Budget Meeting

There was an interesting turn of events at the budget meeting on Dec. 12 at Regency Cove. Manager Tom Merriwether recapped the highlights of the workshop budget reports, the income summary, and the expense sheet. The flat rate maintenance increase was changed to 15%, but Merriwether didn’t even get to that part of the presentation.

Many questions and concerns were voiced, from expensive uniform laundry service to a missing itemized expense projection sheet for 2008. One resident stated that share income should be placed against the loan, and not be used to offset operating expenses. Another resident felt that there are too many maintenance men, with too little work to do. Another asked where the expenses for the new apartment building and new bathroom are reflected in the current 2007 budget. No one seemed to have that answer. One resident felt that the carry over surplus was too large to reflect the need for such a high maintenance increase. There were many questions asked and comments made, but the general tone of the meeting was of concern for the park. Some question the way things have been done, and others are pleased with the history of the finance committee and the park in general. Everyone present was polite and orderly.

A concern about the proxies was voiced, since the information mailed out has been revised, some thought that the whole package needed to mailed out again with corrected maintenance fees and other figures.

Mrs. Nimon informed the audience that a budget meeting of this nature is not required to pass the budget, and that it was being done to keep the people informed. She said that there would be a remailing of revised budget reports, but may or may not include proxies. She later said that perhaps everyone would vote with a proxy. ( I guess she means a ballot.) There was some discussion on this. She made the decision to adjourn the meeting and to reschedule for the second Wednesday in January. The day may have to be adjusted later, to allow 30 days for the people up north to respond. I'm sure we will hear more soon.

Safe Journies to All

There are almost 100 different people leaving the park tomorrow. Most are going to the Panama Canal, some to Central America. I will be one of them.

Hope everyone who remains behind attends the Budget Workshop on December 3, with an open mind and a healthy future for Regency Cove as a #1 priority.

The Devil and Regency Cove

I am just shocked that the December issue of the Outlook would publish an opinion from a resident who had the audacity to label neighbors “the devil and his disciples”. To date, I have never seen horns nor spiked tails on anything moving in the park, nor has any such creature(s) been registered in our pet registration.

I would love to see the religious and personal credentials of the individual who can so easily classify a neighbor with such hatred, while “praying for an answer.” Christianity doesn’t espouse such ugly and negative feelings towards one’s neighbor, in fact, we are directed towards LOVE. I think the author should start praying for a little Love to enter her heart, and replace the hatred and discontentment she demonstrated in her writing.

I spent seven hours today watching the interaction of our nice community at its semi-annual Trash and Treasures. I saw people hugging and welcoming newly returned neighbors. I witnessed people buying little items for others, and just slipping them unnoticed into their bundles. I saw volunteers bringing in baked goods, sweating half of their day in the kitchen, hauling trash, and cleaning up tables so the next diners would have a pleasant experience.

There is no infectious disease rampant in Regency Cove, and the only thing that needs to be cured is the type of thinking that allows someone to be so publicly vile to a neighbor. People can and should speak their minds at Board meetings, but nothing in this opinion warranted publication in our newsletter. Never in 50 years of our newsletter has such a negative and un-Christian item been published.

I think the Outlook editor should be reprimanded for including this opinion under the Club Regency heading, and allowing it in the Outlook at all. There have been disagreements in this community in the past, and we have managed to successfully resolve them, and make correct decisions, without the assistance of the newsletter editor. Hatred must not be published and perpetuated.

3 Redneck Tenors

The first of the Ruth Eckerd Adults at Leisure series began yesterday with a lighthearted approach to some pretty serious singing. The 3 Redneck Tenors performed their Christmas show, which improved significantly during the second half. They ceased the buffoonery of searching for their recently widowed cousin Edna Mae, and just told a few humorous stories and sang beautiful versions of our favorite Christmas carols.
I found on YouTube a version of the Beethovan's Fifth which they performed on TV. Some of you with fast service might actually be able to access it from here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_cib7Tk4IQ

Would love to hear other comments on the performance.

Tree Trimming Party

On Saturday December 1, the annual Tree Trimming event begins at 2pm at the clubhouse. The hall is festooned and the creche is once again lovingly displayed. Please join the group of volunteers who help to make our Christmas season so joyous and personable.

Trash and Treasures Day

On Thursday, November 29, the doors open at 9am for our semi-annual Trash and Treasures Event at Regency Cove. Vendors and registered volunteers only are allowed in at 7:30 to set up their wares. Morning coffee will be available.

Betty Warp's super sloppy joes will be served at 11:00 for the best lunch deal in town. For $3.50, you have your choice of a hot dog or sloppy joe, or a sloppy hot dog, with a choice of 2 sides: chips, potato salad, or beans. A soft drink or water is included in that price.

Bakery items will be sold.

Things usually wind up at 1:oo. Come early for the best deals.

Mystery Boat For Sale

The owner of the mystery boat which floated over from Georgetown, has been contacted by several residents. He originally offered the boat for sale at a thousand dollars. This weekend he has dropped his asking price to a mere $600. The boat needs some TLC and its bottom scraped.

If you are interested, call Larry Buttelwerth or Ed Bedore for the phone number.