Canceled Referendum Vote – Woodlands Residents Attend District Meeting

Larry Torn speaks at the Woodlands Neighborhood Improvement District Meeting.

By Sharon Aron Baron

Last night over 100 residents turned for a special Woodlands Neighborhood Improvement District meeting at the Country Club.

President Larry Torn announced that the WNID failed to communicate to the resident’s reasons for establishing the District and other vital measures and told the District voted to cancel the referendum.

Board member Taylor White said there was still a great deal of confusion about the ad valorem tax and the purpose and function of the WNID.  “I also think there is a fear among the residents that it’s going to cost them a great deal of money, and that is an irrational fear, but current economic conditions bring it about, I’m sure,” said White.

Audience members were allowed to ask questions afterward.  However, what started as an informative meeting with adult-like exchanges, quickly turned ugly on both parts.   Instead of asking questions, agitated audience members grandstanded and expressed their ongoing displeasure with the District.    Not only were audience members guilty, but things weren’t helped by Larry Torn’s curt attitude, which added fuel to the fire.

For reasons unknown, the District has appointed the most uncharismatic leader I have ever seen.  It can’t even be blamed on Larry Torn, either.  Mike Jula, their first president, was just as lackluster in failing to garner interest.  I have no idea why they put Torn at the helm when he rubs so many people the wrong way.  While he may have excellent business sense, Torn is not a man of the people, and no one will buy into the District after listening to him.

Residents at the Woodlands District Meeting

Why didn’t the WNID board let some other board members speak?  Torn ruled the microphone the entire evening and wasn’t winning points with audience members.

Liz Chace asked Torn about the petition that went around and why wasn’t it considered.  The petition had been tabled until August 2012, as the City wanted to see the District have a chance to get started before it was dissolved.

Ironically, one of the people to ask a question was one of the biggest deadbeats of Woodlands Blvd standing side by side with another deadbeat neighbor – just like their two homes.  Here they were, worried about their taxes going up, and they hadn’t paid their dues in over seven years.  Seeing them standing amongst the neighbors who pick up the slack for them yearly was lovely.

Some of the audience members could have just let the boat sink on its own without the shouting and grandstanding.  Pat Barsorian’s continuous quoting of legalese had residents whispering that she was showcasing information clearly out of her league.   An attorney told me at the meeting that Barsorian made some severe mistakes in her effort to quote the statute.

Voices were raised in anger which did not win fans on either side.   My eight-year-old daughter, who I had to bring along, thought many of the adults were “very mean” and “very loud” to one another.

The truth is that those against the District are doing a much better job getting their opinions across than our neighbors that support the District.

Pat Barsorian speaks at the District meeting.

Rightly so, the board members in the District have admitted that they haven’t done an excellent job.  I think they need to appoint someone more likable at the forefront.  Someone who is more diplomatic than Larry Torn.   Someone can sell us on the idea of what we are getting and how much it will cost us.   We need more communication on the pros and the cons – and not just the scams from people who can’t accept any level of change.

The District will go back to square one with a new Planning Committee.  This committee will be led by someone, not a board member, and will meet with residents to discuss items for the District and its security issues.   At each meeting, a different board member will sit in on the meeting.   The district members want to get out of the board-like meetings that they have had and have more meetings involving residents.

I’m open to change, but I think it will be a long haul to change opinions and be available for new ideas in the Woodlands.