Yes, it is that time of year where most of us stop for a bit and focus on "why we do what we do" rather than "just doing what we do."  Here is wishing you and your family the very best Thanksgiving.

Speaking of giving thanks, it is important to acknowledge the many volunteers that give their time to help make our community a better community.  Every community has volunteers but, as an HOA rather than an incorporated town, Battlement Mesa depends even more that most communities on volunteers because we don't have paid employees to do much of the work that needs to be done. In addition to our large assortment of volunteers that support our churches, clubs and civic organizations, nearly all of the individuals that serve on our assortment of boards of directors are unpaid.   So, when you see one of our many community volunteers, please take a moment to say, "Thanks for doing what you do!"

How well do you know our community?  Test yourself against others. 

If you think that you know what the photo on the right is (hint: it is a water fall) and where it was taken email us at BMSA@BattlementMesaColorado.com.      Correct replies will be entered into a drawing for a $25 gift certificate from Bodacious Bites in Saddleback Center.    (What, you haven't eaten at Bodacious Bite yet?  You should!)
	Last months photo, shown on the left, was correctly identified by Paula Coons.  Congratulations!  This is a photo of the flags in front of the BMMD/BMSA office at 401 Arroyo Drive, (across from the Grand Valley Rec Center).

Each Battlement Mesa Village is represented by an elected Delegate that serves on the Battlement Mesa Service Association Board of Directors. Delegates are elected to a three year term.  Since there are no term limits for Delegates, frequently Delegates serve multiple terms.

This month, we are introducing Eric Schmela, one of the two Declarant 's Delegates.

Eric has been active in the Battlement Mesa community since he was appointed President of Battlement Mesa Company in 2006.  Although Eric doesn't reside in Battlement Mesa he spends a great deal of his time and energy in the community doing what he describes as "making Battlement Mesa a better place."   

After earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business from Colorado State University in 1996, Eric moved to Aspen and started working in retail jobs but soon found a real estate path which lead him to his present role and Battlement Mesa.

In addition to serving on the BMSA board of directors and his local HOA board, Eric has been an active member of the Habitat for Humanity Roaring Fork Valley chapter where, in addition to swinging the hammer to build Habitat homes, he is an active participant in fundraising efforts and in negotiating land acquisitions for the nonprofit organization.  Additionally, when Garfield County formed the Federal Mineral Lease District, Eric was appointed to the District's board of directors by the Garfield County Commissioners.   

Eric and his wife, Stacy, have three children including a 9 year old son, Carter, and 6 year old twins, Haley and Tyler.  People who know Eric will tell you that he is a dedicated family man.  In fact, he has been quoted as saying, "What rewards me most in life is my kids."   

In addition to being an avid hunter, Eric enjoys golf and has already introduced his son, Carter to the sport.   

As the President of Battlement Mesa Company, Eric is automatically a member of the BMSA board, but when he was asked about serving on the BMSA board, Eric stated that, "professionally, this is a unique opportunity to be the master developer of a community that offers so much to its residents in an area that can be so impacted by changes in the natural resource markets."  Eric is especially proud of his participation in the effort to build Battlement Mesa's new Community Park which he describes as a "really cool park" but adds that "it's themed on local geology with a lot of cool interactive and educational ingredients mixed in." 

The BMSA Board meets on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. at the Battlement Mesa Activity Center.  All of the BMSA meetings are open to the public.