NO Resident Questions Allowed at Upcoming Board Meeting 'CALL TO AUDIENCE'

Did you happen to catch General Manager Mark's column in this month’s Tipster? While reciting “some etiquette and rules” for upcoming board meetings, he reminds us that at the meetings’ Call to the Audience, residents can only comment and not ask questions! Honest, this is the “rule.” He writes, “Remember, the 'Call to the Audience' is not a question-and-answer time. It is a time to share comments with the Board about items you’d like the Board to know about.”

What? Even if this has been a “rule,” it never has been enforced. I wonder if the Copper Bldg. controversy has anything to do with this new enforcement. I guess that GM Mark and BOD Pres. Mike are worried that the concerns of residents over Copper, spiked by all the new revelations, might prompt some people to ask questions. So, let’s just squelch all questions – problem solved!

I expect that questions will be allowed during agenda item discussions. But, regardless of whether an item is on that day’s agenda, the ending 'Call to the Audience' is a key venue and opportunity for residents to publicly air and ask questions about their concerns. Instead, GM Mark writes, “If you have questions, you are welcome to submit them to Board members or the General Manager at any time and they will respond.” I guess “any time” for GM Mark does not include board meetings! So, we are limited to submitting them by email or whatever, just don’t “submit” your question at the open forum 'Call to the Audience' where everyone can listen.

It’s funny how GM Mark reminds us of this rule now that there are plenty of questions about Copper. Just keep Copper off the agenda and voila, no questions about it allowed. Wait, it gets worse! In the same etiquette reminder, GM Mark warns, “avoid negative language during discussions.” So, not only can we not ask questions, but any comments we make must be positive.

We know how he and the board define “negative” since it is the very same criteria used to ban comments on the official HOA Facebook page. Their definition is that any critical comment expressing a viewpoint at odds with the board or management is deemed “negative.” Many people writing critical comments in an appropriate manner have indeed had their posts removed and have been cited with a violation. Some have been banned. So, at board meetings, be sure to keep your comments positive.

It is outrageous that a free flow of comments and questions at our board meetings will not be permitted. Can you imagine such a rule at city or town council meetings? I can’t either. So, why would we accept this BS at our board’s meetings? We should not stand for it. Residents should feel free to express their comments and ask questions (in a respectful manner) at the 'Call to the Audience', even if these questions and comments are critical of a board policy or policies.

This GM needs to get real or go somewhere else. We don't want him here.

~ Contributed by an annoyed Resident