Club Business

Haig Point Deserves Real Options — Not Manufactured Urgency

We are being funneled toward a false binary: Thunderbird or Phoenix. And we’re being told that if we don’t choose one, we’re “doing nothing.” That’s a flawed and misleading premise.

Rejecting a rushed or unbalanced decision is not “doing nothing.” It’s responsible governance.

We have every right — and responsibility — to ask for better options, better transparency, and a plan that reflects the long-term interests of the full membership.

1. Listening Sessions Are a Familiar Tactic

Over the past several months, we’ve seen a series of listening sessions intended to shape the narrative around Phoenix. This strategy is not new — it was used previously during the push for a controversial golf course renovation. While member input is important, these sessions often serve more to test messaging than to encourage open debate or present balanced alternatives.

2. Committee Overlap Undermines Trust

Phoenix and Thunderbird were meant to present independent recommendations. Yet key proponents of Phoenix — including Tom Donohoe — also sit on the Thunderbird committee. This is not just questionable — it’s inappropriate.

Tom has a well-documented history of pushing through controversial decisions, most notably the golf course renovation fiasco, which was met with significant member resistance and ultimately failed. His involvement in both committees raises serious concerns about the neutrality of the Thunderbird analysis.

The explanation that overlap is for "coordination" does not justify this structure. Committees tasked with providing alternative paths should be composed of independent voices. This overlap undermines member trust and compromises the credibility of the process.

3. Thunderbird Has Been Under-Presented

While Phoenix has been promoted through listening sessions, presentation decks, and well-organized messaging, Thunderbird remains largely undefined. Members have not been given clear financial modeling, cost breakdowns, or a vision for how the internal pathway would be executed. Instead, Thunderbird has been paired with vague threats of heavy assessments and positioned as the lesser option — without evidence.

If Thunderbird is meant to represent a real alternative, it must be treated and presented as such. The membership deserves a full, honest, and balanced picture — not a stacked deck.

4. Sustainability Must Be Taken Seriously

With large-scale development on the table, we need clear guidance from the Sustainability Committee — formerly the Environmental Committee. Unfortunately, this group has been largely inactive, rarely meets, does not publish minutes, and has not contributed visibly to this process.

We need their input on how increased construction and population density will impact our water systems, waste management, and the natural character of Haig Point. Environmental impact cannot be treated as an afterthought.

5. Don Hunter’s Role and the Integrity of the Mission

Don Hunter was brought to Haig Point with the mandate to help us become a self-sustaining, fiscally responsible community — not to position us for a sale to outside interests. That was the promise made to the membership.

Now, with the Phoenix proposal on the table, fair questions must be asked:

• Will Don remain CEO if Phoenix is approved?

• Will he receive bonuses, a new employment contract, or performance incentives tied to the Phoenix outcome?

• Does the LOI amount to a future employment arrangement?
  

If Don stands to personally benefit from Phoenix, the membership deserves transparency before any decision is made.

6. Governance and the Future of Haig Point

If Phoenix results in a private entity holding majority voting control, that could fundamentally reshape how Haig Point operates. Our bylaws, member protections, and governance structure could all be changed with limited input from the membership.

This isn’t just about new homes — it’s about the future of our voice as property owners and members.

Let’s be clear: rejecting the binary choice between Thunderbird and Phoenix is not “doing nothing,” as Don and the Board have repeatedly stated. It is a desire to hold Don and the Board to the promise they made to us over the past several years — to run a sustainable, fiscally responsible island community that represents the broad interests of all owners, not just a slim 51% majority.

We deserve more than two constrained options and high pressure sales tactics. . We deserve transparency, accountability, and a long-term vision shaped by and for the membership.

If you would like to forward this on as an email to anybody who is interested, please feel free to download the attached letter.