Is the board restricting freedom of speech?

9/29/2021 60 Comments

Is the board restricting freedom of speech?

The publication of the latest board minutes has claimed that disruptive homeowners prevented the Board from conducting its business.

The “disruptions” occurred during the open board meeting on September 24th. Peter Webb tried to shut down questions and comments from the homeowners present and requested that the room be cleared. He demanded a vote by the board to force the homeowners to leave. Only 3 members voted to try to clear the room (Peter Webb, Norm Stoehr and Russ Holowachuk). The vote failed. Two more questions were allowed and then Peter Webb closed down the open session when there were still homeowners waiting to speak.

A follow up letter from board member Norm Stoehr, (an “unpaid elected volunteer ”) was sent to all homeowners. This letter painted a picture of a chaotic scene in the Master’s Lounge. Norm was not even present and there were no cameras pointed at homeowners.

Why does Peter Webb have the right to silence homeowner comments and concerns?
Why did a board member use his position to chastise homeowners when they tried to have a two way dialog with the board?
Is the board going to continue to silence constructive expression from homeowners in all public forums?
Why has the board decided not to allow any homeowners to attend the next board meeting in person?
Why was Norm making a judgement call when he was not even present?

The Blog would like to hear your comments

60 Comments

Hal

9/29/2021 03:18:49 pm

"He demanded a vote by the board to force the homeowners to leave. Only 3 members voted to try to clear the room (Peter Webb, Norm Stoehr and Russ Holowachuk). The vote failed. "

Russ Holowachuk voted to kick owner's out of the meeting?
Their meeting?

It's time to be blunt.
Russ is not really much better than the rest of these stiffs.
He has been less disrespectful of homeowners.
But he has also been part of the problem.

He is the one sending out the the good news spin of our finances.
He is the one who goes along much too often with the majority.

I think it is time to clean house.
Period.

How many more years are owners going to put up with being treated like
idiots?

John Thomas

9/29/2021 04:50:03 pm

This whole process whereby a group of disgruntled owners are attempting to remove a duly elected, volunteer Board member is absolute nonsense! Their behaviour is completely unacceptable and totally disrespectful! There’s ample opportunity to have a review of any Board member’s performance at the Annual General Meeting! The disruptive activity is not responsible behaviour and no wonder Peter an Norm would like to have those trouble makers ejected from the meeting!

Ann

9/29/2021 09:52:39 pm

There are legitimate reasons for the recall.
There is a reason why there are recall processes in place and Civil Codes and Corporation Law that outline such a process. Unfortunately it is a needed process in organizations from time to time.

Terry

9/30/2021 10:45:49 am

Wow John. You have definately drank the cool aid. The disrespectful and even contemptuous behavior of the board toward homeowners has gone on for years here at DP. Webb is a foul mouth authoritarian type who along with several of his henchmen need to be retired if the public discourse is to improve at DP. Homeowners don't appreciate being talked down to and treated like they are stupid.

Saul

10/4/2021 03:51:50 am

Rather than complaining submit your names for consideration for election to board.🤗

Bob Witty

9/29/2021 03:20:14 pm

I am not familiar with the situation prompting the recall of Peter Webb. Aside from the claim that he is abrupt and disrespectful of homeowners, I am not sure what else he has done to merit removal. I would appreciate any clarifying comments. I also am hearing two conflicting reports of the board meeting. A board member said there was a group of homeowners being disruptive and disrespectful. Another observer paints a picture of respectful homeowners wanting to be heard but being shut down by the president of the board. Here again, I would appreciate additional information from a witness.

Steve

9/29/2021 04:21:28 pm

Because of receiving multiple blog emails expressing serious concerns with the board and Peter Webb over the past several months, my wife and decided to attend our very first board meeting via zoom, to see what was going on. We became owners 3 years ago and have never voted in board elections in the past because we didn't feel we were knowledgeable enough at the time.

I was shocked at the behavior of several owners during the zoom meeting. The attacks on Peter Webb and the board seemed to be very personal and extreme. The accusations about board members came across as petty and almost conspiratorial. There were threats of legal action directed at the board which obviously were meant to intimidate. My wife was so upset with the behavior that she decided to stop watching.

Personally I felt sorry for the board members who volunteer their time for the benefit of the majority of the residents. I have zero respect for the residents that acted the way they did in this board meeting and I cant imagine how any board member could keep their cool when dealing with these people.

The meeting couldn't be allowed to continue as it was going and to limit the outspoken residents was fully justified in my opinion.

I think the investor owners that are upset with being asked to contribute more towards the extra costs associated with rental units is obviously the catalyst for this recall action. Being a board member is a thankless job and if these unhappy owners feel they can do a better job, then they should run for election in the future.

Anon

9/29/2021 04:44:01 pm

I can see how you may have felt that way with no prior knowledge or experience. With all due respect though, had you attended previous meetings and had a bit of history of the board's treatment toward homeowners and their actions and activities, you may have felt differently.
Perhaps you would not have, but I have been where you are as a new homeowner in DP, unaware of things and never having been involved with the matters of HOAs in the past; never having had a reason to do so. So I am speaking from experience with this situation first hand. If you knew more and experienced more prior to your having attended the last meeting as your first, you may have had a different opinion and perspective of how things got to be as they are in this moment.

Those that have eyes to see and ears to hear

9/29/2021 04:57:33 pm

The threats of legal action are real and should be of concern to homeowners. I would rather issues be brought up by homeowners in a board meeting as concerns for correction than litigation. The board has been notified many times of this concern. It is the board's fiduciary duty to limit liability to the association. Yet, despite the request from homeowners for more transparency, the board has continued to meet in secret about matters that should be discussed openly. Authorized topics of discussion in Executive Session are very clearly outlined in the Civil Code. One only need to have been paying attention to the Executive Session meeting agendas to clearly see that the board regularly meets about unauthorized matters. One only need to pay attention to how certain matters are presented in open forum to see that the board clearly meets about a variety of matters in Executive Session that they should not be prior to their announcement of decisions made about matters concerning our community and association.

Many attempts have been made to the board to stop this practice. What you are calling threats of legal action are not threats in the way you are perceiving it. It is concern of liability to our association of which we are all shareholders. You should be more concerned that the board is engaging in regular activity in violation of Civil Code(s).

D C

9/29/2021 06:03:23 pm

Steve, I have not attended many BOD meetings either in the past. However, this BOD's current actions are outrageous and putting all of us in financial peril. Their actions affects all DP HOA members. It is not only against the law to treat members differently, but it is plain wrong and unethical to be divisive and discriminatory.

On August 16, 2021 Terri Swartz published a letter stating
"Rentals at Desert Princess Palm Springs have existed for some time. While that has not changed
over time, what has is the ease with which homeowners may rent their condos or villas to
strangers. Gone are the days when renters were typically friends, family or co-workers
personally known by homeowners."

Under HUD Rules is illegal to:

"Set different terms, conditions or privileges for sale or rental of a dwelling" (The fee and fines established by the BOD do just that)
" Make, print or publish any notice, statement or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination" (see Terri Swartz statement above)

Steve, just for a "gut-feel" test, why would so many otherwise normal, rational property owners, get so emotional and militant. I am sure that they have many better things to do on a Friday afternoon, than being schooled and reprimanded by an arrogant, self righteous, obnoxious "know-it-all" . And it is not just Peter Webb. The whole BOD is complicit, self-serving and reckless in spending our money.

LAYLA

9/29/2021 05:22:42 pm

Anyway you slice it, homeowners are likely not being heard. And if they are “getting out of control“ in some way… Then, well, homeowners are not being heard in the first place. People tend to feel less in a position to have to shout if they feel listened to.

So a better response would be, how can we listen to homeowners better? Can you imagine that? Lol. The question is not how can we shut people down and suppress their voices, the question is how can we better hear them since that is our duty.

Another question is, if we better listened, would there be less fighting and outrage and nonsense? It’s a more core issue to consider.

Kinda steps out of the whole tug-of-war blame game push pull bullshit, and aims for a win-win!

If we did this in the world on a larger scale right now, there wouldn’t be such strife.

patrick reynolds

9/30/2021 10:28:44 am

Was this meeting in question recorded? I would like to judge for myself having not been able to attend.

Ann

9/30/2021 12:11:15 pm

It is the board's policy that they will not release the recordings of the meetings. While those attending on Zoom agree in their signing on that the meeting is recorded, those attending in person do not. The board would need to implement forms that are signed during each meeting by all in attendance in order to publicly release recordings of the meetings.

Hal

9/30/2021 12:22:06 pm

The Committee on the Recall needs to send out video or audio of the meetings and demonstrate
what they say Webb has been doing , for those of us who have not been at the meetings.

Otherwise this will probably fail.
Too many people innocently assume those who "volunteer" to work on the Board are good people.

That has not been the case at DPCC in many instances for years.

Takis P Vartelas

9/29/2021 03:22:29 pm

To all DP residents, renting or non renting your units.
Bellow, please see the email I sent to the DP HOA Board.
For all of you who are renting your homes, you should also put the Board on Notice since "someone" will be doing "something legal" soon.

Good Afternoon

Attached please find the completed Annual Rental Registration Form. Please note, that I disagree with the Board's decision to impose a fee since I ONLY rent my house 3-4 months out of the year and have never had a problem with my professional renters. My payment is made with a credit card. In addition, bellow is my statement concerning such form:

Please note that the attached Annual Rental Registration Form imposed by the DP HOA Board was signed by me under DURESS.
The Board used pressure, threats and harassment to force many of us into signing this form that goes against the very concept of contract law.
Still, people do sometimes sign contracts under DURESS or because of undue influence or coercion.
Just for the record, the DP HOA Board has used questionable tactics and compelled us to sign this form because they clearly had leverage over
the homeowners they represent (???) and made written threats of disciplinary and financial action if we do not sign it.

There are several ways a party may use duress to compel another party to sign a contract, including:

- Threat of violence.
1. Threat against personal liberty.
2. Extraordinary economic pressure.
3. Bad faith, in the bargaining process or terms.
4. Misrepresentation, or fraud.
5. Nondisclosure of information that is material to the contract.
6. Terms that are impossible to satisfy.

Due to those tactics by the Board (For sure 2-5 above) the form that many of us signed may be invalidated in the very near future.
Therefore, I reserve all my legal rights concerning this matter against the Board and the individuals who currently man such Board.

Takis Vartelas
Arroyos Residen

D C

9/29/2021 04:54:22 pm

Takis, This is very good and the first step towards being able to start legal action against the HOA for damages. After you paid under duress (or under protest) the onerous and discriminatory fee you can take them to court for the refund of the fee, court costs and statutory interest. The CC&R's have a vague and confusing reference to an IDR (Internal Dispute Resolution) but I couldn't see that the members are bound by it.

Sue

9/29/2021 06:18:26 pm

Any email sent to HOA@DESERTPRINCESSCC.COM is only seen by President Peter Webb, VP Norm Stoehr, GM Jerry Storage and AGM Jonathan. No other board member see the email unless it is forwarded to them. Which in most cases this does not happen!

Takis P Vartelas

9/29/2021 08:03:39 pm

Hi Sue:
I am going to send this email to Terri Swartz and ask her to share with the other Board Members. I believe that Terri is legit and she cares. Thanks for bringing this to my attention

Greg Zomian

9/29/2021 03:24:27 pm

Totally agree with you and Webb and Stoehr should be out.

The Saga of the Webb of Lies

9/29/2021 03:26:31 pm

How about the propaganda piece distributed today from the board.
There is no way that the board could not have known about the tee box being moved. That is a blatant lie. Peter Webb had an answer regarding the tee box and is erroneously stating that it only cost $1900+ to move. If he didn't know about it, how could he have that answer prepared prior to the question posed by the homeowner at the last BOD meeting?
Which is it Peter?
You didn't know about the tee box being moved, yet you know how much it cost to move?

LIES

Lastly, the sand alone had to have cost $1900 or more. There was equipment used, labor and materials. For anyone that has done even basic landscaping, a 5'x5' area of rocks and the labor to do it can cost you $600-$1000! How on Earth does he think that any of us believe that the labor and materials cost only $1900 to move that tee box?!
Does he really think we are that dumb?

D C

9/29/2021 04:59:09 pm

Legal definition of fraud : fraud is intentional deception to secure unfair or unlawful gain, or to deprive a victim of a legal right. Fraud can violate civil law or criminal law, or it may cause no loss of money, property, or legal right but still be an element of another civil or criminal wrong.

The BOD did not know about it!!!! WTF

Anon

9/29/2021 05:18:53 pm

Who said anything about fraud?
What are you on about?
You think the board had no knowledge of a tee box being moved that has been there for approx. 40 years?
Really???

Takis P Vartelas

9/29/2021 08:26:19 pm

WTF is right DC...You took one work out of the entire body of things I laid out and you made your case...Good job

Takis P Vartelas

9/29/2021 09:52:00 pm

My apologies to DC for sending something earlier that was not directed to him....

D C

9/30/2021 08:12:58 am

Let me be clear. The BOD knew or should have known about the tee box removal. BOD's statement in the meeting minutes that they did not know about it is a lie in order to abscond their spending. Hence fraud

Greg Zomian

9/29/2021 03:30:24 pm

Totally support you and Webb and Stoehr should be out. We don't need rude and arrogant people.

LAYLA

9/29/2021 04:10:40 pm

I am disappointing to hear all this. I am all for weeding out and removing those who are disrespectful and abusing power. We have enough of that crap in the world already!

9/29/2021 06:18:29 pm

Don't cast stones at homeowners.
Peter has disrupted many a meeting.
Peter has publicly shamed and criticized Bill Bergstrom.
In a recent meeting he attempted to publicly humiliate Judy S
The list goes on and on.

Zuzax

9/29/2021 06:40:21 pm

I am leaning toward the recall of Peter Webb, but I do not have enough information to be decisive. I get that this man is rude and arrogant, but these traits alone are not enough to depose him. I get that he lies, but again is this enough to recall him? I think for this recall to be successful, the people behind the recall effort need to concisely present DP owners with item by item evidence of malfeasance. Will someone please outline these points for those of us who are in the dark about specific actions and behaviors?

I Support The Recall

9/29/2021 10:08:51 pm

You can subscribe to www.Respect4ALLDPCC.com
Some Information is there and it is said that there is more to come

D C

9/30/2021 08:34:32 am

Zuzax, besides the insults, and abuse of power, the list of overreaching, wasteful, capricious and arbitrary rules and regulations that this BOD has passed is long and extensive. In fact the whole BOD should be recalled, however, that is more difficult. By recalling Peter Webb the HOA members are sending a strong message to the rest of the BOD that there are consequences for their actions. In the last "Open" meeting I was appalled by Peter Webb's order given remotely to physically remove the homeowner asking legitimate questions. Please imagine yourself being in the position of that owner.

Bill

9/30/2021 03:42:12 pm

D C: To be clear, I am very confident that the whole board is not to blame. I have had direct contact with Bill Bergstrom and he is completely opposite of the 2 top members of the HOA board and really is our best ally on the board. I completely agree with the major opinions of this blog of the blatant abuses and lack of transparency of the current board, but please don't lump all members as the problem. I also totally agree that it is much more probable to achieve the goal of removal of the president and it would be a huge achievement in getting this ship righted. We do have an election early next year and we will be able to get things right in just a few months of work. This whole thing is very disruptive to mine and a lot of other busy people in the community but we really need to get this done. When the time comes, we all need to vote for Bill and make sure he retains his seat on the BOD.

D C

10/1/2021 10:54:02 am

Bill, Thank you for correcting my blank "all BOD should be removed" statement. In fact I completely agree that Bill Bergstrom is the ONLY reasonable person on the board providing opposition to the self serving, out-of-control, spend other people's money BOD members. Bill was the only NEY vote, opposing the "Good Standing" rule. Unfortunately he is alone (the vote to pass was 5-1). In fact Mr Bergstrom brought up the rational argument against the rule (i.e. expose the HOA to litigation for passing another divisive and discriminatory rule). The rest of the "Squad" board members seemed very surprised that there was an un-expected opposition to their scheme. Terri Swartz (the author of the rental fee/"good standing" requirement) immediately and "out-of-order" dismissed Mr Bergrstom's argument with an unintelligible reason. Takis, if you are reading this, make no mistake: Terri Swartz is not legit, and she does not care about your position. In fact she is the author of the discriminatory statement that strangers are the reason to invoke the rental fee rule.

Takis P Vartelas

9/29/2021 09:49:37 pm

Please read this carefully since it might makes sense to all of us and - hopefully - make things better for the entire community:
In the Real World, no Board member should call any of the homeowners disrespectful names.
At the same time, no homeowners should call names or be disrespectful to any of the Board Members.
We should also know that the Board members are "protected" and sometimes are hiding behind their capacity.
But if they are personally disrespectful and liable they can be sued by any of us (or many of us) BECAUSE THE HOA DOES NOT PROMOTE ILL BEHAVIOR BY ITS MEMBERS AGAINST ANYONE AND EVERYTHING THE MEMBERS DO ON A PERSONAL BASIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR DUTIES.
Another words if any of the Board members forget their actual duties and get "fresh" with us, they can pay for such behavior personally.
And we all know how much attorneys can cost even if you are innocent. Got my point?
Of course the last thing I want to do is to start suing Board members and enter into another set of confusion and more community battles and division.
But in all honesty, if ANY of the Board Members is disrespectful to us, I do not know about the rest of you, but I am prepared to take it to the next step.
Both sides (us nd the board) made some bad choices.
But ENOUGH IS ENOUGH and it is time for us to act if few of the Board members continue their inappropriate behavior.

Disgruntled STVR Owner

9/29/2021 10:21:19 pm

Peter Webb still has not answered the question of why he shut down any questions on the Justification for the 400% increase in rental fees approved in the budget. His answer at the last board meeting was , Homeowners have no right to question the process the Finance Committee uses to determine Fees and dues and the Board does not have to answer to the Homeowners. Peter Webb also does not car that the document that was sent to all homeowners was produced after the Board approved the budget. So much for 2- way communications and transparency. He believes if homeowners do not have a voice, he will no longer have to answer for his actions.

Mike and Julie

9/30/2021 03:44:59 am

Don't understand why renters are so vilified?

Any owner looking to rent would surely vet anyone moving into their beautiful desert home for a short or long stay.
The vast majority of renters appear to be the regular peak-season visitors, who settle in for a month or more, treat the units as their own and often become friends.
Many renters may also go on to become future owners, as we did 14 years ago!

As for the rest of it, having read everything we could find on both sides of the argument, we've come down on the side of supporting the recall - seems like a no-brainer.

Keep up the good work and resolve - we are watching and supporting from afar!

M&J

Rental Owner

9/30/2021 12:18:35 pm

Agree with you.
The only logical reason to all of the continued barrage of fines and regulations is that the board sees the rental owners as a revenue source.
Why else would the board duplicate the fine schedule that the City has?
Example: If a rental owner has a one-off bad renter and let's say that the City issues a fine of $500 for a noise violation.
Why then is Desert Princess HOA also issuing the same fine of $500 on top of the City's fine?
What is the point of that other than that they see it as a revenue source.

To your point, no rental owner wants a bad guest or renter. No one wants that. I am all for reasonable rules and policies. But DP HOA seems to have taken things to the extreme.
Your term "Vilify" is right on target.

D C

10/1/2021 11:01:10 am

M & J, and ALL, the real reason why the "Squad" BOD (excluding Bill Bergstrom) are vilifying renters, and the members that are providing housing is summarized by Terri Swartz, the author of the rental "Fee" rule:

On August 16, 2021 Terri Swartz published a letter stating

"Rentals at Desert Princess Palm Springs have existed for some time. While that has not changed
over time, what has is the ease with which homeowners may rent their condos or villas to
strangers. Gone are the days when renters were typically friends, family or co-workers
personally known by homeowners."

The "Squad" BOD does not like "Strangers"

BSF

10/1/2021 11:52:06 am

You are darn right D C!

They don't seem to like "strangers" (aka the public) on their golf course or in their restaurant either.

questionable board conduct

9/30/2021 11:03:17 am

"A follow up letter from board member Norm Stoehr, (an “unpaid elected volunteer ”) was sent to all homeowners. This letter painted a picture of a chaotic scene in the Master’s Lounge. Norm was not even present and there were no cameras pointed at homeowners.
Why does Peter Webb have the right to silence homeowner comments and concerns?"
Why did a board member use his position to chastise homeowners when they tried to have a two way dialog with the board?
NOT GOOD. Not showing good leadership. There was a better way to handle this.

Lunacy

9/30/2021 12:25:22 pm

Someone wrote in a comment to Peter Webb to read at the Special Meeting today stating that a police officer should be present at the board meetings.
This had to have been a set up and friend of Webb's to suggest such a thing.
That is absurd. There was no such thing that occurred at the last meeting to suggest that a police officer be present at our board meetings.
Have people lost their minds?
Peter Webb has been a model board member for lacking decorum.
So in one board meeting some homeowners have had enough of it and insist on answers from the board to hold them accountable and chant a few seconds of the word recall and now all of a sudden this is being turned around on homeowners. And now we need a policy officer to attend meetings? Oh brother. What next. This is pure lunacy.

Fed up

9/30/2021 12:57:43 pm

We have attended these meeting that are awful. I am not one to want too see everyone upset but good grief! People are upset for valid reasons. If Peter Webb and most of the board have absolutely nothing to hide then why the secrecy? Why is it so hard too figure out that now is not the time to spend money on projects that can wait. We have foundational problems here that should be dealt with before the big let’s make DP prettier.
My question is why has it gotten to this point? Why is it so darn difficult too be above board, have a two way dialogue and realize we have extremely smart and creative residents. Utilize ideas that are offered. At least discuss it.
It is so brutal too sit in these meetings and it’s BS that the board members are in danger. Bless Bills heart as at least he shows up.
We have security issues, landscaping issues just to name two. This beautiful place IS NOT FOR THE SELECT FEW BUT FOR US ALL.

9/30/2021 05:08:51 pm

LIES

In the latest meeting minutes from the last board meeting:
"Unfortunately some homeowners disrupted the BOD meeting by shouting, chanting and intimidating other homeowners and staff. The BOD was prevented from conducting its business while all this was going on. This behavior is completely unacceptable and any repeat performance will not be tolerated."

This is propaganda and BS.
NO homeowners or staff were intimidated.
This is slander.

Stolen Signs

10/1/2021 11:56:47 am

Recall Signs have been stolen from homeowners' private yards at villas located on E and W Trancas as well as the Arroyos. This is trespassing and theft of personal property.
Last time I checked freedom of speech is still allowed in America. Though some are trying to put an end to that too.

Takis P Vartelas

10/1/2021 01:18:56 pm

As for the signs I have a way of checking who stole them. This is ridiculous. They are calling us all kinds of names and they are the ones who enter into all kinds of illegal activities. I hope that the people that did that they will put the signs back. Otherwise I will involve the Cathedral City Police....I am coming to my villa on Sunday night and I would like to have another sign in front of my yard. At t he same time, I would like to invite anyone to come and take it from MY property....

DC, I do understand what you said about Terri but I was the first one to reply to her writing concerning the "strangers" that rent. In my reply I mentioned that "strangers" give their business to all kind of stores, hotels, airlines, car rental, etc. I also mentioned that I would NEVER rent my villa to a family member but I would provide it for free. And the strangers she mentioned bring in revenue that the community needs.

On another note, a couple of days ago I emailed Terri my disagreement for signing the Rental Form and asked her to send this email to all the Board Members because someone mentioned that only Peter and his "friends" read those emails directed to the DP Board. Terri was happy - and she did - to honor my request and sent my email to ALL Board Members.

Finally, earlier today I received an email from Peter as - possibly - you all have asking us to vote NO on the recall.. And bellow is my answer to him:

Sorry Peter:
A "YES" is the ONLY way to vote.
We need NEW people with compassion for the community....
And - unfortunately - you have none.
Especially after you did nothing when Norm called many of us various inappropriate names.
That showed your....."leadership" skills and made a lot of difference in our minds.
We will vote "YES"

D C

10/1/2021 04:18:05 pm

Takis, I like your style, and your courage!!!

On the subject of "Strangers" vs "family and friends": Bigots seldom come out and declare their biases. Usually bigots hide behind code words like "strangers" vs family and friends, and they don't care about the fact that discrimination is irrational. The "Squad" (i.e. less Bergstrom) BOD decision to pass the rental fee rule is not based on objective, data driven principles. The community asked for the data justifying the rule, and the Squad BOD refused to provide it. As Terri Swartz stated the Squad BOD decision is purely based on their biases. Why would anyone pass a rule that has negative following results: 1. Lowers the value of all of our properties 2. Lowers the supply of housing 3. Strangles a profitable revenue stream 4. Diminishes the quality of life in our community 5. Exposes the community to legal action 6. Harasses tenants and property owners that provide housing by charging onerous fees, creating different rules (e.g. "good standing"), infringing on privacy by publishing addresses, creating color coding for rental and more.... And this is only the beginning.

Takis P Vartelas

10/1/2021 04:55:46 pm

Thank you DC. I appreciate the nice comments and I assure you that "my style" will continue until we find justice in the community for ALL of OUR properties. I can not tolerate people (I will not go down to their level and call them names) that hide behind a "badge" and they think they know of what they are talking about using OPM (Other people's money)...I can also assure you that I am able to spend my money better than they spend my money.
I have a feeling that this thing is coming to an end pretty soon but we all have to be on the same page and keep pressing.
I hope everyone that does not agree with Peter send back to him a note - like I did - and let him know your dismay.
Also, for the ones who got your signs stolen from your property, can we all get together next week, talk with the security and call the police to meet us at the gate or the clubhouse to make a COMMON report?
We need to ask the security to also make a report of those stolen signs. If they can make reports on renters they might as well report a theft.
COME ON PEOPLE. LET'S FIGHT BACK IN PERSON, NOT BY EMAILS ONLY....

I Support The Recall

10/1/2021 10:18:51 pm

Yes. I agree with you. It is truly sad that so many feel terrified to speak up for fear of retribution from the top dogs on the board and some members on other committees. It is completely understandable. That is the norm that has been established here. I would love to see the culture at DP corrected. No one should feel fearful of asking questions or campaigning for what they think is right.
There are people that would like to put up a recall sign that are terrified to do so because they fear retribution.
That is a big problem and speaks volumes as to the culture that the leadership at DP has set to be the precedent. I have lived a lot of places and had a lot of HOAs. I have truly never seen anything like this HOA at Desert Princess.
We can make a change.
We need to make a change.
I respect if you see otherwise. But I will leave you with this, above all else, no one should feel fearful of getting involved for fear of retribution and retaliation from their HOA leadership. And sadly, here, many many do feel that way. That is enough of a reason alone for a recall. Time for a change.

Equity & Respect for All

10/2/2021 11:24:31 am

Having spent my career in the corporate world, I tend to view this situation through a clinical corporate lens. Desert Princess is not only a residential community, but is also a corporation. The homeowners are essentially the shareholders in this corporation.

I had to ask myself, if as a shareholder in any other investment, I would continue to invest money in a corporation where the President of its Board conducted himself in such a unbusinesslike , inappropriate manner.

Under his leadership secretive, unlawful Board meetings are the norm. Minutes for all owners/shareholders of open meetings are flagrantly exaggerated and/or whitewashed, shareholders are regularly subject to abusive, intimidating and unprofessional behavior by the Board Chair and spending during a global pandemic when revenue streams are choked off, is frankly unacceptable.

Taking all emotion out of issues as homeowners, the recall of Mr. Webb is the appropriate and least disruptive option available. I agree with owners that believe by recalling the President now, we will be sending a powerful message to the rest of the Board.

The Recall process is a lawful, reasonable response by owners to secretive, abusive, divisive and EXPENSIVE leadership. Recalling the entire Board for the absurd, disgusting actions of it's President would not only be wrong but have extremely adverse consequences for all of us. Better for our entire community to dispense with the perpetrator of the problem.

Vote YES to recall Peter Webb.

D C

10/2/2021 08:11:48 pm

A State Regulator published the following description of HOA's in Rutgers Journal of Law and Public Policy:

"If society’s intention in setting up associations is to encourage the formation of undemocratic Gulags ruled by unaccountable boards and for the enrichment of those who profit from owner ignorance or impotency- we have succeeded completely. Alternatively, if the intention is that associations be formed as microcosms of democracy in which informed owners collectively wield power, maintain their freedoms and are honestly served by their neighbors and trades people- we have failed miserably"

The only recourse the members of the HOA have is to recall and vote out ALL of the BOD except Bill Bergstrom

Bobby B

10/2/2021 01:20:48 pm

The Recall Petition had two stipulations...
1) Recall Peter Webb and
2) If the Recall was successful vote on the same ballot for the replacement candidate of your choice.

The board, under Peter Webb's leadership and personal mantra of "Rules are Made to be Broken", which we've all heard time and time again from him, decided that the ballot the Recall Petition requires would just address the Recall of Peter Webb. Terri Swartz then, by her own admission in the open September 2021 HOA meeting, suggested that instead of electing a new board member to fill Peter Webb's seat on the same ballot, that it would be best and "less confusing to our homeowners" (who are obviously terribly feeble and confused to understand something as simple as what's outlined above) to lump the filling of this seat into the February 2022 general election where three seats will be available.

There was nothing wrong with the Recall Petition's stipulations and this is an illegal decision by the board under Peter Webb's auspices. Because this was all done in Executive Session and was closed to homeowners, no one knows what happened other than we do know that the agenda for the meeting placed the Recall under "Legal". It does not qualify as a legal item, it must be discussed in open session and a contract with The Inspectors of Election was discussed, signed, sealed and delivered in that secret meeting, which is another illegal act in Executive Session.

If the HOA lawyer--or should that be the board's lawyer who we all pay to have her work against us homeowners--did not object to the two blatant illegalities that were perpetrated in that Executive Session, then she and Epsten APC in Indian Wells, California should be tossed out on their butts immediately. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if the board is not going to be sued for this little devious caper of theirs. And our Epsten APC attorney, Dea Franck, will be just a culpable as the HOA board of directors is if she can't prove she advised them otherwise..

What is next? First the board decides that they will not vote on the same ballot for the replacement of Peter Webb if the Recall vote is successful. So does that mean they could then decide that perhaps Peter Webb isn't the one that needs recalled and change it to another seated board member like Terri Swartz or Norm Stoehr? The Recall Petition laid out specificstipulations and when the fully and duly executed petition was submitted to Terri Swartz, an officer of the corporation, it was expected to be honored as written. Instead Terri and her fellow board members chose to disregard the legal document submitted and altered it to suit their needs to put who they want in Peter Webb's seat.

I can only hope there are some honorable members of that board who will call for a Special Meeting this coming week to rectify this wrong that has been perpetrated against the homeowners who they were elected to represent and protect. I know Bill Bergstrom will stand up and tell them they are wrong, but will any of the others who are not under the thumb of Peter Webb have the guts to do so? Let's see who is decent and honorable on that board.

RECALL PETER WEBB

Equity & Respect for All

10/3/2021 05:30:13 pm

Having just received a email message from Henry Kras, our immediate past President of the Board, he may have actually initiated the practice of referring to owners by every name, other than what they are....OWNERS.

Dissenting owners of the policies of the current Board have been referred to as haters, malcontents and, a dangerous riotous mob by the current VP of the Board. Now, the former President dismisses these hundreds of owners as merely "proponents" for availing themselves of all legal remedies to protect themselves What part of the Desert Princess Board, past and present refuses to acknowledge we are ALL homeowners?

We need adult leadership. Vote YES to recalling Peter Webb.

10/3/2021 04:37:48 pm

Hank Kraus' email today reminds me of the scene from the Wizard of Oz where Dorothy is being told not to look at the man behind the curtain.

Takis P Vartelas

10/3/2021 09:02:22 pm

Hello Everyone:

Never mind what Mr. Kraus said (we all have a favorite person to vote or recall and he is allowed to have his own) and please read below what happened earlier today when I arrived from my San Diego residence to DP.

Immediately upon my arrival, and before I went to my villa I stopped at the security office and asked the young lady there how can I file a report for stolen personal property and trespassing.

When she asked me what was stolen and I told her "few signs from people's front yards" she asked what the signs said....!!
I told her that "these signs did not mention anything against the law or anything bad and that was not what I was there for".
She replied that "I've heard that the signs you mentioned sir, were taken down by the HOA....!!!!".
I kept my calm and told her that no matter who took them down I would still like to make a report. Therefore she said that she would send the patrol car to my address.

A very nice young man under the name Jerry met me at my villa before I even entered my house. He asked all the correct questions about the signs, wrote down few notes and he took a picture of the area that I pointed out. He told me that before he goes home he would file his report and also advised me that if more homeowners have had the same problem (as I told him) they should also make a report....

To my surprise a couple of hours later when I visited my friend across the street, my sign was put back......!!!!!

Mr. Kraus, are you reading this? THE ASSOCIATION TOOK DOWN THE RECALL SIGNS FROM OUR PROPERTIES WITHOUT TELLING US AND YOU STILL THINK THEY ARE HONORABLE? I do NOT call people names and I "fight" back the correct way and one of those ways are the signs. But they still do not accept that and they enter in a "damage Control". So please, don't call us "proponents".....

As I have promised in a previous email tomorrow or a day after I will be going to the police department to report the trespassing and the theft of the signs. And now WE KNOW THE PERPETRATOR (s) and their motives....!

I am not sure what the rest of you would do but PLEAAAAAASE, let's stop the bickering with the opposite party and LET'S DO SOMETHING for ourselves and our cause....

Because if you people don't feel like doing something to correct all this, then let's ALL vote for Peter instead of recalling him....

D C

10/4/2021 08:53:32 am

Takis, did you capture on your surveillance camera the perpetrator(s)?

Takis P Vartelas

10/7/2021 11:17:41 pm

Hi DC....
With all due respect some things cannot be answered for obvious reasons....I hope you understand.....!!!!

Takis P Vartelas

10/7/2021 11:15:26 pm

Norm has resigned for......personal reasons. So he claims...That's good for the community and the best of luck to him.
But I read another open email to the community today from Mr. and Mrs. Hebb.
Did you guys know that - according to their email - "Peter Webb's.....skills (!!!)" have made our home values grow significantly?
I guess Mr. Webb's skills have helped the value of every house in the valley - and possibly in the entire state of California - to go up significantly....!!!!
I have no other comments except that one:
VOTE YES on the recall.......

Equity & Respect for All

10/8/2021 10:00:40 am

We are seeing a disturbing trend developing among the defenders of Peter Webb's stewardship of DP. Without exception, they have referred to the many owners that are concerned and alarmed by what has been happening under his leadership, in extremely derogatory terms.

The latest email from the Hebb's followed that same, divisive format by adding to the already insulting list of names used as weapons....small group of disgruntled and negative owners, dissenters, liars etc.

Worth noting, these derogatory comments being circulated by email to all, are from a immediate past Board President, a Vice-president and former Treasurer who abruptly resigned this week and now a long term sitting member of the Finance Advisory Committee. These gentlemen, who by simply providing the information requested by the owners in an open, transparent and respectful manner could have prevented a recall action. Mr. Hebb laments the cost of the recall as being an unnecessary expense to the owners. Unfortunately this is a lawful, necessary action undertaken by a large group of owners to stem the unbridled, unaccountable use of OUR money.

If the President and his allies wish to minimize these costs, why not do the right thing for the entire community and urge Peter Webb to resign. Clearly this exercise has illustrated Mr Webb has lost the confidence, support and respect of many, many, many owners.

Takis P Vartelas

10/8/2021 10:42:48 am

As far as I am concerned, the Hebbs and their kind are a "loosing" group and we should not rub it in....Let them leave in their world and let's make sure when OUR Board is elected and we have a majority we correct things without taking any of their opinion.

Terry

10/10/2021 12:06:30 pm

BSF It has been a little known secret for years that DP is not really a public golf course but actually a private course for a relatively small number of golfers. These golfers always get their tee times and their private course is made possible by homeowners who pick up the tab. The cost of maintaining the course far exceeds the revenue produced. Discouraging the public makes the private little course more exclusive for this relatively small number of golfers. Homeowners however are getting tired of picking up the shortfall and the secret is out.

The manager of the restaurant has done a magnificent job. He is held back by having to rely mostly on DP homeowners. To be truly sucessful the restaurant needs to be a destination restaurant serving the public. The location is great.The physical plant is great.The views are great. The offstreet parking is great. The public is needed to turn the restaurant as well as the golf course into a money making preposition. Since DP and the Management Trust apparently lack the skills, talent and vision to achieve such a situation, the answer has to be third parties who have the skills and talent. DP must be operated as a for profit business by those who have the demonstrated ability to do so. Authoritarian leadership must be dismissed as it adds no value to the future success of our beautiful but financially at risk resort.

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Charter

This blog is designed as a means to provide transparency and informative access to the policies and protocols of the Desert Princess Palm Springs Homeowners Association, the governance of the HOA Board of Directors and the management of the community’s assets by The Management Trust. The expressed intent is to establish a neighborhood hub for trusted connections and the exchange of helpful information, goods, and services; it is hoped that homeowners will use it to build a stronger and safer Desert Princess Palm Springs.

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