Attending the annual WCA meeting: Free
Devouring luscious desserts: $3000.00
Capturing video of the Director of “Communications” preventing a resident from passively communicating at an open public resident meeting: Priceless

It has been approximately six weeks since the Woodlands Community Association (WCA) held their annual meeting. Typically these annual meetings do not address any substantial issues facing the community. In that regard the 2007 WCA annual meeting was not a disappointment.

Once again, after attending this meeting, it is clear that the residents are viewed only as a source of revenue. Oh, did I fail to mention that this meeting was held at the Waterway Marriott? Did I also fail to mention that the Developer owns the Waterway Marriott? Now, it is a bit clearer as to why the WCA holds these events at one of the most expensive locations possible. It is becoming blatantly obvious that the Developer is very keen on exploiting the residents of The Woodlands at every available opportunity (Franchise Fees, Streetscape Maintenance).

Of course it is always interesting to see how much of the resident’s money is spent at one of these functions. While looking at the meeting expenses make sure to take note of the $15.00 per serving for dessert ($18.00+ per serving with the 20%+ tip). Yes, you read it correctly; $3,000 of the resident’s money was spent on dessert at one board meeting. A large amount of these desserts were not consumed. How many residents could have had their total annual assessments paid for with the $3,000 spent on dessert? Also take note of the grand total for this one meeting. Once you add the Marriott expenses and the gifts that were given to the “volunteers”, the grand total is over $8,800 for this one meeting. Did I fail to mention the $1,400+ that was spent on the tip?

Another disturbing event took place at this annual meeting. A Woodlands resident, community activist and former candidate for the WCA Board, Joe Merrill, placed an informational flyer in some of the public seats well before the meeting was scheduled to begin. As soon as the Director of Community Relations/Communications for the Woodlands Community Service Corporation (WCSC), Mary Connell, was made aware that a resident was attempting to provide “unapproved information” to attendees of an open public meeting, the flyers were quickly removed from the seats by WCSC staff. When Mr. Merrill asked to have his flyers returned to him he was told by Ms. Connell that there is no soliciting allowed at the meetings. Ms. Connell did not return the flyers to Mr. Merrill. I think Ms. Connell must be confused about the meaning of soliciting or maybe her decision to not return the flyers involved personal bias in regards to the content of the informational piece.

After the meeting I asked for the policy regarding flyer/information distribution at WCA meetings. I recently received this letter stating, “There is not a written policy regarding open meetings and the distribution of flyers or printed information.”

Hmm, so there is no written policy. This apparently is just another example of the WCSC doing as they please at the resident’s expense. This also speaks volumes about who is really in control (Hint: its not the WCA or the residents).

Related Information

Franchise Fee Information Request
Joint Board Meeting Discusses Streetscape and Law Enforcement
2007 WCA Annual Meeting Expenses
Informational Piece - 2007 WCA Annual Meeting
2007 WCA Annual Meeting Video Clip
Response to Request for Information Distribution Policy