This page describes a discussion and voting process. The process is supported by the links in the side bar on the right. The “Instructions” link brings you back to this page. Since there is some “back and forth” between the ballots and the discussion, we recommend that you read this page completely before using the system.
The changes to Bylaws and Covenants in the ballots are ones that the board would like to consider at this time. The board has discussed other changes, but we are concerned that the ballots will become too complex if more items are inserted now. This process will be repeated in the future.
The recommended changes should be considered to be a starting point for discussion. We imagine that the ballots may be quite different by the time that voting takes place.
The Bylaws
The “Bylaw Ballot” link goes to a copy of the current bylaws. Changes under consideration are marked with an italic strikeout for removals and a bold underline for additions. Each change is followed by an option to accept or reject that change. At the start, the ballot contains only changes that have been considered by the board. During the discussion period, members may request further changes that will be added to the ballot.
The Covenants
In the case of the Covenant Ballot, only the sections subject to change are quoted. As with the Bylaw Ballot”, changes under consideration are marked with an italic strikeout for removals and a bold underline for additions.
The proposed changes are limited to five priority issues.
1. Commercial usage and renting of property
2. Free running dogs
3. Use of firearms
4. Enforcement of covenants
5. Reorganization and renumbering of existing covenants
Members may request changes or additions to the ballot, but we would like to limit the discussion and changes to these five issues. We plan to make another pass through the covenants next year for other issues.
The Ballots
At the start, each ballot contains only “yes/no” options. If requested additions lead to a situation with more than two options, voters will be asked to rank their choices as first, second, third, etc. In this case, if no option receives a majority on the initial count, the option receiving the fewest votes will be excluded. Voters who chose this option will then get their second choice. The process will be repeated until one option receives a majority of the votes.
The ballot includes an option to abstain from voting on an item by item basis. You can also abstain from voting on all items by checking a box at the beginning. If you do not wish to vote, please return a ballot with this option checked. Abstentions will be counted only for the purpose of establishing a quorum. We need a response from 35% of the available votes to have a valid election.
All opportunities to vote are preceded by a comment in red followed by the place for the voter entry. The comment and the entry will not be included in the final version of the bylaws or covenants.
Discussion
A discussion period will be held from August 1st to September 8th.
To open the discussion, the board has made an initial post giving the rationale for each change. These are most easily accessed by using the “Index to Comments” heading in the sidebar. Members are invited to express opinions and request additions or changes to the ballot by adding comments to these initial posts. Comments can be made on the initial post or comments can be made on previous comments. Comments on comments are allowed up to five levels deep. The “General” post can be used to ask questions or make comments that are not specific to any currently existing ballot option.
We would like to keep the ballot as simple as possible. If several requests for ballot additions differ by only minor changes is wording, we will merge them into one request. Ballot options will be added if the changes are substantial.
The sidebar also includes links to the ten most recent comments.
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Help
If you have problems with the system, you can call for help.
Tony Carollo — (404) 906-3626
Ed Hauschild — (828) 577-6174
Jen Peyton — (904) 982-5900
Covenants for Reference
Links to copies of covenants from other area home owners associations are included so that you can see how they have chosen to deal with their situations.
Voting
Voting will take place between September 9th and September 17th. Members are invited to test the ballot during the discussion period. However, we will make a fresh start when voting begins. All prior submissions will be erased on September 8th. If a member should submit more than one ballot, the most recent ballot will be counted.
Note that entries to the ballot are lost if you close the ballot page before clicking on the “Submit” button. If you wish to review the comments while voting, open the ballot in a new tab. You can then go back and forth between tabs without losing any ballot entries.
Results
The results will be announced shortly after voting ends along with a copy of the new documents. Members are invited to proofread them. Typographical errors will be corrected, but no changes of substance will be made after the election.
The new documents will be submitted to a lawyer. He will also be instructed to avoid changes of substance. The final documents will be presented before the annual meeting in December and a final vote will be taken at that time.