The no-name group chaired another Members' Meeting today at 1:30 in the clubhouse. It was standing room only. The group which claims to be bringing harmony back to the park presented prepared statements by four of its leaders, Betty Ridge, Rose Reis, Paul McCumber, and Tim Reynolds. No comments were allowed while they were speaking.
The floor was then opened for comments, and the usual guys spoke general comments and concerns, after Betty's stern warning not to discuss anything on a personal level. There were relatively few comments made, so the presenters were back at it again, with comments more closely leveled at "the Board" and the recent budget passed. Their written statements were already done, so this time, comments were a little more emotional and accusatory.
I wasn't writing minutes, (I doubt anyone was), but sometime soon, Paul leveled a direct question at Ron Herb, the Board VP. Ron stood and answered the question, saying that he didn't want to speak at this meeting, but he answered what he was asked. More "leader" comments ensued, and finally Ron walked to the front, took the mic and addressed the topic at length. While he was speaking, he was continually barraged with verbal interruptions by one or both of the female presenters. (I couldn't see behind the column.) From my seat I hollered as loud as I could "LET HIM SPEAK!" (I am sure that the right ear of the man sitting next to me is ringing tonight.)
Several times throughout the afternoon, Ron stood up to answer what became increasingly more pointed and direct accusations, questions, and comments. As he took charge, even commanding an interruptor to "Be quiet, and let me speak!", Ron demonstrated his knowledge of Board activities, and his leadership skills. He answered, without the benefit of a prepared written statement, many concerns, and even though he began to lose his temper a little, he never lost his dignity nor his respect of the assembly before him. I think he could make a very fine Board President.
As a shareholder, and a new Board member, I agree with many of the concerns which were voiced today. I acknowledge that communication IS necessary between the Board and the residents, and even among the Board itself. No one person or Committee should run the park, and make the decisions, and spend all that money, without some kind of dialogue going on. Open discussions, committee meetings, Town Halls, whatever it takes.
I think the four leaders, who find fault with the Board and the budget, should place themselves on the ballot as candidates immediately, if all conditions are met. You know why? They found a solution! They presented their issues, and got people together and talking. Not necessarily agreeing, just communicating. I would welcome any of them on the Board, more than those others who just like to criticize, and contribute nothing.
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4 comments:
I attended about 3/4 of the meeting and left early due to back problems.My first thoughts was why is this Betty Ridge chairing this meeting and she is not a shareholder and then she discourges one of the first person who ask a question to speak who is a shareholder.I have no problems with outside experts speaking but to run the meeting and to set rules.I always come back to the question "What are the motives?" I think we dont need non shareholders to run our meetings.If she ever ran for the board and became a shareholder i think things would not be much more differnt.Maybe i am wrong but didnt she say "I am not a shareholder" Shame on us.IMHO
Don, I appreciate your opinion. Betty made her motives clear at the end, probably after you left. She has no professional motives, just personal ones. She loves her home and her neighborhood. She IS a resident, and as such, she is entitled to speak at such meetings. She did an excellent job of keeping the meeting moving and the comments to the topic. She has association expertise which would benefit anyone who listens to her, especially our board members. But everyone involved has to understand that there will always be someone who disagrees with you, at work, in your home, and heaven forbid, even in Regency Cove.
The people who are agreeing with this group are loyal residents with concerns for homes and their investments. The people who may disagree with the principles of this group,are loyal residents with concerns for their homes and investments.There have been major disagreements in this park before, when Guernsey gave first offer to the residents. Again it happened years later when the residents actually bought it. We have always survived the disagreements.
My motives are only to help the people who are upset about many things. Our Board sometimes gets bad comments made about them when they have done nothing wrong.
The things that have been questioned by the 100 or so people are with deep concerns.
No one is perfect and I am certainly not. We do the best we can.
Keep your mind on the goal. Communication is the answer and learning how to care enough to make good things happen.
Betty R
I have no problem with residents(non-sharholders) in the meeting but to run the meeting and enforce rules of this meeting against shareholders is wrong.One of the shareholders we elected should have step up to the plate to guide the meeting.Last night Betty Ridge called me at home and before i could finish talking she hung up on me-enough for communication.Don Spector
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