Candidate Profiles for New Council of Stewards Nominees
& Membership Meeting Info
Tuesday, September 28, 2010 — 7:00 P.M.
Note: This is a date change from what was posted in the neighborhood calendar and what was posted in the July newsletter. To gain more time for budget preparation, the date has been moved one week later.
Your attendance at the Annual Membership Meeting on Tuesday, September 28 (7:00 p.m.) at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church is more important than ever. Two items of business will be discussed in addition to comments and concerns taken from the floor. The first item of business will be the election of Council of Stewards members to fill expired and appointed positions. This year, there are four spots to be filled:
David (Dave) Stout
328 O. Henry Avenue (single-family home)
Note: This term expires in 2010. Dave has agreed to run for another 3-year term. He has served on the COS since March 2006.
Dave and his wife Shannon moved into the neighborhood in April of 2004 after relocating to the area from Colorado in November of 2003. Both Dave and Shannon work for Allstate Insurance Company. Interests include travel, motorcycling, cars, outdoor events, and grandchildren. They belong to St. Alban’s Church and feel fortunate to have such a neighborhood “family.” Dave has served on the Architectural Review Committee since its inception. Shannon has served on the Landscape & Grounds Committee and is presently the Chairperson for the Covenant Committee. Dave has frequently been called upon for advice regarding insurance matters and looks forward to continuing his already successful service.
Gary Simmons
134 Harper Lee Street (townhome)
Note: Gary was appointed to fill the term of John Williamson who left the neighborhood in late 2009. Although this term officially expires this year, Gary has agreed to run for a full 3-year term.
Gary and his wife, Lib, moved from San Antonio, Texas to Davidson in May, 2008, as the result of his wife being called to serve as pastor of Davidson College Presbyterian Church. Gary and Lib have been married for 35 years and they have a son living in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Gary is a veteran of the U.S. Army. He enjoys golfing, fishing, cooking, gardening, playing poker and bridge, and reading. It did not take Gary long to establish his place in the Davidson Community as he volunteers and works with church-related groups and is currently serving as chairperson of the Townhome and Workplace Building Maintenance Committee.
Gary is particularly well suited to both the COS and the Building Maintenance Committee as a 1974 graduate of Georgia Institute of Technology in Civil Engineering. He has participated in, or conducted, over 100 Continuing Education courses related to technical, management, architectural or sales disciplines. He has also had much experience in technical writing of specifications and contracts.
Sam Coleman
219 North Faulkner Way (townhome)
Note: Sam was appointed to fill the term of Steve Kessler who resigned from the Council earlier this year. His term does not expire until 2011, but by our Association By-Laws, Sam must be elected by the full membership at the first available annual meeting.
Sam has been a resident of New Neighborhood for 7½ years, but has lived in the Lake Norman area for over 19 years. He has two grown children, a daughter in the Cornelius area and a son in the Columbia, SC area. His interests include reading and just about any outdoor activity, including sailing, cycling and golf. Sam has served on the Covenant Committee since 2006. He previously served on the COS from June 2006 until August, 2008. The Association expresses many thanks to Sam for agreeing to return to this position and for bringing valuable experience back to the table.
Charlie Huffine
175 Harper Lee Street (townhome)
Note: Kathy Cockrill was appointed to complete the term of Lemie Richards when she moved earlier this year. Kathy will not run again for this expired position. The Nominating Committee has selected Charlie as a candidate to fill the 3-year term.
Charlie Huffine and his wife Susie moved to New Neighborhood in January, 2010, to be near their children and grandchildren who live in Mooresville. They lived for nine (9) years in Orlando, Florida. Charlie is a retired Navy pilot currently working from home doing strategic planning and process improvement development for a Cape Canaveral-based software engineering company. He is an accomplished woodworker and has numerous examples of his work in their townhome. Charlie has already joined the Townhome Maintenance Committee as a member and has previous experience with work within neighborhood associations.
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A ballot will be included with meeting notification documents mailed to all Class-A voting members (owners) in September. Nominations from the floor will also be accepted at the meeting.
The second item of business is ratification of the 2011 Budget. This year is important for all members since there will be a presentation on Peer Group Reserve Fund needs in the coming years. Past budgets have focused on expenses and maintenance issues and modest increases have been needed in annual assessments. However, increases in Reserve Funds have never been requested. Following a Reserve Fund Study completed in 2009-2010, it is obvious that increases will be required now to produce adequate funding for future Peer Group needs (e.g.: continued painting, roof replacement, etc.).
Although this is predominately a townhome owner issue, there are minor increases needed to also meet Common Reserve Fund needs. This will impact single-family homeowners. The Common Area expense budget may also require some increase to cover those items that the Town is not covering in the town parks due to Davidson budget shortfalls. The ad hoc Neighborhood Beautification Committee is working on a list that will pinpoint what we can do as volunteers and what is needed to perhaps contract to an outside company.
The Membership & Budget Ratification Meeting information, a summary of the proposed 2011 budget, and a proxy statement and ballot will be included in a notification letter required to be mailed to all members at least 10 days in advance of the meeting. Your attendance is important! The Association requires at least a quorum of 25% of neighborhood members to complete business and make your vote count. If you cannot attend the meeting on September 28, please do not forget to return your ballot and proxy to Abbott Enterprises or to a Council of Stewards member.
As in past Membership Meetings, reports from all neighborhood committees will be presented. Time will be allotted for questions. If residents are interested in signing-up for a committee, please plan to share your interest with one of the committee chairpersons at the end of the meeting. All committees are in need of new members.
Take an interest in your neighborhood. We hope to see you at the Membership and Budget Approval Meeting on Tuesday, September 28.
NOTE: The Council of Stewards meets regularly on the fourth Wednesday of every other month in St. Alban’s Church classroom (lower level) at 7:00 p.m. Special meetings are called as needed. Meetings are open to residents.The next regular COS meeting is scheduled on August 25. If an owner or resident wishes to address the COS at a regular meeting, please call a COS member about 5 days in advance of the meeting and the issue will be added to the “Homeowner Concerns” part of the agenda near the beginning of the meeting. |
