Editor’s note: The following letter was sent to all the board members by Bruce Williamson, a property owner who is a long time resident and a realtor. What he says pretty much speaks for all of us and his insight as a professional should be prized by the board.  But of course we have Phil Bentz, the treasurer (who gives conflicting reports at each meeting), giving his presentation about raising the assessments on new property owners and a board with only one member looking out for the interests of Apple Valley as a whole. I can only assume that when it comes time to vote on this subject there will only be one “no” vote. My reasoning is based on the common property sold, easement given away, the overly inflated budget, etc.

Steve Elliott, Editor

To the Members of the AVPOA Board:

I have heard that the increase in the dues to new property owners is about to be made as a motion at the next opened meeting to be voted on by the board.  Even though I am fully aware that you will have this pre-approved before even making the motion, I wish to make one last plea that this issue be reconsidered.

Unfortunately I will be unable to attend as I, like many others who would like to make their thoughts known, will not be able to attend this meeting.  I am directing this to all members of the board and hope you will consider my thoughts as if I were able to stand before you to speak.

This type increase is not going to be good for the Valley. The majority of property owners will not approve this until we are told how our money is being spent. Can we tighten our budget and make changes in our operation to avoid something this drastic?  Doubling dues on new owners will cause a major restriction in the real estate market and yes, this eventually will even effect each of us individually.  If you follow the progression of this increase over a period of years, it will mean a huge increase in revenue.  Could there not be a more reasonable approach to what ever the current problems are?  Are we not just expanding the real problem by producing this much additional revenue.

I, like many others, want to know just what is going on with our money and why do we need an increase at all.  The explanation given last time, that we should raise dues because we have the lowest fees compared to all other similar POA’s, is not a sufficient answer.  We have operated well for many years with the structure our forefathers had set up.  Are we now short on reserves because of the fees spent to defend the recent law suit and could we not delay some expenses to replenish that account?  Why are we defying the court orders and getting into another costly suit?  These things don’t make sense to us since we are being kept uniformed in all financial matters of the Valley.

Before raising dues or anything else, please make us understand the needs.  We are not your enemy but we are your neighbors, sharing expenses just like you.

Since this proposal involves a change in the dues structure and will, or at it least should, be a change in the restrictive covenants of the Valley, I assume we will be faced with the same type of meetings we had before with a proxy battle.  I can also imagine that our management may have found a loophole to avoid this or at least a way to control any opposition.  I beg of you, our elected representatives, that we do nothing devious and if you feel that this must be done, do it in such a fashion as to convince the majority that it is necessary.  Please allow the proxy system to function as it should. Please do not run it through the “election committee” where it can be controlled like our general elections are.

I do intend to be open and vigorously oppose this increase.  I am not proud that our internal issues must become common knowledge to the general public of Mt. Vernon.  I believe it only tends to degrade us.  But, since we have been refused the use of the Valley's internal communications, The Cider Press, we are given no other choice.  I will make an appeal to those of like mind to join with me in fighting this increase, by an open letter to the editor of the Mt. Vernon News as well as any other communications that are available.  All we are asking is that we be told why and be convinced that it is necessary.

I invite you respond and hope you can make me understand the problems.  Help me understand!  Not just me, but all of us. Please! This is a very important issue we face and I hope we can work together to solve whatever the problems are and not be forced into a confrontational situation.  Thank you for taking the time to reading this and I look forward to all of you responding.

Bruce Williamson
Apple Valley Property Owner
Lot Numbers 420/421 Green Valley Subdivision