The American Soldier - Some of our own~

Kerry Bratton:

Our community has had a lot of different things or areas of interest that many of us have taken time to post about. I wanted to share something of great importance and interest to me and our new friends, whom we met as a result of this commonality. Right here in our relatively small community, we have two young, active-duty Army soldiers that I want to tell you more about. Actually, we probably have more in the community that I am not aware of and I know that we have some retired military folks as well. To all of them I want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! for your service. The two I want to tell you more about happen to be stationed at the Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and both will deploy to Eastern Afghanistan in a matter of days. One of the two happens to be our son, the other another resident of DH whose parents stopped by our house because of our Army flag. Since the revelation that our boys were both active duty AND stationed at Fort Campbell, we have had the opportunity to meet each other's boys and the boys have met each other. Our son, Dalton Bratton, is a Cavalry Scout and will be on a classified mission during deployment, which adds to this mom’s anxiety. Our friends (The Westerns) son, Manny, is a Black Hawk Crew Chief. Both of these young men (age 22 and 21) and their families could use your prayers during this unsettling time. Please and Thank You! I am also reaching out to our community for information and requesting something of you. I would like to know, from those willing to share information, others from our community serving or who has served in some capacity in our armed services, including their name, branch of service, status (active-duty, reserve, retired, etc), and best method of contact. I WILL NOT share this information unless you authorize me to do so, so in the event you desire your service info to remain confidential, please tell me that. I am simply trying to put together information so that our service members and veterans may be honored and known (if authorized) in our community. If you would prefer to send me information privately feel free to do so by sending to my email address: arkansasbratt@gmail.com Thank you. PS - Diane, would you please post to the blog, if appropriate. If I need to do anything further to facilitate the posting, please let me know.

I am very happy to post this message!
Diane

Board memo regarding Cemetery Lot ~

As a recipient, Rick Noffsinger requested this memo be posted:

From: John Cummings [mailto:johncummings73@gmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 19, 2013 11:13 AM
To: suzzi combs; Benck, Ken; diane jones; Faye Taylor; Joe Claflin; john cummings; john porter; Larry Hibbs; mary pracht
Cc: jimmie weber; Rick Noffsinger
Subject: ACC Meeting on 18 Dec. 2013

The ACC met this morning and approved a new house permit; setting on 19 acres on Possum Run. That's the good news.

We also had a permit request from Noffsinger's for a privacy fence around the cemetery on their lot. All our regulations and policies, as well as Arkansas cemetery regulations, were carefully reviewed by the ACC during the meeting and the permit was issued.

Sue and Joe Pelt paid for the wrought iron fence around the grave site and I believe the stair steps were done by the Questers. This mess just keeps going on and getting worse and worse due to Director Porter's insistence, and now Rick is determined to push back.

This is a big black-eye for this Board and Diamondhead, and seems to have become a laughing matter to some people in our town meetings because the Board can't get it put to bed. The sticking point is our interpretation of Robert's Rules of Order, of which there are many versions. Some versions, including mine, say quote: "a motion to consider again can only be moved by a member who voted on the prevailing side". It is important for us, as the DPOA Board, to decide which way WE want it. I thought that back in November WE decided that the losing side could not make a motion to reconsider this issue, but they did anyway.

If we allow the losing side to reconsider motions, that could go on forever with sore losers on everything we pass. Therefore, I request the Board decide on which interpretation we want for OUR rule at our January 2014 Board meeting and make it retro-active.

John Cummings

Note of Confirmation:  I, Diane Porterfield, just listened to the tape recording of the Board meeting, again.  Fact:  Ken Benck abstained on the 'Cemetery Lot' issue in the October Board meeting.  Dec. 12th Board meeting Ken Benck made the motion to rescind the approved resolution.  Fact:  John Porter abstained on the 'Cemetery Lot' issue in the October Board meeting.  Dec. 12th Board meeting John Porter seconded the motion to rescind the approved resolution.

Cemetery Lot update

We are happy to see Diamondhead property owners paying attention to current Board actions concerning the CemeteryLot.  One negative example came from DHPOA member, t             .          has taken it upon herself to chastise my wife on our property and in our home.       believes we are bullies and this is simply an effort to have our dues dismissed from this property. She also believes we will end up giving the property back to Diamondhead.  WRONG!!!!

Here are some facts that pertain to the ‘Cemetery Lot’ owned by the Noffsingers:

• DRC(Diamondhead developer) and ACC (DH Architectural committee) have stated this lot is not suitable for home construction.  If the lot is not suitable for home construction, what is the argument?  No one would want to have a grave site in their front yard.
• It has been said by the board of directors they believe we will end up giving this lot back to the DPOA. They are so wrong!  We will keep this lot and pay the dues as long as this board behaves in this unethical manner.
• There is no sewer or water tap on this property.
• This is a very unique lot / one of a kind in Diamondhead.
• The Board’s arguments will not stand up in a court of law.  The Noffsingers have the right to protect and control their property as they see fit. The “grave site” is on Noffsinger property, not Diamondhead.

Notice to the DPOA Board:  The Noffsingers will fence off the grave site from visitors and the steps going up to the grave site will be removed after the fence is constructed.  This can be stopped by the board going back to the original resolution without any amendments as noted in the October Board Notes.  When the Board returns to it's original agreement, the Noffsingers will put, in legal form, that this property will never use sewer or water. We will continue to maintain and provide access to the property for visitors, and, if we sell the lot with the purchase of the house property, the new owner would abide by the same document as part of the sale.

I will make the statement that Mrs. Combs is not one of her word.   By John Porter’s own ethic statements, he should be removed from the board of directors.

Rick Noffsinger

Editor's note:  Only names of Board members will be published without permission.
See Board memo regarding this issue.

Cemetery Lot

"Porter's Corner"

To update those that might not be aware of the facts; the Noffsingers requested for the maintenance fees to be waived on lot#1321.  DRC and the ACC both deemed that this lot is unsuitable to build a house on due to the graveyard in the front yard.  We submitted to the board for special consideration to wave the maintenance fees and we were willing to put in writing that the sewer and water will never be used on this lot.  Currently there is no sewer or water taps.

John Cumming (board director) drafted up a motion and resolution to wave the fees on this lot, and the Noffsingers agreed to continue to maintain the cemetery as they have for the last seven years.  A vote was taken during the Oct. 24th Board meeting ; (2) abstained, (2) no, and (3) yes, and the acting President at the time also voted, which made this vote (4) yes.    By Robert’s Rules of Order this was a legal quorum and legal vote.  Therefore the motion passed.  John Porter (board director) was one who abstained.  Mr. Porter was upset that this passed and announced ‘this is not over yet!’

At the November Board meeting, Mr. Porter brought this issue up again and the board chastised Mr. Porter and told him he was out of order. He had abstained, and had no dog in this fight.

On December 11^th my wife heard a rumor that Mr. Porter was going to fight this issue again.  Lynn ran into Suzzi Combs (President of Board) at the POA office and Lynn asked Mrs. Combs, point blank, if our property resolution was going to be discussed again.   Mrs. Combs stated very firmly that “this is a done deal; it will not come up again!”  Lynn told her we would be at the meeting if needed.  Mrs. Combs said “you don’t need to be there, it is not coming up!”  

The day after the Dec. Board meeting we found out that the issue did come up, and the resolution was rescinded, due to a discussion presented by the two that abstained from the vote on the resolution in the first place.  Contrary to the Robert Rules of Order, no one called for point of order and an illegal motion and vote was taken due to Mr. Benck and Mr. Porter who both abstained from the first vote.  By Robert’s Rules, all discussion about this motion and any motion to resend must come from the winning side.  For Mr. Porter and Mr. Benck to bring up discussion on this resolution would have been out of order.

The resolution should have stood and not been changed or tampered with by anyone other than the winning side. 

Mr. Porter wrote and promoted a code of ethics and pushed for all members of the Board to sign.  I bring this up for one reason: According to Mr. Porter’s code of ethics, he is out of line.  Mr. Porter should be removed from the board.

Read more »

Message from President Suzie Combs

President Suzie Combs' Message arrived 3:18, Sunday, Dec. 15th:

What are the functions of the front gate personnel?

Did you know that our front gate operates as a satellite for both Garland and Hot Spring counties law enforcement agencies?  Our police chief, Joel Tyner is licensed and fully trained as a true law enforcement officer.  With this come special rights and responsibilities.  First, Chief Tyner is expected to fully comply with all law enforcement rules and regulations.  Uphold the policies of good practice regarding protection and confidentially of all incidents.  Add to that the fact that as a community, we require him to protect each of us and our property.  Deal with weather related emergencies, health emergencies and in general be on call for practically everything.

The gate personnel are there to assist owners and residents with most problems. However, the primary responsibility is security and law enforcement. 

The recent incident at the front gate with the wrecked car and child involved only highlights how potentially dangerous this world has become.  When the   event occurred, it was not known if it was “just a wreck” or if a potential kidnapping was in progress. Was the driver impaired by alcohol, drugs, mental incapacitation? Was there a weapon involved?  The phone was ringing so often that the dispatcher could not use our phone lines to contact other needed resources.  In addition to all happening on the scene; back-up law enforcement, ambulance service trying to get through, restraining the driver, there were residents trying to get home. Then came the concerned and the curious to check out the situation.  So put all this in your mind and add to it the “what if” factor.  Now decide for yourself, did you really need to know right that moment what was happening? 

Life is not a game and the rules are changing daily for all enforcement agencies.  It is time to show our officers the same respect we would if we were not in a gated community.  When you pass a wreck or other incident being handled on the streets and highways outside our gates, sure we look, but continue to drive on and check the paper the next day.  We allow these officials to concentrate on their jobs and their own safety.  We owe our own the same respect and consideration. 

If anything occurs that is relevant to the safety and security of the community you will be informed on the community website:   www.diamondheadcommunity.com

Sledding on the golf course:

There has been a recent post on iNeighbors regarding sledding on the golf course.  Diamondhead is over 40 years old and sledding on the golf course fairways has gone on each time a snow storm allows it.

  The rules are pretty simple:

1.       Keep off the tees and greens

2.       Don’t get hurt

3.       Don’t hurt anyone else

4.       Have fun

Lake toys like tubes and boogie boards work great, but please don’t use skis with blades or sleds with runners, they cut up the grass.

Suzzi Combs

Work joyfully and peacefully,

knowing that right thoughts

and right efforts will inevitably

bring about right results.

-James Allen

Agenda & Town & Board Meetings

The Board met in the library before the Agenda meeting.  The purpose was not stated.  Agenda meeting started at 6:20 (?)

Board Members Present:

President Suzie Combs               Diane Jones

Vice President Joe Claflin            Larry Hibbs

Secretary Faye Taylor                 Mary Pracht

Treasurer John Porter                 John Cummings

                                                    Ken Benck

Topics discussed:

• Sticker Fund
• All moneys received was applied to the General Fund
• Cleaning Bids for the Club House
• Commercial Cleaning service vs. private service
• Bids will be accepted in the POA office
• Carpet Cleaning
• The ‘Cleaning’ of the carpet was part of the original purchase agreement when the 19^th Hole carpet was replaced.  A request has been submitted to the business for the “free” cleaning service.
• Golf Shop Sundays
• The Golf Committee submitted a proposal to the Board to have the Golf Shop open on Sundays for the next 8 weeks.  The Golf Committee has agreed to pay the difference in salary for one employee to keep the golf shop open for 6 hours per Sunday. This will include full overhead of employee.
• Board meeting:  This motion was unanimously approved.
• Cemetery Lot
• The current owners of the ‘Cemetery lot’ will be moving in February.  The board plans to re-visit this issue during the Board meeting.
• Board meeting:  Motion was made by Ken Benck to rescind the waver of dues for lot 1321, seconded by John Porter. Motion passed with John Cummings opposed.  This lot is, again, a full dues paying lot.
• Agenda, Town, Board meeting schedule & dates
• It was agreed to have the Agenda meeting on the 3^rd Thursday of the month.  The Town & Board meetings will be held on the 4^th Thursday of each month.  This was noted again during the Board meeting.
• Sledding on the Golf Course
• “Eddie said that there have been sledding on the golf course for the last 40 years.” Stated by Suzie Combs.  It was agreed that saucers will not harm the golf course.
• 24/7 Manned Gate
• Discussion:  More important to have one person at the gate full time rather than have a patrolman driving the streets
• The PD needs more ‘certified’ personnel. 
• Suggestion of 12 hour shifts 

• Problem with calls to the PD / front gate from residents during Tuesday’s ‘Drive crashes Van’ issue.  See post with this title
• “Some people are just nosy”-Mary Pracht
• “We must educate our community not to call the PD…”  “We have got to be responsible for our own security…” “Common sense has got to be applied” by our residents- Suzie Combs
• “If the police department is moved across the street, we won’t have this problem”- Ken Benck
• As stated during the Board meeting:
• This proposal was passed out to the Board members after the Nov. board meeting by Ken Benck-Board liaison to the Security Committee regarding the relocation of the Police Department. 
• Each member was told to ‘keep this under wraps’, as stated by Mary Pracht.
• It was noted during the Board meeting that research is underway with regard to the rental fees, utility fees, transfer & hook-up costs, and one extra employee that would be needed.
• The current PD would be used as an ‘information center’.  This would allow residents to call the front gate for information without interfering with an on-going investigation / police issue such as Tuesday’s Van incident. This is expected to be operated by volunteers with one paid employee.
• The need to provide this information to the community was noted.

• Roads Committee Proposal
• The Finance committee did not meet in December, and has not addressed this issue.
• Treasurer John Porter stated that the Approved Budget reads as ‘150,000.00 is allocated to Capital Expenses at the discretion of the Board. Nothing was specifically allotted for the Roads.’  $73,000 has been spent.
• A property owner wants to build a home on Possum Run.  The current condition of the road makes that impossible.  ACC liaison, John Cummings, stated that a building permit must be submitted by the DH property owner before any funds are allocated for the road improvement.  This issue was ‘tabled’ for a future board meeting.
• Roads Committee Chairman Bob Jones stated the Board has no alternative but to provide access to the property no matter the cost. 
• This issue was 'Tabled' until January to obtain more information.

• Public Relations Committee – Mary Pracht
• Request was made for all committees to submit monthly information to the POA office that will then be added to the “FOCUS”. 

• Vending Machine
• Diane Jones stated that the Cat Shelter is wanting to ‘barter’ a vending machine for access to the Club House and beverages ‘at cost’ during next year’s Golf Course tournament.  –a one time event- 

• Executive Committee has approved ‘set backs as proposed by Jack Plumlee’.
• Two lots on Diamondhead Drive have been approved to allow the house to set closer to the road, as stated by John Cummings.

Break~

Town Meeting 12-12-2013

All Board Members Present

Meeting opened with Committee Reports

ACC – John Cummings:  John expressed his appreciation to a home owner on Scenic Drive for cooperating with specified areas of concern.  Possum Run road improvement was discussed. See Agenda meeting notes.

Beautification Committee – Gail Porter:  The Bake Sale proceeds à $2880.50 from sales and donations.  Luminaries & Santa’s visit will be this Saturday, Dec. 14^th.  See the official Calendar of Events for more details.  All Committees are requested to send their reports to this editor for publication.   

Youth Committee –Kathy DeVilbiss:  Movie Nite is planned for the last Saturday of January.  See Weekly Updates on the official website.

Golf Committee – Faye Taylor:  The Golf Committee submitted a proposal to the Board to have the Golf Shop open on Sundays for the next 8 weeks.  The Golf Committee has agreed to pay the difference in salary for one employee to keep the golf shop open for 6 hours per Sunday.  This was unanimously approved during the Board meeting.

Security Committee – Ken Benck:  Smoke detectors are needed for the Club House.  A generator & chain saw are requested for the Police Department.

• Board meeting: purchase of generator ($300) & chainsaw was approved

Current events regarding theft…  Joel Tyner stated “Be sure to lock your vehicles & homes”.

President Suzie Combs: “We have to figure out how to let the Diamondhead residents know, and impress upon them, that we have a POLICE DEPARTMENT.  That doesn't mean that you can call down there every 15 minutes to ask what ambulance came in and what is going on.  They have jobs to do. …”  The Board requested input from the community.

• A suggestion was made to draft a letter with the information and place it where the residents can find out what is going on.
• Joel Tyner expressed his need to stay focused on the event at the time. He will not be ‘posting’ information until time permits.  “Residents do not need to know what is going on at that time.”

Financial Highlights – John Porter: Credit was given to Department managers. Click on picture to view:

 

Community Standards – Debbie Clements:  Not too much going on. 

Roads Committee – Bob Jones:

o       Request for a transfer of $5,000.00 from the general fund to the Roads Committee fund for culvert repairs. One bid has been received from Bill Milligan.  Motion read: '...from Capital fund to Road repair.'

Board Meeting:  Unanimously approved

o       Request for authorization for the removal of trees before they damage power lines up to $3,000.00.  15-18 trees

Board meeting:  Unanimously approved

12-16-13 Correction received from Roads Committee Chairman Bob Jones:
Diane,

I would like to correct a couple of items you posted regarding the agenda/town/board meeting. 

First, I'm not sure where the $16,059 amount you put under the roads committee heading came from.  I don't recall ever saying anything about an amount like that. You are correct.  That money belonged under Golf Committee

Second, under the town meeting heading, you incorrectly say I requested $5,000 for culvert repair.  That is incorrect.  The $5,000 transfer of funds request I made was to the road maintenance budget, primarily for the purchase of materials (like gravel and asphalt) so that Eddie and his crew can continue repairing potholes, edges and maintain the roads.  The question of culverts was later raised by Suzie, and I did say that we are looking at replacing one culvert (on Stonebriar), and one bid has been received from Bill Milligan.  However, that was  not connected to the $5,000 request. 

Not major errors, I just wanted to point out the errors, for those who may be keeping track. 

Bob Jones

Truck signage – Suzie Combs

• This issue was voted on during the November Board meeting to ‘not, not put a sign on the truck’.  à signage was approved on Nov. 2, 2013.
• This issue was voted on again during the Board meeting.  Signage will not be added to the truck.

Youth Room:  This room is being used for storage.  Items, purchased from donations for the “Youth room”, have been stolen.  A decision needs to be made as to the proper use of this room.  Should a room with a view be used for storage?  This was not discussed during the Board meeting.

Break ~  Board members were privately directed to the library for a meeting.

Board Meeting 12-12-2013

~ No mention of the private Board meeting ~

All Board members present

Meeting began at 8:15pm

November Minutes were approved with ‘some minor grammar corrections’.

Board actions are noted above as indicated under the appropriate section ~

Treasurer John Porter made 3 motions as recommended by the Finance Committee:

• To retain Carlton Collection Agency à approved unanimously
• Require purchase order for anything over $100.  This motion was amended to be ‘over $200’.  à approved unanimously.  Purpose: ‘good internal controls’
• Noted the need for a manager to be in control
• Purchase & installation of timers for lights in the Front entry Fountain & Magnolia trees not to exceed $300.00.  à approved unanimously

Preliminary budget for the next fiscal year is expected to begin the second week of January.  All department managers will be held accountable for their budgets.

Golf Course:

A new sprayer rig costing $11,250 + mower blade/cutting unit costing $56.99 has been requested for the golf course. ‘Total request around $16,000.’  This issue was ‘Tabled’ for additional information.

#7 T-Box is planned to be re-built for the cost of $7,000. This money is ‘in Eddie’s budget”.

John Porter:  Does anyone know of any other capital expenditures we have incurred?  No response.

The Board expressed its desire to be transparent by posting information ‘on all available sites’.  President Suzie Combs state she will be glad to send the Blog information.

Ken Benck & entire board: “These people who complain about not knowing things should attend these meetings.” Personal note:  I attended a Town meeting in October of 2009 where this sentiment was clearly and loudly expressed.  Since that date, it has been my goal to provide access to Board information.  Diane Porterfield

The Board Meeting portion lasted 58 minutes. Total time:  3 hours.

Note:  General Manager Search will have its first of 5 interviews next week.

Note:  All board actions were noted under each Topic section.

Notes provided by,
Diane Porterfield
adianerdh@att.net 

Driver Crashes Van in Diamondhead

Driver Crashes Van in Diamondhead, Leaves the Scene Traveling in Wrong Direction (WATCH VIDEO)

A bizarre incident happened around noon Tuesday at the Diamondhead Front Gate. Lake Hamilton Fire Department and Lifenet were dispatched to a report of an injury accident with possible entrapment at the entrance gate to the Diamondhead Community but were advised before arriving that Diamondhead Police had one person held at gunpoint. A Nissan Quest minivan had apparently crashed into a tree somewhere inside Diamondhead and sustained heavy damage to the passenger side. The van had left the scene and was stopped in front of the guard shack going the wrong way down the entrance in the 100 block of Independance Drive.

According to emergency radio traffic, an approximately 3 year old female was an unrestrained passenger in the minivan and was transported to Mercy Hospital by Lifenet in stable condition. The male driver was being examined by Lifenet and questioned by Garland County Sheriff’s Investigators and Arkansas State Police. He was not transported to the hospital. It was noted that the minivan had a Diamondhead resident sticker. No further details were available at this time.

To see pictures included in this article, Click Here.

Christmas Lights

 Home of Sean & Stacie Mandeville

Send your "Christmas Lights" pictures to me at: adianerdh@att.net

Kittens for Christmas

We are fostering 2 little kittens named Verna and Mervyn.  They are 2 1/2 months old and are ready to have a new home. The are litter mates and love one another, so they would be a perfect family Christmas present. They are very sweet and love to play together. They have been fixed and had all of their shots.  Fee is $50 each.

Enclosed are their pictures.

Contact:  Carol Hannon
          262-9070 or Guardian Angel Cat Rescue at #623-3484

Care Caps ~ Canceled

I just watched the weather report......it just doesn't look good.....not only is it questionable about me getting there.....I am more worried that someone would slip or have an accident trying to get to the church.......so....Care Caps is CANCELLED....for December.

Have a Blessed Christmas!  I will really miss each of you!!!....and be careful in the coming weather!

Mary Philips
Care Cap Connections