Integrity

At the last board meeting, cited as an 'emergency' board meeting, the board gathered to discuss the pool employment issue. No formal agenda was presented and it really had very little to do with the pool. At least as it was, the pool didn't have much to do with any emergency issues.

It really had to do with power, control, and integrity.

A couple of community members came to the meeting. As an aside, you are always welcom to attend board meetings. They are public meetings. The board is entitled to go into executive session and we do from time to time, but for the most part, it is a public event, the matter is being recorded and you are welcome to attend any meeting you choose to attend.

The next meeting for the community if April 17th. I implore everyone to go. I think the board needs to hear from everyone in the community.

I must tell you, I am particularly frustrated at certain members of the board taking unilateral action without consulting the remaining members. We don't have a King or a Queen, we're supposed to have a board that meets to discuss matters in depth and find a meaningful way to resolve their issues. This was the case with the 2006/2007 board. Five different points of view would have to be resolved so we could march forward together. Somedays we didn't all see eye to eye, but at least there was a respect for one another. Never was there a disregard for someones position or their vote and voice as a board member.

You are probably aware of what has come to be known as the Bennet Wall. It invades an easement that grants access to the two plats Seven Bays sold a couple of years ago. The same two plats that led to the $48,000 tax liability we were forced to deal with last year.

The previous board of 2006/2007 advised that the wall should be removed. In a letter signed by all of the board members, this was the action decided upon. In subsequent meetings with the new board, the issue was discussed. I had requested that Linda be excused from the discussion because of the conflict that existed.

At the next board meeting, on July 28th, where I was not present, Mrs. Schindler asserted that she was not in conflict.

A few days later, the infamous email from Mrs. Schindler was presented to the board where she stated the matter was 'settled' and thus my responsive email to her which many of you have reviewed and commented on. Some comments in support, and one particular individual very much against. His comments over the past few days have become more and more egregious and I have refused to post his comments as he is not a member of the Seven Bays Community. I'm sure he will post another comment to this missive.

As an aside, I appreciate the comments of the homeowners here. Some were supportive, some weren't. Some people felt I was stirring up trouble and causing distress. To this, I reply, I am and I am sorry, but I feel I have no other choice. The premise that the new board was elected on was that the old board was being secretive and not discussing issues with the community until after the fact. Not that the old board was hiding anything, but the community is right. You should have more involvement in decisions and you should be given a venue for your voice. That venue exists at the board meetings, community meetings, and this website. As I have advised all who are on the email list, you can post directly to this blog. Everyone has an equal voice and that is the way it should be.

Getting back to my point. . .

At this emergency meeting, Mrs. Schindler handed out a document she had prepared to allow the Bennett Wall. I will scan it and post it to the website shortly. Despite the previous board directing the removal of the Bennett Wall, Mrs. Schindler decided it was OK to be present and she decided that she had no conflict. This document had not been presented earlier, it was a sandbag if there ever was one and the kicker of it is that there were only signature lines for George Cordier, Rick Graf, and Linda Schindler. No signature line was present for Margot Rach or myself.

This is where we have a lack of integrity and leadership on the board. This document was an offensive attempt to simply state that there was no longer a five member board. There is only a three member board and the other two members are irrelevant.

This is what I find offensive more than anything else. I'm thankful that the guests who were present at the board meeting felt the same way I did and they voiced their concerns to the board at the end of the meeting. I hope that they will both appear at the community meeting and relay what they observed. I hope more that the board members take to heart what was said to them.

I am both offended and disappointed at the behavior of our board. All of our board, myself included. It is clear that we cannot continue to work in harmony, if we ever could. A board divided is a board that will fail.

Some of the board members are upset with me because I have used this blog to open a shaft of sunlight on the inner workings and exposed the boards agenda. As Mrs. Schindler stated on August 3rd, she no longer trusts anything I say. So it is clear, she has not respect for me. As well,

I have no respect for a board member who blatantly disregards the rules of order and decides as judge and jury their role relating to conflict and the lack thereof.

I have no respect for a board member who doesn't rise above it all to lead the board to a path of mutual understanding and respect.

I have no respect for board members who are silent and refuse to speak.

I have no respect for board members who tell other board members to "Be Quiet - you're hurting my ears" as a way to have a discussion.

I have no respect for a group of people who have their own agenda and follow the views of a limited few instead of the views of the community.

Perhaps I say too much, but these are my opinions. I take the credit for them and I invite all of the board members to post their responses. I have asked all of the board members to respond, but they have thus far refused to do so. I hope that they will reconsider and use this forum as a means to voice their concerns and views.

And yet, I can't condemn all of our board members. I believe our President has the good of the community as his goal. I believe that he does earnestly believe that Seven Bays can be a great place. I don't agree with all of his views, but I can respect his desire and his motivation. But the board is splintered and the sides have been chosen. I hope that our chairman can find a way to cut through the anger and distrust. I hope that he can find a way to stand up to the other board members and take charge of the situation running the community fairly without conflicts of interest. If he can't, perhaps this isn't the right board to lead Seven Bays.

Once again, I urge all of you to come to the meeting on April 17th. I look forward to seeing you there.

Jay S. Jump

Board Member