This is a place to ask questions and share with your Duck Lake neighbors. Please keep the discussion cordial.
Duck Lake
Property Owners Association | Highland, MI
This is a place to ask questions and share with your Duck Lake neighbors. Please keep the discussion cordial.
Duck Lake 
November 25, 2015 at 3:00 pm
Thanks Leslie for taking the time to create and maintain our web site. I have lived on the lake for 5 years now and have attended 5 or 6 meetings. I have scratched my head and asked myself why are more people not attending ? Bob, our president would always ask the same question. It has been stated that subdivisions around the lake are concerned with their properties and not the total lake in general therefor no need to attend. I have been to meetings when Bob said I,m done we need fresh blood to step up. Nobody wanted to run for office. I thought wow what are we gonna do? I sure hope Bob doesn’t quit. The reason I thought this was because I could see the time Bob would spend researching points,weather it was to many geese on the lake or lake water levels or dredging issues at the narrows. etc. I could tell this guy was passionate about our lake and I had no time to do half of what this man does. Now having said that I have also been thrown a back by some of our meeting notices ie.PEOPLE their is a marina coming to our lake.Yes this was in our news letter a couple of years ago. I asked, is this guy trying to scare people into coming to the meetings It worked on me I left work early to attend this meeting. Their have been other newsletters with similar shock value statements. Again very few people attended the meetings. So here comes the Oakland County Marine Patrol, boy did that wake this lake up. I am glad to see all the fresh blood at the last meeting. Lets be respectful people,do things the right way. I think this is what we all want. Wouldn’t It be nice to have functions like lake clean ups, lake barbecues,Fourth Of July Boat Parades.etc. Again, nice to see new blood at the meeting hope we all get along and move forward. I personally will try to make every future meeting. Love the website.
November 25, 2015 at 5:49 pm
Denise, Leslie, and Jerry, BRAVO! I am not sure that I can sum up what you three said any better. As I stated before and will reiterate again, is that everyone on this site, regardless of “bias”, is here becuse they care. When you care for something, emotions very easily come in play. This is not a bad thing as people need to have their voices heard. The important part is that once voiced, we need to then start to listen and work towrards all the things we all want to see take place.
In my conversations with a lot of the duck lake residents, I have heard many great ideas that would be amazing to have established. Some of these are Boating Safety Classes, Boat Parades, Coast Guard safety inspections avaliable to all boats at the beginning of each year, and lake gatherings to meet and greet your neighbors just to name a few. I am confident that this can all happen. We just need to all work together and keep that common goal in mind. This should be the “only” agenda for anyone looking to help out and voulenteer time towards being a trustee or board member. I have read posts that suggest one side or the other winning. They then make suggestions if that happens they will no longer wish to participate? If someone else is willing to run for president and wins in this election, will Mr. Jones not be avlaiable to ask questions to or get feedback from? Will the new treasurer not have records on which to build off of for future projects? If that happens it truly would be a shame. My hope is that there are many new people that don’t have experiecne running for postions. Why should they have to wait to join the ranks beore they jump right in. I gathered from a lot of the posts and conversations that this has been the achilies heel of the DLPOA for years. Many times there just has been “no one else”. Isn’t it time for others to help carry the load many have been hauling around themselves for years? Isn’t that why there is a DLPOA in the firsst place? However, now that poeple are taking steps to establish roles and asssign dutys, some are pushing back. It is not fair, or in the best intrest of anyone, to allow only a slect few to do the job for the masses. We have to join together if we wish to move forward. Will we have our differnces? Yes. Will we have our arguments? Of course, but as long as there are a set of rules from which all must follow, I am confident that we can find a soution together.
I just want to voice one last thing and then I will close this LONG WINDED opinion. I would be remiss if I failed to give much needed credit to the many who have brought us to the point we are now curretnly. Leslie, your work and dedication to insuring we have the most accurate and up to date informatioin, has single handly done more good than anything else the DLPOA could have done. You have allowed the masses to have a meeting daily, and provided a pulpit for all to be heard. Will a few use it to make bad descions? Such is life. For the rest of us, it is an awesome portal into peoples tue feelings for a lake that many have assumed no one cared about. The election comittee, which was offered to all and accepted by few, amazing job working together to put the most accurate and fair election together in such a speedy way so we can continue to move forward. Mike T, thank you for typing, printing, and organzing the information needed to insure all are aware. Mike R, thank you for taking notes, and your impecable follow up. Dennis, thank you for taking the time to address and stamp each letter. Susie, thank you for skills I didn’t even know exsited. I am not sure I knew it was possible to have a “processs” for foldng, stuffing, and sealing envelopes, but you proved me wrong. Nathan and Chip, thank you for all of your help with all of the above, and Mike S thank you for taking the time out of your sechedule to help. Fianlly, Mr. Jones thank you for all that you have done over the past years as well. Here’s to the future of Duck Lake.
Please excuse typos or errors as this was sent from my Ipad
November 23, 2015 at 6:05 pm
Keep up the good work Leslie. The website is very informative and professionally maintained. While there may be some issues among the leadership we must keep focused on the betterment of our lake and our lake families.
November 24, 2015 at 12:37 am
Thank you, Denise and everyone else who have been supportive. It was a hard decision for me to make to come out with this information like this, but I figured if I was going to go against the wishes of our current leadership I may as well tell everyone why. I shall do my best and I do try very hard to make the information published as thorough and unbiased as possible. When expressing my own opinion I have done so under my own name so as to separate my opinions from fact.
I truly do think that this community is simply in a bit of unrest because there’s a resurgence of people who are excited to get involved and it’s a great thing to see. There’s been a small group who have been doing great things for a long time and it’s encouraging to see so many people who want to recognize them and help them. I’m disappointed that this has been a little messy, but hopefully all will feel they’ve been given a fair opportunity to participate (or not) and have a hand in selecting (or being) representatives who can work together to do great things as a community. That’s why I came to this lake two years ago, and it’s why I will stay.
November 22, 2015 at 10:39 pm
I might as well throw in my two cents. Personally, I don’t think an election is a bad idea. However, I think it’s being done all wrong. First, the motive. I think a couple people didn’t get the attention they felt they deserved, so they want revenge on Bob. I think rumors and the spread of false info led to that October meeting going bad and of course when people show up mad, they aren’t going to listen to the facts anyway. Second, I feel that if they brought up the subject of elections at the spring meeting or before the fall meeting, it would have been addressed. Bob himself said at the spring meeting that he wanted to leave the association in a few years. His idea was to bring on more people and show them the ropes, meet his contacts, go to the county/state meetings, etc., then he would feel more comfortable leaving. For many years, no one bothered with elections because no on had any interest. Now, assuming Bob is not re-elected, we are going to end up with a board that, as far I know, has no experience with this sort of thing, and at least in the near term, will be in the dark whenever a problem arrises. I just hope our lake and our property values don’t suffer. Lastly, having it winter goes against the bylaws, whether they are valid or not, and obviously takes voting rights away from those who are gone for the season. Perhaps a bit of a “cooling off” period would be a good idea and hold the election at the spring meeting. It’s only a few months away at this point.
As far as the website goes, I have mixed feelings. Sure nothing should be censored from everyone, but at the same time, you can’t just post anything you want if you don’t know the whole story. That’s how rumors start and how we got in this mess. I think having a forum to voice concerns is ok, as long as the opinions are followed up with facts from the board. I also don’t think calling people names helps, either.
November 23, 2015 at 12:34 am
You only know what you have been told. There are so many of your points that are completely untrue. When a person leads with fear it’s referred to as the chicken little style of management. Our Lake is NOT going to dry up, our property values are NOT going down, our lake is NOT actively being looked at for public access. There is only one thing wrong with our lake, lack of transparency. Just because someone has the job doesn’t mean they should keep it. Lake residents decide who represents us, that’s the way democracy works. I think your leader has shown his true colors in the last month and you need to take your blinders off. Duck Lake needs credibility with the township, with the sheriff and with the county. We do NOT have that right now.
You seem like a nice guy, perhaps you should start talking to more than one person.
November 23, 2015 at 12:44 am
Why always use “anonymous”? Just curious.
Actually, since I got involved, I’ve talked to probably close to one hundred people.
I hope you’re right. Good luck.
November 23, 2015 at 10:21 pm
Matthew Robert, I think it is great that you want to help keep Duck Lake a beautiful and enjoyable place to live. I was able to see that you are currently listed as a member of the board with the state of Michigan. I will reach out to you as we have Bob, and ask for all meeting minutes and treasure reports of the DLPOA from the last 10 years and any voted on and passed bylaw changes, as is required by law for any 501c3 when asked by a member or non member of a non-profit. I also ask you why I have not received written notice of the yearly membership meeting for the past 3 years I have lived on the lake required by the only bylaws currently known. If you have a newer set as a member of the election committee formed I would like a copy so we can hold the elections under those guidelines. Also the election to be held on Dec. 8th will house new trustees and board members until the next election on the third Wednesday in October 2016, at which a new board will be elected again as that is what is mandated. This will allow those who may not have been able to vote this year get a voice as they should have. I again hope you will come to the meeting and cast your vote as you have the right to do. It is a shame you don’t see the current DLPOA being run as a Dictatorship not a democracy as the bylaws were set up.
November 22, 2015 at 6:49 pm
LETS SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT – First of all the election was held and not 15 years ago. In 2000 Jim Herilner (sp) President made them the bylaws inactive. After that Mark Geis was President for two years. He did not re-active those by-laws. After that which was probably around 2005 before Bob became President. We still have a non-profit status with Directors and Officers registered in Lansing every year and paid for. Every year we have been asked if an election should be held and does anyone want to run or if anyone wants to hold office. ALWAYS the answer has been no and let’s keep what we have. So therefore it was election. Like it or not that is the facts. I’ve been on this lake 40 years and I’m ashamed of what is happening. What the heck is going on? Ask yourself what is good and what is bad. The hotline has helped many people solve problems and keep neighbors from hating each other. Come on people let us be adults. It is not in the by-laws for a election to help with the summer people (remember you may be one yourself someday) so let us be considerate. Leslie try to be unbiased if you are doing this site. I don’t see that you are helping only adding fuel to a fire brought on by a bunch of people with another agenda.
November 22, 2015 at 7:14 pm
I’m sorry that you were not in attendance at the Annual meeting on October 21, 2015 as it would have been clear to you then that an election was not had, or even called for, as per our current by-laws. It sounds as though you may be familiar with a new set of by-laws for our association. If you have a different set of by-laws, other than what was given to the election committee by Bob Jones, we would appreciate a copy posted to this website so that the election committee can have the most up to date by-laws to base an accurate, honest and transparent 2015 Trustee and Officers election.
November 23, 2015 at 8:50 pm
Yes I was there Mike and it was a total mess with everyone mouthing off. Grown adults acting like children. If I had been Bob and the other officers I would have not been polite. HOW could anyone get anything done. We have never had such disrespect at a meeting. Shame. Shame. Shame. As far I am concerned the Dec 8th meeting is wrong and illegal……..What is transparent is the ones trying for a new meeting for election at this time and if you had brains you would see it. Or maybe you are one of them that decided to be transparent. As I have said earlier Jim Heilner and Mark Geis made the bylaws inactive by before Mr. Jones. If you think they are active then you need to put all of them in place not just the ones you want. 40 years on this lake and it looks like a bunch of who knows what are trying to pull something. New bylaws need to be made or the old ones revised. I think all Officers should be drug tested also. What I saw was not a normal group. Ponder that Mike. Do you even know who our trustees/director are that are registered in Lansing. Probably not.
November 23, 2015 at 9:56 pm
Mad In Highland – Please know that we are holding this election in accordance with the bylaws last revised in January of 1991. As a 501c3 bylaws are not just allowed to be made inactive with out new ones being put in place. Therefore, I ask you again in you have a newer set of bylaws; we on the election committee would like to have them so we can make sure we are following the proper rules set by past DLPOA board members and trustees. The answer to your question is yes I do know who currently sits on the DLPOA, but no election was held on October 21st 2015 as the bylaws mandate, so an election is needed and is legal per the bylaws requirement to hold a special meeting (Article III, Section 3 -See Bylaws under About DLPOA at the top of the page .) I also know that many of the current Trustees/Board Members you speak of were never voted in during the October Annual meeting again as required by the bylaws. I hope you will come to the meeting Dec 8th so you can cast your vote for who you feel should represent you district, maybe that will be you. Then you or the person from your district will be able to vote for board members you or they feel will do the best.
November 23, 2015 at 10:52 pm
From what I’ve witnessed the October 21 meeting was a mess. That’s a fact. I’ve been to past meetings and couldn’t tell you who are our current trustees and board members for they are never there. Bob and Matt reference the bylaws when it fits their defense and when it goes against them they claim it is obsolete. The election is trying to do things as transparent and fair as possible. Elections are supposed to happen every year. They haven’t been. I understand we have snow birds and some might not have their voice heard this year. That’s an understandable point. Say we lose 30% to snow birds which leaves 70% to vote. That’s still better than the 100% that our current officers and trustees and acting officers (use that loosely since most are inactive) have completely shut out. This is not an attack against Bob or any of our current officers and trustees but rather a reboot of the structure. If everyone feels strongly for Bob he should get elected again no problem but there will also be a supporting cast. I still haven’t witnessed any form of financial statement which by Law (not bylaws) are mandatory to be provided if asked for. We have asked Bob repeated for them and he claims he’s too busy. If you think we are playing dirty I assure you we trying to process everything as fair as possible.
December 7, 2015 at 1:57 pm
I have been to every meeting in the last three years. Not once did I hear any Board Member mention the word Election or ask if anyone was interested in running for office. So how can you say they ask every year?
November 22, 2015 at 3:39 pm
Good job Leslie.
It appears Bob has lost it and is acting like a Monarch that is about to lose his throne.
Which he more than likely will come Dec. 8th.
I support you 100% as I am sure 99% of the other lake owners will as well.
Looking forward to Dec.
Regards,
Dave Dismuke
November 22, 2015 at 3:15 pm
I an new to the community and I am very pleased with the acceptance of everyone I meet. I am planning on attending my first meeting on the 8th, mostly due to your honesty Leslie. Thank you for bringing involvement to light for me.
November 22, 2015 at 11:19 am
I also appreciate your integrity and honesty. The bullying is unacceptable from someone who supposed to be such a caring/ giving individual. If the people of Duck Lake want an election what’s the problem? Are we sure everything is been on the up and up all these years? Tranparency is a MUST. Time to come together Duck Lake! 12/8/15 lets vote!
November 22, 2015 at 4:17 am
Wow…. Unbelievable! Thank you Leslie for your honesty and everything you are doing. I appreciate knowing what’s going on in our association!!
November 22, 2015 at 3:23 am
Thank you Leslie for all you have done. You have provided a forum for people to speak who were not allowed to speak at Bob’s meetings. Your character and integrity are both amazing and astonishing. I can only imagine what you have been subjected to over the last while. Bob does not speak for all of us and On behalf of the DLPOA members that Bob does not speak for We apologize for any abuse or anguish you have endured. Your notice explaining the website situation is clear, direct and could not have been written better. Bravo . I am still shocked that the current DLPOA president has lowered the position he holds to this level. He has become nothing more than a weak bully who tries to intimidate people with threats of legal action and childish name calling. Who wont even allow descent It really is very very sad. Leslie There will be people who drank the Bob cool aid and criticize you. Pay no attention to them and keep your head held high like you have done here. Thank you again Ray
November 22, 2015 at 2:33 am
Is there a way for the folks who winter in other states to get our voices heard?
November 22, 2015 at 2:58 am
The current by laws, unfortunately, do not provision for votes by proxy or other methods which are not in-person ballot submissions. Hopefully, once we get past these elections and have an active Board of Trustees and Officers, work can be done to re-write/revise the by laws to be more modernized and accommodating of the needs of a broader group of residents.
November 23, 2015 at 9:35 pm
This is one area I would like to see fixed in an update to the by laws. All of us pushing for this election want to update the bylaws. As Leslie wrote we currently only allow voting by members present, but with that said those who take trustee positions and board positions will only serve till October 2016 on the third Wednesday. And at that time a new election would be held. I would hope by then new bylaws would be written and they could be voted in place for future elections. I hope you can make it on Dec. 8th. If not please talk to your neighbors to at least get their voice heard or yours if they feel the same way you do.