The September meeting of the Club was called to order on the Island by President Tryon Wells at 8:05 pm. Present were: Ken Sale, John Thomson, David Lyles, Art Gutnick, Phil Jones, Pat Barnett, Gerry Barton, Tryon Wells, John Matthews, David Holdridge, Leah Hertz, Johnna Robinson, John Stapko, Peter Jones, Holly Syrakkos.

The minutes of the August meeting were approved as printed in the September issue of the Islander.

John Thomson reported that the date for the Know Your River Trip for Park Service employees from Great Falls to Sycamore Island has been changed to Friday, September 25.

Treasurer Ken Sale reported a balance in the Club's cash management account at the end of August of $19,0159.00. Ken also reported that the property tax assessment on the Club's two islands has increased in 1992. The tax on Point Barry island (the real name of Sycamore island) has increased from $985 in 1991 to $1,056 in 1992. The tax on Ruppert's Island has increased from $658 in 1991 to $754 in 1992. John Thomson reminded members that the names of the two islands can be traced back to the names of two of the members who originally incorporated the Club in the 1880s.

Membership Secretary Pat Barnett reported two vacancies, and the following new members were unanimously elected to Regular membership: William Eichbaum and Elissa Parker, George and Susan Breznay.

Pat also reported on a letter she received from an applicant on the waiting list. The applicant pointed out that the Island doesn't seem to be crowded, and went on to politely suggest that the Club might want to review its membership policies. The applicant was concerned that with the waiting list at approximately 100 people and at the current pace of new members entering the Club, their children would be grown by the time the family actually became eligible for regular membership. Pat will respond to the letter, and her response will be printed in the October Islander.

Captain John Matthews reported that he had recently sent a letter to Congresswoman Connie Morella about the poor condition of the path from the Parkway down to the towpath. John also indicated that at a large party in late August, he observed small children riding back and forth on the ferry. He and others expressed concern that members were not following appropriate safety precautions when they hosted large parties on the Island.

House Committee Chairperson Leah Hertz reported on her survey of lockers in the Clubhouse. There are 70 lockers in the men's locker room downstairs, and 57 lockers in the women's locker room upstairs. There is room for more lockers in both the men's and women's locker rooms. Further investigation of the content of some of the lockers will be made to determine if all of the lockers are in use, and an attempt will be made to identify the owner of each locker.

Tryon Wells raised the question of how to put more pressure on the Park Service to repair the path from the Parkway down to the towpath. After a lengthy discussion, it was agreed that John Thomson will approach the Park Service yet again, possibly enlisting the aid of the C & O Canal Association in his plea for the Park Service to do something. John Matthews will try to get an estimate on the cost of blacktopping the path.

The Fall Workfest was scheduled for Sunday, November 1, with a rain date of November 15.

The meeting adjourned at 9:20 pm.

-- David Lyles, Recording Secretary