Clay Burton's letter to membership
Did everyone get the letter that Clay Burton sent out to membership? It's in your cubbies but I'm trying to get a copy digitally as well. He makes some pretty poignant statements.
I think he's a very strong candidate based on his qualifications of previous boards and also his awareness that the BOD leadership needs to change.
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The whole key is what you said -- "the club needs the revenue to support other club operations". Everything I have addressed is talking about how do we either decrease our expenses and/or increase our revenue. Larry, we are in a huge financial crunch. The docks are our most important priority (safety, short time frame, member commentary) so we have to attack that. There will be a very large assessment next summer once the permitting and engineering plans are completed. As I said before, because of the past actions (inactions) of Management and the Board, this Board will need every inch of good will it can muster to get that through. The golf course is a lesser priority.
I did not say that the club should do nothing regarding the golf course! What I did say was that I was pleased that the Golf Committee was looking at the short term needs for the bunkers (in spite of some of their members) and putting together a strategy/timing/expense solution. I also said they should build a time frame for when it has to be done next time and put together a plan to start a "reserve" funding vehicle so we aren't caught off guard next time. If it is transparent and makes sense, it will need to be presented and members will speak. I also said that you asked about my thoughts on the new proposals and I stated the only hint I have that there is even a new proposal was from the October (2023) Golf Committee minutes -- and there was no definition of what, when, cost, etc. How could I have an opinion?
Please don't put words in my mouth about leaving the maintenance "forever" or any time frame -- none of which I said or implied. Maybe there are some new ideas on how to finance some of the needed maintenance. Maybe our new head of grounds has some different opinions. Unfortunately, until then, the golfing "demographics" members will not be satisfied -- due to the lack of foresight and discipline of previous actions (for years!). What I personally (and the Board members I am sure) would really appreciate would be if the golfing "demographics" helped us find solutions to the cash shortfalls, expenses far out distancing revenues, abilities to reserve money or start savings for future needs (such as the course maintenance). The faster we clean up our finances, the faster we can revitalize our gem of an asset -- Signature and Osprey.