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Southern Walk residents still waiting for changes
It's been more than a year since Southern Walk residents heard several promises of good things to come.
Residents were told they would gain control over the homeowners association in 2008, and they also hoped for solutions to grievances with their cable provider.
Now, they're wondering if those promises will ever come to fruition.
In May 2007, Pat Leader -- president of the homeowners association at the time -- told residents the Southern Walk HOA board soon would be turned over to residential control, as soon as the remaining homes were sold.
"The votes should equal out sometime in 2008," she said, meaning the homeowners' votes would equal that of the developer. "When the votes equal out, the board will be increased to seven members -- five residents and two [developer] members."
She estimated then that the turnover should occur in June 2008.
Despite the prediction, 45 homes still must be sold in the community before any changes to the HOA board will be made. That could take months, residents have been told by HOA officials.
The Southern Walk HOA is currently controlled by five representatives from developer Van Metre Homes and two resident members, who were appointed by the developer.
Many residents are unhappy with this arrangement.
Southern Walk residents also were promised last May that an independent consultant would be hired by the HOA to help sort out some of the problems with the community's cable provider, which operates under an exclusive deal.
Many residents say they are not happy with the quality of OpenBand's television, Internet and phone services, especially for the price of $149 per month, which they say is not competitive.
"When you compare quality of services ... and what we are paying for services compared to Brambleton and Stone Ridge getting Verizon Fios offerings for about $90 a month, we are getting a raw deal," resident Dwayne Cotti said. "Couple this with the fact that most of our community did not have any details disclosed to us at closing ... we have been swindled."
To help with some of the frustration, Leader said in May 2007 that the HOA board would form a technology committee to hire and work closely with the independent consultant.
The committee was formed, but residents say it has not met regularly.
Current Southern Walk President Denise Harrover said the board recently approved the hiring of a consultant who will review OpenBand's system and is working to fulfill that promise.
This year's annual meeting has been scheduled for Oct. 2.
Contact the reporter at ecoe@timespapers.com
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