- DO YOU PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH, OR PREACH AND PREACH AND PREACH?
- DO YOU TEACH RACISM TO YOUR CHILDREN?
- DO YOU PROMOTE AND DEMONSTRATE VIOLENCE OVER NEGOTIATION, COMPROMISE, AND NON-VIOLENCE?
- DO YOU TAKE AND NEVER GIVE?
- IS YOUR MOUTH CONSTANTLY MOVING AND THE WORDS GENERALLY USELESS?
- DOES YOUR LIFE MEAN MORE TO YOU THAN THE NEXT PERSONS? ARE YOU THE TYPE THAT PUTS A BATTERING RAM IN FRONT OF YOUR TRUCK TO MAKE SURE THE OTHER GUY GETS THE WORST END OF THE DEAL?
- IF YOU KNOW ANOTHER PERSON IS STRUGGLING, DO YOU OFFER TO HELP?
- DO YOU THINK ANY LESS OF A PERSON LIVING ON THE STREET? DO YOU SEE THEM AS FAILURES? DO YOU BLURT OUT, "ALL THEY NEED TO DO IS GET A JOB?"
- DO YOU THINK YOU CAN MEND A BROKEN HEART WITH REVENGE?
- IS YOUR WAY THE ONLY WAY?
Sunday, August 31, 2014
ARE YOU PART OF THE CURE, OR PART OF THE DISEASE?
SOME OF LIFE'S TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS
- QUITTING SMOKING FOR THE 10TH TIME.
- HAVING TO REMARRY THE SAME PERSON YOU DIVORCED.
- DRINKING ENOUGH BEER TO FORGET YOUR NAME.
- WORKING AT THE SAME PLACE FOR 30 YEARS AND GETTING A PEN SET WHEN YOU RETIRE.
- A CHILD DYING BEFORE THE PARENTS.
- THE FEAR OF LIVING.
- BEING LONELY, BUT LIVING WITH SOMEONE.
- BEING TOLD YOU ARE NO LONGER NEEDED.
- HATRED RAISING UP FRO A PLACE INSIDE OF YOU THAT YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND.
- THE FIFTH TIME YOU'VE HAD TO TELL SOMEONE YOU GOT THAT BLACK EYE BY RUNNING INTO THE DOOR.
- THE DAY ALZHEIMER'S MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR YOU TO RECOGNIZE YOUR SPOUSE AND CHILDREN.
- NOT HAVING ENOUGH MONEY TO BUY YOUR CHILD A BIRTHDAY OR CHRISTMAS PRESENT.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Tuesday, August 26, 2014
WELCOME TO THE VILLAGE
Suppose we were all the same. We worry about differences. Immigrants are unwanted in our communities. We don't trust Muslims, we get miffed at same-ex marriages, we're scared of people with mental illness, and different colors freak us out. So what if we were all the same? We all want the same jobs. We want to live in the same place, in the same looking houses, all painted the same color. We all eat the same food and dress the same way, drink the same beer and have the same hair-dos. We drive the same cars, vacation at the same places, play the same music, and watch the same movies. We laugh at the same jokes and cry at the same dramas. You cannot tell one of us from the other. Welcome to The Village, we got fun and games.
I WROTE THIS IN NOVEMBER, 2008
"A lot of racism still lingers in the hearts of many. You would think this would burn out over time, an evolutionary adjustment being make to human stupidity, but it only seems to get worse. Watch out for hate groups rearing up their ugly heads once again. I hope I'm wrong, but fear is running rampant. Hatred preys on fear, and fear often resorts to blaming color and religion."
The Peever
Let me know if I was wrong.
The Peever
Let me know if I was wrong.
NEOLIBERALISM REARS ITS UGLY HEAD IN THE VILLAGE
All along I figured we could use someone to make our decisions for
us. Someone who knows what's best for all of us. Sure enough, along
comes the POA directors.
Neoliberalism is defined as a political economic paradigm whereby policies and processes are decided by a relatively small number of people, who exert control over the rest of us. It is generally done to maximize profit.The fewer people involved in decisions, the easier it is to control the outcome.
Making decisions in secret and presenting them to the public as an afterthought is a classic example of neoliberal tricks. "We will let you have input after we have already decided the outcome." Any questioning becomes framed as negative and defeating behavior. This process is designed to make you think you are participating. What might be called illusionary, participatory democracy. It fools most of the people, most of the time. A prime example was last weeks POA board meeting. Before discussing the major topic, which was the proposal of a two tiered assessment plan, the board sprang on us a recently signed contract between the board, representing us, and Troon Management Company, the largest golf management company in the country. They told us how fantastic it would be and that it is, I quote, "A game changer." The crowd didn't take all this good news too well. We have a lot of people who don't fall for this neoliberal baloney. (The contract, by the way, was done in secret and the company demands that the board not tell us how much it costs). We become the bad guys, and they, the enlightened leaders.
The two tiered assessment discussion went about as I guessed. There was some very good input and some compelling arguments why it is a bad idea, none of which the board took into consideration. They immediately voted 4-2 to go ahead with the election, which any dummy can figure will pass, with most all non-metered lot owners voting yes. Miraculously, their dues will not go up. (And again, this plan was hatched in secret. We had input only after the board had, for all intensive purposes, already adopted it).
To all prospective residents: If you are not of the neoliberal or right-wing Republican persuasion, beware: The gated Village you are about to enter may be hazardous to your ideas about democracy. Then again, maybe you'll fit right in.
Neoliberalism is defined as a political economic paradigm whereby policies and processes are decided by a relatively small number of people, who exert control over the rest of us. It is generally done to maximize profit.The fewer people involved in decisions, the easier it is to control the outcome.
Making decisions in secret and presenting them to the public as an afterthought is a classic example of neoliberal tricks. "We will let you have input after we have already decided the outcome." Any questioning becomes framed as negative and defeating behavior. This process is designed to make you think you are participating. What might be called illusionary, participatory democracy. It fools most of the people, most of the time. A prime example was last weeks POA board meeting. Before discussing the major topic, which was the proposal of a two tiered assessment plan, the board sprang on us a recently signed contract between the board, representing us, and Troon Management Company, the largest golf management company in the country. They told us how fantastic it would be and that it is, I quote, "A game changer." The crowd didn't take all this good news too well. We have a lot of people who don't fall for this neoliberal baloney. (The contract, by the way, was done in secret and the company demands that the board not tell us how much it costs). We become the bad guys, and they, the enlightened leaders.
The two tiered assessment discussion went about as I guessed. There was some very good input and some compelling arguments why it is a bad idea, none of which the board took into consideration. They immediately voted 4-2 to go ahead with the election, which any dummy can figure will pass, with most all non-metered lot owners voting yes. Miraculously, their dues will not go up. (And again, this plan was hatched in secret. We had input only after the board had, for all intensive purposes, already adopted it).
To all prospective residents: If you are not of the neoliberal or right-wing Republican persuasion, beware: The gated Village you are about to enter may be hazardous to your ideas about democracy. Then again, maybe you'll fit right in.
Monday, August 25, 2014
NEOLIBERALISM REARS ITS UGLY HEAD IN THE VILLAGE
All along I figured we could use someone to make our decisions for us. Someone who knows what's best for all of us. Sure enough, along comes the POA directors.
Neoliberalism is defined as a political economic paradigm whereby policies and processes are decided by a relatively small number of people, who exert control over the rest of us. It is generally done to maximize profit.The fewer people involved in decisions, the easier it is to control the outcome.
Making decisions in secret and presenting them to the public as an afterthought is a classic example of neoliberal tricks. "We will let you have input after we have already decided the outcome." Any questioning becomes framed as negative and defeating behavior. This process is designed to make you think you are participating. What might be called illusionary, participatory democracy. It fools most of the people, most of the time. A prime example was last weeks POA board meeting. Before discussing the major topic, which was the proposal of a two tiered assessment plan, the board sprang on us a recently signed contract between the board, representing us, and Troon Management Company, the largest golf management company in the country. They told us how fantastic it would be and that it is, I quote, "A game changer." The crowd didn't take all this good news too well. We have a lot of people who don't fall for this neoliberal baloney. (The contract, by the way, was done in secret and the company demands that the board not tell us how much it costs). We become the bad guys, and they, the enlightened leaders.
The two tiered assessment discussion went about as I guessed. There was some very good input and some compelling arguments why it is a bad idea, none of which the board took into consideration. They immediately voted 4-2 to go ahead with the election, which any dummy can figure will pass, with most all non-metered lot owners voting yes. Miraculously, their dues will not go up. (And again, this plan was hatched in secret. We had input only after the board had, for all intensive purposes, already adopted it).
To all prospective residents: If you are not of the neoliberal or right-wing Republican persuasion, beware: The gated Village you are about to enter may be hazardous to your ideas about democracy. Then again, maybe you'll fit right in.
Neoliberalism is defined as a political economic paradigm whereby policies and processes are decided by a relatively small number of people, who exert control over the rest of us. It is generally done to maximize profit.The fewer people involved in decisions, the easier it is to control the outcome.
Making decisions in secret and presenting them to the public as an afterthought is a classic example of neoliberal tricks. "We will let you have input after we have already decided the outcome." Any questioning becomes framed as negative and defeating behavior. This process is designed to make you think you are participating. What might be called illusionary, participatory democracy. It fools most of the people, most of the time. A prime example was last weeks POA board meeting. Before discussing the major topic, which was the proposal of a two tiered assessment plan, the board sprang on us a recently signed contract between the board, representing us, and Troon Management Company, the largest golf management company in the country. They told us how fantastic it would be and that it is, I quote, "A game changer." The crowd didn't take all this good news too well. We have a lot of people who don't fall for this neoliberal baloney. (The contract, by the way, was done in secret and the company demands that the board not tell us how much it costs). We become the bad guys, and they, the enlightened leaders.
The two tiered assessment discussion went about as I guessed. There was some very good input and some compelling arguments why it is a bad idea, none of which the board took into consideration. They immediately voted 4-2 to go ahead with the election, which any dummy can figure will pass, with most all non-metered lot owners voting yes. Miraculously, their dues will not go up. (And again, this plan was hatched in secret. We had input only after the board had, for all intensive purposes, already adopted it).
To all prospective residents: If you are not of the neoliberal or right-wing Republican persuasion, beware: The gated Village you are about to enter may be hazardous to your ideas about democracy. Then again, maybe you'll fit right in.
Sunday, August 24, 2014
SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER
We make a pause
amid many voices---
some innocent and some seductive,
some violent and some coercive,
some forgiven and genuine,
some not.
Amid this cacophony that pulls us
in many directions,
we have these old voices of your prophets;
these voices attest to
your fierce self,
your severe summons,
your generous promise,
your abiding presence.
Give us good ears,
perchance you have a word for us tonight;
Give us grace and courage to listen,
to answer,
to care,
and to rejoice,
that we may be more fully your people.
Walter Brueggemann
amid many voices---
some innocent and some seductive,
some violent and some coercive,
some forgiven and genuine,
some not.
Amid this cacophony that pulls us
in many directions,
we have these old voices of your prophets;
these voices attest to
your fierce self,
your severe summons,
your generous promise,
your abiding presence.
Give us good ears,
perchance you have a word for us tonight;
Give us grace and courage to listen,
to answer,
to care,
and to rejoice,
that we may be more fully your people.
Walter Brueggemann
Saturday, August 23, 2014
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Human beings act in a great variety of irrational ways, but all
of them seem to be capable, if given a fair chance, of making a
reasonable choice in the light of available evidence. Democratic
institutions can be made to work only if all concerned do their best to
impart knowledge and to encourage rationality. But today, in the world's
most powerful democracy, the politicians and the propagandists prefer
to make nonsense of democratic procedures by appealing almost
exclusively to the ignorance and irrationality of the electors.”
Aldous Huxley, Brave New World Revisited
Aldous Huxley, Brave New World Revisited
ANSWERING THE E-MAIL
Mr. Weik: So you don't think there was a Garden of Eden? Lee
Dear Lee: I have a hard time buying a serpent that talks, or woman being created by pulling a rib out of man, or that by taking a bite out of an apple, humankind was plunged into the abyss. A factual story? Any person with a kindergarten education should be able to figure it out.
Dear Bruce: You are all over the people running Hot Springs Village. Just exactly what is it you would do differently? Mary
Dear Mary: Pretty much everything.
Mr. Bruce: I've seen you get on priests, lawyers, corporate presidents, doctors, politicians. You don't much care who you get on, do you? Mike
Dear Mike: No.
Dear Peever: Why did you move to Hot Springs Village if you are so critical of it? Keith
Dear Keith: A lot of peeving material.
Peever: Where do you come up with all this nonsense? Linda
Dear Linda: I make most of it up. The rest I get from The Village Voice.
Mr. Weik: Why are you so against the directors of the POA doing things in secret? We did elect them, after all. We should put our trust in them to do the right thing. Steven
Dear Steven: Excellent idea. I bet you do the same with Obama? Perhaps I'm not quite as trusting as you. I call my questioning, positive doubt. The directors are no smarter than we are. Allowing elected officials to do whatever they want is not congruent with democratic principals. Democracy does not call for a passive electorate. One has to be active and constantly aware of what is being decided on your behalf. Besides, I got nothing else to do.
Dear Lee: I have a hard time buying a serpent that talks, or woman being created by pulling a rib out of man, or that by taking a bite out of an apple, humankind was plunged into the abyss. A factual story? Any person with a kindergarten education should be able to figure it out.
Dear Bruce: You are all over the people running Hot Springs Village. Just exactly what is it you would do differently? Mary
Dear Mary: Pretty much everything.
Mr. Bruce: I've seen you get on priests, lawyers, corporate presidents, doctors, politicians. You don't much care who you get on, do you? Mike
Dear Mike: No.
Dear Peever: Why did you move to Hot Springs Village if you are so critical of it? Keith
Dear Keith: A lot of peeving material.
Peever: Where do you come up with all this nonsense? Linda
Dear Linda: I make most of it up. The rest I get from The Village Voice.
Mr. Weik: Why are you so against the directors of the POA doing things in secret? We did elect them, after all. We should put our trust in them to do the right thing. Steven
Dear Steven: Excellent idea. I bet you do the same with Obama? Perhaps I'm not quite as trusting as you. I call my questioning, positive doubt. The directors are no smarter than we are. Allowing elected officials to do whatever they want is not congruent with democratic principals. Democracy does not call for a passive electorate. One has to be active and constantly aware of what is being decided on your behalf. Besides, I got nothing else to do.
Friday, August 22, 2014
TROUBLING DAYS IN THE VILLAGE
We are at a crossroad here in the Village. We have leadership that wants to lead without the interference of the residents, and residents too smart and sophisticated to put up with it. One or the other is going to have to give.
"When democratic principals are not being followed, and the governing is done by the few without the knowledge or consent of the many, the resulting chaos is not only likely, but inevitable." The Peever
"When democratic principals are not being followed, and the governing is done by the few without the knowledge or consent of the many, the resulting chaos is not only likely, but inevitable." The Peever
Thursday, August 21, 2014
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"VOTING IS EASY AND A POOR SUBSTITUTE FOR DEMOCRACY, WHICH REQUIRES DIRECT ACTION BY CONCERNED CITIZENS."
Howard Zinn
Howard Zinn
8/20/14: ANOTHER DAY OF SECRETS
I attended the Village board meeting yesterday. It was interesting, and a bit rowdy. About 225 people were in attendance. The main topic was voting on a two tiered system, designed to almost double the dues for property owners with water meters on the lot.
After some compelling arguments on why we should not use a two tiered system, the board had clearly made up its mind in advance and voted 4-2 to send the proposal to the property owners for a vote. It will easily pass, with practically all non-metered lots likely to vote yes, since their dues will not be raised. Sort of pay back time for Village residents living off of them for the last 40 years.
And another surprise. We are giving over our golf courses to be managed by Troon Management Company, the largest golf course management company in the country. This contract was again done in secret, behind closed doors, and presented to us as an afterthought. Hard to tell what it might all mean, but the board stated they cannot tell us what it will cost. Confidential information that Troon does not want public. Right than the board should have said goodbye. But they seem to love secrets.
I addressed the board in terms of closed, secret meetings, urging them to adopt the Open Meetings Act. I'm guessing I might as well have talked to the flag pole outside. I don't believe under the direction of Keith Keck that they have any intentions of doing so. He has no intention of having anyone second guess his and the boards decisions. And he has four people convinced to follow him. I told them I consider any decision they make in closed, secret meetings to be "null and void." They are at worst illegal, and at best unethical.
We probably should bring legal action against their closed, secret meetings. We can probably get an injunction to stop anything decided in secret until a legal judgement can be rendered.
At any rate, the whole thing is disgusting. I didn't move here for this kind of nonsense.
After some compelling arguments on why we should not use a two tiered system, the board had clearly made up its mind in advance and voted 4-2 to send the proposal to the property owners for a vote. It will easily pass, with practically all non-metered lots likely to vote yes, since their dues will not be raised. Sort of pay back time for Village residents living off of them for the last 40 years.
And another surprise. We are giving over our golf courses to be managed by Troon Management Company, the largest golf course management company in the country. This contract was again done in secret, behind closed doors, and presented to us as an afterthought. Hard to tell what it might all mean, but the board stated they cannot tell us what it will cost. Confidential information that Troon does not want public. Right than the board should have said goodbye. But they seem to love secrets.
I addressed the board in terms of closed, secret meetings, urging them to adopt the Open Meetings Act. I'm guessing I might as well have talked to the flag pole outside. I don't believe under the direction of Keith Keck that they have any intentions of doing so. He has no intention of having anyone second guess his and the boards decisions. And he has four people convinced to follow him. I told them I consider any decision they make in closed, secret meetings to be "null and void." They are at worst illegal, and at best unethical.
We probably should bring legal action against their closed, secret meetings. We can probably get an injunction to stop anything decided in secret until a legal judgement can be rendered.
At any rate, the whole thing is disgusting. I didn't move here for this kind of nonsense.
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
SOME PEEVERISMS
- Fools often fall in love. Unfortunately, they usually reproduce.
- They best things in life are free. Of course, so are some of the worst.
- Sure you think you're right, but I know better.
- Politicians waste a lot of time thinking up ways to waste our money.
- If you have a kid acting up, run away from home.
- Imagine you had everything you wanted. You still wouldn't be satisfied.
- Getting married before age 25 can cause premature loss of youth.
- One out of four people will grow up to be a human being. The other three will become something less.
- Don't be a parent until you understand the damage you can cause.
- If you claim to be a Christian, but oppose free choice, or despise gays, or support war, get a new hobby.
- Given the laws of probability, surely not every dummy is a lawyer.
Tuesday, August 19, 2014
SOME THINGS I JUST WOULD NOT DO
- I wouldn't vote Republican under any circumstances that I can think of. Perhaps at gunpoint, but I would really have to think about it.
- I wouldn't drink a whole bottle of tequila. Ever again.
- No more nude swimming.
- I would play golf every day, but I wouldn't want to explain it to my wife.
- I wouldn't want to own property in Florida.
- I'm not interested in sky diving, car racing, or living in Chicago.
- And I still wouldn't bet on the Cubs.
Monday, August 18, 2014
QUOTE OF THE DAY
It is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. Insensibly one
begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit
facts.”
Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes
Arthur Conan Doyle, Sherlock Holmes
INFORMATION ON TWO TIERED SYSTEM AND STATED BUDGET SHORTFALL
Two members of new assessment panel quit, cite absence of facts
August 15, 2014 – The campaign to establish two-tier assessments in
Hot Springs Village and increase dues for homeowners by 77 percent has
taken a surprising turn.
Two highly respected members of the committee created to sell the assessment plan quit yesterday, saying the process leading to the proposal was flawed and the fledgling campaign to sell it is not transparent.
Katherine Winslow, chairman of the ad-hoc Assessment Committee, and member Lee Ann Branch sent their resignations to board president Keith Keck and COO/GM David Twiggs.
They acted less than 48 hours after Keck, Twiggs and board members Harv Shelton and Bobbie Bateman met behind closed doors to review an analysis challenging the Future Financial Task Force’s basic assertion that the POA would have a $22-million cash shortfall in 2020.
“Here’s my conclusion from that meeting,” Winslow wrote. “Village property owners will be asked to vote for a higher assessment fee on improved lots with virtually no plan of how the extra money will be spent.”
Branch had similar concerns.
“The (assessment) committee has asked each week for an itemized, prioritized list of the ‘infrastructure’ items, the rolling inventory, and on and on,” she wrote. “We are told it’s all on the website.
“That’s not how the residents are expecting to get that information. It shouldn’t be the residents’ job to search through all the documents to find the information. I feel it should be the board’s job to present the list and tell everyone what the plans are for the money.
“It frightens me there really isn’t a plan and I have no answer for the residents who are asking me each day; ‘What’s the plan?’”
Keck said the Tuesday meeting was another attempt to identify POA spending needs in the coming years. He and others promised all questions would be answered in the upcoming campaign.
Several weeks ago, Winslow asked her husband, Steve, to review the task force’s working spreadsheets and conclusions. Steve Winslow is a member of the Public-Works Committee and is known for his computer and management skills.
“What he came up with were serious questions about the need for an increase and whether the Village was really going to be out of money by 2020,” Katherine Winslow wrote.
Concerned, the Winslows felt they should share their finding with the POA board and staff. They contacted Keck last Saturday and he set up the Tuesday meeting.
Using the task force’s base case as a foundation, Steve Winslow added in all the plans Twiggs outlined at two public hearings last month, the golf subsidy reduction schedule identified by FFTF (but not included in their base case), removed the golf course renovation costs, and added in cost figures for several critical infrastructure needs identified by the public-works department.
Included were $180,000 to replace the Cortez Fire Station roof and funding to fix water and sewer lines and culverts, more road paving and all scheduled rolling stock. He did not include $2.7 million to renovate the Balboa Golf Course or $2.2 million for the Coronado Golf Course, but included $1.5 million for the DeSoto Club next year and $1 million for the DeSoto Pool in 2017.
Finally, he ran the numbers without assessments going to $65 a month for improved lots. Instead of ending up with a $22.5-million cash shortfall in 2020, Winslow’s analysis showed a $4.2-million surplus. Every year would have positive cash flow except 2015, his numbers showed.
However, these calculations were disregarded. In addition, the Winslows learned there was no stated plan for how an assessment increase would be spent.
The continued lack of credible information with which to answer numerous concerns raised by Village homeowners – and thus support a valid marketing campaign – prompted Katherine Winslow to resign as chairman of the assessment committee..
“Our committee’s search for answers to Villager questions has produced nothing concrete that we can share, and we’re being expected to create and implement a marketing communications campaign that will convince Village property owners to vote yes, with nothing to back it up,” she wrote.
“Villagers are not buying the idea that they just need to have blind faith in what’s being proposed and vote for an increase without a plan.”
Branch, former president of the Village Rotary Club and former executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, also cited the trust issue.
“There are verbal exchanges in the committee meetings that sound like ‘shorthand’ or inside information” Branch wrote. “I feel I am on the outside looking in.
“Many times emails from concerned citizens and (newspaper letters) have spoken of TRUST and the lack thereof.
“I feel many of the ideas passed along to us through the emails and the editorials have been valid, well written and have shown a true love and concern for HSV. I just don’t always feel we are taking stock in their messages and taking into consideration their feelings.
“It’s more about rushing to get the vote passed. I don’t feel this attitude will help with the trust factor.”
Other members of the Assessment Committee are Cindi Erickson, Joe Moreau, John Tidquist, John Weidert and Rolland White. Advisors are Dick Breckon, Mike Misch and Tom Arwood.
The board’s agenda next Wednesday calls for asking for member approval of a two-tiered assessment plan. If the ballot measure – scheduled to be mailed in October – is approved, assessments for property owners with water meters would rise to $65 a month on Jan. 1. Those with unimproved lots would continue to pay $36.68 a month.
Proponents believe the changes would:
• Remedy the inequity of unimproved lots subsidizing improved lots by placing more of the cost of routine services and maintenance on the members who use them most.
• Reduce the incentive for owners of unimproved lots to abandon them.
• Allow time to increase other revenue sources.
• Keep the assessment rates for all members below those of similar communities.
Two highly respected members of the committee created to sell the assessment plan quit yesterday, saying the process leading to the proposal was flawed and the fledgling campaign to sell it is not transparent.
Katherine Winslow, chairman of the ad-hoc Assessment Committee, and member Lee Ann Branch sent their resignations to board president Keith Keck and COO/GM David Twiggs.
They acted less than 48 hours after Keck, Twiggs and board members Harv Shelton and Bobbie Bateman met behind closed doors to review an analysis challenging the Future Financial Task Force’s basic assertion that the POA would have a $22-million cash shortfall in 2020.
“Here’s my conclusion from that meeting,” Winslow wrote. “Village property owners will be asked to vote for a higher assessment fee on improved lots with virtually no plan of how the extra money will be spent.”
Branch had similar concerns.
“The (assessment) committee has asked each week for an itemized, prioritized list of the ‘infrastructure’ items, the rolling inventory, and on and on,” she wrote. “We are told it’s all on the website.
“That’s not how the residents are expecting to get that information. It shouldn’t be the residents’ job to search through all the documents to find the information. I feel it should be the board’s job to present the list and tell everyone what the plans are for the money.
“It frightens me there really isn’t a plan and I have no answer for the residents who are asking me each day; ‘What’s the plan?’”
Keck said the Tuesday meeting was another attempt to identify POA spending needs in the coming years. He and others promised all questions would be answered in the upcoming campaign.
Several weeks ago, Winslow asked her husband, Steve, to review the task force’s working spreadsheets and conclusions. Steve Winslow is a member of the Public-Works Committee and is known for his computer and management skills.
“What he came up with were serious questions about the need for an increase and whether the Village was really going to be out of money by 2020,” Katherine Winslow wrote.
Concerned, the Winslows felt they should share their finding with the POA board and staff. They contacted Keck last Saturday and he set up the Tuesday meeting.
Using the task force’s base case as a foundation, Steve Winslow added in all the plans Twiggs outlined at two public hearings last month, the golf subsidy reduction schedule identified by FFTF (but not included in their base case), removed the golf course renovation costs, and added in cost figures for several critical infrastructure needs identified by the public-works department.
Included were $180,000 to replace the Cortez Fire Station roof and funding to fix water and sewer lines and culverts, more road paving and all scheduled rolling stock. He did not include $2.7 million to renovate the Balboa Golf Course or $2.2 million for the Coronado Golf Course, but included $1.5 million for the DeSoto Club next year and $1 million for the DeSoto Pool in 2017.
Finally, he ran the numbers without assessments going to $65 a month for improved lots. Instead of ending up with a $22.5-million cash shortfall in 2020, Winslow’s analysis showed a $4.2-million surplus. Every year would have positive cash flow except 2015, his numbers showed.
However, these calculations were disregarded. In addition, the Winslows learned there was no stated plan for how an assessment increase would be spent.
The continued lack of credible information with which to answer numerous concerns raised by Village homeowners – and thus support a valid marketing campaign – prompted Katherine Winslow to resign as chairman of the assessment committee..
“Our committee’s search for answers to Villager questions has produced nothing concrete that we can share, and we’re being expected to create and implement a marketing communications campaign that will convince Village property owners to vote yes, with nothing to back it up,” she wrote.
“Villagers are not buying the idea that they just need to have blind faith in what’s being proposed and vote for an increase without a plan.”
Branch, former president of the Village Rotary Club and former executive director of the Chamber of Commerce, also cited the trust issue.
“There are verbal exchanges in the committee meetings that sound like ‘shorthand’ or inside information” Branch wrote. “I feel I am on the outside looking in.
“Many times emails from concerned citizens and (newspaper letters) have spoken of TRUST and the lack thereof.
“I feel many of the ideas passed along to us through the emails and the editorials have been valid, well written and have shown a true love and concern for HSV. I just don’t always feel we are taking stock in their messages and taking into consideration their feelings.
“It’s more about rushing to get the vote passed. I don’t feel this attitude will help with the trust factor.”
Other members of the Assessment Committee are Cindi Erickson, Joe Moreau, John Tidquist, John Weidert and Rolland White. Advisors are Dick Breckon, Mike Misch and Tom Arwood.
The board’s agenda next Wednesday calls for asking for member approval of a two-tiered assessment plan. If the ballot measure – scheduled to be mailed in October – is approved, assessments for property owners with water meters would rise to $65 a month on Jan. 1. Those with unimproved lots would continue to pay $36.68 a month.
Proponents believe the changes would:
• Remedy the inequity of unimproved lots subsidizing improved lots by placing more of the cost of routine services and maintenance on the members who use them most.
• Reduce the incentive for owners of unimproved lots to abandon them.
• Allow time to increase other revenue sources.
• Keep the assessment rates for all members below those of similar communities.
Sunday, August 10, 2014
SUNDAY MORNING SERMON: IT MATTERS WHERE YOU COME FROM
My grandfather was one of my best friends when I was growing up. We
hunter, fished, and gardened together. I think what made me think about
him was the fact that I grew kohlrabi in my garden this year. I pulled
one out, peeled it, and ate it with salt the other day, just like my
grandfather and I used to do. He was an underground coal miner. Tough as
nails in his day. He told me they would go underground before the sun
came up, and surface after the sun went down, for days at a time. That
kind of work takes its toll. When they got a day or two off, him and the
guys would drink. He said he did things that he wasn't proud of when he
drank, but he never elaborated, nor did I ever ask what they might have
been. My grandmother and mother also never said. I don't think they
wanted to taint our relationship. The only thing he ever said to me was
to not let alcohol ever influence my behavior, which it ends up I have
been fairly successful at. My grandfather was an early union supporter.
He understood how badly the company exploited them. They lived in a
company house, bought company groceries, and when needed, got a company
loan at high interest rates. He said most of your paycheck was spent
before you got it. At times, you owed them. He had trouble with that.
For his union support, he received a broken back and a burnt down house.
He never worked after that broken back. He laid on a piece of plywood
for six months, then had an ulcer burst, which nearly killed him. As
long as I knew him, he did odd jobs, like mowing, and painting. He was a
slight man, not weighing any more than 100 pounds. He never said
anything about the broken back, but I heard others say it was not an
accident. Carts and donkeys were used to pull the coal out of the mine
shaft in those days. It was said one of t he carts was cut free, and the
cart hit my grandfather on the way back down the shaft. They company
called it an accident. He did always say you have to take responsibility
for the things you do. I thank he was warning me to take up issues with
caution and approach then carefully, because your actions will affect
more people than yourself. I ended up my father died before my
grandfather. We were sitting in has back shed nt long after my father
died when he said he wished he had died rather than my father. How much
more of a friend could I have had, willing to die to make my life
easier? He died about 6 months later. His body just wore out. I was 19.
SUNDAY MORNING PRAYER
We have been sent dangerously by God's
address---called by name, entrusted with risky words, and empowered with
authority. We are to tell the truth openly, work for justice, and stand
in solidarity with our neighbors. The cost is high, but the purposes
are those of the Holy God.
Walter Brueggemann
Walter Brueggemann
Thursday, August 7, 2014
ADVICE OF THE DAY
“Rules for Living by Olivia Joules
1. Never panic. Stop, breathe, think.
2. No one is thinking about you. They're thinking about themselves, just like you.
3. Never change haircut or color before an important event.
4. Nothing is either as bad or good as it seems.
5. Do as you would be done by, e.g. thou shalt not kill.
6. It is better to buy one expensive thing that you really like than several cheap ones that you only quite like.
7. Hardly anything matters: if you get upset, ask yourself, "Does it really matter?"
8. The key to success lies in how you pick yourself up from failure.
9. Be honest and kind.
10. Only buy clothes that make you feel like doing a small dance.
11. Trust your instincts, not your overactive imagination.
12. When overwhelmed by disaster, check if it's really a disaster by doing the following: (a) think, "Oh, fuck it," (b) look on the bright side, and if that doesn't work, look on the funny side. If neither of the above works then maybe it is a disaster so turn to items 1 and 4.
13. Don't expect the world to be safe or life to be fair.”
Helen Fielding, Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination
1. Never panic. Stop, breathe, think.
2. No one is thinking about you. They're thinking about themselves, just like you.
3. Never change haircut or color before an important event.
4. Nothing is either as bad or good as it seems.
5. Do as you would be done by, e.g. thou shalt not kill.
6. It is better to buy one expensive thing that you really like than several cheap ones that you only quite like.
7. Hardly anything matters: if you get upset, ask yourself, "Does it really matter?"
8. The key to success lies in how you pick yourself up from failure.
9. Be honest and kind.
10. Only buy clothes that make you feel like doing a small dance.
11. Trust your instincts, not your overactive imagination.
12. When overwhelmed by disaster, check if it's really a disaster by doing the following: (a) think, "Oh, fuck it," (b) look on the bright side, and if that doesn't work, look on the funny side. If neither of the above works then maybe it is a disaster so turn to items 1 and 4.
13. Don't expect the world to be safe or life to be fair.”
Helen Fielding, Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“Every positive value has its price in negative terms... the genius of Einstein leads to Hiroshima.”
Pablo Picasso
Pablo Picasso
Why National Security Has Nothing to Do With Security
Why National Security Has Nothing to Do With Security
HIROSHIMA DAY TOMORROW. SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 90,000-150,000 WERE KILLED. SO FAR, WE ARE THE ONLY ONE'S TO USE NUCLEAR WEAPONS ON A CIVILIAN POPULATION.
IT SHOULD BE A DAY OF REPENTANCE FOR US.
HIROSHIMA DAY TOMORROW. SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 90,000-150,000 WERE KILLED. SO FAR, WE ARE THE ONLY ONE'S TO USE NUCLEAR WEAPONS ON A CIVILIAN POPULATION.
IT SHOULD BE A DAY OF REPENTANCE FOR US.
Sunday, August 3, 2014
ANDY ROONEY GIVES THE SUNDAY MORNING SERMON
Andy Rooney's thoughts on women over forty, Do you agree with him?:
As I grow in age, I value women who are over forty most of all. Here are just a few reasons why: A woman over forty will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, “What are you thinking?” She doesn’t care what you think.
If a woman over forty doesn’t want to watch the game, she doesn’t sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do. And, it’s usually something more interesting.
A woman over forty knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of forty give a hoot what you might think about her or what she’s doing.
Women over forty are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won’t hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it.
Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it’s like to be unappreciated.
A woman over forty has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn’t trust the guy with other women. Women over forty couldn’t care less if you’re attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won’t betray her.
Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over forty. They always know.
A woman over forty looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over forty is far sexier than her younger counterpart.
Older women are forthright and honest. They’ll tell you right off if you are a jerk, if you are acting like one! You don’t ever have to wonder where you stand with her.
Yes, we praise women over forty for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it’s not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of forty-plus, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some twenty-two-year-old waitress.
Ladies, I apologize.
For all those men who say, “Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free,” here’s an update for you. Now 80 percent of women are against marriage, why? Because women realize it’s not worth buying an entire pig, just to get a little sausage.
As I grow in age, I value women who are over forty most of all. Here are just a few reasons why: A woman over forty will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, “What are you thinking?” She doesn’t care what you think.
If a woman over forty doesn’t want to watch the game, she doesn’t sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do. And, it’s usually something more interesting.
A woman over forty knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of forty give a hoot what you might think about her or what she’s doing.
Women over forty are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won’t hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it.
Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it’s like to be unappreciated.
A woman over forty has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn’t trust the guy with other women. Women over forty couldn’t care less if you’re attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won’t betray her.
Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over forty. They always know.
A woman over forty looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over forty is far sexier than her younger counterpart.
Older women are forthright and honest. They’ll tell you right off if you are a jerk, if you are acting like one! You don’t ever have to wonder where you stand with her.
Yes, we praise women over forty for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it’s not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of forty-plus, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some twenty-two-year-old waitress.
Ladies, I apologize.
For all those men who say, “Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free,” here’s an update for you. Now 80 percent of women are against marriage, why? Because women realize it’s not worth buying an entire pig, just to get a little sausage.
Saturday, August 2, 2014
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“In the 1950s kids lost their innocence.
They were liberated from their parents by well-paying jobs, cars, and lyrics in music that gave rise to a new term ---the generation gap.
In the 1960s, kids lost their authority.
It was a decade of protest---church, state, and parents were all called into question and found wanting. Their authority was rejected, yet nothing ever replaced it.
In the 1970s, kids lost their love. It was the decade of me-ism dominated by hyphenated words beginning with self.
Self-image, Self-esteem, Self-assertion....It made for a lonely world. Kids learned everything there was to know about sex and forgot everything there was to know about love, and no one had the nerve to tell them there was a difference.
In the 1980s, kids lost their hope.
Stripped of innocence, authority and love and plagued by the horror of a nuclear nightmare, large and growing numbers of this generation stopped believing in the future.
In the 1990s kids lost their power to reason. Less and less were they taught the very basics of language, truth, and logic and they grew up with the irrationality of a postmodern world.
In the new millennium, kids woke up and found out that somewhere in the midst of all this change, they had lost their imagination. Violence and perversion entertained them till none could talk of killing innocents since none was innocent anymore.”
Ravi Zacharias, Recapture the Wonder
They were liberated from their parents by well-paying jobs, cars, and lyrics in music that gave rise to a new term ---the generation gap.
In the 1960s, kids lost their authority.
It was a decade of protest---church, state, and parents were all called into question and found wanting. Their authority was rejected, yet nothing ever replaced it.
In the 1970s, kids lost their love. It was the decade of me-ism dominated by hyphenated words beginning with self.
Self-image, Self-esteem, Self-assertion....It made for a lonely world. Kids learned everything there was to know about sex and forgot everything there was to know about love, and no one had the nerve to tell them there was a difference.
In the 1980s, kids lost their hope.
Stripped of innocence, authority and love and plagued by the horror of a nuclear nightmare, large and growing numbers of this generation stopped believing in the future.
In the 1990s kids lost their power to reason. Less and less were they taught the very basics of language, truth, and logic and they grew up with the irrationality of a postmodern world.
In the new millennium, kids woke up and found out that somewhere in the midst of all this change, they had lost their imagination. Violence and perversion entertained them till none could talk of killing innocents since none was innocent anymore.”
Ravi Zacharias, Recapture the Wonder
HOPES AND REFLECTIONS
People are hungry, homeless, and falling into despair. It is disgusting
to think that in the 21st century, the poverty rate is rising. Why
should Bill Gates, or Warren Buffett, or Rupert Murdock, or Jeff Bezos,
or the Walton family, have so much money? Why not a more equal
distribution of the wealth? How can we give 700 billion dollars to rich
bankers, yet deny ourselves universal health-care? We bailed out the
auto industry, but we refuse to bail out one another. We are a people
lost in cynicism, distrust, and disinterest. Our government has become
completely incompetent, incapable of representing the people who elect
them. The new millennium is filled with desperate challenges that must
be answered if we are to survive, the biggest of which will be to attack
an epidemic of disengagement.
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