It has been naively assumed that while leadership was dealing with the ongoing negotiations with Bobby Jones Links, the remainder of their resources and energies were being directed at addressing the challenges and effects of covid19 in our community. Instead, unfortunately, and much to the disappointment of this writer, we find it is business as usual as much business of the POA continues to be done in secret.
With new leadership boasting a policy going forward of complete openness and transparency, it was learned at the April 23rd board meeting that approximately five acres of POA property on Hubbard Road had been sold and closed six days before. (1) With the promised weekly updates waning, this event was not considered newsworthy for prior notification nor was it even mentioned in the previous week’s work session. Yet somehow in the middle of a pandemic, the decision was made to sell a POA real property asset without any property owner discussion whatsoever.
Visions of a community center that never materialized . . .
We are informed by the POA president that the five acre parcel was purchased in the 2007-2008 timeframe with the intent of donating the property (located about a mile down a gravel road beyond the Fire Station) to Dawson County for a community center. However that construction never took place. We are now advised, without any mention of a board vote on the matter, that the property has in fact been sold and closed. This entire after the fact discussion and revelation only conjures up another list of questions and places transparency issues squarely at the feet of this new board.
No approval found of the original purchase of the property . . .
As some historical reference, the R4 residential designated property was purchased by the POA in February 2007 for $50k during the POA president’s previous tenure in office. (2) While there is discussion and approval of a $50k addition to the clubhouse project cost, no documentation or approval of this land purchase can be found in the January or February 2007 board minutes. (3) There is, however, mention in later archives of Smoke Signals of land being donated to the county.
Fast forward – today . . .
And now, it is surprisingly learned that POA property has been sold that many if not most property owners did not even realize existed. Further, with a $75,000 purchase price (4), one must ask what makes up the additional $7,500 that has been deducted to net the $67,500 proceeds as noted by the president. It would appear that some type of commission has been paid although there has been no mention of the property ever being available for sale.
One must also question if BCPOA covenants give the board the specific authority to purchase and sell real property without property owner approval. And even further, this transaction could make one wonder if the POA also owns other real property assets outside Big Canoe other than the roundabout property and bulk trash area on Hubbard Road.
An after the fact notification does not demonstrate transparency . . .
Once again, there was no documentation or mention of this sale to the property owners prior to the April 17th closing. This is clearly not a good way to do business. Instead, property owners were advised after the fact much like previous important board decisions such as the BJL, Chambers, and Bergin engagements as well as execution of the 2018 agreement with UIG. There is an unfortunate commonality in this trend.
It is assumed that this new leadership has the best intentions in all matters dealing with the POA. However, it must surely be realized that any continuation of POA business handled in this matter will never restore the trust and good faith needed in this community. Hopefully, the necessary adjustments in business practices will be immediate and forthcoming.
In closing and as a side note, thank you members of the POA board for yesterday’s decision to conduct the BJL vote in open session. That is definitely a step in the right direction and much appreciated by this writer.
*****
Please feel free to share your comments on this site regarding these suggestions or contact me at thepcrosses@gmail.com for questions or further discussion. Should you like to see additional articles posted in the future, please subscribe for an email notification. Meanwhile . . . take care and stay safe.
Patricia Cross (10438 Big Canoe)
References:
1 Meeting of the Board of Directors Video, April 23rd , 2020 (POAwebsite>login>POA>Meetings>SubscribeToOurYouTube . . . >at 1:18:00)
2 Clerk of Superior Court Records, Dawson County, Georgia, Book 793, Pages 415 – 417, dated February 22nd, 2007.
3 Meeting of the Board of Directors, Minutes, February 21st , 2007 & January 17, 2017 (POAwebsite>login>POA>DocumentArchives>BoardOfDirectors>BoardMeetingMinutes> BoardMeetingMinutes2007>1-2007 and 2-2007)
4 Clerk of Superior Court Records, Dawson County, Georgia, Book 01404, Pages 415-416, dated April 17th, 2020.
Is this the property that we considered for a new amenity, a community farm? A few years ago a committee visited the very successful and healthy community southeast of Atlanta, Serenbe Farms, surveyed our community and did a detailed proposal with cash flow etc for the board. The board at that time turned it down. In light of the current warnings of food shortages I wish we had done it. These days knowing where our food comes from is smart.
Just wondering if this is the land where they have the now monthly bulk trash day? I also would have loved to have had a community farm for the homeowners to grow their own food. Why was this voted down!
So, it was not even documented that we bought it? Is there more property in a category such as this?
Cynthia and Julie: I am very good friends with one of the co-founders of Serenbe. I brought him here in late 2018 – early 2019 to discuss the development of an aquaponics farm for the community. (Serenbe does this too). I was told at that time that there probably wasn’t sufficient community interest and no real land available. Still have all the info and still want to pursue. Welcome your ideas / thoughts / collaboration. Thanks much. Allan
Allan, I did not work with the group that put together the proposal. I have visited Serenbe several times and interviewed and wrote about their first organic farmer. She did a marvelous job creating that farm and making it viable. Bill Byrne always wanted us to have a farm. There was consideration for one in Wildcat in one of the green belts that had been cleared when a golf course was part of the Wildcat plan. That was set aside but later the farm was again considered and one was included in the plan for Potts Mountain prior to the 2008 economic issues. It was several years later after that plan was put on hold, that Anita Rosen, one of the editors for Smoke Signals, worked with others on the proposal for the POA board to consider.
I don’t recall any kind of survey of property owners being conducted to determine interest. There has been a healthy interest in local farmers markets. Xaviere Chatagnier writes a column and maintains a list of property owners who want to receive e mails announcing her news about the markets.
Believe it would round out our amenity offerings and I am disappointed that this board did not bring this decision and this history to the property owners before selling this viable property for a farm.
Thank you Cynthia. I am in the very early stages of working on another aquaponics project near Jasper that could be a good model for BC as well. Lets stay in touch if others decide to make this a priority. Stay well!
Ms Patricia, the $7500 is what a Real Estate agent would typical charge for a land sale and paid by check. Surly the POA has a copy of said check and who was it made payable too? Thank you is not enough for All you do!
Respectfully, Robert