Meeting by Board Members

I try not to pass on “Rumors”.   I have made it a goal to only report facts in this newsletter.  When I hear information, I do the research needed to disregard, or substantiate, the issue of concern.   I need to report on a meeting attended by select Board members where DPOA business was discussed.  This meeting was not advertized 3 days in advance, as instructed in our By-Laws:

            Article V                                                                            

Section 2:  Special Board Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held when called by the President of the Association, or by any two (2) directors, after not less than three (3) days notice to each director.  Notice of special meeting shall be posted in conspicuous places in the community in order to notify property owners of the meetings.

                Section 3:  Quorum.  A majority of the number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.  Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present shall be regarded as the act of the Board, unless specified otherwise in these By-Laws.

Only select Board members were informed of this meeting that took place last Wednesday evening, July 6^th.   Business was conducted when these select Board members decided to present an offer to employ a new general manager.  The offer of $50,000 was presented (or discussed?) to Dave Johnson of Hot Springs Village.  Mr. Johnson was once the General Manager of The Village, where he received in excess of $100,000 per year.   We were told by President Ray Massey at the last Board meeting of Thursday, June 23^rd , that Todd Belz would be the acting GM until the next Board met on August 20^th to decide to keep Mr. Belz as GM or “replace him with someone of their choosing”.  Recorded on June 23^rd and posted on June 28^th in the Diamondhead Committee Report.

7-12-11 A call was made to President Ray Massey to confirm these facts.  Mr. Massey said that “no board meeting took place”.   Mr. Massey explained that Mr. Johnson "was having a drink at the 19^th Hole and asked about the position of General Manager.  Some Board members were called to discuss this subject.   The matter of salary was discussed, but no offer was made.  Todd is the GM until the next board decides differently.”
From another source:  Later, the meeting was taken to the Library (with the door open).  

One Board member who was not invited to this meeting was informed of the decision to make this offer, by acting GM Todd Belz on Thursday, July 7th. [Todd did not return my call]    A second Board member was out of town at this time, and was shocked to hear of this action.  I have been told by a third Board member who claims he/she was not present at this meeting, that Mr. Johnson has “refused the offer”.  It has also been confirmed that many more topics are discussed during “Executive Sessions” than simply personnel issues.  This was told to me by a board member who believed this was normal, “there aren’t any ‘secrets’, this is the way it is always done”.

Submitted by
Diane Porterfield