January 1, 2001

Dear Members,

Colorado is again blessed with great snow after a two-year drought. Surveying is hard, skiing is good.

A new Board of Directors begins it’s two-year term. Congratulations to the new Directors: Bryan Clark and Duane Senn. Many deserved thanks go to the outgoing Board members Diane Kelly and Tom Cave. The new Board was sworn in at the Annual Meeting on December 2, 2000, in conjunction with the Fall Technical Session featuring Jerry Broadus, Earl Buckholder, and Walter Robillard.

At the awards banquet, special thanks were given to Jill Tietjen, Warren Andrews and Gabby Nuinzert for their outstanding contributions to the profession in 2000. Bill McComber presented an interesting problem: As recipient of last year’s Surveyor-Of-The-Year award, he continued his outstanding contributions, and we couldn’t find an adequate award for this year. So we invented a new one, and presented him with PLSC’s new "Surveyor-of-the-Millennium" citation.

At the Annual Meeting, the membership stated it’s firm opposition to the ACSM/NSPS offer of combined dues at reduced cost. (16 mail-in ballots also stated no, 12-4). I have informed the NSPS of our rejection. As of this writing, I understand that the Washington State Society has polled in favor of the combined dues concept, and Nevada has polled in favor of an alternative structure. Alaska and New Jersey have joined. The NSPS will continue to study how a national organization can best represent the profession. Members of PLSC can choose to participate for the full dues ($183.00). I consider belonging to be a duty, thus have renewed my membership.

The outgoing Board of Directors accomplished many achievements during the past two years. My two stated goals were both achieved: To establish in-roads in GIS, and to draft legislation concerning county surveyors. Our profession is what we make it.

To the new Board, I urge each of you to set goals for PLSC. As the surveyor (and author) Henry David Thoreau said: "In the long run, men hit only what they aim at. So if they should not fail immediately, they had better aim high".

Sincerely Yours,

Warren D. Ward, PLS