MAP OF CLEAN UP AS OF NOON TODAY & ARE THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER'S COMMENTS TOO TOUGH ON THIS BOARD?

TODAY'S PROGRESS MAP WILL FOLLOW COMMENTS

 

Are the Wedgefield Examiner's comments too tough on this board?  As the editor, I don't think so.  The storm clean up is like the icing on the dysfunction cake.  This didn't start with the storm.  Remember, The Examiner initially complemented the board for taking such quick action, hoping your board would treat residents as though they where functioning adults, with a brain.  We received little, to no information regarding the clean up at the February 18th monthly meeting.  Once again, our Treasurer was taking care of his area first.  It made no sense.  No one on the board questioned it.  The board in general, has failed to ask questions, vote in behalf of our governing documents, have publicly abused and demoted the only board member who has asked questions

 

 While they withheld information from a board member and ridiculed questions from the board table, others who didn't ridicule, sat back watched, and voted with those ridiculing, like puppets.  At the same time, this board lead by our weak president, has sat back and passed approval on each other, even when there was failure to perform by more than one on the board.  They have put too much power in one board member's hands.

 

Why is one board member Treasurer, Chair of Drainage, Chair of Compliance (??????), sits on the Legal Committee, and ARC? As residents we don't even know where the Compliance Committee job description came from.  Any one who has served on boards knows that the treasurer should be monitored by compliance. Think of a recent example of his ruling on compliance, when one, and only one board member brought up Conflict of Interest, when your board was voting to give our association president a contract.  Garrison, Vice Chair & Legal Chair ridiculed and all but heckled the questioning board member.  When your president said he would pull his bid (Why didn't he know better than submit one?), your Compliance Chair said he wouldn't allow that.  Your board, all but the questioning board member, awarded the contract to our president.  Where was true compliance?

 

During the meeting on Feb. 26th, your Compliance Chair/Treasurer, etc., said he didn't care if people threw non storm debris in the piles for pick up.  Your Vice President/LEGAL Chair said he cared, but did nothing from the start to stop it.  That is his MO.  It depends around the association, as to whether you have to follow the rules, or not.  If some get a pass, we should all get a pass.  Nothing happened to the Water Amenities Committee when they did what they wanted with that old dock.  Nothing happened to our Grounds Chair when he forced us to pay for private lot mowing.  I guess if I want to violate ARC rules, I should get a pass, because this administration gives plenty of passes.

 

 

The Wedgefield Examiner hasn't received negative emails at our published email address.  This morning alone, I've had four contacts from people to tell me to keep it going, it is time there was some place to go to view just what this renegade, lawless board is doing.  I was informed that there has been some cry baby behavior from our Treasurer about what The Wedgefield Examiner is publishing.  I'll continue to attend meetings and transcribe them, seek information/documentation for myself, and share.  We've been under the heavy hand of a few of these players, for too long.  We have also been under the hand of our weak president and those on the board who just hold up their hands and vote, and sit by while the heavy handed group abuse anyone who questions.  So, The Wedgefield Examiner hasn't been too tough on this board.

 

TODAY'S MAP OF THE CLEAN UP PROGRESS (Noon, 2/28/14)

(Today's detail is in brown.)

 









THE FEBRUARY 26 OPEN BOARD MEETING - WHO ARE THEY KIDDING?

The Wedgefield Examiner has listened to, and transcribed the entire open board meeting held on February 26th.  An overview, with a few quotes will be provided.  Listen to the tape for your own verification.  DIRECT QUOTATIONS will be underlined and in quotation marks.  COMMENTS will appear in red and will  be seen throughout the article.

President Walton opened the meeting with all nine board members present.  He quickly turned it over to DeMarchi, who for whatever reason, was in charge of the storm clean up contracting. 

DeMarchi tells us that the storm was the worst since Hugo.  He says, "This is a reminder,  the Hugo clean up cost us $38,000.  We had less residences and less roads in the plantation at that time."  He goes on to say that they contacted Great Lawns, who declined to do the work.  He then says they contacted  Dan H. (couldn't catch the entire name.) and S&W.  S&W already had equipment in here. Dan H wanted more per ton and also wanted a mileage charge, and mobilization fee.  He names all the great equipment that S&W has available for the job. He states, "  They started in the Enclave.  That's where I live, but that's where they staged their equipment and proceeded (Didn't have too. Unless you are only looking out for yourself).  Initially they took the first four days, because Friday they came in and they cleared all the road ways.  Then they drove around and cut all the hanging limbs that were present, and they started picking up on three special occasions.  There were complaints from residents and I had to hold them off to address more hanging limbs over the roadway..........The first four days we took one hundred and one point seven tons to the dump for which we were charged for dump fees.  If you read the article in the paper about free dumping, it was wrong.  That did not go into effect until Feb. 22nd."  President Walton says something that can't quite be heard.  DeMarchi, "Dump fee is $20 a ton provided you have nothing over 6 feet in length and 8 inches in diameter"  A short time later, "We contracted with S&W for all - to clear the roads, load the debris...all the way at $50 a ton."  Again he gives us their equipment line up and the corresponding tonnage they could carry.  He tells us they'll provide the dump slips. He then tells us at some point the dumps are allowing private contractors to dump storm debris at no charge.  He's calculated the dump fees and the trips they made and states at some earlier point that, he calculated, we would owe them $5,311.65.  He then tells us that Mr. Richardson (must be S&W) has lowered his price and is charging a flat fee on the stuff, prior to the cancellation on the dump fee.  He tells us what he had been charging on each of the varying size pieces of equipment (trucks).  Now as of Monday, he quotes the reduced rate on each size truck. So the bill that he submitted was reviewed with DeMarchi, and now instead of $5,300, we will be billed $4,080.  He and the President have signed it and paid for it , out  of reserves at TD Bank. He says he drew up a contract  between S&W and the association.  He mentions all the services S&W are to perform.  The total contract is not to exceed $14,000. He goes into the terms of payment, etc.  He then says, "If it is less than $14,000, he (Richardson) will adjust his price down to it.  If it is over $14,000, he (Richardson) will eat it."  

DeMarchi never tells us what date they started.  The storm was the 12th.  There was a meeting that night and $8,000 was approved for storm clean up.. DeMarchi gave the report at the monthly board meeting on the 18th. Six days later (18th)  he told us that S&W was the contractor, he was clearing a lot, and he was staging in the Enclave. On the 18th his brief report did not quote rates, did not mention the signing of a contract, and he stated he had been driving around moving stuff off the road, himself.  I began to think S&W stood for SIT & WAIT.  DeMarchi, not during this report, nor any of the other two discussions, tells us why his neighborhood, had to be first, seconded only by Garrison's, and Cline's, and then of course the spot clearing on Haig Ct, rather than our major roads -_Wedgefield & Wraggs Ferry, which were kicked to the curb for weeks.   He fails to tell us whether there were two contracts, one at the old rate and then at the new rate, or at least an amended contract. We'll see. He never tells us under what portion of the reserves, the money was taken from. 

Back to DeMarchi, "I've had comments about them removing unrelated storm debris and my response is too bad, for those people who don't want to conform to our policy.  We aren't going to go out there and check what was storm related and what wasn't"   Cline starts her cackling (just the first for the evening - not my word, another residents).  He goes on to say someone complained because some people didn't have their debris out by the road on the 17th.  His neighbor was out of town.  He then says we should tell his neighbor if we feel that way. I have no opinion one way or another about his neighbor's situation.  Frankly HIS neighbor shouldn't be concerned because DeMarchi takes care of the Dukedom, oops - Enclave.  Didn't they get clean up first, above us all?

DeMarchi, "I'm on a bitch section now, because I've been accused of withholding evidence and information from the board, and the plantation, so thus you have it all ...}  Cline starts cackling again. DeMarchi, "I'm not lining our pockets.  Got a hell of a deal and I think that we deserve a little patience." What, while we wait for you to serve yourself first?  I can't wait to see the correspondence file.  All questions and concerns are suppose to be in writing.  Both Garrison and DeMarchi have told me that they don't read the blog, so he can't be complaining about The Wedgefield Examiner.  Someone else must be writing the board.  We'll see.

He complains about Wedgefield's resident drivers and their actions around the trucks. He goes on to give some information as to what has been done recently and where they are going.  Ricefield & Duck Pond areas, will be the last.  He ends the report. McBride asks about the contract amount, and whether there is a second contractor, and whether the Legal Committee has reviewed the contract.  DeMarchi tells him S&W has a subcontractor and that the Legal Committee has reviewed the contract. 

President Walton names some contractors he talked to that weren't interested, or had storm work.  Garrison goes on about how great this contractor is.  He talks about the people who are throwing non storm debris into the piles and how he dislikes it, and yes he does care.  Garrison has sung this song too often, and about too many things.  He wasn't going to allow subsidized lot mowing, wasn't going to stand for that dock situation, but somehow VOTES in behalf of the deviants.  Same old.  Same old. Once again some of his discussion leaves Cline cackling again.  When portions of Myrtle Beach instruct their contractors to leave non storm debris items on the lawn, there is an answer when you are serious about enforcing regulations and providing equality in service.  Why would they, when they allow the Treasurer to consider himself first, and a board member to pile on non storm debris?

The motion is made so that our total expenditure for the storm will be $14,000

The meeting was adjourned.  Quite frankly it was more like our Treasurer's P &P party - pat yourself on the back and pity party.
 

LATER THIS EVENING (FEBRUARY 27) A REPORT ON THE FEBRUARY 26 OPEN BOARD MEETING

The Wedgefield Examiner has transcribed the complete February 27th Open Board meeting.  I am not going to provide the transcription, but an over view to the meeting.  Some things just can't wait until later.  This is one of them. Many on this board seem to think the residents are stupid.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27: STORM CLEAN UP, A NEW DETAIL ON THE MAP - UPDATES AND QUESTIONS

Two weeks to the day, and it appears your Treasurer, self proclaimed expert in all things, has finally directed the clean up crews to Wedgefield's main entrance and access roads - Wedgefield Road and Wraggs Ferry.  I don't know how he'll ever explain how he once again, took care of himself first, friends and cronies next, and then looked to the general Wedgefield population.  Yes, it was Wednesday, February 27 when the first work began on Wedgefield and Wragg's Ferry. 

I made my drive through today and have added the work I saw first hand to the map provided below.  Yesterday, and today's clean up work is provided in GREEN.

I was out of town for last night's meeting regarding discussion and approval of more funding for the clean up.  I'm working today on getting information assembled about the meeting.  Did you attend the meeting and ask our Treasurer why he and his always come first?  If you are a condo resident and have been forced to drive through the tremendous mess approaching the condo area, have you called or written your WPA President and asked him how come Jericho and Haig Courts, were so MUCH more important than you are.  You, as condo owners have voted our president ticket more than once.  Why would he allow this to happen?  It could look, like he does what it takes to keep this cohesive (oops, old boy's network), mismanaged, unprofessional board, committed to letting him remain as president.

HERE'S THE MAP:





WHERE WILL OUR TREASURER DIRECT THE CLEAN UP CONTRACTOR TO WORK TODAY? WILL IT SERVE THE MAJORITY, OR WHAT COULD APPEAR TO BE HIS SPECIAL INTERESTS? THERE'S A BOARD MEETING TONIGHT TO DISCUSS APPROVING MORE FUNDS FOR CLEAN UP. WILL YOU ATTEND?

The pictured debris are a fly spot compared to the debris piled along Wedgefield and Wraggs Ferry roads.  They are a safety hazard and a blight to any non resident, or potential home buyer entering the plantation.  The work completed on the Enclave takes care of the dukedom (Our treasurer's prime area of interest and projects.), our vice president and legal chair and a bulk of the key players in King George area (Many who were active in suing the association.  Some who our treasurer finds so helpful now.), the secretary of the board on Captain Anthony White, and then out of the blue they pick Haig Ct (Home of two more concerned citizens who were active in law suits against the board.).  All the rest of us can drive through debris on the two main roads in and out of here, because we aren't a priority.  Those board members who live on the canals (five) can wait.  Most of them only raise their hands and vote to keep this kind of illogical, unprofessional, good old boys network going (Remember the dock?).

There is a open board meeting tonight to consider approval of more funds.  Will you attend?  I would be there in a heart beat but was scheduled out of town before this.  I'll have to do my drive thru Thursday.  I did a second drive thru last night.  Our map remains the same.





TWO NEW ARTICLES WERE ADDED TODAY

A FRIEND FROM FLORIDA WHO FOLLOWS THE BLOG SENT THIS TO ME TODAY. WHILE IT SPEAKS TO POLITICS IN GENERAL, IT CERTAINLY APPLIES IN THE ASSOCIATION

"I DONT PAY ATTENTION TO POLITICS.....is one of the most ignorant statements a person can make.  If you allow people in your government to commit crimes in your name without questioning their actions, you are as GUILTY as they are."

I won't stretch it to crimes, but inappropriate, not in the best interest, of the group you serve, does apply.  Our government is Wedgefield - governance, is being handled by most on the board, with poor business judgment, failure to follow our governing documents, etc.  When we don't question, we are as guilty of the behavior as they are.  You've given them a PASS.

HOW MUCH PROGRESS CAN BE MADE ON THE CLEAN UP WITH THOSE TOY TRUCKS & WAGONS???? WHY ARE THEY WORKING IN WHAT COULD APPEAR TO BE LITTLE STREETS AND NEIGHBORHOODS, BEFORE THEY CLEAN UP THE MASS ROUTES IN AND OUT OF HERE?

I took my daily ride today to check up on how the clean up is progressing.  With paper and pen in hand I made notes and believe I went down almost every street in Wedgefield.  I started at the water and went all the way down to the condo area.  I encourage you to make the trip.  First there doesn't seem to be any real logical plan, second the legitimate debris on our main streets, Wraggs Ferry and Wedgefield is unbelievable.  It is ugly and could be dangerous on these narrow roads.  There are curves on both Wraggs Ferry and Wedgefield where it is difficult to know what is coming at you, often over the mid line, that with current piles, are making things worse. 

Why are we doing streets like Haig Ct., Captain Anthony White, Patriot Ct, before we take care of the roads that are traveled by all of us????  There is no pattern - Haig Court is on the other end of the association and impacts very few people. Can't wait for the trumped up answer to this! This could appear to be nothing more than favoritism by our Treasurer/Duke.  What other reason could there be?

Who put the Treasurer in charge of this project?  It appears from the outside that he is running this show.  I realize the Grounds Chair had a health problem, but he was at the meetings on the 12th and 18th.  The Duke has his hands in everything - Treasurer, Compliance, Legal, ARC, Drainage, and now this mad grab??????

As I rode around today, I didn't see any big trucks.  There were two pick up trucks dragging, in one case rental trailers the size of wagons!  None of the equipment said S & W. One truck said "Custom Builders" and the other - "Carolina Outdoors".  The wagons/trailers said "Come Back Rentals".  At 11:30am, I didn't see one S&W vehicle.  What is going on here?

Additionally, how are we ever going to get this done quickly, cost effective, with residents digging out ornamental grasses with all their weight, prunings, items that the storm couldn't possibly have damaged?  Take a drive, I've seen it for myself.

I've provided a the association map and colored in RED the areas served, to the best of my ability.  I'll continue to try and update it daily.  You should take a drive around and verify it for yourself.  NOTE:  THIS ALL BEGAN AT THE CENTER OF CONCERN OF OUR TREASURER, AT THE DUKEDOM, RATHER THAN THE CENTER OF OUR ASSOCIATION - THE CIRCLE, WEDGEFIELD ROAD, AND WRAGGS FERRY!

YOUR BOARD HAS SCHEDULED ANOTHER OPEN BOARD MEETING.THE AGENDA - DISCUSS & APPROVE MORE FUNDS FOR CLEAN UP. HOW CAN THAT BE, WHEN THEY'VE DONE SO LITTLE?

NOTE:  THE DEBRIS PILE WILL APPEAR EVERY DAY ON THE BLOG WITH COMMENTS, UNTIL YOUR BOARD TAKES CARE OF CLEAN UP FOR ALL OF US, AND NOT JUST THE DUKEDOM!

 

There is a sign near the office announcing yet another open board meeting.  The WPA official website announces the following "OPEN BOARD MEETING, February 26, 2014 @ 7:00pm at the WPA office.  AGENDA:  discussing & approving additional money for storm clean up."  It appears that the message on the WPA website was posted on February 21st.

 

From what I've seen while driving around the association, the only work completed by the 21st, was the Enclave (The Dukedom, special project area for our Treasurer.) and the Francis Parker area.  Your board approved up to $8,000 to start.  They started late and in an area (DUKEDOM) that provided the least benefit to the greater membership. There was some, very little, work today on Wedgefield Rd. Why is there a money problem this early, as early as the 21st?  Your board deserves this skepticism for a number of reasons.  Your board approved up to $8,000 the night of the storm (Feb. 12).  They failed to give any real detail at the February 18th board meeting.  They had hired this contractor, knew the rate per, said it was OK if people threw non storm debris items on the pile, and never told us when, who, and how this vendor was selected, or how he would be charging us.  Additionally they knowingly added to the cost by allowing residents to throw other debris on the pile.  This is our money they are spending and it doesn't look like they have handled it in the best interests of the general membership.

 

Again, take a drive by board member homes.  One for sure is adding non storm debris to the pile.  Most of the damage was done by pine trees.  There are little to no pine trees in his yard and not much in the pile by the road. His debris (lots) is mainly blunt cut tree limbs (non pine), and includes a shrub that was dug out and laid out there with the whole root ball.  See for yourself.  Your board has been unfair to all of us who follow the rules.  How much is this generosity adding to the bill we all have to pay?





THREE NEW ARTICLES WERE ADDED THIS WEEKEND

A LETTER TO THE BOARD: WILL THEY ANSWER? WILL I BE ALLOWED TO REVIEW THE DOCUMENTS REQUESTED?

The following letter was sent to the board this morning.  I am publishing it here as part of the record.  I hope the board will do the right thing and answer my question - in writing, and allow me to review the requested documents.  I don't trust them.  Here is the letter, FOR THE RECORD.  PLEASE NOTE:  The office notified me that the requested office visit date on this letter was Feb.4th.  I amended the letter properly changing the date to March 4th.  Thank you Kathy.

 

 

DOES IT STILL LOOK LIKE THIS AT YOUR HOUSE, OR HAVE YOU PILED ON MORE STUFF BECAUSE YOUR BOARD SAID YOU COULD? THE PILE AT ONE BOARD MEMBERS HOUSE DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THIS!

As I drove through Wedgefield checking on the clean up, 95% of the debris piles looked like the one pictured below. 

 

For the most part, our ice storm brought down pine debris.  There might have been a rare incident where other trees were affected.  Some on your board have said they know some people will take advantage, and cut and throw unrelated yard debris on the pile, and they are OK with that.  Once again, your board serves the deviant behavior of some, and at times the same deviant behavior of individual board members. It appears as though they bless the bad behavior in advance, because they want to excuse the behavior of some on the board.  In the end, we all pay, as we follow the rules.  We should be use to it by now.  We are told to pay our assessments by the end of January. In order to look out for deviants, there are no fines until after March 1.  Most of us paid for our own drainage when our homes were built.  Maybe your builder wasn't on the favored list.  It appears if you are a board member and built homes, and don't like your drainage, or the drainage at the site of homes you helped build, we all pay.  If you are a private lot owner receiving mowing services from the association, we are paying for a substantial portion of your lot mowing fees.  If you are a board member you can leave large piles of dirt by the road for over a year, let weeds grow on it, and pile all kinds of what appears to be non storm debris, out for pick up, at our expense, and declare that it is OK if residents do it, to cover for yourself.  

Take a ride around for yourself.  There are instances where the bushes and trees were over grown and now are trimmed.  The debris is piled for pick up, at our expense.  I was reading about clean up in some areas of Myrtle Beach. If they notice non storm debris in the pile, it stays on your lawn!  This isn't hard.  Perhaps your board would like to provide this picture to the contractor, and he could do the same.  From what I heard at the meeting, debris weight is a measurement, of how much we pay.  We are already weighed down with the expense of paying for our board and fellow residents deviant behavior.

HOW IS THE CLEAN UP WORKING OUT FOR YOU? WOULDN'T YOU THINK THAT THE MAIN (EVERYBODY HAS TO DRIVE ON THEM) ROADWAYS OF THE ASSOCIATION WOULD BE DONE FIRST? NOT SO! THE DUKEDOM WAS DONE FIRST!

Today, I took a ride through Wedgefield.  For the most part, the sides of the roads are cluttered with debris.  That's the case unless you live in the Enclave, or on Francis Parker. I attended the Feb. 18 WPA board meeting.  Our Treasurer announced that the clean up contractor would be staging in the Enclave, and would start there first.  Wouldn't you think that for once, he'd consider what was best for the ENTIRE association?  He hasn't in the past, why would he now?  What does staging in an area have anything to do with' where YOU tell them to start. Oh, I forget.  The Treasurer lives in the Enclave and has taken care of it at our expense in the past.  He's and expert - self proclaimed. Every resident who lives in Wedgefield has to enter, or leave, on Wedgefield Rd., or Wraggs Ferry. Why weren't the masses considered first?

As I drove around Wedgefield, I noticed the number of homes that were for sale.  Wouldn't you think that clearing the main roads, would give a better first impression to buyers?  At least you could explain that it was a work in progress on less traveled roads.  You probably wouldn't want to explain why your board hired a vendor who they knew would have a delayed start, because the contractor was clearing a lot for a new build. 

It looks clean and spiffy in the Enclave, Dukedom of our Treasurer.  What is most insulting is that he appears to think that if he states something, that it must be so.  He appears to think that people are too stupid to figure out his motives.  This clean up contract wasn't for all of Georgetown County!  That contractor is going to have to make the same trips from the staging area now, that he would have if the MAIN ARTERIES OF THE ASSOCIATION HAD BEEN TAKEN CARE OF FIRST. 

Could anyone tell us when the serfs will receive clean up.

THE WPA WINTER STORM CLEAN UP. HOW WERE DECISIONS MADE? HAS THE CLEAN UP EVEN BEGUN IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD?

We'll begin at the very beginning, with the open board meeting on February 12, the monthly board meeting on February 18, and end with what anyone can observe, out their window and down their road.

The Wedgefield Examiner has listened to the tape of the February 12 meeting and attended the February 18 meeting.  An overview of what occurred will be provided.  In both cases, you should listen to the tapes of the meetings, for your own verification.  The overview is provided to the best of my ability.  COMMENTS ARE IN RED.

THE FEB. 12 MEETING:
President Walton had called the meeting with proper notification to the board to discuss the issues regarding our then Attorney of Record, Moody.  We reported on that portion of the meeting in a previous article.  The ice storm had occurred during the day of the 12th.  He announced that he was amending the agenda to include discussion of the storm and possible clean up.

They discussed the large amount of debris and questioned whether Great Lawns could handle it.  McMillin mentioned their equipment, contract stipulation, felt it might take them more time, etc.
At one point he offered to try and call them during the meeting.

Garrison, Legal Chair, states that there are a number of considerations.  Does the storm qualify under the governing documents?  While it is a named storm, it is a storm named by the Weather Channel.  He goes on to say that there's always a problem with people taking advantage of the clean up, begging the question as to where the board's responsibility ends?  Additionally, getting the word out regarding clean up has always been a problem, resulting in complaints.

We need to put the article on pause for a minute.  Garrison, as Legal Chair, has laid all the right cards on the table.  He has provided proper guidance from a legal leadership stand point for the board to make their decision.

The discussion then goes in several directions.  How would they begin to clear if they decide to move forward.  Private lots come into the picture.  Residents would be expected to bring their debris to the road side.  DeMarchi asks whether they really want to start sending bills to private lot owners?

McBride reminds them that as long as property owners brought their debris to the side of the road, they were removed. He says there is a history of clean up after major storms.  Garrison agrees but goes on to say people have always taken advantage.

They move to discussion that Great Lawns should be first considered, unless the board determines they are unable.  Should they bid it?  Should there be more than one pick up?  What would be a reasonable figure to allocate?  They discuss the land fill fees the vendor will incur for disposal of debris.

In the end a motion is made to allocate up to $8,000 for clean up and passes.  DeMarchi mentions a contractor, S & W (unsure of initials).  End of meeting.

THE FEB. 18 MEETING
The Grounds' Report includes the information about the clean up.  The contractor is SW, and has been busy on a lot clearing for a new home.  It is stated that there is a promise of much more work done on clean up in the next three days.  The contractor is not using the Georgetown land fill, but the one in Conway, and in some cases is taking the debris to his own site.  Someone on the board asks what is slowing them down?  DeMarchi announces the clean up starts in the Enclave (Where he lives.) and that they are staging from that area.  Both McMillin and McBride mentioned that they have tried to call, or visit the staging site.  McMillin says he called them at 10:00AM and they weren't even on site yet.  McBride says he visited the site at 2:00PM and no one was there.  McMillin mentions something about residents putting non storm debris limbs, etc. out by the road for the clean up.  He says something about not having a problem with it.

COMMENTS
First, the board should be complimented for moving quickly.  Second, named storm, or not, this storm impacted the entire association and our ability to travel safely on our roads.  They did the right thing when they determined we needed clean up.  Our Legal Chair advised the board appropriately, and discussion brought the board to the correct decision.  They announced clean up on the website and at the front gate.

It is often on the finer points of administration where this board falls down.  No one reported as to the reason Great Lawns isn't the contractor.  No one reported on how they determined who the contractor would be.  Was there a bid process? The board appeared to make excuses, as to why the contractor hadn't started quickly.  In a decision process, it would seem that previous commitments should have ruled this vendor out.  These items could have been covered in the report on the 18th.  While we aren't going to spend a lot of time on the history of our Treasurer & Compliance Chair coming first,(Remember, most of us were required to pay for our own drainage.) once again, he has an excuse as to why his area is first, and why we are contracting with a firm that he mentioned on the 12th.

Once again, the deviants are served.  Those individuals who decide to take advantage of the situation, prune their yards of non storm debris and include it at our general expense, and some on the board state they don't care.  Do a drive through Wedgefield and look at the debris.  Yes, it is still there on the main avenues of travel for all residents, entering or leaving Wedgefield.  During your drive by you might notice that one of the board members could easily look like they are numbered with the deviants.  If you are going to provide extended service for those who you know you are going to allow to just take it, you should announce it ,and publish it so that everyone can take advantage.  You would be violating the governing documents, but that doesn't appear to be a problem.  Sometimes it is tough to be a board member and follow through consistently, legally, and fairly, but that is a prime responsibility of holding a board seat.

The board receives and A for start up and a D for information, contracting and implementation.

A QUICK SNAP SHOT OF THE FEBRUARY 18 WPA MEETING - MORE TO FOLLOW

The meeting was promptly called to order at 7:00PM, with all board members in attendance.  Seven residents were in the audience. The treasurer was the only officer with a report.  There were few committee reports, two items - second readings for policy manual changes - old business, and no new business.  There were no resident comments.  The meeting adjourned after about 45 minutes.

Adam Anderson, Community Liaison, reported that there were three letters received from residents.  According to his report, the residents had received answers.  Congrats to Anderson for fulfilling his role as Community Liaison.  This is a big deal.  Residents hadn't received answers, or a report given at the board table, for over a year.

During the Grounds' Report we were told that the company contracted by the board for storm clean up, is RS.  Your board has approved up to $8,000 for the work.  There were some questions as to why it was taking so long.  McMillin reported that he had attempted to contact them this week at 10:00AM and they weren't on site yet.  McBride stated that he took a drive out to the staging area at 2:00PM one afternoon and no one was there.  DeMarchi said they had been clearing a lot for a new build and were trying to get that done, FIRST.  DeMarchi reported that RS was staging in the Enclave, so there should be no questions as to why they were there first (No comment on that as this is just a report.  He did seem a bit defensive).

We were provided with ANOTHER newest and greatest financial report from DeMarchi's "accounting function" group.

That's all.  No comments, just a short run down.  Articles and comments, are sure to follow.

PART I: FEBRUARY 12 WPA OPEN MEETING - LEGAL

NOTE:  The Wedgefield Examiner has reviewed the tape of the February 12th meeting and will provide overview and transcription to the best of my ability.  Please listen to the tape for your own verification.  Transcription will be provided in blue, underlined, and in quotation.  Comments will be noted as such, and will be typed in RED.

The meeting opened at approximately 7:00PM on February 12th.  Nine board members and 2 residents were in attendance.  President Walton had called the meeting in behalf of the Legal Committee.  He turned the meeting over to Legal Chair, Garrison.  He explained that the board had been provided two emails, prior to the meeting.  The first email explained the reason for the meeting and contained an attachment from the Supreme Court of SC.  This attachment informed us that the law license of our current association Attorney of Record, Moody, had been suspended. 

Garrison went on to explain that while we knew Moody had been suspended, we didn't know why.  It also was probably the reason that the Maring & Moody Law Firm had been dissolved. The Supreme Court order also named Maring to assume responsibility of the accounts and placed him in charge of protecting the interests of the clients.  Here, we'll transcribe what Garrison says.  Now, and throughout the transcription you will see ........ if we are unable to hear his exact words on tape.  Garrison, "It is the opinion of the Legal Committee that the board should appoint Maring Law Firm to be our Attorney of  Record.  There are a couple of reasons for that.  In order to save a lot of extra money and a lot of extreme time if we were to hire somebody new for the existing cases, at this point, they'd have to get up to speed.........which basically falls backwards in a hurry.  Maring already has some familiarity with that.  In fact, he got all the files.  In fact, we used the guy initially when the board decided to change attorneys, it was originally Maring....the guy who talked to us..... I believe some conflicts of interest that Maring had with individual property owners, in terms of representation.  He turned it over to Moody....."

McBride interrupts asking whether conflicts still exist.  Garrison says they don't.  It appears the second board email included a proposed contract to engage Maring.  McBride questions whether he will be the one attorney we go to.  Garrison tells him that Maring basically will be the attorney we'll be calling. President Walton and DeMarchi jump in, but it is brief and they can't quite be heard.  McBride says that he was involved in the interview with Maring originally.  McBride, "He wasn't at all comfortable working for an association.  He didn't have experience necessarily in.......How's that......."  Garrison, "Well, he had told us....no reservation.....The situation we're in now, compared to situation we were in a year ago" (Note:  DeMarchi says something in agreement like yeah.)  Garrison resumes, "99% of our legal stuff now is collection.  There might be an occasion where we need a legal opinion about something or another, but by and large, what we deal with....collections, something he is entirely comfortable with.   HE MAY NOT KNOW AS MUCH ABOUT...ASSOCIATIONS.  I DON'T KNOW  IF HE DOES, OR DOESN'T"

DeMarchi jumps in and says something about the fact that Maring has represented Heritage Foundation for years.  McBride asks about whether he could handle something like "Curb Man" and whether this is the best choice?  DeMarchi jumps back in and says something about if there was something he wasn't comfortable with that he would probably hand it to somebody else.

Garrison resumes telling the board that the email containing the proposed contract of representation is not the CORRECT ONE.  He says it is mostly corrections in wording.  Additionally, they want changes to the pricing on new foreclosures and there is going to have to be more discussion with Maring.  McBride asks if they should take the figures out of the contract and Garrisons says no.  McBride appears to look over the contract and says, "He can do anything he wants.  He can assign anybody, because it says attorneys."    Conversation flows between DeMarchi talking about practicality.  Walton brings in something about the supreme court.  Cline is heard laughing in the background.

Garrison makes his motion.  DeMarchi seconds it.  There is brief discussion.  YOUR ENTIRE BOARD VOTES TO HIRE MARING.  I don't hear any no votes, or abstentions.

COMMENTS:
First, I believe I heard correctly.  Every member of this board sat by and voted yes for an attorney that has stated that he doesn't have experience with associations.  The Wedgefield Examiner quoted  the discussion that included the fact that your board's main concern is collection of past due accounts.  The board members are encouraged by our legal chair, one of the very people who caused problems, in writing to residents in the past, WITH COLLECTIONS.  The Board Attorney of Record is to be there to provide opinion and legal guidance in the general administration of the association, to assist in the board making decisions that govern us legally and ethically according to our governing documents and within the law.  As a board member, I would want to be on the record as voting no, to protect myself and the association, if and WHEN, lawsuits occur. 

Think about it.  Garrison, as Legal Chair, isn't "inclined" to get opinions in writing.  Your board can't read an opinion for themselves before they vote.  There were other options.  The Supreme Court of SC didn't say Maring becomes our attorney.  His letter to clients and the Supreme Court document make him the holder of records and funds and tell you to pick them up.  Most would agree that he should have a contract to complete ACTIVE CASES ONLY. This board voted for a contract that wasn't complete or correct.

When will this board act in behalf of the entire association, rather than because of the deviants?  In this case the non and late assessment payers.  If you are presented with  an immediate need, especially due to your own poor choices (Board selection under very unusual circumstances of the previous attorney of record), but the likely source (Maring) doesn't meet the long term and overall requirements of the association, you fill the immediate need with an interim specifically to get you through CURRENT, IN PROCESS CASES, and search for the right attorney to fill the long term.  Where is solid, concrete, creative thinking, in behalf of all the people you serve?  This could be viewed as a move for people who have alternative, unstated, motives.  The object of a board is to have a number of individual thinkers, elected to vote in  behalf of the membership to be served, with clear, informed, independent, researched, thought, rather than individual agenda.  That didn't happen on Wednesday, Feb. 12th.

THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER WILL PROVIDE A REPORT AND TRANSCRIPTION OF THE OPEN MEETING ON fEBRUARY 12TH, REGARDING HIRING A ATTORNEY OF RECORD. THE ARTICLE WILL BE PUBLISHED BY END OF DAY ON FEBRUARY 16TH.

BEFORE PRESENTING THE INFORMATION, THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER ASKS THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

DID THE BOARD ACTING AS A PRUDENT PERSON WOULD, EVER CONSIDER THE WORD INTERIM?

WHY WOULD YOU HIRE AN ATTORNEY OF RECORD WHO HAS TOLD YOU IN THE PAST, THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY ASSOCIATION EXPERIENCE?

Finally, it is too bad that I'm not a betting person.  We could have had our Valentine's Day dinner on my winnings.  A BIG THANKS TO R. Vaughan for taping the meeting.  Be sure and visit The Wedgefield Times for tapes of the WPA monthly meetings and his comments.  When you and I can't, or are not inclined to be at the meetings, he is!

A THANK YOU TO THE WPA BOARD, A NOTICE, AND QUESTIONS

A BIG THANK YOU TO THE BOARD
Wednesday's storm brought down literally tons of limbs and branches.  Your board acted quickly to arrange for services to clean up the debris and notified residents regarding the service.  THANKS!!!!!!

A NOTICE
The Wedgefield Examiner had hoped to attend the open board meeting on Wednesday evening, regarding legal.  With branches and limbs falling throughout the day, I felt I should stay in.  We'll have to wait for the legal report at next Tuesday's regular monthly meeting to see if the board met and what decisions they made.

QUESTIONS
The membership will have to wait for a grounds report at the February board meeting.  Did the board honor the terms of the grounds contractor contract, when they hired a contractor to clean up the debris from the storm.  In the past, that hasn't always been the case.  The Wedgefield Examiner doesn't have any information, and is not making an accusation, just posing a question.

Who is our new attorney of record?

Attend the meeting next Tuesday to find out.

President Jacky Walton, has called an OPEN Board Meeting for Feb. 12 at 7:00PM. The agenda is to discuss THE ATTORNEY OF RECORD. WILL PERTINENT QUESTIONS BE ASKED BY THE BOARD AND ANSWERED BEFORE A VOTE IS TAKEN ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD, OR WILL THIS JUST BE ANOTHER SILENT RAISING OF THEIR HANDS?

To date, The Wedgefield Examiner has been unable to locate the accusations brought against our current Attorney of Record - Moody, that caused the Supreme Court of South Carolina to place him on temporary suspension and appoint a Special Receiver.  While these recent actions may have put our association in a bad place, we were there already.

During the January WPA board meeting, when it was announced that Moody had split from the law firm of Maring and Moody, Garrison said he didn't know where Moody was, and when asked the reason for the split, said he didn't care.  Yet, someone at the board table stated that they had talked to him, and he would cover upcoming court dates.  Did your board care so little that while one of them had him on the phone that they didn't question why the split, or even ask where his new office was?  That's pretty elementary.  No one on that board, except for McBride, asked any pertinent questions in behalf of the association.  They just sat there, including our president.  According to the Supreme Court Order, Moody won't be representing us any where soon.

As Special Receiver , Maring sent a letter to Moody's clients, advising them to pick up their files.  Any files left in his possession at the termination of his appointment will be turned over to the Commission on Lawyer Conduct in Columbia.  Call it my suspicious mind, but I forecast that this board will turn our records over to Maring and ask him to pick up our case load.  That would be the easy way out and may not be in our best interests.  Why?

Up until recently these two attorneys were a membership of two, in the firm.  The firm has accepted payment for  services that our now Legal Chair, said as a board member, we wouldn't pay because two other board members had sought the firm's services, without board approval.  The firm met with a Concerned Citizen private resident, charged, and were paid.  There were other questionable charges that were paid.  VERY few legal opinions have been put in writing so that each board member may read and weigh the matter discussed, before a vote.  It could be called an unhealthy relationship.  Now, there isn't a paper trail where board members, or residents, can go back and review opinions, now that the association is placed in this situation.  Legal Chair, Garrison has stated at times that he "wasn't inclined to pay for written opinions" (go back to tapes of the meetings). Moody's apparent acceptance of this could be indication of the then firm's failure to recognize the needs of the entire board.

Our own Wedgefield situation regarding legal is questionable.  A few years back, Jacky Walton was removed as president by the board because he wouldn't fire his appointed legal chair( A very responsible legal chair.).  At that time, then board member, Huggins, said, "it was all about legal."  Walton has been elected by this board twice, as president.  Each time, he has named Garrison as legal chair.  During each of these appointments, Garrison has been working with the attorney of record to collect on assessments, he previously put in writing, to put in escrow and not pay.  Is Walton retaining his presidency because once again, it is all about legal?  In the mean time, most of these board members take the easy way out to retain their own dukedom, and fail to serve in our best interests.  I'm not a betting person, if I was I'd wager that on Thursday morning, Maring will be our attorney of record.

Will you attend the meeting?

WHEN BOARD MEMBER MC BRIDE QUESTIONED THE LEGAL CHAIR DURING THE JANUARY WPA BOARD MEETING, HE WAS IGNORED. OUR LEGAL CHAIR WAS UNCONCERNED. OUR PRESIDENT SAT BY AND NEGLECTED TO SPEAK OUT IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF OUR ASSOCIATION. THE MAJORITY OF YOUR BOARD SAT BY. MC BRIDE WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO DID THE RIGHT THING. THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER SAID YOUR BOARD AND PRESIDENT'S BEHAVIOR WEREN'T IN OUR BEST INTERESTS

Please take a few minutes and read the article just prior to this one, regarding the January Legal Report.  The Wedgefield Examiner has removed the inside address of the document presented below to protect the identity of the resident (non board member), who provided it to the blog.  President Walton, isn't it time that you removed Garrison as Legal Chair?  Isn't it time that you and the rest of the board began to consider the questions of Mc Bride?  Isn't it time that you acted in our behalf, at least questioned what any prudent person would? Perhaps this board will consider the value of WRITTEN opinions now.  Otherwise, we are left with what one board member called "hear say".  Now our association is left with nothing to refer to in writing to verify, or review.  Here is the letter regarding our board attorney of record.

 

THE FOLLOWING IS THE SUPREME COURT OF SOUTH CAROLINA ORDER

 

 



THE JANUARY 21 WPA LEGAL REPORT. WHERE EXACTLY IS OUR BOARD ATTORNEY OF RECORD? SHOULD THE BOARD BE LOOKING FOR A NEW LAWYER? SOMETHING NOT SO SURPRISING

NOTE: This is the first article pertaining to the January WPA Board Meeting.  As background, 7 board members are in attendance, as McMillin and Cline are absent.  9 members are in attendance at the meeting.  As I was listening to the tape, provided at The Wedgefield Times, the Legal Report brought questions and concerns.

I have transcribed the report to the best of my ability.  Please listen to the tape yourself for verification.  Garrison, Legal Chair, provides the report.  At times he comes across almost in conversation tone.  Perhaps the board should go back to providing the individual speakers with a microphone, to provide quality in the recording.  Direct quotes will be underlined and in quotation.  We'll call our attorney, attorney "M".

We begin with Garrison stating that there will need to be decisions about our current legal representation.  "The law firm we have been engaged with may not exist.  I think (believe the following word is correct) dissolved on January 10th.  (Can't understand a few words)  ......."M" gone off on his own.  At this point, I don't know where his office is, or if he even has one. "  He then says something about not necessarily changing attorneys but, we might have to get a new contract with him.  Later he begins to speak about the legal collections in progress and says he has a spread sheet of some of these ongoing foreclosures and "stuff".  Still later, he says, "defendants in the canal assessment, that's still dragging on and gee, it has only been 3 years"

President Walton asks about a court date this month and whether our attorney will be representing us?  I believe, (could be wrong) the answer comes from DeMarchi, who says something about the fact that he's assured him that he's prepared to take care of those cases.

McBride, "I think....reason for this law firm to dissolve as it did.....I think this board needs to understand some of that before we just agree that yes, we'll proceed with the same attorney that we have. Was it some sort of missing funds that caused this problem?  What was it?  These things don't just happen for some good reason." 

President Walton jumps in and says that they don't know the reason and are just going to have to wait and find out what's going on.

McBride says they need to find out the reason.

Garrison, "I don't think it is the board's, or anyone else's business, what a private entity does if they elect to dissolve.......My understanding, from what little I was told was that "M" decided to go out on his own.  I've only heard one piece of it from one side of it.  When I called (He names the firm.) office and asked what was going on, the only answers I got was, I don't know.  Unless the guy lost his law license, or is under indictment, or something, and that was the cause of it, why they elected to do this, my feeling from what (Names attorney by first name.) told me was that it was his decision, but I don't know that for a fact.  I'm not going to pretend that I do.  Our job is to decide who you want to have as an attorney.  I don't .....not really concerned what their feelings are.....maybe their wives don't get along, didn't like each other, or whatever. I have no idea and frankly I don't care."

During the report Garrison also informs the group the by-law change passed at the 2013 meeting has been legally registered. 

COMMENTS:
This appears to be a real nonchalant attitude by our Legal Chair in both the discussion about a key element in the board's responsibility and his criteria - not indicted, hasn't lost his law license.  He states he doesn't know where the attorney is, why the firm, or partnership was dissolved and he personally isn't inclined to find our why.  Yet, he or someone else speaking at the board table, has spoken to the attorney and been reassured that he'll meet some upcoming court dates.  No one on the board questions, but for one.  They just move on.

Remember, this particular attorney came to us under unusual circumstance.  Moran was attorney of record and gave a WRITTEN legal opinion regarding the 2011 recall effort.  Then board members, Huggins and Wilson, went off on their own without the approval of the board, and sought the advice of attorney "M", who we're told didn't agree with Moran.  At the time, Garrison said the board would not pay for the opinion and Huggins said they wouldn't be charged.  In the end, not only were they charged, but there was also an  accumulation of approximately $5,000 in fees from this attorney, such a meetings with one of the chief female Concerned Citizens (not a board member).  Garrison sat on the board that paid those fees.  Additionally, from the beginning Garrison and attorney "M" have not put most (very few - count on one hand) legal opinions in writing, so that board members could review opinions for themselves, before they vote on issues.

The current contract is with a firm, a entity, which if it doesn't exist any more cancels the contract and diminishes credibility.  There should have been a vote by the board to determine whether attorney "M" should proceed at all and bill.  Surprised?  I'm not.  This board, in general does what they want, when they want, and just keeps going.  Should we continue with an attorney who has this history?????? 

You'll note Garrison all but laughs at the state of collection on the $5,000 canal collection progression.  Again, should he be Legal Chair when he and one of the Legal Committee members told our residents in writing, to put those monies in escrow?   Our president seems oblivious.  At the end of the report, he says, "Thank you Bob."

SOMETHING NOT SO SURPRISING?????  I could have bet on this!  Close friends will tell you that I said it would be the case.  Garrison announced that the 2013 by-law change that passed at the 2013 annual meeting, has been legally registered.  Some have said the by-law amendment was his. He did get a legal opinion in WRITING, from this attorney.  He is the same Legal Chair who ignored even verifying whether the 2011 by-law change was registered, for a year and a half.  President Walton, where are you?  Don't you see these things?  As important, because your board named Walton PRESIDENT, AND HE KEEPS NAMING THE SAME LEGAL CHAIR, where was your board when they voted to keep Walton as president?

THE LEGAL REPORT - WPA JANUARY 21 BOARD MEETING - SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED????? - TO BE POSTED THURSDAY EVENING

THE STATE OF THE UNION (WEDGEFIELD PLANTATION ASSOCIATION)

As I listened to President Obama's state of the union I wondered about ours. Except for the addition of one new face on the board, Keith Johnson, all of the board members sitting at the board table governed our association in 2013.  Past performance is a concrete prediction of future performance.  I spent a good deal of time reviewing meeting transcriptions, documents, etc., and prepared a month by month grid for 2013. It left me concerned for the future governance in 2014 by this board.

A WALK THROUGH THE HIGHLIGHTS OF GOVERNANCE IN 2013:

January 
* The Treasurer reports that the financial report contains erroneous information.  So as not to repeat this fact throughout the article,  please note that this goes on for months.  The words change each month to incorrect, etc. but the instability of information and  ever changing form of the reports continue through the entire year.
*Your board approves an "off the shelf" Reserve Study" to save money, despite the fact that we have never had one done, and will not pay for engineering support to the study.
*The board had the management company send assessments out due the end of January but will hamper their collection by taking steps to stop the application of late fees until March 1st.  A board member questions this move and the board ignores him.
*The president reports that the Reserve Study contract has been signed.  He is questioned as to whether the canals and spoil site were included in the study.  He reports that they were included in the proposal, but not the contract???????????????
February
*The Water Amenities Chair brings three bids to the board table to replace old dock one at the landing. A board member questions whether the old dock will be dissembled and removed so as not to "end up in our own back yard"?  The board is advised that the contractor will pull it up on the landing and it will be dissembled.  Watch how long this issue says on the table and the snake path the board takes to cover up the intentions and lies of this committee.
*The Drainage Chair would like to hire the association president's contracting business to do drainage work.  The Treasurer/Drainage Chair says the board will discuss this at a closed board meeting.  One board member asks about conflict of interest.  Watch for this issue to be discussed a few more times in 2013!
*Our president reports that the management company has quit.  The board's strangling of their ability to operate in a real business sense may have caused this.  The details are too long and twisted for this article.
*The board removes the spoil site from under the care of the Water Amenities Committee to Grounds????????????
*A resident discusses the board's failure to respond to residents during the comment section of the meeting.  This problem continues throughout the year.  Our president asks The Wedgefield Examiner what procedure she used to answer residents!
March
*Your board allows the GROUNDS' CHAIR to take a significant presentation period of time under New Business to give his non engineered, convoluted, costs derived off the top of his head, CANAL PROPOSAL  No one explains how he got on the agenda to discuss this topic. 
*The treasurer provides information on "the accounting function".  When asked by a board member whether a CPA  will be involved, the treasurer gets nasty, supported by others on the board.  Watch how this develops and how your board has never acknowledged the true expense. 
*The board Secretary reports that she expects to spend $500 on an event.  When asked by a board member whether she intends to make a motion and call  a vote for the expense, she says "no". No one else on the board discusses the fact that the rest have to.
*The Vice President/Legal Chair declares that the board is having difficulty securing bids for projects in Wedgefield.  He states the Drainage Chair/Treasurer/ Compliance Chair (who is about to do drainage work on his road and roads where he built homes??????) is having difficulty securing bids for his project and suggests the work be done by our president's contracting firm!!!!!!
*The President notifies residents of a closed board meeting, despite the fact that many of the individual board members campaigned against closed meetings!
*In the mean time, a board member's spouse leads the gossip train in the community on a serious private matter of a former board member, quoted as saying "that person would get their just due."  Watch for this spouse later as your board allows them a resident speaker spot to go after The Wedgefield Examiner during a WPA meeting.
*The old dock is dragged into "our back yard", the canals!
April
*A board member asks the Legal Chair if he has written legal opinions on an issue being discussed at the board table.  The answer is "no".  The questioning board member says, "all we have then is hear say".   The board secretary laughs and our President says, "carry on"!  Lack of written legal opinions continues throughout the year.
*The president loudly declares, "I'm the president", when he brings a surprise, non agenda item to the board table for a vote.  Our Treasurer seconds the motion!  When a board member questions the President, he yells that the board member is "out of order".
*The Treasurer brings a motion to the table to pay for training in Quick Books for our staff secretary.  The staff secretary will play a large role in the "accounting function".  This is just more of what is to come with our non professional "accounting function". 
*The old dock is still in the canals. Your board continues to cover for the Water Amenities' Chair.
*This meeting is so heated that the President doesn't even call for resident comments at the end of the meeting!
May
*The Grounds Chair discusses the potential grounds maintenance contract.  He wants to subsidize private lot mowing and add the spoil site maintenance to the contract (No expert or engineering support and the grounds' crew and equipment would have to be transported by volunteers).  Some on the board question it. Our Treasurer is adamant that we won't be subsidizing lot mowing.  Others on the board don't want to include the spoil site.  The new contract is delayed until August..  They extend the current contract until August and lots located between houses are left to grow knee high because there aren't any lot mowings left in the old contract.
*The Wedgefield Examiner schedules a review of the correspondence file over a six month period and documents that residents haven't been answered for six months and yet the Community Liaison continues to declare, "no report", as your President and entire board sit by.
*The old dock is still in the canals and your board continues to snake around it.
*"BUILDER DAMAGE":  Our Treasurer sends a email to the President - ONLY.  A builder has damaged the Treasurer's lawn.  The TREASURER advises the PRESIDENT, "I will have the lawn repaired and have the ASSOCIATION DEDUCT IT FROM THE OWNER DEPOSIT."   The Wedgefield Examiner does not believe that option is available to any of us.  It is available if damage is done to WPA property.  The "accounting function supervised by the Treasurer, no CPA, may have had to handle that transaction??????
*Our Treasurer introduces his "ACCOUNTANT" job description. There are no true education requirements - not even high school, for what he calls our ACCOUNTANT. A person is hired.  It doesn't appear a ad, or interview is conducted by anyone other than the Treasurer.  It is stated that the new hire calls herself a BOOKKEEPER.  No one tells us what the new hire is being paid and our ever changing financial reports don't allow us to review it.  One board member answers the question of cost by saying, "she works cheap".
*The Grounds' Chair argues with the board over the grounds' contract.  According to figures presented, we will be paying 40 - 50% of the mowing of PRIVATE LOTS.
*During the Drainage Report, our Drainage/ Treasurer/Compliance Chair is going to do more work in his backyard and where he built homes, at our expense.  A board member declares that residents have had to pay for their own drainage when they build.  In fact he had to when he built his home.  The Treasurer/Drainage/COMPLIANCE CHAIR pushes on saying "five or six drainage committees have known since 2007 the issues and he will fix it. He will be the first to fix it" (in his neighborhood and where he built homes).  When questioned again by a board member, the questioner is abused, and the action moves forward with the support of your board.
*A vote is taken to pay off the canal loan.
June
*The Wedgefield Examiner sends a letter, as a private resident, requesting the opportunity to review records.  The Treasurer, not the Community Liaison (Is he the Community Liaison at this point and your President hasn't announced it?) sends a response telling her she hasn't met the requirements of STATE LAW.  I respond asking if all residents are held to STATE LAW?  I request a meeting with our President and the Legal Committee and further state that if they don't schedule it, that I want one of the resident speaker positions during the June Board Meeting.  I'm given an appointment.  The President, Legal Chair, and the Treasurer attend.  The Treasurer tells me he never sent the email!  I have the email.  The Legal Chair stands over my shoulder looking at the email that the Treasurer has sent to the office and directed (in writing) that the office staff person send to me.  He has copied the entire board, including our President.  The office staff person walks out of the building.  When all is said and done I believe the only reason they met with me is because they had given one of the speaker spots to the Treasurer's spouse to retaliate against "a publication" in an open June Board Meeting.
*At this point in 2013, the board has made a number of changes to the Policy Manual, without following a by-law passed by the resident in 2011.  In the end it is discovered that our Legal Chair (then, and in 2013) hasn't taken the proper steps to have it registered legally in over 1 1/2 years!   Additionally, it hasn't even been added to the By-Laws  provided to residents on the WPA website.  Note:  The Treasurer/Drainage/ ARC member/COMPLIANCE Chair, has sat back month after month.
*SUSPICIOUS DRAINAGE BID AND CONTRACT AWARD:  The Drainage Chair asks the board to approve a contractor who bid $20 less than our grounds maintenance contractor, Great Lawns, to do drainage work.  I review the files. There is no request for proposal package.  Review of bids shows bidder figures crossed out and lower ones written in, reducing the bid to less than $20 than the Great Lawns bid. Your board approves the other contractor!!!
*Your board approves a grounds maintenance contract that leaves us supplementing the cost of private lot mowing and includes the spoil site.  This approval after months of cat and mouse games telling the Grounds' Chair they wouldn't have this or that.  One board member refers to this as looking "like KICK BACKS TO SOME PRIVATE LOT OWNERS".
*The Water Amenities Chair reports that they have SOLD THE OLD DOCK.   When asked by a board member what they received for the dock, neither the Water Amenities Chair, nor the Treasurer, will answer the question at the board table!  At this point, having transcribed the minutes for months, no one ever approved that they sell it, and your board snakes and no one asks who voted to give them permission to sell WPA property that was to be dissembled and hauled away.  The Water Amenities' Chair announces that he is removing the questioning board member from the Water Amenities Committee and your board officers, Legal Chair, and Compliance sits back and watches.
July
*The old dock still sits in the canals.  Your Water Amenities Chair fails to mention it in his report.  At the July meeting we observe this board playing the Wedgefield version of the Key Stone Cops.  "Get it out, it was never suppose to be there, it better not cost us", yet they never laid down the law in all these months, and now the contractor won't pull it out of the canals, and the buyer doesn't seem to be able to get it out of the canals. Your Legal Chair, when asked about liability if the dock harms private resident property, says it is on their private insurance - not the associations.
*It is announced that the Reserve Study is in the hands of the board.  The Treasurer wants to move $50,000 to reserves.  When asked if he'll use the reserve study allocations, he answers that he'll  use the allocation formula he has been using (HIS).  Our individual board members expertise trumps the study we all paid for.  The Wedgefield Examiner reviews the Reserve Study. It is tainted with notes by the contractor similar to "according to the board".  More of our individual board member expertise in the world according to them, and they won't use the study's figures??????  P.S.:  They wouldn't allow one of the board members speak to the vendor.  One begs to ask, "according to who, and which board members"? 
August
The Roads' Chair seeks approval to contract with engineering services for projected road projects.  Your board approves.  Yet, they don't want engineering services for drainage?????
*The Grounds' Chair discusses the possibility of  building a WPA maintenance shed to house maintenance equipment.  Don't we contract for maintenance services?????????????
*The old dock has been removed, but no one including the Water Amenities' Chair reports how or when.  No one on the board brings it up.  There was a sign at the place in the canals where the dock had resided for months that said, "ask the Wedgefield Examiner where the dock went."
September
*The Drainage Chair continues with the drainage contracts in his own neighborhood.  This time there is only one bid brought to the table.  A board member questions one bidder and the fact that  the projected projects for the Roads' Committee now have engineering support contracts, while drainage projects don't.  The questing board member is treated rudely and advised that it is felt that our Treasurer/Drainage/Compliance Chair along with our President, have the expertise that is good enough???????????
*Two board members question the projected 2014 operating budget and flow of funds from operating to reserves.  One of these board members calls what is happening "A SHELL GAME".
*The Legal Chair reports on the process of seeking legal action to collect on the $5,000 canal assessments. Your President doesn't seem to find it ironic and somewhat questionable that he has named this individual as Legal Chair.  Your board doesn't ever bring it up.  Yet, this gentleman is one of three "Bob's" who wrote residents telling them not to pay these assessments to the association, but to put them in an escrow account at Anderson Brothers Bank - impact the board's ability to pay the loan and conduct other business.  Additionally he has your board vote to add one of the other Bob's to the Legal Committee and your board approves.  Now these vary same men are advising the board and seeking legal advice on the vary people they told not to pay?????????
*This months ever changing finance report, constructed by our Treasurer's "in house accounting function group" (we don't know how much it is costing each month) has changed again, and it is one page with few details.
October
*Our Treasurer brings bids to the table to fix aspects of the gate house.  Low and behold the lowest bidder is our PRESIDENT.  A motion is brought to the table to contract with our PRESIDENT.  A board member says this is a conflict of interest and goes against our governing documents.  Our Legal Chair is rude, calls the questioning moronic.  Our PRESIDENT  says he'll withdraw his bid.  Our Treasurer/Drainage/Compliance Chair, who has managed this process and brought the motion to the table, refuses our PRESIDENT'S offer.  Your board members, minus the questioning board member, vote to contract with our PRESIDENT!  Not one of them - not our PRESIDENT, LEGAL CHAIR, or TREASURER/ DRAINAGE/COMPLIANCE CHAIR, or any of the Board except the one questioning, remember or acknowledge signing the CONFLICT OF INTEREST  statement!  Now, who is - let me use our Legal Chair's words, MORONIC?????
*During this month the Wedgefield  Examiner noted another attempt by this board to keep information from the residents.  I usually transcribe tapes from the Wedgefield Times.  The editor always has them posted within 24 - 48 hours of a meeting. He was unavailable, so I went to the WPA website and found, and then verified through the office, that they hadn't been posted for 8 MONTHS.
November
*Our annual meeting was held.  We had three board vacancies.  We had three candidates.  Two of them were running to fill their own soon, to be vacant board seats.  It appears that except for one, no one wanted to venture to work with this board.  Some residents actually wrote "no" next to their names.  The lowest number of residents in years voted.  Of course they won their seats back.  Two by-law amendments appeared on the ballot.  One was said to be submitted by the Legal Chair who is also Vice President.  If you attend meetings you know that our Legal Chair is not inclined to pay for written legal opinions.  As one board member states, they are left with hear say.  Our Legal Chair,  did seek a WRITTEN LEGAL OPINION for the amendments, provided by an attorney who came to be the Board Attorney of Record, under unusual circumstances.  If it was the Legal Chair's amendment, it appeared to violate our covenants, but it passed.

DECEMBER & COMMENTS & CONCLUSION OF THIS ARTICLE

The article ends with December.  After the November Annual Meeting one of the most critical actions of the board is to meet and elect their officers.  Once the officers are elected the President has the authority to name committee chairs.  Your board re-elected the same 2013 officers.  Your President, with minor exception named the same committee chairs, as he named in 2013.   I started the article on the premise that our immediate past performance is a strong indicator of our new immediate performance.  Who could be proud of the events listed above?    There wasn't room to detail  the horrible, distasteful behavior to any board member, usually one, who stood alone, and questioned and fought to uphold standards, governing documents, common strong business sense, etc., and was publicly abused and treated unethically, despite the fact that your President had everyone of them sign a Code of Ethics.  He didn't follow it, and neither did  more than a few others.  For those board members who didn't speak and abuse, they abused by sitting back, and voting in behalf of the ridiculous items noted above and watch the bullying.  You may have abused by not attending meetings, not writing, and demanding explanation or action.  You inadvertently condoned this and lessened the field of anyone considering running for this board.

I hold our President, our Officers, and those of you who just want to live and enjoy life responsible.  It might not be that wonderful.  Some of this board's nasty behavior could come knocking at your door soon.

In my not so humble opinion, our future for 2014 - our state of the union, looks dim.  We have left this board with unbridled trust to move forward, as they did in 2013.  Who could be proud of this governance over the place where we live, raise or welcome families, leave to go to work, school, or to retire and enjoy life?  The state of this union sickens me.  I'm tempted to send this off to surrounding HOAs and title it, "What Not To Allow To Happen In Your HOA"

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ABOVE WAS PULLED FROM TRANSCRIPTIONS OF MEETINGS AND REVIEW OF DUCMENTS.  I'VE DOCUMENTED THIS ARTICLE TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY.