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.