At the budget meeting, the treasurer stated that the $417,000 for leasing 18 pieces of golf equipment is not going to be a capital expense. But it is listed in the documentation under capital purchase.

The total expenses for 2015 are $869 less than the total expenses for 2014. The total expenses for the golf business for 2015 is $73, 079 more than 2014.

There is no line item showing the stated $82,000 in savings going to the reserve fund. The golf business total expenses is $73,079 more than 2014. Get it?

And remember, we are not getting an overall manager so we are paying for less service but only saving $869 overall. The Hoamco manager is not an overall manager. At least that is what we have been told. Hoamco is not going to have the same involvement in managing the golf business or restaurant as we had budgeted in the past. That is what we have been told. That is a concern.

One board member stated we should not have to raise the annual assessment for several years. Let’s see if that holds true in light of the many other misleading statements.

There is an item on the agenda for the regular board meeting on November 26 that may determine if VOCA will continue to mail The Villager to members. Since that publication has not been utilizes to inform members, we might as well cut that expense. It will be interesting to see what the information style under Hoamco will be. They claim to be “paperless” so members without computers will continue to be in the dark. The Hoamco brochure indicates newsletters and web sites as services they provide to their clients. Be watchful.

It is too bad a member has to almost be a detective to learn what is happening with our own HOA. The three board members who were in attendance at the budget meeting didn’t even know if the Homaco contract has been signed yet. Members don’t know either. Wonder if and when we will find out.

Yes, only 3 board members were at the budget meeting. One was on the phone and 2 were absent. Be watchful.

Remember this board is only here for a short time. Find some good people and run next year so the board can be replaced with upstanding residents, one at a time.

There are many people that do not attend the meetings who are watching this board. Business men and women, CPA’s, lawyers, residents who care. They are also having secret meetings like the board, about the board. If the money is not there to cover the spending, if numbers are overinflated, if a bidding system is not used, this board will be liable.

Keep going to meetings.

The president made the comment (I wish I could remember which meeting), “the members elected us and they have to trust that we have their best interest in mind.” The unsaid message in that statement was basically “you should all stay home and trust us, and quit bothering us with your comments, we’re trying to take over the universe here.”

It’s the same ridiculous statement that was sent with the “ballot” they sent about HOAMCO. (now I wish I had saved the letter), but basically the message was “The members made us send out a ballot, but we’ve already decided, so your vote doesn’t really count for anything, and we cut off out nose to spite our face and wasted over $3000 doing this mailing. (doesn’t that seem outrageous? The cost of mailing something to the homeowners?) I digress.

I’m having a hard time finding the benefits of being part of the homeowners association in the first place. My street is loose rock (not really paved), my neighbors have overgrown yards, they have bright lights that stay on all night, dogs poop on my property; just a few of the things going on in VOCA. But I should remember that there is a park, I could go to some lame parties with the Geritol Jet Set, there is a newspaper full of insulting (thanks Barb) articles. Hmmmm, anything that is worth $180 a year.

I know, I know, you are all going to tell me that if there is no golf course that my property value will go down; that’s crap, have you looked up lately? People don’t move here for the Oak Creek Country Club, they come here because it’s Sedona!

How do we get rid of the HOA? The Board? The hidden personal agendas?

I want to defect.

Short answer? YES. Welcome to the Big Park and VOC and Sedona politicians.

Your reputation for honesty and transparency and integrity stinks.

Clean up your acts.

They got rid of the general manager and then used their woes as volunteers to justify Homaco.

There is not going to be an overall general manager to coordinate the four departments. The board is in charge. I don’t know where we will find 3 fair and reasonable people to run for the board in April. But that is about the only hope short of a recall or lawsuit.

Seen any announcement about the meetings on November 12 yet? You have to almost be a detective to figure out when the meetings are and what the heck is going on.

In the meantime, they waste space in The Villager with insulting articles.

The medians are overrun with weeds and lots are turning into prairies. But, gee, we are all to blame because we don’t like change.