Blind Voting

Home Owners in Wingspread have been sent a 4 page letter that purports to identify and explain a dilemma about sharing of costs within the community. We are told that in some ways the basic understanding of the conditions under which we purchased our properties was improperly interpreted by previous Boards.

With this we are asked to cast a vote to express our desire about how things should move forward in our community.

Reading the information supplied was so confusing I was left with some doubt about my mental functioning. It was apparent that the regression of my intelligence was more rapid that I suspected. But, after discussing this information with other owners, it seems my confuion was not unique and few could agree on what this communication actually meant and what a vote either way would really set in motion. The implications were so murky that the letter was given to a resident lawyer to review. His reaction confirmed that the issue was so clouded by the letter and ballot that an informed and realistic vote could not be cast. If a significant number of reasonably intelligent owners could come to totally different understandings something is wrong. Most of us feel we grasp the term "status quo" but in this presentation it provides a new level of obfuscation.

We recognize that our Board members are volunteers but we find it embarrassing that they would come to us in this manner with an issue they describe as rather critical. They did ask for this job, after all. If this came to the owners through Horst management Horst must also accept some part in this failure to really clarify such an important matter. Imposing the early deadline, as they did, surely makes it unlikely that members of this association can come to a reasoned decision that is in our collective best interest. It seems time we speak out.

Dysfunctional Association Board

The current Wingspread Homeowners Association board is completely dysfunctional. Apparently anything goes and they completely disregard the By-Laws, They ammend them as they see fit per individual request. And this is done without following written procedure.
We have satellite dishes sprouting up anywhere and without applying for permits. And nothing is done. I was told we can't tell a homeowner where he can or can not place a dish. This is not correct. We can tell them where they may place it as long as they can get reception. Allowing private construction vehicles to run accross common areas for the benefit of a homeowner. I know a number of homeowners that were putting in patios that were absolutely forbidden to have construction vehicles cross the common areas. File a complaint and the "Board" makes an exception for individual homeowners. They fined one homeowner for continuing to park a vehicle in the overflow parking and yet ignore another who has been parking a vhicle in the same area for over a year and has an empty garage. Exterior painting, overgrown shrubery, non maintained flower beds and decks, etc, etc. All being ignored by the board.
Now the board has sent everyone a ballot to change the By-Laws after I brought it to the boards attention that the board was responsible for exterior repairs. They argued this for years because no former boards ever really read the by laws or understood them. They just went by what Ralph Bass told them. They want the homeowners to vote without giving them a cost of how much of an increase in assocation dues there would be. They are implying to individuals it would be a huge increase in dues. Not true. We have 260 homeonwers. At $5 per month per homeowner this would amount to $15,600 per year in repair reserves. Tell me of any homeowners association within 25 miles that their dues do not include exterior repairs of some sort. All those people with bad sidewalks put in by the builder, they are covered under the present by-laws for replacement. The board won't tell you that tho.
And the ballots are not numbered and no place for the homewoners to sign. And Horst and the 3 board members are going to verify the count ?? How will they do this ?? I could send in any number of votes just by putting a house number and the homeowners name on it. It will not stand up in court !!!
Except for Lou Getty have you ever seen our other 2 board members out walking around inspecting anything.?? Where are the minutes of the Homewners Association Meeting that was held?? It was said years ago that each homeowner would receive a copy of what took place at the annual meeting.
Just venting my frustrations ...

Blog Alive?

Is it time for the neighbors here in Wingspread to express themselves by using this blog? The Annual Meeting was structured and limited in time so how else do we share.