This report will be somewhat different than previous ones. I will address directly some of the rumors and gossip that have been going around in the Park. Who is spreading these and why remains a mystery to me.

Rumors and gossip are like sulfuric acid in the community. They eat away at the very fabric that holds the community together, causing division and strife among residents. It is the work of a small, very vocal minority and not the work of the vast majority of residents in Golden Vista.

The Bible says to "turn the other cheek". Someone told me I had 4 cheeks and I should rotate. But I am running out of cheeks, so I feel compelled this morning to address 3 of the most common rumors being talked about. The following are the facts. To quote an old song "I was there when it happened and I guess I ought to know". Now you will know the truth and you will be able to tell others what really happened.

1.  Hiring of relatives:

A year ago I needed help with some repairs on the Wifi system. It would take two of us and involved crawling under a Park Model and Arizona room in addition to working in the attic. The previous manager said to get my son, Aaron, who was 16 at the time, to help me and she would pay him. I did and she paid him $100 for two days of work. This past summer I needed similar help and got him to help me and, since I was his Dad, I only paid him $40. This is the one and only time I have hired a relative. Period.

Jeff Elkins attends the same church as I do. It is common practice in most businesses to hire someone who is known to an employee, Marty knew Cory, Gary knew John and the previous manager knew Wanda, Linda and Bob. The problem occurs when promises are made or special favors are granted. This has not been true in any of these cases.

It is interesting that rumors continue with the hiring of Tiffany Hagen as housekeeper. She started last Tuesday. On that day it was rumored she was my friend. By Wednesday-she was a relative of mine. On Thursday she had become my niece and by Friday she was my daughter. The fact is that we met at her initial interview in October!

Enough said.

2. Wifi:

I was hired August 4, 2006 and given a printed copy as well as a verbal explanation of my job responsibilities. Putting up a Wifi system was NOT one of them. I was asked in late September or early October what my opinion was about installing a Wifi system. I said I was not qualified nor did I want that job. I was asked again a short time later and i said no and research would have to be done anyway. I was told shortly afterwards that management wanted me to put up a system, I still was neither interested nor qualified but
I have a family to support and needed the job. So I was willing to do the research and learn what was needed to make myself qualified to do a proper job.

The system is not for everyone and not a one size fits all. That was said from the beginning and somehow has gotten lost in the rumor mill. We have 250 plus people using the Wifi system with very little problems. The fact is the Wifi system in the last 3 years has been able to make $12,978.68 which has gone to pay back the installation cost.

There are 3 high speed internet choices in the Park. People are free to choose the one that suits them best.

Just the facts.

3. My Computer Store:

The rumor is that my store failed so how could I run a large business such as Golden Vista when I could not run my small computer store. The fact is I have successfully run larger companies than this before including a precision aerospace machine shop and a military spec painting facility both with more people and much larger budgets than the Park. I also was a greens keeper on a golf course. This experience, in addition to a terrific landscape crew, has helped to make the grass in the Park look much better. The comment 1 get most from retuning residents is how nice the Park looks.

The facts are that I closed my store for two reasons. First, the computer business had changed in the 10 years I was open and operating from July of 1997 to July of 2006 and 1 could see the handwriting on the wall. It was time to close the store, but I never stopped doing computer work. People are still seeking me out to do computer work after 4 years, i still have a complete computer shop in the second floor above my detached garage.

Second, in April 2006 something happened that changed my life. It was sudden, tragic and life changing. Things happen in our lives that change the way we see life from that point on. I realized that I don't always know the place or situation that another person may be in. What we are going through at any given moment has an affect on how we react. It has given me more patience and understanding than I have ever had.

The first day I started as Compliance Manager at the Park I determined the right way to do the job was to help people and to help them to understand why we have rules. That is still my overriding concern. A community is not bricks and mortar but a spirit of family with respect for yourself and one another.

I have 7 children and 6 grand children whom I love dearly. This is our favorite time of the year with Thanksgiving being my personal favorite.

From my family to yours we wish you a happy Thanksgiving, a joyous holiday and a prosperous and healthy New Year.

Larry Martin