Editor:

In the September Lake Forest Property Owners statement was the following announcement.  “On September 29, 2009, the Lake Forest Board of Directors is calling a special meeting at 7:00 p.m. in the 19th Hole to address changing By-Law 2.4. All members in good standing are invited to attend.”

Please note they use the word “address,” which indicates they are planning to “discuss changing By-Law 2.4.”  As a result of a board meeting Sept. 17, when we met the candidates for the new board coming in October, we learned this is not what they had in mind at all.  They plan to take a vote of board members only (without a membership vote) at that meeting to change the By-Law 2.4, giving them power for “unlimited dues” in the future. Although all the board members are not for the change, there is a possibility they could have a majority of votes to make the change.

The existing By-Law 2.4 reads, “Annual increases in dues must be approved by the members of the Association at the annual meeting.” The power of authority of the board of directors is limited to assessment annually, if deemed necessary, for the preservation of the association. This assessment cannot exceed $50 per member annually.

The proposed change reads, “Members of the Association shall be obligated to pay Association Fees, Charges and Assessments imposed by the Association.

BIG DIFFERENCE!

The change will establish the board of directors as the governing body of the association. Members of the board stated they have been legally advised they can make this change without the membership vote.

This is not the time to raise dues in today’s economic climate, when young couples with families, single parents, the elderly and disabled are struggling to hold on to their homes and pay their bills. Raising dues will only make it harder for those whose homes are already facing foreclosure. Rather, it is a time for “board accountability” of how the dues received are being allocated.

ALL property owners should attend this meeting (whether you are in “good standing” or not) to make sure we, the property owners, keep what little control we have for the future of Lake Forest. If this change passes we will be under the same laws as condominiums maintenance fees, where you have no control of how much you are charged. 

It is critical that every property owner ATTEND, IF POSSIBLE!  

Tomasina Werner

Daphne