Who Serves Whom?

Is it a myth that an HOA's purpose is to serve the community? No it is not a myth. Homeowners who tolerate being called liars, who tolerate defensive, retaliatory interactions instead of quality homeowner (customer) service from their board are allow that myth to exist.

When a community supports a landscape committee to ADVISE a board on improving existing landscape programs and building for a solid, eco-friendly, financially sound future is told by a board member that the cleanup of an existing common property is its responsibility, the myth is enabled. 

The current HOA board practices the principle of "it's not our job, it's not our fault." An HOA committee's responsibility is to advise, not execute on anything unless approved by the board. 

I encourage you to exercise your rights to expect totally transparent, respectful interactions with homeowners, encouragement and nurturing of volunteers, long-term planning plans for common properties that the board is responsible for managing. Run for a board position, encourage a neighbor to run, refresh, reboot, vote for a change in for a strong and caring group of board members to build on the really good neighborhood you are fortunate to be a part of.

How the HOA treats homeowners ... is this why none show up to board meetings? Have you all given up?

I was able to obtain a copy of the letter presented to the HOA at the October meeting. The author requested that the board include the letter in their "official" minutes. I don't think they will so here it is. The last one is a video and cannot be played from this blog but it shows the Harrison employee blowing leaves into the resident's yard.

"October 21, 2025

Dear HOA Board,

Thank you in advance for considering my concerns.  I am at an important event for my daughter and unable to attend tonight’s meeting.  It is distressing that I feel choosing family responsibilities means my home and yard are exposed to the effects of short-sighted decision making that greatly impacts my life as a resident in Orchard Farms.  

Over the past 9 years, as a homeowner who lives in an entrance, I have shared photos and videos of unprofessional yard work practices by Harrison Brothers.  Last month, when I brought up this problem again, that the landscapers were blowing all of the leaves at the entrances into the backyards of residents, my concerns were not addressed.  My remarks were noted in the meeting minutes as baseless “complaints.”  I followed up with a video of this practice occurring 2 weeks later with a landscaper blowing piles under the magnolia trees.  This video was shared with the board.  Again on Oct. 14, 2025, I recorded a different Harrison landscaper blowing leaves under the oak tree off of Roper Mountain Road.  In addition to both videos being shared with the HOA board, below are photos of this occurring.  This is an on-going problem that the board is refusing to address.  

I am requesting: 

1. Address Harrison dumping yard waste and other litter in residents’ yards so this STOPS.

2. Clean-up the piles immediately with blowers and rakes in high frequency dumping areas under the magnolia trees and oak tree.  I do not give permission for heavy equipment to be driven into my yard that leaves ruts and damages tree roots.

3. Edit the September meeting minutes removing demeaning language toward our residents.

4. Re-instate a Landscape Committee so residents have a voice and work with our HOA board for the betterment of our community.

5. Craft and follow proper procedure for adopting practices for the maintenance of our signage at the entrances.  “Beautification Zone” is not in our bylaws or covenants.  Using that term does not give a blank check to do whatever, whenever, to the yards of tax paying silenced residents of Orchard Farms.   

I am also requesting that the holly trees at the Fortuna and Roper Mountain Rd. entrance be properly trimmed and maintained.  They provide essential sound mitigation for the heavily trafficked area.  The holly bushes are slightly overgrown – but this needs to be addressed with a good trimming (perfect for this time of year).  They do not need to be removed.  In the entrances, there are many missing and dead shrubs that are eyesores.  For example, at the Fortuna entrance, there is a dead shrub and missing cubed holly shrubs where a gap was left when they were previously removed.  At the Batesville entrance, there are 2 dead hydrangeas.  The hurricane last year left many dead and damaged trees that need to be addressed in our neighborhood.  Orchard Farms needs some substantial removal and remediation of trees and shrubs.  But that does not include healthy hollies at the Fortuna entrance.  While line-of-sight has been given as the excuse, a line-of-sight survey has not been conducted by the county.  A proper trim would be a good fiscal and environmental solution.  

I am requesting this letter and the photos be attached to the October 2025 meeting minutes.

Stacey Sherman, 434 S. Orchard Farms Ave. "

"

 

DELAY, DELAY, DELAY and hope it goes away – the mantra of the HOA

Funniest thing from the meeting was the new digital clock used to shut down guests’ 3 minutes time slot to present their questions and issues. A good leader has the skills to manage interactions with the homeowners, not shut them down, cut them off, and establish dominance over those to whom he or she should be accountable. Neighbors, we deserve better.

Parking

It has been clear for some time that the HOA cannot control parking on the street except for not leaving a vehicle being repaired in the street overnight. Greenville County owns the streets. The HOA can issue violations for parking on lawns and blocking driveways or sidewalks. So instead of expecting a total solution to the parking problem in Orchard Farms, let’s all exercise respect and courtesy and think before we park, or maybe free up space in our garages, or request approval of a driveway extension, or something creative you can work out with your neighbors in a problem-solving, productive conversation.

Guest Time

For quite some time a homeowner near the Roper Mountain entrance has been bringing attention to the board the sloppy and “just bad” landscaping practices of Harrison Landscaping. At this meeting, she requested the board put a stop to Harrison spraying poison into homeowner property. For whatever reason, grass was removed and replaced with mulch, LOTS OF MULCH. The crew sprays at an angle that extends the poison into the homeowner’s yard (if you want to see the photos evidencing this, just leave a comment). Whether the poison goes into your property or not, it goes into our water table and eventually into your body. The landscapers continue to blow trash into the homeowner’s property, and this has been brought to the attention of the board for many months. It seems appropriate to fire a vendor that does not stop bad practices. It astounds many of us that this hasn’t happened. Maybe they are not getting proper instructions. Whatever the case, it certainly increases my suspicion about the relationship between the HOA and Harrison.

Finally on the Agenda - not limited to 3 minutes of discussion

Also, at this meeting and for the past three meetings, a homeowner requested the HOA clear fallen trees on HOA property behind his house. The first tree was downed by Helene and began to block water flow resulting from heavy rains in a dry-creek type drain area. After the most recent storm, a tree on HOA property fell against the homeowner’s fence and further blocked water flow. Standing water is a primary cause of increased mosquito infestation. Mosquitoes are a high risk to everyone’s health.

The homeowner also reported that a cable repair person found it difficult to work because of the mosquitoes and that his grandchildren are unable to play in the backyard. This homeowner has provided pictures as the situation has worsened since Helene. The board stated that this is not an emergency situation and they had decided to let fallen trees in a forest area lie and rot but once again promised that they “will look at it” to determine if it is a risk or can be left to rot in a “forest” area. The area behind the homeowner’s property does not qualify as a forest area. It was being mowed by Harrison Landscaping until the fallen tree blocked access. A valid question that the HOA should answer is do these fallen trees pose a fire hazard? The extreme weather is not going to get better in the future. What plans does the HOA have in place to reduce the risks the climate crisis will present to our community?

When did we homeowners get notified that if trees fall on an HOA controlled areas they will be left to rot? I cringe every time the word transparency is uttered by a board member.

And typical of the HOA’s “defensive” responses, when this homeowner tried to clarify the situation, the homeowner was “scolded” by Jason Lockaby for interrupting him. Whether a homeowner’s complaint is valid or not, he or she should not be a target for a condescending loud verbal attack.

Covenant Changes…Really?

The committee established to recommend Covenant changes has some interesting things going on, although they really don’t want us homeowners to know about them because they don’t want our opinions or participation in solving problems; they just want to make decisions and tell us about them after the fact. We have a lot of smart, community-minded homeowners in Orchard Farms but the HOA chooses to ignore all that problem-solving potential.

A couple of things under consideration are:

• Requiring buyers (not existing homeowners) to make a one-time payment to the capital reserve fund to increase that bucket.

• Requiring buyers to live in their house for one year before being allowed to rent it.

• And, the most “secret” item under consideration involves the control and ownership of beautification and buffer zones. Remember the survey, stakes with colored flags, etc. Dennis King skimmed over this item quickly saying the committee is working on it and it’s very complicated. I will add a post just on this issue later after review by my lawyer.

Next year’s budget is coming up soon. Please email or call all board members and let them know how you feel about how much money being spent on landscaping, whether the social budget should be cut to address more serious issues (Octoberfest spending could help reduce some real risks to homeowners), how to address the repair work that will be needed on the pool which is our main amenity, etc.

Here’s a link to all the board members’ contact information.

Board Members | Orchard Farms HOA

 

The Jerry Springer Show Returns

 (My opinions are in red italics. What I heard and observed is in regular type. I make an effort to provide accurate information.)

After a stretch of months of fairly respectful, civilized HOA board meetings, the tension and shouting returned. Bottom line: the HOA board and Jim Donahue just can’t tolerate hearing criticism about their decisions or opinions contrary to theirs.

Round 1: Guest time.

Guests are allowed 3 minutes to speak, all except those favored by the board who seem to get unlimited time. Most of us can’t even describe what we’re wearing in 3 minutes much less provide context and data.

Guest #1: This homeowner has brought the same issue to the board for at least three meetings. The issue is using the sprinkler system to water mature hollies at the Roper Mountain entrance which causes faster growth which causes more frequent trimming. Board president Kim Lee-Anderson acknowledged the previous presentations of the issue but said that if they quit watering them they would die and the board would have to replace them. No decision was made by the board to adjust or close off the sprinklers.

I assume the no decision was a “no” and that water will continue to be wasted on these hollies. Here’s a link to some basic holly care: Watering Hollies | Plant Addicts.

I have holly bushes in my yard planted at least 20+ years ago. I NEVER HAVE TO WATER THEM and they still grow like wild fire!

Guest #2: This homeowner brought her concern about speeding to the board. She asked if the board could put up a speed limit sign or get the county to do so. The board president said the HOA is on a waiting list with the county to get a traffic study done (I assume to determine if the county will put in a speed bump?)  Speaking to Jim Donahue, she said “correct me if I’m wrong Jim” but I believe we had one in recent years and are on a wait list.

Speeding is certainly a safety issue but since the roads are owned by the county, I’m afraid the solution rests with them.

Guest #3: This guest stated what was posted on Chris Donahue’s FB page recently that there is a convicted sex offender residing in Orchard Farms. She stated that the board should officially alert homeowners and determine if there is a possibility that the person could be entering the pool or playground area in violation of the court order. The president said pool passes are issued individually and who enters the pool can be tracked.

One can assume the person’s parole officer confirmed that the distance from where he is residing to schools, daycare facilities, playgrounds, etc. meets the required 1,000 feet. Tracking individual pool passes does not verify who used that pass. It is my understanding that if an HOA board is aware of a risk, they can be held liable if that risk results in injury or harm. It is my hope that the board will check with the county sheriff’s office and confirm all the details surrounding this issue and communicate openly with homeowners.

Guest #4: The Jerry Springer Show Returns

This guest relayed a conversation with Town & Country about how difficult it is for new and existing homeowners to find information among the HOA website, Town & Country’s site, and Chris Donahue’s Facebook page. She read the document below:

The guest was cut off by the president after 3 minutes without completing the two-page document she distributed to the board.

Did you know you can request that the board include any document you present to them in a meeting in the minutes?

The president confirmed that all board members have edit access to the HOA website. The guest questioned the date recent months’ minutes were published and asked why so late. The president said she had edited the title of the documents for consistency and the dates on the files reflected those edits. When questioned about links to Chris Donahue’s Facebook page, which is not an official HOA site, Kim said it is intended to provide a resource for homeowners like other links. When the guest asked that the board remove the link to that page, the president said she finds it irritating that the guest is complaining about the HOA website since she spends a lot of time updating it.

The conversation between the guest and the president continued with the guest saying that the situation of multiple sites is confusing since the Town & Country site is a “jumbled mess.” Board member Dennis King said “the HOA has no ownership of the Facebook page but the link will stay…it has nothing to do with the board…and it will stay on there.” He continued to issue directives such as “we’re not going to discuss the Facebook page.”

This is another example of how some board members make decisions “individually” rather than present an issue to the board for a vote. It’s happened numerous times in the past when board members would engage with a vendor, spend funds, etc. without whole board approval or knowledge.

Chris Donahue said that “when you post anything negative I have the right to kick them off.”

She is within her right to block anyone from her page since it is a PERSONAL page, not an official HOA page. Maybe they would include a link to my personal page…but again maybe they won’t LOL. I wonder how Chris confirms that someone wanting to join the page is a homeowner. Did she have access to HOA documents to validate the request before becoming a board member?

Another guest, without being granted a 3-minute time slot, spoke up saying “there’s no problem with the Facebook page except the libel that’s put on it.”

I’m assuming that was aimed at me LOL.

Jim Donahue began to shout at Guest #4 saying “You’re done here. You need to sit down and shut up.”

After a minute or so of shouting back and forth, the president banged the gavel on the table and everyone ceased the shouting.

No wonder homeowners are reluctant to attend board meetings. Who would want to experience this type of behavior? I’ve taken a lot of criticism and threats for not speaking up in board meetings rather than posting in this blog or earlier distributing flyers. One of the reasons is I don’t engage in shouting matches with bullies. And my observation is that if certain people on the board disagree with your information, evidence, or opinion, they take it as a personal attack. Aren’t we all too old to view the world that way?

WHEW! What a relief to listen to the treasurer’s report.

Back to Regular Stuff:

1.       Someone made a pickle court on the tennis court with painter’s tape which can damage the court. The president will notify homeowners not to do this.

It’s not unusual to see multi-use courts. What exact damage resulted or can result from the tape? Was an expert or tape manufacturer consulted?

2.       The ACC reported that three fences were installed inside out and notices have been sent to homeowners to correct this.

I couldn’t find any ACC documents on file at Greenville County. To enforce any rules, the documents specifying those rules must be filed with the appropriate county.

That aside, ACC guidelines state “The structural support side of fencing shall face the enclosed area (i.e., the good side of the fence must face out to adjacent properties).” Again, how many homeowners know this document is on the HOA website? Did the ACC direct the homeowner to this document when they approved the request for the fence? If not, shame on them; it should be standard practice to ensure the homeowner is fully informed.

It would also be helpful if the board would take every opportunity to inform homeowners what powers it has, e.g., violation notices, fines, etc. Here is what the Bylaws state in Section 4.12 and note that you are allowed a hearing prior to being assessed with a fine.

The amendment to the bylaws filed in March of 2024 may complicated this issue, not sure. You can find that amendment on the HOA website at this link:

Er8X7rB2VwmW5WxT.pdf

And it would be helpful if all online documents were kept up-to-date. Here’s the last paragraph of the ACC fence specs. Who is Renee Diaz?

3.       The weather vane on the club house has been leaning for some time but for yet another month the board has been unable to find a vendor to repair or remove it. The concern is that if it is removed it may cause a leak in the roof.

4.       The board voted to hire a plumber to make a temporary fix on a urinal in the club house at a cost of $800.

5.       The area in the parking lot that floods was discussed at the May board meeting. The board decided to hire Ben Harrison Landscaping to install 40 feet of drain pipe and a catch basis at a cost of 4925. Dennis King asked Jim Donahue if he liked the plan and Jim said yes; a motion was made to approve the work; it passed.

Again the board looks to a guest for approval before a vote…really? But then, it’s Jim Donahue, aka armchair board member, from whom many board members seek advice and approval during meetings.

6.       There is a tree at the pool leaning across the fence and dropping debris onto the pool deck. Harrison stated he could trim up the tree for $975 or remove it for $1470. Board members agreed that if the tree falls and injuries someone or damages the fence the cost would be greater than $1470. When asked if there is money to do the work, the president said it’s available in “Chris’ budget” then immediately corrected it to “landscape budget.”

7.       The president stated that pruning the oak trees at the Roper Mountain entrance is tabled until September when new bids will be requested for pruning the trees early winter (November-February). A homeowner previously challenged the advice of Harrison Landscaping who wanted to prune the trees in June say that pruning should be done when a tree is dormant. The president said the homeowner is correct in her advice.

You would think Harrison would know the correct time to prune trees! And you would think that he would know not to pyramid mulch around the base of a tree which can cause the tree to rot. Or you would think that the board would seek a volunteer from the community with horticultural expertise to advise them on managing the largest chunk of the HOA budget!

New Business:

The president announced that three fines for parking were issued in the last month.

This issue drew a lot of discussion. A guest stated that he has spoken with a real estate attorney who told him that in almost all cases of homeowners versus an HOA about parking issues were won by the homeowner. The roads in Orchard Farms are county-owned. The HOA does not have the right to levy fines for parking in the street. This should not have been news to the board. They were told this several times in the last couple of years by previous board members. He suggested that homeowners ask the county to establish rules for the neighborhood that would restrict parking to perhaps one side of the street, etc. Another homeowner expressed concerns that parking restritions would deter families from buying in Orchard Farms.

Jim Donahue said that the “HOA has the right to take away their access to amenities because they are violating Covenants.”

I reviewed the Covenants and I can’t find anything that states that. The Covenants do allow HOA to issue violations if homeowners park on their yards, block sidewalks, have a vehicle without current license or in disrepair, etc.

The president did say that two of the fines were for issues cited in the Covenants but she was unsure about the third.

A homeowner asked if the HOA could make the homeowners in violation widen their driveway like they made her do saying “do what you did to our family.”

The same homeowner later asked about rules for the baseball field. The president said there are no written rules, just first come, first served.

A homeowner asked for an update on debris removal he has brought to their attention for the last three months. The downed tree could cause flooding of homeowners’ yard if we get heavy rains. Dennis King said he walked the area and saw no debris.

The homeowner later told me he spoke with Dennis after the meeting and showed him pictures of the area in question and was told by Dennis that the board had decided to postpone any cleanup until next year when it would be cheaper. I’ve been at every HOA meeting for a long, long time (except October 2024) and don’t recall hearing that decision by the board.