Bella Vista has been in need of a fifth board member, a director at large per se. A fifth member would provide another mind, another vote and maybe another suggestion on doing things. Ever thought of being a member? Well, let's do it. Now's the time. It's not a big deal if you ask me. It will take a little of your time. It depends on you really how much time you want to put into it. Some put in as little time as just showing up to a meeting. Others will do a whole lot more. Whatever you want to do is up to you.
A little about what I do. I'm just wanting the total machine to work like it's supposed to. It's not that hard to understand, but you have to take the time to do the research. I have to read over the bylaws and covenants occasionally when I have questions or someone comes to me and asks questions about something. There are a lot of rumors that go around in neighborhoods and it's just amazing to me some of them.
Florida Statue 520 governs us. We have our bylaws which are pretty much the same thing but Florida Statute 520 will override our bylaws in a court of law.
Why are the bylaws so important you might ask? Well, it gives people something to go by you might say. Without rules you'd have people doing whatever they want to do and first thing you know we'd have the worst looking, rundown neighborhood you could ever imagine. That's why there are drive-by inspections to find the violators and give them notice. Maybe they don't realize they are in violation so the notice will give them some guidance to let them know. There is a procedure on this.
I'm straying from the topic a bit as that's what I often do. I just type my thoughts as I go.
Here's what I'm looking for from a person looking to get on the board. I'm sticking my neck out a bit here but I really don't mind. Since I moved here and started going to the meetings and eventually wound up getting elected and being appointed as President of Bella Vista. I'm constantly looking to make things right here. Not only would making things right be the right thing to do but I believe it will give peace of mind to all the residents if everything was up to spec, as best it can be.
Landscaping - it is in need of work, as always. Things tend to be let go for some unknown reason. Does the board just get lazy and let the property management compay run things and they don't do the best job? Or, do the board members get on a mindset of wanting to just save the money and not spend it as it is intended? I really am not sure what happened at Bella Vista but I hear a lot of different opinions from people here.
I will tell you that my thought is yes, I want to save money if it's not for the upkeep and general maintenance of the community. I also want to listen to the residents and do what they want with their money. There are a lot of ideas and suggestions that have to be taken into consideration. Board members have to open to this. You have to be able to look at the big picture and consider the complete package is what I'm talking about.
Community Partys - this one comes up and yes, I agree we need to have some get togethers, they are fun and you get to meet your neighbors this way too. Only problem is, some like to think we can spend maintenance money or dues for this purpose. I admit that I sometimes get roped into thinking we can budget from the annual dues to do this to but I know better. Money for this purpose has to be gotten in another way and administered by another committee or group of people. The board cannot get involved in this whatsoever and it should not even be discussed at a board meeting. If all you are interested in is the partys then get out and get involved and enlist some help and get organized. So, the erroneous listing in the 2011 budget for partys, is well, incorrect.
I'm enjoying the Christmas holidays and I suppose everyone is trying to do the same. There should be a meeting coming up next month in Janary. Keep an eye out for the meeting signs. I try to have them out as quick as I can when I know the date and time and place. Our annual election of officers should be either this next meeting or the one following in February. There are two positions that will be up for election. If no one throws their hat into the ring, it will be the same people all over again. If you're fine with that, then so be it. I really hope you will try to sever at least one two year term with us. If nothing else, just to get a better feel of what's going on here. I'm sure you'd have some good ideas and we'd all like to hear them.
