It is time to stand up, and let other residents know that you are concerned. Your comments, agree or not, are welcome, and will be published without your name. Send your emails to: wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com
The Wedgefield Examiner is concerned that this board by the manner in which they operate - demonstrated month after month, and the manner in which they speak, have little regard for our governing documents. With the exception of one, eight of the board members at the board table have been there for 5 - 7 years. What is wrong? This board has demonstrated that they have little regard for our governing documents, through their actions, and their words. Yet, every part of our governing documents call for each board member to serve through those very documents in behalf of our community.
If you attend meetings, you've often heard this phrase from Garrison, "I'm not inclined", "in the board's view", most often said when there has not been any public discussion, or vote from the board table. Really, you have to be at the meetings, or follow the documentation. Imagine a board sending the follow communication to a resident, "Our covenants are weak, judges are lazy, and attorneys are greedy". This was taken from correspondence to me, from board community liaison, Anderson. Our covenants have become weak because our board does not follow them. Our governing documents are our constitution. Supreme court justice, Antonin Scalia said, "The constitution is not a living organism. It is a legal document, and it says what it says and doesn't say what you want it to say." This is Wedgefield's problem. Our covenants, and by-laws don't say what the board wants them to say, so they ignore them, circumvent them, all to the detriment of Wedgefield.
This board has been failing to fulfill the primary function of the board. Yet, our governing documents charge them numerous times to follow the covenants, and by-laws. I've taken the time to highlight those areas for you.
The Wedgefield Examiner is concerned that this board by the manner in which they operate - demonstrated month after month, and the manner in which they speak, have little regard for our governing documents. With the exception of one, eight of the board members at the board table have been there for 5 - 7 years. What is wrong? This board has demonstrated that they have little regard for our governing documents, through their actions, and their words. Yet, every part of our governing documents call for each board member to serve through those very documents in behalf of our community.
If you attend meetings, you've often heard this phrase from Garrison, "I'm not inclined", "in the board's view", most often said when there has not been any public discussion, or vote from the board table. Really, you have to be at the meetings, or follow the documentation. Imagine a board sending the follow communication to a resident, "Our covenants are weak, judges are lazy, and attorneys are greedy". This was taken from correspondence to me, from board community liaison, Anderson. Our covenants have become weak because our board does not follow them. Our governing documents are our constitution. Supreme court justice, Antonin Scalia said, "The constitution is not a living organism. It is a legal document, and it says what it says and doesn't say what you want it to say." This is Wedgefield's problem. Our covenants, and by-laws don't say what the board wants them to say, so they ignore them, circumvent them, all to the detriment of Wedgefield.
This board has been failing to fulfill the primary function of the board. Yet, our governing documents charge them numerous times to follow the covenants, and by-laws. I've taken the time to highlight those areas for you.
"PURPOSE
Section I: These are the By-Laws of the Wedgefield Plantation Association, hereinafter referred to as The Association, a non-profit corporation existing under the laws of the State of South Carolina, which has been organized for the purpose of preserving the natural setting and beauty of the Development, of establishing and preserving a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing design for the Development, and of conducting the affairs of the Plantation for the benefit of the property owners in a manner which will maintain the high standards of the Wedgefield Plantation Subdivision within Georgetown County, South Carolina. This includes enforcing the Covenants of the subdivision and these By-Laws, the maintenance of the Association's property, if any, and the acquisition of property. "
Section I: These are the By-Laws of the Wedgefield Plantation Association, hereinafter referred to as The Association, a non-profit corporation existing under the laws of the State of South Carolina, which has been organized for the purpose of preserving the natural setting and beauty of the Development, of establishing and preserving a harmonious and aesthetically pleasing design for the Development, and of conducting the affairs of the Plantation for the benefit of the property owners in a manner which will maintain the high standards of the Wedgefield Plantation Subdivision within Georgetown County, South Carolina. This includes enforcing the Covenants of the subdivision and these By-Laws, the maintenance of the Association's property, if any, and the acquisition of property. "
"CODE OF ETHICS (NOTE: Every board member must sign)
Appendix IV-1
Directors shall act with scrupulous good faith and candor. They will avoid even the perception of conflict
of interest, favoritism and acting out of self-interest.
Directors shall uphold and safeguard the Bylaws, Conditions, Restrictions and Policies governing Wedgefield Plantation Association."
Directors shall uphold and safeguard the Bylaws, Conditions, Restrictions and Policies governing Wedgefield Plantation Association."
"CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT
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Personal Beliefs: We recognize that the Board Members may hold a wide range of personal
beliefs, values and commitments. These beliefs, values and commitments become a conflict of
interest if they prevent Board Members from carrying out their Board responsibilities and/or if the
Board Member’s relationship with Wedgefield Plantation Association is used to further these
beliefs and commitments. " NOTE: Our president fails us miserably here. What has happened is that he has not served us according to our governing documents, but has served our spokesperson/vice president/legal/compliance chair Garrison's personal beliefs, values, and commitments, with
outrageous
"PRESIDENT- JOB DESCRIPTION
The role of the association President is wide in scope. The ultimate goal of the Board of Directors is to increase the overall standard of living of the membership and to increase the value of the property within the association. The President is charged with leading this effort. " NOTE: President Walton has harmed us by his silence, erratic gavel pounding, and his failure to bring real agendas to the table- complete minutes to the records, his cover up of fact, and his use of his presidential powers to name Garrison to key committees as chair, and if not chair he sits on most other key committees.
The role of the association President is wide in scope. The ultimate goal of the Board of Directors is to increase the overall standard of living of the membership and to increase the value of the property within the association. The President is charged with leading this effort. " NOTE: President Walton has harmed us by his silence, erratic gavel pounding, and his failure to bring real agendas to the table- complete minutes to the records, his cover up of fact, and his use of his presidential powers to name Garrison to key committees as chair, and if not chair he sits on most other key committees.
"WEDGEFIELD PLANTATION ASSOCIATION
POLICY MANUAL
POLICY MANUAL
PURPOSE:
The Board’s responsibility is to develop policies and procedures that interpret the values, perspective, and interests of the general membership. The WPA Policy Manual is the primary source of these policies and procedures for the effective operations of the Association. The Policy Manual is a fluid document which under goes periodic changes to accommodate the management of the Association.
These policies and procedures are to guide the Association in fulfilling the intent of the
"BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
The Board of Directors of Wedgefield Plantation Association is responsible for assuring adherence to the “Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions” for Wedgefield Plantation and for maintenance of the common areas within the Plantation, i.e., maintenance of roads, drainage, and grounds. The Board of Directors is charged with the responsibility to protect and enhance the value of homes and the quality of life of the residential community. " NOTE: I'm not spending time on the violations here. This board is the problem. Go back to the beginning of the blog and read. Everything is documented, and this issue alone would take me that much space and time to discuss the problems here.
POLICY MANUAL
PURPOSE:
The Board’s responsibility is to develop policies and procedures that interpret the values, perspective, and interests of the general membership. The WPA Policy Manual is the primary source of these policies and procedures for the effective operations of the Association. The Policy Manual is a fluid document which under goes periodic changes to accommodate the management of the Association.
These policies and procedures are to guide the Association in fulfilling the intent of the
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(a) Bylaws
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(b) Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions
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(c) Architectural Review
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(d) Generally Accepted Accounting Practices
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(e) Governing Laws
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(f) Good Business Practices "
"BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
The Board of Directors of Wedgefield Plantation Association is responsible for assuring adherence to the “Conditions, Covenants, and Restrictions” for Wedgefield Plantation and for maintenance of the common areas within the Plantation, i.e., maintenance of roads, drainage, and grounds. The Board of Directors is charged with the responsibility to protect and enhance the value of homes and the quality of life of the residential community. " NOTE: I'm not spending time on the violations here. This board is the problem. Go back to the beginning of the blog and read. Everything is documented, and this issue alone would take me that much space and time to discuss the problems here.
"ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW COMMITTEE
1. CREATION
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1.01 Planned Unit development
Wedgefield Plantation is a private residential development designed as a Planned Unit Development (PUD), which has been approved by the Georgetown County Planning Commission and the Georgetown County Council. The Planned Unit Development provides a comprehensive plan for the overall development of Wedgefield Plantation.
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1.02 Administration
The Wedgefield Plantation Association (WPA) has created an Architectural Review Committee (ARC). The ARC may establish such rules, regulations, procedures, guidelines and reasonable fees as are necessary to achieve its purpose and objectives.
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1.03 Purpose of the Wedgefield Plantation Architectural Review Committee
o Preserve the natural beauty of Wedgefield and its settings,
o Continue Wedgefield as a pleasant and desirable environment,
o Establish and maintain a harmonious design for the community, o Promote and protect the value of properties within the Plantation.
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1.04 Objectives:
The architectural and design approval process is directed toward attaining the following
objectives:
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1.04.01 Preventing indiscriminate, excessive, or unsightly earth moving or clearing of property.
Removal of trees and vegetation which could cause disruption to natural water course or
scar of natural landforms. “See Section 5.03.”
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1.04.02 Ensuring that the location and configuration of structures are visually harmonious with
the terrain and vegetation of the surrounding properties and structures.
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1.04.03 Ensuring that the architectural design of structures and their materials and colors are
visually harmonious with Wedgefield Plantation’s overall appearance, history, and
cultural heritage, with surrounding development, natural landforms, native vegetation and
with development plans.
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1.04.04 Ensuring that any development, structure, building, or landscape complies with the
provisions of this document." NOTE: Take a drive through Wedgefield. This committee, a KEY committee of the board fails every day. Look back at the pictures on the blog. Talk to the man who had the complaint about the shed, and his 10 month journey to be heard, all the while he was harassed by Garrison at meetings, supported by president Walton, and your board, including the ARC chair, as they sat on their hands, and failed to discuss or call on our governing documents, which the resident quoted every time. Drive by the tractor on the vacant lot in Wedgefield.
- NOTE: Residents, please read the following very carefully. The current community liaison is charged with the duty of bringing the reality of our governing documents to us in written communication, according to our governing documents. What kind of representative of this critical function is he when he puts this in writing, "Our covenants are weak, judges are lazy, and attorneys are greedy".
- Community liaison Anderson is not fulfilling his duties. Instead he stalls the resident who has inquired, fails to answer, or insults the writer. Never, does his answer quote the governing documents!
"COMMUNITY LIAISON
1. ADMINISTRATION
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1.01 Purpose:
The Community Liaison Committee position on the Board of Directors has been established in accordance with Bylaw Article IX, Sections 1 & 2, to coordinate with other Board members in the following activities:
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To provide a written reply to communications (information request,
complaint, concern or question) submitted to the Board of Directors by
residents and members.
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Determine with regard to governing documents as to whether the written
communication is valid and in accordance with the following:
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a) the Conditions, Covenants and Restrictions
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b) the Bylaws
- c) the Policy Manual "
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- Residents, you have to become constitutionalists! You have to do your searches, learn our Wedgefield constitution, stand up and confront the board, write the board, and get them out of here. They aren't doing what our governing documents charge them to do. They are performing under a conflict of interest - Garrison's interest, and it is causing the destruction of our beautiful community, impeding our chances of moving forward legally, and ethically, for the golf course & canals. They are acting against "personal beliefs, values and commitments. These beliefs, values and commitments become a conflict of interest if they prevent Board Members from carrying out their Board responsibilities and/or if the Board Member’s relationship with Wedgefield Plantation Association is used to further these beliefs and commitments. " Under Garrison's hammer hand they want you to believe our governing documents say what he wants them to say, not what they offer us in real solutions. Once again, remember what Supreme Court Justice Scalia said, "The Constitution is not a living Organism. It is a legal document, and it says what it says and does not say what you (Garrison) wants it to say." You have to become a constitutionalist for Wedgefield, because Garrison has lead this board so far down a destructive path that we have board members convinced like Anderson that ""Our covenants are weak, judges are lazy, and attorneys are greedy".
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To provide a written reply to communications (information request,
complaint, concern or question) submitted to the Board of Directors by
residents and members.
