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As I have reported before, we have been trying to cooperate with individual board members of the Resident Association (RA) by having meetings on Tuesday's. All season long we have been met with various demands and a general feeling (from both the RA and us) of beeing frustrated. Every meeting we remind the RA that they are an impressive and appreciated Social organization; however, they are not "the voice" of all homeowners, and most importantly, they do not represent our voice in business matters. We have been concerned that the RA board members may be over stepping their "identity" by misrepresenting themselves to homeowners as being “their voice.” However, each meeting we were assured that the RA was clear with the Residents about these very important distinctions. As the season and discussion progressed there continued to be confusion, frustration, and disappointment for a small number of residents while we remain frustrated and concerned that contrary to what we were told, the RA may be playing a different hand to the homeowners then what they were saying to us.
Then it happened. Monday, I received a copy of the 2018 Resident Association membership drive form letter. What I read was a disappointing “smoking gun." In part it says: Why join the RA? "*We act as a go-between Management and Residents trying to resolve problems.” Farther down: “Remember, the Terra Mar Village Residents’ Association is YOUR VOICE in the park and the more voices, the LOUDER we sound." The problem is: Both statements are not true. The RA is not a go-between homeowners and management, and the RA does not represent anyone's "voice" but their own. So there it was. This is probably why a small group of residents seem impossible to talk with, and also seem to remain mad, frustrated, and chronically disappointed! Therefore, on Tuesday I met with the RA board President and informed him we would no longer be meeting with the RA to discuss Terra Mar Business. Instead, direct communication would be the only way to be sure our customers received direct answers to their questions. I also assured him there was no hard feelings and that EVERYONE loves the Social Activities, which I remain committed to support financially and otherwise. RESIDENT ASSOCIATION FAQ: Q - Is the RA a "conduit?" A - NO. The RA does not represent anyone but itself, and is not trained or qualified to answer homeowner questions about Terra Mar Village business related questions. Q - Is the RA the legal "voice" of the homeowners of Terra Mar or Management? A - NO. The RA is organized as a social organization and its opinions, answers and demands do not represent anyone’s opinion but their own. Q - Do Terra Mar Village homeowners have to join the RA? A - NO. The RA is purely voluntary. It is a most excellent and very much appreciated social organization who’s number one mission is FUN! Q - Do the RA and Management cooperate with one another on social Activities and other non-business related projects. A - YES. Most social events are coordinated with the front office from a calendar perspective, and Terra Mar’s owner donates his money to cover the costs of most of the meats served at these events. The bulk of the social events are a wonderful synergy of volunteer Residents giving effort and hard work for many to enjoy. There has also been a number of other nice projects that have been worked on - like park benches on the waterfront and a “Memorial” tree planting. Q - I have question(s) about Terra Mar Business (my bill, the amenities, ongoing repairs and maintenance, future plans, rules, selling my house, buying a house, my dog, etc.). Should I get my answers from the RA? A - NO. The RA is not our voice. Q - Why do the RA “general meetings” focus primarily on Terra Mar Village business matters and the developers business with the Residents? A - Because the RA purposely holds these meetings to represent itself as a “go-between.” Unfortunately, this has caused much frustration and heartache for a minority of homeowners and Management alike. Q - The RA tells Management that some Residents are afraid to ask questions directly to Management because of “retribution.” Should I be concerned with this? A - NO. NO ONE should EVER be concerned with “retribution.” First, it is against the law. Second, it is immoral. Third, it has never happened and will never happen. Last, this rumor, wherever it came from, is a scare tactic the RA has used in meetings with us to create a “solution” to a “problem" that does not exist. Q - The RA board President says the RA does not want to be “trivialized” as only being a social organization. Shouldn't their input count for something? A- Absolutely! ALL input is helpful. The RA can make suggestions and communicate with us just like anyone else. Everyone has the right to congregate and discuss whatever they want to discuss. Everyone also has the right to fair dealings and the only way to have fair dealing is to deal with one another honestly. Come on in, tell us what is on your mind. Write us an email. Set an appointment for a one-on-one meeting. Fill out a communication form if you don’t want to email, call, or make an appointment. Good service, fair dealings, starts by sharing information directly, from the "horse's mouth." Q - Can the RA become "the voice" of all homeowners? A - Absolutely! However, before that happens, there are very specific legal steps that must be accomplished, documented in writing, and the RA board may even need specific training! What the RA can not do is make believe it is something that it is not. That simply causes problems. At the end of the day, most everyone at Terra Mar LOVES the RA for its wonderful and most excellent Social events. We also welcome your comments and concerns in this matter. Please feel free to call or write us at terramarvillagemanager@gmail.com to have your voice heard! -KJW- Check out the lively events in this months calendar put out for you by your awesome Terra Mar Village Social Club!  This Saturday is the Pancake Breakfast from 8-11 am. Excellent breakfast with pancakes, scrambled eggs, toast, bacon or sausage, coffee, orange juice, tea. And the cost is only $5.00. Call Don at 315-323-2610.
Also, each year members of the community get together and go out for Easter Dinner at a restaurant. This year, as in previous years, Janet Lafond will be handling the details. The restaurant will be Dixie Crossroads in Titusville, and the date is Easter Sunday, April 1st. For reservations call Janet at 386-210-4186. She needs to have a list ready for the restaurant by March 25th. Please call if interested. Don't forget if you are coming to the St. Patrick's Day dinner, please call Karleen at 386-345-0415 or Pauline 386-210-4151. The deadline is fast approaching. Wednesday the RA will be holding our annual Valentine's Day Italian dinner. If you have not called yet, please call Pauline @ 386-210-4151 or Marion @ 386-210-4090. Cost is $6 per person.   We are excited to share that we continue to visit with Resident Association (RA) board members each week, usually on Tuesday. These meetings are an excellent way to keep each other informed. We realize that the RA enjoys making suggestions, so we use this time to listen, educate, and stay current.
Even though we are the RA's largest financial and informational contributor, we are not blinded by the fact that on some issues, the RA's perspective is a minority one. We also realize through DIRECT interaction with you that on other issues we all agree. Therefore, all Residents should feel free to speak DIRECTLY to us while giving what you can to the RA; in money, intellect, and time. Having options and choices is what makes a purely voluntary group, like the RA, so great! Unlike some parks, no Resident is forced to join or have their voice translated indirectly through an interpreter. However, EVERY RESIDENT IS WELCOME AND ENCOURAGED TO JOIN THE RA KNOWING THEY ARE ENCOURAGED TO GET THEIR INFO ABOUT TERRA MAR DIRECTLY TO US! Direct access to management and a healthy and vibrant social calendar IS the BEST of both worlds! Please stop by and say hi to Linda, or drop Diane an email, call the office, schedule an appointment with Jerry, write us a note or better yet, give us a Communication Form. Whatever's on your mind, we are EASY GOING and HAPPY to discuss. Please don't allow yourself to be confused or even worse mislead by second-hand info or gossip. DIRECT conversation is the best conversation! Like YOU - We love our Community, and we love our jobs. Have fun TMV and get involved if you want to: Check out this month's Social Calendar below! ~KJW~ Yesterday I spoke with FEMA. I won't bore you with the minutiae of details, except to say the application experience is akin to a root canal without novocaine. After months of waiting, by the end of the day, I was promised a bid! Yay!
Later on I received the call (keep in mind this is supposed to be a low-interest disaster "relief" loan): The quote: 6.9% interest, seven year payback, AND FEMA won't accept a lien on the pier for their collateral, they want my personal home collateral! Not knowing what you might know about this sort of thing I'll write it out. Most people could finance a ten-year-old KIA and get better rate and terms then this, from a used car street broker! Seems "Uncle Sam" has gotten into the loan shark business, so needless to say I declined their offer. So, onto the good news: 1. WE DID NOT WAIT FOR FEMA, 2. Terra Mar's beautiful dock is back in business, 3. There were no assessments garnished on YOU! 4. There was no HOA or Government bureaucracy to further bog down the process of finding help, forcing parks to borrow money at used car interest rates, and then assessing the homeowners to make up the difference (which is what we understand most of the parks around us have to do to their residents in order to finance and pay for the repairs). Come on down and enjoy. The lights are on and the shrimp will be running soon! ~KJW~ The following are some upcoming projects you can look forward to seeing accomplished around the Village!
1. Management and the RA (Resident Association aka "social club") are working on placement of a "Memorial Tree," planted in memory of our community family who has passed away. 2. The RA is also working on a replacement sign (damaged by IRMA) welcoming you to the neighborhood social activities! 3. Management is updating and further improving common area security cameras. 4. The Pier is back open, Yay! Even still, the community owner wants more and is getting ready to allocate even more money into an action plan to make TMV's iconic fishing pier the best on the National Park archipelago! 5. New HOMES, New HOMES, New HOMES (Check out the new video and beautiful homes here: www.terramarvillage.com/for-sale--rent.html). Why are new homes vital to you? "Sales" liquidates money that can be "plowed back" by the owner into Terra Mar! And, "new home" sales create more comps which help drive property values while spreading amongst many instead of few, the high costs of community expenses! + The best New Homes AND Prices on the River + NO LOT RENT + NO bureaucratic HOA + NO FMV rate increases for 2018 + NO hurricane disaster assessments for IRMA + A professional management team + An owner/operator who spends his money on Community infrastructure and improvements instead of yours + And, the many planned, fun, and active social activities put on by your volunteer Resident Association and their Social Committee! ++++++++ TMV IS THE PLACE TO BE ++++++++ ~KJW Just a few reminders for this upcoming week:
If you plan on coming to the Christmas Dinner and have not made a reservation , please call Marion (386-210-4090) or Pauline (386-210-4151). The Cookie distribution will take place this Thursday at 11 am. If you wish to donate cookies or want to deliver them, please come to the club house at 11:00 am. Game Night will not be held this week or next. It will start up again after the holidays. Finally, the Decoration Contest will take place this Saturday evening. If you want to participate, don't forget to turn on your decorations when it gets dark. The judges will be riding around the Park to see all the decorations. Publix gift cards will be given as prizes. The winners will be announced at the Christmas Dinner (you don't have to be present to win). Thanks for your time. Happy Holidays to all! Annie |
AuthorSKJW: Father, Family, Pilot, General Manager of TMV, LLC Archives
August 2019
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