2015 JULY Emergency BOD Meeting

Here is my "take" on the meeting.

Directors present on location in the Conference Room: Jade Write and Tummy Blkbrn
Management present on location:Toneesha Shrodr, Chap Mc Click
Owners present: S u e Tg, Gary skeeverse and "Ernie" Stanley
Directors on the phone: leery listerine, Rgr Blingz, Clf Jnsn & Frns Sm all joined the call late around 9:30am
Others on the phone: Bill Riceman (Bill R) and Terror BearIt, General Counsel

Bill R requested this meeting and explained why that the Appeal hearing scheduled for Tuesday and the sudden resignation of D Brnd, President and sponsor of the Land Use Modification, needed quick action and SLohA needs to seek a continuance of the Appeal Hearing or go ahead with the hearing and do the best you can. He suggested that there might be a need for the Board to also reanalyze the underlying assumption of the Application, specifically, the need for internet provider in the resort. The only comment from BOD was that, at the time this internet was being set up, there were no internet providers.

Discussion of sending Board member as a stand-in for D; there were only two possibilities--Blkbrn and Rite.   Both declined; both totally uninformed on this project and uncomfortable.  They were encouraged and said they could get D's file but both board members were extremely uncomfortable with offering testimony on a subject they were unfamiliar with. Discussion to try to convince D to offer testimony as a "personal designate" of the board (not an SLohA representative since he resigned from the Board). Chap phoned D and Jade spoke with him outside the conference room and he indicated he was on the golf course and would freshen up and either come over to the meeting or phone.  D phoned a little later and Jay again left the room to speak with him.  He said he would attend the hearing but refused to testify.  The board asked Bill R to be their "designated representative" since the board had already approved payment to him to attend the hearing "to be brought up to speed" at the last BOD meeting two weeks ago.  (Remember-D postured Bill R's attendance as a recommendation to the BOD at BILL R's insistence and went as far as to say he was not favorable to that, but Bill R said he needed to get up to speed on the internet tower issue.)

At this point, Bill R tried to lay out the choices and the likelihoods and the risks of the two options: either ask the County for a continuance which must be done ToDAY and agreed to by the Appellant, in writing, or--he would go as a stand in if BOD approved that on a vote.  Bill R indicated that he knew very little about the subject and there was a certain amount of risk from the standpoint of unfamiliarity with a 5+ year evolution of the issue.  It was my impression that Bill R favored asking for a continuance. Blkbrn spoke at some length in favor of a continuance. Rite also supported a continuance.   But--the good ole boys on the phone--you could almost feel the hostility.  I thought their comments were incredibly immature and personal--they did not want to "hand over to the opposition" and used many phrases of hostility to the opposition like "can't let them win".  Clf was quite hostile and leery agreed with his position that we go ahead and let the chips fall etc... (Where did we hear that phrase before?)   In my opinion, these men were letting their anger at having to be in this position and letting it rule their thinking.  I do not believe that these 3 men had the best interest of S-bag uppermost in their collective mind.  They were just frothing at the mouth angry because there were some people in the way and a system that allowed citizens to question a decision.

There were only two directors who controlled their reactions and spoke reasonably and laid out the rationale for their positions--that position being to seek a continuance.--Blkbrn and Rite.  Their input was thoughtful and they clearly had the best interest of Saddlebaggers at their first priority.  Despite the fact that that the male BOD's were leaning toward going into the hearing "blind" and that could possibly be of some advantage to the Appellant, they were advocating for continuance and swimming against the pirhana-like fervor of the overly-testosteroned male colleages.

Bill R once again, laid out the likely scenario in detail that is 'here's what the appearance might be I will be standing up there with minimal knowledge with a board officer who sponsored the Application and has abruptly resigned.  I will be asked about the Co applicant and believe me when I tell you this that this man's background WILL be entered into the record by the Appellant and other opposition.  Now, even though the Commissioners are required to consider ONLY the facts relevant to the Application, in the real world, they are not going to be comfortable with the situation and might find reasons to overturn the subservient Land Commissions decision.  That is a risk but if that is what the Board decides, then we will go ahead and do the best we can.   This time, Bill R's recommendation was more "directive" without coming out and saying "I think you should seek a continuance".

More discussion by the blood-hungry male board members.  I believe there was a Third attempt from Bill R trying to lean the decision toward a continuance without actually making a declaration or take a position.  (I was reminded of this strategy back in Dec 2012 when Bill R described in his advisory letter to the Board that the covenants question was a "gray area".  I am betting that this also was the strategy leading up the decision of the Board to "buy" a loser lawsuit against 66SS last June costing members almost $70K).  He even asked the Appellant (Gary) if he would be willing to agree to a continuance and Gary agreed he would sign the paper immediately and hand deliver it to Bartow. 

The men would have none of it.  They voted:  4 'TaterChip Flipping Guys voted to Go to the Hearing on the 4th, as scheduled.  Blkbrn and Rite voted against the proposition so the final vote was 4 YesGO and 2 NoGO. 

This is going to cost a bundle of $--the 1 and 1/2 billable hours on the phone with 2 attorneys and the amount of reading that these attorneys are going to have to do at what is probably a special billing rate for rush and weekend work.  All the files must be rushed to Orlando by courier and duplicated for legal files.   Plus time and travel to the hearing for 2 attorneys.  Wow, expensive!  Way to go Guys!  But then again the money is not coming out of YOUR pockets!

The only other business on the agenda was to elect an acting President.  Jade Rite was nominated by Blkbrn and accepted.  There was some discussion about the succession requirements and if she would finish out D's unexpired term.  That was cleared by Terror who said there no required succession provision in the bylaws and the board was free to elect any director as an acting President.  She also said they could change their mind and elect someone else at the next board meeting. One of the men asked when the next board meeting was, but there were no meetings scheduled for the summer season.  Finally, Rite was unanimously elected as Acting President.

I am working on uploading the meeting audio and will post the link here as soon as it is up.  It eye opening to listen to the discussion.

Posted on Chug:

July 31, 2015

S-bag Lake Owners,

D Brnd, President of the SLohA Board of Directors, resigned from his duties on Thursday afternoon, July 30, 2015. In an emergency board meeting at 9:00 a.m. Friday, July 31, Vice President Jade Rite was appointed as Acting President until future action can be taken at the next regularly scheduled meeting on August 19, 2015.

The daily operation of our community of S-bag Lake Resort continues in the capable management of Chap Mc Click, Manager, Toneesha Shrodr, Accountant & Managing Partner, Stmbug Ixx Inc., with assistance from our great office, maintenance and security staff, in partnership with the SLohA Board of Directors, Acting President Jade Rite, Tummy Blkbrn, Secretary, Stv Suthrd, Treasurer, Rgr Blingz, Clf Jnsn, leery listerine, Chrls Schlz and Frns Sm all.

Sincerely,

Tummy Blkbrn, Secretary, Board of Directors

Thank you S u e for believing in the concept "for the good of the whole".  Now is the time not for warring but for true open dialog and working together in the true S-bag spirit.  That S-bag spirit is what brought all of us here in the beginning.  Let us ALL practice it now.

What a good idea.  Anyone and everyone could get behind this approach.

The Owners in S-bag Lake Resort never had a say in this Land Use Modification. From the beginning it was a closed door deal with a Sm all group of players. This group never intended to let the members Vote on any issues dealing with Robber stab and KCNet. The Players meet with Polk County Planning at a closed meeting, and it looks like the County went to great lengths to show D Brnd & Robber B. stab a work around, to make this issue with land use, e-legal towers,and a Commercial ISP at Robber B. stabs resident go away.

Then-at the last minute- Norley D Brnd resigns as President of the BOD. Why? I believe he new it was a done deal, so he stepped down so others would have to Vote on let the chips fall.

So in the End 4 Directors Voted Yay to Go Forward with the Application to the County. The 4 fall guys; Lar ry Le ster, Rog er Bil lings, Cli ff Jen son and Fra ncis Sm all. The 2 level headed Directors; Jay Rite & Tommi Blkburn Vote to Postpone the Hearing and include the Members of SLohA, by having a Vote on this application. (those 2 ladies wanted the Residents to have a say)I Thank You Two, for Voting to postpone .

Then we have Mr Insistent(Nor ly D Brnd) he is out of the picture, plus we have 2 Directors; Stevy Sout hard,& Char ley Schu ltz who did not take part in the emergency mtg.
So 2 present & 1 former Board of Directors are not on any Official Emergency Board Minutes as Voting For or Against...

So the "4 Stooges are: Larr y, Roge r, Clif f, & Fra ncis, these 4 Board Members are on Record to go "Forward and To Not Allow The Residents To Have A Say In This Very Important Decision on: "How SLohA's Common Property Will Be Used In The Future"...
The 4 Stooges Have Been Played...
You 4 will go down in SLR History As Being Had !

Now I would like the "Residents of S-bag" to Think about this, just "4 Board of Directors" made a Emotional Decision That Will Change Our Community Forever.... Stooges, You Decide!

Jm Ath
16RC

Is it true that our Board (without a vote from the owners) can deny Brighthouse access to our properties for fiber optics, thus being in collusion with KCNETWORK?   

I like to thank S u e and Lra and Gngr for there great effort of getting to the bottom of this pile of garbage's. I am certainly going to rest easier now that this one issues has been resolve in the S-bag spirit not in the spirit of personal gain. All I can say everyone in S-bag owes these find women a thanks of gratitude .I know some people will not recognized the greatness of this but will deny the facts as always..
It give me great satisfaction to know such honorable people.. 


Owner of 107BK anSS96
Ron Caporale






Quote: Only the spoon knows what's in the bottom of the pot!!

The answer is "Yes" and "Probably".  We have ongoing and growing expenses and get nothing except signal to the Office and Clubhouse.  If you want to count Internet Bb's antiquated spycams that were never asked for or wanted--or discussed with Members and have ever even worked right and for which we have spent a lot on software to run the mismatched attic cameras (much less assisted in vandalism evidence) as a quid pro quo, that is optional. 

YES:  The membership ratified the budget allocation to Reserves last year; this of course, authorized and obligated the Board to allocate part of our fees to the Specific Line Item "Internet Towers" for one fiscal year.

This was a dangerous and misguided oversight--it opened Pandora's Box.   By approving this Line Item funding, Owners adopted responsibility to maintain and replace Bb's towers.  I don't think that most people knew or understood the implications of ratifying the allocation to the budget.  This proposed expenditure to Reserves was not revealed until the Budget Meeting and, as you know, the budget is always held out by the board until the last minute, limiting time for pre-meeting review and discussion.  It was slamdunked mentioned by Toneesha at the Budget Meeting so fast you might not have had time to realize what was in the budget.  (I listened to the audio and she did mention it but it was a very cursory reference  and nobody questioned it.)

The Owners will get another chance to ratify next year's budget Allocation to Reserves and hopefully, will refuse to fund a budget with this Line Item.

PROBABLY:  The board has been spending owner fees on Bb' towers for years.  This has happened covertly in the form of using SLohA property, equipment and employees to work on Bb's towers also overtly in BOD meetings where they motion to pay for Bb's engineering study ($3200) for Polk County Code building violations, paid ($5000) to build safe supports for the Tennis towers (the original supports inadequate and leaning over), SLohA pays Bb's electricity to power the feed to dishes and antennas, automotive expenses on Bb's (?) bucket truck (truck stored by SLohA and photographed in Maintenance Building with hood up), legal fees ($thousands and still counting), insurance (and this is no bargain because all those towers are under our 5 million dollar umbrella, as opposed to separately scheduled by Rider,  and damage in a storm to our own structures might require the entire 5 million, but some of that will have to go to rebuilding damaged towers leaving owners to pony up any shortfall), potential claims related to premises liability (falling dishes and antennas from overloaded towers, worker falls from tower) and SLohA will probably end up paying for the County permits and all the required peripheral support structures, safety enclosures, and any penalties associated with the violations.

And who can tell what other expenses have been hidden in the Suntrust Bank Credit Card that are invisible because individual expenses are batched under a single large figure, typically $8-11K per month?

So, Internet Bb has been given a free ride to keep his unpermitted towers on our common property, thereby limiting our future use of these recreational areas e.g.  someone recently suggested to the board that the Beach site to used to build a covered pavillion for group activities.  This was hardly commented on by the Board (did someone know that the Beach was going to have a tower on it?)  Also, according to the ExPresident Kay c partner, there is some "email agreement" that ONLY Bb's equipment can be mounted on towers that he supposedly donated to SLohA (which is not permitted by Covenant) so even if Owners wanted to lease space to a competitor to offset all these expenses, Internet Bb has supposedly forbidden that.  And there is a reasonably credible rumor that there may be a backdoor agreement to prevent Brighthouse serving SLohA customers on KCNet turf.  Rumor, at present.

I am truly shocked at what has taken place in this park by brazen, self-serving, volunteers/business sponsors, openly exhibiting conflict of interest and diverting Owner fees to the benefit of a for-profit business serving customers primarily outside SLR.   The face of S-bag has forever changed.


 

With regard to the expenses that internet Bb has cost everyone in SLR, I am wondering just how much they are; does anyone on here have any idea or can anyone ball park this figure?

I believe it will be astounding to see just how much of our fees have gone to this business with nothing in return.

All owners in SLR should be extremely concerned with our board spending so much of our fees on Internet Bb's business and should be voting NO on next years' budget and reserve allocations.

We have all been hoodwinked by this Internet business being in here and leeching off of our fees for so long and owners not getting anything in return; all owners need to be made aware of what it's been costing all of us.