Posts

Thanks to the Readers

As the HOA approaches one of the most-important elections of directors in the past decade (maybe longer), I would like to thank the readers of this blog. I started this blog in July 2020. It's now more than five years old. I started it after a parking violation notice was mailed to the house. I asked where that was authorized in the CC&Rs or By-Laws, and I got stone-walled. I recall the words of the then-President: "I don't have to prove anything to you." I began attending Board meetings. You've seen the invitation in the Summit Scoop. "Board meetings are open to all Summit Residents." At that time, the invitation reads, "Board meetings are open to ALL Summit residents." As a former, hands-on Treasurer of a 240-home townhouse association, I understand Association financial statements. I started paying attention to the monthly financial reports.  I thank you readers for your emails and your phone calls. Your support of my efforts on your beh...
Post a Comment
Read more

If You Were the Judge ....

... how would you decide? On November 3, 2025 a judge in the Richland County Court of Common Pleas heard a Motion to Remove The Summit Community Association, Inc. as Plaintiff in the case against Gus Philpott. What was that all about? Philpott claims that that the HOA is not the Plaintiff in this case! Why not? The Board of Directors never approved filing the lawsuit. The Board of Directors never authorized Board President Danny Trapp to file the lawsuit. Danny Trapp filed the case with the new law firm without the approval or authorization of the Board of Directors. The Voting Members were never asked to approve filing the lawsuit. The Voting Members never approved filing the lawsuit.  You, the homeowners (Members), were never asked to approve the lawsuit. You, the homeowners, never approved filing the lawsuit. The controls are found in the CC&Rs (Art. §XIII, §10 Litigation ). Those who wrote the CC&Rs were wise. Why did the lawyers file the case? Did they not read the C...
Post a Comment
Read more

Trial Delayed - Your Costs Continue to Rise

On November 11, 2025 I received, by email from the HOA's lawyer, a Notice of a Proposed Hearing to set a trial date for the week of December 1-5 and a Proposed Order of Continuance. I expected a Notice of Hearing on the Continuance and began preparing my thoughts about arguing against the Continuance.  Too late! Today (November 14) I found the judge's Order of a 60-day continuance already entered in the Court record. This is the second continuance sought and obtained by the HOA's lawyer. Why aren't they ready for trial??? The lawyers filed the suit against me on December 30, 2024, alleging "false accusations and continual harassment". Don't they have sufficient evidence to make the allegations stick? (Hint: they don't.) Apparently, they expect to obtain information from me that will help them in their case against me. That is not going to happen. I may have to go to the hanging, but I am not furnishing the rope! The 60-day continuance may work to my ad...
Post a Comment
Read more

What To Do When You Screw Up

I've long remembered a story about a hospital in Florida. As I recall the news story, a young boy had died in the OR after anesthesia lines were improperly connected. Did the hospital attempt to cover up its mistake? The hospital immediately sealed the surgery and investigated. It determined its error, contacted the boy's family, and met with the family and its lawyer. The hospital's representative admitted its error, and they reached a settlement in one evening of discussion. No protracted negotiations. No lawsuit.  Why do I think of that at this time? The HOA had - I write, HAD - a good relationship with Brookland Baptist Church Northeast. The monthly Board meetings were held in a meeting room of the Church. Anyone who ever attended a meeting knows how they were conducted. The last meeting I attended was February 4, 2025. Later a resident (homeowner) described that meeting to me as "chaotic". And it had been. In September Board President Danny Trapp sent a lette...
Post a Comment
Read more

Voting Members Have Rare Opportunity

Recognized Voting Members will have a rare opportunity on Tuesday, November 18, to put The Summit's HOA back on a solid leadership footing. Four seats are open for election. Terms expire for Board seats held by Danny Trapp, Brenda Bryant, Patricia Pollin*, and Linda Potter. The Nominating Committee has prepared a slate of five candidates: Vernell Butler, Linda Potter, Greg Thomas, Danny Trapp, and Stephen Van Camp. Three other qualified applicants for the Board were not nominated: Brenda Bryant (incumbent), Jeff Lummel, and Angelo Turley-Moore. All three are qualified and should have presented by the Nominating Committee as candidates. An ad hoc Committee should be formed to investigate the Nominating Committee and its decision to exclude three qualified applicants. When Voting Members meet in their Annual Meeting of Voting Members (AMVM) to elect four directors before the Board Meeting starts at 6:30PM, it is expected that they will nominate Bryant, Lummel, and Tur...
Post a Comment
Read more

Unclear Information from Finance Committee

In the November 2025 Summit Scoop was this October report of the Finance Committee: "William Hill approved several maintenance and repair projects, including light pole replacements, fountain repairs, tree removals, and wall and sign repairs throughout the community. The committee also approved the annual audit and reported a savings of $9,000 in fees.  The 2026 HOA budget was also approved." Is this just carelessness by whoever publishes the Scoop or carelessness (or worse) by whoever wrote this report from the Finance Committee? William Hill (Board Treasurer) can't approve anything. There needed to be action at the Finance Committee. Was there a Motion at the Finance Committee and then a vote to recommend those projects to the Board? The Committee would then approach the board and request Board approval of the projects! It is the Board  that approves projects, not the Finance Committee or the Treasurer. The Finance Committee also does not approve the audit (is that the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Unnecessary Early Email re Dues

Why would the new HOA management company, Town & Country, send out an almost-urgent email this week about the next Assessment of the Association? The alert was about the Assessment due January 1, 2026 (1½ months away), and not late unless received after January 31, 2026. There might be an owner or two who forgets that s/he has to fork over $255 every six months (now $280). Presumably, a correct Assessment invoice will be mailed in December. It certainly doesn't warrant a special email before Thanksgiving.  Have you noticed that the Board has failed consistently to inform the membership what it is doing about collecting past-due money from the deadbeats? The Association is owed $588,984.71 , as of August 31, 2025. That's on Line 1200. Every month the boiler-plate in the financial report reads, "Collection activity is currently being conducted in accordance with Association policy." And no one ever questions that! There is either something wrong with "collectio...
Post a Comment
Read more