Commentary on April 16, 2012 Board Meeting

[Sharon]

During last night’s Board meeting some owners demonstrated a misplaced
anger and blame regarding the extensive legal costs for the failed
implementation of the proposed Declaration. Ivan Bierechel’s rave
recounted that originally previous Boards initiated this effort for an
estimated total cost of $6000. Yet he, who has been absent through
the majority of this process, is now asking how the costs escalated to
over $47,000 (with Marcia’s reimbursement it is more like $60,000+)
and blaming everyone from the Treasurer for a lack of financial
disclosures, to Marcia for obtaining an attorney to defend the
objectors, to the Board for making the decisions. Should the Board
have been more informative with the homeowners during the 3 year
process particularly on expenditure of funds? Absolutely, and I
personally had told them as much many times. But homeowners had
numerous opportunities to participate in the workgroup discussions,
attend board meetings, write letters, or otherwise make your
objections known. The financial reports are posted monthly on the
website for all to review (although it appears evident Marcia Fields
is the only one of 255 owners to do so and question how the Board is
expending HOA funds).
Ivan berated Marcia for “running to the lawyers” and “costing the HOA
lots of money” rather than working with the Board. Where is his
indignation with the Board for making the decisions to continue to
pursue this effort, against the majority of homeowners, and knowing we
could ill afford the legal expenses? Obviously Ivan, and likely most
other owners, are not aware of the many letters of inquiry and comment
that Marcia and others of us have sent to the Board endeavoring to
ensure they operate in the best interest of the homeowners, and to
resolve issues before seeking legal counsel only as a last resort. I
have said this before, Marcia Fields is to be commended for her
ambitious efforts to represent the community and ensure the Board does
the right thing. To those who would try to place blame on her, or the
Treasurer, or any individual member for the rampant expenditures of
this Board on this or other legal issues, I ask, “Where were you
during the last 3 years when other owners were objecting to the Board
spending our insufficient funds on this unwanted and unwarranted
effort?” It is absurd that you wait until all is said in done, and NOW
you want to display your outrage!
That said, I believe the end result of last night’s meeting was very
productive. The Board accomplished a lot of business and set out some
plans in the 2.5 hour meeting, was receptive to attendees’ input, and
acknowledged and resolved several issues of contention. I believe the
Board showed a renewed interest for homeowner involvement, which will
better enable them to assert their fiduciary responsibilities for
running the HOA in the best interest of the community. And I say to
you all, GET INVOLVED. Submit your ideas to the Board, get to know the
Board members and work with them for the betterment of the community,
and, if they don’t perform responsibly replace them in the next
voting.
--Sharon