Why the delay in providing the answers? This is the second time that Anderson has prepared an answer to me in a reasonable time frame, but the office has not provided it to me until after I posted a article. Why??????
The presentation of your board's answers will require more than one article. My questions, as sent, will be inserted, and the answers provided with comment. It should be noted that while I thank Anderson for his efforts, the answers provided by individual board members, often avoid the question, and skirt around the issue after the fact.
A COPY OF TODAY'S EMAIL FROM THE WPA OFFICE IS PROVIDED BELOW, ALONG WITH THE TOP PORTION OF ANDERSON'S LETTER
MY RESIDENT QUESTIONS WILL BE PROVIDED IN RED AND THE BOARD ANSWERS IN BLUE, COMMENTS ARE IN BLACK
1) President Walton, why won't you answer the question as to how you could have bid and accepted a contract with the WPA to fix the gate house, after signing the Conflict of Interest, required by every board member?
Answer provided by President Walton.: "Mr. Walton's company has withdrawn the bid."
COMMENTS: This does not answer the question. His answer is a result, but does not explain how he bid in the first place, after signing the Conflict of Interest. You'll note the same approach in many of the following answers.
2) Compliance Chair DeMarchi, how could you have even entertained sending a bid to the President of the association, after you signed a Conflict of Interest, required by every board member, doesn't that breach the responsibility of your role as Compliance Chair?
Answer provided by DeMarchi.: "The bid was provided to Jacky Walton Construction Company. The company has performed outstanding work for over 30 ears and was highly recommended by the residents that have utilized his services here in the plantation over the past several years. The company is a licensed contractor and according to State Law Section 33-31-831. Director conflict of interest, there is no conflict of interest. The Wedgefield Plantation By-laws also state under Section 13, "Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any Director from serving in any other capacity and receiving compensation thereof." This is the FOURTH (4th) time this has been answered for you. Please retain this copy for your records."
COMMENTS: First, will someone go and review the correspondence file and find me one (1), let alone 4 answers from DeMarchi or any other board member, RELATING TO BOARD MEMBERS' ANSWERS AS TO HOW THEY COULD HAVE SIGNED THE "CONFLICT OF INTEREST", and participated in a vote to give our President a contract????? MR. DE MARCHI, if the answer to that question is in the file even once, I'LL QUIT THE BLOG. Rudeness and gross exaggeration won't cut it. You of all the board members, fine tuned the Policy Manual to your liking, and should have been aware. It could appear you have selective memory. The Board Attorney of Record, after his opinion was FINALLY SOUGHT, said you violated the very Conflict of Interest, each and every one of you signed. Additionally, I have NEVER made any statements about the fine work of Jacky Walton Construction. I do find the owner to be less than honorable for participating in this ridiculous situation, and acting as a coward, afraid to answer the question, and allowing you, and others to attempt to harm those who ask, and allow you, and himself, to attempt to answer with smoke and mirrors. You didn't answer the question Mr. DeMarchi. You've tried state law before with me regarding copies, when I followed state law in my last request, I was denied. It is some dancing act that you have.
3) Secretary Cline, how could you have sat back and laughed during board member McBride's questioning of Conflict of Interest, during the October Board Meeting, and voted to award a contract to the President of the association, after you, yourself, signed the Conflict of Interest?
Answer provided by Cline.: "I would have to review the tape of the Oct. 2013 Board meeting to know what I specifically laughed about. However, I will not be spending one moment of my time to answer such request. You know why I voted the way I did as that was also on the tape."
COMMENTS: Secretary Cline, you get what you give. The fall - failed to answer, from the high horse you responded from, is a long way down to the ground, and you hit it with that response. You have laughed numerous times during board meetings, at the expense of the one who questions. Perhaps, you should listen to yourself on tape. During the October 2013 meeting, when McBride was questioning conflict of interest, you laughed and said "at least we know where he lives". Is that your criteria? Maybe, you should "spend one moment of YOUR time", reviewing the documents you sign. You failed to answer the question. Not one board member, acknowledged, or discussed the Conflict of Interest", each and everyone of you signed, prior to the vote to give the association President a contract.
4) Board members: McMillin, Walton (John), Anderson, Johnson, how could you have voted to award the President of the association a contract, after you had signed the Conflict of Interest?
Answer provided by Anderson ONLY.: "The discussion prior to the vote satisfied our question of any conflict. It has become incredibly difficult to hire good contractors willing to work with our association. Mr. Walton's firm has a solid reputation and as earned our trust. We would have no reason believe he had any agenda other than trying to help Wedgefield.
COMMENTS: First, Anderson at least attempts to answer. It isn't an answer. No one questions Walton's firms reputation. Anderson, like the others does not respond to the fact that he put pen to paper - Conflict of Interest, and failed to acknowledge it during that meeting, or even attempt to live up to it. As to "it has become incredibly difficult to hire good contractors willing to work with our association", that was the cry of a board that gave one almost "in house" contractor over $700,000 of our money. In 2008 McMillin, then a candidate tracked down fake businesses, who were claimed to be legitimate bidders. During 2009, McMillin proved that he could get bidders for what ever he put a request for proposal out for. That's a lame excuse for violating your written promise to our community. Apparently, McMillin, Walton (John), and Johnson, are in hiding, as they failed to provide an answer.
MORE OF THE QUESTIONS, BOARD ANSWERS, AND COMMENTS WILL FOLLOW IN SUBSEQUENT ARTICLES.
