September 8 marked the Annual Voting Member Meeting and board elections.
WCA President Michiel Oostenbrink opened the meeting with some brief board updates.
Nominating Committee Chair Eric Holt then invited the six candidates who had declared their candidacy by Aug. 31 deadline to take seats at the front of the room. He then briefly explained the election process. Nominees in attendance were Terry Lanzar, Tim Green, Brand Swindell, Pam Wilcox and Marlon Santos. Nominee Karim Keleman did not attend the meeting.
Each candidate began with a three-minute opening statement.
The Nominating Committee then selected the three most common and/or relevant questions from a pool of questions submitted by the voting members. All candidates were asked to leave the room, with the exception of Wilcox and Lanzar, who were permitted to stay because they are VMs and had the right to vote in the election.
The questions were as follows:
- What have you done to prepare yourself to be a board member?
- What do you see as a critical issue facing Westchase and how does your expertise help address it?
- What role or officer position do you think you could fill on the board and why?
Lanzar was the first to answer. She highlighted her on-the-job board experience, noting that she’d spent a great deal of time reviewing association files and budgets. She cited communication as a critical issue, saying that board members don’t share what goes on in the background to the extent that they could. Lanzar also told the VMs that board members need to “answer the hard questions” without worrying about stepping on others’ toes.
Wilcox stressed that her experience as an active, “boots-on-the-ground” volunteer, regular attendance at board and CDD meetings, and 21 years of living in Westchase prepared her to serve on the board. She stated that communication needs work and that she would like to see a weekly Inframark newsletter go out to all homeowners.
Santos shared that he gets involved in everything he can, actively participates in meetings, and works hard to find solutions to any problems that arise. He noted that outdated and inefficient technology is a critical issue facing Westchase. If elected, he promised to solve as many of those problems as possible.
Green pointed to his associate’s degree in real estate and extensive board experience as factors that would enable him to get up to speed very quickly if elected. He told the VMs that he believes the community’s age needs to be addressed by updating and upgrading facilities, amenities, and anything else that has degraded with time.
Swindell noted that he opted not to run for a board position last year because he wasn’t sufficiently knowledgeable about how things were run in Westchase. Chairing the TAC has helped to prepare him for this next step, he explained, and has shown him how governance can effect change. While there is a lot of institutional knowledge, there need to be institutional processes put into place, he continued. He also expressed willingness to serve where needed. Each candidate had one minute for a closing statement. VMs were then asked to fill out their ballots by voting for up to four candidates. After tallying all the votes, Oostenbrink, informed the VMs that they had elected Green, Lanzar, Swindell and Wilcox.
In VM comments, Enclave VM Christine Hennes asked what the WCA was doing to address the “ongoing delinquent and disgusting behavior” of the young men who are riding small motorcycles around the community.
Oostenbrink acknowledged that e-bikes and scooters are a major issue in the community but noted that it’s more of a parent issue. Hennes insisted that the board could create rules and regulations pertaining to the dangerous vehicles. Holt said there are already quiet enjoyment rules in place and the board could issue violations for breaking them. It would be a challenge to identify the perpetrators and to prove that the violation, once issued, had not been fully resolved, he continued.
Reres admitted that she had not yet researched the issue, but stated that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to regulate what residents are able to do on public roads. Half of the roads in Westchase are public, she added. Saville Rowe VM Bill Carey recommended implementing both formal and informal educational programs about the dangers of e-bikes and scooters on social media and in local schools.
Bennington VM Russ Crooks cited the terrible condition of Linebaugh Avenue between Publix and Sheldon Road. Oostenbrink said that he’s working with county officials to get data about where on the repair list they are and that the board would address the matter.
Steve Splaine, VM for The Greens, moved to add an item to the October meeting agenda. He told Oostenbrink that he wanted to provide an update on what is going on at the CDD in regards to a lack of budget oversight. There is no indication of foul play, Splaine continued. Oostenbrink expressed concern about publicly sharing such information until it’s been verified. Anderson seconded Splaine’s motion, which passed by a large majority.