Went to braunig on Sat., price was still the same, employees were different with a TT name tag on, also some fire dept. was out there doing water rescue practice drills, other than that a few bank fisherman, and one or two other boats.

Kat - Silverleaf does not actually extend to the water's edge. I actually was foolish enough to buy there about 12 years ago and you have to be an owner or the guest of an owner to use the Silverleaf properties and facilities. They belong to RCI not TT and we trade our weeks to go to St Martin and other warmer climates.

Regarding my investigation into CPS/TT, I learned a little more while awaiting viewing the contract.

Upon a forum of TT Flames (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TTN-Flames), I asked this and received the following:

"Greetings,
New user to this forum.

In San Antonio, TX, our utility company has two power cooling lakes that are about 40 years old. These lakes are stocked and have been open to the public and managed by a another local entity known as the San Antonio River Authority (SARA) for years. SARA recently backed out and Thousand Trails entered into a contract with the utility company. We have yet to see the details of the contract, but it is for 15 years and it is a "park management" type of agreement. This might be a different model from the usual timeshare model.

We are concerned that TT will require a membership in order to use the fishing ramps and facilities. We expect a daily fee, but are not sure about TT requiring a membership. I have inquired of TT but they are not answering. I have an open records request to see the contract but TT is objecting and it has to be ruled on by the Texas Attorney General in
order to make it or parts of it public.

So, the question I pose is: Has anyone reading this forum and using TT preserves/parks ever been to one where the public has access to use the lakes and facilities on a fee basis without a TT membership?

Any responses will be appreciated.

Don"

"Don,
A separate entity within TTN has managed parks and CGs for state and federal agencies for many years. There is no membership requirement for users under these contracts--simply pay the agency established fee and abide by the agency determined rules. At Quartzsite in January, TTN will probably be recruiting workers to help carry out these contracts, which includes janitorial and other park maintenance, as well as collecting fees and the like.

My guess is that the power company contracts will be along similar lines and not as a membership operation. Could be wrong.

Bob Clerc"



I also learned more about the parent company of TT, Equity Leisure Properties owned by billionaire Sam Zell, owner of numerous trailer parks, the LA Times, and perhaps, still, the Chicago Tribune. Try googling this guy and see the entries on his legal matters. I'll bet CPS did not look at them.

I am feeling better about our lakes not becoming a private members only parks, even though I am remain skeptical until I see what is in the contract.

Everyone should keep reporting their visits and let's keep an eye on the transition.

I am also really happy with this recent study.

Your doing "well" Don. Sure would have been nice of TT/CPS to publish a short article in the EN, reassuring the local fisherman that Calaveras/braunig would remain available for fishing & boating. If it is ?
It still bothers me, that the purchase of this land & the development of the parks was done with public money. How can the public be denied entry? If it was for security, I could understand, but this is strictly for recreational purposes.
Roger

Dang, I'm feel better about this so far.

parttime, it sounds pretty good right now.....But, I'm with Don on this one, and would be interested in what the entire contract reads.

Could be a clause in there about future rights to charge membership if X number of improvements are made, and so on, like club houses and cabins and such where they sink a lot of money into it, and then be able to pretty much do what they want.

You won't know for sure unless you see the contract! Just sayin!

Does anyone know if the gates are still opening at 6AM? Going thhis weekend and didn't want to sit around waiting.

Supposedly everything is the same until January 01,2010. Only thing I think has changed is gates CLOSE at 8:00 p.m. instead of 10:00 p.m. Make sure you give us a report. I have not been in almost 3 months I think?????? Whew I need to nock the dust off the Ole Skiff reallllll soon!!!!


Rob

^^^Me too! Been a few weeks since I've been out to Braunig.

parttime did you ever get the glass work done on your boat?


Rob

Man I used some of that Marine grade JB weld stuff. I haven't even bother sanding it. It has held up good so far.

That's what I'm talkin 'bout!!!! FISH ON!!!

Thousand trails has a five year plan for the lake they are building a RV Campground there and a country store I don't know what else they are going to do . I'm going to be a campground host there so that's how I know.

Do you know their plan for Braunig?

Welcome aboard John! So glad to have some one here who can keep us informed. Please share any updates with us.

I heard they are building campgrounds at both lakes.

when does the price increase happen?

John: Maybe it's too early for you to know, but would it be safe to speculate that the RV areas, and probably the majority of the campgrounds and facilities will be for members only?

I heard they are building campgrounds at both lakes.

is there an echo in here? LOL

hahahaha was thinking the same thing. People should read the whole thread before posting...

Also those that post, and then say OOPs maybe I've said too much alreay!

i am hoping that they inform boaters that the recreational area along the bank is for bank fisherman only and to stay at least 100 yards away from the recreational bank.ive had so many boaters anchor over my lines and get upset when i ask them to move when im going to rebait. ill reel in my rods and if they are still there ill cast right over them. the 3oz weight and 6/0 hook flying past their head convinces them to be a little more respectful of other fishermans area. boaters have over 80% of the lake to fish yet some of them still want to fish over bank fishermans lines.

^^ repeat^^ 100 feet may be........

repeat 100yds

Good luck with that.....