Barony Place I/Barony Place II

At the August 5, 2025 Board Meeting, the (HOA's) Neighborhood Committee section includes this long statement.  "Reginald (Hill) talked about the interaction between the board and participants to include the voting members, and that it's important to understand that if participants/voting members have somewhat of a negative attitude when asking questions, board members are only human, and that the attitude of the board members when responding may be the same. He also stated that everyone should take time to review the CC&Rs to gain an understanding of certain things such as whether participants are only allowed to speak or ask questions when recognized or allowed by the board." (Source: Minutes of the 8/5/2025 Board Meeting) This statement to the Board by the chairperson of the HOA's Neighborhood Committee doesn't make any sense at all. The wrong person made the wrong statement. Hill and his Committee have absolutely nothing to do with the interactions betw...

The Minutes of the August 5, 2025 Board Meeting contain an announcement that Autumn Glen once again has a Voting Member. Chairperson Reginald Mack introduced Dennis Rybicki as the new Voting Member for Autumn Glen. Welcome, Dennis. As of August 21st, 12:30PM, the HOA's website listing of Voting Members doesn't show Dennis' name.  The property owners in Autumn Glen were without representation since December 2023, when the Summit Scoop first listed the position as Open. Prior to that only one name was listed for Autumn Glen, rather than the three names on its Neighborhood Committee.

This post is a continuation of my thoughts about the August 2025 Minutes. Finance: Last item first: "(Director) Brenda Bryant made a motion for the HOA dues to increase by $50 in 2026, [ sic ] Danny Trapp seconded the motion, and all approved." What's wrong? There apparently was no discussion about the reason for a dues increase. OK, so everybody knew it was coming. At previous meetings, it was mentioned, although the talk was of $25 increase in January 2026 and $25 increase in July. Now it sounds like $50 in January 2026. Why wasn't William Hill, now recognized as Board Treasurer, at the meeting to make the Motion? Why was the dues increase announced and voted on at the August 5th Board Meeting? How does the Board know a dues increase is needed, other than the fact that they should have voted an increase in November 2024 ! The Board is spending money hand-over-fist every month on Motions. The Variances (over-spending) shown in the Financial Reports every month, but n...

The Minutes of the August 5, 2025 Board of Directors Meeting have been published on the HOA's website. Who took notes at the meeting? The recording secretary's name should be shown.  Who wrote the Minutes? If someone other than the Property Manager recorded the notes and/or wrote the Minutes, did the Property Manager review them?  Did the "recognized" Board Secretary review the Minutes before they were sent to the rest of the Board? Did any of the seven Directors actually read the draft of the Minutes?  Were the Minutes published only after they had been reviewed and approved? Why would I ask such silly questions? Under Homeowner Concerns, "A homeowner asked how to make a change to the Covenants that would allow vinyl fences. A referendum would be sent to the homeowners for a vote." Who answered that question? Why wasn't it answered correctly? There are many steps before a Referendum is sent out for a vote! A brief summary should have been given, and the...

Are some "Voting Members" of The Summit's HOA acting like the Democrats in the Texas State House of Representatives? You know the ones - the ones who fled the Great State of Texas to avoid a House vote on re-districting.  By fleeing, they prevented a quorum from being present; therefore, no vote. The "Voting Members" of The Summit's HOA aren't fleeing the State of South Carolina or even Richland County, but they aren't showing up when a Meeting of Voting Members is called. When there is no quorum, there can be no meeting. By refusing to show up, are they violating their fiduciary responsibility to their respective Neighborhoods and those homeowners? If the Neighborhoods knew that their Voting Members were not showing up, would they quickly hold a Neighborhood Meeting, elect a new (local) Neighborhood Committee, and elect a new Voting Member? What would likely be the First Order of Business, if a quorum of Voting Members was present? My guess is that ...

On August 6, 2025, I emailed the Voting Members of the HOA. On August 7 Reginald Mack replied. He is the "Voting Member" of Summit Hills IV and also the chairperson of the HOA's Neighborhood Committee. He wrote, in part, "...  As you are aware, the individuals in receipt of your message are members of The Summit Neighborhood Committee.  That is important to understand because this committee represents the homeowners within The Summit... " Both sentences are wrong. "Voting Members" are not automatically members of The Summit Neighborhood Committee. At Board Meetings in and before February 2025, Mack told the Board that he had a couple of Committee members, but he never named them. His name is the only name listed in The Summit Scoop and on the website for the Committee. Mack and his Committee have no authority over Voting Members. (Nor does the Board.) The second sentence is false because that Committee does NOT represent the homeowners within the Summ...

Today was a virtual Roster Meeting for the HOA's lawsuit against Gus Philpott (me).  On July 29 the HOA's lawyers emailed (and mailed) Notice of the Roster Meeting to me. That's 22 days ago. The Roster Meeting was for setting a trial date during the week of September 2nd. Why would the lawyers ask for a trial date September 2-5, if they weren't ready to try the case? They've had eight (8) months to get ready. In the online meeting today the HOA's lawyer asked Judge Coble for a continuance for 60 days. They wanted more time for depositions, etc. At least, that's was it sounded like. I had the speaker at 100%, and I could barely hear the judge and the lawyer. I could tell you the  real  reason for the delay, but I won't.  I objected, stating that the lawyers have had plenty of time to get ready. Judge Coble said he'd take my objection under advisement. What does a 60-day continuance mean for the HOA? More fees. Great for the law firm. Lousy for the cli...