Why we are where we are today...
Nothing remains the same and as we progress, changes and circumstances keep changing more rapidly than in the past. Laws change, people change and what was once considered acceptable, no longer is. Surfside has not kept up with a response to the ever growing changes. Unfortunately, we are now going to see the consequences of inaction and/or decision making based on the "way we have always done it". That is the real answer to the question..."Why we are where we are today?" The awful truth is....We do not have qualified people in positions of authority and decision making that serve the membership in the best interests of all.
Errors made in the past were small compared with the consequences of errors made today. In most cases, but not all, Directors, staff and other volunteers have acted in good faith and want to provide a service. Their intentions were and are good, but through no fault of them, they just are not qualified. And, to make matters worse, because of the climate created by some, qualified people will not participate at a time when they are needed the most. I know most all the members on the Board and can and have had friendly relations with them all outside of Surfside Business. While serving on the Board, I always considered it from the stand point of Business only. Even when personally attacked while on the Board, my response was "I am here to conduct business".
We have always had a shortage of Board members who have business experience. I had 15 years experience as a store manager with 15 employees and prepared operating budgets of over a million dollars. I can honestly tell you, that if I performed as we see our directors and staff do today, I would have been fired. I worked under a General Manager and a Board of Directors.
We need 5 Directors who can be honest enough to say....We have a serious problem that requires professional attention. They can then seek solutions to our problems which can be solved. This is what they were elected to do. They were not elected to manage the association. They were elected to see that we have qualified staff. That qualified staff will hire qualified people.
While this is not new information to our Board, it probably is to you. I do know much more information than what I disclose here. I can say this...
We are in the worst situation of our over 50 years of existence. This could result in the end of our home owned water system and our association. At the very least, skyrocketing dues and assessments.
Finger pointing and the blame game has started. There is plenty of blame to go around. What we need now is a majority Board that is informed and will make the needed changes before it is to late, if it isn't already.
The above is my opinion and views from years in business, being on the Board, sources of information, and first hand observations. I may be wrong, but I don't think so.
29 comments:
Very true on our water dept, shared mgmt with northbeach, doing work for them outside surfside, new pipe, new meters, new equipment, new pumps n filter, handy northbeach headquarters on our doorstep. But then I’m just a conspiracy theorist. I told you so coming in near future.
I've heard this prediction frequently since buying our place here. Surfside owns all of our Waterworks, so is not indebted to anyone. The fact that North Beach Water has managed to keep their meathooks into OUR S.S. owned and operated dept. worth at least a million dollars, is a quandary, and there's no evidence that they have any claim to take over, or the means to buy our system outright.
Surfside pays Bill Neal enough to insist that he work only for Surfside. If North beach needs our crew to do work for them, then they can contract the work, presuming they are not needed in Surfside. But it seems there is no need to be tied to North Beach, and may be better off cutting the "sharing" of our staff from the arrangement.
Maybe Surfside needs a new Water Dept. manager, but there seems no reason at all to consider selling what the membership owns, and the community must have to exist. Dismantling the current arrangement would be very complicated and it is unlikely North beach has the financial means to BUY our system outright.
We may need to bring in expertise from elsewhere to iron-out the current problems with water quality, but that is doable, new staff can be sought, and that is routine and doable. Why complicate this even further ? Because there are challenges we should give up and GIVE this to North Beach ? Silly.
With the current situation that indicates operation of the water department has not solved problems and has increased liability and exposed employees and the members to health hazards, the choice of what needs to be done, could be made by some agency other than North Beach Water or Surfside. We may have crossed the "red line". There is nothing "silly" about any considerations that need to be considered. Millions of dollars spent the past years, and our water quality is no better, and if anything, worse. We were promised less color in the water with the new carbon filter plant, and instead we have more color problems and see a published article in the Weekender about water filters. Insanity is to continue doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. That is where we are today.
Off topic but wanted to check in to see if George is doing OK. Drove by to dump some trash and saw that his neighbors have cut a few trees down on his border so I assume he is in mourning.
3:22 A saying from long ago, it applies to you specifically. It goes like this "Everybody likes a little ass, but NOBODY likes a smart ass".
To 3:22 PM..
Nice to see you are concerned about me, but am not in mourning. My neighbor was also concerned about me, and that was part of the reason they cut down the trees.
They moved here years ago before me and after some years of RV'ing, they built a vacation home. There are no tree height restrictions here and the trees are a different type than the shore pine on the West side. We also have here a mixture of trees that include Alder and Spruce.
They knew that I was concerned about their tree tops breaking off in a storm and taking out my above ground power line. They have landed in my front yard and the street. It is to expensive for me to install under ground wiring. They were also concerned about trees falling on their Rv.
I watch after their place and mow their lawn when they are not here. They show their appreciation by sharing their clams, salmon and crab. I send them Emails about storms and their place.
The point of this story is that neighbors, who just happen to be fellow members, can be friends that look after each other. These kinds of people don't need written complaints. If I had been mean and demanding about the trees, they could have cared less about my concerns.
I do like trees that are healthy and not a hazard. My neighbor still has trees that are tall and healthy by the lake front. Our tree height covenants actually promote un-healthy trees. Tops removed, weakens trees. Our complaint and enforcement system destroys friendly neighbors that look out after one another.
I think anyone would like to have a neighbor like I have. I do not think any would like to have you as a neighbor judging by your "smart ass" comment. I am not upset by your silly remark because it gives me the opportunity to hopefully pass on a positive message.
George, your response to the unneeded remark was so appropriate. We are also rv folks and all Neigjbors around us look out for each(even a stickbuilt member). Sad state of affairs when you don’t know who your friend or enemy is in a HOA. We appreciate your blog and you are a gentleman for handling the REMARK with good manners. BTW: had members tell me yesterday that a female on J commented that the only members that should have any say is J and G st. Is that an elitist comment or what?
There is no proof that anyone has been endangered by the handling of the old pipe. It has been stated by folks knowledgeable on the subject, that the risks were only in cutting and handling broken pipe. Asbestos is only dangerous to breathe.
It is recommended that the old pipe be buried in the trench with the new pipe. That was the method used, but at some point the material was taken to the Waterworks property and dumped in a huge pile, eventually buried on-site. That was a big mistake that the State is riled about, and the generally dismissive attitude of a large organization, Surfside HOA.
The CTP has only been on-line about 10 months. There is no indication that the plant is not a good choice for our community, only that we are still working on consistency of water quality.
"Millions" have not been spent. The plant cost about $500,000, and the building to house it, more on top of that. Other equipment has been purchased and pumps replaced as part of the project. The BOT spends at least $150,000 annually replacing waterlines with modern pipe.
There may be a learning curve in getting the system to operate at peak efficiency, and the filter material may need to be replaced earlier than expected. Maybe the constant work replacing lines affects purity, rather than it being Mr. Neal's ineptitude. He and his staff all seem very capable and knowledgeable.
11:22 ….understand what you read ? What specifically did I say is "silly" ? Giving our Water Dept. to North Beach Water. There can be no rational explanation.
Geez Steve, for one of the first times I have to say I totally agree with your statement.
North Beach doesn't have the ability to purchase SS water, they aren't doing as well as you think over there.
Sorry Steve, but I spent almost two weeks wrapping pipe to be hauled off, never saw any buried. Must be after I was dismissed by Kirby, uh, I mean Bill.
Mr. Haskins said that they buried the pipe in the trenches while he was employed w/Surfside. Word on the blog was, that the debris piled at the Water Dept. site was buried, and then required to be dug-up again when the State became aware that some had been buried at the dumping site.
From my standpoint, I don't understand why anyone knowingly makes false statements when the truth is going to come out. Thanks for the info. Why not give your name ? I don't have anything at stake, just want the facts.... and safe water out of he tap if possible.
I wouldn’t give my name either. Because of the vindictive behavior of the current board majority, is why the real truth with names attached is so hard to come by. We’ve seen how George n others have been treated. Plus those involved in any way could be called in to give statements.
Mr Cox,
Regulations are clear and known about which requires that all exposed ACP pipe be fully wrapped per standard practice. No if's and's or butts.
The Water Dept failed, Specifically Gil and Bill failed in their responsibility as they know the rules and regulations regarding properly handling the pipe removed from the ground.
Exposing SHOA to state and federal fines etc.
You cannot just pile it and bury it latter!
So Bob, what's it going to cost us (fines) to get out of this mess?
I have no idea the state and federal issues of this kind, this kind of thing is not taken lightly by them.
Seeing that people were potentially exposed to asbestos fibers un-necessarily.
Especially when the decision makers knew the rules and choose to take short cuts.
Is there a vehicle within the association rules that would allow us to remove the entire board for cause?
Otherwise, this association just took a giant leap forward toward dissolution.
Mr. Haskin.... I understand the restrictions on this, and don't understand why procedures tried to ignore the law. I haven't suggested the material be buried on the Waterworks lot !! It was stated in a comment on this blog. YOU stated that the procedure was to disconnect the old pipe and bury it in the trenches alongside the new pipe. That is exactly what the State recommended.
Obviously, that procedure changed, as pipe was being hauled to a debris pile on the Waterworks lot. Were employees cautioned to wear breathing protection when replacing pipe ? The laws on this have been on the books for 50 years or so - so all employees should have been capable of safeguarding themselves when the stuff may become airborne.
The law may require employers to insist on employees wearing specific protective gear. One would think that the HOA would oversee such procedures, wanting to avoid liability for worker's claims of health issues created by asbestos exposure.
We don't know if Bill Neal encouraged protective measures be taken when replacing lines, and in the eyes of the EPA that may be a serious failure. It does seem apparent that there was no oversight being exercised by the Surfside HOA, or by North Beach Water Dept. for whom Neal also works.
I have worked in numerous industrial situations where workers are routinely exposed to harmful chemicals, and know that workers often opt to not use protective gear even though encouraged to and having such equipment available. Asbestos is particularly dangerous though, when it becomes airborne.
I've just been saying that workers need to take precautions they feel are practical and necessary. But the apparent lack of oversight by the BOT to monitor practices in a project lasting a decade or longer is particularly negligent. Was Mr. Neal making poor decisions or acting on someone else's poor decisions ?
Either way, the Board is responsible. Fitting, as most have been around that decade....or more.
Mr. Cox
You are correct on all counts.
Here some questions for you and others to ask yourselves:
Why would Gil, who knows the laws and regulations allow this to happen?
Why would Bill, who knows the laws and regulations allow this to happen?
Why did Bob leave the pipe in the trench adjacent to the new pipe even though it made much more work for us in terms of trench width and the site restorations?
Why did Bob make sure that any ACP pipe removed for disposal be kept wet until we could encapsulate it per the State and EPA regulations.
Why did SHOA incur additional expenses to have the ACP pipe disposed of?
Bob was aware of the regulations regarding the handling and disposal of the ACP pipe that we removed from the ground. Bob did not cut corners to save money it was not worth the legal costs nor the potential loss of my certs not ot mention the costs to SHOA and Homeowners.
The bigger question I have why was I driven off and Fired in Sept 2010 while I was recovering from an on the job injury, as I was?
Why are some of the BOT members, after all these years after my removal still there?
I have a meeting coming up with the EPA investigator soon, been doing alot of reminiscing about my fun 4 years that I worked for SHOA. I have more questions now than I have answers for what has been going on over the last eight years that I have been gone
Tell it all Bob! Take em down including K! He will get his in the end and you will have the last say.
I had a nice long conversation this morning, with the EPA Investigator.
He walked away surprised and very well informed.
whoopee! any move toward honesty and transparency is a good thing.
Hoping those guilty parties involved in this dangerous matter are having a tough time sleeping tonite. As devastating as I’m sure it was to be fired, looks like you will have your chance to shine.
The Employee Handbook is available on the Surfside website. However, the job descriptions of the employees is not available. I would like to see these descriptions because I believe that we have been paying and giving bonuses to people to fulfill responsibilities that have not been fulfilled. Appropriate actions should be taken against Board Members, contracted employees and employees who have failed to fulfill their duties to protect the best interests of the members of the association.
Before pipe replacement started, we had fewer water employees. Pipe replacement is done for a short time during the year. Always wondered how justified their jobs rest of year.
Still at minimal staffing considering all that needs to be done ... The question is better stated are they being utilized effectively?
So why did you remove my snarky but certainly not nasty comment about Mr, Haskins? You allow them if it meets your agenda!!
George,
I love to see some of these snarky comments.
That way I can correct the record for all to see or to learn why I did what I did... I have nothing to hide
Others, love to hide and sling stuff to deflect all that is wrong in SHOA by blaming me and that's okay, I have broad shoulders and the truth behind me.
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