March 10 Ad Hoc Search Committee Zoom Meeting.

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I watched the meeting, and seeing what was happening was painful.

I ask from members who watched the Zoom meeting to share their feelings and comments.

I presume Sandra Steinruck, who ran the meeting, is the Committee Chair.
Sandra and others have many questions and sought advice and guidance from Mike Dixon, David Bass, and Joe Coyle. 
The three were helpful and knowledgeable, sharing their highly regarded and sought-after experience. Yet, none of them is on the current Search Committee.

My questions are:
1.             Was any of the three, Mike, David, or Joe, asked to be on the 2025 Search Committee?
2.             Why was Sandra appointed to chair this committee when it is clear she is far less suitable for the position than Mike, David, or Joe?

Indian Hammock Members, a lot is happening, and not everything is positive.
Please join in and make your voice heard.

To the members who attended the Zoom meeting, am I missing anything?

David Etzion.
Lot 246

Matthew Rector Lot 256 complaint – Indian Hammock BOD violations.

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This is a complaint submitted under Article XIII, Section 2 of the Indian Hammock Declaration of Restrictions. I expect to receive a written response within 30 days of the date of this letter in accordance with the Declaration of Restrictions.

Dear Barbara Roberts,

     I heard that the “Special Members Meeting” was cancelled by the BOD:

  1. Please identify the time, date and attending BOD Members when they met to vote on this cancellation.

       2. Please provide when and where notification of this meeting was posted on the website as required by FS720303 (4) OFFICIAL RECORDS (m), and how it complied with FS720.303 (2) BOARD MEETINGS (a) (b) and (c) 1. 

       3. I am hereby officially requesting the minutes of that meeting as per FS720.3032 (3) MINUTES.  As per FS720.303 (5) (a) I will expect to receive these documents within 10 days.

  While on the subject, please provide the same information for the BOD meeting that occurred with a Burn Boss in the outback immediately after the last BOD meeting at the lodge. That burn meeting was conducting Hammock business, had witnesses including law enforcement, and was NOT disclosed at the BOD meeting held earlier. As you are well aware, per FS720.202 (2) BOARD MEETINGS  (a) A meeting of the board of directors of an association occurs whenever a quorum of the board gathers to conduct association business.

    At the BOD meeting held at the lodge, I spoke before the BOD and officially notified them of the Rule Violation committed by one of the Hunt Committee Co-Chairs. The Hunt Committee Co-Chair admitted his violation freely while speaking about this matter to the BOD. Please disclose what steps have been taken so far regarding that rule violation, and if as stated in the Meeting one or more Members of the BOD encouraged him to violate the IH rules in this matter. At that meeting, I also asked about the meeting that you, Albert Rossodivita, and Carla Sapp held with the Manager in his office. It seems you three IH officers apparently made him stay after normal working hours and had a meeting to inform him of new work requirements not stated on his original contract. He resigned shortly thereafter. Since such modifications of the Manager’s contract can only be a BOD decision, I request the same information referenced above regarding that meeting.

 Furthermore, I hereby request per the same information cited above regarding when the BOD met to appoint Ron Sapp, the Vice-President’s husband, as the new IH Manager. I question why that information has not been posted on the website as required. Additionally, as per HB1203 the following information should have already have been posted on the website regarding Association Managers:

·  Provide the members of the homeowners’ association the following information, post the information on the homeowner association’s website or application as required by section 720.303(4)(b), Florida Statutes, and update the information within 14 business days of any changes:

  • Name and contact information for each community association manager or representative assigned to the homeowners’ association.
  • Hours of availability.
  • Summary of the duties performed by the community association manager or representative.

        ·  Provide a copy of the contract between the community association manager or firm and the homeowners’ association to any member upon request. The contract must be included with the homeowners’ association’s official records.

    Finally, yesterday you fired the current Manager Matt Doherty, who gave a 60 day notice as per his contract, five weeks before he was scheduled to leave. You took his access card, keys and had Ron Sapp drive him home, seemingly in an attempt to humiliate him. I challenge your authority to do so, as that is necessarily a BOD decision. I find it to be a despicable act by you and anyone else involved. I demand you provide when that BOD meeting occurred. I am hereby officially requesting the minutes of that meeting as per FS720 as cited previously, and have that information posted on the website. The entire Membership needs to be informed of your actions, and how each and every BOD Member voted. You swore an oath to uphold our rules and Florida statues, as did every other BOD member. Violations of the Statutes in FS720 are criminal, and I believe they should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. To whit:

FS720.3033 (5)(d) Any director or member of the board or association or a community association manager who knowingly, willfully, and repeatedly violates paragraph (a), with the intent of causing harm to the association or one or more of its members, commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “repeatedly” means two or more violations within a 12-month period.

FS720.3033 (5)(f) Any person who willfully and knowingly refuses to release or otherwise produce association records with the intent to avoid or escape detection, arrest, trial, or punishment for the commission of a crime, or to assist another person with such avoidance or escape, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

   It is very unfortunate that it seems the current BOD has been acting in a manner inconsistent with the intent of our documents, Florida Law, and the best interest of the Community. I personally consider your actions regarding our Manager Matt Doherty, including his firing yesterday, to be absolutely and completely unconscionable. By all appearances, you have acted in a grossly negligent manner on multiple occasions. It seems you have not considered the ramifications of your actions, and their negative effect on all Members of the Club and the Indian Hammock Community. 

Sincerely,
Matthew Rector
Lot 256

The Quail Barn War.

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The Indian Hammock 2024 Board of Directors voted and approved the construction of a Quail Barn on the club’s common ground.
Quail Hunters will finance the project entirely, and Indian Hammock will incur no costs.

Six of the seven board members attended the Board Meeting on May 19, 2024.
Four members voted YES, approving the Quail Barn (A Team), while two voted NO, disapproving it (B Team).

The Quail Barn was built, and a “quail barn war” started in Indian Hammock.

The B Team and its supporters launched a campaign to win the upcoming election and divided the candidates for the 2025 board into two lists.
The “Bad Boys” – not to vote for.         
Any candidate B Team believes supports the Quail Barn. 
The “Good Boys” – to vote for.               
Any candidate that was not on the “Bad Boy” list.

The B Team and its supporters emerged victorious.
The 2025 Board has no members listed on the “Bad Boy” list. Instead, it consists solely of members from the “Good Boys” list.
The B Team controls the new 2025 Board.

During the February 15th Hunting Committee Meeting, the two members of the B Team made strong statements when challenged by members from the floor.

I remember these two statements.
*  Barbara Roberts – The current Board can do whatever it decides.
*  Carla Sapp – You can sue us; we are insured.

I can only hope that the B Team will chill out and realise the slippery slope they are on.

The two members of the B Team and their supporters are upset that the four members of the A Team did not hold a membership meeting to vote on and approve the Quail Barn by a regular majority.

The B Team and its supporters argue that the A Team did not uphold the spirit and tradition of Indian Hammock when approving the Quail Barn.
They might be right, or they might be wrong; it no longer matters.
The election is over, and the B Team and its supporters can relish the glory of victory. Now, we must focus on what is best for Indian Hammock.

The B Team does not assert that the A Team breached the club documents; anyone pursuing this case in court can not succeed on this point.

A board of directors lasts only twelve months, yet its decisions and actions bind the club. Consequently, the club legally approves the Quail Barn.

Any call to re-approve what has already been approved does not make sense and only raises questions about what the B Team is after.

The 2025 Board called for a special members’ meeting, but then someone from the office emailed to advise that it had been canceled.

* The language of the email notice to members regarding the March 2025 Special Members Meeting is lacking.
* The single motion for the March 2025 Special Members Meeting is unclear.
* The wording of the email notice about canceling the March 2025 Members Meeting raises concerns.
* The reasons given for the cancellation make no sense.

I encourage members to request that the B Team be transparent with the club members and end this divisive and dangerous agenda.

Upcoming March 2025 Special Members Meeting.

9 Replies

Fellow members, I have just sent this email to our Board of Directors.
This is an important meeting for all of us.
Please share your input and opinions with the members of our new board of directors.

My email:
Subject: Upcoming March 2025 Special Members Meeting.

Dear Barbara Roberts and Board Members.
You called for a Members Meeting to vote on a single motion.

Consideration of and vote on an Amendment to Declaration of Restrictions of Indian Hammock Hunt and Riding Club, to approve the construction of the quail barn at its current location, however, would further provide that no new buildings may be constructed on common area lands in the future unless the construction of the building is first approved by a vote of 2/3 of the membership.

I can’t vote on the above motion, as it combines two opposing issues.
I say YES to approving the construction of the quail barn.
I say NO to amending the declaration of restrictions and adding the restriction you are proposing.

Others will have the same problem, including those who disagree with me and wish to say no to approving the construction of the quail barn and yes to amending the declaration of restrictions and adding the restriction you propose.

Please consider splitting the issues on hand into two separate motions.

First motion:
To approve the construction of the quail barn at its current location.
This decision will be made by a simple majority of votes.

Second motion:
An amendment to the Declaration of Restrictions states that no new buildings may be constructed on common area lands unless the construction receives prior approval through a vote of two-thirds of the membership.
This amendment will require 200 votes to pass.

Respectfully.
David Etzion
Lot 246

Barbara Roberts
barbara.roberts@ihammock.net
Carla Sapp
carla.sapp@ihammock.net
Albert Rossodivita
albert.rossodivita@ihammock.net
Max Kolshak
kolshak@ihammock.net
Mary Jo Barkaszi
maryjo.barkaszi@ihammock.net
Babette Gildemeyer
babette.gildemeyer@ihammock.net
Steven Olsen
stevie.olsen@ihammock.net

Online Voting and the changes I want and like.

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Yes, I want changes, but not those the “Rumors Brigade” claims I am for.

I moved to Indian Hammock because it is away from the Hustle and Bustle, which is kept outside our gate, because of the Old Florida Charm Indian Hammock has, because of the open spaces, quiet, and privacy. This is why I made Indian Hammock my home, and I will never support changing any of it.

I want to change the governing system in Indian Hammock.
Protect Owners’ Rights and promote living by the Golden Rule: Live and Let Live.

We have already changed our gate system, which announces and controls packages, and the club’s official website. We have also changed meeting participation by putting it on Zoom. I am sure more was done, and Joe Coyle, the “engine” behind most of these significant changes, can provide a much better list and description.

The proxy system, as put into the Club’s documents, was essential 50 years ago to create a quorum. Today, we have the internet, personal computers, and cell phones, and we can do far better in creating a quorum if we allow to add Online Voting.

There is a conflict between those advocating enhanced member participation and transparency from the board of directors and some of the Proxy Harvesting Champions, backed by members who don’t grasp Online Voting.

I define a Proxy Harvesting Champion as a member who has accumulated 10 proxies or more, can vote 11 or more times to elect himself to the BOD, or to accept or reject any issue voted on.

The Club’s Documents require that the names of the proxies’ holders and the number of proxies each accumulated be available to all the club’s members. This information will or should be on the Club’s website soon.

In the last members’ meeting, a motion was made to add Online Voting to the Club’s documents. This addition requires 200 YES votes.
The established quorum was 247 votes.
104 came from members present on the floor.
143 by proxies.

The results were
150 voted YES for adding Online Voting. (Short of 50 votes to a successful change.)
97 voted NO.
With the quorum of 247, only 48 NO votes were needed to stop adding Online Voting to the Club’s documents, a number I suspect one or two of the best Proxy Harvesting Champions could assemble.

I am unaware of other Property Owners’ Associations or Clubs that allow unrestricted proxy harvesting, which is a fault in our Club’s documents.

I am confident that Online Voting, which many Property Owners’ Associations and Clubs use, will be added to our club’s documents. It is only a question of time, and the sooner the better.

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The Good, The Bad, and the UGLY

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I love Western movies. One of my favorites is The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly.
Like most of you, I did not pay attention to who was on the board of directors for years.
I came to Indian Hammock to enjoy the best place to call home, relax, and not get involved in local politics. I have great neighbors, and I thought nothing could go wrong.
In 2019, I discovered that many things could go wrong when people become board members and have the power to enforce their agendas on others.

Few board members will try to control themselves, but they will not be perfect – Those are the Good.
Most will enforce their agendas, “doing it for the community” – Those are the Bad.
Very few will deceive, lie, and do bad things to win and control – Those are the Ugly.

This grading system is comparative. Good can be distant from Perfect, and Ugly doesn’t necessarily warrant banishment from Indian Hammock.

People will transform, for 12 months, from GOOD to BAD and sometimes to UGLY.
The Good and the Bad: When they stop being board members, they “see the light” and sometimes apologize for their wrongdoings.
The UGLY may continue to lie and cheat.

For 12 months, the BAD and the UGLY will cause damage and suffering.
The GOOD will become BAD if it is found out that they don’t have the skills to manage and govern.

I have experienced seven boards of directors led by four Presidents.
Two of the presidents earned my grade of BAD.
One President can even be considered UGLY.
Only one President deserves the grade GOOD – David Bass.

As always, this is my opinion and grading. Other members may think differently.
It was painful to lose the service of the only Good President and Board of Directors we have had in the last seven years.

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A comment on Why am I running for the 2025 IH BOD

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1/18/2025 Cleata Dinnen Lot 1

David, Thank you for making everyone aware of this false information and hoping that the electronic voting is passed to stop this nonsense.

There is a published book which Carol Devine wrote and it is excellent telling the history of this community if you look on page 19 of the book it states that in 1986 there was turmoil in the Hammock and the cause “proxy votes”

Here we are we today 2025 and a few have spread rumors and gathered proxies to determine who will make decisions for this community. It has to stop.

It is awful that we have people wanting to help the IH community by volunteering there time for committees and and the board of Directors which is important to continue progress, amenities and safety of the IH community.

The Board of Directors are important and need competent people that are capable of following the by laws which IH was founded on.

Appreciate you for running and hoping everyone votes tomorrow themselves and not give their vote to someone unless that person will vote on their accord not themselves.

Very appreciate for all this board has done this past year they have worked so hard and helped all of us and very sad that a few are not going to run again, such an asset they have been. Hoping the others on the board are re elected especially Corey he has been an anchor for the financial end of IH and always fair with everyone.

Cleta Dinnen Lot 1

    2025 BOD Election – Rumors Campaign Part 4

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    Email received today from Barrie Whitehead.
    Lot 247

    Good morning Indian Hammock:

      Tomorrow is our election day. 

    I never thought I would send a message like this, to defend myself for having friends, however here I am. 

      I am running for the 2025 Board of Directors.  I will be at the Annual Meeting Tomorrow.

    It is known that a list of ‘Candidates to vote for’ and ‘ Candidates NOT to Vote for’.

      I have been added to the ‘Don’t vote for list’ by someone who has decided that because I have Friends who donated to the Quail Barn, I am not a good candidate.

    I want to point out a few things that may have been left out of the information that was put out there.

    I have been an active member since I moved here full time in 2017. 

    I have always advocated for the best interest of the Hammock.

    I have served as a Member of the BOD, in 3 prior years. 2 of which I was the Secretary.

    I also got the Special Events Committee re- established; I chaired it for 4 years and co-chaired it for 2 more,

     I worked on the Rules Committee for 2 years revising our Book of Rules, 

    Recently I Chaired the Ad Hoc 720 Committee to be sure we were in compliance with the changes in 720 (the state governing doc for our size of HOA).

     Co-Chaired and Chaired Equestrian Committee. 

    Worked with several other Committees including Helping Build our Wonderful Deck at the Lodge.

    Mainly I will address the issue of having friends that supported the Quail Barn. 

    Yes, I do have Friends!

    I also have friends who support the Stables, Equestrians, Pool, Tennis Court, Pickleball Court, Fitness Center, Archery, Horse Arena, Riding Trails, Fishing, Garden, Airport, Shooting Sports, the Lodge, Special Events and yes, Hunting.

    Personally, I have donated to most of these causes over the years with my time and/or money . 

     It makes me wonder why I am called out on this ‘ Don’t Vote For list’. That implies I want to change our Beautiful Hammock into something else. 

    Let me be clear; I love our Hammock; I don’t want it changed into something it was never intended to be! 

     The ‘meeting’ that was held under the guise of an ‘invitation ONLY Party’ has caused a lot of questions and additional confusion.

     Since the ‘Meeting’ I have been approached by several members who have asked me ‘Why do you want to change things?’ and ‘Why are you on this list?’

    My answer is simple, I don’t want to Change things, and I was added to the list because the person or persons that created the ‘List’ added me because I have friends who donated and the ‘List’ creators have opinions they felt compelled to share.

    Thank You for your time, see you tomorrow,
    Barrie Whitehead Lot 247
    — 

    “For I know the plans I have for you…..” Jeremiah 29:11

    Why am I running for the 2025 IH BOD?

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    From David Etzion Lot 246

    I bought lot 246 in June 2017.
    I did not pay much attention to the club documents and did not check or have any idea how the Club is operating.  
    I built our new home in IH and moved Full-time in September 2018.

    On December 15, 2019, during the club’s BOD meeting, the BOD stunned my wife Gloria and me, bringing Gloria to tears.  
    Without following any procedures set up in the Club’s documents, without any notice or warning, the BOD announced that I had committed a violation, Issued a Fine on the spot, canceled my scheduled membership service for a second entrance, and disapproved a Building Application Packet that followed all requirements.

    The following month was undeserved hell inflicted on my wife and me by the Club’s BOD. Hours of pleading, repleading, and arguing our case with the 2019 BOD led nowhere.

    On January 19, 2020, the newly elected BOD reversed the ruling of the 2019 BOD, acknowledging that it was wrong and not in compliance with the Declaration of Restrictions or the By-Laws.

    I realized the damage and abuse any BOD can bring to the property owner.

    I made it my mission in IH to protect property owners from abuse by members of the board of directors.

    In January 2020, I started a website, Indian Hammock Owners’ Voice, and a Facebook group, Indian Hammock Owners’ Rights.
    For over four years, I have been a crusader against BOD violation of property owner rights.

    I am fully transparent and say what I think. What I stand for is published on my website and the Facebook group page. Some members love it, and some hate it. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

    If elected to the board, my Goal will be to protect the property owners’ rights to sole responsibility and control over their 299 Lots.
    We bought all of these lots from the club, and these 299 lots can only be restricted by Federal regulations, Florida State Regulations, Okeechobee Regulations, and the IH Declaration of Restrictions.

    My second goal will be to promote ways for individuals to use their lots and for the Club to utilize common ground to increase sustainability in Indian Hammock.

    My third goal is to convince the BOD members to follow “Live and Let Live,” not just say it. This golden rule governs everyone and requires a lot of tolerance.

    I am not a Hunter; I don’t hunt or shoot birds, but I will support the hunter’s community in improving their facilities as long as they finance such improvements.
    I regretfully don’t own a horse and don’t ride, but I will support the equestrian community in improving their facilities as long as they finance such improvements.
    Members with conflicting interests must compromise on using and developing the Club’s common ground and facilities.

    In short, MY AGENDA:
    Property Owners’ rights
    Sustainability
    Live and Let Live

    Respectfully
    David Etzion
    Lot 246

    2025 IH BOD Election – The Rumors Campaign Part 3

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    In case you did not receive Keith Kidwell’s email today, here it is:

    Dear Indian Hammock Residents:

    As I believe you are all aware I am running for the 2025 Board of Directors and since I will be not able to make the Annual Meeting this Sunday, due to a family wedding, I would like to clear up a few items. 

    First of all, I am running for the board, something I told Nancy-Lynn I would not do again, because I saw a need to bring everyone together, this bickering is not healthy and definitely not necessary. 

    Second, it is true Nancy-Lynn and I did contribute to the quail barn, however, neither one of us ever plan to join the hunt committee or quail hunt at Indian Hammock. 
    Whenever we have been asked to donate money and/or time for any of the committees at IH, we have donated:  Equestrian – even though we will never ride a horse, Pool – been there twice, Fitness Center, Rental Cabin Renovation – Nancy-Lynn co-chaired the committee and raised money, Lodge Renovation – Nancy-Lynn co-chaired the committee and raised money, Shotgun – I co-chaired the committee and helped raised the money for the 5 stand, Beer Tree – made the sign, etc.  Anything that will improve and better Indian Hammock we have always been happy to contribute money, time or both. 

    Third, this rumor that I want to raise the dues, hire more employees and turn IH into another Pine Creek can’t be further from the truth and I know the other members of Pine Creek running for the board, Bret Davis and John Kassing have stated the same. 

    In closing and on a totally different subject, I need the communities help, Nancy-Lynn and I have been invaded by cows! This is one committee we do not want to contribute to.  Does anyone know whose cows these are?   They have been coming and going for the past three weeks.  HELP!

    Best regards,

    Keith Kidwell