Feb 16, 2003

I have to admit that I have seen no factual proof of many of the charges or allegations posted to date. On the other hand, I do have personal opinions and experience with our pool situation.
Before the current swim team took over our pool, you saw many, many more families at the pool (at least during the summer and warm months). It was great. We spent many days there and ate several meals there, patronizing our grill. Not so today. Why?

Simply put, the pool has not been as family friendly as it used to be. Parking has gotten worse; water temperature is significantly colder (when I asked why years ago, the lifeguards told me that the swim team prefered colder water; now the party line is ''algae control''). In my opinion, and this is not just my opinion, we residents had absolutely no voice in whether to even have the swim team here in the first place, and since then it's just assumed (somewhat arrogantly) that this program is here to stay and it is of great benefit to residents.

You ask, where are the complaints? Well, I know of dozens who complained about the pool situation over the last several years, but again the party line was ''You're the only one who has ever mentioned this before.'' Hogwash. Seems like stonewalling to me.

Anyway, the board recently created a ''pool committee,'' and I commend chairwoman Toni Guckert for both her time and her attempt to at least air some of the residents' complaints. I attended a couple meetings but did not think the recreational users' complaints/concerns were fairly represented or aired. The committee did undertake some beneficial changes, such as opening the pool on Mondays, which previously was reserved solely for the swim team. Unfortunately, I don't think the pool will ever be returned to all the residents for their use. (And I don't think the handful of lap swimmers who claim differently outweigh the hundreds of other families who used to enjoy the pool for just getting wet and having fun.

(continued on next post)

A few facts, at least mine

(continued from)

Why no complaints? Well, like others fed up with the pool, I decided to put in my own pool at my house. That way, I now control when it's open, the temperature, parking, food and drink, etc. Many other friends and neighbors have put in a pool for the same reason. But we shouldn't have had to spend $50k+ because we can't enjoy our neighborhood pool. I'm ticked off because I really didn't want to put in a pool but felt I had little choice if my family wanted to swim when the weather got hot.

Anyway, that's just my thoughts about one issue raised by other posters on this website. I think you might see, however, where others may have similar experiences with other issues raised on this message board.

Again, I am of the opinion that the majority of residents should determine what goes on in our neighborhood and with its amenities. It's not clear to me that this has been the case in every respect. The pool situation is but one example.

Also, some posters have complained about problems getting information from the board. Well, count me in, too. When I tried to get information about the pool and its expenses, I received the run around for quite a long time. I was also promised information that I never received. This closed-lipped approach to residents seeking information about anything related to our neighborhood is wrong, pure and simple. I don't think it's a board problem, since the board is a group of volunteers who probably aren't even involved in the day-to-day control of financial information and management of neighborhood expenses and information. Someone is, however, and that someone has not gotten the message that we as homeowners are entitled to this information as if it were our own...which, after all, it is!

Anyway, my random musings about goings on in our backyard.

Circle C Residents: Participate in your community!

-- Chris Bourgeacq