Sandy Creek Airpark

Let's nip this one in the bud.

Fake "Community Meetings"

Ryan Vandeusen and Norman Summers have been holding what they seem to be calling "Community Meetings" at Norman's hangar. They invite about ten additional people and apparently discuss issues about the airpark. It doesn't seem anyone else is invited, and it seems they consider themselves to be the entire airpark community. It was reported that Ryan even once declared as he motioned to the table of attendees, "THIS is the community!", as though the rest of us were not part of the community.

These are not HOA Community Meetings

Ryan and Norman's "community meetings" are not community meetings for purposes of conducting HOA business. It's just them wishing they were in charge and attempting to get others to go along. The funny thing is that most of you probably don't even know who they are.

Ryan recently posted a comment on Town Square that an issue raised in Town Square would be discussed in the next "community meeting". It is assumed that he meant one of their personal gatherings and not an official HOA community meeting.

However, a reader of his comment may think there is to be an official HOA community meeting.

Schemers, Not Leaders

Ryan and Norman have no moral, ethical, or legal authority to declare that they are the community leaders as we property owners never chose them to be leaders or to speak for us. They can make silly declarations like claiming they are holding community meetings or that they are the leaders of the community, but those have no weight upon the HOA as a community. They also certainly do not seem to have the community's best interests in mind, only their own personal agendas.

Norman Summers also proudly displays the following flag in his hangar and during their private gatherings. He also has a flag that says "FUHOA", and "HOA Run By Idiots". That isn't the behavior of a "leader" that is trying to help the community.

Ryan's behavior does not seem to be for the benefit of the community. For instance, Ryan thinks the airpark suing anyone is "insane" because it might cause financial liabilities, but he supports himself as the EAA chapter president suing the HOA with the same financial liabilities.

Current Board Involved

The current board members are also the attendees to these meetings. This, of course, violates the law concerning HOA boards holding owner's meetings and board meetings without proper notice and an invitation to all property owners.

It seems the old 1980's Pinky and the Brain cartoon characters always scheming to take over the world are back, but this time it's two characters trying to take over our community. Just like in the cartoon, let's keep them from succeeding!

Real Community Leaders

Ryan and Norman claiming they are holding "community meetings" in private and excluding most others of the community are not the actions of community leaders, no matter how many times Norman says so on Town Square. Attempting to fragment the community through the exclusion of some people is not leadership nor community minded.

We are all in this community together and Ryan, Norman, or the current board excluding those that do not fit their personal agendas does not fit any definition of community leadership.

Community Meeting Legal Requirements

The law protects HOA communities from people that try to take over a community in the ways Ryan, Norman, and the current board members are attempting. By law, specifically Florida §720.306, an HOA community meeting must meet the following requirements.

  1. A meeting notice must be posted 14 days prior to the meeting.
  2. The meeting notice must be mailed or hand delivered to each property owner.
  3. The meeting invitation must include all property owners and not just a few select friends.
  4. The meeting must be held in a publicly accessible place, not at Norman's hangar.
  5. Each property owner is allowed 3 minutes to speak during the meeting.
  6. Meeting minutes must be taken and later published.
  7. A video or audio recording of the meeting can be made by whomever wants to record the meeting.

Attempting to circumvent these requirements can lead to criminal and civil penalties.

Ryan and Norman can hold all the private meetings with their friends that they want, just as any of us may do so, but any attempt to lead property owners into believing the HOA or the board of directors sanctions or participates with these meetings can become a legal liability.

Quorum of the Board

Please remember, under Florida statutes chapter 720, anytime three or more of the five board members are present at any place to discuss HOA business that it becomes a board meeting by law. Such a meeting has additional legal requirements for notices, community participation, etc.

Just for reference, the following people are board members. If three or more of the following board members attend any meeting or party or social function that discusses HOA business it constitutes a quorum of the board and is subject to the rules for board meetings. Florida law is very strict about that.

We want to hear from you!

If you have concerns or questions that you want addressed, or if you have comments or questions about how this information may affect you, please send us an email at feedback@savesandycreek.com!

Relevant questions and their answers will be posted here.

You may also remain anonymous. Your name will not be used if you ask for it not to be used when providing feedback.