An Example...
Not all covenants are bad. Some can be good, especially if enforcement is applied in a fair way. When you have a lot of covenants and some or most are outdated and not applied fairly or the will of the members, is when you run into trouble. It gives a bad image to all covenants.
When only some benefit for their own special interests, the covenant has to be changed or eliminated. We are seeing resistance to any review of covenants because of the fear some have, that their special interest will be eliminated. From what I have seen, most of our members support covenants that will keep our community clean and green. They seem to favor only the basics and not detailed rules and regulations. That is also my opinion.
My Example:
When my neighbor across the street, listed their vacation place "For Sale" they were disturbed about the adjoining property that had a pile of junk stacked against their fence and that included an old mattress. The neighbor made several failed attempts to contact the owners to have it removed. They felt the pile of junk would detract from the sale of their property. Several phone calls were made to the Surfside office, where they talked with Kimber about the complaint process. They stated that she was very helpful. They then filed a formal written complaint.
As I was told, The Compliance Officer, contacted the owners of the property and within several days, a large truck backed in there and all the junk pile was loaded and removed. I do not know how the issue was handled from the association, but the problem was solved. These are the kind of covenant issues that members favor being taken care of. Not knowing all the details, I would think the whole thing could have been solved without the member having to write a formal complaint. A simple phone call should have been enough. But that being said, It was good that the association took care of the problem and should be given credit for it happening.
When I was visiting with a prospective buyer there, A relative that also lives nearby, approached us and was very apologetic for the junk pile and assured that it would be removed, and it was. All of the people involved in this are nice people and "would give you the shirt off their back", or help others in any way. I guess my point is...You can accomplish solutions to covenant violations if the covenant is useful and enforcement is fair.
We do need and want covenants that benefit the entire community and are enforced in a fair and respectful way. The covenants have to be short, concise, fair and apply to every member. The enforcement has to be the same. The members need the right to vote for or against any covenant or change. Could this particular issue been handled better? Probably. The whole process needs to be reviewed.
I may be wrong, but that's the way I see it.
128 comments:
Just as a side note of interest. While the For Sale sign is still up, the property sold in 4 days of bidding. Last year it was valued at 100,000 and it just sold for 200,000 It is a single wide in perfect condition inside and out. The new owners are from Goldendale area and will be full time residents. I talked with many of the prospective buyers and all seemed very nice. The property had 4 cash offers, all over the asking price of 185,000
I am interested in understanding the boards approach to getting input from all homeowners and plan to complete a covenant review. We have board members that appear to have expressed strong positions on both sides of hot topic issues. Will those board members recuse themselves from the covenant review?
There are a few covenants that can just go, Like the fence and the shed. Simple is better! As long as the property is not junky and is well taken care of I see no point to have so many covenants.
Yes George this is a perfect example of proper HOA intervention. And yes, 11:30am the simpler the better!!! Also, I don't think we should be asking any board members to recuse themselves from the review. ALL board members have some degree of opinion on all the issues. Let's give them a chance to develop a plan, see how that plan is implemented and then evaluate the outcome. All board members should be involved with the process.
That is all I am asking for - their plan and how they intend to obtain the input from all members, not the vocal social media members who post on both sides. I disagree about board members not recusing themselves. When they accepted the position it was to represent all. Not sure how they can do that if they have expressed strong positions on either side.
New Trustees may be very candid about some of their views during the election process, but that doesn't mean they have closed minds about how to solve any given problem. There have been as many as 8 J Pl. owners on the BOT at a time, but they have not recused themselves from filing Tree complaints (Clancy) or participation in the Tree Comm.(Peg Olds)
Having opinions that favor change does not justify recusing oneself from governing. Only current members can serve on the Board, and owners have opinions about everything in Surfside, and have a right to that. The newly configured Board is still 2 weeks from their first meeting and you want policy statements ? Ridiculous. Minich has put the new Board in the negative column by his improper actions, and they must start out fixing the mess he has created by acting independently of the Board.
Wow, that's quite the jump in property value! I guess Ric's recent message written is just in his own small circle of opinion's. Too bad he feels the need to expose his weaknesses and fears, some might be reluctant to do such a thing, as this can be used against a person of, say, power, so to speak.
It's really hard not to put that for sale sign up knowing $100,000 more than I had last year could be in my hand in four days. Hopefully this keeps up. For now, I will stay and help with the fight to improve this little neighborhood. As more homes go in and new personalities, experiences, educations, money and youth move in, I see a very old empire crumbling right before my very own pained eyes and it brings me joy.
The biggest mistake some people make is underestimating their opponents.
Mr. Cox - as usual you have to resort to insults. It is not ridiculous for a candidate to have ideas on how they would go about getting ideas and input from all members. Instead of taking a position when running for the board it would have been refreshing to hear ideas on how they intend to represent all (instead of assuming their personal positions already do that). Before you respond with and insult or name calling my statement is for board members on both sides of the issues.
I'm saying, relax and wait to see how things develop. There was no name-calling, but you are not being realistic. A new configuration of people and personalities need to become aquainted and develop a working relationship.
Obviously Minich and Lofstrom think they can call the shots - though there is no written authority given to them by our documents. So the new Trustees have to start out with a hostile President, Bus. Manager and Kurt. Do you think Kurt will be open to new opinions ? I think Dan and Marianne will adapt well, but Minich is living in his own fantasy and out of touch.
How about you insist that Ric Minich tell you and the rest of us, where he got the authority to make decisions without the rest of the Board ?
@ Cox, 4:22----YESSSSSS Great question!
RIC ----Where did you get the authority to make decisions without the rest of Board??????
I am Surfside United,
show up at the meeting on 8-21 to stop Minich and his I am sure coaching by our previous President that really seems to be spending more time here now than when he was President.
We members need to run this community, not some elite hi on the ridge group that has been in control for the last 10+ years.
@9:09 Spot on 100% agree
We chose to buy east of the ridge, because of the tree cutting on the west. It's a longer walk to the beach, but it never occurred to us to just change the covenant.
I feel duped!
What fascinates me is the Particularly divisive Surfside 2 worlds view of Covenants ) The Rulers who think members exist to serve the covenants 2) The Members who think the covenants exist to serve the members.
I guess there's still the question-What should a person do who received a tree letter?
It is demanding a response from the homeowner on their plans to remedy. Some of us have canceled our tree cutting due to the July meeting. Would it be appropriate to respond stating we are planning on attending the August 21st meeting to demand the president and BM honor our quorum? Or should we call the tree cutter company again and get back on their extensive list?
Just wondering what others are doing IF they are not cutting.
Thank you!
You have 21 days to respond to this “friendly” letter with no notification of your rights to appeal. When did you receive yours? Ours was august 2nd so we aren’t responding. You have 21 business days! There are many problems with the letters that were sent out so should be no problem. Please attend the august 21 meeting so hopefully we can get an answer as to why the members vote at the July 10th meeting was overturned !
Hopefully, no one will cut their trees under these circumstances. The newly appointed President has no authority to intervene, and without consultation of the Board. He has posted two long letters on the front page of the Weekender, and never mentioned the moratorium or offered an explanation of his actions.
We know that the legal counsel members pay for, is considered to be ONLY at the president's service. How that has come to be is a mystery. Enabling by status-quo Trustees, powers secretively "decided"atcsome point.
This can't be tolerated by the members. The trees can wait, so can the HOA. A moratorium was demanded, and that is clear. The president is simply one Trustee and has no singular authority.
Thank you! We WILL be at the meeting. And WILL be bringing other neighbors.
We are Surfside United.
My neighbor cut down his tree on Friday. He was unaware of the vote at the annual meeting.
No excuse for that. The fist thing the compliance officer should have been instructed to do (on July 12th) was send letters to everyone with active complaints to notify of moratorium until the review is completed and decisions are made. Instead he sent new "cut tree" orders. On whose instructions? Were all 9 trustees consulted on how to proceed, until the next regularly scheduled board meeting, given the motions that passed on July 10th? Just guessing, but think probably not. Regardless, have confidence a majority of the trustees will do the right thing on August 21st and we will be attending to see for ourselves. It's just very unfortunate that the [possibly unnecessary] destruction will continue in the meantime.
The HOA should pay for a new tree to compensate your neighbor. Get something really pretty and expensive. They messed up, they should pay!
It has been stated repeatedly that the newly appointed president stopped the motions independently, without the authority to do so or consulting the other Board members asvrequired.
Time for a good ol' fashioned impeachment!
A lot of things are stated on this blog repeatedly but that doesn't make them true or "official". Would like to hear the answers at the board meeting by the trustees for all to hear "officially".
3:04
The "official" word came from the HOA President at the Annual meeting. "All motions are" PASSED " There was no question that all the motions passed. The quarum was established at the begining of the meeting. Once established the votes taken after the quarum was established are final . PASSED PASSED PASSED
Will there be enough seats at the August board meeting ? Will The J Place folks try to crowd the meeting ? Surfside United needs to be in force.
I AM SURFSIDE UNITED Ric, step down.
Oh it will be crowded all right but not with J placers. From what I saw July 10, there's not enough people living on J to make a dent in Surfside United!
I am Surfside United!
Talk to your neighbors everyone! August 21st is Kite Festival weekend, part timers will be here. Catch them up on the dirty rogue president and his illegal dealings. Invite them ALL to the meeting. We will take back our voices!
WE ARE SURFSIDE UNTIED!
We don't live on J. Our family has been here since 72. What bothers me most is the divisiveness of all the comments. It is a reflection of our current society and other elections. We have never been contacted by "factions" from either side. Why stereotype all J Placers. Are they wrong to expect the HOA to abide by the agreed covenants when they purchased? For folks not on J it is fair to question how the tree heights are established and applied. It does not seem uniform and some granted waivers don't make sense.
It is reasonable to expect a fair covenant review with changes proposed and approved/voted by all members. One thing that should be updated in our governing documents - the definition and outcome of a member "hearing" to review covenant changes. All the rhetoric about elitist, Faction, Lowlanders, etc. needs to stop IMO and let cooler heads prevail. It is possible...
@11:11, no all 9 trustees were not consulted on the any motions made as of yet.
5:30 You need to get your head out of the sand. The trouble is not caused by the members, no matter what name you want to give them. You may think it is funny, but I assure you that most members don't. Just who do you think the cooler heads are? Probably the status-quo like you. The divisiveness is because the members are fed up with the same old BS and you are part of it. You don't live on J and you won't use your name. You are trying to stereotype the members. It is not a reflection of our current society, it is a reflection that our members want their rights back. You don't know what the hell your talking about.
Wow @7:07, also anonymous. Way to make @5:30's point. Maybe, besides being a tool, you don't know what you are talking about.
I agree with 7:07 The so called Cooler heads have prevailed and what has that got us? More of the same, that's what. Well, guess what? The members are sick and tired of it and are fighting back. That's what we are talking about.
How wonderful, you got to live here for 50 years without a care in the world. Honestly, this is just another example of people just sitting around, la-de-da living their best life not paying attention. We are now living with pandemics, environmental crisis, record breaking homelessness, and we have to clean up these messes for OUR children and grandchildren so they can actually live a somewhat decent life. People who act ignorant, as in 'what? what's the problem? I didn't know anything was wrong. What do you want me to do about it?' Are the problem. We are fighting for our future because many with this attitude decided to ignore the problems. If you can't be insightful or helpful, just please get the hell out of the way. We have work to do for the future generations. Your day in the sun is over and you missed the damned beat. There is a lot of pain happening right now and this type of attitude is just another dig in the wounds you have left the rest of us to heal from and try to repair. In very little time, I might add.
And for all those haters, who are going to come here and act ignorant again and say "what does this have to do with the HOA?" It has everything to do with the HOA. We too are trying to live our best lives and raise our children here, happily, but cannot because people like you are continuing to think you are the only ones who matter. I'm sick of it! Just sick of it! And Save your asshat attitudes and comments, we don't have time for your stupidity any longer.
And for August 9, 2021 at 8:14 PM, I see you finally found a post to get you out from under the bridge to make a snarky comment. Dinosaurs like you are the reason you are close to extinction.
Now get the hell out of the way and let us clean up another one of your messes you left for the future.
I agree with 8:14, you are a tool.
You are right August 10, 2021 at 7:54 AM. We too are sick of the ones who think they are the only ones that matter. But rest assured, there a lot of us "oldies but goodies" who continue to fight for the changes that will help our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren have a better life. Really hoping it's not too late.
Finally! Retirement! Being strong enough to have stuck it out in a high stress career has given me great benefits. The biggest one is retirement in my 50's. Oh, I paid for it, trust me, there were some extremely hard days in those 30 years, but here I am, finally.
I always loved it here. Being a native Washingtonian, Long Beach Peninsula was heaven on earth. This was one of the goals in my head that kept me sane on some of those hard work days, Retire and move to the Pen. Well, here I am, regretting my purchase and quite honestly, despising this place. I feel like I'm back in the war zone again, with no end in sight.
You see, there are some real stressors out there for people. Stressors outside of one's control. Just because it's not happening to YOU doesn't mean it's not happening. This HOA drama is made up shit. Just crazy shit that is not important in the scheme of real life, piled on, stressors. Some of you have been out of the thick of things for so long, you believe this is the most important thing of all, HOA covenants. haha, well, you truly are living in the dark ages.
I'm going to give it another year, wait and see if the last couple goombas from the 'faction' get removed, but I have zero hope for joy to return. This HOA has ruined life long joy for this pen. Why? you might ask, fair enough, because I would have never imagined there be such a hateful, bitter, mess of people who live here now and have such disrespect for the State I was born and raised in. NEVER. I wish you would have stayed wherever it is you came from. Honestly.
Well said 11:11. I believe there is hope. We all stand together
We are Surfside United!!
11:11, we share and understand your pain. Many of us feel the same way. The way I look at it is, this is our last chance to fix it or lose it. We may be expecting more from the new Board than we should. Those of us, especially full time, keep having hope that the election will bring a long needed change. Never seems to happen. Many have given up that change will happen and don't want anything more to do with it. We have had many qualified members that have volunteered their time and talents, to only be disrespected. They then just walked away. This is just one of the reasons we have "hateful, bitter mess of people".
From what I have seen, most seniors here, just want to spend the rest of their days away from stress that they had during their working life. It is just a few who want to make being in your face and life their way of life. Well, the members are sick of it, including me.
As long as I can, which isn't long, I will hold every Trustee accountable and that includes the newly elected. There is no "honeymoon" or free ride. Do what you were elected to do...The will of the members. Do that and you have my support. I may be wrong, but that's how I see it.
In all honesty, HOA covenants and laws are really only beneficial for multi family dwellings. To have these imposed on single owner land violates state land owners rights and laws. I too am a native to Washington. HOA's on landowners was drug up here from California. Native's don't take to kindly to having their rights violated and that's a fact.
And you can tell who those people are. They are the ones that don't slow down and go to the other side of the road when they see walkers and bicycle riders. Even when there are children and dogs in the mix. They are ones who get aggravated when you stop your car or slow down to watch the deer or just simply drive slower because it's safer. Surfside is a neighborhood not a main thoroughfare. They are the ones who want to destroy all the trees where the birds and other wildlife live. The same trees that create clean air and stop erosion. We've been here a really long time and have felt what you are describing......the joy being sucked out of the place. Trying to stay optimistic that 7 of the 9 board members are hearing the message and will take a step back and truly evaluate where we are and where we want to be. I really think that's why Cori got the most votes. Her message of openness, listening and being kind really resonated with people.
August 10, 2021 at 11:51 AM makes a good point. Don't think at this point there is even a valid reason for most of these covenants. We should just follow county codes and leave people alone. Plain and simple.
Where I come from in Washington, if county/city code isn't being violated and we don't like what we see in the neighbors yard, we build a big ole fence and plant some huge fast growing trees or bushes and block out the ugly. But not here, no sireee, we have to suffer the ugly because the HOA thinks they know best for you and me. Dumb and dumber. Land owners should have freedom to block out anything they want. Oh, geez, look at that, I don't want a view and I still can't get satisfaction. This HOA is whack!
@ 814 and 925 I'm betting my next paycheck you are the very same person(s) who come on here and whine and cry if someone else calls someone a name. Grow up, you act and sound like you a kindergartner. You don't always get your way child.
Before we spend all kinds of time, effort money on reviewing the covenants, why not start by asking the members if they want them? Do you want HOA covenants or do you want to follow county codes? A mention was made about the water questionnaire somewhere on this blog. Don't really remember what the topic was but we do get reminders until we send it in. Use that same method to ask the question and figure out where the starting point should be.
Pay up @12:36, although I'm not expecting much.
Well, you got that right, "Child", nothing more to say about these tired old one liners. Wait, might add "simple" or "basic" to the mix. HA
I totally agree.
Amen to that brother.
When you talk about speeders...
I was passed in the 35 zone by Valerie Harrison last week Was! Was it that important you had to speed to the office?
I wonder how this crowd would feel about the ethics of a BOT member who apparently suffers from some kind of seizure disorder, and who actually told HOA employees to assume the liability, on behalf of the HOA, of not calling 9-1-1 if he "checks out" and to call his wife instead? Meanwhile this "trustee" drives around Surfside never knowing when he might "check out", endangering the lives of people, pets, wildlife and yes, even trees every time he gets behind the wheel. This “Trustee” poses a danger to the membership, physically and fiscally. Perhaps that type of unethical behavior should be investigated? How about the sheer arrogance of this individual using his position to pressure HOA employees? And you know, this guy would be first in line to get them fired and sue the HOA, if not calling 9-1-1 went sideways on him. Anyway, there's a little something for you all to chew on. A real threat to your lives and property.
Our Surfside Covenants are pretty basic, and were no doubt borrowed from other HOAs. Except for the Tree restrictions, very few compliance issues are cited annually, indicating that there seems to be very little need for widespread changes, beyond dismantling the Enforcement machine topping all community trees. Clearly the members favor eliminating this destructive intrusion of property rights, and returning Tree issues to verifiable individual conflicts between neighbors, as everything else is addressed.
Much in our documents mimics County ordinances, serving as a reminder that we must work cooperatively with the County as a large community. Local municipalities prefer HOAs as they help govern and take pressure off of their workforce, and resources in limited supply.
The BOT has been tasked with reviewing the covenants, but I think the need for widespread rewriting isn't there. The Board may want to solicit input from members on this. But dealing with the burden of the Tree issue would bring widespread peace to Surfside, removing a terrible aggravation for more than half of the owners in Surfside.
Insurance companies will deal with any dangerous tree issues between neighbors. True fact. If you notify your neighbor of a concern regarding a sick tree that could damage your person or property and they do not address the issue, call you homeowner's insurance company. They will handle it straight away. They have access to lots of information, including your neighbor, and it will be taken care of. Other than that, no one has rights to another persons landscape. I'm so sick of this. If someone's bush or flowers are hanging onto your property side, you have rights to trim everything straight up along your property if they won't maintain it. This covenant is stupid and it needs to stop right now. Trees come, trees go. I had a view of a whole field of trees. Guess what? Someone tore them all out and now there's a shop there. Get over it and work on your own yard.
Eleanor Roosevelt: “Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people.”
https://brandtlawgroup.com/tree-removal-tree-topping-disputes-washington/
Your View is not Your Right
Owners of real estate in Washington have never been afforded any blanket or automatic view right. This can be frustrating to many homeowners in this area, as we have some of the best views to offer. However, the only view rights that are available to homeowners are those that are provided in covenants, plats, or appropriate agreements recorded against the property or properties in question. We often see such covenants in homeowners associations that protect views within the community by limiting the height of homes, certain ancillary structures, foliage, and/or trees.
This statement gets circulated on the blog periodically. What we can say for certain is that these "controls" are a phoney prop to circumvent the intentions of State regulations.
The complete absence of any mention of views then begs the questions: 1) why would a community adopt regulations that prevent the growth of healthy natural trees ? 2) why would owners with treed properties be forced to bear the cost to benefit less than 15% of the membership ? 3) Why should it be acceptible to have hidden meanings or provisions in covenants, rather than demanding clear and concise wording in the community standards ? Protecting views while refusing to acknowledge it is blatantly deceptive governance.
How are they circumventing State regulations? It is clear that they are one lawful mechanism to protect views regardless of whether or not the rationale of protecting the view is clearly stated in the covenants. With regards to your other questions, those are what any person buying property here should be asking prior to completing their purchase. If you don't like the rules, don't buy. If you buy with the hope of changing and don't comply in the interim that responsibility is on you.
@10:45, you have just exposed someone's medical condition. A huge violation of hippa and a potential lawsuit
2:04 not a violation if the person with the condition is going around telling everyone he has it. It is very concerning we have a trustee telling employees how to handle his personal health emergency! The liability that could fall on the HOA could be huge if they were to do as he instructed. Very worrisome
The faction has just stooped to a new low. See 10:45. Anything to get a spot on the board!
I had no idea, Kurt had all that going on
There's no HIPPA violation unless the person talking about it is an official of the medical profession. Gawd- some of you are just really dumb.
12:56....It's not "clearly" anything. NOT stating the true objective of the restrictions is dishonest and intentionally deceptive.
It should be "clear" that nothing in our covenants is permanent. While some new buyers may get the covenants to read or may be given the internet site info, the details of enforcement are NOT clearly stated. This is a pitiful argument, and members of the community, a majority I am certain, want to do away with this covenant, and all of the pain and suffering it has caused.
The community looks like hell! There is no rational excuse to continue topping trees without evidence shown that they interfere with views, which they don't. No evidence needs to be verified, we just cut 'em, cut 'em all ! All based on a lie that views are obstructed.
If someone wants a DNR (Do not resuscitate) it must be on file in WRITING. However, a lay person (not medical official) would not be authorized to determine such an action and legally MUST call 911, they could just be choking and you let them die? Yeah, it doesn't work like that. And it is true, HIPPA applies to medical institutions/persons with firsthand knowledge/information.
Who is to say this person spreading all this info is not in the medical profession??? Anonymous is scared we will find out their name
George -- I know you don't like to edit the blog but would you consider deleting all of the posts related to someone's health which may or may not be true? It's taking us down a very unsavory road and has nothing to do with covenants, county codes, bylaw, BOT, etc. Don't know why someone would post something like this in the first place. Thank you.
@3:43 is there something wrong with you? Seriously? Medical staff is not on this blog all day giving two shits about what's happening in Surfside. SMH....Dunce cap award goes to YOU!
Surfside United, the new faction!
Surfside United the previous silent majority now speaks
Yesssss, what 9:20 said. It's very hard when you think you're alone.
I AM SURFSIDE UNITED!
@4:14, you don't have to be at work to violate hippa. Dumb de dumb dumb
OK, back to covenants. You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time. Or so said John Lydgate and Abraham Lincoln. That principle is very apparent when it comes to community rules of any kind. Try as you might, Surfside members will never produce a set of covenants that all will be happy with. Today’s freedom fighter will become tomorrow’s counter revolutionary. The only constant in the universe is not change, it is conflict. The next covenant change will result in new wounds and new conflict. Invest in conflict and enjoy the reward, strife.
It seems transparency and ethics are easy to campaign on, not so easy to live with.
So you're saying, we can't risk making covenant changes, because things might not get better. And I would suggest, don't breathe the air, because there might be pollutants or viruses in the air. Of course there are.
830 - then by all means go hide your head in the sand and hope things get better. Or do you want them to?
Well folks the secret meeting to oust the board president has failed! Not legal!!! The new regime is all ready started their attempted coup by having a secret meeting and getting Tom Rogers to join them. Wow, that’s all I can say, straight out of Patrick’s book! Let’s see what Cox has got to say now! What a mess you have voted into place!!! Folks that don’t know how to run a HOA. Larry knows better since he has been a trustee before! I’m concerned now for our community in the hands of rebels who think they know what their doing!
Unbelievable! So what, they are ok doing illegal activities? All we've heard is how they are going to do right by the members and now they haven't even had one board meeting under their belt and they had secret meeting that is against the RCW's?? WTH is going on Larry? Shame on you all, absolutely disgusting. Who is the liar now Ronda??
I don't know what you folks are talking about, but to start with, Minich went behind the Board's back, and blocked the Annual Meeting motions, which he has no authority to do.The president has NO authority to make community decisions without consulting the entire Board.
In his 2 statements to the community , he didn't even mention the actions he took or why, so not only did he take aggregious actions without Board notice or approval, he has refused to be honest about it.
The other Board members have the authority to meet in private and take actions against HIM removing him from the presidents role. They elected him and he immediately proved himself unworthy of trust.
The new Board members did not create this mess, the sore losers insisted that like Trump, you just deny the truth and pretend it didn't happen.
We see here the olde guard minions quick to turn this into part of a secret scheme. There was no such intent, and only Minich and Lofstrom have created this mean mess. They have it in their heads that if the other guys prevailed, it was a "conspiracy", had they won the election, it was due to their wholesome intentions. Hardeharharhar. That's hilarious.The truth will be revealed. Members want change, and to end the serfdom to ridgetop owners. Down with the Tree destruction regime.
There was a letter by 5 trustees given to Ric after their secret meeting, which was last night. Why don't you call your new trustees and ask them, I'm sure we'll be seeing the letter soon. Better yet, George, why don't you ask Larry why they held a secret meeting and let us all know what the hell is going on
Has anyone gotten a notice about the crack down on the covenants?
Transparency and honesty. I thought that's what we voted for. Looks like we got frauds and liars instead.
Fugues Cox would put his spin on the new trustees illegal activities! Blame others that’s his answer? Wow! What a putz!
Rules for thee but none for me. -The Gang of Five
Please Steve, drop the Trump comparison! Sleepy Joe and his group have done nothing but allow an influx of Covid-19 infected illegals into our country while the VP laughs about the border!
Please keep your blog comments related to Surfside and not the Nation, because understand if we followed Federal Law we would not be in this position with the HOA!
Thank you 7:56. Steve's TDS is very tiring, sure he never goes a night without CNN or MSNBC, happily sitting there with a big glass of kool-aid. And now Steve, in 3.....2.....1.....go
@ 3:09
PLEASE GO TROL A DIFFERENT BLOG, YOU DON’T KNOW SHIT!
I always find it interesting how powerful a person believes themselves to be when they can hind behind the name anonymous.
There are issues beyond just the height of the trees here. A big issue is the trees themselves. What they offer our community as a whole, provide for our earth and protect our personal environments is priceless. Every tree that is shortened to its death or dug up and destroyed harms our wildlife and keeps us from protecting our humble abodes.
Some people seem to forget that we are a coastal town. We have high winds, wet winters, and temperate summers. With that, we have placed trees as windbreakers, water suckers, and shade. Our trees provide a place for birds, squires, and bats to hide and raise their young.
Most of you also probably realize that we are at or just slightly above sea level. That causes its own set of problems. How many of you have septic systems? Well, if they are in the ground, and the water level around your house rises, that system will start to rise out of the ground and take all your plumbing with it.
If the trees are removed or cut too low, those people on J street will start to feel, and soon see, the effects of the wind and sand on their homes. Ask those who were on the Peninsula before the trees were here. Ask them what the sand storms did to their houses. We won't even talk about where you find sand when all the windbreakers are gone. Get out your brooms and q-tips.
I do not see this as a "tree hugger" issue, as one person put it. Trees, ground cover, bushes, and grass help us control the world around us. Without the addition of nature, Surf Side would be, as one of the ladies in the Surf Side office loves to say, "Just a sand dune with standing water."
I can't speak for everyone, but when I bought my home, I bought it because it was sitting in the middle of a forest, I was surrounded by trees.
Over the last few years, I've seen most of them pulled out leaving the lot barren or covered with scattered bushes or worse yet, with screaming trees that quickly turn to grey trunks that make the area look sick and anemic.
I fight for the tree! So, I'm elated that we have a new board of people who speak for the trees.
I pray that I will see you ALL at the meeting on August 21, 2021
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Meet the new boss, same as the old boss...
Disappointment and hypocrites.
Honesty, Transparency, and Communication with all members. Wasn't that the Surfside United rallying cry? Give the new board members time to find out what ALL the members want. Wasn't that the ask?
You all know if the situation was reversed you would be demanding accountability and responsibility.
If you want to remove the President due it in a transparent manner with a motion at the board meeting.
Tom Rogers - disappointed. You know you may have to be the center of the board between two disparate sides. Instead of acting with integrity you appear to have chosen a side.
Cori Harms - disappointed. You expressed you wanted time to learn what all wanted and to represent all. It appears you will not be able to have the independent voice you platformed.
Surfside United is just another Faction. Only a polling of all members will determine what the majority really wants.
Here, here!
Thank you Candace!
9:15....You are just making stuff up ! Only the Board knows what has taken place, beyond Minich's actions to ignore the member motions. We will soon know for sure, within a couple of weeks.
Excuse me 7:56, but if you are going to bring covid into a conversation at least educate yourself. Florida, when it comes to percentages, is more of a problem then the illegals. It's the covidiots that has created the latest surge across the country. Other than holding people down and vaccinating them what more can Biden or anyone else do?
And to Candace:
First off, no trees are going to protect J place from wind and sand. That is something they have to live with. Also your statements are flawed and only an opinion when it comes to the high wind storms we get here. I suggest you read up on the storms in the past that happened in Astoria and Manzanita for example and you will see that not only were trees not helpful, they cause more damage. Or look at the Gulf and Florida coast. Except for palm trees you would be considered foolish to have tall trees in a hurricane prone area for the same reason, they cause more damage. Also, there is no shortage of areas for wildlife here. I've followed the trees covenants and have all that wildlife you mentioned and more.
You say you bought your home because it was sitting in a forest. Obviously if your place is on the west side your neighbors weren't following the covenants. I'm always puzzled why people who want to live in a forest buy here than some place else. I bought here because of the covenants and wanted to live in a coastal area, not a forest. That is why I didn't buy on the east side of the peninsula or any other area like up in the mountains.
Did you know minich wants to run the August 21st board meeting by zoom. He is afraid of people showing up to hold him responsible
He is very afraid.
Give it up Ric
Did you know Ric and Tracy have been consulting with our attorney behind closed doors... aww transparency, honesty
Did you know Annette is emailing a letter to people spreading rumors about our board...aww the faction is falling apart at the seams
If you buy in the forest, someone comes along and logs the trees. If you buy at the beach, someone comes along and plants a tree. It's just life. If you don't own ALL the property as far as the eye can see, you have no options. NONE.
Exactly 9:15, I agree 100%. Let's look at some facts here.
A couple years back we had a group who showed up to the annual meeting trying to remove Trustees that the membership had voted in. Thankfully it failed. You didn't see any of the dreaded J place faction do that did you? Not even Patrick, who they should have since he didn't do the honorable thing and resigned when he put his place up for sale.
Now we have a group who has removed someone from the executive board. Again, something that J place faction hasn't done.
Everything this new group has complained about when it comes to past boards they are doing as well while hiding behind the statement that they are for all members, which is now apparent was only lip service. And this is in the first month!
Yes Candace ! Great post and common sense!
Oh yes 10:04 anonymous you guys are so worried about storms and tall trees ! Give me a break, drive over the ridge to the east side of this HOA! You have to be joking!
And you think the president should have the power to overturn the members votes from the July meeting? No communication, just complains given out! The president of a board dies not have the right to make decisions on his own! Check the by-laws if you doubt this! This new board is following the CC&Rs to rightfully remove someone who has overstepped his bounds!
The problem with Ric is he doesn’t know how to listen to what members are saying!
@10:31, AMEN!!
The majority of these anonymous comments aimed at the new trustees is written by a select angry few because for the first time in forever, The faction does not control the board anymore. We can all breathe a sigh of relief
915 - utter crap!
Going to drive the old faction political agenda! It was crap then, it's crap now!
You know nothing about the new board members, but you're already banging on them. Typical. Find people who don't agree with you, argue and intimidate.
We are tired of that crap.
Quit your gaslighting, you don't have the skills for it.
1015 - another faction supporter who's spouting the needs of all members, while trying to save the privileges of the few.
Funny how when that was promoted to the board,from thr opposite side, people were argued with, marginalized, vilified, and ignored. You conveniently ignore that.
I really don't care who runs the place, as long as they operate with honesty, transparency, and communication. You and your people have already proven successfully they cannot operate with ethics and honesty. Nice bunch to support. So we move on.
@7:42/Mr. Dunbar - typical response from your side. Just insults and stating you are right and the other side wrong. I believe in compromise and @7:42's post points out how your "side" is only focused only on doing what they need to win. You believe you are right - my way or the highway. No different than the other side that believes they are right. Spin how you want, this underhanded move by Surfside United lost some more center supporters.
Please do explain how this meeting met the Honesty, Transparency, and Communication ideals Surfside United spouts.
906 - where do you think we learned the response? What meeting?
The only thing that you are upset about, is that it's not your agenda being driven. There is absolutely nothing underhanded about people wanting to have a say in their homeowners association.
We want and require honesty, transparency, and communication. You seem to be against that..hmm.
Keep spinning.
It should be called Surfside Deadbeats United. That's what you are. You're just bunch of no-good bums trying to weasel out of your obligations. Most of us live up to our ends of agreements. You're a special interest group. You don't represent the majority. You only represent a majority of those who voted on a given day. That's the majority of about 25% of the membership. All you fools are going to do is get the HOA sued by the people whose property values you intend to slash with your misguided attempt to free yourself of the cost of maintaining your properties per the covenants. Dumb and dumberer, that is Surfside United.
@9:49
Tu quoque - is that the best you can do?
Please advise how the private meeting with only five of the sitting board members meets your requirement of honesty, transparency, and communication?
Keep spinning.
Surfside Divided
1006 - thank you for giving a clear representation of exactly what we are fighting!
Once again, your projection and gaslighting skills are weak. You accuse us of doing the same stuff you've been doing for over a decade now. How does it feel to have the shoe on the other foot? Probably pretty uncomfortable
BTW - that 25% was the largest turnout in recent memory. Care to guess why?
Just an FYI, our good ol ric was going to call the August 21st meeting by zoom only. He is afraid to many members will show up.
Hmmmm, first they bitch nobody ever shows up, now they ate scared because they want to show up.
Oh and this was his decision only, not any other board members involved
@11:14
The argument is okay to do because someone else did it is weak. Try harder.
Regarding the largest turnout, that isn't reflected in the vote counts. It is similar to 2019 (#'s that can be found here on the blog).
That is false. The previous 3 elections had a few votes over 300 to last years, about 275. This year's total was over 500.
The actions of the president cannot be justified, and were not within his authority. That is the issue here- not how the Board, who have not yet held a monthly Board Meeting, are trying to deal with his defiant lawlessness. They have to do something to make it clear that the president of the HOA does not have magical powers or ANY authority without approval of the Board. Read the Bylaws.
TRUSTEE RESULTS
Trustee Name Votes
MARIANN SCHWEITZER 349
DANIEL NEPTUNE 348
TOM ROGERS 341
GARY WILLIAMS 301
STEVE COX 6
JON KAKULA 1
PATRICK CROCKER 1
DUWAYNE MATT 1
RONALD McMURPHY 1
70-604 ELECTION YES: 415 NO: 28
2021 BUDGET FOR: 396 AGAINST: 52
Election Results
Board Trustees and officers......
Elected Trustees:
James Clancy
Kurt Olds
Ric Minich
New Officers:
President.....Scott Winegar
Vice President....Gary Williams
Secretary....Kurt Olds
Treasurer....Rudd Turner
Not a Board member said...
Oh Boo-Hoo.
You act as though it is only the J placers who vote. Like it or not the majority who actually care about the HOA enough to be interested in voting, voted. They chose who they wanted, deal with it.
Digest this for a moment, Steve. Get past your great J place conspiracy for a moment and imagine yourself as a member who doesn't live by the blog. They look at the candidates running and see some that have a record of donating time for the community. They see some who don't. They see some who make the time to show up at board meetings. They see some who don't. They see some who bother to answer questions to be published and some who don't. There is even one interesting candidate who provides nothing, I guess thinking that his name alone is enough to get him elected. Take that all that into consideration and who would you vote for? But of course it is easy to ignore all that right?
Be honest, part of the plan was if elected you would have been on here saying the people have spoken, if not the great and evil J place conspiracy was to blame.
BTW, not that you're ever opened to it, a bit of advice. If you should run next year, and believe it or not I hope you do. I feel the more candidates the better and I respect those that step up even if my opinions are different than theirs, except for Riley. But if you do, work on some public speaking skills. As prolific as you are in blogging you need some work in that department.
July 13, 2019 at 9:27 PM
That may be YOUR issue but not the issue being discussed here. And when you say "the board" you mean your select faction of the board. Otherwise it would have been dealt with in the open with all trustees. Deny, deflect.
Surfside Divided
You had better inform the entire membership of all the possible and probable legal expenses that will be incurred as a result of this insanity. Big assessments will be coming to the membership and we should be informed of those possibilities before we vote on covenant changes. Have you even looked into what this could cost us?
Based on what evidence 12:04? Show us facts or stop the fear mongering.
Some people sit and bite and their nails, other sit and eat popcorn. I'm choosing popcorn. All these fear based comments are nonsense. Keep rocking away in that chair and being scared of the world. We will take care of your grand/great grand children's future. Getting kinda sick of cleaning up your messes and then listening to you justify it with mindless drivel.
I am Surfside United and you Ric Munich need to step down and let someone more suitable take the position. After reading the Weekender the last few weeks it’s clear you are not able to handle being President nor did you want to be. Please do us all a favor and step aside.
I'm not proposing the changes. It is incumbent on those seeking the changes to divulge the facts. Don't blame me for asking the question because you haven't done your homework.
Is HOA meeting now Zoom only??
Agreed 12:38. 3 weeks in a row of bullshit. Step aside old man
Correct, Ric is afraid of people showing up. The barn burner meeting, meaning lasting a long time, is not something he can handle. Hell he can't handle writing anything positive
If indeed Kurt has problems with seizures the reason he does not want the office to call 911 is because Washington DMV will take his drivers license away for a minimum of 6 months. He should not be behind the wheel of a car if he is having seizures. This should be grounds for removal of him from the BOT. He is clearly not making the best decisions.
Hiding behind the internet just shows weakness. Pres defied surfside United to show up then hides when we plan to do just that. I am Surfside United.
1219 - based on the fact you're gonna get sued, likely in a class action sort of way. Speaking personally, the appointment with my attorney is already set.
They are talking about Tom Rogers, not Kurt. Rogers has been heard telling my neighbors the same thing
I also stand with Wallace, this is not right and indicates unwillingness to address issues head on. The current president of HOA is not handling this quagmire of a HOA well at all. The people spoke loudly at annual meeting and the one issue that stood out was the Tree covenant. Why are people still receiving tree cutting demands? A wiser leader would take a pause and think. I am unfamiliar with Surfside United but will now seek to join them and support them wholeheartedly.
Leave the seizure nonsense alone. Really, you have no idea what you are talking about. If a person is diagnosed with a disorder that will hinder their driving abilities, trust me, their doctor can/will/must notify the DMV. The convo about this is disturbing and lacking any relevance.
Now, until you sue happy, attorney lovers come up with facts on what has actually transpired that is 'illegal', you too are out of gas, or full of it, whichever you prefer.
Additionally, no one with half a brain in any type of offensive or defensive position divulges their playbook. You can stop whining about the cloak and dagger of the new board members now. It's obvious you have no clue how to take care of serious business.
There's the facts right there. Have a great day!
I am Surfside United! or Untied- for all those spelling police who come out of the woodwork when they don't have a legitimate thought.
Dictatorship is a form of government in which absolute power is concentrated in a dictator or a small clique.
Dictators, including Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Napoleon and Kim Jong-un, reveal what happens when one person is given unchecked power. These autocrats ruled their countries - and often attacked and invaded others - using excessive force to wield absolute control.
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