All Board Candidates are invited to contribute to the post.
Board Candidate Diane Porterfield
Questions
received:
Do you have a plan to cut massive losses of resident's
money at Gof Course and 19th Hole? How
Quick would you want your plan implemented?
Answer: It is the Board's responsibility to "set
Policy". It is the Management's job
to carry out and enforce said policy. I
plan to encourage the current board's policy of maintaining a balanced budget
with management ensuring the department heads adhere to that budget. Golf membership fees have been increased and
the golf course budget was not increased from last year.
What is your plan on repairing roads in Diamondhead,
would you start on the south side?
Answer: The roads are used by every member of
Diamondhead and should be considered a necessity (much more important than any
amenity!). Again, this is a matter of
'setting policy' for the management to implement. The roads in Diamondhead should be treated
equally. A property owner - home and/or
lot, current in their annual dues - should have safe access to their property
by car.
Do you think it is a conflict of interest if Diane Jones
is elected with Bob Jones being on several different committees? If No, please explain.
Answer:
To the best of my knowledge, neither Diane Jones or her husband, Bob Jones,
make any financial profit from the volunteer service they provide for our
community. I know for a fact that Bob
has resigned from committees only to be asked to come back due to the lack of
anyone else coming forward to take his place.
Should the Golf Course & 19 Hole be self-sustaining?
Answer:
I believe the 19th Hole, Golf Course, & the pool should be
'self-sustaining'...especially due to our lack of funds coming in to support
these amenities. However, I know this is not possible at this time. This should be a policy set by the board with the GM taking
the appropriate action to implement this policy over time. "Over
time" being the operative words...since it will take time to see results and we do want to keep all our amenities for the benefit of our community.
How would you manage non-dues paying collections?
Answer:
The dues have been decreasing for at least 9+ years. This collection process has taken many twists
and turns ...met with some positive results, but mostly failure. I honestly
don't know the answer to 'collection'. But, I do know that our response as a
community / business should be to 'live within our means'. That includes
tightening our belts. That may hurt in some areas because it will start with
amenities. Necessities should be our first priority --> this means the roads
and infrastructure come before the golf course.
Do you think the dues should be increased on a
cost-of-living bases annually?
Answer: In the past, I have been completely against
any kind of dues increase. Mostly because I did not believe we were doing the
above ...tightening the belt. This current Board seems to be starting that
process. So, my answer to this question would be to First learn to live on our
new reality by making the necessary adjustments to spending. Then (and only
then) increase the dues to compensate with the cost of living.
What is your vision for the future of Diamondhead?
Answer: Diamondhead meets the needs of our new
demographics. We have younger, working
families that move into our gated community for security and ease of travel /
commuting.
What would be needed to accomplish this vision:
Answer: More moneys be allocated to our
infrastructure, Roads, and Security. Improve
our infrastructure to the point that they become true assets to the community. Increase revenue from the 19th Hole, golf
course & pool. There are good ideas being shared by the current staff to
bring in additional income to offset costs.
I intend to assist the Board in setting policy that ensures this action.
Since you were dismissed from your board position in
2012, what assurance do we have that the same issue will not happen again?
Answer: In 2012, an executive session of the board
was held with attorney Jonathon Jones providing information that I knew to be a
lie. I shared this information with my
husband. I was dismissed by the
board. Two months later Jonathon Jones
was fired from his position. I will NOT
share any information discussed during executive session, again, with anyone.
The Security Committee is developing a strategy to
improve the front gate security system.
Would you support / approve funds for this endeavor? (paraphrased)
Answer: History tells us this situation has been met
with failure more than once. The current
“Lego” gates cost the property owners $40,000.
No guarantee of service was obtained.
These gates do not work according to the specified needs of the
community. Numerous attempts by board
members and management have been made to rectify this issue to no avail. Until a plan is brought to the board with
absolute guarantee of success, and meets the budgeted requirements specified by
the board at that time, my answer is à
No.
Are you familiar with the ‘Code of Conduct’ in
Diamondhead and will you use this code to stop the negative remarks posted on
facebook? (paraphrased)
Answer: I believe in the right of Diamondhead
property owners to state their opinions regarding the various issues concerning
our community. I would like to encourage
all our members to stick to the issues
at hand and refrain from making any personal attacks on neighbors / fellow
property owners. I have no control over language used or information shared on social
media. Nor do I wish to set limits on an
individual’s right to freedom of speech.
As a member of Diamondhead said to me several years ago
regarding my efforts to share DH information by using the Blog, “I don’t agree
with what you are doing, but I fought in Viet Nam for your right to do it.” Thank you Bob Jones.
