Paul, I'm very disappointed in your post above, and several of the others you've posted on this website. What's gotten into you? You've known all the board members for quite a while. As someone who has promoted "telling someone to their face" in your posts, I'd think that you'd take the opportunity to express your reservations in person. But I suppose it's easier to post here than look someone in the eye.
Should I waste my time replying to you here? I just read where you're 'done with this mess'. I guess your time is more valuable elsewhere and you also believe your posts here have no importance? Come of age, man. Where have you been? What's gotten into me? I'm glad you asked. If you care to continue to monitor and participate on this board you'll see. Please try to keep an open mind and understand that each person posting here is expressing him or herself as best they can and may not have the expertise that someone else may have on a particluar subject.
I only saw you once at the last meeting I attended and you were elected into the board. I had no idea who you were until I asked someone. No proper introductions were made at that meeting. It was a sure bet that I would not be allowed to run because it was stated that I was not a homeowner of this community. And only after I had mentioned this possibility to a board member was it brought to my attention by Sharmin before the start of the meeting. I have read the articles of incorporation and it states that any person can be a director of this board. Therefore I can only come to a conclusion that some person(s) operating in management capacity of this board are not fully aware of the bylaws and are therefore in flagrant violation of mismanagement. But, that's another subject.
Had you taken the opportunity to do that, here are some things you would have learned:
1. The community's insurance increased substantially in the last year. Additionally, revenues were down due to non-payment from some of our members. While we're pursuing all options as to those folks, I hope you'd agree that foreclosure should be a last resort. So under those circumstances, there was no choice but to raise the fees. We didn't do that lightly. Our management company presented us with data from comparable communities and I can assure you that our increase was well under what most communities charged. Our fees remain far less than most, which is something I'm proud of.
Of course, foreclosure is an expensive option and we might not get reimbursed.
The residents will never know just how much the insureance increased though. It's all a secret. Do you trust everything you read? I'm glad you're proud.
2. There was a thorough discussion of the basketball hoop issue in the last year. The input from our attorney was that the restrictions you want are essentially unenforceable.
What is enforceable in this community, as far as the rules go?
3. Rob, Sunni and I met with a contractor to discuss the berm and lake issues. We're awaiting a report from that contractor. We discussed several optons to make our lake compliant with SWFWMD regulations and to make sure that the berm area is secure. I personally discussed both the legal implications of our options, and the engineering employed, with the contractor as both fall within my field of expertise.
Can you expand on that here for the rest of us? Or is this secret stuff too and you would simply state, 'come to the meetings' to hear about it?
Maybe I'll soon have enough information to put together some great articles for the newsletter.
4. As to the newsletters, as Jackie pointed out you volunteered to be on that committee. If you feel there isn't leadership there, it's on you. If you applied half the energy it took in blasting the board members into putting a newsletter together, there would be one you'd be satisfied with. Likewise, if you'd spent your time coming to meetings and speaking with board members instead of badmouthing them here, you would have had your answers already.
I'm glad you gave me your opinion. I appreciate that you opened up to me. I think it took more energy for me to get your and others to finally express yourself here than it would have taken me to put out a newsletter, or, maybe not.
5. No one likes to get violation letters. I've gotten them too. Had you simply asked, you would know that our management company conducts periodic "drive bys" to determine violations. If a car is parked in the driveway and it's covering a stain, the inspector can't see the stain. One thing the board has implemented is a review process so that the letters aren't automatic. I personally take a look at the violations when I get a list to make sure they're legitimate and that there aren't any mistakes.
I knew this, why do I want to ask again? Too simplistic a statement, it's common sense. But, makes sense for those that don't have it. Finally, a review process. Wouldn't you have thought this should have been done from the git go? Congratulations!
6. This website has been promoted. I don't know why few have posted. Perhaps you've read the pulse of the community incorrectly.
Promoted? This is news to me. A small print on the bottom of two signs at the community entrances for the last party is promoting it? Do tell me more in case I missed it. I seem to be left out a lot lately.
Paul, your posts have a very simplistic view of what you perceive to be problems in our neighborhood. HOAs are governed by very specific statutes. Although it would be satisfying, there isn't a "magic wand" we can wave to do what you want. You also need to be aware that we speak with many residents in our community, not just you. The things you're concerned about have not been raised, at least to me, by them. Please understand that it's my role to serve the entire community, not just those who post here. Your posts entitle you to neither more nor less weight than anyone else's opinion.
I'm glad you stated that for all to read. Some don't realize the magnitude of this.I'm hoping you serve us well as you say you will. I wasn't really expecting anything here by my posts but I'm very glad you responded.
I haven't seen you at a meeting since the last annual meeting. I'd suggest to you that it's unfair to lash out at honest, hard-working people who are investing their precious time for free without doing some research. Some of your posts, in my opinion, imply that the board is either corrupt or incompetent. That's offensive and flatly incorrect. Over the years I have disagreed with the board often, but I respect their service and believe that people of good faith can disagree without one side being corrupt or stupid. I wish you'd adopt the same philosophy.
The last meeting was only three people. I'm sorry I did not attend. But, I cannot say at this time why I did not make that meeting. I've made all in the past since I've lived here and I didn't notice you at all of them. So, what point do you want to make of all that? If your time is so precious maybe you should think twice about putting in your time on this board. For you to take offense at my opinions I suspect that maybe you have something to hide or are incompetent to hold this position. Which is it? Is that they best you can do?
One last note: you vaguely reference "the truth" coming out, presumably by your hand. I urge you to more carefully research your claims and assertions before you make them. It's much easier to come up with gripes and start flame wars than to actually look into them and get your answers. I'd think it would serve your readers better to have a source of information they could rely on rather than useless speculation, conjecture, and bald accusations. And yes, it is about attending meetings, if you don't take other steps to get informed.
And where do you expect me to find answers when no one here is willing to share them here? I take it that we can get all the answer from you but you will only share them at a meeting? I think our readers would like to read them here. Again, where have you been, this is the electronic age. This is the step to getting information which you and I have been providing our readers. Just don't get the idea that it's beneath you to provide it here. I'm all ears.
Dave Gould
Vice President
