Page 4 - The Friday Flyer • April 1, 2016

A-4 THE FRIDAY FLYER APRIL 1, 2016 Board hopefuls discuss ‘greatest challenge’
Residents are invited to learn more about candidates running for the Can- yon Lake Property Owners Association Board of Directors at upcoming forums.
The Notice of Annual Meeting, Can- didate Statements and Secret Ballot are scheduled to go out in the mail April 7. The last day it’s recommended to mail a ballot is May 5. The Annual Meeting of the Members and Election of Directors will be held at the Lodge on Thursday, May 12, at 8 a.m.
In the order they will be listed on the ballot, candidates for the Board are George Christopher Williams, Dale Welty, Matt Poland, Paul Queen and Paul Chenette. Here are the scheduled forums:
• Saturday, April 9, 10 a.m. at the Se- nior Center – Meet the Candidates Fo- rum, hosted by the Senior Work Group.
• Monday, April 11, 7 p.m. in the Lodge Holiday Bay Room – Speak with the Candidates Forum, hosted by 21 community clubs and groups.
• Wednesday, April 13, 11:30 a.m. – Hear from the Candidates at the Cham- ber of Commerce Luncheon in the City Multi-purpose Room.
• Monday, April 18, 7 p.m. at the Lodge – Meet the Candidates Forum, hosted by the Home Owners Club.
The candidates and their resumes of qualifications and goals can be found at www.canyonlakepoa.com. For more in- formation about the election contact the Association’s Corporate Department at 951-244-6841, ext. 210.
This week, The Friday Flyer invited the candidates to answer the following question.
QUESTION
Even if residents don’t appear to be aware of it, what do you believe is the
greatest challenge(s) facing the Asso- ciation at this time, and how will your being elected make a difference?
George (Chris) Williams
One of the biggest problems we face in Canyon Lake is the increasing “Them” versus “Us” atmosphere. I think
the atmosphere we want is a service mentality that starts and ends with a re- spectful demeanor. Who sets the tone for this? It needs to start with our Board of Directors.
It may seem like a little thing, but an atmosphere of lis- tening and a practice of problem-solving beats an attitude of ignoring, quoting rules, and increasing fines, anytime. I think we’ve gotten away from listening to our people and leaned too much to- wards the “authoritative” assessing fines
and creating new rules.
If I am elected to the POA Board,
I will work to make this a community that listens to its property owners (and not just for three minutes once a month). Of course we need rules and we need to enforce them. But it should always be done with appropriate warning and no- tice, respect, and in a progressive and problem-solving manner; not an abrupt, rude, you’re wrong or gotcha fashion.
Member discipline should be a rare and carefully-considered Board decision – not an everyday occurrence. Changing this process would contribute to better relationships and atmosphere all around, and create more than a “little” Paradise.
A good example of this happens when
you drive through the gate. Yes, there are a few people at the gate who smile and wave you in, and do I appreciate them! Unfortunately, many times I am greeted with a blank stare, leaving me an overall feeling of having been an annoyance to the person standing there.
This could be changed so easily with a simple instruction from the Board that owners and guests are to be greeted po- litely and acknowledged respectfully as they come in.
We have many longtime and new- er employees who have a great ser- vice mentality: at the pool, lodge, lake, campground, tennis courts, golf course, golf course restaurant, eques- trian center, in maintenance, at the POA offices, at the gate, really every- where in Canyon Lake. Let those awe- some employees set the standard here. Again, that recognition and standard- setting needs to be constantly rein- forced from the top down.
We do so many things well here in Canyon Lake. We have the best ameni- ties, and we want to keep them that way. It’s why many of us moved here. A great example happened Fourth of July when I was amazed at how smoothly things went. Hats off to everyone involved in making that happen. We need to further improve communications between the Board and the owners that will allow us to problem-solve together and come up with solutions.
If elected, I’d ask the new Board to re- invigorate its mission statement regard- ing all decisions, meetings, hiring, and general management of the awesome community we live in. Members' con- cerns are paramount to the Canyon Lake Property Owners Association! To vote, request a proxy or share your thoughts
or story, email me at gcwilliams3377@ gmail.com or 951-775-2155.
Dale Welty
The biggest question is what will Canyon Lake look like when the com- munity is 70 years old, only 20 years
from now? Canyon Lake is coming to our 50th birthday, and we do not have a community vision of where we are go- ing.
The newer com- munities have a fresh appeal and of-
fer amenities that are more relevant and marketable to buyers in the area, and are usually preferred to communities with older homes. Typically, communities decline and age poorly after they have turned 50. Without proper planning, the decline can carry significant conse- quences.
The most critical element of a com- munity’s success is its members’ ability to find common goals and work together to achieve them. It is election time, and this can bring the conflict in the com- munity to its peak. I think Canyon Lake should focus on ways to come together rather than ways that divide us. Com- munity members should also make an effort to be civil and respectful of each other in our interactions within the community.
The success of the community and the future of Canyon Lake is very impor- tant to me and my family. I have lived in Canyon Lake for 28 years. Our chil- dren range from 27 to 8 years old and
CONTINUED PAGE A5
244-7373
31780 Railroad Canyon Road Canyon Lake
Check Us Out On Facebook
LIVE MUSIC THIS WEEKEND! FRIDAY & SATURDAY 4/1 & 4/2
"NO EXIT"
NEXT WEEKEND 4/8 & 49 "ALIEN BEES"
Pepe's is pleased to in oduce Wine Wednesday's. Take a ip with us as we pl e wines nd the globe the f st Wednesday of ev y m th. Please j n us f a tasting of f r diff ent wines
Now Serving Brunch Saturday & Sunday
Food Prepared Fresh Daily!
8pm - 10pm “Ladies 2 for 1”
s ved with light appetiz s.
Cost: $15.00 per person
APRIL 6TH! 6PM
SUNDAY KARAOKE 7-11PM
"