The Lamppost Vol. 2006/2

February 2006

The Official Newsletter of the Walden Pond Homeowners’ Association

Special Directors Election

Cowan, McIntyre are nominated for two vacancies, but others can run

The Walden Pond HOA is to hold a new election during a special Feb. 15 membership meeting to fill two seats on its board of directors.

Edison McIntyre, 10 Prestwick , is nominated to fill the directorship held by Thomas Humphrey, 17 Astor Court.

Current director and president of the HOA Gwen Cowan, 28 Georgetown , is nominated to continue on the board.

These two HOA members have been named by a board-appointed nominating committee to fill the directors' vacancies; but, as always, other candidates may be nominated from the floor. A candidate must be a Walden Pond homeowner.

Current HOA director Don Barry, 2 Durbin, who was elected last November, headed the nominating committee. McIntyre and former director Sarah Wright, 32 Prestwick , who continues to serve as non-voting secretary for the directors, also are on the nominating committee.

McIntyre was asked to run for one of the two openings after another candidate initially chosen by the committee decided to withdraw for personal reasons.

Cowan would serve for a two-year term, through the annual membership meeting in December 2007. McIntyre's term would end with the December 2006 membership meeting. Both would be eligible for re-election.

HOA To Amend Bylaws?

Directors seek membership vote to specify their term lengths

HOA members are being asked to change the association's bylaws to specify the lengths of terms for the three voting directors of the group.

A vote on amending Article VIII of the bylaws is to be taken at the Feb. 15 membership meeting. A mailing to all HOA members, explaining the proposed change, was sent out last week.

Essentially, the amendment would specify that the three voting directors of the HOA board would serve staggered three-year terms, so that one director's seat would be open for election every year.

The current bylaws indicate that each director is elected annually for a one-year term. However, since the bylaws initially indicated staggered terms for the directors, it appears the intent of the original bylaws was for staggered three-year terms.

The change in the bylaws would specify this.

If the amendment is rejected, two new directors are to be elected to serve through the rest of 2006, and all three directors seats would be up for election in the regular December 2006 membership meeting.

Board Meeting Cancelled

Directors to meet following election

The February meeting of the HOA board, normally on the second Tuesday of the month (Feb. 14), will not be held. The next board meeting is scheduled for March 14, pending the election of new directors and changes in the HOA bylaws. See next month's newsletter for details.

Statements by Candidates for HOA Directors

Gwen Cowan, 28 Georgetown Court --
"I have been a resident of Walden Pond for 20 years and active on the Walden Pond Board of Directors since the year 2000.  As a board member, I have always conducted myself in ways that were ethical and legal.  I care about Walden Pond and want to assist in making our community a desirable place to live and be proud to call home."

Edison McIntyre, 10 Prestwick Place -- Walden Pond resident since Sept. 2000.

“I'm convinced that the recent dissatisfaction among HOA members is directly related to too many of us – including myself – sitting back and allowing a few people (and not just board members!) to do the hard work in overseeing and monitoring the association. I was asked to run for the board, and I believe that if I am going to criticize the board, I should be willing to serve. I want to ensure (1) that the HOA operates in a transparent manner, with open meetings and open records as the law allows; (2) that HOA meetings are held at times and places more convenient to a large number of members; (3) that members receive the HOA services they are willing to pay for, and that homeowners' fees are used in the most efficient ways possible; and (4) that the board of directors takes a proactive role in communicating with other members and encouraging them to be active in the HOA.”

Nominations for the board will be taken from the floor at the Feb. 15 meeting. Potential candidates are urged to prepare a short talk (2 - 3 minutes) to present themselves and their views for consideration by the members.

Proxy Forms

If you cannot attend the Feb. 15 membership meeting, please fill out the proxy form (included in last week's mailing from the Walden Pond HOA) and mail it to: Association Secretary, c/o Cone Properties, LLC, 3554 Weymouth St., Durham NC 27707, of FAX it to 919-493-2411. The form must arrive by 5pm on Feb. 15.

Using the proxy form to designate the Board of Directors (or any one else you choose) to cast your vote in your absence, you will help assure a quorum for the votes on changing the HOA bylaws and in electing two board members.

Say NO to Snow!

Old Man Winter has been kind so far this season, providing Walden Pond residents with chilly temperatures on occasion, but little snow or ice to deal with.

If February turns unkind, however, the HOA board reminds each resident that you are responsible for removing snow and ice from the walkways immediately in front of your townhouse, and from immediately around your vehicles.

The HOA will contract for snow-plowing in the community's parking lots and private roads if deemed necessary. HOA director Don Barry will be the one to make the call if snowfall is heavy enough to warrant removal – at least 2-3 inches, depending also on how fast the snow might be expected to melt.

Plowing, however, may still leave snow around your vehicle, so be prepared to do a little shoveling there, too.

Citizenship at Walden Pond

All of us have lives outside the Walden Pond community. Work, family, church, hobbies and other interests – all eat up the clock and leave us wondering where the day went. But most people find that they have ample time for the things they want to do and have to do.

Citizenship is one of the have-to-dos. We pride ourselves on being a democratic society in which every citizen's opinion may be expressed and deserves consideration. But to be effective, opinions must be well-informed, and they must be expressed to people willing to listen and take action on them.

Most governments rely on professionals to turn opinions into action. Walden Pond depends to a large extent on volunteers who are willing to devote a few hours a month to care about their community.

The Homeowners' Association needs not just your voting presence at membership meetings, but your participation on the Aesthetics Committee, the Newsletter Committee, and the Nominating Committee. We'd like to revive a Neighborhood Watch program. There are other opportunities for you to spend just a little time to make Walden Pond a better place to live.

Phone Sarah Wright at 309-2838 [Email: sewmed at sprynet.com] and let her know which committee you'd like to serve on!