The politics of “We vs They” seems to have trickled down from the Bozos running the federal government to the governance of our small community. Yes, our small community is incorporated, and the governing board has a fiduciary obligation to the membership.
Our community “We” vs “They” comes in many forms. One is Snowbirds vs Full-Time Residents. About a third of the communities’ residents are full time. Over the past several years, as the Snowbirds fly back to their nest, full time residents have endured:
- COVID the summer of 2020,
- no golf course because of re-grassing the summer of 2022,
- no clubhouse for a remodeling project the summer of 2022, and
- five weeks of no golf this summer 2023 for course maintenance and still no clubhouse because of the, yes you voted for the Fuck-Up remodeling project.
The snowbirds fly home and are not inconvenienced by course redo’s, course maintenance or clubhouse remodels. There they get to play golf, tennis, bocce, pickleball, enjoy their clubhouse etc. without these inconveniences.
The full timers do live in paradise despite redo’s, maintenance, remodels and OH, I forgot hurricane clean-up. Full timers have also graciously tolerated the arrogance of the Snowbird for years. They fly in expecting preferential treatment. Demands that are so strong the employees are overtaxed. This may explain staff apathy towards off-season activities for full-time members. Happy Hour for two summers in a room that holds a full bar and maybe fifty people lost its charm June 2022. Being pompous and inconsiderate does excuse ignorance or insensitivity towards those who support the community all year long, Tweety.
The second “We” vs “They” is the Board of Directors (Bozos) vs the Members. Sounds crazy but it is true. Board Members with Agendas should be the campaign slogan for these Bozos. With no term limits in a Plurality Voting System, candidates run on the platform “I will have your best interest when elected” but under their breath they say “I’m going to get the best tee times”, “I’m going to change the type of grass we use on the course”, “I’m going to remodel the clubhouse to look like the club across the street”, “I am going to be president”, “I am going get walking paths and electric car charging stations”, “I am going to get everyone riding bicycles to solve the parking problem”, etc.
Once elected, disrespect of members kicks in. Each Board Members must chair at least one major committee. Both committee chairs and members should possess a knowledge or expertise for the task(s) required. Instead, Board Members are assigned committees based on “pecking order”. Jockeying for committee assignments because of their “agendas”, leaves the community ill served. Committees’ members are friends or “like minded individuals” of the Board Member. God forbid if you think out of the box or even think. BOBBLEHEADS WANTED.
Disregarding committee recommendations for Board approval is also common practice, particularly if it is against one’s agenda or to cover a “screw up”. As an example, the introduction of items not included in the budget or in the remodeling budget (which was capped) at an open Board Session. The Board Treasurer, Chair of the Finance Committee, failed to inform finance committee members of this change. Sounds like an “under the table deal” to me.
Hey Bozos, ever wonder why members do not want to serve on committees or why the membership complains about TRANSPARANCY. Awwwww the T word! Another Insult to Injury.
