BELLA VISTA — The new chairman of the Property Owners Association board said he was against asking the court for attorney fees to pay the costs of a recently completed lawsuit because he wants members to communicate with the board.
Ed Morgan made the comment at a board meeting Thursday in the Country Club board room.
The suit was filed by Jim Parsons, a former board member, who claimed the association violated his First Amendment rights when they asked him to sign a conflict of interest statement. A judge eventually granted a motion to dismiss filed by Chastity Clark, association attorney.
Morgan said even though Parsons chose the wrong way to communicate his grievance, he’s still an association member.
“Lawsuits cost the members money,” he said. “I didn’t do this for Mr. Parsons, I did it for the rest of the membership.”
In other business, the board voted in favor of two projects which both have tangible membership support. A new fishing dock for Lake Windsor will cost about $157,000 and the Bella Vista Fly Tyers Club will contribute $10,000. According to the board, money for the project will be found in the 2013 budget.
Money for a second, smaller project — a short-game practice area at the Highlands Golf Course — will come from reserve. The cost of the project was estimated at $32,000 with volunteers and maintenance staff providing about $40,000 in labor.
“That’s too good a deal to pass up,” said David Houk, a board member.
Randall Gnant didn’t agree. He voted against both projects because he said he can’t support taking money out of reserve.
The American Junior Golf Association tournament will use the Highlands course in less than two weeks and Ron Stratton, tournament chairman, said he expects to hear complaints about the lack of a short-game practice area. He warned the board building the new area will not guarantee the tournament will return next year.