THERE HAS BEEN A LOT GOING ON WITH MY FAMILY AND WE'VE MADE SOME DECISIONS

A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR:

First, if you have been emailing The Wedgefield Examiner over the last 2-3 months by using our published Yahoo email address:  wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com, I haven't received your email.  Unfortunately, with all that was going on here medically with my Denis, and fighting the horrible conditions that have injured my Robin Lynn in her CT group home, I let that email address expire.  If I have missed anything, and you would like me to have what you have sent, or want to contact me, you'll have to send it to mclaveloux@sc.rr.com

A CLAVELOUX FAMILY ANNOUNCEMENT:

AFTER MUCH THOUGHT AND CONSIDERATION, WE'VE MADE AN IMPORTANT CLAVELOUX FAMILY DECISION, AND ARE READY TO SHARE IT WITH OUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS WORLD. WE WEREN'T HIDING IT, BUT IT TOOK A LOT OF SERIOUS THOUGHT. Last Monday, we signed a contract to list our SC home for sale. It should be listed by mid next week. It has been a difficult decision to leave friends who have become family, but medical concerns for my Denis, with grave concerns for daughter Robin's housing crisis, and all the associated legal tangles, has lead us to believe that we can cope best if Robin and Denis and I reside in the same state. WHERE ARE WE GOING WHEN THE HOUSE SELLS? We'll purchase a small home on an inland lake in Midland County, Michigan. We'll find the perfect place for us, after the SC sale. Robin will be transferred from CT to a group home in MI, as soon as possible. We'll be close to my family, where I can manage these two situations with less stress, and more loving care to these two individuals who need me, often at the very same moment. Denis and I feel this is where we can manage best, and enjoy life on a smaller body of water, but again on the water. We love our SC life and home, but our SC friends have promised they'll visit, and welcome us for visits. We love our SC home, and thought it would be our forever home, but we continue to make changes that are best to continue on our life's journey. We don't know how long we will be here before the house sells, but we hope to find an owner who will love it as much as we do. We'll keep you updated as things progress. That means more Friday luncheons with friends at the Manor House, and a forward look to new beginnings with family and old friends in Michigan. We hope you wish us well.

IS THE CANAL DREDGING EFFORT ROLLING IN CLOVER (MONEY ENOUGH), OR HAS THE CANAL COMMITTEE FAILED TO RAISE THE NECESSARY FUNDS THROUGH PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS, AND THEY JUST WON'T TELL US?

I can't believe that we are into July and don't have any concrete answers regarding the dredging, and the results of the canal committee's effort to collect sufficient funds to move forward with the dredging.  Why the disbelief?  First, I'm use to the board's general "ground hog" approach to governance.  It could be called hide and seek also.  

My family commitments kept me away from a few board meetings.  I've been updating myself with calls to people who have attended the meetings, and review of the minutes.  It is my understanding that during the June WPA board meeting, that John Walton, water amenities chair could not give an update on the total of funds voluntarily collected from the canal lot owners.  I'm told that he reported that he hadn't updated his figures, prior to the meeting.  I found that to be strange initially, but on second thought even stranger after I reviewed the minutes for April and May.  

APRIL 17, 2018 WATER AMENITIES REPORT:

"$126,300 toward dredging.  Meeting with dredge on April 27th.  Was giving people until May 1st, have extended deadline for dredging funds until may 1st for those who can't get money to me until then."

Wouldn't you think by the May board meeting that we'd get a report of the total amount of funds - not promised, but actually collected?  No, we don't get a total collected figure in the minutes, but we do get a motion.

MAY 15, 2018 WATER AMENITIES REPORT:

"John Walton made a motion to approve a contract between the WPA and Brad Davis (contractor) in amount of $43,000 for the required preparation work on the spoil site that has been established by Earth Works.  Motion seconded by Bob Garrison.  Execution of this contract contingent upon 2 requirements:  1) Proof to the Board's satisfaction that the required monies to meet the canal lot owners portion of the dredging have been obtained and are available for disbursement.  2) A written commitment from the dredger of choice that the cost of the dredging will not exceed $239,000 and that said dredge will be ready to begin work no later then December 1st 2018."

The May minutes do not reveal whether a figure of the amount promised or collected, was given by the committee!  Additionally, wouldn't it have been great for this motion, and all motions, if the board secretary would have noted whether this motion passed or not, and if so, what the vote count was?  

Wouldn't the membership expect that by the June meeting that the board would have demanded knowing how much money was collected, and a report made to the membership?  After all our assessment/reserve money is going to pay up to 1/3 of this project.  Once again, we are left in the dark by this board's shadowy actions.

  

THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER WILL BE PUBLISHING SOON

I hope to start publishing again in the next few days.  My husband has been home for about a month, but nurses continue to arrive at our door throughout the week.  I've reached the point where we have a plan in place to continue with all the medical requirements, but give me a bit of time to do what I do.

The critical situation I face as guardian for my daughter in CT continues to keep me on the keyboard, and in conference calls with her advocate attorney, and the state of CT.  Over the last week or two, it appears at times that we are making progress.  I sincerely thank the Wedgefield residents who helped write and call legislators.  Our work may take awhile.  To keep updated, or see what it was all about, you can visit "Robin Lynn's Journey", at this site robinlynsjourney-helpherwin.com

Today I came across some words of wisdom that I embrace whole heartedly.  They speak to my varied experience here in Wedgefield, and several areas of my life.  Here it is:

THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER'S FAMILY MEMBER IS HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL. WE HAVE A LOT OF VISITORS COMING IN TO VISIT. SO FAR, ONE HAS ASKED HOW WE STAND LIVING WITH THE MESS NEXT DOOR. WELL, MY FIRST ACTION IS TO WRITE THE BOARD. SEE THE LETTER BELOW.

*********************************************************************************

Do you have information, or an opinion - agree, or not, you can email The Wedgefield Examiner at wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.  We'll remove your name to protect the innocent, and publish it.  P.S.  If you would like your name published, please note that on your email, otherwise we leave your name out.

******************************************************

MY LETTER TO THE BOARD SPEAKS TO THE SITUATION:

DATE:                       June 6, 2018

TO:                             WPA BOARD

FROM:                      Madeline Y. Claveloux

RE:                             DEPLORABLE CONDITION OF UNBUILT LOTS UNDER

                                    CONTRACT TO BE MOWED BY THE GROUNDS

                                    CONTRACTOR, UNDER THE DIRECTION AND

                                    SUPERVISION OF BOARD MEMBER MCMILLIN

CC:                             The Wedgefield Examiner

The lot directly adjacent to our home at 168 William Screven has not been mowed since early last fall.  Weeds are knee high, and some trees that have popped up due to the lack of maintenance, are about 3 feet high.  The weeds are seeding themselves in the flower bed that runs along the lot line.  We have paid our landscaper additional funds to spray the weeds in our bed and along the lot line.  We’ve invested over $1,500 in pine straw and for the labor to put it down.  We are responsible lot owners!    We are right back to weeds!

The owner of the lot has, and continues to be a good neighbor.  Last year, when he visited the lot to list it for sale, he came and apologized for the poor conditions, saying he had trusted his contract with the WPA.  He then secured a private contractor to come and remedy the situation.  Why does the Board allow McMillin to continue in his role with this poor management? 

Board Member McMillin is negligent in maintaining properties that owners contracted to mow, and keep their properties within ARC requirements of property maintenance.  The entire board is disregarding their duties required in our governing documents, in allowing him to continue year after year to manage these subcontracts with the WPA, and allowing these conditions to exist.

As homeowners, we have endured the embarrassment of these conditions through the recent holiday weekend, and with family coming in to visit my seriously ill husband.  Please see that this is remedied immediately.

HAS THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER GIVEN UP THE BLOG? ABSOLUTELY NOT! WHEN WILL WE SEE ANOTHER NEW POST? AS SOON AS THE CURRENT MEDICAL CONDITION ON MY WEDGEFIELD FAMILY MEMBER SETTLES DOWN, AND THE CURRENT EMERGENCY CHAOS OF MY LOVED ONE IN CT IS UNDER CONTROL.

BRADY, THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER MASCOT SAYS, WE'LL BE BACK UP AND WRITING ON THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER JUST AS SOON AS WE CAN SQUEEZE IT IN.  IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING ON YOUR MIND, AND WOULD LIKE TO WRITE THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER, WE CAN ALWAYS TAKE THE TIME, TO POST THAT REAL QUICK.  SEND YOUR RESIDENT LETTERS TO wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.

The Wedgefield Examiner's 87 year old husband has survived ICU, emergency surgery that removed a mass, and received the great news that the mass was benign. After eight days in the hospital, he has been transported to a great in hospital rehabilitation center.  We're at his side several hours everyday, working with him, so he can return home.

We have a crisis in the life of our developmentally disabled loved one in CT.  Please read the story and  act, on "Robin Lynn's Journey", by going to https://robinblog18.wixsite.com/website  Will you take the time to make a call, or text the governor of CT?  We've made great progress in the last week.  People from all over the US are helping get our message out, and acting to keep it moving.  Next week, we are headed to contacts in Washington DC.  Help keep the story going, we need action now.  Why Washington?  Both CT Medicaid, and federal Medicare dollars are funding the very group home charged with medical neglect resulting in injury to Robin Lynn.  There are two reports originating as far back as March 2018.  While the investigators are working, it has been confirmed that Robin Lynn has permanent disfiguration from the medical neglect charges of the first incident.  Won't you help before more happens?  Robin Lynn needs your help, and we may end up helping other developmentally disabled adults.  Your action doesn't cost anything but a little of your time.  Please go to https://robinblog18.wixsite.com/website and act.  Share this website on any of the social media sites that you are on, and ask your friends and family members to share, and encourage others to keep sharing, and acting.

READERS, LEAVE WEDGEFIELD TODAY, AND PLEASE HELP ME, HELP ROBIN LYNN

Readers, I'm not asking you to get your violins out, but my family member here in Wedgefield was hospitalized again last Friday in ICU, with emergency surgery on Saturday.  I'm still at the hospital day and night.  Robin Lynn, the daughter I love, and serve as legal guardian, has had two claims of medical neglect filed with the CT Abuse and Neglect Agency, against her group home.  The group home, in retaliation, has issued a discharge of Robin from her home of 20 years.  I've been fighting this battle for over a year.  Two hearings in probate court have gone my way, and yet the Connecticut DDS has placated their group home contractor, and failed to serve Robin Lynn.  The story is complicated.  Please go to http://robinblog18.wixsite.com/website, and read today's posting on "ROBIN LYNN'S JOURNEY", and take action.  We don't need money, we need you to share the story where ever you can, and make a couple of calls.  Today's posting at the address provided above, tells you how you can help.  Please help Robin Lynn.

THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER STEPS OUT OF WEDGEFIELD AND DEVELOPS A SECOND BLOG - "ROBIN LYNN'S JOURNEY" LIKE THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER, OR NOT, MAYBE YOU'LL WANT TO HELP

I don't have a lot of time as my two family members are both in trouble.  My family member here in Wedgefield is in ICU, after surgery today.  The daughter in CT who I serve as legal guardian for is in crisis.  Today, I started a new blog, "Robin Lynn's Journey".  I'm posting the first article tonight.  The second article will call for friends, and readers to take action, due to some surprising "medical negligence", causing serious injury to Robin, resulting in two reports of "medical neglect" to the CT Abuse and Neglect Agency.  

Please consider following "Robin Lynn's Journey".  Here is the link.


http://robinblog18.wixsite.com/website

THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER RECEIVES A SCATHING LETTER FROM BOARD MEMBER ANDERSON REGARDING HIS MAY COMMUNITY LIAISON REPORT. READ HIS LETTER, AND I'LL PROVIDE THE DOCUMENTATION HE NEEDS TO SEE, AND IT CAME RIGHT FROM THE CORRESPONDENCE FILE.

*********************************************************************************

Do you have information, or an opinion - agree, or not, you can email The Wedgefield Examiner at wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.  We'll remove your name to protect the innocent, and publish it.  P.S.  If you would like your name published, please note that on your email, otherwise we leave your name out.

******************************************************

HERE IS BOARD MEMBER ANDERSON'S UNEDITED LETTER:
Mrs. Claveloux,

You reference in your latest blog post that I failed to report a residents letter asking questions about the dredging. You had to know this was a blatant lie and intentional smear tactic. That letter was responded to and reported on during the April meeting. You already know this because your blog post on May 1st references this letter and the response several times. I will include the exact report I submitted and read at the April board meeting.As I have said to you many times I have no problem with your blog or you expressing your opposition to everything we do. It is your right as a member of the WPA. But PLEASE, report accurate information.Quit sensationalizing, leaving out important facts, and bending the truth to fit the narrative you want to push. But most importantly, I would ask you to apply your talents in a more positive role and quit trying to destroy Wedgefield.

Adam Anderson

Community Liaison Report April 2018

We had the following letters this month

1. A street light is out on Patriots Court and John Greene. These were reported to Santee Electric
2. A complaint about a resident allowing his employees to park on a vacant lot on John Greene. A letter was sent to the resident asking for this stop.
3. A letter asking questions about the dredging,which were answered.
   *****************************************************************************************First, community liaison, Anderson, I do have a copy of the complete correspondence file as it relates to the letter you seem so "upset" about. The April board meeting was held on the 17th. You refer to a letter contained in a May 1st posting, so we are both talking about the same letter. However, I am surprised that you would dare to claim an answer, anywhere, any time. The file shows that the mess you refer to was printed off the office email on 4/17/18. How could it be reported as a response, after the resident's letter had been written respectfully with legitimate questions, and your canal committee passed it around and commented between themselves, and there is no legitimate, respectful letter, from you attached. In fact what is attached from your committee members is the following"
4. 
   
   

   1) "THOUGH WE SHOULDN'T TOUCH IT AND LEAVE WHO/WHAT IT IS ALONE.  I WOULD LOVE TO SEE AND ANSWER TO HIM SO HE CAN'T SAY "WELL THEY WON'T EVEN RESPOND."  

   
   

   "FACT IS, YOU HAVEN'T ATTENDED ANY MEETINGS SO YOU DON'T KNOW."

   
   

   "I THINK ADAM CA MAKE A GOOD ONE."

   
   

   SHAME LIST PUBLISHED AFTER DREDGE."

   
   

   2. "I AM NOT ANSWERING THIS, AT THE END OF MY LINE.  MY LIFE AND FAMILY ARE MORE TO ME THAN HIM.  WE'LL JUST BE $4K SHORT."

   
   

   3. "GOOD, WE'LL NEED TO MAKE UP FOR"

   
   

   
   

   4. "I MAY HAVE THE BEST ANSWER FOR HIM, INVITE HIM TO OUR NEXT MEETING AND I'LL GIVE HIM THE 2 SUIT CASES I HAVE ALONG WITH MY VIDEOS, WITH ALL MY DREDGING INFORMATION FOR 9 1/2 YEARS AND TELL HIM TO PERUSE THRU THEM, WE WON'T HAVE TO SAY ANYTHING.  AND TELL CLEVALOUX THE SAME THING.  THINK ABOUT IT."
   *******************************************************************************************************

   Please note that I CLAVELOUX, never got involved and wrote this crew.  THIS IS YOUR WATER AMENITIES COMMITTEE AT WORK FOR WHAT THEY CLAIM IS THE ONLY WAY.  BE CAREFUL VOLUNTEERS GOING DOOR TO DOOR, THIS IS WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO YOUR NEIGHBORS, AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN THERE.
   

   MR. ANDERSON, HOW CAN YOU WRITE TO ME WITH SUCH NASTY WORDS AND FALSE ACCUSATIONS?  IT APPEARS THAT YOUR COMMITTEE SPEAKS IN THE SAME TYPE OF LANGUAGE - BIRDS OF A FEATHER?  GO TO THE OFFICE AND REVIEW THE CORRESPONDENCE FILE, AND SHOW THE WORLD IT WAS ANYTHING DIFFERENT THEN WHAT I QUOTED.  QUITE FRANKLY IT IS DISGUSTING!

   
   

YESTERDAY, THERE WERE 361 VISITS TO THE BLOG, AND THERE WERE 96 VISITS RECORDED BY EARLY MORNING TODAY. WHAT'S THE INTEREST? I SUSPECT IT WAS TUESDAY'S WPA MEETING. IT APPEARS THAT OUR MEMBERSHIP IS INTERESTED, BUT NOT ENOUGH TO GET TO THE BOARD MEETING, OR IS IT THAT YOU KNOW THAT IF YOU SHOW UP, AND SPEAK UP, YOUR BOARD WILL ABUSE YOU, AND YOUR NEIGHBORS WILL HIDE?

YOU CAN'T HAVE A BOUQUET UNTIL YOU PULL THE WEEDS FROM LIFE'S GARDEN.  RESIDENTS, YOU CAN'T JUST SIT BACK, AND READ. YOU HAVE TO TAKE AN ACTIVE PART BY ATTENDING MEETINGS, AND STANDING UP TO BE COUNTED.  

It isn't too often that I allow life to get in the way of my attending WPA meetings, speaking out, and documenting what is happening through my writings on The Wedgefield Examiner.  I was scheduled to speak in one of the 5 minute resident speaker positions on Tuesday evening.  A few medical family issues collided again.  There was another injury and run to emergency for my CT family member, and more medical complications for my loved one here.  We're managing, but there was one more concern.

I was asked by my family member here, not to speak.  We have documented for months, the pouting, paper tossing, demanding, violations of our governing documents, by board member McMillin.  Read in recent articles about his behavior in the office as another resident exercised their rights to review documents.  His willful behavior appears to be escalating, as your board just sits by, and by omission of action - condones.  As a community, we have watched the same escalation of behavior by a prior board member, who eventually punched a resident who was exiting a board meeting at the office.  Usually, I would tell my family member to stay out of it.  I'd handle it, but not at this moment in time.  His life shouldn't be spent worrying about me.  I phoned our president, thanked him for responding to my request to speak and explained that I had too many medical emergencies to handle at this point.  I further explained that a family member had concerns for my safety.   Far fetched?  Hardly.

When I was unable to attend, I asked asked a couple of the people  who were attending the meeting to take notes and share them with me.  You can't make up the fact that your board is complicit in McMillin's made up policy, or lack of written response to resident letters - let alone legitimately report ALL correspondence.  Let's check the resident's notes regarding resident correspondence from community liaison Anderson.   Here are the community liaison report notes:  "Community:  3 letters.  One about a pothole, one complimenting the new sign, and another written complaint about bad behavior of a board member "  Really???????  Our community liaison Anderson, complicit in insisting that two residents follow McMillin's made up policy, let alone SC non profit law -  have to come to the office first, and fill out a form in his manufactured policy, when two residents have been verbally informed by two different officers of the board, that the board knew the policy didn't exist, doesn't note my letter to the board in his report.  Where does he mention the letter from the canal lot owner regarding questions on the dredging?  - See documented article titled: 

Tuesday, May 1, 2018

THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER HAS TO LEAVE THE CURRENT MISGUIDED MCMILLIN POLICY AND GO TO THE ISSUES OF THE DREDGING, AND THE HATEFULNESS OF THE COMMITTEE. I HAVE THE COMMENTS OF THIS STERLING:???? COMMITTEE, WHEN A CANAL RESIDENT WRITES THEM WITH LEGITIMATE QUESTIONS. WE'LL SEE HOW KIND YOUR NEIGHBORS ON THE CANALS ARE WHEN THEY APPROACH YOU FOR MONEY, AND AMONGST THE "TEAM" PROMISE THEY'LL PUBLISH A SHAME LIST AFTER THE DREDGING.

Let's see if the issues that complicit to McMillin's illegal actions, Anderson has more board illegal fraternity brothers at the table.  Were any of these issues covered in the president's report?  From the notes of the meeting: "President's report:  Jacky says school is going to be out in 2 weeks, watch out for kids, golf carts, and construction trucks."  How about legal?  "Legal:  2 lots on the newer end of Francis Parker are now owned by HOA.  Legal will deal with how to sell them."   What about compliance? "Compliance:  nothing.   New policy re: debit card was discussed in new business."

What does it all mean?  Our beautiful Wedgefield community's future, under the governance of the old boys' fraternity, and the one female on the board - apparently allowed to participate in this lawless fraternity, is destroying our community - by the governance of our yesterday's, our tomorrows, and way into the future.  I thank the member who is of such conviction that he has gone to the expense, and effort of suing this board.   Maybe a trial can get us back on track.  For the board:

NOT ALL MEMBERS ARE SHEEP, AND HAVE MORE INTELLIGENCE, AND COMMITMENT, AND WE TRULY AREN'T ALL LIKE THIS - WE WON'T BE DECEIVED BY YOUR APPARENT MOTTO:

     

TWO NEW ARTICLES WERE ADDED ON MAY 14TH. READ THEM. IS MCMILLIN BURNING ALL HOPE FOR GOOD SOUND WEDGEFIED GOVERNANCE?

RESIDENT WRITES THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER ASKING ALL RESIDENT'S TO ATTEND TOMORROW NIGHT'S BOARD MEETING

*********************************************************************************

Do you have information, or an opinion - agree, or not, you can email The Wedgefield Examiner at wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.  We'll remove your name to protect the innocent, and publish it.  P.S.  If you would like your name published, please note that on your email, otherwise we leave your name out.

******************************************************

Madeline,

You can post my name with this email.  Thank You. 

At the conclusion of the April board meeting, Jacky Walton requested that we get our neighbors to attend the May meeting.   I am putting out a plea to ALL of Wedgefield to attend tomorrow nights meeting.     

Of interest:

1. The final cost of dredging.  How much money was raised voluntarily to date?   It was reported in the April meeting that the exact cost of dredging would be known on 4/27.   The board agreed to use HOA funds to pay for a third of the cost, (utilizing canal reserves).  The canal owners are footing the bill for two-thirds using volunteer funds.   What are the final figures?  
2. Signs.   Are we getting new signs throughout the plantation?     The last bids were for $2,000 and $8,000.   I don't know about anyone else but if we can put $2500 into a driveway extension and $4,000 into an electronic sign, I'm not opposed to $8,000 for professional signs that will make the plantation look better than it does now.  REMEMBER:  Mitch will be opening his course soon.... new signs will benefit him as well.   Don't we owe it to him?    
3. Update on security cameras.   Butch has been working on getting cost estimates and again, this is something that could only improve the safety of our plantation and whatever the cost, I vote in favor of them. 
4. We will have 2 speakers for the 5 minute speaker spots; both on the topic of the "Request to Review Documentations" form that appeared out of nowhere the past month.   Madeline Claveloux will speak during one spot and Larry McMillan promised  a "public forum" on the controversial topic during the other 5 minute spot.

Typically there are the same old 9 or 10 residents who show up at this meeting.   We are thick skinned and probably should go out for drinks afterward.     Things are happening that you should be aware of and you can only get answers and have a voice if you attend the meetings......   PLEASE don't rely on Facebook as your voice, it's not as effective as standing up in a meeting and facing the board with your concerns.    Give tomorrow night a try.    

Connie Downs

**********************************************************

Wedgefield Examiner Comments:  Our resident writer is right on in what she states.  The following words are my words alone.  Will the board have the audacity to place McMillin on the agenda, in one of the two speaker spots allowed in our governing documents for members. First, your board quit publishing the agenda a week prior to the board meeting a long time ago.  I checked the WPA website before writing these comments, and NO, there was no May agenda posted for the meeting.  

As is the case for all board members, McMillin is a member of our rank and file - general membership, so technically one would assume that he would be eligible to ask for one of the speaker spots.  Should the board allow him to step from his seat at the board table - with his board member status, at a time when he made the THREAT to speak in one of the speaker spots when performing as a poorly functioning board member, when your board is well aware that he lied about policy, and has been called on it by the very leadership sitting at the board table?  

If McMillin speaks on his illegal moves as board member, and your board hasn't done anything about his illegal acts, and appear to be afraid to rein him in from the board table, the entire board is complicit in his actions - condones them, and the board's very "omission of fact of policy, and the violations", is just one more blatant indication that WE DON'T HAVE A REAL FUNCTIONING BOARD AT ALL, BUT A FAN CLUB FOR ONE BOARD MEMBER MCMILLIN, SERVING MCMILLIN, RATHER THAN LEGAL, ETHICAL GOVERNANCE UNDER OUR GOVERNING DOCUMENTS. 

GET TO THE MEETING, BRING YOUR POPCORN, AND RECORDERS.  AS ED SULLIVAN USE TO SAY, "WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD SHOW TONIGHT" 

HERE IS THE ARTICLE I PROMISED: "CAN YOU BELIEVE ANYONE ON THE BOARD, WHEN THEY VERBALLY TELL YOU - PERSON TO PERSON, THAT THE ACTIONS OF A BOARD MEMBER ARE WRONG, AND THEN IN WRITTEN COMMUNICATION TO THE OFFICE, PROVIDE INSTRUCTION TO CARRYING ON WITH WHAT THE MISCREANT DIRECTOR INTENDS?"

*********************************************************************************

Do you have information, or an opinion - agree, or not, you can email The Wedgefield Examiner at wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.  We'll remove your name to protect the innocent, and publish it.  P.S.  If you would like your name published, please note that on your email, otherwise we leave your name out.

******************************************************

I'm not going to spend a lot of time re-documenting the facts of two residents - myself and another, who wrote the office to review files.  The other resident writer wasn't answered by the board for three months.  Finally, Board Secretary McMillin answered her and threw in a non existent policy requirement, and when he notified her of his non existent policy demand of coming to the office, and filling out a non existent for anyone else - form, he said she was ignorant of policy, and he wouldn't be answering her any further, until she met his demand of filling out the form.  I wrote, and asked to review documents, and in jumps community liaison Anderson, requiring me to fill out the non existent McMillin form.  In the meantime, an officer of the board gave the other resident permission to visit the office and review the files requested, and she had a very unpleasant confrontation with McMillin, and wrote the following to the board:

I entered the HOA office at approximately 10:00 a.m.   I was informed by Michelle Blythe that she would have to contact Larry McMillan of my arrival.  He was on the grounds planting flowers.   Larry arrived and used the restroom to wash his hands.   He retrieved the file I requested to review and ordered me to sit on the far side of the table while he sat in a chair across from me.   Mr. McMillan spoke to me in an angry tone of voice, it was obvious he was either looking for a verbal altercation or to bully me into submission.   His body language was combative as he leaned forward.  The first thing he did was toss two pieces of paper across the table at me.  One was a blank sheet of Wedgefield letter head and the other was a copy of a "Request to Review Documents" form that he claimed he didn't make up and has been procedure of "the past 7 years."   Mr. McMillan assumes I accused him of making up this form and I don't believe he can produce documentation proving his allegation.  "  AND LATER: " I asked Larry if the letterhead and request form were my copies and his response was "Madeline has copies."    I'm not sure what he was referencing in this statement.   Larry took out a computer printout documenting dates of spoil site maintenance and the Maintenance Contract Amendment. In a defensive and blatantly rude manner, he informed me of what was contained in the written materials.  I asked him if they were my copies and he referenced they were his property, something he generated.  Larry then proceeded to go on and I interrupted to asked him if he planned to sit and watch me review the file.   His response was, "I'm here to answer your questions."   I informed Larry that I didn't request to have him answer my questions; I asked to review the spoil site file.   Larry was angry at my statement and responded in a combative tone of voice, "Before you leave, I want to talk to you about your email."   I informed Larry that I would not speak to him without either Bob Garrison or Jacky Walton being present."  His response was defiant, "You want a public forum, I'll give you a public forum."   Larry made it very clear to me that he would take up this topic of conversation during the May 2018 board, meeting, (using 5 minutes to speak)and it was very clear he planned to chastise me.   As Larry stormed out of the office, he ordered the Secretary Michelle Blythe to  "call me before she leaves."   

Pretty sick meeting at the office for a member who followed all the REAL policy!  I avoided such a confrontation with McMillin, and reviewed the Correspondence File at the office with an officer of the board present.  The board officer reiterated for me that McMillin's NEW policy had never existed, nothing new had been reviewed by the board, motioned, had first, let alone second reading, and therefore had never been posted on the WPA website for resident comment, as required by the by-laws.  I was also told that the board had met - unpublished meeting, and gave these facts to McMillin.

I reviewed the Correspondence File, and found the following, and it belies all board  member understanding of their roles, as individual board members, acting in behalf of all of us while enforcing our governing documents, and good sound, legal governance. Look what our vice president/legal chair has to say behind the scenes:

ON APRIL 26, 2018 GARRISON (VICE PRESIDENT/LEGAL CHAIR) SENDS THE FOLLOWING TO THE OFFICE:

"no need to wait an additional five business days, this has dragged on too long already.  I will be happy to show her the records she wants to review IF IT IS ALL RIGHT WITH LARRY."  COMMENT FROM THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER:  Really!  Garrison, vice president/legal chair, knows there is no such policy, and McMillin has made it up, but he cowers and says "if it is all right with Larry"!

It gets worse.  The paid office staff person who is supervised day in and day out by illegal McMillin, writes Garrison back:  ON APRIL 26, 2018 SHE WRITES GARRISON:  "Hi Bob, This is the latest email from (names the other resident writer).  Her original request was Mon - Thurs.  I will talk to Peggy (complicit board member) and Larry when they get in and then contact you." COMMENT FROM THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER:  It appears with the information I have confirmed and provided, that there is NOT ONE BOARD MEMBER, on the current board who is willing to represent us according to our governing documents.  It blows my mind that none of you are willing to jump in and begin to clean any of this mess up.  As to the two board members that the paid staff will check with, I'm amazed at the number of calls that I have had about these two for more than 2 years, and the laughter from residents in the community who run into me, and others, and are making jokes about these two officers of the board, and their time at the office "open or closed".  I've told you all that I'm not bringing forward what you won't.  Handle it yourselves!  If their actions are so well known, and laughable, take your issues up with someone else, and do something yourself!

In regard to the current made up policy, and so many other illegal - against our governing documents actions of this board, I'll remind the board of two things.

1) Each board member should remember the following:

"Directors must exercise reasonable diligence in following through and carrying out the responsibilities assumed by or assigned to them under the governing legal documents.  Generally, directors must remain informed about the community association’s business at all times, be knowledgeable about the legal documents governing the affairs of the association, and attend and participate in the association meetings.  Directors may be held responsible for obtaining and reading the minutes of those association meetings the director was unable to attend.  Directors must also vote against actions taken or adopted by the Board of Directors that they are in disagreement with and record their disagreement in the meeting minutes.  Failure to perform any of these duties in a reasonably diligent and prudent manner could expose the director to liability to homeowners for breach of fiduciary duty."

2) In regard to the current issue of made up policy regarding the review and copying of records, SC non profit law says this:

"(d) The right of inspection granted by this section may not be abolished or limited by a corporation's articles of incorporation or bylaws. 

    (e) This section does not affect: 

       (1) the right of a shareholder to inspect records under Section 33‑7‑200 or, if the shareholder is in litigation with the corporation, to the same extent as any other litigant; 

       (2) the power of a court, independently of Chapters 1 through 20 of this Title, to compel the production of corporate records for examination."