Not really, but it was a good meeting yesterday Dec 3, 2011, of the Union Bay Improvement District Board.
I don't want anyone to get the impression by my frustration/criticism of the present Board that it compares with the problems the community faced with previous boards. I have specific areas which concern me, and they are related to the legal issues and the return of public funds spent on matters unrelated to fire, water and lighting.
No one can take away the accomplishments TAG has made over the last few years. I shudder to think where we would be now if there had not been a campaign to make changes in our government. I believe in the goals TAG set forth. Looking at the big picture - the landowners/residents are far more involved and the community is more informed than ever. Meetings are always well attended and at the meeting yesterday a couple of landowners praised the Board and thanked them for their hard work.
Compared to what we have been subjected to over the years - it's like night and day. After all, we were locked out of public meetings by the previous board.
I have praised this Board and criticized it. They are going to make mistakes, everyone does, especially when there are so many new Trustees faced with the mess left behind by the previous Board. Every meeting there is a more bad financial news due to actions by the previous board. Union Bay's financial situation is cause for concern, but I have to give this Board credit for getting finances under control and making necessary changes. They were left with a mess.
I removed my posts about my frustration/criticism of this new Board because I'm not blind to the accomplishments made by this board in a short time, and didn't want to leave the impression this board compares in any way to the previous one.
Other than my specific concerns, I know this is our chance to turn things around. We voted in individuals who are willing to respond to concerns, allow questions, and plan to have a Trustee available for a few hours each month to have coffee and chat regarding UBID matters. We're not locked out or stonewalled. We have hope again.