Hello all – lots of updates to share. We’ve done our best to address the most common questions that have come through the hotline and web. Thanks so much for your enthusiasm!
November 5, 2015 Meeting
Many people have expressed confusion or dislike about the “active” vs “inactive” program, so thanks to helpful feedback from all of you we will no longer use these terms. However, we do still need contributions from lake residents, as the funding for the POA is 100% voluntary. We hope you will decide to become a “Duck Lake POA Volunteer” and contribute toward the betterment of the lake. Remember, your taxes go to the Oakland County Duck Lake Board, and cannot be used for the operation of the PAO, which is a separate entity.
That said all members, regardless of your decision to volunteer time or money, have voting rights on POA matters. The meeting which will take place on November 5 is for all Duck Lake residents and their families who want to come. If you can’t attend, please call the hotline for information. If you would like to become a volunteer, you can sign up at the meeting and may pay by cash or check.
Augmentation Well
The augmentation well pump is no longer functioning, which has led to a noticeable drop in the water levels. Management of the water levels and therefore the augmentation well is the responsibility of the county and therefore out of the control of the POA. This means we DO NOT get to vote on the decision to either replace or repair the pump.
We have therefore requested a special meeting of the Duck Lake Board, which Highland Township is working on our behalf to get scheduled. We will post the date, time and location as soon at is is available. This will be an open meeting, so you are welcome and encouraged to attend and give your opinion (but you can’t vote).
Bob would like to extend special thanks to the Highland Township Offices and Joel T. Brown of the Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office for all their hard work. This can be a long and complex process and thanks to their hard work we estimate that we are about two months ahead of the expected schedule.
Marine Patrol
The final Marine Patrol vote has been temporarily delayed. Lake members from three lake subdivisions reported on the hotline possible fraud in their subdivisions regarding the Marine vote. We are therefore awaiting guidance from legal counsel and will post and update when available. Thank you for your patience.
By-Laws
On the request of many of you we have posted the current POA by-laws on the website. You can view and download them here: https://ducklakepoa.org/by-laws/
As always, please feel free to call the hotline or submit an inquiry on the website if you have any questions. comments, concerns or ideas to share.
Duck Lake 
December 2, 2015 at 5:37 pm
So who actually called the “bogus” December 8 meeting? I didn’t keep my written notice, but wasn’t it on DLPOA letterhead? Now it makes me wonder if the follow up 11/23/15 letter is legit, although I believe it is. If someone sent out an unauthorized letter on DLPOA letterhead, this is really getting out of control. I plan on being at the meeting, but not to vote unless all of the current board is there and calls for a vote, which per the 11/23 letter isn’t going to happen. This should be very entertaining.
And how much if this is about a few not wanting a marine patrol on the lake so these knuckleheads can drink and boat without being called out?
December 3, 2015 at 9:57 pm
Under our Bylaws “Article V; Officers; Section 3. Removal of Officer. Any officer may be removed from office at anytime, with or without cause, by majority vote of the Trustees at any meeting thereof called for such purpose. ” Under our Bylaws “Article III; Section 3. Special Meetings. A Special Meeting may be called at anytime upon call of the Board of Trustees, the President, of by petition to the Board of Trustees of the lesser of two-thirds of the members or twenty (20) members (20 unit votes). Two-thirds of the members or twenty (20) members (20 unit votes), whichever is less, shall constitute a quorum at a Special Meeting. ” This allows for the meeting to be held. Since the so Called current board will not respond we have the right to have the meeting with out them present. If you choose not to exercise your vote that is your derision, I hope you will vote as that is your right as an owner.
As for the reason for the election it is because no annual elections were held at the October 21st as again the bylaws require. I also ask you if this was not a legit election why would Bob make signs campaigning for his reelection. They read Re-Elect Bob Jones.
December 4, 2015 at 7:34 pm
Hi – a copy of the petition may be found here.
December 5, 2015 at 2:39 am
Thank you for attaching a copy of the petitions. I am not trying to be argumentative, I agree an election is long overdue and needed, I am just concerned that there could be a legal challenge regardless of whether the township looked at the petition wording or not. I trust that upon close inspection, at least 20 of the signatures would be considered valid. Per your own citation of the by-laws, officers can only be removed by vote of the trustees. It doesn’t speak to removal by the members. And per section IV paragraph Section 2: “Each trustee shall hold office until another is elected”. This tells me that there could be a serious challenge by the existing board as to the validity of the election.
December 5, 2015 at 2:57 am
Ole,
I have spoken with some lawyer and you are right to an extent, but it says a trustee will hold until another is elected. But There were no elections held which is required per our bylaw. On your logic the current board could hold office as long as they would like. Everyone is welcome to run and we are keeping notes. Is this perfect, no but we have to start somewhere. And that is going back to the bylaws and doing a reboot by following the bylaws as best we can. legally the current board and trustees do not exist that is what would be presented as no election has been held and the bylaws have not been followed. If you would like I would be happy to talk in person with you. It might make more sense then a post on a website. Again I ask you to vote, Bob has been try to use scare tactics not facts. We are trying to give facts. Please continue to ask questions as that is your right as a member and it is your right to get answers.
November 11, 2015 at 12:43 am
Lori, you have touched on all the important points of the November 5th meeting and I agree with you 100%!!! I also want to personally thank Bob for serving ALL OF YOU for ALL these many years. He has acted on YOUR best behalf for keeping this lake safe, private, and beautiful for EVERYONE.
We are all adults here, so let’s all be RESPECTFUL to others like we were taught as children. And kudos to the post from unknown: “Let us be supportive of those who do volunteer and give their time.” This can be a great association if we can all volunteer some time and WORK TOGETHER in a positive light!!
November 6, 2015 at 6:51 pm
The Nov. 5 meeting was to just discuss where the volunteer group could help with ideas, the many jobs to help improve the lake and to get more people to become involved. But again some people at the meeting just wanted to harass Bob, even get him out as President. When someone made an motion to oust him and then asked for a vote, about 15 of his followers said, “Aye” , he said passed??? No other vote considered. That was actually the same thing this person was acusing Bob…….. of allowing a special group to make decisions for everyone! Really!! We didn’t even get to hear Bob’s agenda, which some kept asking for, cause he was shouted down, saying he should follow the rules of a meeting, when they weren’t doing the right things themselves!
He then cancelled the meeting. As president he Can cancel the meeting as it was going nowhere. He let you all come to a meeting of volunteers who gave money to create a larger following for the lake and spend the monies for the good of all. But he never got a chance to discuss a budget where those monies would be used, “not the Marine Patrol”. The meeting was also to invite more people to get involved, but we never got there.
After he left a new board was proposed. Great, since no one else ever wanted the job. So let’s have an election for new officers. But, I want to know what your “agendas” for the lake are, where the monies are spent, and what part of the area you live. Hopefully we get a board from several areas not just one. But first, Let’s give that money back to the volunteers and then let the new officers see where they can get the monies for special meetings, extra mailings ($600 approx’), projects, etc.
As far as the Marine Patrol, why havn’t those who opposed it stood up and voiced their opposition? Hopefully, we don’t have some major accident or loss of life on this lake resulting in a lawsuit. The patrol is NOT out there 24-7, they can’t be because of expense, but it may have educated people on rules of boating, life jackets for children, traffic pattern, Speed and, yes, maybe not driving under the influence. Hopefully, we can all monitor our behavior so everyone can be safe and enjoy the lake.
I want to Thank Bob for all his years of service, when no one else would come forth. I hope whoever wants to take over is willing to spend all the extra time and be able to deal with all the individal issues and rumors that are called in on the Hot Line”. We need to keep this lake clean, safe for all and private.
December 2, 2015 at 3:58 pm
Lori – As much as I wish your information was correct it is not. 1st it is illegal to allow a select group to vote on how there money is spent for a 501c3. Under federal law any member has an opportunity to cast their vote if they are in good standing in that organization. In our case that is anyone who lives in the Duck Lake Special Tax Assessment area. Otherwise, you logic would allow for me or any one else to control the lake based on the amount of money I have given. Would you like it if I gave $25,000 so I could take away your vote as I gave more money then the $50 or couple of $100 dollars you donated. Also, what you do not know is that every dollar you and the rest of the volunteers donated have to be accounted for in a budget and reported on a treasures report. None of the current board can produce this budget. Again, this is illegal and against federal law, that requires any 501c3 to provide financial documents and meeting minutes to anyone that asks, even if they are not a member of the organization as they are Tax payers.
Your Marine Patrol issue is another area you are wrong as I am a member of the lake and was never informed of a meeting to discuss them being on our lake. How am I going to voice my opinion I don’t know the meeting is going on.
As far as an agenda, I have spoken to those pushing for the election and they all want the same thing. The right to have their voice heard through debate and voting, along with transparency as to what our tax dollars and voluntary funds are going to. I myself have ask for this information and have not gotten any response, how is this right I ask you.
November 6, 2015 at 3:51 pm
Catherine, the October meeting date was listed in the spring newsletter everyone gets. Both meeting dates and agendas are on that newsletter.
There is and was never any kind of “conspiracy” to hold secret meeting only for those who paid the dues. Yes, Bob sent out notices for the November meeting to only those who paid, a:because he was using their money to do so, and b: wanted to have a meeting to get the volunteer group started. The meeting was going to be about starting a budget, setting an agenda, and brainstorming on ideas on how to spend the money. All this, as you know was interrupted last night by a few. At the October meeting, Bob was called out on the fact that everyone should be able to attend and so he changed it to include everyone. He announced it at that meeting and also posted it on the website.
November 7, 2015 at 3:54 am
Matt you wrote there were no meetings for only those who paid dues then wrote at the Oct meeting Bob was called out on it and changed it to include everyone Huh. If November meeting wasn’t for dues paying members only ( I D will be checked ) what did Bob get called out on and what did he have to change. And no he did not make that announcement at the Oct. meeting the website was changed a week after the meeting and that was the only announcement
November 18, 2015 at 9:56 pm
What is your problem Ray? People are volunteering their time and resources for the better of our lake and all you do is bitch, complain and try to cause trouble. What have you done for the better of the lake? Do you enjoy being “one of those people”? Grow up and act like a responsible helpful neighbor and quit being such a hostile donkeys ass.
November 6, 2015 at 3:14 pm
Why do grown men act like 5 year olds. Last night was a sign of how badly people behave. The bald man (I think Mike R) was just as disruptive, rude and offensive as he was at the October 21st meeting. Made me sick that we all didn’t tell him and his goons to go. The others were just as bad. Drunks, coarse people, bad manner have no place in a seminar. They were not there for the lake. They have some crazy agenda and I’m not buying into it. Do something positive. We came to discuss where the volunteers money would best be used for our lake, not to listen to rude, ignorant people. I bet their money was not in the pot for this discussion. Whatever their game plan was it was not a positive thing. If we don’t stop these fools, our poor lake is going the devil. LETS WORK TOGETHER for the good of our beautiful lake. Thank you Mr. Jones for all your efforts and time.
November 6, 2015 at 3:40 pm
I could not have said it better. Just hit the road people. Spread your poison elsewhere.
November 1, 2015 at 4:21 am
Catherine got it right. Where are the letters to everyone informing them of this meeting. without proper notification which its too late for now its still just an illegal meeting.
November 6, 2015 at 6:13 pm
It wasn’t a meeting. It was a volunteer session to brain-storm and get organized. This was to be a forum for us (volunteers) to decide where the VOLUNTEER’s money would best be used. I’m sure you aren’t a volunteer member. Try to help instead of always be so negative. It is your lake also. Let us be supportive of those who do volunteer and give their time. Remember improvements help your property value also.
November 10, 2015 at 7:54 pm
Amen. Amazing how people who don’t volunteer or do anything for the better bitch the most. Yes you Ray!
October 28, 2015 at 1:54 pm
The announcement, that the meeting of November 5th, has been changed to “allow “all property owners to attend, does not change the fact that only 289 (those who paid “voluntary” $50 dues ), were notified. Out of the 1150 property owners, 861 did not receive any written, notice since the May 2015 Update. Not even the Annual meeting on October21st. No mention of the November 5th. meeting was ever made. Many do not know about this website or are not computer literate. How will they be notified? All property owners, input should be welcomed. Having a Duck Lake Property Owners Meeting without telling the “Owners” does not seem to be the right way to conduct business.
November 1, 2015 at 8:59 pm
Catherine, the reason that not 289 notices went out, is that the volunteers (those who paid dues) paid for the notices to go out. They will also be paying for the rent on the meeting place. There really is a large cost to mailing notices to all residents and if only one quarter of them are paying, it really wouldn’t be fair to spend their money. That is one reason for the website (fees also paid for by the volunteers).
If you feel some people don’t have access to the website, or need written notice, is it possible you could volunteer some time to stuff envelopes, deliver notices, etc.? You’re right about everyone having their input heard, but with only a couple people doing any of the work and very limited funds, they are doing the best they can.
November 4, 2015 at 3:55 pm
Thank you ,Matthew, for responding. This public forum is by far the best thing to come from the voluntary dues, so far. I would like to commend Leslie, for this great website.
My mantra is “knowledge is power”. And I mean the power to have confidence in your convictions, in yourself, and be able to speak knowing you have researched the subject. That being said- I am searching for knowledge. I guess I didn’t realize that NOT paying the voluntary dues, excluded homeowners from being mailed a notice of the annual October, Property Owners Association meeting. I’m sorry but I mistakenly thought the voluntary dues was to save our association and benefit our WHOLE lake.
I also feel that many homeowners who would not or could not pay last April, might pay in the future if they are kept in the loop. If they are informed about issues and can see what can be done if we all work together. Instead we have made this an “us vs. them”, scenario. How can we remedy this? -KNOWLEDGE
I would very much like to be part of a committee to help inform all our neighbors of the progress of improvements coming to our lake. Obtaining emails, social media, and informing individual neighborhood associations,are just a few no-cost ways to ” share the KNOWLEDGE.” Can we form some committees at the meeting on November 5th?
We have a great community of responsible people on this lake. I think many will step up to the challenge.
October 28, 2015 at 11:51 am
Bob, thanks for the update and for working tirelessly to keep Duck Lake the asset that it is. I like the email notifications of our website updates.
October 28, 2015 at 3:10 am
Bob, will there be a regular accounting of the funds being ” donated” to the Duck Lake POA ? I’ve talked to several folks who are hesitating sending in money when they don’t see how much money is being collected and precisely where it is being spent.
November 1, 2015 at 8:15 pm
Per Bob: Yes. As our Association is registered in Lansing, it would be illegal not to have an expense statement available to all D.L.P.O.A. members.
November 4, 2015 at 2:39 am
available where? please present at the meeting on November 5th
thank you
October 28, 2015 at 2:27 am
This sounds like nothing but a cover your a___ backtrack . I doubt this got changed because of helpful feedback. My guess is you got told it was illegal. A very simple question for you. Did you get told it was illegal to have a active members only meeting
November 1, 2015 at 8:14 pm
Per Bob: No, it is not illegal to have an active members only meeting. Please check Roberts Rules.