The Board Newsletter, more or less a propaganda outreach, does have a positive splash in that it highlights the Residents having fun at the planned parties and enjoying their camaraderie with the volunteer run events. The photos do show a happy bunch. Certainly positive for the community.
Though the ongoing financial irresponsibility the Board has thrust on the community continues to fester beneath the smiling faces we see in these newsletters. It is apparent that a segment of the Residents are having a wonderful time here at Aquarina. There always appears to be a plethora of activities in which to participate making for a social vibrancy. However, the appearance is that much of the vibrancy is centered with the golf crowd, to which the Board cuddles. It would seem as a Board, the focus should be with all the Residents, e.g. notice that when a particular affair or event is announced in which ostensibly the whole community can participate, the affair is typically closed within two days of the announcement because there is no more room to accommodate maybe other interested folks, other than the continued same segment of the Residents. This has happened more than once. I’m sure the affair or event is mostly filled before it’s announced by those “in the know”. Regardless, people are enjoying themselves – a good thing. However, let’s be sure a community event can accommodate all.
Now let’s proceed through the “Projects” in the Newsletter that are completed and underway. Ah, there is the unsubstantiated irrigation well project. I have not seen any clear numbers that demonstrate any savings by spending $100’s of thousands of our funds on a well. The wild card, which would mitigate any savings, is Aquarina Utilities, a family run water treatment business that is allegedly for sale. Believe me, they will make up, with higher potable water rates, of any lost revenue from losing the irrigation account. Wouldn’t it have been more cost effective to plant grass with a high tolerance to minimal irrigation in the fairways? Hmm.
With reference to the Irrigation Well, we were offered some financial gibberish about “self-liquidating debt”. The essence of this phrase is that the debt will be paid off from the assets that were obtained through the debt. Really? The ruse is that what we were paying in irrigation fees will now be paying for the 1) well, 2) its ongoing maintenance, and 3) the unknown increased cost for our potable water (Residents’ water rates are not controllable). There is no control over any of these costs. Remember, with the present irrigation cost, it can be controlled with usage and the planting of grass that is tolerant to minimal irrigation. The costs associated with the Irrigation Well will be far more toxic to the community. Oh yes – this is an expense for golf.
It’s interesting that this Blog has brought to light over the past months many of the areas that are now being addressed as ongoing “Projects”, e.g. re-coating the asphalt roads, which should include pressure washing and striping, and paver resetting and cleaning; installing new HVAC systems in all the buildings, which should include service contracts; and placing video cams at the Beach Club House, etc.
All these “Projects” should have had a priority over the moving of the gym, the renovation of the Admin Building to accommodate the gym, and the rebuilding of the Golf Maintenance Yard. These “Projects” were discretionary and self-serving, and cost the Residents unnecessary funds. The Admin Building and the Golf Maintenance Yard were subject to new and expensive construction requirements because of their renovation, where, instead, these facilities could have been repaired to their previous functional condition at a far smaller cost.
Though this Blog may be the sole active voice in its opinion on how Aquarina should be better served, we do have a democracy in this community where we are provided with a process to vote if we believe that Aquarina should be on a different path. Time will tell if Aquarina stays on its current path or diverts itself to the roots of its past where the whole community participated in decisions for the betterment of all, and not be subject to a forced agenda by a few.