A private blog has been created to serve as a sister blog to this one. This will still be our main blog for community events, news, concerns, etc. The private blog will have detailed outlines and summaries of meetings, the latest information on any legal proceedings, etc. It's stuff that Jim, Jen and I feel is important to share.
The address is as follows: http://grandaa.blogspot.com
If you would like access to the private blog, you will need to create a Google account (can be done here.) You'll use your email address and pick a password. Once you've created your account, email grandfirs@hotmail.com and I will send you an invitation link. You'll click the link, and enter your email address and password.
Adds and extra step, I know.. but this is the best way to let people know the latest without posting it publicly.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Brief Summary From Oct 28 Meeting
Last night's meeting was very productive and informative. Jim put several impressive Powerpoint presentations together and two hours of great discussion followed. The turnout was very good (I counted about 30 households, but I think only 23 signed in). Our largest meeting yet!
As stated in a previous post, a group of ten neighbors gathered last week to hammer out a game plan for our neighborhood. Jim presented that plan to the community last night. To keep it brief (because we don't necessarily want to advertise everything on the internet), we feel that Phase 2 is more important to fight for than Phase 3. New amendments have been made to Phase 2 that will allow 1200 sq ft homes with vinyl siding and no rock/brick siding. We are concerned that Phase 1 will be amended next, if it hasn't been already.
Last night, a motion was made that we press forward with legal action and the motion was seconded. We did a quick yay/nay vote, and all those in attendance agreed to hire an attorney. Jim ran some numbers and is asking each household to contribute $150. Several people actually wrote their checks last night! (For those who haven't paid yet, please make the check out to Grand Alliance Association and deliver it ASAP to Jim on 229th. Or email the blog and I'll make sure your check gets delivered.)
So for now.. an LLC is being formed (since we don't have control of our HOA) and an attorney is being hired. We are going to push for control of the HOA, and we are going to try and have the Phase 2 amendments thrown out. Jim wants to start next week.
HUGE thanks to the many neighbors who took the time to be at this last-minute meeting. Also, I wanted to take a moment to recognize and thank Michelle. She's devoted a lot of her own time to this process and is responsible for uncovering some very important information. Thank you, Michelle! We're lucky to have you.
Side note: As we get further into the legal process, I'm going to be reluctant to put information on this public blog. Jim, Jen and I are talking about creating a side blog that would be password-protected. It would contain info related to legal matters, and only people in our community would have access. Thoughts?
As stated in a previous post, a group of ten neighbors gathered last week to hammer out a game plan for our neighborhood. Jim presented that plan to the community last night. To keep it brief (because we don't necessarily want to advertise everything on the internet), we feel that Phase 2 is more important to fight for than Phase 3. New amendments have been made to Phase 2 that will allow 1200 sq ft homes with vinyl siding and no rock/brick siding. We are concerned that Phase 1 will be amended next, if it hasn't been already.
Last night, a motion was made that we press forward with legal action and the motion was seconded. We did a quick yay/nay vote, and all those in attendance agreed to hire an attorney. Jim ran some numbers and is asking each household to contribute $150. Several people actually wrote their checks last night! (For those who haven't paid yet, please make the check out to Grand Alliance Association and deliver it ASAP to Jim on 229th. Or email the blog and I'll make sure your check gets delivered.)
So for now.. an LLC is being formed (since we don't have control of our HOA) and an attorney is being hired. We are going to push for control of the HOA, and we are going to try and have the Phase 2 amendments thrown out. Jim wants to start next week.
HUGE thanks to the many neighbors who took the time to be at this last-minute meeting. Also, I wanted to take a moment to recognize and thank Michelle. She's devoted a lot of her own time to this process and is responsible for uncovering some very important information. Thank you, Michelle! We're lucky to have you.
Side note: As we get further into the legal process, I'm going to be reluctant to put information on this public blog. Jim, Jen and I are talking about creating a side blog that would be password-protected. It would contain info related to legal matters, and only people in our community would have access. Thoughts?
Sunday, October 25, 2009
**IMPORTANT Meeting - Oct 28**
The emergency meeting will be held Wednesday, October 28 from 7-9pm at the Graham fire station. Everyone in the neighborhood should have received an information sheet on their door by now. If you didn't get one, please email the blog.
It's crucial that we have as many households present as possible (renters too!). Important decisions will be made at this meeting that affect us all. So please, make every effort to show up so your voice can be heard!
It's crucial that we have as many households present as possible (renters too!). Important decisions will be made at this meeting that affect us all. So please, make every effort to show up so your voice can be heard!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Oct 22 Meeting
As stated in a previous post, a small number of neighbors gathered at Jim and Lousie's house tonight to discuss some of the legal issues concerning our neighborhood. Ten people were present and we spent three hours trying to hammer out a game plan and figure out a starting point.
Michelle presented us with some scary new information regarding amendments made to Phase 2 (in addition to the Phase 3 amendments that were discussed at last week's meeting). Because of these amendments, the group decided that an emergency community meeting is necessary. We feel that it's time to hire an attorney, and we shouldn't wait.
A newsletter will be sent out ASAP with a meeting date and agenda. At this point, it's crucial that we have as many households present as possible. Our homes are our biggest investments.
Michelle presented us with some scary new information regarding amendments made to Phase 2 (in addition to the Phase 3 amendments that were discussed at last week's meeting). Because of these amendments, the group decided that an emergency community meeting is necessary. We feel that it's time to hire an attorney, and we shouldn't wait.
A newsletter will be sent out ASAP with a meeting date and agenda. At this point, it's crucial that we have as many households present as possible. Our homes are our biggest investments.
Notes from Oct 14 Meeting
Ashley took the following notes at the Oct 14th meeting:
HOA Meeting 10/14/09
1) Jim obtained CCR’s for Phase 2 & 3 with state
a) 402 homes total for those phases which is same as orig. CCR’s
b) Single story homes will be 1700 sq feet minimum for Phase 2
c) 2-story homes will be 1900 sq feet minimum for Phase 2
d) 1200 sq foot minimum for Phase 3
e) No stone work required
f) Allows vinyl siding
2) Unpaid Utilities in common areas due to overdue bills
a) Water has been shut off
b) Phone has been turned off to the front gate
3) From McGravick Graves law firm Joe Zehnder tells us:
a) HOA is tied up in this Mastro bankruptcy
b) Michael Mastro has total control of the HOA
c) Banks who have liens on Mastro property will take it back in the Bankruptcy
d) Mastro intends to turn over all property and they will be foreclosed
e) There are no record of HOA, budget, financial reports since 2003
f) Jim estimated that nearly $300,000 has been paid to Mastro for our HOA
g) Washington Trust is the only bank involved in Grand Firs Property
4) Joe’s suggestion for action if we hire him
a) Contact banks
b) Talk to Mastro bankruptcy council
c) Once the property is turned over to the banks get the banks to turn over the HOA to home owners
d) Resend amendment to Phase 2 & 3 to change CCR to larger sq ft homes among other issues
e) Once we have control of HOA then ask courts for financial documents
Ashley, thank you so much for taking these great notes, and for sharing them with the neighborhood.
HOA Meeting 10/14/09
1) Jim obtained CCR’s for Phase 2 & 3 with state
a) 402 homes total for those phases which is same as orig. CCR’s
b) Single story homes will be 1700 sq feet minimum for Phase 2
c) 2-story homes will be 1900 sq feet minimum for Phase 2
d) 1200 sq foot minimum for Phase 3
e) No stone work required
f) Allows vinyl siding
2) Unpaid Utilities in common areas due to overdue bills
a) Water has been shut off
b) Phone has been turned off to the front gate
3) From McGravick Graves law firm Joe Zehnder tells us:
a) HOA is tied up in this Mastro bankruptcy
b) Michael Mastro has total control of the HOA
c) Banks who have liens on Mastro property will take it back in the Bankruptcy
d) Mastro intends to turn over all property and they will be foreclosed
e) There are no record of HOA, budget, financial reports since 2003
f) Jim estimated that nearly $300,000 has been paid to Mastro for our HOA
g) Washington Trust is the only bank involved in Grand Firs Property
4) Joe’s suggestion for action if we hire him
a) Contact banks
b) Talk to Mastro bankruptcy council
c) Once the property is turned over to the banks get the banks to turn over the HOA to home owners
d) Resend amendment to Phase 2 & 3 to change CCR to larger sq ft homes among other issues
e) Once we have control of HOA then ask courts for financial documents
Ashley, thank you so much for taking these great notes, and for sharing them with the neighborhood.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Meeting Recap
The neighborhood meeting was held tonight. I did a quick (unofficial) headcount and it looked like we had around 22 households represented. Personally, I was hoping for more. Ashley took notes and is typing them up for Jim, and they will be added to the blog as soon as possible. I believe that Jim is also going to type a summary to distribute door-to-door.
An attorney was present to assist with questions regarding all kinds of legal issues. Obviously, the biggest points of discussion were the Mastro bankruptcy, how to go about taking control of the HOA, and the Phase 3 amendments.
The attorney has not been hired yet. Toward the end of the night, Jim passed a sheet around to get an idea of how many people would be interested in hiring the attorney. We were asked to check yes or no. I'm not sure of the final numbers.
A few of us are meeting next week to come up with a list of priorities and figure out what our first step will be. And we all agreed that another neighborhood meeting (within the next month) is necessary. Jim will work on the date, and we'll make sure everyone is notified.
Huge thanks to Jim for organizing the meeting, and thanks to all who attended and participated in the discussion. We definitely have a good group of people in our neighborhood.
An attorney was present to assist with questions regarding all kinds of legal issues. Obviously, the biggest points of discussion were the Mastro bankruptcy, how to go about taking control of the HOA, and the Phase 3 amendments.
The attorney has not been hired yet. Toward the end of the night, Jim passed a sheet around to get an idea of how many people would be interested in hiring the attorney. We were asked to check yes or no. I'm not sure of the final numbers.
A few of us are meeting next week to come up with a list of priorities and figure out what our first step will be. And we all agreed that another neighborhood meeting (within the next month) is necessary. Jim will work on the date, and we'll make sure everyone is notified.
Huge thanks to Jim for organizing the meeting, and thanks to all who attended and participated in the discussion. We definitely have a good group of people in our neighborhood.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Reminder: Oct 14 Meeting
A reminder from Jim Ehnborn:
HOA Meeting, Wednesday Oct 14, 7pm, Firehouse
There are several new significant developments since the agenda was published. It is VERY important that we have a representative from each household attend.
HOA Meeting, Wednesday Oct 14, 7pm, Firehouse
There are several new significant developments since the agenda was published. It is VERY important that we have a representative from each household attend.
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