RESIDENT WRITER TO THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER STATES "THIS BOARD DOESN'T REPRESENT ME EITHER"

The following is a letter from a resident, presented as sent, with name removed. The Wedgefield Examiner will be happy to present your email, your name removed, to protect the writer from retaliation from some on this board.  Email:  wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.
Madeline,

I'm so happy to hear that someone else doesn't feel this board represents them.  NOW, we need many many more people going to the board meetings and voicing the same concern.   Every once in a while I test the waters to get involved, but am always discouraged by people who claim I will only get harassed, bullied, and shouted down if I suggest anything the board isn't in agreement with.   I've stood back because of this as I don't want to invite aggravation in my life.   I write this email to you knowing that anyone associated with this blog is not look upon favorably.    How sad is this.... some may not agree with what you have to say but this blog is an outlet to get the word out and people involved.   This is OUR community. 

I am on the fence whether or not to leave Wedgefield.  I love my home, neighbors, and friends, but this wasn't what I signed on for years ago.   I take pride in keeping my home maintained only to drive down some streets to see "lawn ornaments," (unregistered vehicles) littered on lawns that have gone to dirt, lawns utilized as driveways,  garbage on the sides of the road, among other unsightly scenes that according to the HOA rules are against regulation.    I worry this is the future of Wedgefield and I often wonder who would buy the golf course if this is the scenery for golfers?.... not exactly good for business.   The board cites that home and condo rentals are a reason for some of this and I wonder when  the owners are going to be held responsible for the lack of maintenance on their properties?   Despite this, there are many well maintained homes and good people in Wedgefield who care..... and how do we reach them and get them involved and have their voice heard. 

Many people think the golf course is the reason multiple homes are for sale...... let's look at this honestly.... the board needs to accept responsibility for some of this because if Wedgefield were governed correctly and the board members functioned in a more professional, open, and progressive manner, things just may be different.   Do they feel any responsibility for this?  

Time for Wedgefield to progress and stop regressing.   Anyone who is in agreement with this..... please come to the board meeting and express your concerns.

Wedgefield Resident in good standing (As always, name removed to protect them from retaliation.) 

FLOWERS TO THE WRITER FOR SHARING

THE WPA FEBRUARY MEETING BRINGS MORE RESIDENTS TO THE BOARD ROOM, AND A LONG DISCUSSION PERIOD DURING THE RESIDENT COMMENT SECTION AT THE END

The Wedgefield Examiner will provide a series of reports on the WPA February Board Meeting over the next week.  I couldn't resist posting a beautiful flower from last year's garden, and a favorite appropriate quote before we begin.  We'll start with good news, provided immediately after the following pictures.  The first - beautiful nature makes me smile.  The second a quote, hopefully will get residents concerned about the real "state of the union of Wedgefield", off their chairs, and moving to do something in behalf of improving the place we call home - Wedgefield.

The good news is that between 25 - 30 residents attended the February WPA Board Meeting.  Good news?  Yes, that is how low on the good participation/resident concern rating scale we have to go.  Realize that at recent meetings, I believe that we had fewer residents than board members, in the room.  The resident comment section brought members raising their hands, and discussing the golf course situation.  They had ideas of what they would like to see done today, and their thoughts on possibilities for the future.  Some were willing to take charge of their idea, and try and gather some financial support from others to clean things up.

Thank goodness for that, because the board mouth piece - Garrison, who appears to speak for the entire board on all issues, didn't appear to want to do anything.  As residents/members, we should be afraid of the Garrison syndrome in this association.  Where is the individual thought, presentation of discussion by individual board members, before these sweeping proclamations by Garrison on the "state of the Wedgefield union", board policy, the law ???????(verbal rather than written opinion), etc.  It appears as though this board has no individual board member thought, or action - it all comes from Garrison's mouth, and usually it does not reflect our governing documents, or the best interests of all who live in Wedgefield.  He divides us - canal lot owners, golf course lot owners, condo owners - and best of all sometimes he refers to "his constituency".  His constituency doesn't even bother to attend meetings in mass anymore.  They stay home, apparently from his side line assurance that he has things under control.  Do you forget the days, when we would have over 80 people at meetings - his group disrupting meetings, paid security, etc?  It appears that he has these board members under control, and is operating in every arena of Wedgefield's concerns, with total disregard for our governing documents, good governance, and sound business judgement.

So I had a few rays of hope after attending the February WPA Board meeting. 1)  There were more people in attendance to witness the travesty of our board meetings.  2)  Those in attendance - many spoke up during the proper time - resident comments - respectfully - and presented their ideas.  3)  Some actually had the beginnings of a plan of action.  The fourth ray of hope deserves a paragraph all by itself.

As I walked out from the meeting, I talked to a few residents.  One fairly new resident (for you info - no long term friend of mine), said "Who are these people (the board)?  Where did they get them from?  They don't represent me!  You could put a real lawyer in these board meetings full time, and they wouldn't find most of what they did tonight legal."  Yes, a new set of eyes, and ears, untainted by the likes of me, and yet appears to be concerned for the future of Wedgefield, our current rapid decline of neighborhood, and assets, and the behavior and actions of this board.

Stay tuned for the articles regarding the WPA February Board Meeting.    

ANOTHER VIEW: A RESIDENT WRITES WITH CONCERNS REGARDING ANDERSON'S LETTER -

The following comes from a resident email concerning Anderson's letter.  As always, I have removed the resident name.  If you have comments you can email The Wedgefield Examiner at wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com

HERE IS THE RESIDENT EMAIL:

I read Mr. Anderson's well intention letter and just want to say, "be careful what you wish for."   I know people are desperate for the golf course to sell and it may take time, but patience is the best plan of action at this time.    

In the state where I last resided, there was a city municipal golf course and skating rink just 20 minutes from our home.   The golf course was used at night as a park for under-aged drinking and partying, drug activity, and sometimes petty crimes.  The houses surrounding the course were worthless and most run down.   Who would want to live near this?   People felt it was their right to hang out the course because it was public property...  and the grounds were not well maintained, the minimal was done due to budgeting and quality of workmanship. 

Will partnering with the county result in Wedgefield residents losing security/ safety, privacy, and further devalue the homes?  

Also with municipal pools come unsupervised children.  Some dropped off by parents, others bused in.  Will this result in lack of privacy and children wandering  or cruising the streets of Wedgefield when they become bored with swimming or just want to look for some action?    Not to mention garbage control in the streets, maintenance of the common area lawns, etc..... all can be issues.    Will the county provide Sheriff patrols to handle the number of non-residents coming into our private community?   If the above mentioned do become issues, who's going to frequent the Manor House or rent it for an expensive/special event?   

The county's involvement in the golf course could drive more people out of here and it is possible it will further bring about a decline in housing values.    

Just a few thoughts to begin a serious discussion about this proposal.    Thanks 

BOARD MEMBER ANDERSON SHARES A LETTER WITH THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER. WILL YOU CONTACT BOARD MEMBER ANDERSON, GET NAMES, COPY, AND SEND, TO HELP WEDGEFIELD. IT IS A GREAT LETTER, AND DESERVES YOUR EFFORT. PLEASE READ, AND ACT.

Provided below is a letter to appropriate Georgetown county administrators, regarding the golf course.  It is written well, and appears to be a good faith effort to help Wedgefield and our golf course.  Please read through and consider contacting board member Anderson for proper names, etc., and send it under your own signature.  Thank you board member Anderson for your efforts.  Here it is.

TWO NEW ARTICLES WERE ADDED TODAY - FEBRUARY 21.

THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER MASCOT, BRADY SAYS, "STAY TUNED, AND ATTEND TONIGHT'S WPA BOARD MEETING."

WHAT IS THE BOARD DOING ABOUT THIS? DON'T THEY CARE? THEY BROUGHT IT UP MONTHS AGO. WHO PAYS, AND WHY AREN'T THEY DOING SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

I took this picture this morning.  Trees like this have fallen, and been hanging over the canals since the storm last fall.  Months ago, the board said that they were impacting navigation.  Not only does this lack of attention speak to how committed they are to those canal lot owners, and their properties (illegal proposed dredged - violating too many of our governing documents), and keeping Wedgefield beautiful, and maintaining our home values in general.  

Who pays for the tree removal?  They didn't elaborate when they talked about it months ago.  If a tree fell in your yard during the storm, it was your cost to clean it up.  Why hasn't the board contacted canal lot owners who have trees falling into the canals, and told them to clean this up?  What use the restrictions, and ARC to keep up a standard?  Unheard of in Wedgefield, with this board.

WILL YOU ATTEND THE WPA BOARD MEETING TONIGHT? THE BOARD DOESN'T POST THE AGENDA ANY MORE. MUST THINK THIS IS MORE OF WHAT YOU DON'T NEED TO KNOW. THEY'VE TAKEN A LOT OFF THE RESIDENT BENEFIT OF INFORMATION SOURCES. PLEASE ATTEND BECAUSE THEY ARE COUNTING ON YOU NOT KNOWING WHAT THEY ARE DOING, AND NOT ASKING WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

(PICTURE TAKEN FROM WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER'S BACK YARD - ON CANAL)

THIS IS ONE OF WEDGEFIELD'S BIRDS OF PREY LOOKING OUT AT THE CONDITION OF OUR CANALS.

I'M GLAD TO SEE SOMEONE IS, BECAUSE YOUR BOARD IS JUST BRINGING US DISTORTIONS OF THE TRUTH AND GOVERNING DOCUMENTS, AS THEY TELL US THAT THEY ARE LOOKING OUT FOR OUR CANALS.

IT COULD APPEAR THAT THIS OSPERY KNOWS THAT WE ARE JUST BEING PREYED ON BY THIS BOARD'S HIDDEN AGENDA, AND UNTRUTHS ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING REGARDING THE CANALS.

EVEN THIS OSPREY PROBABLY WANTS BOARD MEMBER MC MILLIN TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS ABOUT WHY THE SPOIL SITE WAS NEGLECTED, AND WHY THE BOARD WON'T TELL US WHY THEY LET IT HAPPEN!

ATTEND THE MEETING TONIGHT, AND ASK SOME QUESTIONS

TWO ARTICLES WERE ADDED ON FEBRUARY 18.

THE ARTICLES ARE ALL MORE OF THE SHIP WRECK CALLED GOVERNANCE IN WEDGEFIELD

AN OPEN LETTER TO BOARD MEMBER MC MILLIN. WHY NOT JUST WRITE THE BOARD? YOU'LL SEE, BUT IF I WERE YOU - ANY RESIDENT, PARTICULARLY A CANAL RESIDENT WHO HAS PAID THEIR FIRST $400 TOWARD THE PROPOSED DREDGE, I'D WANT AN ANSWER

If you have comments you are welcome to send them to:  wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.  Your name, and any identifying information will be removed from the email, and published on the blog.

HERE IS MY OPEN LETTER TO BOARD MEMBER MC MILLIN.

Board Member McMillin,

I respectfully hope that you will answer a question that you created with a comment at a recent board meeting.  You wouldn't answer it publicly at the meeting, but as a member in good standing I believe that I have a right to an answer, as every member does, particularly canal lot owners who are considering a voluntary donation to the proposed maintenance dredge.

BACKGROUND:
At the end of a recent board meeting, during resident comments, Madeline Claveloux, asked board member John Walton how the board could have allowed the spoil site to be neglected to the point that the board had to consider the cost of a controlled burn to clear it.  John Walton had stated during the board meeting that during the last dredge that cleaning up and preparing the spoil site was more costly than the dredge itself.  Claveloux went on to say that she understood that the regular maintenance of the spoil site was included in the grounds contract, and that you had told her previously that all the terms of the previous grounds contractor contract had been met.  Therefore, it would be assumed that the spoil site had been maintained.  You, board member McMillin, stated that everyone at the board table knew why, yet you, nor no one at that board table would say what you all knew, when you knew it, and why the residents were not informed during the regular process of governing openly from the board table.

THE QUESTIONS:
Please tell me, as a resident in good standing, what exactly you knew, who else knew, and when and where the discussion was held to quit maintaining the spoil site?  How could you say that all the terms of the maintenance contract were met, when the spoil site very obviously had been intentionally neglected?

I'll appreciate a timely, respectful response, in writing.

END OF LETTER

Residents, I am not sending this letter.  I get enough abuse from this board.  When I had these questions, from the floor board member Garrison thanked board member Anderson at one point for answering me stating "I wouldn't be as nice".  I had also questioned Anderson about "lost mail", with my questions.  It is nasty dealing with the board, and I will take a nasty unprofessional hit from them as they attempt to cover their tracks, but not on this.  I'm saving my grin and bare it for other items.  I don't do it at this time because I've made my decision about the dredging based on a whole lot of illegal - illegal as in "according to our governing documents", hidden meetings, no discussion at the board table, illegal allocation of WPA funds, etc.  I want the canals dredged, but not under their half baked, hidden action agenda.  Perhaps if you have contributed, or are considering it, you'd want an answer.

RESULTS TO A QUICK SURVEY REGARDING AUDITS. DO YOU REALIZE THAT THE BOARD HAS USED OUR ASSESSMENT DOLLARS TO CONTRACT WITH THE SAME CPA WHO CLOSES OUR ACCOUNTING BOOKS EACH MONTH TO PERFORM THE 2016 AUDIT?

If you have comments you are welcome to send them to:  wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.  Your name, and any identifying information will be removed from the email, and published on the blog.

Yes, as our headline states, your board voted to contract with the same CPA who closes our books each month, to perform an audit on himself.  To me it comes down to it being unethical, failure to secure a concrete outside audit/opinion, a poor business decision, and a failure to utilize our assessment dollars in the best interests of Wedgefield.  Quite frankly it looks corrupt!

Corrupt is a strong word, but I stand by it.  It comes at a time that residents have brought me information regarding our financial asset handling by the board, that they don't want discussed on the blog regarding questionable practices, and actions of the board.  As they talked to me about it, they were afraid of back lash from this board.  My advice to them has been to take their issues in writing to the board (let me publish their letters - minus their names, and the board response), stand up during resident comments of the monthly board meetings - ask questions - demand answers.  Most don't follow through.  These residents have told me that individual board members have verbally presented a questionable circumstance to them, didn't find the situation to be ethical, and would take care of it.  Yet, these board members fail to stand up, and bring it to the board table.  Why residents, don't you?

With that said, and your board feeling no demonstrated need to operate openly, honestly according to our governing documents, I found the move by the board to contract with the same CPA who does the books monthly, to audit the same books questionable.  You maybe surprised to know that every time I prepare to write on the blog, that I question my motives.  I question in looking at a topic whether I can be sued for my writing.  So on this issue, having friends outside the association who had worked with audits in their work, I put a quick simple survey on FaceBook, and sought their work experienced opinions.  I got 10 responses very quickly. Here's the backgrounds of the individuals who answered:  2 non profit executive directors, one human resource director, a mid level auto industry manager, finance office worker, manager in major industry, former political aide, a police officer/first responder, etc. All have been involved as volunteers on community boards, and lived and worked in 5 states.

Was my genuine concern motivated by Wedgefield politics, or would it be a concern of reasonable, experienced business people?  Here is the actual survey, and the quick results.  I removed the names of the responders for their privacy.   

I'm conducting a survey that I hope you will help me with. A simple yes, or no will do, but if you have comments that will help. My home owners association has contracted with the CPA that does our financials monthly, to do the annual audit. Is it legal, and ethical for the same firm that performs the accounting month after month, to perform the annual audit?

1) No.... what's the point then? What's the checks and balances and accountability.

2) It may be legal, but it doesn't provide any checks and balances . Anyone with half a brain would see the conflict. The audit is useless and they should save the money.

 3) Could be like the inmates running the jail, but is an audit legally required?

4) I'd never do it. You would never have an unbiased, second party opinion.

5) No way!

6) No conflict of interest no check and balance.

7) I think it is legal, but it is dangerous. I would not go along with it.

8) No

9)  It's a conflict!

10) No The monthly review should not be done by the same person who is doing the annual audit.

Doesn't look to me like my concern is "Wedgefield politically motivated"!  Looks to me like prudent, responsible people would question this move.  Why aren't you?  Why aren't individual board members who are holding information surrounding our questionable finances and our governance speaking out from the board table.  In regard to the board I think they are afraid to challenge in our behalf, and some are just plain corrupt. 

EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, "WEDGEFIELD APATHY" HITS MY HOUSE TOO

Yesterday the rumors of the sale of the golf course and houses being built on the old golf course, were icing of the cake of apathy at my house.  Common sense told me that there would have to be hearings etc., to brake the PUD, and yet, I thought for a moment - so be it.  

Usually, the rumors would have spurred me to investigate, and charge forward on a journey to save Wedgefield -  the beautiful place we selected to call home 13 years ago.  As I drove out later, saw the Wedgefield tractor on the vacant lot, broken stone wall under the lame/redneck sign announcing dues were past due, I felt that there was no saving, or bringing Wedgefield back.  We've been on a long run by this board to cheapen it.  When our vice president writes a glowing "state of the union" in the Wragg that has people laughingly saying "where does he live?", I reflect back to the point that some on this board have been driving this reckless train for 6 - 9 years on tracks  that have no direction except their individual personal agendas.  Little of what they do is discussed openly, regularly, or voted honestly, and openly.  They openly jeer at anyone who asks questions, and asks for documents to prove what they are doing.

We have a half baked, illegally processed dredge in motion, brought about and sustained by false claims of judgements/rulings, forged documents, unwritten legal opinions, and a vote after the fact by the board to partially fund.

ARC fails to enforce our governing document restrictions on property maintenance and improvements.  

Our grounds chair has failed to mow vacant lots to the neglectful heights of five feet last summer, but announced last month that he'll mow dormant lots now, to meet the contracted number of mowings, before the new contract starts.  Why do we have to live like this?  Yes, the same grounds chair that stated from the board table, "that we were getting a lower class of people living here because people were having to rent their homes, because they are unable to sell them."  The same grounds chair that said the board knew why the spoil site was neglected, but wouldn't  say what, and when, the board knew.  Unfortunately, under this board, this is our governance at its best!

There are a lot of houses for sale in Wedgefield.  Some have sold, at reduced prices.  You hear from newer residents "this isn't what we were told.  We wouldn't have bought here if we had known."  Where have our standards gone, when the best we can say is that the Christmas decorations, and the luminaries were beautiful?  I'm sorry to see some of the listings for sale.  People who might have helped make a difference - pull us out of the decline are leaving.  We've determined in our household that we will maintain, but not improve - no updating, because we won't realize the effort in the sale of our home.  I'd like to leave it all behind, and move with the others.  I'd like to live in a place where I feel a board respects my commitment to my home, and community, and doesn't treat me as though I'm too dumb to know what they are doing.

Please wake up, and get to the meetings.  Write the board.  Review transactions.  Stand up at meetings, and ask questions.  Don't just ride it out in apathy.  Apathy shouldn't live in Wedgefield any more.  It left its temporary visit to my house this morning. 

HAS THE GOLF COURSE BEEN SOLD? IS IT TRUE HOMES ARE GOING TO BE BUILT? RUMORS

The rumors I heard, and others heard, cannot be verified.  I checked the WPA website to see if there was a posting there.  No posting.  I talked to a few more people.  Some hadn't heard, others had heard of a sale, and that homes would be built.

One credible person checked transfer of property records.  Nothing there!

It would seem that if it was sold and houses were going to be built on it, that we would have been noticed for a meeting/hearing, because the PUD would be broken.  At last months board meeting we were told that the WPA attorney had been asked to stay on top of any movement that would indicate there were attempts to break the PUD.

We are left with rumors, and wondering.  Suggestion - take time and attend the board meeting next Tuesday.  Let the board know you care, and would like updates.  

WELCOME TO WEDGEFIELD

IS THIS REALLY NECESSARY?

HOW CAN THIS BE GOOD FOR ALL THE PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO SELL THEIR HOMES IN WEDGEFIELD?

OF COURSE ASSESSMENTS ARE PAST DUE, THERE AREN'T ANY PENALTIES APPLIED UNTIL MARCH 1!  MORE OF YOUR BOARD'S ADAPTIVE (?) GOVERNANCE!