Page 3 - The Friday Flyer • September 9, 2016

SEPTEMBER 9, 2016 THE FRIDAY FLYER A-3 GM Christopher Mitchell bids farewell
Following is the speech given by CLPOA General Manager Chris Mitch- ell at Tuesday night’s Board meeting.
Tonight, September 6, will be my last meeting as the General Manger for the Association. For over five years, almost four of them as the GM, I have seen a lot of positive changes. There have been two accomplishments that I’m very proud of.
First, getting the POA’s finances in order. When I arrived in 2011, the As- sociation was still reeling from the Fi- nancial Collapse of 2008. This was evi- denced by the huge amount of accounts receivable, in which a large percentage of homeowners were not paying assess- ments. This negatively affected cash flow and, toward the end of 2011, the POA was barely meeting paying its bills and payroll.
By revamping the collections and cash budgeting, we were able to right the ship. After this we revamped the Reserves Controls to track when mon- ies are moved in and out of the re- serves. This will help to ensure reserve funds are accounted for correctly. This foundation not only created financial stability within the POA, but helped to provide accurate and timely financial information that will help future staff and Boards in continuing to make good financial decisions.
Second, I’m very proud of spearhead- ing the Canyon Lake Beatification Ini- tiative. This is important as it focuses on restoring our existing amenities like our parks. It’s critical that the infrastructure is maintained for the continued enjoy- ment of the membership. This project has helped bring parks back to life like Indian Beach, Harrelson Park and Sun- set Beach.
Next I would like to thank the Boards I have served under. From the 2010/11 Board that hired me as the Director of Finance, to the 2012/13 Board that be- lieved in me and promoted me to the General Manger position, to the current Board, I would like to thank them all for their service to the community. It is a thankless job that requires commitment to do what is best for the community as a whole.
I would also like to thank all the com- mittees and clubs for working with me to better Canyon Lake.And special thanks
The theme of Chris Mitchell’s farewell reception at the Country Club on Wednesday was “Star Wars.”
BY SHARON RICE
EDITOR, THE FRIDAY FLYER
The biggest stories out of Tuesday night’s regular session Board meeting were the goodbyes offered to General Manager Chris Mitchell and Member Services Director Susanne (Cordeiro) Webb, whose last days on the job were this week – along with announcements about the upcoming alum treatment, a final decision on the new Dog Park, the status of the Solar Project and a decision
that needs to be made about the Indian Beach stage.
As has been announced for several weeks now, Chris resigned his position serving the Canyon Lake Property Own- ers Association, effective September 8, to pursue a new career opportunity. He has worked for the Association since 2011 and has served as General Man- ager for more than three years.
On August 26, 2016, the Association received long-time employee Susanne Webb’s resignation as Director of Mem-
ber Services. Susanne will be leaving to pursue a new opportunity, effective September 9. She has been an invalu- able asset to the Association since 2005, and will be greatly missed. The Asso- ciation Management developed a suc- cession plan almost two years ago. In transition of duties, the following staff will assume the following roles effec- tive September 12: William (Cory) Gor- ham will oversee Member Services and Community Patrol. Cory has worked for the Association for more than four years
and will continue to maintain customer focus in his new duties. Cheryl Mitchell will oversee Planning and Compliance. Cheryl has worked for the Association for more than 10 years. She has played an important role with the Architectural Control Committee, as well as working with the City of Canyon Lake’s Planning Department.
In a presentation at Tuesday’s Board
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to the the committees that I have had the opportunity to be a staff liaison to:
To the Quality Assurance Committee, for their advice and guidance on several issues that affected the POA. They were always there to help and I greatly appre- ciate that.
To the Facilities Review Committee, for their efforts to balance the need to create new amenities, with the need to maintain our existing facilities, while also being mindful of the budgetary con- straints.
And to the Finance Committee, which was the first committee I ever laisoned. This committee has continued to be the watchdog of the POA finances, and I’m confident they will continue to be just as tough on the new GM.
And now to the greatest staff I have
had the ability to work with. I want to thank my senior staff Lynn Jensen, Mike Morrow, Susanne Webb, Carrie Pratt, Mark Scheck and of course, Ron Long.
To my staff in the corporate office that made sure I had the information I needed and helped me get through the day: Lynn Jensen, Harmony Owen, Lisa Rogers, James Trask, Bryan Salazar, Se- lina Lara and Tiffany Cribbs.
And to all the other department staff at the POA that I have had the privilege to work with: Accounting, Operations, Activities, Member Services, Planning and Compliance, Food and Beverage.
And to the vendors that assisted the Board and myself, specifically: Silldorf and Levine, Securitas and Valleycrest.
I’m grateful for the opportunity to work at this Association and for the
friendships that have come from it as well. I will keep in touch and hope to come back for the great events like 4th of July, Fiesta Day and the Car Show.
And finally, one quote I have lived by and believe in, from Fredrick Douglass: “If there is no struggle, there is no prog- ress.”
We live in a democratic society that requires participation from its citizens. If those citizens never stand up to unite to do the right thing, to never struggle to overcome apathy, there will be no progress, there will be no future. I ask that the membership not sit by and let someone else do the heavy lifting, but to get up and participate in making the community the best it can be.
Thank you all, and may the sun never set on Canyon Lake.
Here’s a recap of Tuesday’s POA Board meeting
THE FRIDAY FLYER
Volume 35 Number 36
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