By Patrick McCarthy, February 5, 2020
My Vote and Yours – the Upcoming Board Election
Like a lot of you, I’m focused on the upcoming Board election. Why? Because it’s the single most important matter affecting “if, when and how the Village moves forward”. A long version of how we got where we are could be written, but for now, I’m going to present a Reader’s Digest version. The in-depth version would have more background and some detailed explanation of how we got where we are, etc. For now, this is the short version.
When all is said and done this election is quite simple. You either believe we are on the right path or you believe we have gone astray and the Board/POA are working against what most owners want for the Village. After all, we chose Hot Springs Village as a place to live, based on what it is, not some dream of what it could become.
On our Board of 7, it takes 4 votes to carry any issue. Therefore, in order to achieve goals of sound fiscal management, maintaining our infrastructure, aligning our upper-level employees to our needs and returning the Village to us, the owners, we need a Board with at least four like-minded directors. Three won’t work. We have to elect three and those three, along with Diana Podawiltz will make the four.
Hey, it’s a simple choice. Either the Board/POA know what’s best for us or we do. Even when we, the owners, pushed back as we did on the Declaration vote the Board did not listen. Let’s face it all 13 issues went down to defeat, maybe even against our own interest. The Board did not listen then and they are still not listening. They have not heard the owners and continue to act as if they know best. “Forward together” is their slogan; maybe it should be “forward no matter what”.
Maybe you agree with the Board/POA or maybe you don’t. If you do not, for any of a number of reasons, then the upcoming election is as simple as 1, 2, 3. Let me explain what I mean.
Keeping the above in mind, we have five candidates running for the Board this time – Nikki Choyce, Kirk Denger, Lloyd Sherman, Tucker Omohundro, and Dick Garrison.
Nikki Choyce is the Chair of the Comprehensive Master Plan Advisory Committee (CMPAC or CMP for short), so she is solidly a Board/POA ally. If you want change you have to reject a vote for her.
As to Kirk Denger, he is a nice person and wants change, but I think he is not the best choice at this time.
None of this is personal or complicated; there are simply only three people running for the Board of Directors who are on the same page and will lead our Village back to where, I think, most owners want it to be. Based on varied careers, I believe Lloyd, Tucker, and Dick (LTD) possess the skills and determination to get us back on track, and will.
Lloyd Sherman, Tucker Omohundro, and Dick Garrison, while not campaigning as a slate are solidly committed to change. They say so and I believe it. The three all have diverse skill sets and different backgrounds which will be assets to the Board. They are also like-minded on many issues, which we need at this time. Lloyd, Tucker, and Dick (LTD) are a no brainer choice for me and I hope for you too. They, with Diana, will make the four votes we need to change our Village and take it in a more positive direction.
Remember, you get to vote for three. Lloyd, Tucker, and Dick (LTD) will be my choice for positive change! I hope each of you will think about what you want for the Village, sufficiently inform yourself and vote to get to FOUR – “Four for the owners”!
It’s really the only way change can happen in the Village and we can get back to the peaceful community we deserve to be. Remember, your vote matters and this election is beyond crucial.
Patrick McCarthy
Email: pat_mccarthy@juno.com
Tom Blakeman
02/05/2020 — 7:09 am
Very well written and on point. Thank you.
Vote LTD!
Phil Lemler
02/05/2020 — 7:44 am
Good job Patrick … I agree …. “LTD”!
Mark
02/05/2020 — 9:15 am
LTD without hesitation.
Lem Tate
02/05/2020 — 9:28 am
Have you heard of Ford, GMC, Fiat, three major vehicle manufacturers. Ford is the only company where the profits stay in the United States. Voting for LTD is a shoe in, in my book
Minn. Daly
02/05/2020 — 9:37 am
Agree! Thanks Patrick. Lloyd, Tucker, Dick sound candidates that speak facts, NO SUGAR COATEING issues. We as property owner members need to take our community back from those that want to change HSV into a CITY environment. We need out of the development business, understand that COOPER was/is the developer. Eliminate Governance committee, eliminate the CMP, restructure bylaws, make decisions that keep us from lawsuits & excessive attorney fees. HSV/BOD makes decisions not a CEO! LTD understands the issues, they have business experience, state facts, understands what needs to be done & love our community. Please support & Vote Lloyd, Tucker & Dick. Minn Daly
Bob Mollerberg
02/05/2020 — 9:44 am
Tom Blakeman’s list of candidate questions that ran in the Voice yesterday is an excellent starting point for ensuring that we get the right folks on the BOD.
I’d like to suggest that we preface questions to the candidates with “will you make, second, or support a motion to ……….(specify an action).” I would like to have a concrete response from any candidate that I consider supporting.
Bob Mollerberg
Anne Shears
02/05/2020 — 10:18 am
ANOTHER REASON WHY WE MUST ELECT ALL THREE LTD CANDIDATES: We MUST gain the MAJORITY on the BOD in order to reverse previous bad decisions.
This election comes down to a Referendum on CMP Implementation. Make no mistake about this: The CMP Advisory Committee is, in reality, an Implementation Committee.
Dick Garrison made an enlightening statement last night. He pointed out that we have lost a great deal more money on the CMP than the original $500, 000. Hiring of additional staff at Director and Super-Director levels has cost us an enormous amount of money in overblown salaries. Think about that.
We must not fail. We MUST elect LTD — THIS IS OUR LAST CHANCE TO TURN THIS MESS AROUND.
RT Stony
02/05/2020 — 10:44 am
There is simply no doubt about it!
If LTD does not win in this coming election, HSV is done! You might as well get used to the POA (Lesley) turning a permanent blind eye and deaf ear to ANYTHING that property owners support and desire.
With a win for LTD we (property owners) will command a majority on the BOD.
This means that we can stifle Lesley at every turn and eventually remove her and restore the top position as a “General Manager” and not some over-paid, under-skilled CEO.
VOTE FOR LTD and let’s take back our Village from the hands of those driven to destroy it.
And remember – NOT ONE DIME until Lesley, the legacy BOD members and turncoat Tormey are GONE!
George Phillis
02/05/2020 — 12:30 pm
RT Stony said it perfectly and to be sure it’s said again here’s part of his message….”This means that we can stifle Lesley at every turn and eventually remove her and restore the top position as a “General Manager” and not some over-paid, under-skilled CEO.”
Many here in the Village recognise the fact the CEO is in over her head and mis-managed HSV since the self appointment as a CEO. Let’s get back to a GM and a BOD that will manage HSV with the well being of the property owners by meeting their fiduciary responsibilities to the property owners. This can only happen IF Lloyd Sherman, Tucker Omohundro and Dick Garrison….LTD….are elected to the BOD. These three will have our backs and restore HSV to the place we once knew with sound management protocol, honesty and transparency. Their diverse backgrounds, education and love of the HSV are just what we need to restore peace along with a solid financial footing for a bright future. It is IMPERATIVE for LTD to be elected. This can be achieved by each and everyone of us spreading the word and getting property owners to vote for LTD.
Joe Dowden
02/05/2020 — 6:21 pm
Pat, thank you for your wise input.
“Remember, you get to vote for three. Lloyd, Tucker, and Dick (LTD) will be my choice for positive change! I hope each of you will think about what you want for the Village, sufficiently inform yourself and vote to get to FOUR – “Four for the owners”!”
I am voting LTD!
Linda Anderson
02/06/2020 — 7:06 pm
PATRICK, Thank You.
Your article shows real spirit and an earnest call to property owners to make their vote count. I’ts time to end over spending, legal entrapment and secrecy. Return our Village back to the people who love it and want to protect it.
Board Candidates LTD are committed to cutting the ties of this allegiance to Corporate governance without representation of property owners. It’s time to change all that. PROPERTY OWNERS SHOULD BE REPRESENTED.
This is an urgent call to stand for CHANGE. Your vote will make that happen.
Will
02/07/2020 — 5:44 am
I agree with Patrick, LTD all the way. This is an important call to action, VOTE LTD!
Nancy C.
02/07/2020 — 6:44 am
Great article. Someone telling it like it is. Vote LTD.
Ed
02/08/2020 — 12:15 pm
I’m not sure LTD is exactly the trinity, but anything that challenges LN and the CMP is okay in my book.