Southbridge Voter Rep: La rry (Perk) Perkins

You should have received an email from the Pelican Landing Board of Directors concerning revisions to the PLCA Governing Documents – the Declarations and Bylaws of Pelican Landing. 

What are the Declarations?

The PLCA Declarations define the rights of the residents of Pelican Landing. (See list at the end of this article.)

What are the Bylaws?

The PLCA Bylaws define the processes for running Pelican Landing.

Under the current rules (Imposed by the developer WCI):

• Voter reps representing 75% of our 3350 units must vote yes to pass amendments. Getting the necessary votes to pass amendments is not a problem, because nearly 100% of the voter reps vote, BUT their vote may or may not reflect the opinions of the residents in their community. 
• Voter reps are expected, but not required, to poll their neighborhood residents prior to voting on issues related to PLCA governance.  The voter reps, however, are not bound by the opinions or positions of the residents, and can vote in any way they please. PLCA does not know how many residents supported a change; they only know how many voter representatives supported a change.

The PLCA board wants to modify the process for approving changes to the Declarations and Bylaws from the WCI practice of using Voter Representatives to the more democratic direct vote of the PLCA Residents … using the same process we now use for the electing the PLCA Board, including electronic and paper voting.

               (Keep reading below because it's important!)

The PLCA Board is proposing a PRACTICAL SYSTEM to ensure we have a democratic option for amending the Declarations and Bylaws:

• For any amendment to pass, 25% of all owners must vote. This may seem to be a low percentage, but practical experience in other communities similar to Pelican Landing, supports this number.  The reality is that many residents come to communities in this area to escape and let others run the show. Getting a large percentage of voters to participate is difficult, especially when the issue is an administrative process of little direct impact on them at the time.
• Because Declarations are generally of greater import to residents, two-thirds of those voting must vote Yes to amend a Declaration.
• A simple majority of those voting must vote Yes to amend a Bylaw.

​              I RECOMMEND THAT YOU SUPPORT THIS CHANGE!

I believe that this proposal from the PLCA Board makes good sense.  It is especially important for the near future as the Governance Documents Task Force makes recommendations for changes (in WCI developed documents) to those policies which are in the interests of the residents of Pelican Landing.  

Please email your vote to me at [email protected] as soon as it is convenient, but prior to February 3, 2020. Just email "Yes" if you support the change, or "No" if you do not support the change.

If you have questions, email me at the above address and I will help get you an answer.

You will be receiving regular emails from the PLCA Board on this issue, but after you vote, I will ask them to remove your email address (addresses) from the list.

Larry (Perk) Perkins, Voter Rep

Declaration and General Protective Covenants Include:

• Property rights
• Membership and voting rights
• Maintenance responsibilities
• Insurance
• Condemnation
• Rights and obligations of PLCA
• Assessments
• Architectural Standards

VISITOR PARKING is for ... VISITORS!

Have you forgotten? Throughout Southbridge are extra parking places for use by visitors. Recently residents and renters have been using the visitor spots, leaving no parking for guests. With "Season" fast approaching, review the parking guidelines posted on the Website.

Each Condo/Unit has 2 parking spaces (the garage & the driveway).

• GUEST SPACES are ONLY to be used by guests.
• GUEST VEHICLES may continuously occupy a guest parking space for a period of NO LONGER THAN 72 hours. After 72 hours the vehicle must be moved to a new space.
• Guests needing to park a vehicle for a period longer than 72 hours should use their host's assigned parking spaces or the overflow parking in the lot at the swimming pool.

    VISITOR PASSES MUST BE DISPLAYED IN FRONT WINDSHIELD.

FOUNTAIN IS REFRESHED

Residents missed the billowing spray in the pond on the west side of the bridge. The replacement parts recently arrived and the water is flowing once again!

HOLIDAY PARTY STARTS "SEASON" in STYLE

Party-goers filled the dining room at the Pelican Landing Community Center on Friday, December, 6. Carrabas catered a sumptuous dinner, seasonal music played softly in the background, superb holiday decor and subdued lighting provided the ambiance. Click here​ and scroll down to see photos of the party.

Residents vied for one of three gift baskets which raised over $500 for use by the 2020 social committee. Winners were Bill Pfister, Debbie Riley and Barb Visco.

The next "official" social event is the Welcome Back Brunch on Saturday, January 11. Watch for more information in the next newsletter and posted by the mailboxes.

TOYS for TOTS HELPS  SANTA

Southbridge residents brought unwrapped gifts for children and goodies to share with each other, to the annual Toys for Tots party on Wednesday, December 11. Hostess Lynn Smith will deliver the toys to the Bonita Springs fire station; the firemen distribute the toys to local children who otherwise would not have a special gift for the holidays. Click here​ and scroll down to see photos of the event.

WALKIN' ON THE WILD SIDE

This grinning gator (estimated at 8-feet+) has been sunning on the creek bank across from 25070 Ballycastle Court for the last few days. Luckily he hasn't seemed interested in exploring Southbridge!