The HSVPOA held a “Let’s Talk” with the Directors on Saturday, May 25, 2019. The Directors conducting the meeting were Chairperson, Cindi Erickson, Diana Podawiltz and Buddy Dixon. Also, in attendance was Vice Chairperson, Tormey Campagna who was seated in the audience and attended as a fellow property owner, and not to sit on the official panel.
A recording of this meeting was made by Videographer, Larry Wilson and should be coming out next week sometime.
The meeting was very educational and informative.
Below is a transcript of what I attempted to say, but was not allowed to finish. It was deemed a monologue, which I will admit it was. (The PDF’s inserted below are references, for the reader’s convenience, but were not part of my “monologue”.) The point is, these issues need to be addressed and addressed publicly. If I can’t speak at the Let’s Talk, which is supposed to be an open dialogue, where can I speak? If I had been allowed to finish, I would have felt much more confident about the Board Chairperson’s desire to listen to the Property Owners.
Other monologues were allowed, including one Villager that trashed the campaign of the candidates we supported in the last BOD election. (This Villager had many valid points, but on this one subject, we did not agree as she misstated several things about the campaigns.)
What I had to say at Let’s Talk
Cheryl: “First, I would like to say that the Board Meeting on May 23rd was productive. There was much exchange of information and ideas by the Board members. Hopefully, as promised, the Property Owners will be allowed to speak at future meetings.”
“Respect is very important. We noticed the CEO is still interjecting into the meeting when she is not being asked a question. We ask that the Board discontinue allowing this to occur.”
Why was staff absent at the last POA meeting?
“We also noticed that the presence of the normal group of POA employees was missing. Since non-employee Property Owners received sanction letters, we are wondering if the employees and employee spouse who purposely strode over to our side of the room also received sanctions? Is that why they were not at the special BOD meeting?”
“I said that the meeting was productive, but parts of the meeting were concerning.”
Prayer at 5/23/19 Board Meeting
“We are always supportive of prayer, except when the prayer is used as a manipulative and condescending tool. This prayer was used to shame folks that have different opinions. This is unacceptable and very offensive.”
Buddy Dixon Prayer 5/23/19 Board Meeting
Buddy-Dixon-Prayer-5.23.19-BOD-mtg“We also found the reference to “Protective Covenants for Dummies” to be offensive. This is not the first time we have heard folks speak of Property Owners in a disdainful manner. (We do understand this was meant in reference to the many “Dummy” book series, and while this term was not really said to offend, we feel the Board should be more sensitive when they speak. We have heard many things about Property Owners being uneducated, etc., so care should be taken to not use the word ‘Dummy’ when referring to us.)”
“The chairperson’s monologue at the beginning was also unacceptable. The Board cannot control Property Owners and social media. The Board does not have the right to chastise Property Owners for speaking up about what we consider to be the problems we see being created. This was an attempt to stifle and control us. Very wrong of the Board Chairperson to do this!”
Cindi Erickson Monologue 5/23/19 Board Meeting
Cindi-Erickson-Monologe-5.23.19-BOD-MeetingConcern over Village Homes and Land and Builders’ Guild
“We have talked to a number of realtors. Many realtors feel they are being pushed out by Village Homes and Land. Village Homes and Land is a Property Owner subsidized operation and needs to close. I contacted Tellico Villages through their POA website. Guess who responded back to me? It was an independent realtor, as it should be. Tellico POA website lists a number of independent real estate companies on their website, as well as a long list of independent builders. There is no “Builders Guild” or Tellico Homes and Land” listed. These HSVPOA departments appear to be an attempt at a major power grab by the POA management.”
Lodge
“Another major potential problem is the development of a lodge. Has a Return on Investment been done? We notice the beautiful lodging across from the Village (Village Inn) is not operating at full capacity. The hotel business is not an easy one.”
“Sure, you say you will find someone to build, maintain and run this facility. When it fails, and it most likely will, then who will take over? We know the answer to that question and it is the POA. We cannot have another large failed building like that sitting vacant and deteriorating. Soon our assessments will be subsidizing one more item. I suppose we could eventually put this under the category of “Managed Subsidization”, a term that is being stressed by the Chairperson.”
Trust and respect
“Lastly, trust and respect are very important, but we see this lacking in certain individuals. So no, we cannot sit back and we feel no shame or remorse in expressing our opinion.”
Written by Cheryl Dowden
Dan Leathers
05/25/2019 — 6:30 pm
It wouldn’t have to be a monologue if there weren’t so many things needing to be addressed! Cindi interrupted at app. 1:36, and again at about 2:29. Way too soon, and way too overbearing. Bottom line is, it’s all a farce to co-opt us.
HSVP C
05/25/2019 — 6:44 pm
Dan, my whole “monologue” was almost finished the second time she interrupted. Her interruptions took time away from me. The whole thing would have been finished in less than three minutes, which I thought was reasonable. And then I would have felt a whole lot better about the Board (mainly the chairperson) listening to the Property Owners. She didn’t want to listen, because number one, I was speaking the truth, of which I can document and two she didn’t like what she heard. On another note, later in the meeting, I brought up the fact that the videos put out by the POA are not closed-captioned. I was given an inadequate and side-stepping reason for why this is not being done. It is time to contact an official organization to help with this. Enough is enough. Please, all hearing-impaired people contact me, either through this website or my personal email address. I’ve got your back. pennywisebuys@gmail.com
Kirk Denger
05/25/2019 — 10:09 pm
Cheryl, thank you for your well thought out dialogue with the BOD, our chairwoman is an enabler of the sociopathic CEO who blatantly spins reality to make her reality work. A common defense mechanism of the disordered person is blame shifting as is what we see through the Chair blaming Noble and Darst for their own decision to end the 5/15/19 meeting. Disordered people may not care that they’re lying, or they may actually believe what they are saying. Either way, their certainty is palpable, and after a while, it becomes hard for them to distinguish what is real from what is being projected and what is being distorted. The truth is, THEY’RE NOT RIGHT. But their life, living with their disorder, is easier when they can get us to carry the burden of their illness and their behavior. One question: is sociopathic behavior contagious?
Phil Lemler
05/26/2019 — 6:00 am
Great perspective Cheryl … and thank you and Joe for all you do … much of these shenanigans would be happening in the dark were it not for you two!
My observation of this “Let’s Talk” sessions is one of inconsistency.
All along the POA Board (prior to the new additions) has been adamant they give direction to the CEO and the CEO IS NOT directing the board. I find their argument weakened by the exchange regarding lodging in this “Let’s Talk” session. The chairperson indicated that we would determine the feasibility for whether lodging made sense here. Then she decided that the CEO was actually going to provide the board a “plan ” for lodging. By the end of the conversation, she was discussing a contract with a lodger/developer. She didn’t think a contract would be forthcoming in August … for the lodging .. but it might…. and it would be complicated and probably confidential.
So, what was the board’s directive to the CEO on lodging? Was it “perform a feasibility study” and get back to us? Was it “develop a plan” to attract a developer for a lodging facility? Or, was it “if you can find a developer/lodging entity, go ahead an execute a contract”?
If the board is directing the CEO, we should expect a clearer communication of what we want the CEO to do. If the chairperson of the board is not clear on this project, how can we expect the CEO to deliver results?
My guess is that the CEO is directing the board and the chairperson just has not been clued in ….
Gene Garner
05/26/2019 — 10:16 am
Thanks Cheryl for reporting the pertinent parts of the 5/25/2019 “Let’s Talk” meeting and your interrupted attempt to bring to light some of our concerns. I salute your patience and tolerance when dealing with these people.
What’s wrong with a monologue? “Monologues give the audience and other characters access to what a particular character is thinking, either through a speech or the vocalization of their thoughts.” Isn’t that what we do with our 3 minutes at these meetings? There have been some noteworthy monologues throughout history; “Four score and seven years ago…”, “Friends, Romans, Countrymen…” so your monologue was in good company
It’s common in repressive regimes to blame the opposition for all their troubles, we see it in Venezuela, North Korea and Russia. The HSV leadership can only keep a lid on the frustration and distrust for so long, the tipping point will be reached soon, probably through the courts, and then the whole house of cards will come tumbling down.—Gene
R Busse
05/26/2019 — 11:53 am
Thanks Cheryl. Your reporting on the many Leadership events is greatly needed, as we no longer have a newspaper involved on our governance. Your postings are very informative and straight forward.
I commented on another source and also wrote the BOD how interesting and informative the 2nd half of this months BOD meeting was. Hearing frank, open discussion of subjects, with the back and forth communication was something we have not been privy to for a while. It gave us some incite into the individual directors and also some of the little known things they must face. I felt that a once a month session such as that, with the ability for the members to ask short questions or make short statements would help owners be more in tune and understanding with our governance.
I felt that the “Let’s Talk” gatherings, as promoted by leadership, as a monthly Board discussion session was not in any way compatible with what took place at the “Special Board Meeting” of the 23rd. Those sessions do not even have the entire Board present. But, I did receive notice that my message was received with no other comment on the subject.
Lloyd Sherman
05/27/2019 — 9:13 am
So exactly what is the purpose of the “Let’s Talk?” Does it mean let’s talk about what we (the board members) agrees with? Does it really mean open dialogue? Or is it just another forum for us to be told what we think? So what if a prepared monologue is read into the record. These dictatorial edits coming from any board member only continue to incite those who believe the property owners are the real POA and should have input and be listened to those we have elected. Elected officials are representatives of the property owners. Employees are paid resources hired to carry out the wishes of the property owners. Until the Board and those we pay to carry out OUR vision, continue down this “we know what is best for you” the division is going to continue and will most likely lead to more dissension and an exodus of valued property owners.
Tom Blakeman
05/28/2019 — 12:36 pm
One of three things result when you ask one of the old guard board members a question:
1. You get told “This is not an appropriate topic for discussion.”
2. You get told “This is a ‘staff’ function or ‘operations’ issue so we don’t know.”
3. You get told “We can’t speak about issues in litigation.”
Until we rid ourselves of representatives who think and act this way and change our bylaws and policies accordingly, nothing will change.