RESIDENT SHARES EMAIL TO THE WPA BOARD, AND THE RESPONSE FROM THE BOARD WITH THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER

The Wedgefield Examiner has received a copy of a resident email to the Board, and the response from the board.  As always, I have removed the name of the resident.  If you would like to share something with Wedgefield Examiner readers, you can send it to wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.

To	wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com

CC	wedgeassoc.com@frontier.com

Today at 9:59 AM

Are there minutes available from the annual meeting?  What are the election results?  No activity   on the WPA website since last May.  Many thanks to the residents who took matters into their own hands and started cleaning the golf course.  Any word from Mitch Tompkins on his proposal to purchase the golf course?  Many questions, no answers,  only more closed meetings. THE BOARD'S RESPONSE

wedgeassoc.com@frontier.com

To	wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com

Today at 10:19 AM

(RESIDENT'S NAME)

, the Annual Minutes have not yet been approved, but the election results are as follows: Election Results Jacky Walton 184 votes Bob Garrison 181 votes Peggy Phillips 175 votes Keith Johnson 160 votes Virginia Scheckells 101 votes Jim Cavanaugh 1 vote Madeline Y. Claveloux 97 votes RV Wheeler 44 votes Carolyn McBride 45 votes J. McBride 1 vote Brian Johnson 1 vote Lee Cote Secretary to the Board Wedgefield Plantation Association, Inc. 1956 Wedgefield Road Georgetown, SC 29440 843.546.2718 843.546.4027 fax

THERE IS A CLOSED WPA BOARD MEETING TONIGHT AT 7:00 PM. SAME OLD BOARD - SAME ILLEGAL BEHAVIOR

The Wedgefield Examiner is up, and running again.  Thank you for your cards, and expressions of sympathy, after the sudden death of my brother.  They were very much appreciated.

Back to business - we have a CLOSED board meeting tonight, November 28 @ 7:00 PM.  As usual, despite the requirements of our governing documents to post who called the meeting, and the subject of the meeting - we don't know what the meeting is about  There is too much at stake in Wedgefield, and our property values continue to decline.  Voter turn out for the annual meeting was not great, and we are left with the same cast of characters to govern. 

THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER WILL BE OFF LINE UNTIL AFTER THANKSGIVING DUE TO A DEATH IN THE FAMILY

MAY MY BABY BROTHER, JAMES LAWRENCE PRIMEAU

REST IN PEACE

MEMBERS, IT IS TIME TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH YOUR BOARD, OTHERWISE THEY CLAIM YOU DON'T CARE. THERE ARE TWO IMPORTANT MEETINGS THIS WEEK! PLEASE GET YOURSELF THERE! WEDGEFIELD NEEDS YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION, MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.

Do you have a comment about this posting - agree, or disagree, send your comments to wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.  The Wedgefield Examiner will remove your name, and print your email, as sent.

MAKE SURE THE BOARD KNOWS THAT YOU WANT TO BE COUNTED, AND HEARD

Too often, when questioned on an issue, this board makes claims that they are doing just fine, and back that statement up with the fact that there are very few members at monthly meetings, and there really aren't that many people writing to them with their issues.  I call lack of attending meetings, or writing and bringing issues to the board, apathy.  Most on this board, have sat at the board table for 6 or more years - long enough to have brought us to the point of actual physical (appearance) decay of Wedgefield, and yes, the decay and erosion of our governance.  There are two important meetings this week.  Stop the decay - all aspects of decay, and show that you care, that you are listening and watching, and you are ready to be counted as interested, and participating.

MEETING # 1:  November 17, 7:00PM, @ WPA Office
Your board posted this meeting outside the office on the 14th.  It is an OPEN meeting, something the board usually avoids.  The purpose of the meeting?  We don't know, because they haven't followed the governing documents, and told us who called it, or the subject of the meeting.  The board could appear to believe that you won't notice that they aren't properly noticing the meeting, because you don't care.  There are a lot of possibilities for the meeting to be called because they haven't conducted business during the monthly board meetings, and openly and honestly told us about the current dredging proposal, the formation of a board committee for the golf course, etc.  It is time to get to these meetings each and every time, and ask questions during resident comments, particularly if they have failed to report, or given little credible information when they did report.

MEETING # 2:  ANNUAL MEETING -November 19, 10:00 AM, Georgetown Presbyterian Church - Black River Rd.  Note:  If you haven't voted yet - registration begins at 9:00AM, and you must be in line before 10:00AM, or you won't be registered to vote.

The annual meeting is an important meeting for every member to attend, even if you have used your proxy to vote.  Why?  Your proxy assigns someone - (don't recommend giving your proxy assignment to the secretary of the board - in this case acting secretary Garrison) to exercise your vote should new items come to the floor.  Assigning your proxy is a great first step if you absolutely cannot attend the meeting.  That is why it is so important that you assign someone who you will truly trust to vote, as you would if you were there.

If you don't attend, you are missing out on a right that is available to members once a year.  The right to be recognized by the board, nominate members for a vote - not on the ballot/proxy - for a board seat, ask questions of the board during the meeting, or make a motion, and ask for a vote.  Don't give up this opportunity that only comes once a year to members.  Be respectful, pleasant, and positive, but let the board know that you have questions, ideas, and would like to be heard.  Don't want to speak?  Attend, and be prepared to vote in the event that someone else brings something to the floor that you feel would help Wedgefield move forward.

As a member in good standing, I have some questions, and I'd like some answers from this board.  Here are a few: 

1)  Why didn't the board report during the May 2016 Board Meeting, that the president, and vice president had met with the canal committee, and conditionally committed up to $135,000 to the proposed canal dredging?   The canal committee, has relied on the promise of the president and vice president, and has begun to collect voluntary funds from canal lot owners to meet the conditions required.  Therefore the $135,000 is committed for an undetermined time frame, without a motion, discussion, and a vote, at an open meeting.  Please explain how this is legal?

2)  What process did the board use to select the new interim grounds contractor?  When did the board discuss, vote, and approve the contract for the interim grounds contractor at an open meeting of the board?  What exactly is the total amount of the interim contract?

3) When did the board motion, discuss, and approve the selection of the interim grounds contractor, for Hurricane Matthew clean up, at an open meeting of the board?  What are the terms, and the total of the Hurricane Matthew clean up contract?

4) When did the board motion, discuss, and approve the use of the utility company property, as a dump site for the debris from the clean up from Hurricane Matthew?  Has the utility company been notified that a site that members were told would be used to store compost, and pine straw, is now being used as dump site for Hurricane Matthew debris?

5) When did the board motion, discuss, and approve a golf course committee in an open board meeting?  Same question, as to when the board approved the actual committee members.  Two board members recently told a group of residents that the board committee existed. 

6)  When, and why has the board discontinued posting the official tapes of board meetings on the WPA website?

7)  During the last several months, the board has held closed meetings, noticed by a sign outside the office - information printed on the sign limited to "closed meeting, and date".  Why hasn't there been a posting on the WPA website announcing the date the meeting was called, who called it, and the purpose of the meeting?  At a recent WPA monthly board meeting, the board moved to approve the minutes of a closed meeting, and a resident asked the board the read the minutes for the residents.  The board refused to read them, approved the minutes, and stated the minutes would be posted on the WPA website.  They haven't been posted, why?

8)  Before the board certifies the mailing for the annual meeting, I have questions regarding the legitimacy of the mailing certification.  In recent days, I have become aware of at least two incidents regarding the mailing that cause concern.  One resident received a annual meeting mailing shortly after the dead line date, filled out their proxy, and returned it to the office.  A week or two later, they received a second annual meeting packet including a proxy.  Another resident did not receive a packet, and around the 10th realizing that other members had theirs, went to the office to secure a packet.  How did these irregularities occur?  How many have come to the attention of the secretary of the board?  How can members trust that every member had proper notice according to the governing documents, and that the vote will be legitimate?


I have no intention of asking all of these questions, but you might have some of your own.  Wedgefield is at a critical juncture in so many areas, and the heart of the problem is the board's poor adherence to our governing documents and often times secrecy, and total disregard for member rights, and access to information. Please attend the meeting, ask questions, and help bring Wedgefield back to the place we all bought into, and decided to call home.

SEVERAL ARTICLES WERE ADDED THIS WEEKEND. IMPORTANT: DON'T FORGET THAT YOUR PROXY IS DUE IN THE WPA OFFICE BY 2:00 PM TODAY.

IS WEDGEFIELD'S NEWEST DUMP - WOOD CHIPS & DEBRIS FROM HURRICANE MATTHEW STORED ON UTILITY COMPANY PROPERTY, CAUSE FOR CONCERN? COULD IT BE A FIRE HAZARD?

A resident asked me about the potential of fire from the mass storage of those wood chips from the Hurricane Matthew clean up.  I don't know.  Sunday evening I researched the topic on the Internet.  There were several articles, and pictures of fires caused by wood chip piles.  Research for yourself, draw your own conclusions, and write the board if you believe there is a concern.  Fire, or not, I'd write the board and ask them how they allowed this mass dumping here in Wedgefield.  Two articles are provided after the pictures, which can't begin to show the real mass of these piles.  Take a drive over toward the end of Governor Johnston, walk around the gate, and look for yourself.

ARTICLE # 1

Where there's smoke, there's almost fire. That was the case in the Town of Blooming Grove this morning.

A Bruce Company employee noticed a huge pile of wood chips smoldering on his way into work.

The chief of the Blooming Grove Fire Department blames spontaneous combustion. A huge pile of wood chips packed tightly gets hot, gets oxygen, and gets close to being flammable.

"What you see behind us is approximately a pile of wood chips someplace about seven, eight thousand yards, possibly even more of this composting material that's basically smoldering and burning inside," said Chief Glenn Linzmeier.

Firefighters used Bruce Company equipment, along with their own to spread out the pile of chips and hose them down.

ARTICLE # 2 -Purdue Extension Properties of Wood Waste stored for energy Production

Introduction
Storage of wood biomass is not a new concern, but our current focus on using wood for renewable energy has brought it back to researchers’ attention. Since much of the past research done on pile storage relates to paper pulp chips, most of it dates to the 1960s and 1970s. Fiber shortages during that period caused increased interest in higher pulp yields (Zoch, Springer, & Hajny 1976). Further interest in the use of whole trees came about from the energy crisis of the late 1970s. Recent efforts by the government to create a U.S. energy portfolio rich in renew- able resources have renewed this interest (Foust, et al., 2007; Perlack, et al., 2005).
Many barriers stand in the way of the use of wood biomass for energy. This publication focuses on problems and control of the rate of degradation and decomposition of wood biomass in storage.
Factors in Chip Storage
The bulkiness (low bulk density) of wood chips dictates that to be economical, pulp and paper production requires large volumes of the raw material. In fact, the volumes are so large that much of the chip storage is outside. It was found in early research that outside chip storage (OCS) and handling cost less than inside or covered storage when the chips are destined for pulp production (Bergman 1973). When chips are to be used for fuel, drying prior to storage and covered storage are the most economical (Springer 1979).

Exactly how chips deteriorate in wood-chip piles is not completely understood (Koch 1985). Observed changes in the chips and chip piles are dry matter weight loss, temperature changes, moisture content, heat of combus- tion, and pH. Buggeln (1999) states that none of the variables in chip deterioration act inde- pendently. Understanding conditions that lead to deterioration can help us better predict how a pile with specific particle properties will act.
Weight loss refers to the loss of dry matter.
In much of the research, this is measured
as a loss of specific gravity. This can happen through three main methods of natural dete- rioration in wood: fungi, bacteria, and insects (Koch 1985). Included in fungi are stains, molds, and fungal rots such as brown rot, white rot, and soft rot. The fungal rots have little effect on the volume of wood, but begin to reduce the specific gravity of the wood as much as 2%–4% within two months (Lindgren & Eslyn 1961).
Loss of weight is an important consideration for chips stored for fuel. Research shows that higher heating values of chips in storage are associated with weight loss (White & DeLuca 1978) and that the net heating values decrease (White, Curtis, Sarles, & Green 1983). Even though the higher heating value (HHV) may in some cases increase, the total usable heat of the pile diminishes as the chips gain moisture and the chip dry material loses weight.
Dry material weight loss has been attributed to fungal infestation (Bergman 1973), bacte- rial infestation (Feist, Springer, & Hajny 1973),

Isaac Slaven, Eva Haviarova, and Daniel Cassens Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Purdue University

BioEnergy Fueling America Through Renewable Crops

Properties of Wood Waste Stored for Energy Production • ID-421-W

and chemical reactions such as oxidation and hydrolysis (Bergman 1974). Hydrolysis reactions of holocellulose
(the combination of cellulose and hemicellulose), break the polymeric chains into fermentable sugars (Dinus, Payne, Sewell, Chiang, & Tuskan 2001). In fact, the use of fungi
as a pretreatment for cellulosic ethanol has been discussed (Duff & Murray 1996). Fungal activity is also responsible for the fermentation of the fractionated holocellulose. However, when this happens in the presence of aerobic bacteria and oxygen, they can change the ethanol into acetic acid, or vinegar (Cleenwerck & DeVos 2008).
Piles going through these reactions are more susceptible
to spontaneous combustion. In one case, the “strong odor of acetic acid” was reported near a pile that, a few weeks later, spontaneously ignited (Cole 1972). Chips in OCS that have undergone significant thermal degradation contain ethanol extracts in excess of 10 times the normal amounts (Bergman 1974). When these chips get hotter than 100°C and are exposed to ample amounts of oxygen, they may spontaneously ignite.
One other consideration for fuel chips in OCS is pH. Koch (1985) states that the combustion of acidic and alkaline fu- els can corrode combustion equipment and ductwork. The degradation of wood chips through hydrolysis, fermenta- tion, and oxidation that results in the production of acetic acid lowers the average pH of the moisture in the wood chips. In a chip and bark pile during six months of storage, the initial pH dropped from near-neutral to neutral (5 to 7) to an average of 4 (White & DeLuca 1978).
The rates of deterioration of hardwood vary considerably. One frequently cited study indicates that the total dry material loss in clean, bark-free, green wood chips was ap- proximately 3% over 180 days (Zoch, et al., 1976). However, under similar conditions with whole tree chips, dry material loss was nearly 19% in 180 days.
Effect of Particle Size on the Pile
Particles that have been most heavily researched are chips—the particles that come from a chipper. These chips generally fall in the range of 0.25 to 0.5 inches in thickness by 1.0 to 2.0 inches in width and length. Historically, speci- fications of the pulp and paper industry have developed limits on the size of particles accepted.
Because the improved use of wood wastes from primary and secondary industry is essential to meet national bio- energy goals (Perlack, et al., 2005), a wider range of wood waste material must be considered. These would include whole tree chips, logging residue, sawdust, sanderdust,

shavings, or material cut-offs. Each of these has a different geometry and allows different amounts of airflow during pile storage.
For example, rectangular cut-off pieces have a greater amount of space between piled pieces than does sawdust. When there is more space between the particles, then there is more opportunity for air to move between the particles. The increase in airflow through a pile will reduce the mois- ture and the viability of fungi and bacteria. Finer particle sizes increase the adsorption of water and increase suscep- tibility to fungal attack (Lehtikangas 2000).
Although the shape of a wood biomass pile is of little consequence, the size of the pile is important. One recent document outlines pile height considerations for wood that is dried below its fiber saturation point, or 20%–28% dry- basis moisture content (Federal Woody Biomass Working Group 2010). In some cases in the South, pile heights are generally limited to 25 feet. In western states, pile height is typically limited to 50 feet. No explanation was provided for this difference.
Prevention of Chip Deterioration and
Pile Fire
The spontaneous combustion of piles of chips and sawdust can be caused by a multitude of factors. The complexity of the interrelation among these factors makes it difficult to predict; however, one mathematical model accounts for more than 30 factors (Ferraro, Lohrer, Schmidt, Noll, & Marlow 2009). Taken individually, the contributing factors can be better controlled. However, in a practical setting, it is difficult to isolate one without affecting others. Table 1 summarizes practices to control some of these factors.
Smith and Hatton (1971) stated that the best method for wood chip storage and usage is a first in—first out inven- tory management policy. In addition to that, they note that the rate of dry material loss decreases with time after the initial heating-up peak has been reached. It has been observed that dry matter loss can be up to 4% in the first two months (Lindgrin & Eslyn 1961), but Smith and Hatton observed that 1% per month is the longer-term average rate in undisturbed piles.
Chipped fuel wood, or hogged fuel, usually contains the bark and leaves of the tree. The inclusion of bark and leaves exacer- bates deterioration. An ideal scenario would be dried chips with no bark or leaves and no exposure to precipitation, since the wood degrades at a much slower rate under these con- ditions (Zoch, et al., 1976). Springer (1979) suggests that drying chips eliminates the hazard of spontaneous ignition.

2

Properties of Wood Waste Stored for Energy Production • ID-421-W Purdue extension Table 1. Variables that can be controlled to help prevent pile fires. Variable Apparent effect(s) Mitigation Moisture High moisture allows fungal and bacterial activity that leads to temperature increases. Use pre-drying, regular pile turning, first-in/first-out inventory practices, and indoor pile storage allowing air movement. Oxygen Aerobic bacteria increase their activity. Oxygen is a critical ingredient for spontaneous combustion. Regularly include oxygen through pile disturbance before heat raises temperature to near-combustion levels. Particle size Smaller particles gain water faster and dry slower due to the inhibited flow of unsaturated air. Maintain largest particle size possible as long as possible; prevent exposure to weather. Use methods to separate fines, such as screening. Bark and leaf inclusion Bark and leaves provide a higher concentration of nutrients for fungal and bacterial activity. Separate bark and leaves prior to size reduction. Pile rotation. First-in/First-out inventory practice. Compaction Reduced space between particles inhibits air circulation, thereby improving conditions for fungal and bacterial activity (though a perceived benefit is the reduction of rapid, initial heating that oxygen exacerbates). Use improved materials handling and inventory management systems that do not require vehicles to travel on piles. Storage time Expect dry material loss, HHV reduction, increased risk of spontaneous combustion. Improve forecasting and inventory management practices. Chip piles with bark inclusion deteriorate at a more rapid rate (Bergman 1974; Springer 1979). An inventory with high moisture and bark inclusion should be rotated frequently (Koch 1985; Springer 1979), however, frequent rotation is costly in both time and resource utilization. Other Considerations for Chip Storage Compaction has been shown to decrease the rate of pulp chip deterioration due to fungal activity (Bois, Flick, & Gilmer 1962). It should be noted that pulp chips do not contain a significant amount of bark, and that chip pile fires require adequate amounts of oxygen to begin and persist. Another study indicated that compacted chips from log- ging residues cause the average temperature of a compacted chip pile to be 15°C less than a non-compacted pile (Nurmi 1999). It has also been observed, however, that compaction can inhibit vertical airflow in the pile, which can then lead to increased pile temperatures (Buggeln & Rynk 2002). The pile temperatures increase because heat cannot be released as quickly as it is produced. This heat can lead to spontane- ous combustion of the pile (Beever 1982; DeHaan 1996). The biological degradation of wood chips emits significant amounts of carbon dioxide and methane (Wihersaari 2005; Zoch, et al., 1976). Both methane and carbon dioxide are greenhouse gases generally regarded as having a negative impact on the Earth’s climate. In addition to the material yield perspective, rapid use of wood materials, as op- posed to long-term storage, is better for the environment (Wihersaari 2005). Summary The use of wood for energy can be a sustainable practice. Preferably, wood residues stored outside and destined for sustainable energy production should have adequate airflow and should be protected from the rain and snow; however, the costs of protection may be prohibitive. In a world of increasing energy demands, proper management and rapid inventory turnover can help make wood a part of a renewable and sustainable energy portfolio. References Beever, P. F. (1982) Characteristics of spontaneous fires. Journal of Occupational Accidents, 3, 299-305. Bergman, Ö. (1973). Wood substance loss in some chip Storage experiments. In IUFRO Symposium (pp. XVII- 1 – XVII-28). Stockholm: Institutionen för Virkesäla, Skogshögskolan. Bergman, Ö. (1974). Thermal degradation and spontane- ous ignition in outdoor chip storage, (Research Notes Nr R 91). Stockholm, Sweden: Institutionen för Virkesäla, Skogshögskolan. 3

BioEnergy Fueling America Through Renewable Crops

Properties of Wood Waste Stored for Energy Production • ID-421-W

Bois, P. J., Flick, R. A., & Gilmer, W. D. (1962). A study of outside storage of hardwood pulp chips in the Southeast. Tappi, 45(8), 609-618.
Buggeln, R. (1999). Outside storage of wood chips. Biocycle, 40(6), 32-34.
Buggeln, R. & Rynk, R. (2002) Self-heating in yard trim- mings: Conditions leading to spontaneous combustion. Combustion Science and Utilization, 162-182.
Cleenwerck, I. & De Vos, P. (2008). Polyphasic taxonomy of acetic acid bacteria: an overview of the currently applied methodology. International Journal of Food Microbiology, 125(1), 2-14.
Cole, A. H. (1972). Chip pile fire. Pulp and Paper Magazine of Canada, 73, 137-140.
DeHaan, J. D. (1996). Spontaneous ignition part I: What really happens. Fire and Arson Investigator, March, 13-17.
Dinus, R. J., Payne, P., Sewell, M. M., Chiang, V. L., & Tuskan, G. A. (2001). Genetic modification of short rota- tion popular wood: properties for ethanol fuel and fiber production. Critical Reviews in Plant Science, 20(1), 51-69.
Duff, S. J. B. & Murray, W. D. (1996). Bioconversion of forest products industry waste cellulosics to fuel ethanol: a review. Bioresource Technology, 55, 1-33.
Federal Woody Biomass Utilization Working Group. (2010). Woody Biomass Feedstock Yard Business Development Guide: A resource and business guide to devel- oping a woody biomass collection yard. Retrieved July 27, 2010 from http://www.forestsandrangelands.gov/Woody_ Biomass/documents/feedstock_yard_guide.pdf.
Feist, W. C., Springer, E. L., & Hajny, G. J. (1973). Spontaneous heating in piled wood chips – contribution of bacteria. Tappi, 56(4), 148-151.
Ferraro, F., Lohrer, C., Schmidt, B. M., Noll, M., & Malow, M. (2009). A mathematical model to predict the heating-up of large-scale wood piles. Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries, 22, 439-448.
Foust, T. D. Wooley, R., Sheehan, J., Wallace, K., Ibsen, D., Dayton, D, et al. (2007). A National Laboratory Market and Technology Assessment of the 30 × 30 Scenario, (NREL/TP- 510-40942).

Koch, P. (1985). Utilization of hardwoods growing on south- ern pine sites (USDA Forest Service Agriculture Handbook Number 605).
Lehtikangas, P. (2000). Storage effects on pelletised saw- dust, logging residues, and bark. Biomass and Bioenergy, 19, 286-293.
Lindgren, R. M. & Eslyn, W. E. (1961). Biological deterio- ration of pulpwood and pulp chips during storage. Tappi, 44(6), 419-429.
Nurmi, J. (1999). The storage of logging residue for fuel. Biomass and Bioenergy, 17, 41-47.
Perlack, R.D., Erbach, D.C., Wright, L.L., Turhollow, A.F., & Graham, R.L. (2005). Biomass as feedstock for a bioen- ergy and bioproducts industry: The technical feasibility of a billion-ton annual supply. Tennessee: Oak Ridge National Laboratories. (NTIS No. PB2005-108232).
Springer, E. L. (1979) Should whole-tree chips for fuel be dried before storage? (USDA Forest Service Research Note FPL-0241).
Smith, R. S. & Hatton, J. V. (1971). Economic feasibility of chemical protection for outside chip storage. Tappi, 54(10), 1638-1640.
White, M.S., Curtis, M. L., Sarles, R. L., & Green, D. W. (1983). Effects of outside storage on the energy potential of hardwood particulate fuels: Part II higher and net heating values. Forest Products Journal, 33(11/12) 61-65.
White, M. S. & DeLuca, P. A. (1978). Bulk storage effects on the fuel potential of sawmill residue. Forest Products Journal, 28(11), 24-29.
Wihersaari, M. (2005). Evaluation of greenhouse gas emission risks from storage of wood reside. Biomass and Bioenergy, 28, 444-453.
Zoch, L. L., Jr., Springer, E. L., & Hajny, G. J. (1976). Storage of aspen whole-tree chips under laboratory conditions. (USDA Forest Service Research Paper FPL 288).
Visit www.ces.purdue.edu/bioenergy for free, downloadable copies of all of the publications in the Purdue Extension BioEnergy series.

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MEMBERS, TAKE A FEW MINUTES TODAY, AND EXERCISE YOUR RIGHTS AS MEMBERS OF WEDGEFIELD PLANTATION ASSOCIATION. PROXY VOTES ARE DUE IN THE WPA OFFICE BY 2:00 TOMORROW. PLEASE VOTE, THE BOARD IS IN THE PROCESS OF USING OUR LOW VOTER TURN OUT TO MOVE TOWARD CHANGING OUR COVENANTS!

EVEN THIS WEDGEFIELD RESIDENT BIRD KNOWS HE NEEDS TO ATTEND TO THE BUSINESS OF KEEPING HIMSELF NOURISHED TO STAY ALIVE IN WEDGEFIELD! 

 IT IS TIME TO NOURISH THE GROWTH AND GOVERNANCE IN WEDGEFIELD WITH YOUR VOTE!

PLEASE FILL OUT YOUR PROXY AND DEPOSIT IT IN THE LOCKED DROP BOX JUST OUTSIDE THE OFFICE, OR STOP BY THE WPA OFFICE TOMORROW, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14, BEFORE 2:00PM

FILL OUT YOUR PROXY EVEN IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING!  TOO OFTEN, THINGS GET IN THE WAY, AND WE HAVE TOO MUCH TO LOSE.  WEDGEFIELD IS IN CRISIS.  WE NEED A BOARD THAT WILL LEAD US OPENINGLY, HONESTLY, IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, AND MOVE WEDGEFIELD FORWARD, AND OUT OF THE CURRENT DECAY

Consider filling out your proxy as follows:

Jacky Walton   NO

Madeline Y. Claveloux   YES

Bob Garrison  NO

Keith Johnson  NO

Peggy Phillips  NO

Virginia (Ginnie) Sheckells  YES

WRITE IN:

YES   Carolyn McBride

YES  RV Wheeler

DON'T FORET TO FILL OUT THE FOLLOWING ON YOUR PROXY:  "I, the undersigned, being a bona fide member in good standing of the Wedgefield Plantation Association, and as such entitled to cast (1) vote per lot and/or cndominium unit owned at the Annual Meeting of said association, do hereby appoint, Bob Garrison, Acting Secretary or any other member I designate as my proxy to attend said meeting with FULL POWER to vote for me on the following matters as I have indicated below."

(Please initial)  Yes     NO (your initials)  Please remember to say NO to Bob Garrison having any chance to cast a vote in your behalf, should a motion come from the floor of this IMPORTANT ANNUAL MEETING!   List a member, who you know will attend the meeting, and who is a member in good standing (assessments paid to date).  Fill in your member in good standing who your trust to cast a vote for you here on your proxy "Alternate Proxy Name______________

NOTE:  MAKE A COPY OF YOUR PROXY, AND GIVE IT TO THE PERSON YOU HAVE NAMED AS YOUR PROXY.  LAST YEAR, I HAD SEVERAL PROXIES ASSIGNED TO ME, AND THE ELECTION COMMITTEE HAD FAILED TO GIVE CREDIT TO A MULTIPLE LOT PROPERTY OWNER - ONE PROXY WAS THE EQUIVALENT OF LET'S USE 5 - 5 VOTES, AND THE ELECTION COMMITTEE ONLY GAVE CREDIT FOR ONE!  I HAD TO HAVE THE NUMBER CHANGED AT THE MEETING.  GIVE COMPLETE INFORMATION TO THE PERSON YOU HAVE ASSIGNED!

COMPLETE YOUR PROXY NOW, AND GET IT IN!  LET'S GET FOUR NEW PEOPLE TO FILL THE FOUR BOARD OPENINGS, AND HELP MOVE ALL OF WEDGEFIELD FORWARD!

TWO NEW ARTICLES WERE ADDED ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12TH

A PUBLIC THANK YOU TO BOARD MEMBER JANINE CLINE

When someone helps you, they deserve a thank you, particularly when they have been gracious.  Recently, I had reason to request use of the WPA meeting room.  When I went to the office to fill out the papers, and pay the security deposit, board member Cline was there to help me.  I won't speak to Ms Cline, but in general I'm not a member that the board is delighted to see coming through the office door.  She got the papers, helped me get my meeting scheduled, and we managed it with humor and light laughter.  Later, when I realized that I had to add set up time, I called the office, and Janine was the person who made sure we had lights, heat, whatever we needed.  After the meeting ended it was Janine who came back in to lock the office up.

Thank you board member Cline, for all that you did to help, and make my meeting go as smoothly as it did.  I enjoyed our positive, light hearted interaction.

THE ANNUAL MEETING IS ONE WEEK FROM TODAY. WHETHER YOU VOTE BY PROXY, OR NOT, ATTEND THE MEETING AND EXERCISE THE MEMBER RIGHTS THAT ARE ONLY AVAILABLE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING.

Do you have a comment about this posting - agree, or disagree, send your comments to wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.  The Wedgefield Examiner will remove your name, and print your email, as sent.

The annual meeting is an important meeting for every member to attend, even if you have used your proxy to vote.  Why?  Your proxy assigns someone - (don't recommend giving your proxy assignment to the secretary of the board - in this case acting secretary Garrison) to exercise your vote should new items come to the floor.  Assigning your proxy is a great first step if you absolutely cannot attend the meeting.  That is why it is so important that you assign someone who will truly trust to vote, as you would if you were there.

If you don't attend, you are missing out on a right that is available to members once a year.  The right to be recognized by the board, nominate members for a vote - not on the ballot/proxy - for a board seat, ask questions of the board during the meeting, or make a motion, and ask for a vote.  Don't give up this opportunity that only comes once a year to members.  Be respectful, pleasant, and positive, but let the board know that you have questions, ideas, and would like to be heard.  Don't want to speak?  Attend, and be prepared to vote in the event that someone else brings something to the floor that you feel would help Wedgefield move forward.

As a member in good standing, I have some questions, and I'd like some answers from this board.  Here are a few: 

1)  Why didn't the board report during the May 2016 Board Meeting, that the president, and vice president had met with the canal committee, and conditionally committed up to $135,000 to the proposed canal dredging?   The canal committee, has relied on the promise of the president and vice president, and has begun to collect voluntary funds from canal lot owners to meet the conditions required.  Therefore the $135,000 is committed for an undetermined time frame, without a motion, discussion, and a vote, at an open meeting.  Please explain how this is legal?

2)  What process did the board use to select the new interim grounds contractor?  When did the board discuss, vote, and approve the contract for the interim grounds contractor at an open meeting of the board?  What exactly is the total amount of the interim contract?

3) When did the board motion, discuss, and approve the selection of the interim grounds contractor, for Hurricane Matthew clean up, at an open meeting of the board?  What are the terms, and the total of the Hurricane Matthew clean up contract?

4) When did the board motion, discuss, and approve the use of the utility company property, as a dump site for the debris from the clean up from Hurricane Matthew?  Has the utility company been notified that a site that members were told would be used to store compost, and pine straw, is now being used as dump site for Hurricane Matthew debris?

5) When did the board motion, discuss, and approve a golf course committee in an open board meeting?  Same question, as to when the board approved the actual committee members.  Two board members recently told a group of residents that the board committee existed. 

6)  When, and why has the board discontinued posting the official tapes of board meetings on the WPA website?

7)  During the last several months, the board has held closed meetings, noticed by a sign outside the office - information printed on the sign limited to "closed meeting, and date".  Why hasn't there been a posting on the WPA website announcing the date the meeting was called, who called it, and the purpose of the meeting?  At a recent WPA monthly board meeting, the board moved to approve the minutes of a closed meeting, and a resident asked the board the read the minutes for the residents.  The board refused to read them, approved the minutes, and stated the minutes would be posted on the WPA website.  They haven't been posted, why?

8)  Before the board certifies the mailing for the annual meeting, I have questions regarding the legitimacy of the mailing certification.  In recent days, I have become aware of at least two incidents regarding the mailing that cause concern.  One resident received a annual meeting mailing shortly after the dead line date, filled out their proxy, and returned it to the office.  A week or two later, they received a second annual meeting packet including a proxy.  Another resident did not receive a packet, and around the 10th realizing that other members had theirs, went to the office to secure a packet.  How did these irregularities occur?  How many have come to the attention of the secretary of the board?  How can members trust that every member had proper notice according to the governing documents, and that the vote will be legitimate?

I have no intention of asking all of these questions, but you might have some of your own.  Wedgefield is at a critical juncture in so many areas, and the heart of the problem is the board's poor adherence to our governing documents and often times secrecy, and total disregard for member rights, and access to information. Please attend the meeting, ask questions, and help bring Wedgefield back to the place we all bought into, and decided to call home.

A QUICK GLANCE AT THE RESIDENT FORUM HELD ON NOVEMBER 10TH

First, a big thank you to the residents who attended last night's meeting, "A WEDGEFIELD RESIDENT FORUM - DISCUSSIONS TO OUTLINE POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR WEDGEFIELD".  50 residents had reserved a seat, and a few were unable to meet their commitment.  I'm sure they'll catch up with those who did.  Discussion regarding the golf course property was serious, but positive, and everyone was given an opportunity to speak in the first half of the meeting.  Suggestions, and ideas flew.  The second half was spent discussing how some ideas might work, and in the end a committee was formed to examine, and lay out possible action plans.   

I was pleased to see that 40-50% of the members there were relatively new residents, who had a lot to contribute to the discussion.  The committee appears to be a nice mix of new, and long time residents.  It was rewarding to see the interest, and the willingness to work in finding solutions.  When the committee is ready, I'm sure we'll hear more.

In the mean time, thanks to everyone who gave up their evening to look positively at our beautiful Wedgefield situation.

That's all folks!  I helped make arrangements for the meeting, served as a neutral facilitator, and do not feel that any more detail than this should flow from The Wedgefield Examiner. We'll just have to wait to see if the committee needs anything else from you, or me. 

TWO NEW POSTINGS WERE ADDED ON NOVEMBER 10TH

50 OF YOUR NEIGHBORS HAVE SIGNED UP TO ATTEND TONIGHT'S RESIDENT MEETING AT THE WPA OFFICE AT 7:00PM. LET YOUR NEIGHBORS KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALL WELCOME TO ATTEND. THE MEETING INFORMATION IS PROVIDED BELOW

HERE IS THE INFORMATION ON THE MEETING:

YOU ARE INVITED TO:
  "A WEDGEFIELD RESIDENT FORUM - DISCUSSIONS TO OUTLINE POSITIVE OUTCOMES FOR WEDGEFIELD"

HERE IS THE INFO ON THE MEETING:

DATE:       November 10

TIME:       7:00 PM

PLACE:    WPA Office - Meeting Room

Wedgefield residents, this event is not a project of The Wedgefield Examiner.  It is being promoted on the blog, as a means of getting the word out.  As a active member of the association, I have been asked to help facilitate setting it up, by a number of residents who want the opportunity to discuss how members can move forward in a positive, unified, group whether you live on the golf course, canals, or in the condo area to outline positive outcomes for Wedgefield.

Your cost of admittance? 
* Come with a positive, inclusive attitude, prepared to discuss what you want to maintain in Wedgefield's future.

*Be prepared to listen to others, who may have a different picture for Wedgefield's future. 

*Be prepared to offer suggestions as to how we might meet the goals that begin to be outlined, as we move through the outline process.

*If you feel you must bring up something from the past, prepare yourself to discuss it in positive terms, as a lesson to be considered as we move forward, rather than presented as a fault, and to lay blame.

*Prepare yourself to volunteer to work with people - neighbors in the association, that you might not have worked with in the past, regardless of prior allegiances.  We are preparing to move forward as unified neighbors for Wedgefield.

*Understand, that there won't be platform speakers pushing a certain view.  In fact, everyone, one at a time, in organized fashion, will have the opportunity to speak, and help us move forward.  

*Understand, that this isn't a discussion about the board.  In fact, they are welcome to attend  in the role of a general member of the association.

*No one may speak about the upcoming election.  This is our opportunity to meet, and discuss our goals for Wedgefield's future.

In general, it is time that we speak openly to our neighbors, and hear each other.  Anyone who wishes to speak, and we encourage it, will be provided a "timed" opportunity, so that there is time for everyone to have a voice.

Please share this event with your neighbors.