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Permalink Reply by johnf on November 30, 2011 at 11:57pm

Noted that my title misspells Jeff's name unintentionally and I see no way to fix it. Perhaps the admin can.  My apologies to Jeff,

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Permalink Reply by Mike Cravens on December 1, 2011 at 9:02am

"Somewhat surprisingly"

"He sits on the board with two people he severely and emotionally criticized before"

"Can he set aside his high levels of emotion?"

"Do the right thing.  Do better than your predecessors."

 

John - are you really interested in people working together? Based on your aggressive and biased comments, it surely doesn't seem like it. As a resident of Lansdowne, I appreciate the efforts from ALL of the people that dedicate their time to making this community a better place.

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Permalink Reply by johnf on December 1, 2011 at 10:53am

"Somewhat surprisingly"

I should clarify.  The surprising part is he just got elected to the board.  I would have expected Larry to have that position.

 

"He sits on the board with two people he severely and emotionally criticized before"

This is factual and public.  Do a search on his posts in this forum.

 

"Can he set aside his high levels of emotion?"

I have seen these exhibited here and in a semi-public email he copied my wife on where he exhibited such emotion and "cautioned" another resident instead of working to understand the concerns.

 

"Do the right thing.  Do better than your predecessors."

 John Whitbeck was divisive and seems to be a major factor in the current divisions.  I only say seems because his conflicts with others predates my moving here somewhat, so I can't speak with certainty what started it.  Hani was not divisive but took no actions I know of to heal the divides.  He actually emailed me once or twice and said he was going to call to chat about ways I could engage in the community, but never did.

 

I am saying that Jeff has a job if he is in the role of president.  It is to lead.  And part of leadership is bringing together people.  He has to at least make a real effort to work collegially with the people he has criticized and reach out to others in the community to understand concerns.  He should not hide behind "Resident Forums" with 3 minute addresses.  He should get out and talk to people.  Call them on the phone.  Help build that sense of community with leadership.

 

"John - are you really interested in people working together?"

 

Absolutely!  I have served on the tech committee and have worked very hard on the Openband issue.  The recommendations I sent in emails almost 2 years ago that John Whitbeck essentially ignored are now happening.  That's a good thing.  I truly want to see Jeff put aside his emotions and help people work together.  I would be the first to complement him!

 

" As a resident of Lansdowne, I appreciate the efforts from ALL of the people that dedicate their time to making this community a better place."

 

So do I and have been one of those volunteers.  But we cannot allow the fact that these guys are not paid to take away from the fact that they are in political positions with specific authority to "tax and regulate" like any other form of government.  They engage in the posts for many reasons as do politicians at all levels.  But this "volunteer" meme is overplayed.  It is technically accurate, but should not immune any politician from criticism.

And we must be respectful to others that volunteer non-politically.  Groups of volunteers have been disbanded in odd and unexplained ways by the board.  When I was volunteering and explaining a strategy to deal with Openband, guys like John Whitbeck weren't even taking the time to understand the issues and were dismissive of the recommendations that he ended up mostly following nearly 18 months later.  People put in significant effort.  They should ALL be respected.

I will happily volunteer again to actively help with things like the Openband lawsuit or on the Tech committee.  But only if I see that the whole board wants that. The key here is for Jeff not to hide behind his "process" but rather to sit down and listen to people.  Not in 3 minute increments.  Take his fellow board members out for one on one coffees and listen to what they are concerned about.  Even if you disagree, try to truly understand the other point of view.  Do the same with some of the residents that seem to be part of this political divide.  Engage with them everywhere. 

 

They should be posting regularly and engaging in conversation on Lansdowneliving.  Especially when there is controversy.  John Whitbeck just made a good post.  But he previously ignored all of the issues the community is facing.  I liked his recent post, but where is he on the issues.  Is he more concerned about playing roles in the LCRC or spending time interacting with Lansdowne Residents?

 

And if you don't have time for that, then don't "volunteer" for the board at all and certainly not for the Presidency.  It comes with the job.

 

I honestly hope Jeff does these things and more.  I have no personal animus towards him as I wouldn't know him if I passed him on the street.  So he absolutely has my support if he tries to do the right things.

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