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Candidates for Board of Directors - 2010

Listed here in alphabetical order are the candidates running to serve on the MPOA Board of Directors. There are three 'At Large' seats on the Board of Directors that will be filled by our election in March.

Amy Frederick

1.  Are the current MPOA sponsored Community Events sufficient to fulfill community spirit? Do you believe there should be more events, fewer events, or different types of events? Please elaborate.

Having the benefit of recently living outside of Montclair yet being very active here  and in other communities, I can say confidently Montclair’s events set it apart in the area. Other neighborhoods have events, but nothing on the scale of Montclair, which has a nice mix of family-, kid-, teen- and adult-friendly activities. We should always be open to new ways to make events even better. In this tough economy, we should strive to offer more no- or low-cost activities involving all aspects of the community. I’d like to see free concerts, with attractions like the Army Blues Jazz Ensemble.

2.  What are your views regarding security in Montclair?

I’ve talked with friends and neighbors about this topic, and obviously, maintaining a safe, secure neighborhood is in all of our interests. Yet, there are diverse opinions regarding how we should approach security. My view is we should continue to contract with Prince William County Police, but we should also consider bringing back hired security for a more community-based approach for issues not necessarily appropriate for local law enforcement (such as lake security in the summer months). We should utilize people who know and care about our community, rather than simply using some outside agency just looking for a paycheck.

3.  Do you think the current covenant enforcement procedures are adequate and effective?

Covenant enforcement is critical in Montclair where standards have a direct impact on home values and quality of life. I think a more “customer-friendly” approach is needed. After all, the staff work for us in the community and their attitude and demeanor should reflect that. In doing so, perhaps MPOA would do a better job of telling people what is wrong with their property and how they can fix the situation before things get too aggressive.  If we change the way we notify—and do things positively, people will be more willing to cooperate and have a better overall experience. 

4.  Do you believe MPOA needs to invest in additional amenities to remain competitive with newer communities? If so, what improvements would you support?

Montclair is a community unlike any other around here—beauty and amenity-wise. How many communities have a lake people can swim and boat on; beaches; fabulous restaurants; have access to pools, tennis courts, a golf course and club; and great fireworks?  Not many, so we are very fortunate to live in a place with such a rich array of amenities. However, it is vital we keep our current infrastructure in top form and make new investments that will continue to make Montclair a premier community.  I’d also like to see residents given more options in utilizing existing amenities.

5. What major issues do you see facing the Montclair community?  What are your recommendations to address them?

Property values are perhaps the biggest issue affecting most of us, largely due to current market conditions. With a tighter market, communities need to stay as competitive as possible. Part of that is addressing the community’s reputation regarding covenant enforcement; part maintaining common areas and keeping amenities top-notch and unique; part ensuring strong curb appeal; and part implementing new ideas for how we do things here. For example, one idea is to setup a voluntary online community directory for each home to share info about their family to more effectively connect residents and shared interests.

Timothy B. Jack

1.  Are the current MPOA sponsored Community Events sufficient to fulfill community  spirit? Do you believe there should be more events, fewer events, or different types of events? Please elaborate.
 
Under ideal conditions, events serve as a fantastic source for community entertainment. I would like to keep the 4th of July fireworks and limit the remainder of events. Montclair is an aging community that spends over $150,000 on events, including the salary of a full-time events coordinator. Besides the actual costs of events, resources are diverted  from administration and maintenance to help set up, knock down the events, and security is diverted to guard event equipment prior to a major event. We could take over $100,000 from events and invest it in areas that will help increase home values.

2.  What are your views regarding security in Montclair?

Lower crime rates equate to higher property values. Having gone door to door meeting Montclair residents in past elections, there is no community consensus on security. I have heard it all from people wanting no security at all to wanting to re-establish the private gates and allow only residents and guests within MPOA. Hiring private security guards didn’t fill a major role in reducing crime within the community because the guards could only observe and report crimes. By hiring off duty PWC police, MPOA is able to have law enforcement with arrest authority that is focused solely on the community. 

3.  Do you think the current covenant enforcement procedures are adequate and effective?

Let’s face it, covenant enforcement is something people want done to someone else.  It isn’t pleasant to come home from work to find a letter from MPOA – and I know from personal experience. The question comes down to whether the covenants are being enforced fairly and consistently. I believe the covenants staff does an excellent job on a vast majority of the 3,850 homes in Montclair. However, we are all human and there are times when mistakes are made. My hope is the covenants enforcement is able to admit a mistake and rectify the situation more easily in the future.

4.  Do you believe MPOA needs to invest in additional amenities to remain competitive with newer communities?  If so, what improvements would you support?

I don’t believe MPOA has made adequate investments in the upkeep and maintenance  of the community in the areas that will maximize our sales appeal. When people come  into Montclair to see a home for sale, one of the last things they actually see is the house. Opinions are made about Montclair as a place to live even before a prospective buyer sees a home. I want to continue upgrading the entrances and medians as they present an image of the quality of the MPOA community. I would also like to attempt to build a community pool in the future.

5. What major issues do you see facing the Montclair community?  What are your recommendations to address them?

Falling home values and foreclosures plague the nation. While MPOA can’t stop foreclosures, it can do things to help home values. One of the main jobs of a homeowners association is to maintain home values. As we collectively tighten our belts to get through the tough economic times, MPOA can look for ways to prioritize the  budget to work more efficiently for the homeowners. While having events are a great thing, they don’t help MPOA upgrade and improve the amenities. The community recently voted to spend $50,000 per year upgrading landscaping and the benefits are just starting to be seen. 

Catherine Kudrick

1.  Are the current MPOA sponsored Community Events sufficient to fulfill community spirit? Do you believe there should be more events, fewer events, or different types of events? Please elaborate.

In order to hold the Events many volunteers are needed to support the property management staff. Those people who step forward to help demonstrate a neighborhood spirit that includes those who attend creating an overall sense of community for Montclair. This year Montclair Day, July 4th and Oktoberfest will remain  the same but there will be some new Events as recommended by the Events  Committee. I believe the current budget for Community Events is sufficient and do not think an increase is needed at this time.

2.  What are your views regarding security in Montclair? 

When it became apparent that contracting out the Safety Patrol was not providing an improved, or adequate, level of service, I worked with the Safety Committee to help bring about the off-duty Prince William County police patrols. With the police on walking and driving patrol in Montclair, the level of nuisance and illegal activity has declined. The patrols have proved to be more effective in providing additional security at a lower cost. I support continuing the off- duty PWC police patrols. 

3.  Do you think the current covenant enforcement procedures are adequate and effective? 
 
The MPOA covenant enforcement procedures are currently adequate and effective after  having improved over the past few years. Recently the “friendly reminders” were added to give homeowners the opportunity to correct minor violations without sending a formal notice. Covenant enforcement is a balance between homeowner rights, safety and maintaining the appearance of the community. I support the current covenant enforcement procedures.
 
4.  Do you believe MPOA needs to invest in additional amenities to remain competitive with newer communities?  If so, what improvements would you support? 

The MPOA has an outstanding amenity with Lake Montclair that is difficult to top in Prince William County or Northern Virginia. However, along with this amenity comes the expense of maintaining the lake, beaches, lifeguard services and dam. Given the current economy and the efforts of the Board to hold the annual assessment at the current level, I do not support investing in additional amenities at this time but rather to maintain the existing infrastructure.  

5. What major issues do you see facing the Montclair community?  What are your recommendations to address them? 

The major issues in Montclair at this time are continued funding for improvements to the common area, and income loss from nonpayment of the annual assessment. Landscaping has been neglected for many years and the appearance of the community is most important when it comes to maintaining property values. I recommend the Board continue to allocate funds each year for landscape and other improvements. The second issue is the loss of income from foreclosures and delinquent accounts, with the associated legal costs in pursuing accounts that cannot be recovered. I recommend continuing the current collections policy. 

 

Geoffrey Winkworth

1.  Are the current MPOA sponsored Community Events sufficient to fulfill community spirit? Do you believe there should be more events, fewer events, or different types of events? Please elaborate.

I love the events, and while I think the quantity and variety is fine, if I had to change anything, I think I would try and steer them back toward more family-oriented activities, e.g. sack races. I’ve heard folks from “back in the day” talk about the early Montclair Days; they just sound like they were a lot of fun. Crystal City puts on a little concert series over the summer; mainly jazz bands. Something like that, maybe alternating between movie nights, would be nice. Ultimately, these aren’t just my events, they’re Montclair’s - chime in people!

2.  What are your views regarding security in Montclair?

I’ve always been a strong proponent of having Police in Montclair. It’s unfortunate, but times have changed, and not necessarily for the better. Parents, whether by choice or by design, are having a much more difficult time keeping track of their kids, and an even harder time disciplining them when necessary. An in-house patrol may have been just fine even 10-15 years ago, when the line between “good kid” and “bad egg” was very thin, and actions could be manipulated by a friendly-faced authority figure; not so much these days. I like having someone around with a little more leverage.

3.  Do you think the current covenant enforcement procedures are adequate and effective?

This is a tricky one. I like having covenants, and I like having them enforced. For the most part I think our covenants staff does a fine job; however, there are cases where a more personal touch is needed. Ideally, I would like to see staff interacting more on a personal level when dealing with minor or first time infractions, but I do understand there are only a handful of people to almost 4000 homes.  As long as we keep making headway in the “common sense” department through modifications to the guidelines, perception and acceptance will get better over time.

4.  Do you believe MPOA needs to invest in additional amenities to remain competitive with newer communities? If so, what improvements would you support?

I think Montclair’s tranquility and community atmosphere make it competitive enough; it’s what brought my family here. Honestly, the only thing I can think of would be some area where folks could legally park their recreational vehicles.

5. What major issues do you see facing the Montclair community?  What are your recommendations to address them?

I think two immediate issues are age and foreclosures. Landscaping has become a very hot topic lately, and will no doubt take center stage in the near future with regards to focus and expenditures. There’s not much actively we can do about the housing market other than improving your own property, but if we focus on making Montclair back into the little oasis in a sea of chaos it once was, through aggressive landscaping improvements, continued events, and a well thought out covenants process, I think we’ll find ourselves in pretty good shape when the market recovers.

 

 

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