You would think that there is an opportunity with a Board of Directors’ election process that maybe a change could occur in the direction a community was going. Well, with Aquarina’s past Board of Directors’ elections, the cabal of golfers and their accompanying partying socialites made sure the results of these elections would keep the direction of the community on their track. The social pressure here is such that anyone with an alternative view of how Aquarina should be managed, would be ignored, discouraged, and silenced. Just look at the last two annual elections, the number of candidates was the exact number to fill the vacancies. The cabal, and its leader (the most recent last Board President, i.e. ex-president), made sure that the right candidates would be selected, counseled, and then encouraged them to run. To cement control, the ex-president told this processed group of new directors to create a new position, an Officer of the Board, who would be a past Board President. Hmm. Have you noticed how this new Officer (the past Board President) sits at the Board table and directs the meeting, like a puppeteer with marionettes?
I have engaged in a dialogue with one of the Board Directors, and explained concerns, as this Blog has been doing for the past two years. There was a cordial response; however, direct questions were ignored and any explanations were not applicable to any of my queries or positions. You see folks, the ex-president’s cabal, of acolytes, disciples, and now marionettes, have become so emboldened by doing want they want without recourse, that Aquarina is now theirs to fashion with their wants and pleasures.
What cannot be denied is what has occurred in Aquarina these past few years at the hands of a Board that is obviously still in control of our community and our quarterly dues, of nearly $1.5M per year. This amount of yearly money is meant, by law, to be overseen in a fiduciary fashion and to serve the WHOLE community. It is not intended to primarily fund AGI (Aquarina Golf, Inc.), its subsidiaries, and social events, for a selfish cabal of golfers and partyers. Let’s look at what has been spent from the Residents’ quarterly dues without a community discussion or vote. Some of the notable expenditures were:
- Our gym was moved to a new, yet inferior, location.
- The gym’s new location had to be constructed. Construction occurred without initial permits. Now there is talk of moving it back to its original location.
- The Community Clubhouse was changed from a comfortable lounge area to a meeting hall to accommodate cabal rallies and parties.
- A washing station was purchased to clean golf equipment.
- A well and irrigation system was contracted to be dug and constructed to irrigate the golf course. Oh BTW – the Residents were snowed on how irrigation costs would be saved with a well, but it was never mentioned that Aquarina Utilities, Inc. would request a significant increase in rates for potable water to make up for the lost golf irrigation revenue.
- The golf maintenance yard was renovated to an upscale level.
- Sand Bunkers were reconstructed and embellished with “white” sand.
Keep in mind, the golf course is a money losing operation, sure it needs to be maintained as a community asset, but not embellished with a well system, new and indulgent equipment, a redone maintenance yard, and fancy bunkers, especially when there are other areas of the community that are crying out for attention, repair and maintenance. They are:
- This Blog has pounded the need for our Aquarina entrance to be uplifted from its disrepair and despair. It’s the entrance to our community for all to see and a tone to be set for entering Residents and visitors. This impacts everyone. It’s 35 years worn.
- The Beach Club is use by more residents and has the most consistency of use than all our amenities, yet it shows wear because of its use and because of its beach location. The deck and all stairs need wood treatment to prevent premature splintering and cracking, which already is showing in many places. The stairs should have end caps to prevent splintering and provide surer footing. The sea grapes are way over grown, which impacts the views for which folks go to enjoy from the deck. Showers should be installed at the bottom of each stairway crossover by the parking area. Daily maintenance should be done to clean up the beach crossover areas, to wash down Beach Clubhouse windows and deck furniture, and to sweep sand off the steps by the beach for better stair footing. An Internet camera should be installed for the Residents to check on their beach conditions.
- Our Reserves need to be implemented as Reserves are intended, i.e. accumulate funds for repair and replacement, and not indulgent betterments, like we have seen with golf course amenity acquisitions. BTW – funds are only now being addressed for roadways with a five year window to reach a funding level that can be applied. Again, the community entrance is not being seen as a priority as it languishes.
Resident funds are spent to the levels of $200,000 to $300,000 and more yearly to subsidize AGI. These are funds that can be used for Reserves to address community needs. Yet Residents are refused by the Board to see financials of how these funds are spent. Have you ever seen a budget for the golf course operation and Brassies? These businesses should be run by hired professionals and be self-funded, and not run by amateur Resident wannabes where collusion may run rampant with the cushion of our subsidies.
The Board ex-president has been heard to say that Aquarina is the cheapest place to enjoy the golfing lifestyle in Florida. I wonder why?