MAY 2020
182
LAKE
ROAD
•
TOBYHANNA,
CORRECTION NOTICE:
Please take note on page 6 that James Yando has been a resident of the Community for 6 years. It was printed in error that he was a resident for 22 years. We apologize for this error.
PENNSYLVANIA
18466
IN THIS ISSUE OUR COMMUNITY From Your B.O.D.
2
Notes from the Manager
3
Dear Pocono Farms Members
3
Public Safety
4
From the Asst. Gen. Mgr.
4
Fun with Fitness
5
B.O.D. Election Candidates
6
Golf Course Information
8
Your Community Golf Course
IS OPEN! See back cover for more golf course information
Visi t Ou r WE BS I T E
poconofarms.com T h e Next B oard o f Di rec to rs Meet i n g i s MAY 21, 2020 All meeting times are 7pm unless otherwise noted
182 Lake Road, Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania 18466
Newburgh, NY 12550 PERMIT NO. 335
PAID
PRSRT STD U.S. Postage
From You r Boa r d Of Dir ec tor s P O C O N O FA R M S
COUNTRY CLUB ASSOCIATION INC. 182 Lake Road • Tobyhanna, PA 18466 www.poconofarms.com • admin@poconofarms.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS: President Vice-President Treasurer Secretary Director Director Director Director Director
Steve Bunker Frank Milano James Yando Wayne Meyers Richard McCormick Annette Doerr Brian Cavanaugh Peter Volpe James Ribardo
COMMITTEES: • A & B/Environmental / Crime Watch • Finance • Golf • Recreation / Fitness / Tennis / Pool • Communications/ Long Range Planning
Richard McCormick James Yando James Ribardo Annette Doerr Rich McCormick
DEPARTMENT HEADS General Manager 894-4435 ext. 100
David Timko dtimko@poconofarms.com
Asst. General Manager Katrina Weithman 894-4435 ext. 132 katrinaw@poconofarms.com Controller 894-4435 ext. 103
Thomas Franchetti controller@poconofarms.com
Golf Pro 894-4435 ext. 110
Kyle Monahan golfshop@poconofarms.com
Greens Superintendent Jeff Lesoine 894-4435 jeffreyl3@poconofarms.com Chef 894-4435 ext. 130
Len Iorio pfkitchen@poconofarms.com
Activities Director 894-4435 ext. 113
Nick Gallagher recdir@poconofarms.com
Public Safety & Compliance Director Artie Furman 894-4435 ext. 105 afurman@poconofarms.com Maintenance Dave Winters 894-4435 pfmaint@poconofarms.com Fitness 894-4435 ext. 116
Kristen Aylward fitness@poconofarms.com
Communications 894-4435 ext. 106
Susan Nevarez admin@poconofarms.com
Pocono Farms Realty Lex Colon 894-0300 lex.colon.realtor@gmail.com
The official publication of the Pocono Farms Country Club Association, Inc. PUBLISHED BY NIKI JONES AGENCY, INC. 39 Front Street, Port Jervis, New York 12771 P: 845.856.1266 E: info@nikijones.com Articles appearing in The Weathervane are presented as a community service. They do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher or of the Pocono Farms Country Club Association, Inc. The publisher and the PFCCA disclaim any liability for any advertisements published herein, in no way endorse or guarantee these ads and reserve the right to reject any ads submitted. Position of advertising in the newspaper is not guaranteed.
2
BY ANNETTE DOERR This certainly is a challenging time for all of us in Pocono Farms. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we hope you’re doing well and have made the best of your time at home. We would also like to thank the many essential workers who call Pocono Farms their home as well as the employees of Pocono Farms who have been working during this crisis. We understand this is a very trying time for you too, and we look forward to all being together again soon, hopefully very soon! As a Board, we’ve been going about business without much interruption. Really the only difference is the two monthly Board of Directors meetings that we’ve had to hold as teleconferences. While we’re still getting business done, it’s not the same as being in the Community Room all together with the members of our community. With a little luck, maybe next month we’ll be able to get back to a good old-fashioned, in-person meeting (maybe just socially distanced a little!) We’re preparing for the Annual Meeting and hoping it will happen on-time, and in the same fashion we’re accustomed to. If protocols are still in place that will change that, our Management team will make everyone aware of the new plan, should we need to. Our ballots for Board of Director candidates will come out through the mail, just as they always do. Make sure you follow the instructions and return your ballot to our auditing firm by the deadline so your vote can be counted. Please see the candidate information in this issue for more information. Some of the other action we’ve recently taken include: Suspended short-term rentals within Pocono Farms, until further notice, in accordance with Governor Wolf’s mandates. Extended the annual dues deadline by 30 days to give you more time to pay your assessment without penalty. Our amazing staff, although limited, is doing their best to prepare our amenities to be ready to open once we get the green light to do so from Governor Wolf. We look forward to a time in the very near future where we can re-open the amenities for all of us to use. Until then, stay safe, wash your hands, social distance, and do your part to help keep all of us safe so we can get back to business as usual sooner rather than later! Stay well!
WEATHERVANE
MAY
2020
From T he Gener a l M a n ager BY DAVE TIMKO First and foremost, I hope this article finds all of you safe and healthy. Usually when I am writing my article for the May edition of the Weathervane, I am talking about all of the preparation being done to get the PFCCA amenities ready for the upcoming season. Unfortunately, COVID-19 had different plans. Although the staff that is permitted to work is still preparing the amenity areas for the anticipated opening, the uncertainty lies in that we just do not know when we will be permitted to do so. The Governor did permit golf courses throughout the state of PA to open on Friday May 1st. The golf course operators will need to implement all of the guidelines to ensure the health and safety of staff, members, and guests of the course.
2020 BOARD OF DIREC TOR S MEE TINGS ALL MEETING TIMES ARE 7PM UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED Thursday - May 21, 2020 Friday - June 19, 2020 Friday - July 17, 2020 ANNUAL MEETING Saturday - July 18, 2020 - 10 AM
Looking ahead, we will be prepared to open PFCCA amenities when we are permitted to do so. What we do not know is how the opening of those amenities will be phased in or what the operating guidelines will be. We do know that it will not be business as usual or normal. In fact, we can only anticipate and be prepared for what the “New Normal” will be. Whatever that is, I can tell you that myself, the Board, and the staff at Pocono Farms will do our very best to make it as smooth of a transition as we can. We look forward to the day that we can see everyone again, even with masks on and practicing our social distancing. We also appreciate your anticipated cooperation and patience once we are given the approval to re-open. Dear Pocono Farms Members: The Board and Management wanted to provide you with an update as to how we are currently operating and some of the functions that we can still perform under the Governor’s guidelines. With the staff that are permitted to work, we are still able to perform the following:
1. The facility maintenance staff will be sweeping all of the cul-de-sac roads 2. The maintenance staff will be prepping the outdoor pool in anticipation of opening the pool when we are permitted to do so 3. Some admin staff are still processing A/R and A/P 4. Admin staff are still responding to phone and email messages 5. We will be starting some video fitness classes this week for our fitness members 6. Under the Governor’s orders, Short term rentals are still not permitted. 7. Residential trash and recycling are still being picked up on • Masonry Chimneys Rebuilt & Repaired • Stainless Steel Liners & Caps Tuesday morning The compactor remains at the maintenance yard off Kilmer Rd. •8.Woodstove & Fireplace Inserts open Installed • Gas or Oil Chimney & Furnace Cleaning 9. Some administrative functions are being performed remotely • Wooden Chase Chimneys • Animals & Any Other Blockages Removed Rebuilt & Repaired At the March Board of Directors meeting, the Board of CALLthe TODAY: •Directors Fireplaces, Wood & Coal Stoves did extend the due date for 2020 assessments
Gouldsboro Chimney & Furnace Cleaning
to Thursday April 30th.
(570)676-5253
$10 OFF CHIMNEY REPAIRS & CLEANING WITH THIS AD
If you have any comments or questions, our Administration staff are still responding to phone and email messages. We will do our very best to respond as quickly as we can. BY R U S S KEL LY Be safe and This time stayofhealthy! year is the most colorful. We get to see every day what people drive miles to look at for a day or so. Even if you do not venture far from the Farms, the streets here are a picture with all of the colors on each side as you drive by. I understand why years ago the early residents put together the rules, concerning the restrictions on tree removal. I am sure many of them came from cities or suburbs where trees were all removed to make room for the maximum amount of homes that could be built in the subdivision.
Cr i m e Watch Ac t i v it y R eport
To keep the idea of tree preservation alive, our drivers are encouraged to report tree removal when not accompanied by a permit from our code official. As homes being built in the Farms were getting larger than the original homes, tree preservation became more difficult. So, if it becomes necessary to remove a tree, make sure you speak with the code official and follow the rules that are meant to maintain the quality of living we all came here to experience. One of our volunteers was going to speak with Dave Timko about including some of the basic rules that we agree to follow when another mailing is sent out to all residents. Garbage cans left out for more than a day after pick up is a common item. Some people may be away and have not made arrangements with a friend or neighbor to “pull in their trash can”. Others are here full time, and still drive by the cans when returning home, leaving the cans at the end of their driveway. There also seems to be many more cars without plates being reported. Our code official is working on getting our residents to comply with this rule. In August, our drivers logged 98 hours of driving. Now with winter coming, a few of our drivers “fly south” and we could use help keeping the patrol as active as possible. A couple of hours a month can be helpful to your community. Give Russ Kelly a call at 570-894-4034 or call the Administration Office and they will get you in the right direction.
L et t er to M At Y he 2 0 2 Editor 0
WEAT HERVANE
OH WHAT A NIGHT!
3
From t he A sst. Gener a l Mgr .
P u blic Sa fet y
BY KATRINA WEITHMAN
BY ARTIE FURMAN Hello to everyone. I hope as you read this that you are all doing well. Just a few quick notes and observations. I have been here at work every day since the pandemic has started and this is what I have noticed. Far more people have been running, walking and bike riding. That is great, except that many people don’t get out of the way of vehicles. They seem to expect the cars to just go around them. PA law states that: If there isn’t a sidewalk, pedestrians must walk as far as they can from the edge of the road on the shoulder. When there is neither a sidewalk nor shoulder, the individual should walk as close as he/she can to the outside edge of the roadway. Please be safe and stay on the edge or shoulder of the roads. Also there has been an abundance of people walking their dogs. Great exercise for the person and the pet. But our bylaws state that you cannot have your pet at any of the amenities. You will see sign posted on Pier lane and by the beach stating this exact thing. The only exception is a service animal with the proper credentials or paperwork. Lastly many of you have been using the golf course to take your walks or ride your bikes. As of this reading I am sure the course is open, for all nongolfers please refrain from being on the golf course while it is open to play. Typically this will be from sun up until sun down. Trust me when I say that you or your pet don’t want to get hit by a golf ball. Thank you in advance for you cooperation. Stay safe and as always should you have questions or concerns do not hesitate to contact me, my door is always open.
2020... it has been the best of times, it has been the worst of times. For the Pocono region we experienced an incredibly mild winter and at our member events we welcomed new and returning faces for our Chinese New Year celebration, monthly live music concert series and annual chili and wing cook off. We experienced sellout crowds for our super bowl event, Valentines Day dinners, Presidents Day brunch and we were at maximum capacity for our always anticipated St. Patrick’s Day festivities when suddenly the world stopped. As I called our members to announce the postponement of St. Patrick’s Day, this seemed like just a bump in the road and that we would soon be back to business as usual. Looking back now, we know that has not been the case. Coming to work in a closed building where there is no smell of delicious food, and no sounds of the chatter of guests, no laughter between staff and members and no daily human interaction has been the strangest experience of my career. As we have navigated postponed dates, my heart has gone out to each bride that has had to postpone her big day that she has planned with us for over a year. So many special days of showers, sweet 16’s, reunions and anniversaries all put on hold while we wait to reopen when it is safe. And so we wait, we wait to welcome you all back! We miss being able to provide an inviting atmosphere for our community members to gather, recreate and relax. As we wait we are developing policies and procedures specific to each department to provide you with a safe, albeit distanced environment to return to. Some of these policies will be different and time consuming at first, but we are all navigating uncharted waters and we will get through this together with anticipated patience and understanding. When I speak of the best of times, this pandemic has provided us all with a slower lifestyle and afforded us some time to step back from our normal routines, enjoy the little things in life and give more freely of our time to those in need. People have found ways to donate to the local community through making face masks, donating to restaurants that are helping to feed first responders and by helping parents with homeschooling their children. Many have returned to nature and traveled outdoors more frequently and gone for longer walks, hikes and bike rides. Some organized those closets that we had been putting off or read a few more books and stepped away from the television. As a society we learned how to communicate, play games and celebrate birthdays virtually with friends and family. We returned to a lost pastime of family dinner. This time has allowed us to enjoy more time with our household family and eating home cooked dinners together. I am extremely fortunate that I am married to an amazing cook! This time has tested everyone and has certainly not been easy for the world at large. Thank you to the many residents that have checked in on me and our employees. We are all anxiously looking forward to seeing you in person again soon. Stay safe and healthy and I leave you with the following thoughts to comfort you as we hope to return to our usual slate of activities!
Not Everything Is Cancelled: Sun is not cancelled Spring is not cancelled Relationships are not cancelled Love is not cancelled Reading is not cancelled Devotion is not cancelled Music is not cancelled Imagination is not cancelled Kindness is not cancelled Conversations are not cancelled Hope is not cancelled
4
WEATHERVANE
MAY
2020
F un w it h Fitness
Gouldsboro Chimney & Furnace Cleaning
BY KRISSIE AYLWARD, PFCCA FITNESS DIRECTOR April showers bring May flowers and boy can we use a little brightness right now. I hope that everyone is doing well and staying healthy. I know that working out and trying to stay fit right now may be the last thing on your mind but I want to stress to you the importance as well as give you tips on how you can workout at home.
• Stainless Steel Liners & Caps
• Masonry Chimneys Rebuilt & Repaired
• Woodstove & Fireplace Inserts Installed
• Gas or Oil Chimney & Furnace Cleaning
• Wooden Chase Chimneys Rebuilt & Repaired • Fireplaces, Wood & Coal Stoves
• Animals & Any Other Blockages Removed CALL TODAY:
(570)676-5253
$10 OFF CHIMNEY REPAIRS & CLEANING WITH THIS AD
Exercise is known to have a profound impact on the normal functioning of the immune system. As well as produce those feel good hormones such as serotonin, dopamine and the ever-famous endorphins. These feel good hormones help to stimulate our brain and keep us from falling into the traps of depression and anxiety that isolation can lead to. When our bodies become stressed, we produce cortisol which can inhibit parts of our immune system. Right now, we need to do everything we can to keep our immune system strong and working properly. Each time we exercise, especially when we do any type of cardiorespiratory exercise, our bodies instantaneously produce literally billions of immune cells, especially those cell types that can recognize and kill off virus-infected cells. Exercise is especially beneficial for older adults who are more susceptible to infection in general and have also been identified as a particularly vulnerable population during this COVID-19 outbreak. Right now, it is vitally important that we try to maintain our activity levels within recommended guidelines. Not only can exercise have a positive direct effect on the cells and molecules of the immune system, but it is also known to counter the negative effects of isolation and confinement stress on various aspects of immunity.
Tree Removal Tree Trimming Land Clearing Landscaping
Tree Removal
Light Excavation
Tree Trimming
Stump Grinding
Land Clearing Chipping
Landscaping Bucket Truck Services Light Excavation Stump Grinding
How can I work out at home?
Chipping
•
Going for walks, of course maintaining the social distancing guidelines, is a great way to get fresh air and get your heart pumping.
•
Riding your bike is another great cardiovascular exercise.
•
While watching TV you can jog in place during commercials, climb your stairs or even do some jumping jacks.
•
Lay on the floor and get in a set or two of crunches and push ups or bicycle those legs if you can’t get outside.
•
Yard work is always a good way to increase the heart rate as well. Those leaves aren’t going to rake themselves.
•
Dancing is a fantastic way to have fun and get moving!! Put on your favorite tunes, grab the broom and dance like no one is watching!! You can even sing like no one is listening.
Bucket Truck Services
Whatever your fancy, just stay moving and keep that blood pumping and those endorphins keeping you feeling good. To help keep you active, we are gong to begin offering virtual fitness classes to our current fitness members. If you are not a fitness member and would like to take part in the classes please email me, fitness@poconofarms.com or give me a call 570894-4435 x116 and I will be happy to give you more information. I look forward to getting back into the fitness center as soon as we can safely do so. Please feel free to reach out to me for more tips on staying fit at home, information on virtual classes or healthy eating. I am here to help you in any way I can. Have a safe and happy Spring!!! Krissie https://www.acsm.org/blog-detail/acsm-blog/2020/03/30/exerciseimmunity-covid-19-pandemic
WEAT HERVANE
MAY
2020
5
ELECTIONS
ANNUAL MEETING REMINDER SATURDAY, JULY 18TH AT 10:00 AM
2020 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ELECTION CANDIDATES
Meet the candidates who have decided to run for the 2020 Board of Director’s election. Each year you, as a Pocono Farms homeowner, have the opportunity and the responsibility to select those of your fellow members who will serve you on our Board of Directors. You have a voice in your Association and its future through our Board of Directors. Take this opportunity to inform yourself, and then vote for the candidates who you believe will be the best people to work with OUR other Board members to guide our Association towards the future.
JAMES YANDO
AT THE POCONO COMMUNITY CHURCH ROUTE 611 - NEXT TO AIRPORT
Resident 6 years
OCCUPATION: My employment background includes 33 years in the Banking and Insurance industries. Of these 33
years, 28 have been in the insurance industry, including 20 years with my current employer in senior leadership roles and currently as Senior Manager of Operations.
COMMITTEES, CLUBS, VOLUNTEER WORK & OTHER ACTIVITIES PARTICIPATED IN:
At the Farms, I have been on the Board of Directors for the past 3 years. Prior to the Board, I was a member of the A&B Committee for 2 years. While on the Board, I have been the liaison for both the A&B/Crime Watch Committee and most recently the Finance Committee. Outside of the Farms, I’ve volunteered as a member of the United Way Community Investment Committee, participated in the Everybody Wins Reading Program as a literacy volunteer, coordinated our local annual Regional Food Bank Holiday Drive and volunteered for Habitat for Humanity.
SKILLS, TALENTS, SPECIALIZED TRAINING:
I bring experience in the areas of budget, expense management, operational leadership and organizational skills. My primary responsibilities and experience include budget planning, developing business plans, implementing company performance targets, managing personnel and project management. This includes 65 employees with a budget of 7 million. My work experience provides me with an overall perspective of managing a business operation and understanding the various aspects involved. In addition, my positive outlook, ability to work with others and dedicated work ethic will lend itself to a successful partnership with board members, staff and the community.
MOTIVATION FOR BOARD:
My motivation to remain on the Board is to contribute and help strengthen the community for the future. My wife and I truly enjoy the community, the people, the amenities and the atmosphere of the Farms. We’ve met so many great people and enjoy attending the various events throughout the year. I enjoy collaborating with others and would appreciate the opportunity in helping to keep the Farms a great place to live. It would be a great honor to continue to serve the community, help create opportunities for improvement and strength the association overall.
BOARD INFLUENCE & DIRECTION/GOVERNANCE OF COMMUNITY:
If elected, I would like to help preserve and strengthen the many positive aspects of the Farms for the future. I would advocate for financial stability while providing quality amenities for all members of the association. In addition, in partnership with other board members and the management team, I would like to strengthen our long-term planning from both an amenities and financial perspective. This involves building on many of the great things the board is currently doing, while listening to the community regarding expense management, annual dues, enhancing our amenities and creating value in our properties. I would support and encourage feedback and feel everyone has a voice in the community. I believe there is something for everyone at the Farms which can only strengthen our association and the environment in which we share.
WHY SHOULD MEMBERS ELECT ME:
I will listen to the needs of the community, balance sound financial decisions while providing superior amenities for all members and strive to strengthen the association with long-term goals in mind. I will be a positive voice for members, an advocate for causes important to residents and make sound decisions for the community.
STEVE BAKER Resident 7 years VOLUNTEER WORK
Currently on Long Range Planning/Communications, Finance, Recreation; previously on LRP and A&B committees for PFCC. Assistant Fire Chief, Coolbaugh Township Vol. Fire Co.; Coach/Manager - Tobyhanna Little League; V. Chair, Coolbaugh Twp. Planning Commission.
SKILLS/SPECIALIZED TRAINING:
My formal and professional training is in supply and logistics, emergency medical and fire services fields. Education and work experience has given me the tools to evaluate, create and execute a budget that satisfies current and future needs. By utilizing cost and trend analysis allows for solid decision making for future planning. My leadership qualities, I believe, would benefit the entire board and radiate through our community.
MOTIVATION FOR BOARD:
As a father of three children being raised in our community, my motivation is to help keep our community safe, beautiful and to keep it moving in the right direction. I have some ideas that I feel may be in the best interest of the entire community and hope that I will be able to bring them to the B.O.D. for the benefit of our current and future generations of PFCC residents.
AREAS OF INFLUENCE CONCERNING DIRECTION AND GOVERNANCE: Recreation, future planning, community involvement.
WHY SHOULD MEMBERS ELECT ME:
My involvement in various positions in the community shows my commitment to a better way of life here in Pocono Farms. I would like to wish all of the candidates for the B.O.D. the best of luck!
6
WEATHERVANE
MAY
2020
WAYNE MEYERS Resident 20+ years OCCUPATION: Senior Computer Engineer / Project Manager COMMITTEES, CLUBS, VOLUNTEER WORK & OTHER ACTIVITIES PARTICIPATED IN:
I have extensive volunteer experience and have already served 12 years on the Board of Directors for Pocono Farms Country Club, many as either Vice-President or Secretary. I’ve participated in the planning and execution of events such as trash pickups, community picnics and holiday parties. I help aspiring writers improve their craft.
SKILLS, TALENTS, SPECIALIZED TRAINING:
I have a strong background in technology and project management throughout my professional career. I am very good at identifying problems or flaws in existing procedures, formulating solutions, and implementing those solutions with limited resources. I am happy to roll up my sleeves and get personally involved in whatever needs to be done. I recognize that working for the Board is being part of a team. Teams do not always agree with each other, and sometimes you need to compromise for the greater good of the community. After over 30 years in the corporate world, I well understand this concept, knowing when compromise is the only way to come out ahead rather than drag everything down. I also respect the opinions and experience of others and willingly take that into consideration while formulating my own ideas. I have extensive experience in non-profit management and operations, having served as Founder and President of Pocono Commuter, Inc., which served the Pocono community for over 7 years.
MOTIVATION FOR BOARD:
While I understand that we are all busy people with careers, families, and houses to take care of, the bottom line is if we do not become part of the solution things will never improve and may only get worse. To that end I am willing to take time to help the community I call home. While Pocono Farms is a great community to live in, I believe we can always find improvements and ways to make things run smoother with lower cost. Over the past three years of my current term, we’ve made significant progress, and I want to continue to be part of the oversight of the management and operations, and to ensure the proper checks and balances remain in place to maintain business objectivity.
BOARD INFLUENCE & DIRECTION/GOVERNANCE OF COMMUNITY:
I would like to continue to increase the use of technology within Farms operations and especially as a communications resource among our residents. I’ve been a strong advocate for replacing our antiquated website which will soon be in place (delayed due to these extraordinary pandemic circumstances), replacing old office equipment with new hardware and software that increases office staff efficiency, and better utilizing social media for announcements and communications between the office and the residents. Everyone should have more opportunities to remain informed and take advantage of our wonderful events, and be aware of issues that impact our properties and families. I believe the Board and staff do a wonderful job of controlling expenses, but I’d like to continue to ensure our hard-earned dues are spent with the greatest return for Farms quality of life, higher property values, and cost-efficient operations.
WHY SHOULD MEMBERS ELECT ME:
Because I am committed to returning the trust and favor of your vote with 110% dedication towards solving existing problems while preventing future ones from occurring, as well as proactively stepping forward to make our community run as efficiently as possible. I take this role very seriously and look forward to continuing as one part of the team who helps all of us enjoy our community more each and every day.
HUGH DORAN
Resident 33 years
OCCUPATION: Retired, I worked 30 years in Local 94 as Engineer mechanic. COMMITTEES, CLUBS, VOLUNTEER WORK & OTHER ACTIVITIES PARTICIPATED IN: I was on By-law, Finance, and Long Range Committees. I am VFW, DAV and American Legion member.
SKILLS, TALENTS, SPECIALIZED TRAINING: I have manager experience. I also was shop steward of 25 members. MOTIVATION FOR BOARD:
If you want your HOA to consider your needs and those of your property FIRST, vote me onto your Board. The current BOD has remained mostly the same for years just rotating titles and is not in favor of the countless changes that I have proposed for at least a decade at their monthly meetings. Just before marriage, a groom presented his prenuptial contract to his bride. She signed it without hesitation because he convinced her that it was a good thing. Prenups should always be presented by or in the presence of an independent unbiased party or, if later contested, Is likely to be set aside. This is also true of bylaw proposals. Our bylaws were voted In exactly in the way that the trusting bride agreed to the terms of that prenup. A detailed description of my background isn’t vital as hopefully you care foremost about enjoying an improvement in your property value, greater wisdom in how your HOA dollars are spent and in a reduction of your Association fee. Briefly, I am a Vietnam Veteran, retired from a lengthy union career as an operations engineer, a shop steward and the manager of a commercial building. Of greatest importance, in my more than thirty years as a PFCC homeowner and resident, not only have I been an active participant in various committees, I have faithfully attended monthly PFCC Board meetings, regrettably, most often, as the only homeowner who has attended. I am well-informed in how our Board manages our finances and applies our Association’s bylaws, codes and regulations. If you have met me, you know that I did not write this introduction. It was authored by an anonymous resident who believes in my capacity to create the change that our Community sorely needs in order to reduce our dues. much more wisely utilize our expenditures and vastly improve our property values. I have met individually with many PFCC homeowners. They shared enormous discontent and their overwhelming sense of powerlessness. They told me that they don’t attend annual meetings because they are convinced that nothing will ever improve in our Community due to the power and mindset of our Board and they are convinced that efforts toward change have consistently proven to be futile. I’m a rough-around-the-edges kind of guy. I’m not polished or shy and never hesitate to speak my truths so I will never be nominated for PFCC’s Most Congenial Fellow. But I am known to be fluent in past and current decisions made by our Board and am respected for my honesty, ethics and for at all times representing the needs of our homeowners. If you believe that we need change, vote for me. Also, consider running for the Board. I cannot do alone all that is necessary. The Community needs the support of others who seek change and are willing to say that change is sorely needed. It is so important to vote, to correctly follow the directions on the ballot and to mail the ballot. Please attend the Annual Meeting that is always scheduled on a Saturday morning in July. The date, time and place will be announced by the Board in email blasts, in The Weathervane, on their website and on the calendar in the Fitness Center or please call the Office for information. I beg you to support important improvements that will only come with REAL change.
BOARD INFLUENCE & DIRECTION/GOVERNANCE OF COMMUNITY: I feel that new blood is needed to get more homeowners involved in our community.
WHY SHOULD MEMBERS ELECT ME:
I feel that our homeowners are looking for new blood on the board.
WEAT HERVANE
MAY
2020
7
Your Community Golf Course
IS OPEN!
Rest assured that the safety of our staff and players is paramount. We will continue to follow and enforce all guidelines set forth by the CDC. We have enhanced our already high standards of cleanliness and sanitation. We continue to develop protocols to offer the ultimate safe, clean and enjoyable atmosphere. To learn more about our current cleanliness programs, a complete list is available for review at the pro shop.
• Now that the golf course is open, for your safety, it will be for golfers only. All non-golfer traffic will not be permitted. • Tee times are required ahead of time. No exceptions! Tee times will be in 12-minute increments. • Tee times can easily be made via email at kmono@pga.com or by calling the pro shop at 570-894-4435 ext. 111. All fees will be paid via house charge or credit card at the time of tee time reservation. No cash transactions currently. • The retail pro shop will not be open. All in-person retail sales will resume as defined by the state. Only staff will be allowed in the building. All purchases will be made via house charge or credit card. All purchases will be brought out curbside. A complete list of course guidelines and policies will be available to your prior to playing the course.
• All golfers must use their own golf clubs. Sharing or renting golf clubs is not allowed. Do not pick up or touch others’ golf equipment (i.e. balls, clubs, towels, etc.) • Proper golf attire is to be worn (collared shirt required and no jeans)
Interested in joining the Pocono’s premier golf course? Visit our website at poconofarms.com to download your application. Membership applications may be dropped off at the pro shop or mailed to 182 Lake Road, Tobyhanna PA 18466. We will also accept payment with credit card over the phone.