Our Appreciation

James Flood & Larry Raymer....

Both are no longer serving on the Board.
It only seems proper that their service be recognized with thanks for serving as a volunteer. Both have been a volunteer for many years.  I hope you will accept my observations and opinions, as I have known and worked with both over the years they have been  active volunteers.  My personal thanks to them both, and hope they continue in some capacity, to serve the members with their knowledge and experience. I invite both to share their advice, knowledge and experience with readers on this blog.
We will all be better for it.

James Flood:

James Flood

James served on the Board for 12 years, and was still willing to serve for 4 more. That is beyond my comprehension as I could not make it through each of my 2 terms. As President several times and as a regular on the Board, he made sure that he knew everything that was happening in regards to Surfside. He kept in frequent contact with the Board members.

I remember on many occasions where there would be an issue for consideration, with a majority of the Board already decided.  He would time and again bring up opposing arguments. I would think, Wow! he is going to vote with the opposition, usually me and a few others, to only find out his position had not changed, but that he wanted all side aired. He also did this in closed sessions. He would say..."this is what will happen and cost if you do this"

There were occasions where a Board Meeting or Annual Meeting had the potential to erupt in a very bad situation. Time and again I saw his ability to defuse that kind of situation. I did not then, and still do not agree with some of his positions, but I must say that he always treated me with respect.  Like others on past and present Boards, I have nice friendly conversations on matters other than Surfside.

I am sure James is disappointed with the election and the stab in the back he got from the "Protect Surfside" bunch. It is unusual for sitting and past Board members to oppose another sitting candidate. I guess that's the politics of it.  Take care, James.

Larry Raymer:

Larry Raymer

Mr. "Nice Guy"
When Larry decided to run for the Board over 4 years ago, a well known member told me that they were concerned that he was to much of a nice guy to run for and be on the Board.  It is now 4 years later and he is still a nice guy.  I have seen time and time again where a candidate will make all the claims that they will be for changes and be open and transparent, to only a year later, circle the wagons with the rest of the Board. That never happened with Larry.  He stayed true to himself and the members.

For 13 or 14 years during his time here in Surfside, I think he has served on every committee there is and was.  He served well on every one of them.  During his many years on the "Tree Committee" as a member and Chairman, he was known as the "tree guy". He has the ability to talk with the members who had tree height violations.  They were mad when he came, and accepting when he left. Being fair was and is his reputation.  Larry is a shy guy, and does not ever talk about himself or brag about his many accomplishments. He has been active outside of Surfside serving the community and it's many needs.  He is now serving on the Pacific County Advisory Board for Flood Control.  Certainly an issue here in Surfside.

As a Board member and Trustee and committee member, he is never satisfied with a report as presented. He wants to know more, the whole story. He contacts County and State officials on a regular basis to gather more information.  He is probably more knowledgeable about the Surfside covenants than anyone.  He has even trained several past compliance officers.

"Mr. Historian" is another title he has.
If you want to know anything about the history of Surfside from it's founding, Larry is the guy to ask. Be prepared for a long conversation.

Thanks Larry for your service and doing it in a nice way.  We expect you to continue your service in one way or another. Your knowledge and experience is just to valuable to go away.