Reply to John Barba

We have a Board of Directors that is out of touch with the members of its own association. Our proof of this is our recent Good Stewards Survey conducted among Suissevale members in April. You can read and download it here. We encourage you to read the whole survey, as we reported a broad sample of actual comments from Suissevale members, both good and bad.

The truth is what has gotten this Board upset.

Our property values have held up despite some of the Board's bad decisions and the extremely poor perception of our Board by many Suissevale members. Imagine what those property values would be if we had an open and responsive board working for the majority of Suissevale owners.

This association has been managed for years by many of the same directors, several of whom have served for twenty-plus years. The association has grown from 103 homes in 1976 to over 425 now (and about 250 landowners). The BOD will gladly take the initiation money and dues from new buyers but restrict input on how that money is used by not allowing member participation in the development of budgets or drafting a viable five-year spending plan. All pay the same for water, despite actual use. Thus, many of us subsidize those properties with large families, sprinkler systems, and renters. Additionally, that approach does not encourage conservation.

The BOD does not welcome your input or questions, especially when it is spending your money. We know because we have tried to ask questions, give suggestions, and to volunteer. Nearly all attempts have been ignored or met by bullying – as you can see from the John Barba letter included below.

They are planning to build a shed to store the tractor by the lake. We surveyed Suissevale members to find out what they thought. 65% did not want a shed built by the lake. See the survey here.

They say they are an all-volunteer board. We would like to see a financial report showing which directors were paid by POASI over the last three to five years.

One member has been dismissed from the Board - without member input - because she so cared about our governance that she has asked a court to rule on one of our election practices. Rather than welcome the opportunity to confirm a practice as lawful, the Board has chosen to fight the petition. Additionally, they have refused to include her on the upcoming ballot even though she is a member in good standing.

The many members who voted for her have lost a voice at the table. We have covered her story here and here. Her story is an example of how the board treats people who challenge them. Opposing views are not allowed.

My name is John Hawkins. I am not running for the board. We try to find the truth and report the facts. If you see anything incorrect on the LoveSuissevale.com website, please bring it to our attention. We welcome your input and your questions.

“Your property values are at risk.”, says John Barba. This is sort of like “Agree with me or I will shoot this dog.” A fear tactic.

It is time for new blood on the Board. Please vote for Karen Crusco, Ginny Davis, Mark DeJon, Jim Graham, Tom Keddy, Peter Mullarky, and Joe Sastre. You will find their resumes here.

John Hawkins, LoveSuissevale Committee

Special Treasurers Report: by John Barba

The full letter is posted here, with a copy of the Good Stewards Survey Report..

The key part of his message are printed below:

Your Property Values Are at Risk:

Generally speaking, the market value of all our properties that we own total approximately $100 million. Each owner has a stake in their investment here at Suissevale and the BOD works tirelessly to maintain our property values as Suissevale has become one of the BEST Beach access communities to reside in as most realtors in the Lake Region will attest to.

As your Treasurer, I am concerned, and all owners should be forewarned, there is a group of people that call themselves “Love Suissevale” that are a threat to your property values. They have a Facebook Page called Love Suissevale Group which is NOT the official Suissevale Facebook Page as well as a website called Love Suissevale that is also NOT an official website of POASI. Both sites appear under a google search and can easily mislead any home seeker that these are the official platforms of POASI. Should someone be interested in purchasing property in Suissevale and read the Love Suissevale statements and complaints it will change their impression of our great community of Suissevale to a negative impression and may change their mind about purchasing a home in our little slice of paradise. Their statements are misleading, many times untrue, and they are banning together to try to overturn the present BOD with statements and outright lies that indicate they do not know what they are talking about.

As a member of the Board of Directors and knowing all the time and effort your Board puts forth each and every day for our community, I find their statements embarrassing and indicative of their disrespect for the many traditions that have existed here over the years with many families.

I would strongly urge all members of Suissevale to disregard the many statements from an owner named John Hawkins as he frequently states misleading information. Additionally, I would urge you to NOT CONSIDER the following individuals that are running for the Board of Directors. I will not go into detail here as to why, but simply read their biographies and you will be able to see the negativity in their statements and the suggestions in Joe Sastre’s statement that are absurd. (Editor's note: Their biographies are here.)

Peter Mullarkey, Tom Keddy, Mark Dejon, Joe Sastre, Jim Graham

As Treasurer I am hoping you will vote for the 13 current BOD members who have all your best interests in mind and put in countless hours of their own time to keep this great community running to be the Premier destination to live and vacation on Lake Winnipesaukee and help maintain you property values.

Respectfully, John Barba