Tracy Lofstrom...
Thank you to Tracy Lofstrom for her communication. You have to respect someone for stepping forward and presenting another side of an issue. I think her points are fair.
I am fine with you posting it. I didn't say anything that would embarrass me or those around me.
Thank you!
Tracy Lofstrom
Business Manager
George,
I would respectfully request a correction to your BLOG. I do not make $80,000 a year, not even close. Again a rumor submitted without any facts or proof.
Also, the meeting was open to the public and was well attended. Yes, the phone call in was not so good. However, the people who couldn't refrain from making noise should be held accountable for that mess. I guess it's easier to blame the folks who are already fodder for the BLOG.
Also, to note, those who preach transparency did not even stick around to the end of the meeting. Is that so they can say what they want without knowing the facts? You might ask a couple of the candidates who talk so highly of transparency about the current jobs they hold and how they probably won't be available to members due to their work schedule. Are their jobs listed on their candidate application? Hmmm....I don't think so.
I would like to know who says I have an attitude problem? I have great customer service skills and I really do care about the membership. Kind of tired of being the subject of this madness when not one of your anonymous writers have ever made an appointment to see me. Maybe they should. George, really the anonymous stuff needs to stop. If people don't have the guts to sign their comments then maybe they shouldn't be published. Let's see who these people are.....
Nothing on the BLOG about how well the candidate Q & A was conducted. It went very well and Ric did a great job. The questions were fair and every candidate was able to answer and each got to make a statement at the end. Of course, it isn't mentioned.
Lastly, the IT person was hired to take care of a few projects and isn't full time. Due to budget restraints we try to not put her over her budgeted weekly hours. Yes, we do care about how the membership funds are taken care of and I don't take that lightly. Oh, maybe you should ask the candidates how they think a new club house will be built? Do they understand that would increase their annual assessments?
Enjoy your day. Please stop by and visit with me someday, maybe make your own assessment of my character and honesty. I am always here from 7 am to 3 pm (give or take).
Sincerely,
Tracy Lofstrom
Business Manager
Surfside Homeowners Association
(360) 665-4171 ext. 222
38 comments:
Will the board meeting be available to those who could not attend? I would very much like to hear the candidate's verbal statements and how they answered the questions.
I don't think we should question the ability of a candidate based on their employment status. If they have volunteered I will assume they are willing and able to carry out the duties.
I had many managers, directors, supervisors in my long working career and only one woman stands out in my mind. She took beatings. Every day, people talked smack about her, talked back to her, threw her under the bus. The very next day, that woman came into work, smiled to everyone, said good morning to 'everyone', even to her biggest critics. Every day, this woman came in to work and her only goal was improvement. She knew who she was and what she was doing was right. She was kind and strong and is the only one deserving of admiration out of all those people who lead.
I admit, I couldn't be her but I adored her. You need broad shoulders, a stiff upper lip, and the resolve of a warrior to be in one of those positions. Any employee under public service (paid with appropriated funds) really should take the high road and ignore the chatter. HeavySigh..........
All employees who work for our HOA should be a diplomat. Your customers are EVERYONE, including each other. Definitely a skill to work on. smh at this letter............
It's inappropriate for the business manager to make any comments (public or private) about the candidates.
OH SHIZZLE----- I would get fired for this. No no no no way in hell should employees attack members or defend themselves like this against untruth. Hell to the no........whatcha thinking? oh boy, this don't look good. This should be pulled and please get some composure before you write something for public display.
I do not agree with the comment that the folks who were not on mute should were responsible. They likely weren't off mute intentionally. They may have been on a landline without that functionality or perhaps aren't aware. Regardless, the teleconference host has the ability to mute and unmute all or individual participants. The responsibility lies with the host that they weren't aware how to successfully run a teleconference. I think Tracy's intentions may be well but she can come across as standoffish. We are all works in progress...
Apparently we have yet another manager that preaches the party line. Conveniently blame users for the technical difficulties, and praised everyone else. Typical shoa propaganda.
Try to get the job done so you don't have to make excuses next time.
Having just read the initial communication from our new manager, her credibility has now reached 0%. In only one communication! Perhaps a new record.
Maybe we could get a higher quality manager with more skills if we did pay $80,000 a year? In today's money, that's really not much considering cost of living and all the BS people do put up with.
I appreciate your sharing this experience/observation. I think most of us have known of women who hold together companies in the way you describe, and still remain personable and strong, often without great recognition.
I think that anytime someone shares the truth as only they may know it, it's appreciated on the Blog by those who are here to get information or share ideas - not taunt and disrespect.
Tracy has been personable and fair in the few exchanges I've had with her, and there's no question that she has taken on a challenging job. She deserves a chance to adjust and find her way.
But she like so many other folks, lumps everyone who writes on the Blog together in some respects. With so many anonymous comments, many mean, entirely false, or just poorly informed, many significant comments are lost in a blur.
All of the seated Board members have made contributions of a positive kind I'm sure, but there'a lot of deception goes on, and rogue decisions made by the Exec. Board, which aren't merited or proper. So the truth is, there are good intentions and things well administered. There is also intentional deception at times....the "you'll thank me later" kind.
But I agree many bloggers just want to dish on the Board and be insulting - but notice, these same jokers give the same abuse to anyone who wants to talk sensibly on the Blog.
Few people have any real excuse for commenting anonymously - like 4:13....why did you write anonymously, when you had such a positive message ?
I gave up being anonymous a long time ago. I just want to share information and ideas, and come here to get info as well. It's raggedy, but keeps on. Few seem to want to write by name.
Well well well, we have communication folks. Paragraph 3 is directed at me. No I did not stay til the end, never was I told I had to. You see, I have a life I do live. I had made plans with my other half long before this shitshow went down.
You folks had plenty of time to run this live or webex or try zoom, it's a thing now days.
No I don't mention my employment on my application nor will I. This is a voluntary position in a HOA. It is irrelevant.
Thank you for the comment Tracy. Unfortunately as any Trustee, office worker and committee members know you are going to have to put up with less than polite people. Some of the usual suspects who tend to be rude and use less than civil language are the first to complain of others. Besides the attitude issue, I also understand completely how frustrating it is to hear it when it is based on wrong information and false accusations from others.
I liked how she pointed out how some people didn't stay for the meeting. You see this at board meetings and specially the annual one. You have the right to be critical of those that serve but you should at least stick around to see how they work before running to the keyboard to complain.
Wow, sooo professional and unbiased. Fits right in i guess.
Lots of ideas to be able to spend for a clubhouse. Get rid of that 5 year county contract, eliminate the compactor sooner or later we are going to outgrow it and it’s on wetland, sell the water system to another company lots of money spent there! See that was easy!
And stop spending 160,000 a year replacing pipe. Do that and you can cut the employees in half. Close down the RV storage lot. There, we have saved enough to have a grand club house without raising the dues and assessments.
I write anonymously Steve because not everyone appreciates the things I post, sometimes, even you. I write anonymously because I don't need another venue to be a punching bag for, I already have Facebook. If this blog moves to Facebook, you would definitely know who I am. Some days, I just don't want to be punched around. I've been bullied by Ronda on Facebook too. Still, I'm voting for her. You see, I don't hold grudges but others seem to want to beat up those who are even on their side. I don't have the couth like the admired person I speak of, I'm a scraper, and sometimes, I will go low, just like everyone else.
I write anonymously because I don't trust the HOA, I don't trust our employees, I don't trust my neighbors. I have seen enough around here to know there's some instability in mental health on this peninsula and I avoid those at all costs. So, there's your answer. I support a new HOA BOT and I will financially support a collection if one is ever needed for an attorney. It really doesn't matter who I am on this blog. Just know, I am around, I am watching.
And, Tracy's letter is unprofessional. There's better ways to say what she needs to without stepping on toes. "I" statements work really well. But I guess I had to grow up much faster in the executive world than most. Lessons learned but now retired and loving it because now, I can speak my mind....................
The big question is, why wasn't this recorded for the members to hear for themselves ? Making secondhand comments about what was surely just possible options to legal spending, enforcement, studies, and paying federal fines, but there are many possibilities that would serve a more positive purpose.
A community meeting space could be built on the northend of the business office. Just an idea. It coukd be multi-purpose in nature, but accommodate a couple hundred or more. Such a building would be large enough for Annual meetings.
I personally can say I have been in the HOA office several times when we just bought our property and everytime was treated like CRAP. I don't appreciate being talked down to, have eyes rolled at me, turn away when asking a question or being treated like a complete homeless person!
This office has the snobbish people ever seen.
Dear lost hope- this is disturbing to hear. The only function of the office staff is to serve US! The members! I do not like to hear this and we deserve more. They are paid with our funds. This needs to stop immediately. No question is dumb, no visit is ridiculous. You deserve the best customer service, better than any retail establishment because this is all we have and it's paid for by, once again, OUR MONEY!
Seems the clubhouse might be catching on. All points mentioned above are spot on. We already have property and we could even sell off a few lots. We don't need anything fancy, no internet or cable. Good old fashion fun. Ping-pong table, pool table, we could play bingo. Bunch, cards or just sit and have coffee and visit with other members.
It can happen.
Starters are getting rid of the 1/2 million contract.
Mr. Cox commenting hardly qualifies as the club house idea "catching on"...
10:52, Steve has not been the only comment on a clubhouse. Others above and also at the meeting mentioned it, as have members in the community I speak with.
@6:14, if I have come off harsh with you, it has never been my intention. I like others, speak my mind. I encourage you to stop by our house this weekend, I would love to chat with you and apologize.
The RV lots makes over $20,000+ per year for the HOA. Not sure why we ignore the articles of incorporation, which states no lot can make a profit.
While the idea of a large meeting space seems sound, any recreational uses, such as pool tables, Ping pong, card tables, all nice ideas, require equipment, monitoring of age and behavior, mistreatment of equipment and repairs....all manageable, but requiring staffing.
But I like the idea of returning, if we can at some point, to open meetings, and for the HOA to have ample gathering space for large groups. The HOA has the means, which could also involve drawing some funds from another project in part (short term), and wouldn't need to interfere with the office activity during construction.
I think the nice area by the canal and the bridge, the chipper site, would make a great location for a clubhouse!
What about all the events that have been planned and held here currently and no one ever attended any of those events? Before they put in new office space the CRC held events monthly and the reports come back with the same 12 people. There were potlucks, bunco and plenty of other events that were poorly attended so why with a new building would you think we are going to get more participation when no one came before??
This is not just about Surfside sponsored events, but for casual get togethers. Playing cards, dominos, horse shoes, pickle ball, ect. Plus when a special event is happening for a member ie: wedding, showers, family reunions they are perfect to be rented. The one at
Sunset sands is really nice! Then also we could have a room large enough for members to attend meetings
Joanne, you have the concept down! Us lowlanders get it. Take that sheriff contract away and it could almost have itself paid for in 4 years.
We really do not need to be replacing our water pipe, that idea came from good old Flood.
Surfside HOA owns 53 lots, use some to build on and sell some off!
Let me correct myself, went on Taxsifter and searched Surfside Homeowners. 52 properties, my bad!
Surfside
Hello everyone,
This is my first post here on the Blog. I have owned property here in Surfside for several years but unfortunately I have watched our HOA steadily go downhill since buying. I am ashamed to say I live in Surfside the last few years. Our BOT has continued to serve this community poorly by wasting our money, picking fights, harassing people that live here and serving their own interests. It’s high time to have your vote heard. I am voting for all 4 of the new candidates in hopes we can get this community back on track and have a positive change. If you do nothing else please vote for Ronda, Larry, Cori, and Steve if you want a change and are tired of what has been going on here. We need a BOT that serves the members and not themselves. Our community is the laughing stock of this peninsula because of what the current BOT has done the last few years. I have watched them continuously waste our money on things like a water truck and the sheriff patrol among other things. Our BOT does things that are illegal and it’s only a matter of time before they cost us big money in fines due to their poor decision making. Thank god Joanne stepped up and got our fourth vote back. Bravo my dear.
This is the finish line for most of us here that bought to enjoy retirement. We need to get back on track and start making positive changes. I’m tired of seeing the trees butchered, I’m tired of people filing complaints against their fellows members, I do not want to see changes to our outside lights, I want to see our covenants addressed and brought up to date, I want to see the contract for the sheriff cancelled as well as so many other things. We need to get rid of the chipping site because it’s a dump and a fire hazard at the very least. I would love to see a clubhouse where the chipping site is, I would enjoy having a place to go and have a cup of coffee and play cards or bingo. We could have an awesome community here with so many positive things to do but our current BOT is bound and determined to drag us down. I would love to have a swimming pool too someday. It’s a great form of exercise for us retired folks. We could have a community where everyone wants to be here instead of one that has a bad reputation.
As for Tracey’s letter, I find it very unprofessional. We need a manager that can convey how they feel without putting others down. When we hired Tom the previous manager the position paid over 82,000 which I find absurd. As for the people in the office the raises need to stop. I never got a raise every year when I was working. They seem to think money grows on trees and it doesn’t. We have many people here on fixed incomes and we need to rein the over spending in. I would also like to see a group of us get together and help the folks on fixed incomes who physically cannot do their yard work anymore. We could help them by having a work party. We need to forget about the Code of Civility. If we didn’t have people creating problems we would not need it. Frankly, we need to clean house and get some positive people in that want to see change. I also want the meetings put on Zoom. It’s ridiculous that we could not see or hear the last meeting. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if that was not planned. When they are called out on it they all pass the buck and I’m done with hearing excuse after excuse. They need to get it together once and for all. Sorry this is such a long read but I’m fed up with our HOA.
@11:10, Excellent post! If you get a chance this weekend, stop by my house, I would live to chat with you.
I like your idea of a work party to help others. I say get rid of our tree comittee, and let's start a "helping others " comittee. This is needed and beneficial to our community. The past 3 weekends, with the help of my husband and a neighbor, we have cleaned up 2 properties on our block.
That chipper site needs to be relocated. A commercial operation in a in a residential neighborhood...hmmm. Our members are being fined for having inert material lay on their property, yet this same thing is happening at the chipper site. One match or firework in there and homes are gone.
Oh and soon will be talk of buying our own chipping machine! Another waste of member money.
To answer the question of the meeting deliberately not run live or webex, yes you are correct and I have the email stating it will not be streamed.
Proxy votes need to go. Everyone gets a ballot mailed to them. It gets mailed back to Janet or goes in a drop box that Janet has the key to. No way should anyone else be handling ballots.
Thank you so much for the invite Ronda, I would be happy to stop by. If I can be of any assistance for you regarding the current election I would be more than happy to help!
Just want to mention on the ballot issue - I took a look at B. minutes, none existing for May, but in the April minutes, under ELECTION topic, " only 3 nominees so far, for FOUR positions". Think the mistake on the ballot was just an accident as Williams claimed ? And Minich claimed the first ballot was correct !
It is clear from the Bylaws that appointees are temporary, and end their terms as of the next election. They state that any vacancies will have an appointed replacement. And the Board's own Operations Manual says first thing, "at least 3 Trustee positions will be on the ballot annually". Obviously, more than 3 is fine - we have a 9 member Board.
The only way to misinterpret this stuff is to intentionally read around the obvious primary criteria outlined in the documents. Other contingencies are discussed, should the circumstances require exceptions to the main provisions. There is NO requirement for a 1 year position as has been suggested.
Great idea Ronda! Helping Hands
Sorry Steve, gotta disagree with you on this one! This is the typical BS by this Board! 4 positions open 4 votes!. April board minutes, election in July on the 10th, ballots need to be sent out 20 days prior. NO EXCUSE JUST PURE BS!
You should read more carefully. You got the complete opposite meaning out of what I wrote. The point is, it was always 4 vacancies, and the Board knew it. wOW, I'm amazed that you didn't understand my point.
About the original post..
When I moved here and went into the office I got, here is your compactor badge and map. Basically I was dismissed after that. First impression was WOW, they are rude and unwelcoming. I have asked questions through email, the reply was always short with no real information. But most times it's just not answered. Neighbors post as anonymous because they know their name will be put on the watch list. Who wants to be harassed.
As for the meeting, if you wanted people to stay for the whole thing then you should of had more chairs and room. The board doesn't need that much space. WTH!
I did leave early, right after the candidates answered the questions. Couldn't take it anymore. So unprofessional. The phones should of never been shut down. The members have a right to be at those meeting,in person or online. When the majority of members do not live in the area full time then it is essential that there is another way. The phones did not have to be shut down. There was not enough patience trying to work out the problems.
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