Highlights from the Annual Members Meeting

By: Sharon Aron Baron

The Woodlands held their 2014 Annual Members meeting on Monday evening with less than 130 residents in attendance this year.

According to Ambassador Property Management, some of those that were counted were proxies that didn’t appear in person so there were actually less in attendance. Last year, attendance fared slightly better with 157 total including proxies.

The smaller turnout may have had to do with the meeting being scheduled on President’s Day, which may be something to consider for 2015.

Special guests in attendance this year were newly appointed Mayor Harry Dressler and School Board Member Dr. Rosalind Osgood. Also on hand was BSO Captain Neal Glassman.

Dr. Rosalind Osgood and Mayor Harry Dressler

This year, the meeting opened up with President Patti Fox remembering our neighbor who passed away recently Michael McMichael. McMichael was a board member and resident of Section Five who we remembered with an email blast to our residents last week.  Michael McMichael.

Head of landscaping committee Ron Wilson gave his report regarding the landscaping being upgraded around Sago Palm. He reported that the city had trimmed all of the palms on Woodlands Blvd and that the main fountain was now operational.

Captain Neal Glassman announced that in 2013 crime was down 12 percent in Tamarac and 22 percent in the Woodlands. He also answered questions from the audience, namely about the red light camera program which he believes saves lives.

Joel Davidson, our city liaison, spoke about two bills in the State: SB356 and HB307. Davidson wanted to make homeowners aware as well as to drum up support to these important bills that would protect our homes from short-term vacation rentals. He asks that you contact your state rep and senators regarding this.

Randy Scott, as Chair of the WNID gave the residents an update regarding their request for law enforcement trust funds (LETF) to help fund the WNID. Find out more about the WNID at their next meeting on Thursday.

Residents questions and suggestions included itemizing miscellaneous items on the budget. In 2013, there were over $11,000 worth of miscellaneous items with no line item. Also, another resident questioned the exorbitant legal expenditures in 2013 which the president did not elaborate upon.