2008-2010 "B" Board Election

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=70 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B>                                              Holly Lake Ranch, Texas</B></FONT><B>     |     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" "><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFCC66" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>HLR</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Go to:</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id485.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sample Ballot"><U><B>Sample Ballot</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Return to:</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id484_m.htm#top" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="20082010 B Board Election"><U><B>top of page</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="News/"><U><B>News</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE=" "><U><B>Home</B></U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=410 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <I>2008-2010 "B" Board Election</I></div> <div>  <A NAME="top"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>For information on each candidate - read their submitted qualifications and interests:</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>2008-2010 Candidates</B></I></div> <div> <B>click on the name:</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="#jack_mills" TITLE="20082010 B Board Election"><U><B>Jack Mills</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#wilson" TITLE="20082010 B Board Election"><U><B>Sam Wilson</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#sloan" TITLE="20082010 B Board Election"><U><B>Kay Sloan</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#bowman" TITLE="20082010 B Board Election"><U><B>Larry Bowman</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#sterner" TITLE="20082010 B Board Election"><U><B>Jeanette Sterner</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><B>please note:</B></I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Absentee Ballots</B></I><I> </I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>must be received by Dec 1, 2008 to be counted.</I></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>The in person </B></I><I>voting </I><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><I>- Dec 6, 2008 in the Holly Lodge from 9am to 12pm</I></FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>The following is a copy of a letter sent to all HLR property owners</B></div> <div> <B> explaining an error in a previous letter:</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> November 4, 2008</div> <bR> <div> Dear Property Owner,</div> <bR> <div> Due to an inadvertent omission of the name and section/lot number on the 2009 Board of Director ballot, it was imperative to send out an updated ballot to correct the error. It is crucial that you send in the enclosed new ballot regardless if you already mailed in the incorrect ballot. Be sure to fill in your name and sign the new ballot and put down your lot and section number in order to verify your eligibility to vote. Remember that only one vote per household is authorized.  Please mail the new ballot to:</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> HOLLY LAKE RANCH ASSOCIATION </div> <div> REVISED ABSENTEE BALLOT</div> <div> PO BOX 1190</div> <div> HAWKINS, TX 75765-1190</div> <bR> <div> As a reminder, due to costs for printing, labor and postage, it is requested that you review the candidate write-ups in the Holly Herald, which you should have now received, or on our Holly Lake website at <A HREF="http://www.hollylakeranch.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.hollylakeranch.com"><U><U>www.hollylakeranch.com</U></U></A> under “News and Announcements - B Board Election Information”.</div> <bR> <div> I apologize for this error and any inconvenience this may have caused. Be sure to mail this ballot before December 1, 2008 or you can vote in person at the Holly Lodge from 9am - 12pm on December 6, 2008.  <U>Do not</U> mail your ballot to the office.</div> <bR> <div> Thank you,</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Robert W. James</div> <div> General Manager</div> <div> Holly Lake Ranch Association</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Board of Directors</div> <bR> <div> Bill Beggs</div> <div> Larry Bowman</div> <div> John Sparks</div> <div> Jeanette Sterner</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>for sample ballot</B><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#BF0000" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id485.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Sample Ballot"><U><B> click here</B></U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="jack_mills"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="1d0cadc80.jpg" border=0 width="173" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Name</B>: Jack Mills              <B>Lo</B>t: 70  <B>Section</B>: 5</div> <bR> <div> <B>Are you a full-time resident?</B> Yes</div> <bR> <div> <B>Years as a property owner at Holly Lake</B> - 13 </div> <bR> <div> <B>Personal Background</B>:</div> <div> Native Texan, Celina, Texas, 3 years served in Army 1958-61</div> <div> Married to Sue 51 years, one daughter married in McKinney, Texas</div> <div> UT Arlington BSEE, Registered Professional Engineer, Texas</div> <bR> <div> <B>Career Expertise/work experience</B>:</div> <div> Design engineer 10 years, sales manager 25 years in $100M company. Served on board of large condo association 2 years 1998-2000</div> <bR> <div> <B>Reasons for running for the board</B>:</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Change management structure at HLR to demand HLR managers run HLR and B-Board act as a board to oversee budgets and performance of managers.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Develop relationship with A-Board that fosters overall goodwill and future improvement at HLR that benefit HLR property owners.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Goals for the Ranch if elected</B>:</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Demand all managers submit goals/plans/budget 1yr/3yr/5yr for board approval and concurrence. Performance to this to be reviewed monthly.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Control spending to keep dues to less than 5% growth.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Eliminate all B-Board appointed committees. Let managers appoint a committee if they need help.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Promote volunteering by members to do special projects as approved by managers.</div> <div> <IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700f000000000.png" HEIGHT="16" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Improve HLR infrastructure, i.e., roads, fences, lakes, buildings, pools, etc. to improve use ability and property values.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Holly Lake Involvement</B>:</div> <div> Served 2 years on Men's Golf Association Board, 1 year Greens committee, Treasurer Holly Lake/Hawkins Republican Club.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="wilson"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="1d0eaac80.jpg" border=0 width="170" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Name</B>: Sam L. Wilson              <B>Lot</B>: 37&38           <B>Section</B>:7</div> <bR> <div> <B>Are you a full-time resident</B>: Yes, 1.5 years</div> <bR> <div> <B>Years as a property owner at Holly Lake</B>: 10 years</div> <bR> <div> <B>Personal Background</B>:</div> <div> Married, 2 grown sons; BSCE/TU; MSCE, Transportation/Texas A&M; Previous Board member of Wednesday's Child and CASA; also Court Appointed Advocate for abused children for 25 years; many years Deacon and Benevolence Chairman @ Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano; Present member of Holly Brook Baptist Church.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Career Expertise/work experience</B>:</div> <div> Retired Registered Professional Engineer; Texas Highway Department - 8 years; City of Phoenix, Arizona Transportation Engineer - 3 years; City of Dallas Traffic Department Engineer - 30 years; Dallas County Public Works Transportation Engineer - 8 years Coordinated projects w/cities involving road projects, signal timing, White Rick Lake dredging coordination, Major Event planning for State Fair of Texas.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Reasons for running for board</B>:</div> <div> To use past and varied experiences to continue to make Holly Lake Ranch the choice settlement of East Texas, as well as the entire State.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Goals for the Ranch if elected</B>:</div> <div> To be available to residents of all sections to seek solutions for issues of concern;</div> <div> Continue roadway upgrade and maintenance program;</div> <div> Eliminate hydrilla in the lake;</div> <div> Dredging of the lake to improve quality of the area;</div> <div> Determine profitable use of Four Seasons addition;</div> <div> Continue to make improvements to the golf course.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Holly Lake Involvement</B>:</div> <div> Member of Public Works Road Committee</div> <div> Coordination with Ranch Security on various issues</div> <bR> <div> <B>Any other Qualifications</B>:</div> <div> Ability to work with individuals and/or groups in difficult situations.</div> <div> No political agenda - just to improve “Quality of Life” at Holly Lake Ranch</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="sloan"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="1d10b9c80.jpg" border=0 width="185" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>NAME</B>:  Kay Sloan                 <B>LOT</B>:  99                                             <B>SECTION</B>:  4</div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>ARE YOU A FULL-TIME RESIDENT</B>: (X) Yes</div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>YEARS AS A PROPERTY OWNER AT HOLLY LAKE</B>: 15</div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>PERSONAL BACKGROUND</B>: My husband, John & I have been happily married for 49 years.  We have 3 great children and 7 wonderful grandchildren We moved here from Plano after living there for more than 30 years. I have a associate degree in real estate as well as numerous other college courses. </div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>CAREER EXPERTISE/WORK EXPERIENCE</B>:  Directed modeling school and agency, managed large ladies apparel shop, served as chairman of a political organization (chairman of the county executive committee consisting of 13 members)---raised funds---worked in campaigns to help candidates get elected. Served as vice president of the county chairman's association which consisted of the chairman for each county in the state of Texas. Worked closely with the governor's office to assist in getting legislation passed in the Texas Legislature.  </div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>REASONS FOR RUNNING FOR THE BOARD</B>: I love Holly Lake Ranch.  The reason I am running for the board is to make Holly Lake Ranch a better place to live. (See goals below)   John & I consider ourselves very fortunate to live where the natural surroundings are so beautiful and where the cost of living is reasonable.  We know so many wonderful, caring, loving people who live on The Ranch.   </div> <div>  </div> <div> <B>MY GOALS IF ELECTED</B></div> <div> 1. DUES: It is my hope that if the dues must be raised that it will be a minimal increase. We all  know that the cost of many things, especially gasoline, has gone up. It costs more to run the Ranch now. Perhaps we can find ways to work smarter and save money. Again, I hope any raise in dues will be small.</div> <bR> <div> 2. VOLUNTEERS: There are so many talented people on the Ranch.  It would be great to utilize that talent. For those who have talents or experience that might help The Ranch---volunteer your services. Volunteering can help keep the cost of dues down. There is a group of homeowners in</div> <div> Section 3 that would like to have the pavilion painted in the beautiful recreation area near the</div> <div> pool in that section. These folks told me that they will paint the pavilion if the association will purchase the paint. What a savings this would be---labor is very expensive.  Next spring I plan to ask the Manager to allow me to do some landscaping in the area around the west pool.</div> <div>   </div> <div> 3. THE RESTAURANT: The restaurant has caused many problems. It is a great amenity. It is nice not to have to leave the Ranch to enjoy a meal. FINE DINING IS CERTAINLY NOT NECESSARY. It is important to have some sort of a restaurant near the golf course. No one homeowner, no group of homeowners, no one club should ever expect special favors at the restaurant. WE ALL NEED TO LIVE BY THE GOLDEN RULE.</div> <div>                </div> <div> 4. THE 9 HOLE GOLF COURSE: I am not a golfer, my husband is. I would be in favor of the 9 Hole Golf Course only if  IT WILL NOT CAUSE OUR DUES TO GO UP. I would like to see the value of my property and yours go up and the new course would probably do just that. </div> <div>                 </div> <div> 5. MANAGEMENT: It is my belief that the manager should manage - that is what the manager is paid to do and that is what he or she is educated to do.</div> <bR> <div> 6. HOLLY LAKE BYLAWS: It is my belief that ALL rules as stated in the bylaws of the Ranch must be followed by EVERYONE IN EVERY SITUATION..</div> <div>  </div> <div> 7. COMMUNICATION: I have heard homeowners say "the board keeps everything such a secret."  I will work for better communications between the Board and the homeowners. </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="bowman"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="1d12afc80.jpg" border=0 width="175" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Name:</B>   Larry Bowman                                                    <B>Lot:</B> 355   <B>Section:</B> 4</div> <bR> <div> <B>Are you a full-time resident?</B> (X) Yes (  ) No </div> <bR> <div> <B>Years as a property owner at Holly Lake</B>:   6</div> <bR> <div> <B>Personal Background:      </B></div> <div> I have been married to Connie for 47 years.  We have 6 children and 20 grandchildren.  In addition to being involved in all aspects of raising a family I was Council President of LaSalle Council Boy Scouts of American; I also served on the Board of Directors of the following charity organizations---Long Horn Council Boy Scouts of America, St Joseph County United Way, Chamber of Commerce of St Joseph County, Boys & Girls club of South Bend.  I have been actively involved in all aspects of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints including being Bishop of two different congregations for six years.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Career Expertise/work experience:</B></div> <bR> <div> I graduated with a BS degree in Accounting.  I served as Executive Vice President Associates First Capital (2<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >nd</FONT> largest independent Finance Company in USA-now owned by Citigroup).  I was responsible for all technology and communications for the company throughout the world which included 2600 branch locations and 5 major service locations.  I served on the Board of Directors of Associates Insurance of Indiana and Associates Information Systems Inc.  These positions obviously required management and financial skills that are applicable here at Holly Lake Ranch.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Reasons for running for the board:</B></div> <bR> <div> I am seeking reelection to the Holly Lake Ranch Association B Board as I feel that considerable progress has been made the past two years but there is much that still needs to be completed.  A few of the major accomplishments that have been made during this past term is getting the A Board to move Maintenance from the stables to a new location, relocating the Brush Dump from the stables, the amending of our By-laws to include the 1990 Court Judgment and getting access to all financial records of the Association.  I ran for the Board previously on the basis of the board being accountable to the Property Owners and bringing about accountability of association management.  Considerable progress has been made during my first term towards accomplishing these goals as the financials are now available to the board and also to the property owners via the Holly Herald and Minutes of the open board meetings.  An outside audit was performed which revealed a number of areas needing improvement for overall control within the association. Considerable progress has been made in posting to the P&L, formalized the budgeting process including a 1 to 5 years needs forecast, more formal and just personnel performance reviews and salary increases, and the formalized identification of delinquencies and the establishment of collection processes.  Also, funds are to be kept within the area budgeted unless approved with a formal budget adjustment.  For example, roads are now getting their full allocation which has been lacking in past years and I am sure you can see the difference.  More importantly, we have established a process to allocate a portion of dues and other income into a reserve account for emergencies and future capital expenditures. There is still much work to be done in these areas and the continuity I can provide as Treasurer will be of considerable benefit to Holly Lake Ranch Association. This position was not previously filled on the B Board.</div> <bR> <div> My commitment to let the voice of the people be heard has been honored.  Considerable time has been spent with work groups, individual property owners and Association Management reviewing issues and discussing solutions that will make the Association better for all.  The Open “B” Board meetings have enabled the Board and Management to communicate the items of importance to all.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="sterner"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <IMG SRC="1d14b1c80.jpg" border=0 width="177" height="200" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>Name:</B> Jeanette L. Sterner                                                                <B>Lot:</B> 409    <B>Section:</B> 4</div> <bR> <div> <B>Are you a full-time resident?</B> (X ) yes (  ) no </div> <bR> <div> <B>Years as a property owner at Holly Lake</B> 14</div> <bR> <div> <B>Personal Background</B>: I have been married to Sven for 26 years.  We have two children and 3 grandchildren.  My education and background includes:  Master's Degree in Clinical Psychology - Master's Degree in Strategic Studies - Graduate of Resident Program of the U.S. Army War College - Specialty fields are Administration, Personnel, Logistics, and Home Land Defense.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Career Expertise/Work Experience:</B> My career experience includes: Colonel(ret), Texas Army National Guard and Veteran of U.S. Army - Joint Forces Disasters Operations Officer - School Psychologist - Associate Professor of Military Science - Production Manager and Vocational Rehab Counselor for VA Medical Center in Dallas</div> <bR> <div> <B>Reasons for Running for the Board:</B> My reasons for running center around these key points:  Fiscal Accountability - Member's Right to Vote on Critical Issues - Provide information to the members  as to the actions of the A and B Board through comprehensive minutes.  These are similar to my reasons I gave two years ago and I feel that many accomplishments have occurred that reflect I have maintained my commitment to the property owners, with the understanding there is more work to be done.  Some of the accomplishments include: Comprehensive minutes of the Open B Meetings, in the past the only minutes published were those of the A/B meetings; Comprehensive minutes of the A/B meeting; Worked with Silverleaf (SL) to move the brush dump from the middle of HLR residential area, which decreased the fire hazard and smoke residue from the burning for most residents; Reviewed alternatives to burning, which were found to be too costly; Worked with SL to move the maintenance barn off property, which resulted in less noise for residents and lessened damages caused by large maintenance vehicles; Worked with TDOT to provide turning lanes into HLR; Inclusion of both the By-laws and the 1990 Court Settlement as HLRA governing documents; Improved relationship with the A Board and other SL representatives, which resulted in minimal involvement with the daily operations of HLR; Obtained the right to have access to HLRA books; Obtained an audit conducted by a CPA firm, that  uncovered several inappropriate accounting practices; Established a budget process where extensive input provided by  GM and departmental managers was conducted; Developed a budget with clear, line-items categories  to better manage money and improve  reporting and tracking of  revenue and expenditures; The Board adopted a policy that any project over $100,000 would be voted on by the people; Improved hiring procedures and insured that salaries are in line with similar jobs in the area; Maintained workgroups, which have provided expertise and essential data to better manage projects and priorities; Created a contingency fund for HLRA and the golf course; Established a new system, with the assistance of a firm (JVSG) to collect delinquent dues and retrieve property that has been “written-off” for years.  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Goals for the Ranch if Elected:</B>  My commitment is to continue the initiatives began two years ago and to improve them after in-depth study and consultation with property owners and professionals.  No individual need or suggestion is ignored.  As I have done the past two years, I will devote the time necessary to fulfill the commitments stated above.  I also commit to continue the “new and improved” working relationship with the A and B Board and staff of HLRA.  The idea of shared responsibility and decision-making has helped HLRA to proceed with the easy and hard problems more effectively, professionally and efficiently, which only means the goals of the people of HLRA are being met “head-on!.”</div> <bR> <div> <B>Holly Lake Involvement:</B>  Currently, I am  President of WAGS,  Secretary of Greater Hawkins/Holly Lake Veterans' Association, Member of WGA, Member of Hook and Ladder, and Member of Women's Service Guild.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------</div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>