What's really important?
‘Cohesiveness of community, commitment to future'

Helen Buckelew

Over time our intimacy with nature causes us to think more deeply about what is really important to us. For most, this is a peaceful, contemplative place.

However, there are some who are not content.

They have called for action by the HOA against the POA. The motion was brought before the HOA Board by one its directors at the May 20 meeting, and then again by the same director via e-mail on May 28. On both occasions the motion was never seconded.

The two motions opposed by the Board are the same as the demands on the two petitions that a small committee of property owners plans to distribute.

The first demand is to remove Bob Crouch, POA president; the second to expedite the search for an experienced general manager with a demand that the decision to vote on the capital reserve fund is postponed until a new general manager has been in place for six months.

The HOA opposes any such action against the POA.

During the last year, the HOA has made a concerted effort to develop relationships with organizations and committees in- and outside of Big Canoe. That effort was based on the belief that face-to-face interaction and participation leads to clarity of purpose and teamwork. The decision not to support the motion to take action was informed in part by factual information that has been brought to the Board through such liaisons.

Some HOA liaisons are members of the committees; others make a commitment to regularly attend board and commission meetings. Liaisons attend the Long Range Planning Committee, Long Term Finance Committee, POA Board (open and work sessions), Finance Committee, Community Relations Committee, Pandemic Preparedness Committee, Big Canoe Emergency Response Team, Dawson and Pickens Boards of Commissioners, Pickens Board of Education, Dawson Homeowners Association, and Wildcat Homeowners Association

Even those on the HOA Board that are most anxious to get the search for a general manager under way recognize that Roger Klask has done an outstanding job as interim manager reorganizing the POA and developing staff.

The need to raise funds to improve and maintain the infrastructure of Big Canoe is not determined by the general manager. The need for capital funding has been determined by the Long Range Planning Committee; the recommendations for funding options have been developed by the Long Term Finance Committee. Both committees are highly qualified and conscientious. Their findings have been widely publicized, and members of the committees have been open and available for questions. Both committees and the Board have gone to great lengths to respond to feedback from residents.

Finally, a capital reserve fund requires approval by 50% of the property owners to amend the Declaration to establish a new funding method before the Board can proceed to determine the method of funding.

Big Canoe is not now, nor will it ever be, what it was ten years ago. Since the beginning, the strength of our community has been in its shared vision of what is commonly referred to as the character of Big Canoe. We must hold onto that vision while we make the hard decisions that face us.

The value of our individual properties is affected by the appearance and function of the community as a whole. Even more valuable is the cohesiveness of our community and its commitment to a vibrant future.