Jun
9
The “new” security truck was purchased during the last 2 weeks of March. The check did NOT follow the normal route for approval and by-passed the Treasurer. Kliftin will have a copy of the cancelled check.
I think it would have been much better if so called responsible individuals had not purchased an inappropriate vehicle through inappropriate and even somewhat illegal means and had exercised reasonable judgement prior to the fact. I also feel they should now be held accountable for those inappropriate actions.
I think that we should remain serious about the change needed in the Security Vehicle. I believe that If enough of us band together and let the Board know how unhappy we are with the present Security Vehicle they will listen to us.
Charlie’s plan for in house Security is a good one. A lot of money can be saved. More can be saved with gas saving vehicle.
The plan was to use the present vehicle for a couple of years and then pass it over to the Maintenance Department. There should be no reason why the Board can’t authorize the purchase of a gas saving vehicle now, and let the Maintenance Dept. have the Ford.
Tom
Low riders require a lot of expensive custom work that most people here could not perform. Do you want to hire illegal aliens to perform that work so you can get a good labor rate? Commented dung in cheek as well.
Is it just me, or has anyone else noticed an influx of migrant workers into the area in recent years? Some of them may be here LEGALLY. I vote S.C. purchase a “lowrider” for security to improve Spanish/American relations.
I vote for the Golf Cart and I want a job!! I love this site. I love my golf cart!!
Grim, I scrolled through and couldn’t find any one called Bayside. If you are referring to my comment (#28) you actually need to read it.It only made reference to vehicles’ having destroyed mailboxes and reflectors, I have lost both, and vehicles constantly running off the pavement on Clubhouse drive. As for my vehicle preference it would be for an American branded and manufactured economic vehicle. Many such vehicles are available… Fords are fine. But the golf cart idea doesn’t sound all bad. If you weren’t referring to me, my apologies. If you were some work on reading comprehension might be in order.
Moyer Ford is having a sale on 2008′s They Have several V-10′s.Why not buy one of those,I’m sure people on BAYSIDE wouldn’t be upset about say doubling their fee’s to keep the lowrider’s away.What Say You Bayside?
Dave;
The Board should consider moving the Assistant Finance Director up to Director. Danny Lee nor Betty should be Chairman of a Committee.
I don’t know what Danny Lee and Betty are going to do: however, if I was in either of their positions I would resign from the Board. I cannot see how the Board can work with them.
Let’s not fight among ourselves. It seems we all agree that money can be saved through the use of a security vehicle that would consume less gas that our present one. My calculations based on 60 miles (3 tours) a shift and 3 shifts a day is that if the truck we now have gets 10 miles a gallon, which I believe is on the high side, would consume 18 or more gallons of gas a day. That would be $72 a day for gas. If we were to buy a new vehicle that got twice the gas mileage we probably would save in the area of $13,000 a year. That is a lot of money. We all can thank Dannylee for the great job he did in reccommending to Charlie that we buy the truck we did. It scares me to think this man is currently the chairman of our Finance Committee. Where else is he so wisely spending our money?
I am sure there are many Board Members who read this Blog. I suggest that they bring this matter to the attention of the Board at their next meeting, Thursday, June 19, and request that the manager undertake a review of use of this truck, for security, or any other purpose, and reccommend a course of action to the Board.
I said a $100.00 or MORE. Also, maybe it does not cost $86.00 each time it is filled up.
At any rate, it is not worth disagreeing over. The truck needs to be turned over to the Maintenance Department now, and a vehicle that gets better mileage purchased. According to the current issue of Consumer Reports the Toyota Corolla gets better gas mileage than other vehicles in it’s class.
In answer to #19, you say it will cost $100.00 a day for gas, think again, just last week a security person told someone it cost $86.00 to fill the truck, that’s one time, twice a day comes to $172.00 a day, not $100.00…..!!
I believe at the last board meeting Charlie said they needed to bring in more sand.
Pat,
Please be more specific! What is wrong with the beach?
What someone thinks is terrible, it may be quite natural to others.
Was there trash or what? I was just down there and it looks pretty natural to me. Beachfront does not remain the same after storms.
If there was trash. then someone can be responsible to make sure it is kept clean.
It is hard to determine if you not say exactly what it was that concerned you.
I had one Board Member tell me that plans are under way to do what is necessary to bring the beach back to the beautiful place it once was.
Maybe a Board Member can verify this for us.
I’m not sure who is responsible for the beach up-keep, but, someone has dropped the ball,in my opinion. I was there last evening and would have been terribly embarrassed had I had anyone with me who doesn’t live in The Cove.Certainly not a good selling point in it’s present condition.
We don’t have the low riders on Clubhouse any more. They are afraid of being run down by the same people who keep knocking down the mail boxes and reflectors. Someone needs to explain to these people that the yellow reflectors at the edge of the pavement are not markers for a high speed slalom course.
I feel a security golf cart would be just fine for Spanish Cove. No one is supposed to go faster than 20 mph through here anyway. Cuts out the gas problem, if electric. It can go anywhere, even on the trails, if necessary. We don’t need a big “intimidating” gas guzzling truck. Sounds like someone’s fantasy/dream job, if you ask me. Spanish Cove is just not that crime ridden. If there is a criminal act here, one has to call the police or fire or emergency dept anyway. I see security as a staff who is there to “help” the residents as needed. They certainly have not kept vandalism from occuring, ie. the lights along the walkway and on the pier. They certainly can not be everywhere all the time. Things have been stolen and vandalism has happened, but its not like it happens everyday, and this occured when there was a car patrol. I see them more as a friendly aide to the community. Lets face it, there isn’t all the much crime in SC and if there is, the officials have to be called anyway. So, an electric golf cart would make more sense. A winter/rain cover could be used for the winter seasons.
Centsability!
ya’ll are just too funny. I especially like the big teeth. I am a Ford girl. A 2009 Focus gets 33 mpg. That would look good with Big teeth also. Nice to have some laughs on here. I have a 2001 that I will sell for a good price just because it is for the Cove. Any takers? I can check the Cove speed mpg while I cruise around S.C. I couldn’t help myself…Just had to do it. Keep the fun coming.
It was said above that a Kia or Honda would get 25 to 30 miles a gallon. To be clear, these are more like hwy mpg’s. Yet, the 8 to 10 miles a gallon quoted for the security truck appear to be for slow (15 to 20mph) patrols in Spanish Cove. To be fair we should say a kia or Honda would get 16 to 22 mpg in a security role.
Dear Ms. Watching too much TV (#23): I think (anyone) sizing up S.C. with the intent to steal something (or worse) would laugh if they saw a lime “go green” Toyota Prius patrolling the streets. Not everyone knows S.C. security isn’t authorized for high speed pursuits. Does the term “scare crow” mean anything to you? I’m not sure what the top speed of a VW bug is, but most folks know it’s not terribly impressive. Oh! and, by the way, you’ll probably need flashing lights and decals no matter what they’re driving around for security. Growling teeth painted on the front might be a bit much though…don’t you think.
How many low riders do you see in SC on a Satureday nite? Gee, do you think it really matters what they would think? Ha! Too funny!
I feel a economy car, like the VW Love Bug would be better suited for Security! It might even scare all those hoodlums away too!
Maybe if we give it a slick paint job and decals like the truck with flashing lights (I wonder how much that cost?), maybe paint growling teeth on the front! That would be intimidating!
Nana, you stated: “I vote we “go green”, sell the V-8 and buy a prius for security.” I’m not so sure that’s a good idea. Repairs on a Toyota Prius (hybrid) can be expensive and require well trained technicians. I think a more substantial vehicle is needed for security work. A Prius doesn’t inspire much awe. I wonder what a car load of illegals cruising around in a “low rider” on the streets of S.C. late one Saturday night will think???
Sally:
I agree the purchase of the truck was a bad idea, even if price of a gallon of gasoline was only $2.00. We have a truck with over 100,000 miles on it,and gets 8 to 10 miles per gallon. A Kia or Honda would have a better warranty and get 25 to 30 miles a gallon.
I had a Board Member tell me that we did not have the money to purchase a new vehicle. The Treasurer in office at the time of the truck purchase told Charlie and the Board that there was enough money to purchase a new Kia.
The Treasurers advice should have been taken. He knew more about POASC finances than any other Board member.
You’ve got to be kidding. Not so high when it was purchased in March? I don’t know how much it was then, but it was at least $3 a gallon, I’ll bet. And anyone could see that it wasn’t going any lower. Good grief!
I will agree that the truck should be sold. Two fill ups a day is $100.00 or more. Any money that we save on in house security will be eaten up in gasoline cost.
I have heard some say that gasoline wasn’t so high when the deal was made on the truck. That is no justification for purchasing it.
Gene, You make my day! You’re right about that V-8! My neighbor (she worked security for 2 days) says that they fill’er up twice a day. That’s got to cost more than the payroll for security in a 24 hour period.
I vote we “go green”, sell the V-8 and buy a prius for security.
Perhap’s we should think about putting an oil platform in the Bayou,It would pay for the gas used in this truck and provide money for the board to buy other gas guzzlers.The Grimreaper
PS: Isn’t that what got the Board of Directors into the problem in the first place. Sounds kind of arrogant to me!
Bill C – “Most of these crazy accusations” would you please be more specific?
Great job Sue! If most of these crazy accusations
were checked out (like Sue so kindly did) we would more than likely see that most of them aren’t true. (We also need to remember the source
whenever we hear some of these things).
Refer to Post #9 – The truck issue may not be resting yet. I didn’t read far enough back before reading Sue’s excellent post.
Hi Sue, Thank you for the info on the truck. We can now put that one to rest. 100% agree with the rest of your statement.
OOOPS! I started writing this then had company. Didn’t realize there has already been discussion generated.
Sue
I checked info on the security truck issue. The board approved by a resolution in March to provide up to $12,000.00 for a vehicle. Charlie and DannyLee searched out many different kinds. Someone remembered Steve Zullo had a truck for sale and after test driving etc. they decided to purchase this particular one. Steve sold it to them at quite a savings because it was going to be used for the good of the cove. Apparently it will be used for two years then become a maintenance truck.
Thanks Ron for your words about not taking sides. Everyone has gotten so wrapped up into the histrionics of things lately that the reasons for what happened have all but been obliterated. This is not about personalities. There are no bad people here. But if a group is going to come together as the board has to do, we have to be willing to listen to each other and be able to share ideas and thoughts. One group cannot dictate to another. There are no demands that can be made when all have a say. Information should not come out to the cove community via the letter to poasc members by Mr. Keigley or Mr. Shaw and state things that are untrue. The board has to vote on where the money will be kept. That has not been done. If you look at that letter it states in many places the money is under the control of the board. Neither one of these gentlemen bothered to inform any of the other board members that I know of that this letter was to be in the update. You would think at least Judy head of communications, and me head of the activities committee would be told what was in the works. Again…how do you do the best for the cove without having respect for fellow board members? In this position we need to be listeners to each other, our wonderful volunteers and our great cove residents. The money has been safe for 11 years in the checking account that activities has. It has in the past been monitored by Kliftin at times and a balance reported monthly. We need easy access to it as we plan our events.
Anyway….I was not going to respond to all that has been happening until the board meeting, but there are so many half truths and innuendos, here’s a least a start to what the problem seems to be. Certain people are very involved in keeping the drama at high pitch.
I ran for the board because it was important for me to feel I was doing something for this wonderful community. I sure would like to get on with the business that we were voted on to do.
sounds like some are confusing the ESTIMATE for the new security program with an actual resolution for the purchase of a truck. Bids should have requested for a NEW truck with a warranty-which could be used as a later replacement for the Ford Ranger.
My apologies to Sue Huff, but I beg to differ. If there was a resolution, it was not in the packet and no mention was made of it in the March 20, 2008 meeting. There were 3 resolutions passed at that meeting. No. 07-09 was “Change from contracted security services to P.O.A.S.C. in-house security employees”. The other two were about the key fob project and the guard rails at Pensacola Pond. Both of those had costs included. 07-09 did not. It stated that the board authorizes the Operations Manager to change from contracted security srvices to P.O.A.S.C. in-house security. It also provided that effective June 2, 2008 the contract with Dynamic Security Services would be terminated. It said nothing about approving $12,000 for a truck. However, in the line items in the report that was presented in February, a truck was listed under expenses for $12,000. Also included was a long list of trucks from a 1997 Ford Ranger to a 2003 Dodge Ram. The resolution did not list any of the items to be purchased. I would have thought that an item as expensive as a truck would have been bid and brought to the board for a vote. The manager is authorized to spend up to $500 without a board OK. From $500 to $1500 he/she must notify the board of directors at the next meeting. Bids are required on all one-time purchases or projects over $1500 cost. After approval of the board, the manager will request at least 3 bids, if possible/practical. There is a procedure for sealed bids in the Operating Procedures.
In the above statement. I fell that we should NOW put it to rest.
I want to express a public apology to Charlie, and any Board Member, past or present, that have read my comments about the Security Truck. I was told by prior Board Members that the 2007-2008 Board never approved the purchase of the truck. This was incorrect information.
Current Board Member Sue Huff checked the records and has confirmed that the truck was purchased in accordance with POASC rules. A resolution was passed on 3/20/2008 authorizing the Property Manager to spend up to $12,000 for a Security Vehicle. I appreciate Sue doing this.
Regardless of how we feel about the truck I think that we should not put it to rest. I know that I am.
Bill, I fear that I have not been mislead. I only posted what I had been asked by a person that I do not believe has an agenda (I could be wrong). I posted that hoping that we would receive a reply from Betty herself to set the record straight one way or the other. She is monitoring this blog I believe. Give us an answer Betty. We have no way of knowing unless you answer yourself.
THERE IS NO SUCH MEETING! Why do a certain handful of people insist on making crazy things up? It’s the same old people that love to keep things stirred up. You know what they call them.
I’ve never seen such a witch hunt in my life. Who knows what the next hateful rumor will be.
W, It’s evident that you are an intelligent person. You have been so mislead. (Not your fault). I would love say more about the true facts but I am certain that it would be removed/censored because it is not what the handful want to hear. It’s a shame.
W I posted my blog under (abreviated) “Sally record straight” I meant to post it here. Check it out. Jenny
I wonder how one would know about such a meeting.
I also wonder how Betty would be sufficiently omniscient to know who was “on her side”. Personnally I am not on anyone’s side. I am on the side of the best interests of Spanish Cove and its property owners. This of course is selfish on my part because I have a vested interest.
This should only be about right and wrong… not personalities, personal conflicts and further polarization.
Ben, I have thought about this long and hard since you posted this earlier today. If the normal route for approval was not followed then I feel that some assumption of (maybe not illegality) but surely of wrong doing has happened. If the check had been presented to you for signature then proper steps would have been taken for board approval. I don’t want to take anything away from the discussion of the truck because I believe that it is important but I have been asked by a friend if I am going to Betty ‘s called meeting at the RV clubhouse tomorrow night. When I answered that I had seen nothing about it on the internet I was told that the meeting was only for people who agreed with her and were ‘on her side”. However you feel about Dave Danson, the meeting he chaired was on the internet and everyone was invited to attend. I think that is because his only agenda is his love for Spanish Cove. If Betty did not rent the RV clubhouse then I am under the impression that it is an illegal meeting because every property owner was not invited. This is evidently another of her meetings in secret to further her agenda. And to return to the truck, are you aware that it broke down the second day on the job?