How Many Lawsuits Is the HOA In?

At the February 3, 2026 Board of Directors meeting, when Public Participation was underway and before it spiraled into chaos, a question was asked about how many lawsuits the HOA was in.

Vernell Butler, former director and past Treasurer, asked that question from the Neighborhood Representative seating area. 

I don't recall who answered him with "None."

His response was, "Really?"

Why did he respond that way? (I know the answer.)

Vernell shouldn't have been sitting in the Neighborhood Representative section, because he is not a Voting Member or Alternate. (Reference, Summit Scoop and HOA website)

Vernell had been an Alternate for Summit Hills V until he was elected to the Board in December 2020. When a Neighborhood Representative (Voting Member or Alternate) is elected to the Board, he must resign as a Neighborhood Rep. Whether he did or not is not known at this time. The HOA has been careless about "details" for years.

Vernell was a director and Treasurer until November 2023, when he resigned abruptly from the Board after not being re-elected by the Board as Treasurer. 

In the Fall of 2025 he began attending meetings of the Voting Members. He wasn't eligible to attend those meetings and he was challenged about it, but he apparently ignored the challenges and the Voting Members did not insist that he not attend. It would be interesting to know whether he attended the 2025 Annual Meeting of Voting Members and voted for directors.

Vernell was a candidate for the Board, having been nominated by the Nominating Committee (chaired by Tanisha Holmes). He was not elected to the Board. Only one nominee (Linda Potter) of the Nominating Committee was elected. Four candidates slated by the Nominating Committee were not elected.

In order to become an Alternate again, Summit Hills V would have had to hold a Neighborhood Meeting with a quorum, elect a three-member Neighborhood Committee (including Vernell), and elect a Chairman o the Neighborhood Committee, who becomes the Voting Member. Only Donnie Gantt has been listed for Summit Hills V since April 2023.

The Board must insist on drawing the line on eeligibility and cannot allow ineligible people to claim positions of authority, such as a Neighborhood Representative (Voting Member or Alternate). A Voting Member has legal authority regarding the homeowners in his/her neighborhood. An Alternate has that authority, when s/he acts in place of the Voting Member.

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