We got less...
I was not able to get on zoom to be able to watch the Board Meeting. All I know is what I pick up here and there and from blog comments. I would appreciate it if those who did attend or view the meeting, share with the rest of us what happened. Skip the insulting remarks about each other and share the facts so that we are informed.
So, the Board President was not removed? That seemed like a sure thing . There was no action on the Annual Meeting motions? Why do they make a motion and pass on civility? And not on the really important issues?
I have not been able to remove or delete all the really insulting personal comments. At least it shows that there are a few among us who are capable to stooping to any level to make a point. Those same points can be done without hurtful, hateful attacks. I removed one about me that was posted yesterday stating the world would be a better place after I was gone. This really hurts when I just have limited time left. I suspect it is the same person who made remarks about my wife and soulmate. They will be judged by a higher authority than myself. They have my pity.
183 comments:
Even if the member motions were deemed illegal, why couldn't the board members make their own motions? Board members make all kinds of motions at the monthly board meetings.
Because they don't want to. Because they are all weak. These months we've spent trying to save "our" views from savage destruction are not important. Only some people's rights are worthy while others are not. It's the way of the world. I've been moving my entire life trying to get ahead of the backhoe and the land clearing yet here I am once again, on the market. It's really sad not being able to find inner peace in this world of gentrification californication. Soon, real soon, my views will be gone because neighbors are not willing to keep trimming so they eradicate, they don't want to be bothered because this is just a vacation home for them. For me though, it's not. But hey, I guess my rights never start anywhere, everyone else's just keep plowing forth without any concern for anyone else. My only great fortune is I didn't procreate. Not sure why I continue to care about environmental issues, it's other's children who will suffer. I guess, this is my revenge although it still feels pretty shitty.
Sounds like the newly elected did not stand together, and let the seated Trustees and attorney dictate.
In all honesty, we should have known. Anyone who wears that red shit can't be trusted. It's all about them and it's just empty lip service you know. Sure glad I didn't go against my ethics and vote for the traitor, people like that just can't be trusted, ever.
Mark, run again next year. We got you!
Yesterday’s meeting results were disappointing in that the new board members didn’t seem to make a significant impact on the current tree covenant’s. The motions made at annual meeting were not given attention that expressed true concerns of our community. My question to newly elected is why you are not representing the people who supported your campaign and got you elected?
The meeting was an unmitigated disaster for anyone who supports truth and honesty.
New Board members were intimidated by the J Place faction. Gary Williams pulled Minich's puppet strings for over 5 hours. No one else could listen or comment. Zoom was a joke.
Self interest and naked greed wins....again.
Does anyone else see the outright hypocrisy in these people passing a code of civility?
Naked greed = Weasling out of your obligations to save a few bucks.
Blue = Criminal incompetence, deceit & disloyalty
Red = Greatness
@12:21 No really, it is our great fortune that you didn't procreate. You had the right not to purchase here, you chose not to exercise that right and signed up to live by the covenants instead. Again... our great fortune. Thank you so very much.
People, be of good cheer. I sat outside the meeting for hours. The board room was locked, windows shuttered, internet zoom sound was muzzled. This is not the action of someone seeking your best interest. Distrust can only grow as secrecy spreads. Eventually people will seek manumission.
Sorry,7:16 was me. Forgot to type my name
many years, months and days of hope for good tidings for this community come to a grinding halt in just a few wasted hours. Congratulations to you J placers. Your board members secret meetings were obviously more productive than the new board members secret meetings. Its obvious the meeting member participants at this meeting were hand picked for the hit job, and the new board members melted into a ball of mush. Nice work J Pl people, but sooner than later, the dunes will screw your beloved "view". Wish I could be around to see your heirs response to that. Move along folks, no change to be found here. Only really good thing here is its a wonderful time for profit taking. Need to get that going before the subduction zone has its final say on things here. Perhaps one last clam dig this fall will be in order. Cheers to all the good hearted folks here in SS.
It was loudly announced at the beginning of the Annual Meeting that Robert's rules of order would be followed in their proceedings. Roberts prescribes the necessary procedures of establishing a quorum, which is a total of the votes cast by mail and the in-person attendence.
Quorum was about 210, and oddly enough, the max allowed in the gymnasium was about 219. The total vote count was over 500. Attempts at making motions early in the meeting were stalled by Williams until the end of the meeting.
But Roberts Rules of Order specify that the quorum exists for the meeting until it is adjourned, unless a formal question of presence of a quorum is made. With 2 lawyers in the room, no one made a formal question of the quorum, and Pres. Gary Williams pronounced the motions as "passed".
By no stretch were the member motions "illegal" and invalid. The HOA has taken breaks from enforcement efforts for several weeks at a time, a "moratorium" in other words - so there's nothing new or radical about the motion.
None of the motions were extreme or unreasonable, and were/are mostly asking for review of practices and policies. People want to be able to vote on covenant changes, but the Board has blocked thst effort.
The B. Secretary, Marianne, refused to put that Bylaw change proposal on the agenda, but she did allow the lengthy presentation of a mean-spirited proposal to allow Board members to be sued for their choices in voting on issues that some members may not like.
State Law specifically bans any legal suits targeting individual Trustees. So this was the choice made by the B. Secretary as a measure she thought was worthwhile for the Boad's time - a State- banned provision.
659-you are a pathetic excuse for a human being!
It's the naked greed of your J Place buddies that won yesterday.
6:59 is a black heart and has to live with it. A sub-human species created by the satan who now walks this earth. Ignore the toxic slime. 4:51 Yes- it was not on deaf ears, just wondering how this is going to apply to office staff. Will they get penalized? 8:07am, true that, clam on, perfectly said.
i'm going out into the state owned dunes sections and making sure there's lot of pine tree saplings and seeds dispersed. Good luck fighting the state to cut their trees, heeeeheeeeeeeeeee
@10:49 The black hearts belong to those who refuse to honor their commitments. You're the assholes trying to screw your neighbors because you're jealous of their views, money etc. You wear your inferiority complexes on your sleeves like nazi armbands. What a pathetic group.
It is extremely difficult to change a selfish intolerant person. If you try to “help” them by confronting them, it's just going to make THEM defensive and YOU disappointed and hurt. Eventually, the multiple failed relationships will make them realize that their greedy selfishness is causing their relationship failures.
How can we reduce their impact on our health and quality of life? Try:
1) lowering your expectations;
2) limiting your time with them; and
3) building wonderful rewarding relationships with unselfish people.
There are no written commitments to provide views to ridgetop owners. There IS a commitment we all have to our Covenants, and that is to make certain our governance is fair and equal and entirely absent of partiality. THAT is written in our Surfside documents.
About 300 ridgetop homes never pay a dime for the luxury of demanding about 1500 households TOP their trees, which obviouly kills them all over time.
It's a stupid and predatory policy, not sanctioned by the State of Washington, and cautioned to never do, by professional Arborists.
Wanting a fair and environmentally sound policy does not constitute "having a black heart". You are selfish and delusional.
11:01 and 11:34-
Hey. can we look at why and how Surfside United failed. Can we figure out how to make it successful?
Should we rename this community coalition and its guiding principles?
A community coalition is a multisectoral group that addresses community needs and focuses on local issues to bring about community change.
Jesus take the wheel, before you all blast the meeting please consider this was the first one after weeks of turmoil. Also consider who voted for the Civility Code, that should tell you all you need to know. J placers may have won this round with the help of our lame lawyer but they will not win the next round. I’m sure they are learning along the way about the rules and regulations of a quorum. No one is perfect and you were not there to witness what went on I suggest you take a breath and give them some time to accomplish what they sent forth to do.
I am Surfside United and it’s alive and well.
11:47 The answer is that Surfside United isn't an organization. It is an idea. The concept that fairness should win, mean spiritedness should loose. The idea that Skyfolk can treat others like lawn ornaments is wrong. Noble concepts dont loose , sometimes it just takes time
What doesn't kill us makes us stronger
Stand a little taller
What doesn't kill us makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean we are done
just 'cause J-Placers won
@August 22, 2021 at 11:56 AM
You can continue to be fooled by the surfside united idea, I, however, am out. I will take care of me, myself and I. I won't be used like a tool to promote additional self interests. Even Marianne is a huge disappointment.
And there is also a very deeply sad, hurt, person who continues to come on here and reply in the most disturbing ways (6:59 and 10:57). Only someone who has suffered greatly as a child and never received the love they deserve would respond like this. Just know, you didn't deserve it, you are worthy. Please find a way to start loving yourself. I'm sending you a virtual hug today.
If surfside united is a concept and not an organization, and fairness should win, and mean spiritedness should loose. Then let’s all unite and be kind to one another and stop the division. We are all surfside community members, and we all deserve to be respected with dignity.
I absolutely loved what you put that. Sky people using the lower people as yard ornaments. That is exactly what it is. They act like they own everything below them. That is extremely eye-opening!
How long has the tree covenant been in the HOA? Probably longer than most people who have lived here in surfside. We are not seeing our new Bot members up hold the promises on which they were elected on.
There are other view lots that are not on J place!
Yet people seem to always slam the J place!!
I am a full time surfside resident and I see people who want to change it here to be more like a vacation place, party town for family and friends. People who speed through our streets, toss trash around while driving around or visiting our beaches, playing loud music and even trespassing through private property! I for one want a clean, safe, friendly and low key place to live. But that's not what is here anymore! When we purchased our place we were aware of the Bot members guidelines and covenants and still went ahead with our purchase. We didn't agree with all of them but still chose to purchase our place.
Did you read the covenants before you purchased your property? Did your realtor talk to you about them? Did you ask questions? When signing your documents you too had agreed with them!
If you don't like the covenants that you agreed to you have that right to sell and move!
The natural environment offers beauty and joy and peace to this community.
Only the J-Placers have a venomous hatred for trees? Chop off the heads of any tree growing west of J-Place. J-Placers want all trees to DIE.
Trees cannot help growing here. They cannot move. People can easily move and walk if a tree is in their way.
Trees were here before people came here and dominated all living things here. Shouldn't people be kind toward all living things?
Is this community only for the joy of J-Placers? J-Placers insist All people and ALL trees bow down and obey and serve them.
This HOA only cares about J-Place people. Nothing else, especially NO Trees.
Surfside united is not a failed group, it is a part of our community uniting together to work together!
You will see shortly a group formed to review and evaluate tree heights and Covenants.
Olds can't continue to say a 16 ft tree blocks his view when G street is set at 24 ft. Maybe it's not the water he wants a view of...
The reason why some rules are not working is because they are unfair.
Yes, there are some people who will bow down when pressured by illogical rigid enforcement. But wise people will protest illogical rules.
Rules are made to be broken when they are insane (ALL trees must DIE).
The rules aren't insane, you are. Don't like the rules? Leave and find someplace you do like. How stupid do you have to be to think people should change just because you feel inconvenienced. Go away!
Like I said I am not a J placer and I have a view!
If I was to have purchased a lower level lot I would follow the covenants!
I personally don't like some of the covenants but yet I still follow them because I chose to live here.
@2:08 I am not sure if one should suggest that he wants to look at something else! That is just not cool!
Why hasn't the new Bot demand that all members should be able to attend, view and listen the meeting's? Where is the transparency that we were told they would do things?
There is places for sale on J place for purchase you want the tall tree's. There is places all along the peninsula as well with tall trees for sale. Again I ask the question of whether you were aware of the covenants before you had purchased your property?
It's a legitimate question?
@2:56
I agree with you on that!
It's like speeding in a school zone and getting a ticket for that! You know what is going to happen and you have a choice to follow the rules for everyone!
Trees and other living things were here before you. If you cannot live or tolerate trees and other living things, then you should leave because they are part of the natural environment. They get along with other living things- you do not. You are only interested in your view from your house. You only care about yourself. If you cannot live peacefully with other living things in a natural environnment community- you should leave.
@3:18
How can you judge me when you have never met me? I have tree's on my property but you judge me?
I go to state and federal parks to enjoy the old growth tree's. I support our wildlife, streams, oceans and rivers! You have no right to make judgment on me! I don't use chemicals in my yard because I don't want to harm our wildlife!
Maybe you should be the one to move being you are so unhappy with the covenants laws?
If you insist on rigid enforcement of the tree covenant, all trees west of J-Place must DIE. Is that logical, is it good for other living things?
Having No trees west of J-Place would result in an artificial unnatural enviornment. Trees are an important part of the natural ecosystem- we need to try to maintain all parts and pieces in order to live in a natural envionment.
Since you believe in rigid enforcement and no discussion of the tree covenant, you are destroying the natural environment that this community has been blessed with for hundreds of years. The most important thing to you is an UNNATURAL view from your house.
Newsflash to 8:07
Hate to break it to you (actually not), but unless the dunes somehow magically get a few feet higher than the condo's my beloved "view" isn't going anywhere.
Now to you and others who have been commenting, let me see if I understand you correctly. Before and after the election there has been a great deal more J place hate going around than normal, by your comment one must assume you are one of those. All the people on J are blamed for everything that is wrong including for some odd reason you and your like's decision to buy here. A group of people you cheered on ran and got elected who also used anti J rhetoric in their campaigns. Now after the first board meeting where "your" Trustees did as they saw fit, you all are upset about it and are now............................................
BAMING THE J PLACERS/!!!!!!!!!!!
To be this fixated is unhealthy. Maybe take a break, enjoy the weather and get out and about before it changes. Maybe moving is ultimately what you need to do. I hope you find your Shangri-La, I truly do. But if I could just make one suggestion....
DON"T BUY INTO A HOA!!!
Just a reminder to Cox.
Views were written at one time. They took it out when the decision was made to have the tree height equal to the maximum building heights. Since there was a measurable cap the term wasn't needed.
I respect and get along with other living things in nature. I get along with the people and trees and other living things west of J-Place. Im going to protest these rules against them.
What doesn't kill us makes us stronger
Stand a little taller
What doesn't kill us makes a fighter
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn't mean we are done
just 'cause J-Placers won
Since the comment are closed on the other topics:
How can anyone, with how things have been going on here and the rest of the world, be against civility? Seriously, how can that be? Most reasonable people would feel that should be at least one thing we all could agree on but apparently not.
Time for a beach walk. Enjoy yourselves.
@3:53
Why are you so fixated on J place or places that have a view? Did you not have the opportunity to look at other property before you had purchased yours? Like I said I am not a j placer nor do I live on J place!
What gives you the right to be mean, hateful and just down right disrespectful because someone paid more money for the higher elevation property?
Life is short so enjoy it. Stop pushing your beliefs onto others because you are not happy. Go plant some tree's! That's what I do if I want more tree's.
I order tree's from Arbor day fondation every year and I buy extra to give away to others.
If you want I would be happy to pay for some and have them shipped to you so you too can plant some. Just give me a name and address I can place the order today!
A motion passed on civility? That is like trying to legislate morality. Our members have just cause to start a riot, not over civility, but over actions. These things being pushed on the members is more than a few nasty words. It is effecting their very way of living.
How members can say and express their views and opinions is nothing more than an assault on free speech. Free speech is far more important than "Civility" any day of the week. Our newly elected Trustees need to return to the real world. No amount of sweet talk will change the evil intent of the few who are among us.
As I have stated many times...Fix it or get rid of it. From what I have seen, the first meeting of the "New Board" has proved to be disappointing. If this is an indication of what we can expect, we are doomed to fail.
Go look at the photos in the lobby of the office. No they were not here before us.
George's self-importance knows no bounds.
Dear lost hope:
Why would anyone plant a tree only to be told to destroy said tree in a few years? Your post is contradictory to what you preach. Go plant a tree if you want trees but follow the covenants? What? Makes no sense. Since moving here, I have noticed plants of all kinds thrive in a way unseen inland. The environment makes the perfect recipe for prolific growth.
Additionally, if you have a view, are not a J placer, AND get to have trees in your landscape, not sure why you begrudge anyone else to want the same things, regardless of whether this is an HOA or not. Sounds like you have got it all. Perhaps it is YOU who should just relax and enjoy it and not worry about your neighbors. I know I sure would, had I been so lucky to score your place.
I must admit there are some nice people on J-Place who understand and care about people west of J-Place and do not agree with chopping the heads off all trees west of J-Place. They prefer a more natural looking environment and helping animals and birds survive.
I will protest the rigid enforcement of rules when they make no sense, hurt people and living things, and do NOT meet the intent of the purpose and need for the rule.
When many members protest the rigid enforcement of illogical and unfair rules, the Board of Trustees should at least discuss the issue and clearly describe the purpose and need of the tree covenant.
That's all I am asking because I think most people in this HOA are reasonable and will agree that illogical unfair rules should only be enforced when necessary to meet "the true purpose and need of the rule".
I agree 5:17, I have met some awesome, generous people on J. Too bad it has a bad rap. It's not an entire blanket of greed and I hope most people realize this. Unfortunately, the board padded their open seats and elections in years past with those on the greed side, giving it this moniker.
We see you, we hear you, we know you are there, and we appreciate your support!
OH lost hope, you want answers, I think 5:01 summed up pretty much everything, although one last question you had. Why did you buy here, in this HOA? Didn't your realtor go over this with you? The answer is NO, the realtors boast this as the best option, with newer homes, and the best bang for your buck. They hide things on inspections by hiring their friends. They are greedy and want those high dollar sales just like everyone else in this world. Greed is powerful. As for moving, trust me I'm looking but unfortunately, all that is left is over-priced, aged out manufactured homes in the center of the pen where old bogs and streams still pop up in the winter. Please let me know if you ever consider selling. Sounds like you hit the jackpot with the best of all worlds in this HOA.
Warning, Tom Rogers a sitting trustee is out and about spewing misinformation about how they are trying to manipulate the board, he has talked today at the compactor and in the neighborhood about their plans. Folks this is and was also a Patrick tactic when he did not get his way as a trustee a couple of years back. You know Betsy is behind some of this. Tom has admitted his relationship with Surfside United and is spilling his guts all over the neighborhood! About their plans and how Ric got to keep his job? He and his wife are also not allowed in the office due to past profanity laden outbursts! Here we go again! Ask Larry why he abstained one if his votes! Very interesting! Stay tuned for more misbehavior! And you folks thought the last bunch was bad! Wow!
No one is foolish enough to think that everyone on J Pl. has the same attitude, but in 50 years,no J Pl. Owners have made an attempt to change a policy that is entirely based on the views from the ridge. No one has offered to contribute to the huge cost shouldered ONLY by owners of trees west of the ridge.
No one on J.has proposed ANY other possibilities, or just eliminating the policy altogether. JPl owners have made every effort to dominate the Board, with as many as 8 of the 9 seats occupied by J pl. owners about 3 or 4 years ago.
There are bloggers who make vicious statements about J Pl.owners, but the people like myself who explain why it is wrong to continue such a policy (and sign my name), don't express hate. Hating people I don't know serves no purpose. Trying to change a broken system does serve a purpose.
People like you who make these blanket statements as if I am buddies with the haters, or have any clue who these anonymous bloggers are, don't bother to distinguish my comments from the nasty ones. You don't want to accept that you have no right to expect this policy to continue.
And few if any are just jealous. I have a beautiful place on G St., and though we considered buying on the ridge, we like it where we are, though the view is not of the Ocean.
Times change and this policy needs to end permanently.
The only problem I have with this entire chat is that everyone who's speaking the loudest is afraid to tell us who they are. They are willing to put out names and addresses and other information about people that they're not liking right now, but they're not willing to tell us who they are. So anyone who comes through as anonymous should probably not be listened to. We don't even know who they are or if they're even part of Surfside estates. I know there are people called what trolls out there that are just in it for a fight. I think we have a right to know who our trolls are if they truly want to be heard.
I plant tree's with keeping in mind the size and needs of them and my neighbors.
I also keep in mind of the wildlife and what I can provide for them.
There are things that are ridiculous in the covenants and yes I do believe that they need to be adjusted.
But with that being said I still don't go around jumping to judgment when I don't know someone.
In this day in age people are more likely to judge their neighbors before knowing who they are.
Just so everyone knows, NONE OF THE NEW BOARD VOTED FOR CIVILITY. We could hear the meeting, but not see it, Tom was a total idiot. His brain was all over the place. Civility pass ing is not due to any of the new board. They were looking out for everyone.
@9:52 - good to hear they aren't for civility. Not really surprised though.
Just to be clear, BLESS you, new board members. However you vote. Out of more than 2000 possible candidates, You entered the firing line. You stood up. Thank you very one.
OK so first it's the trees in the lowlands. Then because the trees are gone the skypeople realize it's now the lights that are a problem!
So when the lights are finally taken care of what's next in the skypeople's view?
Covenant on the color of your roofs perhaps? After all we can't have that hodgepodge of roof colors impacting our magnificent vistas!
to August 22, 2021 at 11:02 PM - The new board members didn't vote against the "code of civility" because they don't want people to be civil to one another. There are simply differing opinions on how to achieve that goal.
And ditto Steve Wallace. Thank you for saying that and thank you board members for weathering the initial storm. Hopefully things will get better going forward.
Good morning everyone! Moving forward I do hope the board can at least consider modifying tree covenant to not force trimming during nesting season. We have many native and migratory birds that are indeed common here and protected. Let’s do our best to maintain and protect our bird life, thank you for your consideration.
Yes, I will vote for maintaining a natural environment for people, birds, animals. SW Washington is not supposed to be a desert devoid of trees. That is unnatural. Trees with heads sawed off do not look natural. Surely most reasonable people enjoy birds, animals, and natural landscape. If you cannot tolerate trees, then you should go live in the dessert where "no trees" would be natural.
Does anyone know if we can watch the Saturday meeting that was recorded? Will it be available on Zoom or Surfside website?
Advocating rioting?
Congrats, you have taking this blog to a new low.
Just some more facts to ignore for 11:07 and others who keep blaming J place for the proposed lighting change.
The proposed lighting change was put forth to the board by a committee at a board meeting, it wasn't the board who came up with it. J placers on the board, including that mean ole nasty Annette, recommended holding off and putting the change to the membership which they did. One of the trustees who was initially for it was one of your fellow lowlanders. But of course he got NO criticisms.
If you are going to continue with the J place hate, at least get your facts straight.
So "I Wanna Be Frank" where's your name?
I'll take your advice and skip reading your comments from now on.
There are plenty of properties here 6:59 that have trees that are within the covenant heights.
To your desert comment, if you wanted to live in an forest surrounded by trees there are properties elsewhere on the peninsula where you could have. Last I check there still are properties available on stackpole road on the way to Leadbetter.
There goes cox again with his usual rubbish, blaming a group of people for stepping up and volunteering their time to the community. Except for one year, what has he done?
Would the last adult leaving Surfside please turn off the lights?
I only comment by signing my name. I NEVER comment anonymously. I have no idea what you are refering to - there are a lot of comments, most anonymous. I think you just want to blame something on someone, anyone.
Well as I understand it, the whole lighting issue started between 2J placers. One on the east side of the road and one on the west side of the road. If that's true, the Jay placer started it themselves.
Mr or Mrs anonymous, If you press on want to be frank, my picture clearly shows who you're talking to. I am not hiding who I am, why are you?
8:34- Excellent question. how can we listen to the recording?
9:46 a.m. . I purchased my property here because when I moved in, my house was completely surrounded by trees. I loved where I bought my house because I wanted to have greenery all around me. It's only been the last few years that that's become a major problem for the people above me. I had my trees topped so they wouldn't be growing 100 ft tall. I did that on my own because I didn't want to have 40 ft trees. I didn't plant my trees, the builders who built my house left the trees on the property. The only thing I'm fighting for is a uniform tree Height. It says mine should be 16 ft but literally right on the street to the west of me, they can have 24 ft trees.That makes no sense if you're trying to protect your view Mr or Mrs j place. For those of you who can't do the math, the difference between 16 ft and 24 ft is 8 ft. Does that make any sense to anyone? All of the trees should be set at a 24-ft level. That's what my problem is. As it is with a lot of us with that situation. It's rules that make absolutely no sense to a logical person that we are rebelling against. It is an unfair rule. Given a fair rule of 24 ft, my trees would be well under the suggested height.
The sad part about the recording is that you're not going to see or hear a lot of what actually took place. Every single member at the meeting had their phones and were communicating back and forth to each other through the entire meeting. You might be able to watch that on the video. That there was many many thousands of words said that we will never hear because they were hidden on the phones. So we talked about secrecy of our board, no one should be allowed to have a phone to communicate with anybody during a meeting. They should be shut off and locked in another room until the meeting is complete. Are board members should be able to handle their own business by themselves. Many of the board members were fed information from people outside the board meeting. I think that's something that the board should stop themselves. So we can watch the tape and the bad sound system all we want, but a lot of what took place on Saturday will never be known. Outside influence should have never been allowed at that meeting. People who had made decisions on voting change those decisions during that meeting. I wonder what was said to the members of the board during the meeting that changed people's minds or made them concerned about responding the way they wanted to. I have heard that members were scolded. Not quite sure what that means, but it doesn't sound like a very pleasant word to me. The members of Surfside estates needs to be working together. There is some very wrong things happening and we need to come together as a society and work them out. We're trying to make a stronger community not a weaker one. HOAs were originally started to keep people from putting junkyard cars all over their property. Now it's come down to micromanaging everything somebody does to their property. Are homes our place of relaxation, life and joy. We shouldn't be fighting each other for stupid things. We need to have some equality. I truly believe that's all that we're looking for.
I’m JoAnne I don’t do anonymous! There should be a clear recording I would think from inside the meeting.
I believe that the bus. manager announced that it would not be recorded. I hope that's not the case. That has been the pattern. Secrecy.
Consider the fact that Shorepines grow a foot in height annually if healthy (most are not). A moratorium of 3 months would only represent 3 inches or less in tree growth while the Board reviews the policy/covenant. There was NOTHING urgent about addressing the Annual Meeting's member motions.
The BOT has taken several weeks off of compliance actions before and there was no Surfside uprising - or a squeak really. But after the Annual Meeting, some members were thteatening immediate lawsuits if a moratorium was placed in effect.
But the reality of the situation is, that at 1 inch of growth max, monthly, there was no urgent need for Minich to meet secretly with the attorney, ignore admitting it, but flying in the face of legal motions to make an illegal pronouncement that HE alone had decided to block the motions, without consulting ALL of the Board members.
There was no rush, and no reason not to have shown respect for the new Trustee's opinions, and allowed the moratorium at least until the Board met yesterday. In 4 months there would not be significant growth for concern, just 4 more inches at most on the trees. Big woop.
No, Minich had to go rogue and cause a huge conflict which the new B. Members thought needed to be stopped.I agree. Their meetings were responsible and necessary, as the president had broken ranks to serve the J Pl. Interests, serving Olds, Neptune, and Minich who own there.
How awful! I never imagined the current president would allow the previous President to dictate the Saturday meeting. The previous J-Place board members still rule and are discussing and making decisions secretly. But they accuse others of secret meetings to make sure they are the only ones that can. I am horrified at their behavior.
The HOA members should not have to donate our own money for a lawsuit against this kind of corruption and illegal behavior. Do we have any other options?
Maybe they will finally listen to the members if we ask the newspaper to disclose what has been happening for the last 10 years in Surfside HOA?
Right on! I totally agree with you. Hope more members speak up against this kind of abuse. The powers to be are abusing their power and forcing members to kill all trees for their personal benefit (view).
Make no mistake - even though Gary Williams was voted out, he is still pulling the puppet strings, backed by that crooked lawyer.
Minich Neptune Olds DeLeest are benefiting (increased value to their homes) from the Tree Covenant which is insane for SW Washington where it is impossible to keep cutting EVERY Tree. These J-Place Board Members are using their official power and position to gain $value from not changing rules. They are suppressing all protests and pressuring homeowners (west of J-Place) by harassing, fining, and forcing them to cut ALL trees, even when the tree does not hurt the view. Abuse of Power for personal gain is CORRUPTION.
Just gonna cut down the last 2 and move on, ugly trees anyway.
Corruption will win over good, ALWAYS!
Sure Tracy is pulling on some stings, among other things too. Watch out for those talons, though.
Actually, that should be a rational person's reaction to the "Code of Civility" which is a useless intrusion into member's lives, pretending anyone on the Board has any right or authority to fine members for "swearing" anywhere in the community.
The HOA has some latitude to set standards of behavior in the office or during Board Meetings, still, people get upset and angry at times, and in most cases, I think they have right to their emotions. Calling others names or similar shaming should not be allowed, and should result in expulsion from the meeting.
But this code of conduct goes way too far into people's rights. No surprise, it has not been published for the members to see and weigh into, but has been passed by 5 members of the Board, Minich breaking a tie.
This is some truely rancid bullshit for which there is no excuse.
These corrupt board members are using HOA membership funds to hire an enforcement officer and a lawyer to serve their personal interests and benefits (increased home value). For 10+ years, homeowners west of J-Place have been pressured to comply with the illogical Tree Restrictions which are contrary to the natural processes in this beautiful setting where the ecosystem requires trees for birds and wildlife.
Corrupt board members are using their official power and position to force everyone to fight nature and create a desert devoid of trees. The only purpose and need is to increase the corrupt board members' personal home value.
They know most people don't want to pay their own money for a lawsuit and they have an HOA lawyer to only help the President- not the HOA membership who pays for the lawyer. I just hope the newspaper exposes this corruption.
Since you keep bringing up the "homeowners west of J-Place" tree restrictions, you do know that the homeowners on the west side of J Place have to follow those same restrictions right?
Not surprising given his history that Cox would be against anything requiring civility.
To the person(s) who keep talking property values, do you really think that how the values go for those on J doesn't affect you as well? If so you need a lesson on how real estate works.
To the continued rhetoric from the usual suspects concerning J place Trustees. I thought with the last election results we would start to move away from this but of course it was wishful thinking on my part. I have no doubts that if the day comes when nobody on J is interested in serving the community and there are none on the board the same people will find some way to blame them still.
337 - not surprising you cannot write a cohesive sentence. Truth would be way too much to ask.
3:37.... First, you don't seem to know east from west. The Tree restrictions do not effect the community east of the ridge.
2nd, The "code" has little to do with civility which most of us practice everyday. I guarantee that you don't know me, because you make this statement about me that is false, and just meant to offend me.
I'm certain you have not read the Code of Civility, as no one in their right mind would pretend it is okay to tell other adults how to behave in their own home, in their own yard, car, or when being taunted by an idiot - oh, just like you!
Reread my comments at 11:20. It makes your b.s.at 3:37 look clueless.
Losers lose. Throw in with a loser like Cox and you're bound to lose. That's just life. Surfside United and this blog have no credibility and have been exposed for the frauds they are. You losers lost and you're done. Goodbye.
@7:21 is Gary Williams, Ric or Kurt Olds , maybe Annette Deleast ( least ) - all trash
These people are evil and need to be rooted from our community. They have ruined the reputation of the entire community. There are good people who live on J Place, but the actions of a few have made them all look bad. It is just not fair.
George, what’s not fair is your brave talk, you might take that last comment down as is sounds like a threat and you are condoning it by allowing it to be posted. You talk about being threatened in the past and you allow that in your blog. Hope a lawyer from one of those four mentioned visits you soon!
Yeah, President Minich can use the Lawyer that only defends the President. I hope all HOA members find out that our annual HOA dues are paying for an HOA Lawyer that is never allowed to defend or protect the MEMBERS. NO... the J-Place dominated BOT hired a lawyer to ONLY protect and defend the PRESIDENT! Members should be outraged and voting to end this Lawyer that ONLY serves the President. Otherwise, we will forever be cutting trees to benefit J-Place board members.
We need a lawyer to defend HOA homeowners from corrupt board members who have used membership funds to hire enforcement officer and attorney to ENFORCE rules to benefit themselves.
Guess what these cocky corrupt board members said on this blog after they won the saturday board meeting? LMAO. They laugh at us because their lawyer helped make us keep cutting trees to benefit these board members and their house values. It is outrageous.
Try again Cox, once again your reading comprehension has failed you.
Where exactly did I say anything about restrictions on the east side of the ridge? Answer nowhere but in your little biased mind.
People, like the one I was responding to, keep making statements about how they have to follow the tree restrictions and the people on J place don't which is incorrect. As I pointed out, those of us on the the west side of J place have to follow the same restrictions.
Let me put it another way for you so hopefully you can comprehend.
Those of us who live on the west side of J Place have to follow the same tree restrictions also.
One last time, those of us whose address on J place that corresponds to a residence that is on the WEST side of the street known as J place have to follow the same tree restrictions.
So to use your language now...
You don't seem to know how to READ so apparently the idiot is you.
I will agree with you, I don't know everything about you and don't care to. The "civility" comment I made was based on my observations of your conduct on here. This latest one just validated it, so thanks for proving my point.
So the guy who advocates rioting by members is calling OTHER people evil. Meanwhile his buddy Rogers and his psycho wife are harassing and verbally abusing HOA employees.
Welcome to the always civility free zone.
Please let HOA members know that our annual membership dues are being used AGAINST US to pay for a Lawyer that only serves the President. The HOA Lawyer is being used by these corrupt board members to THREATEN homeowners who dare speak up against corruption and unfair rules that benefit the corrupt J-Place board members.
Our membership dues are being used against us to pay for an nenforcement officer to harass us with fines for not following the tree covenant that never worked because it is illogical. The use of membership funds to personally benefit board members is a classic example of CORRUPTION.
The only way to prevent this level of corruption from happening in the future is to have more HOA divisions represented on the board. Never again should we allow the board to be dominated by greedy J-Place owners who insist other members need to cut trees forever to benefit J-Place board member home values.
Trees are supposed to grow in SW Washington. Washington is the Evergreen State because this Great State has long recognized the important value and purpose of TREES. But the greedy J-Place board members cannot tolerate trees because trees devalue their "personal home values". They insist everyone bow down and serve them. They laugh when the President lawyer helps them- not us who are paying for the HOA President's lawyer.
1013 - yeah, because we're all the idiots, right? Not the clown that couldn't post right in the first place?
Definitely sounds like a Board member.
I don't know if that was a board member or not, but yes, you are all idiots. Especially that doddering old dipshit that runs this idiot blog,
@8:24 Please go to the letter in this blog "My time is short". Then see if you still wish to express yourself that way.
You think you’ve seen and dealt with evil people before, but anonymous 8:24 you’ve reached a new low. I don’t even know how to express my disgust at anyone who would stoop so low.
8:24AM Needs a good ole fashioned beat down. If anyone will trace the IP address on those posts and give me a name and address, I'd be happy to oblige!
Wonder how many more compliance officers were going to have to hire to monitor this new Civility thing? All you anonymous posters may find yourself in trouble😂😂
824 - a classless fool, but we knew that. You are lower than pond scum.
You insist on attacking me repeatedly, and expect me to be civil to you ? I frequently reference "everyone living west of JPl. Must respond to J Pl.demands". If you live on the westsode of J Pl. you live west of JPl. It's a street. So I get that. You don't.
I want to THANK George Miller for this Blog where we can post our concerns anonymously. Otherwise, the blogger with a name who raises concerns would quickly receive threats from the HOA Attorney who represents the HOA President.
I am very upset that my annual HOA dues have been used to pay for HOA President's lawyer to threaten concerned members and to pay for an enforcement officer to harass people for illogical reasons.
That's why George Miller is truly a HERO for us anonymous members.
The Blog administrator has terminal cancer and is in his last days of life. He has not been monitoring the comments, but has a desire to see the community governed by fair-minded Trustees. We haven't seen that from Minich and his cohorts.
The new members had to meet secretly. Would Minich continue to make other dictatorial actions without Board input ? They should have removed him, as he has started the new Board's term by disrespecting their valid elected role, and has been fostering a totally polarized dialogue that didn't need to happen. He is not going to change, nor is Mariann or Olds.
George might want to consider an additional moderator. That punk who keeps coming on here with his evil needs be immediately deleted when he posts! Satan should not have a platform and not having an active moderator is giving the devil a playground.
The President's Attorney protects Minich, Olds, Marianne, Neptune, DeLeest, Williams. That's why they don't need to change and Minich is still President. How can we end our payments to an attorney that only helps the President?
I'm still gonna beat the hell outta that devil if I find out who it is.
You folks have no idea as to how an HOA works or you would not spout off they way you do! Why did you buy into an HOA? Get over it or get out! Take Cox with you as you leave!
1041 - you have no idea how life is supposed to work. There are things like ethics, which are conveniently ignored by this association.
You J placers act more like rabid dogs than neighbors.
See how 10:36 and HOA attorney will threaten anyone that exposes corruption. they will come and beat us up and tell us to move out. They dont have to be civil because they hired an enforcement officer to NOT fine them.
@8:24 - you no doubt are one of the “slimy six” listed by @10:24. These six people are the primary reason there is division due to their continuing resistance to improving the harmony in our community. I want HOA to be flexible to change and not just focus on J place concerns.
So now there is admission the new board members met secretly (at least from Mr. Cox)? This was one of the main complaints folks here had with old board. Why was a secret meeting necessary when there was a 5 of 9 majority? Could have accomplished the same thing with Honesty, Transparency, and Communication at the board meeting. Nobody forced the motion to withdraw Minich as President to be withdrawn. It was a good decision based on the board deciding to work together and not listen to the extreme voices on either side of the issues.
We now realize it is nearly impossible to remove Minich becasuse.... the previous BOT used HOA membership funds to pay for an attorney who is ONLY allowed to defend and protect the President.
We are stuck with Minich as long as this HOA keeps this Presidential attorney to protect and defend Minich (despite his corruption and J-Place biases).
We need to ask the new Board to stop payments to this Presidential Attorney and hire an attorney who will protect and defend homeowners.
@12:19 - what?
The attorney had nothing to do with the motion to remove Minich nor the withdrawal of the motion. This blog is more extreme everyday and has lost its way. It is an echo chamber for extreme voices without any accomplishment of true dialogue.
Dont you remember- the HOA Presidential Attorney declared the Removal Motion is "illegal".
No, the attorney advised the letter removing Mr. Minich that resulted from a meeting of only 5 board members as illegal. The attorney had absolutely NOTHING to do with the motion that was on the BOT meeting agenda, and its subsequent removal.
1233 - try paying attention. The attorney is in Minich's/Williams back pocket, and has proven it once again. The whole attack on the new board members was choreographed.
The only extreme voice out here is you.
@1:04 really? What is extreme in my comments other than they don't align with you? What choreographed attack are you referring to? Nobody forced the withdrawal of the motion. Do explain instead of just crying outrage. I won't hold my breath because as the other poster noted, this is a one-way blog void of dialogue.
112 - the organized response by the five existing board members to invalidate the wishes of the membership. Once again greed and corruption profit... as do you.
Williams was in Minich's ear for the entire meeting, and making comments on Zoom. Neither one of them give one shred of attention or are for anyone that is not part of the J place faction...like you.
I see in today Chinook Observer Editorial & Opiniion section Surfside HOA takes another hit on it's reputation. The article is right on. The way people look at this HOA will never change as long as the existing tree covenants as unfair and unreasonable are in effect.
Some sections are sixteen feet and others twenty four and yet no one has explained why that is and why no height restrictions on east side of J place ? Its time for the Board to review this unfair and unreasonable covenant and make reasonable changes that are equal for all lot's.
Im glad more people are speaking up and we have other public support.
I think it might still be almost impossible when there is an HOA-funded Attorney dedicated to defend and protect the HOA President who refuses to consider any changes to the Tree Covenant.
Our annual dues are used to pay for a lawyer to fight us and defend a corrupt President.
The sad part of this is that the corrupt president was voted out. He didn't leave, and now we have another one.
How is that supposed to be democracy in action?
Where is the new "Code of Civility published? I have heard a lot of chatter but never read the actual text. Thank You.
@2:59
You know nothing about me.
Please up your meds as your fantasy world conflicts with reality and facts. One of the five existing board members signed the petition to remove the president. So the truth of the matter is that still could have occurred at the meeting except that is was withdrawn by one of the new board members. Nothing preventing the same five from resubmitting the same motion next month - except common sense of course and recognizing the board needs to work together to accomplish true change. The rest of your comments and others regarding innuendo and conspiracy without facts is just as the other poster put it - chatter - with no substance. You can't refute this with facts and will likely respond with name calling (faction, evil, elitist, J-Placer are the ones you seem to prefer).
Good luck living in your fantasy land - you seem to prefer it to reality.
Surfside Divided
cid:05F0A246-2B82-45AA-B0C2-C80B080A84BB
CORRUPTION, THATS ALL THAT NEEDS TO BE SAID! Step away Gary, let your boy Minich sink in the pit you all created. I’ve heard of Surfside referred to as the Le Brea tar pit of the Peninsula, starting to believe it more every day!
Tell you what 8:54, why don't you post your name and address and I will be happy to stop by and introduce myself tough guy. If you don't, then STFU!!!!
Why did you people buy into an HOA? I have never ever heard such bitching, moaning, rude, threatening comments! Man, you people live in the wrong neighborhood! Plenty of new folks moving in and new building everywhere so it can’t be as bad as you few say. Stop your whining you will never break the HOA no matter what you do or say. Lots of people moved here because of the covenants so deal with it!
I agree with you 100% 11:43. I always find it interesting when people come on here with their complaining, saying they want to be left alone and do what they please with their property. Then why buy into a HOA? there are plenty areas around the peninsula where you can do just that.
There are plenty of people living here who love it. Coincidently most of those people don't have dead trees on their properties, haven't had any complaints or letters sent to them and no visits by the compliance guy. At least those that live in my neighborhood.
Humans, like most animals, need to live in a Community to survive. Humans learn to have empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand the feelings of others. Empathy is why humans try to eradicate pain. Altruism is the selfless concern for the well being of others.
555 - the only fantasy here is between your ears.
Keep supporting divisiveness, corruption, and outright ignorance. After all, it's in your self-interest.
Did you ever have any concept of morals, or did you donate them to the HOA as well?
810 - I'm not sure the Compliance officer cover J Place. After all, he knows where his paycheck comes from.
Rather than demonizing the newly elected Trustees and Seated Trustee Rogers, recognize that they were willing to put trust in Minich that he would NOT take matters in his own hands.
As Rogers has pointed out, prior to a few years ago, seeking legal counsel required Board approval, and the function of a "neutral" legal liaison.
It is not proper that the president has been empowered so. By design, our Bylaws do not give the pres. power to make independent decisions. So abiding by our community documents, Minich's actions were "illegal".
Now the president's legal counsel claims the Annual Meeting was not conducted properly. This legal firm has blocked every effort by members to put motions before the membership AT A MEMEMBER MEETING. Both the owner and Surfside's new attorney were present at the meeting, and they did not intervene in the bringing of motions, conducted by pres.Gary Williams.
Minich had no urgent need to block the motions prior to the first meeting of the newly configured Board. This started the mess of anger vented by both contingents that will need to work together, like it or not.
Steve was being polite. It was nothing better than a naked power grab, backed by their mouthpiece.
I am sure the new board members had no idea of the anger and viciousness that they were going to face walking into that board room.
Very peculiar for those who don't have HOA complaints or trees to find it necessary to come here on this blog and whine and complain about their love of the HOA and then berate those who do want change.
What exactly do you have to gain by your presence here, telling people to leave if they don't like it?
You are the messed up shit in your head. We are not leaving. Go find someone else to gaslight.
What part of you buying into an HOA do you not understand! Get over it or go away, take Cox with you as you leave!
What part of understanding that your boys are operating crooked do you not understand?
We're not going anywhere. It's your antiquated self interest that can leave. Property values are at all time high. Take your shot.
So what you’re saying anonymous 11:33 is, you bought here now shut up, follow all the rules and never question anything? These covenants are not written in stone! Are you going to have such a ridged stance when the lighting covenant is changed? Where were you when the complaint covenant was changed to compliance and required a compliance officer? Your statement makes no sense and those of us who have been affected by the board not following the covenants on their side, will continue to try and improve this HOA, not just keep quiet and do as you’re told!
I suppose you are completely ok with this Civility thing and having all aspects of our freedom of speech attacked?
The people who complain about people who complain have a lot gain! Otherwise, they wouldn't be here telling others to suck it up.
They just like being ruled and controlled. They were taught this and need others to believe it too, otherwise, their fragile little non-thinking brains and psyche will be shattered to pieces. They are a product of old thoughts and ideas. Notice the loop of words and sentences, over and over, because in simpleton psychology, if you repeat it enough it becomes true for you. Non thinkers, nothing more, nothing less.
What you don't understand is that the community has governing documents that specify the authority of all Board members is dependent on approval of actions reviewed by all 9 members.
Secretive authority ascribed to the president and Bus. Manager has been agreed to by unknown players, without following transparent and legal procedures.
In other words, the J Pl. Dominant contingent has secretly rewritten the distribution of power on the BOT, and endowed the pres. with unauthorized authority. This has then been supported by the legal counsel, obviously knowing full well that the rules by which they operating by are not public, so NOT technically legal by State standards.
To pretend that there's no problem in need of attention in Surfside is to support a corrupt system that has no reason to exist, and look the other way.
Now we see where this is leading with the increasing emphasis on enforcement, while crafting nitpicky rules. The "Code of Civility" is a blatant violation of freedom of speech and will not stand legal challenges. But it shows the dictatorial attitude of the "faction" as it has been called. Waiting in the wings, a lighting covenant change which gives the HOA the right to tell you at any random time, to change your lights. It must fail.
The Board has approved the Civility code document as policy. You can be fined for cursing in Surfside even on your own property. Sound rational and needed ?
ONLY the membership can take control of a government gone cookoo. HOAs are member run organizations, and all rules can be changed or eliminated.
The board moves forward with malignant impunity, knowing they would probably will not be challenged.
The arrogance knows no limits The code of civility is simply the next chapter. What's next? What other freedoms will we sacrifice to live here?
Dissolution looks better every day.
be careful when you call the office, they can record the conversations with the new phone system
@ Steve Cox - as your twin Mr. Dunbar would say - utter crap!
Don't those same governing documents apply to the independent coordination of the five board members to remove the president in a non-transparent manner?
With Tom Rogers (a J Place resident) and the newly elected gang of four you now have a majority. Quit continuing to blame others when things don't go your way.
Perhaps your positions aren't as universally supported as you presume.
"What you don't understand is that the community has governing documents that specify the authority of all Board members is dependent on approval of actions reviewed by all 9 members."
You're mighty slow on the uptake. The inappropriate use of legal and prez. authority has been goung on for years. That is why Minich did what he did, and why you want to make excuses for it.
The newly elected members needed to try and stop him from taking further actions for which there is no written authority for him to do. They recinded the letter, and failed to make the motion at the meeting.
151 - the governing documents are usually used like a club, to beat the members back into submission, kind of like you're trying to do here.
Since you won't identify yourself, why should you have an opinion? Which current or former board member are you? Only one of those or their toadies would make such a stupid claim.
No, I fully understand. You all continue to whine when you actually have a majority. Place any blame where it belongs. If you have proof of illegal dealings then provide it. Only a year or so ago you were saying folks would be going to jail. And you @2:13 - curious why your opinion should matter using your own logic.
Don't bother answering - don't want your head to explode.
I am so tired of reading this back and forth childish shit. What does it do besides make your boodpressure go sky high? Are you kids having fun? I'm not! Just disgusted with everything. I'm out.
2:59....You make a major assumption/blunder by lumping all of the comments you don't like together. Most are anonymous, and most do not know each other. "You all..."
There are no RCW police, even though it is still State law. There are plenty of laws broken but if not criminal, only a lawsuit can address.
The HOA hides behind its' vast Bank account as the threat of endless litigation should anyone claim they are breaking the law. Few members ever expected anyone to go to jail, and that was over the asbestos cover-up nearly 4 years ago.
259 - once again another board member who apparently cannot count to five.
That's not the ballot vote went, and you know it. You and your buddies using anger and recrimination, bullied the new board members into backing off. That won't happen next time.
Since you cant figure out the annual meeting was legal, you're probably not going to be able to do the math here as well.
The asbestos was nearly 3, not 4 years ago, and many on here were claiming board members would be arrested. Just go back through the chats, it is all there.
Your new 4 board members plus Mr. Rogers signed the letter deemed illegal. That adds up to five. You must be using common core math if you are coming up with something different (maybe try showing your work?). Those same five are a majority and can still make/pass motions anytime. Again, they are likely just smarter than y'all and have realized it is better to work together.
Surfside Divided
@5:42 - yeah right, those poor new board members were bullied. I can't imagine Ms. Christoph ever being bullied.
I for one am disgusted with this HOA. We have Tom Rogers who was dumb enough to vote for the Civility Code which would have not passed if it were not for him, yet his stupid wife likes to threaten people with lawsuits. He needs to be removed from the board immediately. All he did at the meeting is ramble and he couldn’t sit still because it was obvious he is taking something to try to control those seizures he has. He and his wife don’t want anyone to know about the seizures because DMV would take his license if they knew. He could kill someone and all they care about is themselves. They need to vacate Surfside and leave us sane people alone! Then we have Marianne who is part of the faction... don’t need to say more there. Kurt Olds and his wife Peggy have a conflict of interest and both should not be working for our HOA. It’s either one or the other but not both. Then there is our darling Ric who is a moron, has done several illegal things in the first few weeks that I’m just appalled by including his stupid rants in the Weekender. And then there are the sore losers Annette and Gary who just need to STFU because everyone is sick of their 💩. Is this the best we have? I pity the new members that have to work with these idiots!
@8:05 - agree with you!
As I pointed out already, you have no idea who said what about B . members going to jail, but you read it on the blog once years ago.. You brought it up, yet no one cares about your cartoon.
Anonymous is not a club nor organization like you infer. Bloggers have no way of knowing who's saying what no more than you do.
The Board has met once, and nothing can be determined about their abilities, 3 with more than 30 more meetings to get something done.They have the confidence of their supporters who recognize these things take time and effort.
Yes, you represent the "divided". Bad attitudes will accomplish nothing nor influence anyone. Sorry for the bad news.
I still find it interesting and troubling that people are still voicing objections to being civil to each other. Reading the rest of the comments I guess it explains why. Basically what you people are saying is you want your freedom to be an A-hole. Yeah, that's something to be proud of.
And to the person who like to speak as an authority about what went on before they moved here, another fact for you to ignore concerning the topic of Trustees going to jail. It was more than "on the blog once years ago". It went on for months and months.
Being an A-hole is subjective. I was talking with a woman in a billing department at a place I needed some information from and I thought she was rude, curt, and was in need of civility training. So, what should I do with that? File a complaint with the company? Come on, a person could just be a constant victim and think people are being mean to them all the time. Who decides what is civil? How is this enforced? Just because someone catches "feelings" does that mean the person they are dealing with is out of line? You have obviously never been in stressful negotiations where strong language and forceful posture is needed to get a point across or get something accomplished. There's a name for people who just can't handle things. But I'll be civil. Heaven forbid I get a label and a monetary fine for just telling it like it is. Geez, grow some skin.
Pearl cluthers Unite! How dare they say such a thing, oh my Harold, where are my smelling salts?
Well, just read the weekender and someone has evidently reined in the president. It’s about damn time. It’s only a matter of time and he and The other bad eggs will be gone and I can hardly wait!
You obviously do not know what you're talking about and have not read the "code of civility". As George said on this topic, it's like trying to dictate morality - Phoney and a denial of normal human emotions/everyone's capacity to forgive.
We are in our sixth year in Surfside, so know exactly what took place with the HOA and their legal obligations to the State and Feds.
The rest is of no further significance.
He's a lying piece of shit, no better than Cox.
Satan can't wait for George's arrival. Your's too. :)
Hey tough guy, post your name and you'll find out post haste.
It's disturbing to know the lowest form of scum walks the earth in our world. What goes around, comes around, it's only a matter of time before it is found.
Looks like George has the worst kind of fan. Must be a long life to be so envious of someone. What have you done for the world today? Oh, that's right, nothing but savage jealousy. We see you as nothing more than that ick just scraped off our shoe. Well, less actually. You need eradicating.
I don't see evidence of a change in Minich's attitude. Many of his supporters show that fairness is not on their "to do" list.
A lot of disrespect has been thrown Roger's way, yet he was able to push for commitments to designate an independent legal liaison, and re-establishing that the Bus. Manager has a reprieve, provided she is no longer pretending to be an elected Trustee. It wasn't her idea, but has been thrust on her as it was Mr. Reber before her.
There needs to be a return to limited authority for the pres. and bus. Manager as specified in our documents and not by secretively established criteria as had become a "faction" tool.
It would be a great development if the olde guard folks would actually make some compromises and work in tandem with the new Trustees.
But power has become their obsession and there is no commitment to change in this respect.
The direction of this committee intended to study the Tree restrictions will be telling.
Selfish interests have driven this Tree topping program, and eliminating the burden of unnecessary maintenance which drives enforcement and major legal expenses for the membership to pay annually, needs to stop and no longer darken Surfside skies.
“Fines for fun” are the signs of a “malicious HOA”.
When you feel your HOA rules have turned into an implacable steel trap determined to ruin your life at every turn, find comfort in this: No matter how many letters and fines the board throws at you, you still have rights.
If you’re a homeowner in an HOA that does not embrace eco-friendly policies, it is not impossible to find enough members who desire a more natural, eco-friendly neighborhood.
Chances are good (although not certain) that you’ll have the upper hand in a proper court of law, especially if the board of directors acted in an underhanded manner.
Selfish interests do NOT drive the tree topping policy. Only the expectation that all abide by the covenants they agreed when purchasing.
What exactly is the "Purpose and Need" to top trees?
WHO is benefiting from this rule? How many J-Place members were on the BOT for how long?
Do most of HOA members prefer an eco-friendly natural looking neighborhood?
We are moving toward enabling members to vote on covenant changes. We will see if the members confirm that mandatory Tree topping is NOT a selfish obsession of J Pl. owners. If all Surfside members are given the chance to vote for elimination of the Tree Policy, will they confirm your flimsy contention 10:36 ? we'll see.
The Tree Covenant has obviously been a sore issue for a long time and has caused so much hurt and hatred and damage to our natural ecosystem.
The BOT and HOA members really needs to examine and discuss WHO, WHAT, WHY, WHEN, and WHERE about this whole issue.
WHY do we have this rule- Does it benefit everyone or just one small group? Does it hurt everyone or just one small group?
WHAT is causing the HOA to keep a rule that hurts more people than it benefits?
HOW long has the BOT and President been dominated by the one small group that benefits from this rule?
WHEN did it start? WHEN does it end?
WHERE is it necessary?
"Being an A-hole is subjective".
Go to the office and ask the workers there to share their experience dealing with the Rogers couple's tirade. Being rude or curt may be subjective or misunderstood, but yelling and using fowl language isn't. Anyone who would considered that as subjective more than likely is an A-whole.
And to Cox,
You obviously always think you know what you're talking about. newsflash, you don't.
Oh lord, this crap reminds me of when I was working. Instead of dealing with 'the problem' the company would enact some new rules. It's insulting to blanket everyone together when EVERYONE KNOWS who the problem child is!
The rule is just another way to NOT DEAL WITH THE ISSUE. Lazy leadership. No respect for them at all and YES I know exactly what I'm talking about!
Yeah, why is it so hard to tell an irate rude person to stop acting like that? They need to be told to stop or you will not be able to help them. That should be warning number one.
Number two, If you continue yelling, using vulgar language, or whatever they are doing that offends you say in a louder voice- I cannot assist you when you act like this I can't hear you when you scream at me and I will hang up.
If it continues, DO IT. Hang UP. Kick them out, disengage from the problem until they cool their shit. This place has zero de-escalation strategies. Get some training and stop wasting time on behavior policy's.
Lame........
First, I NEVER comment anonymously. I did not make this comment. What I can say with certainty is that this Civility Code stuff is typical of how this HOA has approached issues they cannot easily control.
Matters of conflict are bound to surface occasionally and find their way to the HOA office. As others have stated, a handful of upset members does not justify a community-wide mandate. This document is a blatant violation of citizen/member rights and cannot be defended as legal and necessary.
The Office can write such a policy for their customer relations guidelines, and the Board can write a guide for Surfside public meeting conduct. But this piece of crap pretends that their inability to deal with 2 or 3 hostile exchanges necessitates a community-wide mandate on member behavior.
In 2021 you are not a living breathing human being if you NEVER become angry, and use course language. It is a complete joke to suggest that the incompetance of the HOAoffice will change for the better with a far-reaching pronouncement by a righteous few.
It's another case to add to the other enforcement madness. A deputy that does not exist with a Surfside contract of $500,000. A permanent compliance office at great expense. 2 Board presentations of inappropriate Lighting Restrictions, also based on a half dozen compliance issues.
Then there's the member proposed change to our documents that would allow B.members to be sued by members who don't agree with the Trustee's votes. This is considered illegal, but no attorneys complained yet. Most corporate rules forbid this as a tool to manipulate political preferences. Then the Neat'n tidy covenant is waiting to make its' useless appearance.
All of this to control the absolute madness in this community of about 500 fulltime residents, most of retirement age. This is people trying to beat their way out of a paper bag. Clueless rule-making done in a vacuum - oblivious of how utterly ridiculous and counter-productive all of this is. We have too much money to spend apparently.
And Cox has spoken! Again and again and again and again!
The blog is probably ending, so you won't have a venue for your snotty attitude. George on the othervhand has always stood for equity and fairness, kindness to those who merit it, and honesty for those who are power hungry and selfish. Thank you George !! You're a GOOD PERSON !!
Thank You Steve for always putting it out there as it is, had to stop posting with my name out of fear of retribution from either the HOA or the crazy asses that post on here threatening violence. Just gonna say remember Jack Ass I am locked and loaded.
The Code of Civility is a JOKE that does nothing but protect the board and HOA employees, plus violates all us members 1st Amendment Rights.
George Jr., please post the Code and end this subject! Take care and be at Peace George.
Locked and loaded, eh? Thanks for taken the conversation to a whole new level. Of course you would think that any type of civility is a joke.
And give me a break Cox. Of all that have come on here it is YOU who would miss the blog the most since your addiction has you coming on here multiple times a day.
Not taking the conversation to a whole new level, just a lot of threats of violence in this thread towards people that have posted and BOT members.
CCP in hand and willing to protect myself and family!
Civility is not a joke, just this HOA’s Code of Civility.
Yes I agree Steve! George is a great guy who gave his time and effort so members like us could try and communicate with each other. You and I are some of the few who post with our names. I thank George for having this blog to try and bring to light what I have felt were problems in our organization that needed addressed. There is absolutely no way to communicate within our HOA member to member and I’ve voiced this concern since 2019 when we became aware of some unequal treatment of the members!
Again thank you George, I promise to keep working to keep the dialogue open in order to improve our organization. Open communication a must!
George Jr. and I (Tracy) feel this topic has run it's course. We wish all of Surfside well.
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