Mumbo Jumbo

This months Newsletter (May 2013) is...well, I really don't have any words that can really describe it. Let's begin with the front page with "News from the Board".  April Meeting Held.  Good to know.  I look forward to reading the minutes on the website.  Oh, well I will have to wait a bit seeing how February minutes aren't up yet.  The next news is "Annual HOA Meeting", reminding us of the date and time.  Usually we have a barbecue, but it looks like it has been zapped this year.  And no issues up for vote. Hmmm, seems some homeowners tried to get some items on the agenda at the May Board meeting but it was canceled.  Last year the agenda items were announced in the June Newsletter. Hopefully the June meeting won't be canceled so this can be brought up.

Pool is open, Yay!  Now the entire county can come back to Pawnee Hills like they do every year and swim here.  Yes, we pay our dues so Elbert county can hop on over and enjoy our pool.  You and I know that is what happens every year.  Suggestions have been made to hire security, too expensive.  Security camera?  Too expensive, who will maintain?  How about we charge admission to the public, announce it and use that money to pay for upkeep and security and a lifeguard so we don't get sued when a pool hopper drowns one night.  Yes, officer we know they hop the fence and there was a danger and we called the police, but we stopped calling because we felt you wouldn't do anything.  Could we be held liable?  I would rather be safe than sorry and wait to do something until some teenager loses their life because we didn't want to make it safe.

By-law reminder:  Article X, Amendments 1. & 2.  Read them.  Have no idea what context they are pertaining to.  Is this secret code to something that is going on that not everyone is privy to?  This reminds me of a Supervisor at work that doesn't want to talk to the one person who is not coming in to work on time so they send a reminder to everyone.  Guaranteed that little reminder did nothing for 98% of the residents, how about we become a bit more community geared and explain why we are sending out a reminder?

That about covers page one.  Page two has a Covenant reminder and lets just suffice to say a little note along with the mumbo jumbo would be appreciated.

Skip to page 3 to the Website:  Meeting minutes.  Still waiting for February, March......

I am just a bit disgruntled and apologize for my seemingly negative attitude even if it is justified.  You see I really want positive communication from the HOA board.  I don't want this feeling of us against them.  It is our money that they are managing and I take offense to any attitude that doesn't acknowledge that.  I do appreciate encouraging comments from the Vice President to continue homeowner involvement

I get the feeling that perhaps our HOA board has lost sight of the fact the homeowners have contributed monies that with interest now add up to $110,378.79.  That is a lot of money in this or any economy.  Every one of the homeowners should be treated with the utmost respect and courtesy.  Let us help you, let us become involved.  Throwing mumbo jumbo at us doesn't foster a healthy relationship it confuses most and annoys many.

May Board Meeting Canceled

Some neighbors had agenda items for the May board meeting to be held on the 9th at 6pm. To be on time arrangements were made, work schedules were changed to be sure all were there on time for the meeting.  At the very last minute a sign was hung on the door of the community building indicating the meeting had been canceled.  The facility manager came to us and explained that the decision had been made due to not enough board members attending do make a quorum.

A few days later I sent an email to the board members asking if there was a forum to which we could send Agenda items ahead of time to avoid this in the future. I  received a timely response indicating a discussion on a more effective way of handling schedule changes is in the works.  I appreciated this and am glad to see the board is open to discussion.

The response I received also indicated the the Board of Directors (BOD) are volunteers.  I have to assume this was brought up as a possible reason not all members could make the meeting??? That is understandable, our lives are busy this time of year. That being said as members of the board, they accept the responsibility that goes with the position.  I was also directed to the By-laws and Covenants if I had any issues or problems with policies or actions of the board. I can only assume that this refers to the By-laws that indicate the board can cancel a meeting if a quorum is not met without further notice. However I think that when the board posts a statement at the mail-building stating "Homeowners Welcome" to the meetings, then they should stand behind that statement. If there had been 100 neighbors waiting for the doors to open would things have changed?