RESIDENT WRITES THE BLOG ABOUT THE ARTICLE ON SPEED BUMPS

Do you have information, or an opinion - agree, or not, you can email The Wedgefield Examiner at wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.  We'll remove your name to protect the innocent, and publish it.  P.S.  If you would like your name published, please note that on your email, otherwise we leave your name out.

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HERE IS THE RESIDENT EMAIL:

Read your latest postings.   My jaw dropped when I read that Adam Anderson did "an informal survey on FB regarding speed bumps, and whether residents wanted them."   Out of those who responded, (his Facebook buddies),  two-thirds opposed.    I want everyone reading this blog to re-read what Madeline wrote and after you stop laughing, think about it.   We have a board member who was entrusted with getting information about speed bumps and he took to FB to survey those on his friends list.  I bet if he had a child dragged by a car, two-thirds of his buddies would've been in favor.   How about the board surveying the entire community on the election ballot forms?  When will the nonsense ever end?    

IN RECENT CORRESPONDENCE TO THE BLOG, BOARD MEMBER ANDERSON ASKED IF I EVER PRINTED ANYTHING POSITIVE ABOUT THE BOARD ON THE BLOG. TODAY AS I LOOK AT THE STAT PAGE, A FEW PEOPLE WERE LOOKING AT THIS ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN 2016. I RECALL MORE THAN A FEW TIMES WHEN I'VE PUBLISHED ARTICLES, AND THANKED THE BOARD, BUT THIS WAS HANDY.

THE REPOST OF A 2016 ARTICLE:

Tuesday, February 2, 2016

NOTE: AN ADDITIONAL THANK YOU WAS ADDED AT THE TOP OF THIS ARTICLE, ON 2/3 -BOATERS DUMP PINE TREES INTO THE CANAL BEHIND MY HOUSE. DOES ANYONE RECOGNIZE THIS BOAT" A THANK YOU TO SOME BOARD AND A COMMITTEE MEMBER

ADDED 2/3 :  A BIG THANK YOU, to BOB GARRISON, for his multiple calls to our home, working with the pictures I had taken so we can identify the boat owner, and taking extra steps to see if we can protect our canals.

AT 5:00 PM this evening, I noticed a boat in the canal loaded with pine trees.  I watched, and the two men in the boat began to dump a pine tree in the middle of the canal behind my house.  I grabbed my camera, shot a picture, and went out carrying the Wedgefield phone directory, my camera, and a phone, and asked the men what they were doing.  One said, "we're making a nice fishing spot for us."  I told him to stop, he wouldn't do that, and they dropped the tree in.  I told him to get it out.  He said, he didn't have to, this was open water.  My husband said we were going to call the authorities.  I had been dialing people from the board, who might know if they could dump the trees, do what they were doing, or at least tell me how I could stop them.

Some thanks are due to the following people:

*I first called the Garrison home.  Mrs. Garrison should be thanked for taking my call, listening to a hectic description of what was happening.  Bob, wasn't home, but she tried to calm me.

*I moved on calling Al DeMarchi, and he listened, and suggested my best source would be John Walton.  Al, was as helpful as he could be in this situation.

*I called the Walton home, left a message that I had an emergency in the canal, and left a brief message as to what was occurring.  Mrs. Walton called me right back, offered a suggestion, and stated that John had recently had surgery.  She was helpful.

*I then decided to call Ed Wozniak, Water Amenities Committee member.  He got on the phone, and offered advice.  Ed hurried and said that he would go out toward the landing, and see if he could spot them.  Next, the door bell rang, and Ed, and John Walton (recently out of surgery), came to look the situation over.  Ed had seen the boat, with more trees, leaving the canals through the North Channel.  They asked if I had the boat registration number, and I told them that I was shook up calling out to those guys, had a camera, and taken a picture, but that I didn't know what I had.  They advised me to always try and get the registration number, and call DNR.

I thank each, and everyone of the people mentioned above, for helping me, to the best of their ability, when I was concerned about this situation.  Thank you, Mrs. Garrison, Al DeMarchi, Pam & John Walton, and last but not least, Ed Wozniak.

HERE ARE THE PICTURES.  I MAYBE ABLE TO GET THE REGISTRATION NUMBERS IF I HAVE THE PICTURES ENLARGED.  IN THE MEAN TIME, IF YOU KNOW WHO THIS IS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

TWO NEW ARTICLES WERE ADDED ON JULY 30TH. P.S. BRADY IS MAKING SOME RECOVERY. WE JUST HAVE TO HOPE IT CONTINUES.

WHEN TWO THIRDS OF A COMMUNITY OBJECTS, HOW DO ONE THIRD GET TO TELL THE REST HOW TO LIVE?

Do you have information, or an opinion - agree, or not, you can email The Wedgefield Examiner at wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.  We'll remove your name to protect the innocent, and publish it.  P.S.  If you would like your name published, please note that on your email, otherwise we leave your name out.
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This question was asked by a resident during the resident comment section of the July WPA board meeting.  We'll have to go back to the beginning, and cover board member Anderson's road report during the meeting.  To those of you who are long time residents, you won't be surprised that we are on this subject again - SPEED BUMPS!  This subject has come up at least 3 times, by this board.  The first time the board reported that their were many complaints, and a need.  It should be noted that there were no complaints in the correspondence file.  The next time board member Mc Millin claimed we needed speed bumps because his ground's volunteers, and his grounds crew were going to be injured or killed, near the front gate.  He further claimed that a car had gone from zero to 60 from the yield sign on the circle to the gate house.  The motion to proceed didn't pass.  I have no opinion about speed bumps, but I do want honesty in reporting from the board table.

During resident comments at the June board meeting a resident parent reported that while they were bike riding as a family, that one of the children was dragged by a car.  My heart went out to this parent of well supervised children, and the speed problem in Wedgefield.  Board member Anderson was asked by the board to do some research on speed bumps.

During the July meeting he reported that he had done an informal survey on FB regarding speed bumps, and whether residents wanted them.  He went on to say that of those who responded two thirds did not want them.  He investigated different types of speed bumps, and asked the board what they wanted him to do.  Board members added comments, and there was a fair discussion.  Anderson's other suggestion was to ask for  policing support, and write tickets.

My notes don't indicate that there was a decision to move forward.

COMMENTS:
Speeding in Wedgefield has been a problem for the 13 years that I have lived here, and probably long before.  In fairness to this board, and all of those proceeding them, attempts have been made to try, and fix it, but none appeared to have worked.    A few times, a board member requested law enforcement.  One former board member's wife was ticketed over $300 for failing to stop properly at a long established stop sign.  During the Christmas season a few years back when several residents were attending a Wedgefield event off site, several of those residents received tickets for failing to stop properly at the stop sign on the circle.  There were complaints during resident comments at board meetings, and I believe one or two ticketed residents blamed the board, and wanted to have the board pay their tickets.

This board has all the old problems, and a few others.  Prior to 2009, a board decided that stop signs were the answer.  Stop signs were added at high traffic intersections on Wedgefield Road, and Wragg's Ferry.  Then the board would receive complaints from residents who obeyed the "stop", of almost being rammed by people behind them who hadn't any intention of stopping.  Additionally, residents claimed that they were almost hit when they made their appropriate stop, and proceeded, and the other car didn't bother to stop at their sign, let alone yield right away.  One day, this board decided to remove the stop signs, and we all drove out, and they were gone - done - our money spent, and safety stop signs - pulled for safety concerns.  

The residents themselves, may have an answer, without going into the association's coffers.  Wedgefield Crime Watch has been established by residents on FB.  A resident has initiated a plan for local authorities to speak to us on the possibility of a neighborhood crime watch effort.  Let's give these attempts a good, honest try.  Obviously, this is a difficult, emotional decision for ANY board, but if you've made an attempt to survey, and two thirds said "no", it does beg the resident question: 
"WHEN TWO THIRDS OF A COMMUNITY OBJECTS, HOW DO ONE THIRD GET TO TELL THE REST HOW TO LIVE?"

RESUME APPLICATIONS TO RUN FOR BOARD ARE DUE SOON. WILL YOU HELP WEDGEFIELD MOVE FORWARD BY RUNNING FOR OFFICE? IT IS IMPORTANT TO BRING NEW BLOOD TO ANY BOARD.

Do you have information, or an opinion - agree, or not, you can email The Wedgefield Examiner at wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.  We'll remove your name to protect the innocent, and publish it.  P.S.  If you would like your name published, please note that on your email, otherwise we leave your name out.

I have difficulty writing this posting.  Three board terms are up this year - McMillin, Cline, and Walton (John).  Rumor is that Cline won't run again, but McMillin, and Walton will.  Those two have been on the board for 7-9 years. Like what they do or not, isn't it time that we gave Wedgefield - our community, a chance at new governance, a fresher view at the board table using our governing documents, following the letter of their intent (taken from the PURPOSE STATEMENT OF OUR BY-LAWS):  "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 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."

The governing documents are relatively brief, and clear and straight forward.  The board's main focus is clearly stated - easy to understand, and follow.  We are at a moment of contemplation.  Seven to nine years later, have McMillin and Walton (John) really in any concrete, measurable aspect met the PURPOSE of their very seats on the board?

*preserving harmonious and aesthetically pleasing design?  Drive through Wedgefield - every piece of it, homes, lots, drainage, roads,- are we better off than 7-9 years ago?  Haven't been here that long - seek a response from longer term residents.

*conducting the affairs of the Plantation for the benefit of the property owners in a manner which will maintain the high standards"  Seven to nine years later, after reviewing the history of the board meetings - hopefully you attended some, or review the documented articles on the blog, are we satisfied with residents being verbally, and administratively attacked for questioning the application of the governing documents?  Is there even, open, and legal action taken in benefit of our community?  Are we better off with their service 7-9 years later?

Often the election process gives an opportunity of new life, new voice, and better representation of the residents, our homes, and our community.   Deciding to run for a board seat does not mean that you diminish the people who are running for re-election.  It is an opportunity to let others be heard, and represent us.  I am disheartened by the number of people who write, call, or attend board meetings, and express real concern for what is happening in OUR HOME COMMUNITY and at the BOARD TABLE, and yet when it is suggested that they put themselves on the line and run for board, they don't want to have to face this current board and sit at the board table, and take this board's GUFF!

GIVE WEDGEFIELD A CHANCE AND RUN FOR ONE OF THE THREE BOARD SEATS - IT IS THE EASIEST MOST ETHICAL, WAY TO CHANGE THINGS HERE.  RECENTLY, I WAS ASKED HOW WE COULD GET RID OF THE WHOLE BOARD, A QUESTION I'M ASKED MANY TIMES, I ANSWERED THAT THERE ARE WAYS TO DO IT, BUT IT IS TOUGH, AND THE BOARD WILL DELAY THE EFFORTS AS LONG AS POSSIBLE, AT GREAT EXPENSE TO OUR COMMUNITY.  MAKE THE CHANGE ONE SEAT AT A TIME BY RUNNING FOR BOARD YOURSELF.  THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WILL COME OUT OF THEIR HIDDEN SHADOWS, AND HELP YOU.

What do you need to do to get started?  Your board isn't real helpful here.  The July edition of the Wragg states, "There are 3 vacancies and we encourage any resident in good standing, willing to work with fellow members for the greater good, to apply.  Nominee resume's may be obtained at the office or downloaded from the WPA website.  This is the only format accepted by the Nominating Committee.  All applications must be received by the Committee by August 15, 20l7."  Yet, the sign outside the WPA office says August 7.  The nominating committee will interview each candidate.  Follow the resume requirement to a "T".  Call the office and ask what is the real date.  Nominees will be interviewed by the committee.  Please attend, but do not be intimidated by the interview.  For years this was never a requirement.  It has been added by this board as a fear factor, and a "you have to be able to work with the spirit of the current board", by this board.  Don't feel that they get to decide whether you are "worthy".  They don't.  Legally, if you apply according to the resume deadline, using their form, (please attend their fake interview), AND have your assessments paid up to date, AND your name is on your deed, this board HAS to accept your attempt at gaining one of these board seats.  There are people willing to help you with the rest, not just me, but many more in the community.  If you need help filling out their form, or anything else - email me wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.  I'll help you quietly, and no one will ever know, and I won't tell.

I'll close with a quote from a wise resident who recently wrote the board, after some real ill treatment.  He spoke of the qualities needed to be on the board.  Here it is: 

"  After looking at the ARC last night I understand why Wedgefield is in such poor condition.  They think that falsifying intimidation, favoritism, bullying, and conflicts of interests, are only "politics".  I do not think our leadership positions require a college degree and a hands on tradesman, skilled worker, or entrepreneur, may even serve better but honesty and integrity should be a given."  

PS:  I hope that the resident currently suing this board, and the resident recently stating that they'll sue the board, will consider running for board.  You obviously know that change is needed, and lawsuits don't prohibit you from running for board.

WHICH DEFINITION FITS YOUR "WEDGEFIELD FEAR"?

F-E-A-R

Has two definitions

FORGET EVERYTHING AND RUN

-OR-

FACE EVERYTHING AND RISE

The choice is yours!

THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER IS ON BREAK UNTIL JULY 30TH. MASCOT - WONDER DOG BRADY HAS BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. WE ARE DOING ALL WE CAN TO SAVE HIM. POSITIVE THOUGHTS FOR OUR BRADY, PLEASE

THE SC GOLF CART LAW. TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS IF YOUR CHILD IS INJURED WHILE DRIVING A GOLF CART. GREAT ARTICLE - PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO READ IT

THIS INFORMATION IS PROVIDED IN AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED ON THE INTERNET BY FUTERAL & NELSON, LLC, IN CHARLESTON:

As I drive through my neighborhood, I notice that more and more of my neighbors and their children are driving golf carts. On one occasion, I saw a neighbor take his golf cart out of the neighborhood and down on a busy highway as he tried to reach another neighborhood. What my neighbor and many others don’t realize is that there are specific laws pertaining to golf carts in South Carolina. If you own a golf cart or thinking about getting one, this article will help you to be familiar with South Carolina’s laws concerning golf carts, how to avoid criminal or civil liability for operating one improperly, and some facts regarding golf cart injuries.

Who Can Drive a Golf Cart in South Carolina?

Only licensed drivers over 16 years of age. That means that it is illegal for children or unlicensed drivers to drive a golf cart on a public road (which includes your neighborhood). It doesn’t matter if you’re seated next to your child; they still can’t drive. Also, if your child has an accident, you can be criminally liable for endangering your child and civilly liable for “negligent entrustment” for any accident caused by your child.

Do I Need to Register My Golf Cart in South Carolina?

If it is only for use on your private property, the answer is no. However, if you plan to drive on a public road in your neighborhood or elsewhere, you need a permit from the South Carolina Department of motor vehicles. The permit costs only five dollars, but you’ll have to show proof ownership and proof that you have liability insurance. You need to renew this permit every 5 years or every time you change your address.

Where and When Can I Drive a Golf Cart in South Carolina?

During certain holidays such as Halloween, I frequently see neighbors pile themselves and their kids on a golf cart to drive through the neighborhood. In South Carolina you can only drive a golf cart during DAYLIGHT hours. During these hours, you can drive on secondary highways or streets with a speed limit of 35 mph or less.

You can cross a highway or street at an intersection even if the highway or street being crossed has a speed limit of greater than 35 mph. However, you can’t go too far. Specifically, you must stay:

• Within four miles of the address on the registration certificate,
• Within four miles of a point of ingress or egress to a gated community, or
• On an island not accessible by a bridge designed for use by automobiles.

A local ordinance (such as a county or city ordinance) can reduce the distances above down from four miles, but can’t reduce it less than two miles, so if you are traveling more than two miles from your house or entrance to the gated neighborhood, make sure there are no local laws prohibiting this.

Do I Need to Keep Anything with Me While Driving My Golf Cart in South Carolina?

Yes, you need to have at all times while driving on a road:

• The registration certificate issued by the DMV,
• Proof of liability insurance, and
• Your driver’s license.

What Equipment Does a Golf Car need in South Carolina?

A golf cart needs headlights, tail lights, and blinkers, just like any other motor vehicle.

Are There Any Special Laws Regarding Driving a Golf Cart in South Carolina?

Other than the distance limitations above, golf carts are subject to the same laws as normal motor vehicles. Do not think you have right-of-way simply because you are driving a low-speed vehicle. And be very careful. If you get in a wreck, regardless of who’s fault it is, the injuries could be terrible.

Can I Drink Alcohol on My Golf Cart?

Not legally. You can get charged with DUI and/or for having an open container just as if you were driving a car.

A Few Facts Concerning Golf Cart Injuries

While we are on the subject of golf cart laws in South Carolina, it is worth noting how many people are injured by golf carts every year. Golf carts appear to be safe because they are slow-moving and easy to operate. However, golf carts offer little protection to occupants.

A study conducted at Ohio State University looked at the frequency of injury from golf carts at a nationwide level using emergency room medical treatment recorded through the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System database. The study found:

• Between 1990 and 2006, there were an estimated 147,696 injuries reported from golf cart accidents.
• 38.3% of the injuries were due to falling off the golf cart, making it the highest cause of injury.
• One third of the victims were children.

In another study on golf cart injuries, researchers in Alabama looked at 48,255 accidents and found:

• Most lower body injuries were soft tissue injuries.
• For the upper torso and shoulder/arm regions, fractured bones were the most common type of injury.
• For the neck and head region, concussion and subdural hemorrhages were the most common injury.

Charleston Attorneys for Golf Cart Accidents or Golf Cart Violations

We hope this short article tells you what you need to know about golf cart laws, and we hope you and your family have nothing but enjoyable experiences from owning the golf cart. If you’re in an accident or charged with a crime however, contact the lawyers at Futeral & Nelson to learn your rights and see if we can help.

CONTACT US NOW!

READERS, THE WEDGEFIELD EXAMINER HAS REPRINTED AN ARTICLE FROM JUNE 2017. I HAD VISITED THE OFFICE TO REVIEW FILES, INCLUDING THE CORRESPONDENCE FILE. THESE LETTERS WERE WRITTEN PRIOR TO A LAWSUIT BEING FILED. READ THROUGH AND DETERMINE FOR YOURSELF WHETHER THE BOARD SHOULD BE TREATING RESIDENTS LIKE THIS.

Do you have information, or an opinion - agree, or not, you can email The Wedgefield Examiner at wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.  We'll remove your name to protect the innocent, and publish it.  P.S.  If you would like your name published, please note that on your email, otherwise we leave your name out.

A REPRINT OF THE JUNE ARTICLE:

THE BOARD FAILS TO REPORT THEIR ACTIONS TO US. IS IT BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT US TO SEE THEIR UNEVEN JUSTICE?

Readers, you'll have to stay with me, because this is complicated.  It took me awhile to verify what I had heard.  I, and other resident writers to the blog have complained about the board's apparent refusal to follow the governing documents in several areas, particularly the covenants and restrictions that should keep Wedgefield properties groomed, and truly looking like the promise we felt we had when we bought our properties.  In fact, during the June board meeting McMillin said, "I don't go out and patrol and look for issues."  I've made claims that our legal chair/vice president, often gives a board statement on an issue like the canals, or golf course, and yet there has NOT been  discussion at the board table.  I've also stated that they don't answer all the correspondence that comes in from residents, and often don't report what they are doing about a complaint during the meetings.  If you attend meetings and they report that they have had a number of complaints, and you go to verify them in the correspondence file, you find that there wasn't one written complaint.  That sets the stage for what I am about to tell you.

Several weeks ago, someone told me that a resident on the canals was very upset because they were being contacted by ARC chair/Johnson and vice president/legal/compliance chair/multiple board committee member/ Garrison, about certain aspects of their water front property.  The resident they appeared to be attacking was very concerned about that long standing feature of their property.  I made no report on the blog because I couldn't substantiate it.  Today, on a record review at the office, I happened upon this secret mess.  

I'm going to provide two communications to the board, name - addresses removed to protect the resident.  Any comments that I have to make will be noted as such and printed in RED.

LETTER # 1 DATED APRIL 27, ADDRESSED TO THE PRESIDENT:

"Wedge field used to be a wonderful place to live.  What happened?  Keith Johnson, acting as a representative of the HOA notified me by email that he had received "many" complaints about my wife's and my dock house.  He stated that these among (missed a word) people complained about the encroachment of our dock house in the canal.  I replied that, in fact, our dock house had less encroachment than any dock in this canal.  I said he should come over to see,  and  that I wanted to put this issue to bed.  He replied back and doubled down, saying that our dock house was obstructing the views of others.  After I rejected his theory of vertical encroachment, he refused to back off his complaints of our property, by ending with a third email stating that we were possibly in violation of the 50 per cent rule, and with that he said that was his last word and he was too busy for further discussion.

I request that the HOA conduct a mediation between me and Keith at the earliest convenience.  This would be the most appropriate method of resolving this situation and should take no more than half an hour.  Let me know if you can arrange this for the best interest of the whole community.  If not, then place me on the agenda to speak at the May board meeting where I will ask for his resignation or termination for this and other causes."

COMMENTS:

Residents, I'll keep my comments to fact at this point.  Today, I reviewed the correspondence file from Sept. 2016 to current date for a number of reasons.  There was not one complaint about a dock in the file.  The file did not include any written correspondence to this resident - no Keith Johnson emails.  I checked the published WPA official minutes from January 1 through May, under Legal, ARC, Community Liaison, and Compliance reports, and there was no mention that your board had reported their actions, or this resident's correspondence.  

LETTER # 2, MAY 11, WRITTEN TO OUR PRESIDENT:

"Subject - ARC Meeting on May 9

Thank you for attending the ARC meeting Tuesday.  I will give them credit for being very embarrassed (as shown by their facial expressions, and downward glances) for the obviously false statements that Keith made about my dock.  I wish that you would provide the following for me.

1) A copy of the work permit in question

2) A statement from the HOA that my property is (and has always been) in full compliance of our HOA's conditions, covenants, and restrictions, signed by the chairperson of the ARC, who is elected to be accountable for all actions of the ARC.  This letter needs to be mailed to every waterfront home owner on (removed street name) and (removed street name) to prevent any misunderstanding from spreading.  

The second one is necessary in order to protect my investment in my home from any potentially deliberate attack by someone willing to make totally unsubstantiated statements about it.  After looking at the ARC last night I understand why Wedgefield is in such poor condition.  They think that falsifying intimidation, favoritism, bullying, and conflicts of interests, are only "politics".  I do not think our leadership positions require a college degree and a hands on tradesman, skilled worker, or entrepreneur, may even serve better but honesty and integrity should be a given.  Trying to discuss things such as "adverse possession", with someone that has difficulty communicating by email is one thing. At the meeting instead of speaking for ARC the other members would not allow Keith to speak for himself, by blurting out answers to every question I directed to him.  They not only reject mediation as a method of resolving disputes, but they also reject using reasonable fence protocol, using the excuse " That is not in our covenants", as fallback position.  They insist on sticking to the letter of the law when it favors them and rejecting the spirit of the law when it favors the home owners.  I found it amazing that before I could finish my opening question to Keith, they stopped me, saying they wanted to talk about the fence, yet they did not think to respond to the very first question I had more than one month ago.  Did he have a permit?  They continue to provide as proof their word that a permit was issued, not the document itself."

COMMENTS:

Again, no answer to the writer in the file.  No note of this apparent ARC meeting to the membership.  No mention of his second letter, and board actions in the official minutes under the report categories mentioned above.

EARTH - WEDGEFIELD WE HAVE A PROBLEM!

KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR PETS. THIS BIG GUY HAD A LARGE SQUIRREL IN HIS CLAWS THIS MORNING. A RESIDENT REPORTED THE SIGHTING OF 2 BOB CATS, AND A COYOTE IN WEDGEFIELD AT THE BOARD MEETING.

RESIDENT WRITES THE BLOG REGARDING THE RESIDENT LAWSUIT AGAINST A SITTING BOARD MEMBER

Do you have information, or an opinion - agree, or not, you can email The Wedgefield Examiner at wedgefieldexaminerthe@yahoo.com.  We'll remove your name to protect the innocent, and publish it.  P.S.  If you would like your name published, please note that on your email, otherwise we leave your name out.

HERE IS THE RESIDENT LETTER:

Madelyn,

I read your blog and the lawsuit filed by one of our residents.  

In regards to Mr. Garrison's statement that we will all have to pay for this lawsuit.  That's just the board VP turning the tables on the resident and riling up the community against this person via their wallets.   Dividing the community further to defend the actions of a board member is not acceptable. The resident has a right to their day in court and if Keith is not in the wrong, then Mr. Garrison's pre-emptive strike did nothing but raise suspicion.  If we have to pay out, it's no one's fault but the board for abusing power and not abiding by the convenants. Are there no checks and balances with this board?  I'm guessing NOT or a lawsuit wouldn't be on the table.   Whether or not this resident wins, it's a wake up call to all of us because the allegations presented in this lawsuit are very troubling.   And I'm pretty sure there are people in this community who can relate to the complaints filed in the lawsuit.

The announcement of this lawsuit during the board meeting should've and could've been more responsible and mature, as well as non-biased.  That's how democracy works. 

I believe it's imperative that the board publicize Keith Johnson's response to this lawsuit.   We need to have access to this information because if the allegations are founded; then his actions while serving on the board could result in future lawsuits.   Transparency and honesty couldn't be more important than at this time. 

Good luck to all involved.    I hope this is resolved quickly so everyone can move on with their lives.