It’s silly season, I mean election time again. New homeowners association boards are being elected all over the Pikes Peak region.
An especially contentious race is for three seats on the Woodmoor Improvement Association board.
The nine-member board governs the sprawling, wooded and affluent golf-course community of Woodmoor, which has 3,000 homes on 2,000 acres east of Monument.
It oversees $1.3 million in assets, income and spending and enforces covenants.
One of the big issues this election is a recent decision by the board to spend $20,000 to build a 10-space parking lot and trails on a 13.7-acre marsh on community property in Woodmoor. The marsh is in the middle of this photo from FlashEarth.
Here’s a look at the planned trails and parking lot under construction on the site.
Critics say the board should have gone to greater lengths to inform the community about the project, gathering neighbor input and holding public meetings before spending such a large amount of money.
They also criticize the board for spending thousands on beer and food for neighborhood parties. Critics say the board spent $9,000 last year. The board says it was $5,300 and a justifiable expense because so many homeowners attended.
The board has been in turmoil for a couple years. Critics say the conflict erupted with the rise to power of George McFadden, the current WIA board president. He is a polarizing figure in Woodmoor.
Although McFadden is not up for re-election on Jan. 25, three allies are on the ballot. And his name always comes up in conversations about the board, the election and the issues facing the community.
McFadden, however, declined to talk to me about it. He did the same thing a year ago when I wrote about a string of resignations from the board. At that time, as now, his name came up over and over. But he didn’t want to talk. Instead, he ripped me in emails and letters after the column ran.
Check it out my Feb. 11, 2009 column at this link. And here’s the blog I wrote, with his flaming rebuttal attached.
McFadden did write me Tuesday, pointing me to the Web sites of the competing camps: one for his allies:
The other is for the opposition group:
And here’s McFadden’s e-mail to me on Tuesday:
Mr. Vogrin,
I have no desire to become more involved in the WIA Elections as I am not one of the candidates running, so I offer “no comment”. I would advise all interested in the elections to review the various campaign websites.
George Labesky, Gary Marner, Bill Brendemuhl – www.woodmoorfacts.org
Jim Hale, Nick Oakley, Paul Lambert – www.savewoodmoor.org
Ed Miller is the other candidate.
I would also point out that both Nick Oakley and Jim Hale were appointed, by the “so called Majority”, to committees with the purpose of looking at our rules and regulations and design standards manual and suggest changes to the board. George Labesky was appointed to the Legal Audit committee by the board to review our governing documents (Declaration, Articles, and bylaws) and to bring them into compliance with the various state statutes (they are woefully out of date).
I think any and and all of the candidates running for election will serve the owners well, but the two incumbents have the experience and proven track record that the others do not.
All the info you need is either on the websites mentioned above or on the WIA webpage at www.woodmoor.org.
I hope this article will be more balanced than your last one on Woodmoor. I regret that the Gazette did not cover the very successful WIA Community Events, attended by over 1000 owners this year. If you want to review what was provided in terms of recreation (which is the first listed use of Assessments per the WIA Declaration) the newsletters which provided announcements for the events are available in PDF form on the WIA website.
Thanks,
George McFadden
====================================================
Well, it’s too bad that McFadden didn’t mention that he runs the website for the candidates he supports. If I were him, I wouldn’t either, because it shows exactly how he rips and tears at Woodmoor. You don’t even have to get past the main page to see the slander, innuendo, conspiracy theories, and warped logic that McFadden uses to intimidate and slander anyone who disagrees with him.
In true McFadden fashion, his no comment refers you to a webpage where he can sling mud without taking credit for his attacks!
I call on McFadden to admit he wrote the gossip on the site and apologize to the community for slandering Woodmoor’s many past presidents, volunteers, citizens, and businesses that do support the community.
While the construction of trails/parking lot is an issue, probably the biggest issue is the cancelling of the Fire Mitigation program. You can read statements on the competing web sites about their views on this program. However, there is no denying that this volunteer-run program was popular, highly respected (it has been cited nationally as a model for others to follow, and the local fire department and forestry groups have been active participants), and had a high degree of participation largely due to the matching fire mitigation funds.
When the current board cancelled this program they stated they had some concerns about the structure and claimed that the volunteers could continue on their own without WIA sponsorship. It’s possible that their concerns had some validity, I don’t know. But what is clear is that this action was taken without bothering to consult with anyone involved with the fire mitigation program. No presentation of concerns, no discussion of options, no solicitation of feedback. Just an uninformed action taken unilaterally.
Unfortunately, this seems to be the current board’s style on all matters. Which is why you can now see “SaveWoodmoor” election signs all over the area.
The HOA membership dues seem to be just so the board can have parties. Somehow I never am invited to parties being held with my money. How is it legal for a private group to extort money from us? I pay ONLY so that they don’t take me to court.
It’s like communism, you are either for the HOA or you are taken to court. And if you go to court, YOU pay for THEIR lawyers to attack you with their made-up rules!
Mr. Vogrin,
Boy, have you been taken in by the whiners in Woodmoor. The group complaining about the current majority on the BOD all have ownership in what has been so wrong with governance in Woodmoor. Most of them are former Board members and HOA directors of forestry or public safety. I’ll be happy to name names if you want.
Here is what they aren’t telling you:
During their individual tenures on the Board, stretching over the last 10 year, residents witnessed these clowns promote an office administrative manager to “executive director” with extensive authority to commit the HOA and a salary and benefits approaching 6 figures, clearly excessive and possibly self-serving for their Boards.
During their tenures, residents witnessed this bunch spend excessive amounts of budget and other resources on forestry projects while the HOA offices and community center fall into disrepair and was finally condemmed for asbestos.
During their tenures, HOA funds were mis-managed and co-mingled to the extent that the association’s reserves could not be distinguished from day-to-day operating funds and worse, in violation of CCIOA (CO statute governing HOA’s) the Board failed to conduct the required financial audits.
During their tenures, Forestry Committee members and “volunteers” were treated to $50-a-plate dinners to celebrate their success in mitigating pine beetle and forest fires in Woodmoor. If you believe that the efforts of this committee will stop the coming wave of pine beetles from consuming Woodmoor’s forest when they come over the front range, then I’ve got a bridge in NY to sell you. Ditto that for a fire the size of the Hayman conflagration. This committee provides little more than healthy outdoor exercise for its members, but at the expense of all residents.
Finally, the recent brouhah about planning and developing a walking trail in the Marsh Commons area is ludicrous when you consider that the same bark-chewing, bearded foresters who dedicate their time and our money to fending off fire and beetles, ought to love the new nature trail. But, it wasn’t their idea so they bash it.
The planning process was publicly announced; the planning meetings were open; and residents were invited to participate. Why these folks were apparently unwilling to participate is unknown because this project would seem to be in their “sweet spot” of interest.
I’ve lived in Woodmoor for 24 years and this stuff seems “normal” to me. Every couple of years we have these factions rise up and try to take contro of the HOA, most of whom have 24×7 to develop and trumpet their causes because they are retired. What they have in common is that they NEVER discuss the other point of view and when the other point of view is in the majority, they set up their gun turrets and produce their propaganda and deluge the residents and media with it.
When I retire, it will be somewhere else, trust me on that!!
Jim Forman
In response to “WhyNot”
I’m assuming “WhyNot” responder to this blog is referring to the forestry people who were spending homeowners’ money for gifts to each other and were throwing parties for themselves and not the whole community.
I was not invited to any of the forestry parties either, however, everyone that lives in Woodmoor has been invited to social events held this past year. This was the first time ever, where Woodmoor residents could come together, meet their neighbors and enjoy themselves. This is exactly what other well managed communities are doing as well, enjoying themselves.
I agree with you on the statement you made : “How is it legal for a private group to extort money from us? I pay ONLY so that they don’t take me to court. “.
I don’t like to pay anymore than I have to either. That’s why I love what the board has been able to accomplished in 2009. They eliminated/reduced fees and did not raise the assessments for 2010. Just like they promised. I will guarantee that with the 2010 election our fees and assessments WILL go up and we will see nothing to show for it (not even a single community event or trail). We’ll see more raises to the already over paid staff instead. With the 2010 election we’re back to communism once again. The new board thinks that $209 a year is a bargain and that we should be paying that much a month! FOR WHAT???? People are losing their jobs left and right and can afford even the $209 per year and that’s a fact.
Dear Mr. Gary B,
Mr McFadden has nothing to hide. The website http://www.woodmoorfacts.org contains 100% truth and facts. Sorry you don’t like the truth and facts. Mr McFadden does not rip and tear at Woodmoor. He loves the Woodmoor community and wants what’s best for all that live here.
You had me laughing when I read your statement:
“You don’t even have to get past the main page to see the slander, innuendo, conspiracy theories, and warped logic that McFadden uses to intimidate and slander anyone who disagrees with him.”
There is no slander, innuendos, conspiracy theories etc. Unless you have something to hide yourself Mr Gary B, or were thinking of conspiracies yourself, it’s no wonder why your mind is filled with those kind of thoughts.
You are suggesting that past presidents were saints, while you destroy the character of Mr McFadden with lies and gossip. Stop the lies and hypocrisy. Mr. Gary B, I request that you apologize to the community for the lies and gossip you spread about Mr McFadden. If you don’t agree with Mr McFadden on bringing this community together via community events, building trails and amenities for the community, then that’s your opinion, but do not attack him personally and assassinate his character with lies.
Thanks to Mr McFadden and the majority of the board in 2009, the community could breathe again without the Gestapo attitude. The list of accomplishments is endless. Here is a quick summary what they have accomplished:
-Did not increase assessments for 2010 as promised. Delivered fiscal responsibility.
- Removed unnecessary and improper fees, and made it more convenient to pay assessments.
-Eliminated of Mandatory Fees for building and home modifications.
-Improved the Covenant Violation Process (got rid of old Gestapo attitude.)
- Updated and Improved the Barn/Community Center
-Reduced Liability to Woodmoor Owners
-Followed Design Standards Manual Change Process Properly
-Ensured clean election (no more blank proxies with which past board members could use to pick their candidates )
-Organized community events for ALL to enjoy (with ONLY 1% cost of the assessments).
- Established transparency of operations (This board has stopped the abuse of Executive (Secret) Sessions, conforming to state law – this has resulted in a significant reduction in the topics discussed in secret.
-Saved administrative costs.
-Supported Creation of the Woodmoor Business Group
-Fixed Inequality in WIA Employee Health Benefit
-Ensured Proper Accounting Standards (corrected numerous accounting errors.)
-Update and Improved the Barn/Community Center
-Met with Local Realtors in a Roundtable discussion to discuss perceptions of Woodmoor and ways to improve the ability to sell houses in Woodmoor
- Took actions to prevent abuse of Owner Monies.