During October, the Wedgefield Examiner posted articles regarding the WPA board's published policy on burning. Twice in 2014, the board published in the Wragg, NO BURNING, NO EXCEPTIONS. Prior to the October 2014 board meeting, invitations were sent out to members of a club in Wedgefield for bon fire at board member McMillin's vacant lot. What happens to residents if a board member decides to do what they've told you, you can't? They stage, out of the blue, a discussion on burning, at the board table. It still doesn't legitimize McMillin's burning, because policy has to be heard twice, and that won't be until December, but they do bring the topic up, prior to his burning.
With that completed, what does he do next? In fact, early in the last week of October, he staged his lot with two ugly, big pots, a swing, and a pile of wood. The bon fire which was scheduled for November 1st, was rescheduled and held on November 2nd, burning included.
Next we get to the WPA Annual Meeting. The only meeting that residents are allowed to speak at, during the meeting. A resident, not me, not known to me, stands and questions burning being allowed, when the board said, "no burning". I stand and remind the board that it is in the Wragg twice, and states 'NO EXCEPTIONS". Board member Cline, states that they never intended to curb recreational burning. I respond that they better define it, because there are two ugly pots on a vacant lot, on my street. Cline says there shouldn't be anything allowed sitting on a vacant lot, and advises me to take pictures. Board member McMillin, says not to bother, it is his lot. He further tells the group that he had it set up for a club, and they had a lot of fun, but he has been too busy to remove it. Not one board member says, "you better clean it up McMillin." No, they all sit back.
The meeting was held on November 15th. One would assume that an ethical board member would have gone home and removed it. Not him, it appears he thinks because he is a board member it gets to stay. It is all still there today.
On November 17th, I took a ride through the association, and found that we have another board member that appears to be breaking a covenant. I took pictures there. I also took pictures of the vacant lot on Wedgefield Road, with the tractor, and pile of debris. Note: the tractor vacant lot owner was notified by the board in the fall of 2009 that he couldn't do that, and removed it. I guess when you are in Rome, you do what the Romans do, especially if you have a board that won't follow the rules. On November 17, 2014, as advised by board member Cline, I sent a letter to the board entitled "Violations of WPA Regulations," included pictures.
HERE IS THE LETTER"
"WPA Board
Please distribute to the board and place a copy in the correspondence file.
During the annual meeting I sited a vacant lot owner's violation. I was advised by board member, Cline to take pictures and send them in. She further stated that vacant lots are not to have anything on them. The following pictures are detailed with addresses.
Additionally, I have provided pictures regarding # 11 of the Covenants.
Please advise of the steps you have taken to rectify these situations.
1) Lot adjacent to XX William Screven. You'll note the burning pots (?), flag pole, and trailer. (Note - Board Member)
2) Vacant lot adjacent to XXXX Wedgefield Rd. The tractor and debris pile have been there for months.
3) Resident home owner has had these signs up for months. This appears to violate #11 of the Covenants. The address is XX John Green Lane. (Note - Board Member)
On November 18, I receive this from the board: "I am in receipt of your letter and photos of the various ARC and covenant violations. They have been passed along to the ARC and compliance committees for review. Thank you for your concern and interest in Wedgefield Plantation." I do thank our Community Liaison for his quick response. I do not trust the method, or the time it will take for any real corrections. As noted, two of the properties involved are board member properties. The first one with the burning pots, what we ended up with as noted above, is that, that offender comes to the board table to bring up new policy for us, because he wants to burn now, and we live under "no burning, no exceptions", but we'll get legislated for his burning transgression, under current policy. In regard to his lot, he has had equipment stored there for long periods of time. He has dumped loads of dirt near the road and let weeds grow two feet high on them, for almost a year, in the past. More of I'll regulate you, but you'll follow my rules, whether, I do or not.
As to the board member with the signs. It looks like a used boat lot, but the signs are the probable violations. This board member reminded residents at the Annual Meeting, that if you don't have your marina car and boat trailer stickers up, he'll have your car towed. We have to follow the rules. He probably won't. This board member may have even attended McMillin's bon fire.
I intend to post these pictures every day, until we have a remedy. Think that is drama, on what could be viewed small stuff? I don't. There has been a lot of rule making for us, and failure not only for the board in general to follow our governing documents, but for them to ignore sound business practice in requests for proposals, contracting, etc. Remember, they often state they have the expertise, obviously they think they are above it all, and with a wink, and a nod to each other, can call it cohesive. At the same time one of their own, dares to say, "You get tired of legislating against the idiots in this place. THEY BREAK EVERY RULE."
Your board's poor use of our governing documents, and sound use of principle, leaves them doing what they want to, against us - termed idiots, while we must obey, and pay for their poor planning contracting, etc. We are left with these miserable messes in the meantime.
