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by KEN FLORANCE

As a member of Save Rodman Reservoir, Inc. and an active bass tournament fisherman, I have enjoyed the whole Rodman area, the facilities on the lake, camping, shore fishing and boat launches. I could only imagine how unappealing it would look with only a river there.

Being an implant from the north, the only reason I came to Florida was to fish Rodman. Word is that it will someday hold the record bass and I want to be holding the rod that catches it.

In the beginning of April 2008, Save Rodman Reservoir, Inc. (SRR) received a letter from the U. S. Post Office stating that we would have to reapply for our Nonprofit Bulk Mail Permit. Evidently the Post Office was auditing their Nonprofit Bulk Mail Permits. As with any government permit, we had to pull together a huge amount of documentation. (Of course, it was at the same time that we were busy preparing for the Tournament!) We sent copies of our articles of incorporation, copies of last years newsletters, a copy of our introductory newsletter, copies of "What you need to know about Rodman Reservoir" (a booklet we send to the freshmen legislators), and a copy of our DVD containing Rodman's history, geography, Glenn Lou's "Down the Ocklawaha and the completed application for a non profit bulk mailing permit. All the documentation was then mailed to New York.

On June 6th we received a letter denying our application for nonprofit bulk mail. It seems that in our ignorance when we were filling out our articles of incorporation back in 1995 we were not specific enough in emphasizing our program for saving Rodman was through EDUCATION. These same articles of incorporation were good enough for the state of Florida and the IRS when granting us our charter and nonprofit status. They were even good enough for the post office back then, but not now. After amending our articles of incorporation so they emphasized the education angle we have filed an appeal to the Post Office on the denial of the permit. We cannot thank Representative Joe Pickens and his staff enough for helping us with the "legal language". This has been quite a nightmare !!!

This problem could not have come at a worse time. The July / August newsletter is usually mailed the first week in July. We probably will not hear the results of our appeal for several weeks. Without the Bulk Mail Permit, the cost of mailing the newsletter will sky rocket!!! The Post Office was nice enough to let us know that we could mail the newsletter at first class rates which would cost about $800.00 per issue. Normally, postage for mailing the newsletter under the nonprofit bulk mail rate is around $230.00. You see the problem!

No matter what happens to our appeal, the decision will not come back from Washington in time to mail this issue of the newsletter. There is one other avenue we could travel and that is using "Standard Bulk Mail". This is the classification that newspapers and ads (junk mail) fall into. Although standard bulk mail is less expensive then first class mail it is a good deal more expensive than nonprofit bulk mail. This mailing would cost us about $500.00 using standard bulk mail, however there is an annual fee of $160.00 to get the permit and another $160.00 "setup" fee. This brings the total to about $800.00, so no matter which way we go this issue is going to be expensive. The only saving grace is if we go the standard bulk mail rate and our nonprofit status is denied on appeal we can mail the next issue for about $500.00.

To do a little bit of speculating we think the national post office is losing more money than they normally do and is trying to figure out how to "squeeze the turnip" to get more "blood". The only problem is this "turnip" doesn't have any extra blood to give.

OK! As you can see, because you are reading this, the newsletter got through and this issue we were able to mail out using the nonprofit bulk rate. The Palatka Post Office has not received an official notice of cancellelation and this issue was OK to go. In the interest of keeping you informed we decided to go ahead and print this story even though the post office gave us a break this month. Your guess is as good as ours as to what will happen to the next issue of the newsletter.

Here is a great opportunity for you to help a little if you can. We need more money to pay for this postage cost explosion and these extra little costs that seem to keep popping up. We know everyone has had to tighten their belt a little because of the dip in the economy, but if you have a few extra bucks or can get along with one less six-pack, perhaps you might consider sending a small donation to us. We work very hard to try and keep Rodman safe from harm for you. We really need your help.

Make your checks or money orders out to Save Rodman Reservoir, Inc. and send them to:

We want to be sure and thank you for your help. Kae will make sure the checks get to our treasurer after she sends you our deepest thanks for your help.