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Post by whistlingdixie on Apr 16, 2011 8:14:45 GMT -6
Yes, and this speaks to the other issue......all the property owners who do not pay dues at all, because they are not mandatory. We have appx. 2300 property owners on the island.....some own multiple properties, but I would say with certainty that most only own one parcel. If all 2300 owners paid their dues (just paid them for the obvious benefits, and disregarding any fringe benefits) then we would generate 230,000 dollars a year in dues payments, instead of the 90-100 thousand which are customarily paid voluntarily. I agree that many people live away and don't use the facilities, but they still reap the obvious benefits of property ownership on the island and the POA's efforts. That should be worth something. Also, this is a unique situation where the property owners own 200 acres of property on the island. This property is conservatively valued at 100 million dollars, given comparables on the Gulf and Atlantic coasts....to refuse to pay even a $100.00 minimum dues to protect this asset, and keep it for us is short sighted. I agree that far away owners who are restricted from voting because they don't pay dues is unfair, but it is unfair for us to subsidize the POA on their behalf, so they can vote. I agree with you, Kelby, in theory, but in practice, I would like to see everyone pay! Makes sense that paying members should have privileges above and beyond non-paying members such as discounts at the facilities, etc. My only problem is the possible "non-voting" part for non-paying property owners. A lot of property owners live elsewhere and are not capable of using the facilities or taking advantage of discounts, but I feel should still have a say in voting matters. For the record though, I feel all property owners as members should pay their annual dues in support of the organization. |
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Post by whistlingdixie on Apr 16, 2011 8:21:20 GMT -6
Pocket change.......really! You are too funny.  I'll gladly pay my .27 per day for membership and to vote. The dues may go up, they may not - regardless, I'll pay and I'll pay up to .68 per day. The clubhouse, golf, tennis and pool is one of the areas of the island people can utilize. And being in the tourist industry people do ask about golf, etc. People who prefer to rent a house and not a condo, do ask about a pool for usage. I will do what I can on my end to make sure the POA stays solvent. |
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Post by whistlingdixie on Apr 16, 2011 20:10:28 GMT -6
Thank you, mam! I'll gladly pay my .27 per day for membership and to vote. The dues may go up, they may not - regardless, I'll pay and I'll pay up to .68 per day. The clubhouse, golf, tennis and pool is one of the areas of the island people can utilize. And being in the tourist industry people do ask about golf, etc. People who prefer to rent a house and not a condo, do ask about a pool for usage. I will do what I can on my end to make sure the POA stays solvent. |
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Post by carolinegraves on Apr 23, 2011 13:31:00 GMT -6
Did you forget about taking away the right of the property owners to vote and be a member, that was given to you when you brought your property. Please explain from your understanding how the other 5 changes to the Constitution will effect all property owner on the Island.
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Post by whistlingdixie on Apr 23, 2011 15:25:22 GMT -6
"Changes" are called changes for a reason......each property owner is allowed to vote each issue as they see fit. And no, I have not forgotten anything. I will say this once more, since it seems that some think saying something over and over makes others change their viewpoint.......if your property is not worth the $100.00 a year (or the dreaded cut off point of $250.00), so that your POA can be a viable organization and afford to function for you, so be it. You can support the organization without supporting every individual on the board. I don't always agree with Bruce Jones, didn't always agree with William Harper or John Reed either....but I have always supported the POA. Ya'll withhold your money....because you don't like the way your volunteer board functions and you don't agree with them....see how far that will get you. All the issues are separate. One can vote yes for one but not the others, or no to one but not the others. If I vote yes for mandatory dues, but vote no on all the others, then that is my choice and since the ballot is secret, it is my business only......unlike nearly all other information regarding POA matters, which is my business......I think you are assuming, Ms. Graves, that if a person votes yes on mandatory dues they would automatically vote yes on the other constitutional changes. As to how each issue would affect each individual property owner, I couldn't possibly know that. Neither do you. We have already removed the "members only" restrictions in practice, since we allow the "public" to use the property. Removing it from the deed is consistant with how we are operating the Grill, the golf course, the pool and the beach. And I know that if we don't make all those enterprises break even, eventually the POA will cease to exit. And yes, I understand that allowing Joe Blow to come to the pool for a swim on Sat. is different than deeding him the pool. Do I think the property might be opened up to a military facility? Yes. Do I think there has been a conspiracy by our POA board and town to deliberately keep information from us regarding the military complex? No. Do I think they disclosed the initial information after they talked at length with various entities about the proposal and they didn't tell me until they wanted to? Yes. Do I think sitting around on our laurals holding onto property that we can't afford to develop nor maintain is a great idea? No. It seems to me, so far, that looking for outside developers to make our property into a paying proposition is not an unreasonable idea. I have even gotten used to the notion that it might be in my backyard.  A certain faction on DI declared several months ago that "We're Back." Those two words speak volumns to me. It is curious that this group comes back only at election time, and takes little interest in things until there are voting issues....that is just one reason I would like to see mandatory dues and voting rights tied to each other......I have a problem with a group that professes to care so much about this island, but declares, "We're Back", like they've been on vacation. And I exclude you from the previous statement, by the way. You are nothing, if not relentless in your questions, and sharing of opinions. Hats off! Did you forget about taking away the right of the property owners to vote and be a member, that was given to you when you brought your property. Please explain from your understanding how the other 5 changes to the Constitution will effect all property owner on the Island. |
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Post by carolinegraves on Apr 23, 2011 19:05:54 GMT -6
Please understand I am not with any group.
I am a part of "Let's all follow the laws of the Corporation and the Laws of the Town. And right now neither the POA or the Town are doing that.
I saw where the pool was open. Where was the permit?
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Post by whistlingdixie on Apr 23, 2011 19:19:56 GMT -6
I said in my statements that I did not include you in that faction........
The pool is permitted and inspected and it is open for business. You would need to speak to Jeff about the details.
I just realized that your questions might have been direced at Amydune. Forgive me if you were speaking to her and not me.
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Post by carolinegraves on May 9, 2011 13:58:12 GMT -6
Whistlingdixie, I don't think you have understood what I have been talking about. When you vote yes for mandatory dues your are voting yes for all of the Constitutional issues that were mixed in with the dues. You cannot vote yes on one and no on the other. I don't care about the $250 dollars a year. I am VERY, VERY, VERY WORRIED ABOUT THE OTHER CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES/ ISSUES TIED TO MANDATORY DUES.
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Post by ambergreen on May 10, 2011 19:47:31 GMT -6
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Post by logicfan on Oct 3, 2011 8:49:21 GMT -6
I think the board should put mandatory dues on the next vote ballot. The mistake they made this time was including the part about the board being able to raise the dues without a vote of the membership. Lots of folks supported the idea of mandatory dues, but many, including me, were uncomfortable of the idea of making it mandatory and giving away control over the amount. It would have been smarter to make those two separate items or wait until the mandatory dues was voted in to explore raising the dues amount.
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Post by Dennis Knizley on Oct 21, 2011 19:15:47 GMT -6
I think the board should put mandatory dues on the next vote ballot. The mistake they made this time was including the part about the board being able to raise the dues without a vote of the membership. Lots of folks supported the idea of mandatory dues, but many, including me, were uncomfortable of the idea of making it mandatory and giving away control over the amount. It would have been smarter to make those two separate items or wait until the mandatory dues was voted in to explore raising the dues amount. Without some other source of money, which there appears not to be one without dramatic changes in use and possession of POA properties, the golf course and probably other POA operated facilities are going to cease operation in a few months. The valiant effort to collect voluntary dues, with the average contribution being over the requested $100, is only delaying the end. It is hard to now place a mandatory assessment on property owners when at the time of purchase one did not exist, and indeed was by constitution of the DIPOA, which by deed the new owners became a member, prohibited. It is difficult to understand how such a magnificent piece of property as the golf course, without a debt service, cannot at least support itself, much less make a profit. Management, marketing, waste or all or some of the above, somehow it has happened. Notwithstanding all the admirable efforts to save the operation of the properties, continued dues paying is futile, prolonging the inevitable. The key is the golf course. It will close soon- or by some bad, complicated and possibly untoward turn of events- come into the hands of the Town. Better for it to close, open totally afresh in the near future with proficient management that can make the beautiful, unique, Gulf front course, with no debt service, profitable. Hopefully the owners can then enjoy that DIPOA asset, along with the pool, clubhouse, grill, beach and others that should have never been placed at risk of being lost. If the Board has a different prospective, post it here. |
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Makes sense that paying members should have privileges above and beyond non-paying members such as discounts at the facilities, etc. My only problem is the possible "non-voting" part for non-paying property owners. A lot of property owners live elsewhere and are not capable of using the facilities or taking advantage of discounts, but I feel should still have a say in voting matters. For the record though, I feel all property owners as members should pay their annual dues in support of the organization.
