"Meet the Candidates" Forum

The questions can be censored ..uh..that is "filtered" to try to eliminate any mention of lawsuits and covenants expiration, but the answers cannot be quashed. 

Candidates will express their opinions on these subjects within the context of virtually any general question.  Let's face it--what else really matters except the very subjects the board does not want to be aired?  (Stump paint?  Blowing stop signs?  Post office hours?) 

Well, It appears one present Board Candidate may have had A Spiritual Awakening over the Summer. He would like to conservatively and prudently represent the majority of SLR owners and help make the resort a friendly, "tight knit" community in which to enjoy our retirement years.

Question? Can this present "Board get any more tightly knit"? I would like to see one represent "all of SLR's owners", not just the majority of owners. That is the present mind-set in charge.

Hello Friends & Neighbors, Did anyone attend The Meet The Candidates Meeting today. I was curious if all went well. And was it a fair and balance meeting. I sure hope we see some new faces on the board, we definitely need to change the direction SLohA is heading, and have a Open and Transparent BODs. No more Secrecy behind close doors, the Members in SLohA are being shut out of all discussions. They have Closed Down All Workshops, and there is a reason for that behavior. Thanks for Any Meeting Info!!!

Candiates:  Enforcers and Solution Seekers

This is a compilation of Notes and Comments about the Candidates Forum held on Jan 14th. The following meeting notes and casual comments have been flying in from many diverse sources and I will attempt to present these impressions in a neutral manner i.e. as presented in the meeting.


OVERALL: It was noted that the meeting was poorly attended by around 100 persons.

-It was noted that the atmosphere was tense and that it was made clear at the outset that the Facilitator would permit no discussions about certain topics involving covenant expiration and lawsuits.

-It was noted that there appeared to be anxiety on the part of some members that the meeting would be corrupted by any advance Q & A preparation and thus, Questions were tightly controlled.

-It was noted that questions were vanilla-flavored i.e. “safe and generic”

-It was noted that the physical distribution of certain “key” persons i.e. “friends of the board” were situated at exit points and seated in a planned way to evidence a “presence” and this was seen as purposeful.

-It was noted that the candidates were segregated into “incumbents and non-incumbents” rather than randomly.

-It was noted that the body language of one particular incumbent board member was disturbing, e.g. anytime a female candidate spoke, the facies of this board member would become distorted; lip curl, eye twitch, looking away. This was mentioned by more than one person. One person described that director as a “pompous ass”.

-It was noted that the concentration of message by the incumbent directors was the intent to “follow the rules and regulations”.

-It was noted this vision was NOT shared by the non-director candidates and that their focus was on asking questions and problem solving as a group.

Here are some specific positions of the candidates related to questions:

Opening Statements:

Tummy Blkbrn—love and passion for SLR

Charlies Mnc—I won’t bore you with my bio-I was originally appointed to the Board. Objective –to make SLR a kinder and gentler place (not very convincing). No script was observe.

Jade Rite—Stands up for what she believes, be part of solution, Stated “golden rule”, message one of positivity and hope, didn’t plan on running for board until past summer…

Clf Jnsn-No script-related story of how he got here. Stated we oversee process-we don’t make rules—we enforce them.

Bb TeeZul-how he got here “tired of sleeping on a foldout couch, walks his dogs, meets people so I bought”. Has a sense of humor

Chrls Schlz-“No notation”

Strengths:

Tummy Blkbrn-naturally conservative, be good steward of money and budget, volunteer leader, seek out others, mass communications, year round resident

Clf Jnsn-lifetime experience at managing a conference center, budgeting, worked on many boards. He can disagree then support decision

Bb TeeZul: well-rounded experiences, wife was attorney, sense of humor

Chrly Mnc-had 2 careers, 16 years banking, manager, loan officer, CFO “my success is ability to mediate, compromise and find solutions to problems”.

Jade Rite: listen and see all sides, common sense

Chrly Schlz-businessman, likes to work, gets things done, can’t say NO

Relationship between Management Company and Board

Bb TeeZul- my order of priority is 1- Owners, 2- Board and 3-Management Company

Chrls Schlz: Owners are important BUT board sees rules are fulfilled. Management Company keeps board honest.

Jade Rite: Line of communication needs to be better. More information, less rumors and open communication

Clf Jnsn-Owners pass budget and rules, board sees that it is followed. Management company is profession so we can hire or fire manager. Be aware of needs of people. We enforce unpopular rules.

Tummy Blkbrn: I work for the homeowners who are our real bosses. Communication-listen to homeowners, engage in dialog so homeowners know what’s going on, positive person.

Chrly Mnc: Easy—director is set out in Covenants and Rules. Owners are #1 because they approved the Rules and Regulations and voted in elections to carry out their rules. Board looks to Management Company to keep us out of trouble, people have no idea of filings and report by Management Company and are “shooting the messenger”, our job is dictated by Rules and Covenants and Regulations. We represent the majority-not individuals.

Position of operating park “outside management” versus “inside”

Chrly Mnc—“I’m a straight shooter, my actions are I’ve fully supported Management Company and history a show a single man has become a complete disaster, SLR s in best shape ever

Jade Rite- I don’t have this experience yet but am willing to learn

Clf Jnsn- I echo Chrly (Mnc), Management Company prepares a Reserve Schedule and everything we own is being funded so it can be replaced when time is up, we see every dime that’s spent, Management Company keeps State and Count things done.

Tummy Blkbrn-there are benefits to Management Company, styles of several previous managers, we get after the fact information, no idea or boat dock, tennis courts, pool, be more realistic in advance planning and inform homeowners, anything over $50,000 has to be voted on before; why aren’t homeowners involved on big expenditures?

Bb TeeZul: Board seems to be of 2 different schools of thought—supports Manager. (Holds up report showing highlighted areas he does not understand “Nobody questions—nobody knows what is going on, it bothers me when I don’t understand”

Chrls Schlz-we don’t see what M. e. l. does, we need a person watching the gate to keep things out that don’t belong here”.

What new ideas or amenities to offer in resort?

Jade Rite-she has already been talking to many new owners and renters about pickle ball

Chrls Schlz- Hayvn’t had time to talk to people, open to bring up

Clf Jnsn- I don’t know, maybe replace basketball hoop? Playground”, walking trail with physical fitness stations, I’m so busy.

Tummy Blkbrn- “It’s about what You want. Open dialog between homeowners and board, people change, be fiscally responsible. Board spends a lot of time maintaining what we have, what we have here is overkill

Bb TeeZul-Personal Shopping service for supplies

What is your 3-5 year vision for resort?

Tummy Blkbrn- Look at where we’ve come since Hurricane Chrly; it’s the people who are positive

Chrly Mnc-the owners’ interests, motivation and passion of the board

Jade Rite-come together, solve issues, be better

Bb TeeZul-I want a Bulletin board with sold out homes and nothing available. There are too many places for sale now.

Chrls Schlz-I’m scared this next generation won’t get involved in Men’s Club, Owners have to get behind board, we’re looking to save you money. We need doers”.

Clf Jnsn-Garden Club volunteer group is ending we have too hire now, open time with board members, only one person came, only one cared, why does no one care? One monthly Board meeting-get involved.

Closing Remarks

Tummy Blkbrn-(Clearly speaking in positive way) “I’ve enjoyed hearing comments, we share a love of SLR, we want our investment to grow. I’m eager to listen.

Chrly Mnc “I don’t have a closing statement. Our job is owners approve amendments and rules and mandates board too enforce and follow rules, Management Company keeps us on straight and narrow. I guarantee there hasn’t been Management actions have Hayvn’t been supported by board who was doing what owners voted on. For change, there is a protocol. That’s how it’s done in a democratic society.

Jade Rite-Thank you to all

Clf Jnsn-We represent a Sm all town, it boils down to trust for board to carry out

Chrls Schlz- “ I try to be positive person. I try to represent the people—no myself. I hope all the work I’ve done turns out to be positive for SLR.

Bb TeeZul-“We’re closed, we’re done.

Impressions from various attendees compiled:

1- Old board perceives that they are an “enforcement” group. New board did not talk about “enforcement” at all.
2- Old board said they were willing to listen to the owners but have stopped workshops, no more Business meeting Owner comments and don’t answer phone or email nor read all owner correspondence at meetings. New board-each person mention how they value listening, open communication, working together at problem solving,
3- Old board-no prepared notes that were visible from audience; spoke “off the cuff”, vague and stammering comments, New Board-well prepared, clear points, positive
4- Old Board-talked a lot about “past”, what they’ve done, lukewarm affect, New Board talked about future, were positive about potential
5- Old Board mostly career “managers”, business focus, New board Life experience and people focus.