NOTE: The Wedgefield Examiner is providing a review of the report to the best of my ability. I attended the meeting. Verify the information for yourself, by reviewing Grounds Report, on the tape of the meeting.
Mc Millin starts his report by providing an overview of the storm debris clean up by S&W. He appears pleased with their work. He states that he was disappointed that S&W started "in one of most remote AREAS of the plantation" (De Marchi's front yard). Later he reports that he had learned of a decision being made for someone (De Marchi) else to handle this project, and that he was offended. He made a statement equivalent to, if it happens again, they can have his job on the board.
COMMENTS: We may never know who on the board - exactly- made this decision. No one at the board table offered any explanation. You listen to the tape for yourself. Mc Millin appeared to be upset by this. This is one of the major problems with this board. They do what they want, when they want, appear to cover for each other, and move on. Most in Mc Millin's position, at any other board table, would have asked for an explanation. They don't, and it may be that each of them want the approval of the others, even those who have offended them, when their next pet project comes up. They appear to operate without any governing standards, rules, etc. Who benefited from this change in command? De Marchi. His favored contractor was hired, and started right at De Marchi's front door. De Marchi has grabbed, or been named by President Walton, to more committees and responsibilities, than any other board member. Mc Millin deserves what he got. He has participated in this type of behavior himself, and probably will continue to. None of this behind the scenes manipulation is ever done solely for the benefit of the entire association.
Next Mc Millin moves to discussion of the office parking lot. During the February board meeting, he asked the board if he could look at the cost of making changes to the parking lot. He had some ideas. He would investigate costs and get back to the board with more information. During the March meeting he said he had contacted three contractors to get some prices. Two came back with bids. One was in a envelope, in his hand. He said the other one came in by fax and he asked Kathy to get it for him. She couldn't find it. At the point he asked Kathy for it, someone on the board chuckled. He asked if he could proceed by opening the bid he had. It was determined that he couldn't. Someone on the board asked him if anyone had complained about the parking lot. There was nothing regarding this issue in the correspondence file. He said that he had had CALLS. When the board determined they wouldn't move forward at this point, Mc Millin's papers landed on the floor, and he said he just wouldn't do it then.
During resident comments De Marchi's wife stood up and said she knew of six people who play games in the office and have problems, and that they would be interested in his project.
COMMENTS: First, what kind of hap hazard bidding process does this board have? Mc Millin has one in an envelope and thought he had one on the fax machine. Second, why, with all that needs to be done in this association, did your board even allow him to believe during the February meeting, that any time, let alone consideration of money, be spent on this? It could appear as though it is a case of "I'll OK what you want, if you'll OK what I want? Far fetched? Hardly, this board played games with Mc Millin's 2013 Grounds ' contract saying they didn't want the spoil site in the contract, and they didn't want the association paying any portion of private lot mowing. Both appear in the 2013 Grounds' contract.
In the 10 years I have lived here, residents have been told to put their concerns and questions in writing. Mc Millin has received calls about this? Maybe it depends who the caller is. I'm doubtful there were calls. Mc Millin ought to get it in writing. How many people would have to complain before we spent association funds on this? If there were calls, maybe they were our board member's wife's friends. It is difficult to decide what brought Mc Millin to this project. In early 2009, when the board was trying to finish up the final phases of the new office, Mc Millin handled the parking lot project. What has changed? Six people who want to play games in the office?
