soaked into the ground on the southside of Marigold Dr. Media will not be notified via press release unless wastewater is believed to have reached a surface water body. The Washington State Department of Ecology ERTS tracking system was notified.

District staff washed the residual sewage off the road surface using a highly concentrated chlorine solution to disinfect the area. The air release valve was repaired and placed back into service.

Members who attempted to vote online this morning experienced an issue with their electronic ballot. The issue has now been corrected. A link to a Revised Ballot will be sent to everyone who signed up for online voting.

The link to the revised ballot will be sent today, September 30^th, in the afternoon. Please be sure to vote the REVISED BALLOT when voting online. If you click on the link that was sent earlier today, you will see a message saying that “voting was closed on September 30, 2026.”

We apologize for this inconvenience. If you have any questions, please call Administration at 360-734-6430.

On Thursday, September 24^th, Lake Whatcom Water & Sewer is completing an emergency repair to a water main break on Glacier Ridge Rd. The repair is expected to be completed today by 5 PM. Thank you for your understanding.

Rebecca Sutter has withdrawn her candidacy for the Board of Directors. The revised list of candidates running for positions on the Board of Directors and Committees is shown below. We thank each of these individuals for their interest in serving the Sudden Valley community.

Candidates for the Board of Directors:

• Brad Edwards
• James Pinkerton
• Tom Henning
• Tomi Flack
• Keith McLean
• Daniel Rodriguez
• Robert Livingston
• Jonathan Elliott

Candidates for the Architectural Control Committee:

• Jo Jean Kos
• Matt Griscom
• Patric Zwolenski

Candidate for the Nominations & Elections Committee:

• Matt Bilderback

We encourage all Association members to learn about each candidate and vote in the upcoming election.

We are excited to announce the candidates running for positions on the Board of Directors and Committees. Each of these individuals is dedicated to serving our community and contributing their time, energy, and expertise to strengthen Sudden Valley.

Candidates for the Board of Directors

• Brad Edwards
• James Pinkerton
• Tom Henning
• Tomi Flack
• Keith McLean
• Rebecca Sutter
• Daniel Rodriguez
• Robert Livingston
• Jonathan Elliott

Candidates for the Architectural Control Committee

• Jo Jean Kos
• Matt Griscom
• Patric Zwolenski

Candidate for the Nominations & Elections Committee

• Matt Bilderback

Your participation ensures a strong, representative, and effective HOA. Please take time to learn about each candidate and cast your vote to help shape the future of our community.

Work continues for the replacement of the bridge connecting Honeycomb Lane with Area Z/Community Garden. The schedule below has been updated to reflect the current status.

The bridge will be closed beginning Friday, August 28 until the work is completed.

Bridge Work Taking Place

August 12 – 14: Daytime Closure/Open after work hours

August 15 – 16: Bridge Open

August 17 – 21: Daytime Closure/Open after work hours

August 22 – 27: Foot Traffic Only

August 28 – Work Completed: Full Closure – No Access to Bridge. Park at Area Z.