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It’s time to “put up or
shut up”. My hope is that everyone in Sierra Ridge realizes this is
our opportunity to “quityerbitchin” and make the necessary changes
that are long overdue. Please don’t do as I have in the past;
shrugging the shoulders and thinking there’s nothing that can be
done about how poorly our community has been run. Let’s collectively
vote in the person who is determined to infiltrate the “good ‘ol
boys” working relationship between the current long term board
member(s) and Jomar. We need to get BACK to a true professional
working relationship between the home owners, the ELECTED board
members that work on our behalf, and a professional Property
Management Company that works for us; not the other way around.
Diana Council has been a long-time resident of Sierra Ridge. I have
personally known her since she moved into our community 12 years
ago. She’s NOT a politician; she’s not on an ego trip or running for
this position for any personal agendas. Diana isn’t running for this
board for a power trip or that ability to be the “big dog in the
little yard”. Diana also isn’t looking to obtain favoritism and/or
use her position on the board for personal gain or favor as some
have done in the past.
Here’s what Diana Council IS. She is a wonderful, humble, hard
working woman looking to raise her lovely daughter in a beautiful
neighborhood. Like the rest of us, she’s fed up with the status-quo
of the current relationship of certain board members and Jomar
Property Management. She agrees it’s time for some new ideas and
fresh governance and oversight of the direction our community is
headed. Diana has PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE working with the planning,
creation, and implementation of some of the most prestigious Home
Owners Associations in the Scottsdale/Fountain Hills areas! She also
has working knowledge of many of the property management companies
available for consideration to oversee our community. We must always
remember that this is an entity that works for US; not the other way
around. When the idea of considering a different property management
company was presented to the current Board they refused to even
consider replacing Jomar.
Our HOA is experiencing financial “difficulties”. The largest
expense we incur is property management. There are many options out
there that would save us a considerable amount of money. The
established Board refuses to even consider upsetting the apple cart
and making the significant changes that would not only look for a
property management that would work on behalf of the community, but
could also be more financially responsible.
The current board cries about needing to raise the HOA dues because
of the lack of funds. Another very expensive line item on our budget
is for postage. How many of you have received letters from Jomar for
trumped up “violations” that were unfounded? I have personally
received letters for everything from a handful (literally) of weeds
in my yard during the spring rainy season to a gas lamp that wasn’t
on. I was informed this was a direct violation “per resolution
adopted by the Board of Directors in August of 1998.”
Well, let’s see….that offending gas lamp had been converted to
electric 2 years earlier and was functional 100% of the time; using
a photo cell to turn it on in compliance with the above stated
resolution “from dusk to dawn”. Of course Jomar does their
inspections during business hours so would never see it illuminated.
The wasted postage to inform me of my infraction as well as the
“guilty until proven innocent” attitude disgusts me. Interestingly
enough, one of our esteemed board members (who happens to be up for
re-election) has had an inoperable gas lamp for SEVERAL months! Only
now that the elections are looming does it seem to be under repair.
Doesn’t this scream favoritism??? Any of the rest of us would be
receiving threatening letters and liens against our properties by
now.
Also, how many of you recall getting the postcard reminder of the
Annual Meeting on the 20th of October, only to receive a follow-up
postcard with apologies; correcting the date to the 27th? If you
look closely you will see they sent us information for Southern
Ridge Condominium Association! Now, who paid for THAT mistake? I’d
bet if we don’t question it, we will!
This is our opportunity to have an advocate that will work for the
homeowners of Sierra Ridge and intelligently scrutinize where we’ve
come from and where we’re going. Please cast your vote this year,
and vote for Diana Council. You can send in the mail-in ballot or
vote in person at the Annual Meeting Wednesday, October 27th 2010 at
6:00 PM. The meeting is at the Via Linda Community Center at 10440
E. Via Linda.
One last note….when I promptly returned my mail in ballot voting for
Diana, I noted the wording of the ballot. It says something about
only indicating a selection for one candidate. If you exceed that,
your ballot will be void. My concern is; they have a “yes/no” option
for each candidate. Exercise caution….my interpretation of this is
that if you select “yes” for one candidate and then “no” for the
other to insure your preference then your vote could be voided?
“Another Concerned Homeowner” |
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Many if not most of us are in
agreement with all that was stated. I have already voted for Diana
Council and have several other neighbors stating they will do the
same.
I called Kate Parlette to clarify the
ballot obtuseness. She stated that a homeowner can (yes can) put a
"no" by one name and a "yes" by another and the ballot is not void.
OR the homeowner can just put a "yes" by the selected candidate's
name. Either/or is a valid vote. Why it's stated that way is just
silly. I asked her why we shouldn't just CIRCLE the name we want
and she had some fumbling reply. Oh well.
See you all on the 27th!!
Judy Randall |
