WOW!!! LET ME JUST START BY SAYING NO MATTER HOW HARD I TRY, I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO RE-CAPTURE THE EMOTION FROM WED NIGHTS MEETING!!! FOR THOSE WHO ATTENDED, WHAT A MAY LAY THAT WAS, FOR THOSE WHO MISSED IT, IT WAS A GOOD ONE!!!As I approached the clubhouse I saw a significant amount of people ready to enter the meeting, plenty of new faces I might add, as we walked into the clubhouse we were told that there would not be a meeting because we did not have a significant number of board members present. I was a little bit bothered, because I was missing the Laker game until Charity said that she would be taking Comments and Complaints individually and then we'd go home. The funny thing is that she said it like there weren't many complaints and we'd be out of there in a jiffy. Boy was she wrong, and I'm not sure she knew exactly what she was in for. She also informed everyone that Adriana was resigning as Chairman of the Social Committee and that she'd be looking for someone to fill her spot. She then decided to turn things over to us, but before any homeowners could start speaking, Sarah stepped in and said that since we have all of the committee Chairman present, we should at least hear from them.
First up was Joe from the Safety Committee. Joe told us that the cameras were on track to be completed next week and that we would probably hear people on our roofs during the day. He also mentioned that he brought in an ex-car thief to our community and had him do an assessment about our current vandalism situation. I was little surprised by this, and wondered how he was able to pull that one off, but I didn't bother asking questions as he seemed really into what he was saying. Joe told us that the ex-thief gave him some useful advice that he wants to relay to the community but needs some time to prepare it. (Joe, feel free to post it here or e-mail me.) Before he finished with his update Sarah brought up the idea of gating off the community and said that she and Joe would further explore the possibility of gates. Joe asked if anyone would like to step up and join the Safety Committee and one female resident proudly raised her hand and said that she would join the committee.
The female resident, whom I wasn't able to catch her name, began telling us that she was the one who had been the victim of the two home break-ins, here at the Monterey Villas. She highly backed the idea of the safety committee and said she would be more than happy to join. On another note she commended the Santa Ana Police Department for their quick response and attention in her matter, something that has not been said about them pertaining to other matters.
(I'm picking this part up on Monday afternoon, I made sure to get away for the weekend, you didn't really think all I did was blog about this place did you? Now let me tell you that it has been awhile since the meeting so some of details are going to be a little rough in my mind, if anyone has anything to add please do so.)Things seemed to be flowing well at this point but then things started getting a little heated up. Danielle, a younger female resident from S building, was in attendance and decided to call out Charity. At first it seemed that she had a complaint about the increase in HOA fees, and her landscaping but soon after it was apparent that her frustration went beyond that. She straight up called Charity a liar, and said that she did not have a interest in our community. Danielle went off on her for a couple minutes, but all Charity could do is roll her eyes, and Danielle called her on that too. She told her that she shouldn't talk to us like children and believe me I hate when she does that shit too. At one point in all of this I thought Charity was going to cry, I'm sure that people feel sorry for her but a lot of times its easy to see that she just can't handle us as part of her job.
Sarah tried to play peacemaker in their argument but Charity had some very interesting words to say. She said that she understands people don't like her, and that words have been said about her publicly;I think she was talking about the blog. She proceeded to say that we are free to look for new landscapers, and what surprised me the most is when she said "YOU'RE EVEN FREE TO LOOK FOR A NEW MANAGEMENT COMPANY." Now I'm not the smartest person out there but doesn't that sound like a plea to get her out of that hole she's dug for herself?
Eventually Sarah had Adam speak on behalf of the Architectural and Rules and Regs. Committee and he told us that the parking permits will not be taking effect until the middle of next month. He will also be available June 11 and I believe June 14th to distribute permits for those who have not already received them. (Adam Please Confirm this date and reiterate what you said about the windows for the two bedrooms. I walked out to get some air and couldn't hear what you said about this.
Once Adam finished, Sarah told everyone that association dues were increased to compensate for the poorly thought out budget which was mimicked this past year. At this point, an asian male resident entered the meeting and interrupted everything. I know he had good intentions but his failure to show up on time almost took us back to the minute we entered the clubhouse. We found out that it was his first meeting in two years and he wanted us to conduct the meeting in an orderly manner. He was quick to hear from another resident that this was not an official meeting but rather a "Bitch Session." This seemed to keep him quiet for awhile, and he apologized for the interruption. Sarah tried to wrap up what she had to say but was constantly interrupted by residents.
There were comments flying left and right, it even got to the point when one of the converters got right in face of a resident. Good thing the pool table was in the way or these two would have went at it.
I wasn't too mad that I was missed some of the Laker game since Joe was giving us the score frequently, but I had to leave the meeting before it ended to at least catch the fourth quarter. I'm sure the hiatus continued throughout the night but someone else could add on to what I missed. The alcohol I consumed this weekend probably didn't help the second half or this post but hey I needed it.
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