SCPOA Board to Hold First Public Meeting Following 2023 Board of Directors Election on Tuesday, March 21st at Community Fire Station

Context and Opinion by Tom Harris

The purpose of this article is to publicly inform all dues-paying residents of the Swansboro Country Property Owners Association (SCPOA) of matters of interest to our community.

Congratulations to the four new members of the SCPOA Board of Directors:  Karen Paul, David Dudley, Melissa Stever and Meredith Blain. The Sentinel would like to extend its thanks for their perseverance and positive attitude. The voter turnout was the largest on record in recent memory with a total of 286 ballots returned and counted. The new board met and Board Officers were appointed: Karen Paul, President; Derek Trimble, Vice President; Melissa Stever, treasurer; Meredith Blain, Secretary; Luz Brown, David Dudley and Megan Lattanner, members at large.

The first SCPOA board meeting with the newly-seated members is scheduled for Tuesday, March 21st, and will be held at the community fire station. The agenda for the meeting has been posted on the bulletin board located at the east end of the airport. All members of the community are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in this important event. This is an excellent opportunity to get to know the new board members, learn about upcoming community projects, and voice any concerns or suggestions you may have. Your presence and participation will help ensure that our community continues to thrive and grow. The Sentinel looks forward to the restoration of a positive relationship between SCPOA and all our community organizations.

The new board members have set a promising tone for their tenure with their stated campaign goal to apply due process, follow existing rules, and involve concerned dues-payers in decision-making…

The new board members have set a promising tone for their tenure with their stated campaign goal to apply due process, follow existing rules, and involve concerned dues-payers in decision-making by listening to and respecting their views. The community is eagerly anticipating the board’s fulfillment of these commitments and is hopeful that this will result in more inclusive and transparent decision-making. By keeping their promises, the board has the opportunity to build trust with the community and foster a more collaborative and productive relationship going forward.

Board member David Dudley has raised concerns about the potential precedent set by spending membership money that is not included in the budget. While unexpected expenses may arise from time to time, it is important to consider the long-term financial implications of such decisions. Dudley’s concern is that if the board starts to spend unbudgeted funds, it could become a regular occurrence, leading to financial instability and jeopardizing the organization’s financial health.

“…lots of costs involved and issues like water and electricity, septic and bath, kitchen, were discussed…. we need to run these thoughts by the board first…” – David Dudley, SCPOA board director

Board Secretary Meredith Blain points out that independent thinkers will often disagree on the issues, but that negotiation, not intimidation, is the path for the board to follow.  Meredith states:

“…I am grateful for the support I received from the community during our campaign. I heard from many SCPOA members with differing ideas about community issues. I was and still am amazed by their understanding that we cannot please everyone, but were confident that they would be heard and treated with respect. My pledge of transparency seemed to hit home for many, and nearly everyone looked forward to improved relationships with other organizations that support our beautiful community. I am delighted to be elected and look forward to getting busy with the many tasks ahead…- Meredith Blain, SCPOA board secretary

In conclusion, it is important to remember that while we may have different opinions and viewpoints, we all share a common bond as neighbors. We may not always see eye-to-eye, but it is essential to approach our disagreements with respect and understanding. Simply put, we all have our own opinions, and we may disagree at times.  But in the end, we are all neighbors.