New Bern--Fairfield Harbour (Welcome: sale, 2014, rental) - Page 4 - City-Data Forum

Bogey1 · 05-16-2010, 09:36 AM

Update: Fairfield Harbour. The community has won, once again! Even after months of intense campaigning and scare tactics by our dissident group FHPORT (FH Property Owners Reform Team aka "People Opposed to Rational Thinking," as the rest of us call them!), the community voted 990 to 462 NOT to unseat our present BOD.

This is resounding defeat #3 for the dissidents. They lost their "Do Nothing" choice to the community's choice: to continue to pursue acquiring our amenities, at a reasonable price via long term loan(41% to 57%, with about 50% of the property owners voting). Their two FHPORT candidates for the BOD, Dee Kessinger and Rich Marshall lost resoundingly to candidates Chris Skrotsky and Wayne Strausbaugh, both of whom support the present BOD, and their attempts to acquire our amenities.

The Elections Committee has finished counting and given the results to the POA.
291 Dee Kessinger
307 Rich Marshall
862 Chris Skrotsky (Elected)
816 Wayne Strausbaugh (Elected)

Will FHPORT continue to deny the obvious? Probably, for awhile, at least. But, the past three confrontations strongly indicate they are not the choice of this community. In fact, they are losing what little interest they once generated, as the community reacts to the money their litigation is costing the entire community. This "builder-supporter" group will have to look elsewhere for easy development and quick profits at the long-term expense of the community.

At our annual meeting, on May 26, FHPORT is presenting two more demands: an audit for 2008 and 2009, instead of the proposed audit for 2009, and a return, by mailed individual check, any excess funds collected via dues each year, instead of credit towards the next year's dues, as has long been the custom. Each of their proposals will mean extra, needless expense for the community, and I fully expect a fourth -- resounding -- defeat for this group.

I will keep you posted.

poodlecamper · 05-16-2010, 03:18 PM

Woohoo I'm a lot owner in FFH and am following all of the above on the various web sites--if any of the "rabblerousers" find this site.......well, I don't think it will add to FFH's appeal. Trying to decide where to settle in 3 years or so----it IS a beautiful community----hope this amenities issue sorts itself out

LLN · 05-16-2010, 03:45 PM

This soap opera has me intrigued.

Bogey1 clearly your position is known.

For the slow, like me, could you provide 2 or three sentences, NOT the History of Rock and ROll, on each "sides" perspective. AND could you provide 2 or 3 sentences about what kind of folks are in each camp, and then, could you provide one short summary as if you were espousing the other sides view. Thanks. Hope the good guys, and I "assume" that is you, continue to win.

Oh, by the way, I haven't a dog in the fight, I live in New Bern and am happy where I am. Just curious about what is going on across the river. I fish over that way frequently, though.

cynnib · 05-20-2010, 01:31 PM

Thanks Bogey 1. I am looking to buy a townhouse and love the updates. Keep up the great work. Power to the people!!!

Bogey1 · 05-31-2010, 07:20 AM

FHPORT: Oppose any attempt to reclaim neglected amenities from MidSouth(present owner), which is barred from developing the Inner Harbour shoreline until 2013 -- UNLESS the BOD chooses NOT to enforce the ban. Varying side positions: those who don't use the amenities shouldn't have to pay to maintain them; they're not important/ don't impact property values; 'Wait long enough and MS will give it all up." FHPORT/BOD composition of some builders who refuse to divulge their plans for the harbour, and other land within FH has majority of us suspicious, and determined to defeat them.

Majority position: FH was beautiful combo of sheltered waters, championship courses, restaurant/clubhouse/pool, and a friendly, supportive (gated) community of lovely homes and great folks looking for an active lifestyle. We've still got the people and the homes, but MidSouth -- who purchased, we discovered, with only development in mind, took our annual amenities fees for 10 years and left us with only memories. We want the community (POA) to purchase them via long-term loan, restore them, and recover our lifestyle -- and our property values.

Added problem: MS insists on making a profit over purchase price, and is appealing the $1.45 million judgment we won against them. Side issue: group of POs suing MS over whether amenities fees are legal. Summary judgment soon. If they win, MS may be more willing to talk sense.

Sorry. That's as brief as I can make it! Hope this answers your request.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LLN

This soap opera has me intrigued.

Bogey1 clearly your position is known.

For the slow, like me, could you provide 2 or three sentences, NOT the History of Rock and ROll, on each "sides" perspective. AND could you provide 2 or 3 sentences about what kind of folks are in each camp, and then, could you provide one short summary as if you were espousing the other sides view. Thanks. Hope the good guys, and I "assume" that is you, continue to win.

Oh, by the way, I haven't a dog in the fight, I live in New Bern and am happy where I am. Just curious about what is going on across the river. I fish over that way frequently, though.

Bogey1 · 05-31-2010, 07:23 AM

We do, too! We're fighting as hard as we can!

WomanofGotham · 09-19-2010, 06:41 AM

We are owners in FFH who don't yet live there. We are very pleased that the POA is taking strong steps to ensure the community's future by fighting for the amenities and securing our investment. We love the waterways, marinas, docks, and small parks in the community; and the open natural feeling the golf courses give. We hear talk about the possibility of hiking trails, kayack launches, and parkland in place of one of the two golf courses, if the community gets the land from MidSouth. This would thrill us. We want to find the beauty we bought when we finally make it to New Bern.

LLN · 09-19-2010, 09:17 AM

Good luck in FFH. I hope it works out for all the folks that own land and lots out there.

Bogey1 · 09-20-2010, 02:56 PM

Hi, Womanof Gotham,

I'm so happy to hear you're on our side! Would you mind my copying your post and sending it to the POA? They'd appreciate your encouraging words!

Also, I'm sure you've heard that the POA has received q written threat of a suit, should they attempt to purchase. That letter provided the physical evidence they needed to seek a "Declaratory Judgment" on whether or not they can purchase the properties on behalf of the community. Our lawyer believes we are certain to win the judgment -- which should put an end to much of the legal bickering, anyway. So, keep your fingers crossed! (Judgment should be in November -- we hope.)

Again, if you don't mind, I'd like to copy your message for the POA. Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by WomanofGotham

We are owners in FFH who don't yet live there. We are very pleased that the POA is taking strong steps to ensure the community's future by fighting for the amenities and securing our investment. We love the waterways, marinas, docks, and small parks in the community; and the open natural feeling the golf courses give. We hear talk about the possibility of hiking trails, kayack launches, and parkland in place of one of the two golf courses, if the community gets the land from MidSouth. This would thrill us. We want to find the beauty we bought when we finally make it to New Bern.

WomanofGotham · 10-04-2010, 07:24 PM

Dear Bogey1:
After reading your note I wrote to the POA , told them I found this message board on City Data and that I posted in support of their work to acquire the land from MidSouth. We have friends here in Gotham, also property owners waiting to move to Fairfield Harbor, who want to see the POA acquire MidSouth's. As we do, they love the natural beauty in Fairfield Harbor and want to find it when they arrive. The potential is enormous.