The GPOA will hold the annual membership meeting on Thursday, February 17th to nominate and vote on two new Board members.  The annual meeting shall begin with minutes from the 2004 Annual Meeting being read and approved.  Next, nominations will be taken from the floor to elect the two open Board of Director positions.  Carol Wilson and Hans Anderson terms will have expired. One condition for nominations - persons being nominated have to agree to accept this nomination for a 3-year term.  Once the floor has been closed for nominations, the nominees will be asked to give a short speech on how they will benefit the association and answer questions from the membership.  When each nominee has been heard, voting will proceed.  Finally, there will be a vote to transfer excess 2004 income to the reserve account to avoid paying taxes on that income.  Then the meeting shall be adjourned.   
    Following the Annual Meeting we shall have an Association Meeting.  Anyone who has an idea, question, comment, concern may have the floor to state their position, followed by open discussion. Copies of the Association's 2004 financial statement will be available to help assist in any financial questions or discussions.
      While we understand that some of you have work and prior commitments, we want as many people to come to the meeting as possible.  Your input is very important to the Association.

    The community center playground received some needed maintenance recently through volunteer efforts along with a new toddler swing.  The swing is made of  high durable material with plastic coated chains for safety.
    Additonally, the GPOA Board of Directors purchased a new tennis court net to be installed soon.
    The maintenance was for the slide set where wood is beginning to deteriorate. 
     We are always looking for help with these projects.  If you can help please call or email any of the BOD     members listed on the back of this newsletter.

(Austin)--"I applaud President George W. Bush today for signing legislation that restores Texans' ability to deduct sales tax from their federal income tax returns," said Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn. "I have called for an end to the discriminatory treatment of Texas taxpayers since March 2002 when I released my special report on the economic costs in dollars and jobs to Texans. I am pleased that Congress passed, and the President signed legislation that closely resembles the plan I laid out in my special report.

"I estimate that hard-working Texas families who itemize their sales tax deductions will now save an average of $408 on their federal income tax. For example, a single mom with an income of $34,500 who purchased her first car for $10,000 would be able to deduct an additional $1,128. This one tough grandma knows that counts.

"With the President's signature, this legislation will put money back in Texans' pockets and will result in more jobs in the Lone Star State. This levels the playing field for citizens and governments in the states that have chosen not to have a state income tax. Now we need to make it permanent."