A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to ...

... the Forum. Does anyone remember that 1962 musical? (Not likely; many readers hadn't even been born yet.)

I was thinking about that during Tuesday night's HOA Board meeting (July 12, 2022) at the Brookland Baptist Church Northeast. And thinking about the funny thing that happened on the way to the meeting.

As I approached the door to the church building, another man, also arriving just before 6:30PM, called out to me, "You aren't coming in!" Rather sternly, I might add. I asked him what he was talking about (as if I didn't know), and he repeated it, moving between the door and me and blocking my path.

I told him I didn't even know who he was and had never met him, and he replied, "You know who I am." (Gee, where have I heard that before?) He was Vernell Butler, board member and Treasurer of the HOA, and self-appointed guardian of the HOA. (NOTE: he is merely one of seven board members.)

I followed him into the hallway and he stopped at the entrance to the meeting room, telling me again that I wasn't to enter and that he get the cops. Two deputies were seated in the back row, and Vernell asked one of them to come over. 

Vernell ordered (not asked) the deputy to escort me away from the meeting. The deputy informed him that he was not going to do so. Vernell told him again to do so, and the deputy again stated that he would not. I didn't say a word. Sure was fun to watch, though.

Vernell then went to the front of the room and sat down next to Justin. I took a seat in the back row next to the deputies, just in case Vernell tried again to interfere with my attendance at the meeting.

Actions of the board members are controlled by the Governing Documents of the HOA. I haven't found the section in the CC&Rs or By-Laws yet that allows a board member to kick someone out of a meeting, just because he doesn't like the person.

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