By Jama Lopez, February 4, 2022
The past few weeks have truly been an adventure and learning experience as I work my way through the information I need to know and the steps that must be taken to properly put oneself out there as a potential board member.
I began by contacting the Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy to start the process of CPA license reciprocity. I am licensed in Texas, and have been for 31 years. (I feel the HSV property owners do deserve to have an Arkansas licensed CPA representing them on the Board.) To earn my Arkansas license, I needed additional continuing education that included Arkansas Ethics and webinar or in-person classes. I next had to contact the University of Utah and request my transcripts be sent directly to ASBPA. ASBPA also needed to see my test scores from the CPA exam (back in 1989 and 1990) and proof of my hours of service in public accounting for Now, I’m down to having my fingerprints scanned and giving permission for a background check through the Arkansas State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation. This has been a journey. But the best part is I have a person at ASBPA who’s now on a first name basis and is most kind and patient with me as I tick off one item after another. Kudos to Ms. Kathrine Stone! You are a treasure.
Next, I felt I really needed to know what the property owners’ biggest concerns are regarding the Village and governance of same. Ms. Dowden helped me set up a group on Nextdoor for interested property owners to get to know me, ask me questions, and provide insights and opinions. I now consider the members of this group “Jama Wegeng Lopez, 2022 Board Candidate” to be my focus group. It appears I have members from all parts of the Village and various backgrounds. What a wealth of information. (I would love to have you join our group on Nextdoor.)
Based on my recent query of this group, the leading answers to “What do you feel is the single biggest challenge facing our BOD at this time?”
- Build Trust
- Communication
- Transparency
- Control Costs
Many did mention the current board has made great strides in achieving the first three items above and are hopeful any new board members will keep the momentum going. In my opinion, the fourth item will be handled well by our new General Manager, Kelly Hale. He’s really hit the ground running.
My next challenge is the Hot Springs Village Voice Candidate forum, scheduled for Tuesday, February 15 at 3:00 pm. We will have twelve questions, none of which are given to us in advance. We each will be asked to answer two questions, drawn blindly. After the forum, all candidates will write a response to all twelve questions for publication in the Voice. (This forum will be live streamed on the Village Voice Facebook Page and uploaded later in case you miss the live stream.) Click here to visit the Voice Facebook Page.
I welcome your questions, comments, or concerns. I can be contacted by email at: cpatogo13@gmail.com.
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Melinda Alvord
02/04/2022 — 5:46 pm
Thanks for the update on your behind the scenes activities related to your campaign in ways that will enhance your ability to serve our community. Sounds like you’ve been putting your time to good use (unlike another candidate who has been the subject of much recent social media conversation). Best of luck to you.
Sue Posner
02/05/2022 — 4:20 am
Would hope any elected board member would work to undo charging owners to access their property or impede their entry. While letting public strangers in for free.
Mary Szczepaniak
02/04/2022 — 9:33 pm
Will the Village Voice Candidate Forum be on Zoom?
HSVP C
02/05/2022 — 4:10 am
Mary, the Village Voice Candidate Forum will be live streamed to the Village Voice Facebook page.
Diana Podawiltz
02/05/2022 — 9:02 pm
Way to go Jama. It will serve the Board and community well for you to be licensed in Arkansas.
Your expertise is very needed. My husband & I noted that there was a descrepancy between the bid accepted & the contract awarded for outsourcing grounds maintenance. This was approved by the BOD at their last meeting. The discrepancy is $2k in the favor of the contractor.
It will also be very beneficial to have a CPA chair the Audit Committee. To my knowledge this would be unprecedented in Village history. I’m just a plain accountant, not a CPA. None of our Chief Financial Officers/ Controllers have ever been a licensed CPA.
Jama Lopez
02/06/2022 — 11:08 am
Thank you, Diana!