May 15 Board Meeting

We saw again today what happens in a community when the board speaks to the people, and the people are allowed to speak back to the board. We had a very pleasant meeting this afternoon, for the most part. The usual business took place, except that the manager's report was read by a board member and not the manager, and no reason was given. And no one asked.
The topic of additional security cameras was tabled, but we will get a safe deposit box for our office records. (I can't believe that a board action was necessary for this.) The open community Trash and Treasures suggested by Elaine Belba was pretty much shot down by most of the membership. Most people didn't like the idea of strangers roaming our community, and the parking nightmares in front of homes with sales. Estimates will be sought for pool repairs. (Again... a board decision is needed for this?)

Very troublesome was the topic of parking on Pelican Point. The residents stressed the need for an uncluttered turnaround for emergency vehicles. The safety of the residents became the issue vs. parking for the people who play on the water. I still believe this topic should have never come to the board for a decision. Apparently some of them want to change our common grounds use to the benefit of their friends. And we learned who they were when both Betty and Paul vote against the safety of the residents on Pelican, in favor of parking for the kayakers. (This just makes the decision to recall easier!)

The highly unfavorable Paul McCumber CPP (continuous parking permit) dilemma resurfaced today when a resident couple requested an additional parking permit so they could rotate their cars at Sunset Point. Some days his car should be parked out there, but once in awhile her car should be off the carport and out on the Point. Our Rules and Regs will need to be changed again, of course. But they were rather secretly changed to put this CPP crap into existance in the first place. This was another of those rules, like the motorcycles in the park, jammed down our throats at a board meeting, We had no say in the matter, but the board rammed it through. One older gentleman asked a question about where his visitors are supposed to park. No one answered him, and he was pretty much ridiculed. "Do you want to answer that one Chet?" ...Hahaha... "No way!"  Hahaha...The old guy persisted and asked his question again, and maybe even twice before he was given an answer to register his guests in the office and get a parking permit. Criminy, our senior residents never had to do this before, no wonder they're confused!
Next, the Marine Commitee recommended that the dock fee be reduced. Many many dock vacancies exist because the annual fee has gone up to $500 , and private docks in the park are available for cheaper. The board has recently reduced the apartment rents, to fill an extraordinary amount of vacancies. The board has also reduced the price of HORC homes/shares to below value to get rid of them. Why shouldn't they reduce the dock fees as well, to encourage leasing them out to capacity? The membership seemed to take two sides... those with and those without boats. The topic was closed for further comments when I realized that the availability of well-maintained docks is a strong selling point for every resident in this park. Sure, you may not have a boat, but it may become a selling feature to the couple who wants to buy your house. The dock fee reduction passed when it was put by Dennis Kralick to the membership for a vote.
After the meeting, Betty opened the floor for questions. Under no circumstances would they entertain any questions regarding Cheri's removal. "I can't say bad things about people who aren't present" Betty said. Dennis Hayes blurted out that they are not allowed to talk about it at all, by attorney rules. When questioned about the new manager, we learned that she started today. The board had to be prompted by the membership to ask her to come meet us. (?!?)  (This secrecy stuff sucks!) So Dennis H went to get her, and we were introduced to Dawn Simmons, our new manager. She has been in management for over 30 years, and a co-op manager for 12. Her credentials are great. She is probably unaware of the issues in our park, and shouldn't be held accountable for anything that's occurred before her arrival. Please welcome her.