A new chapter in the ongoing concerns about the Wynnfield Homeowners Association (HOA) unfolded this week, as attorney and resident Christine Hernandez-Sexton voiced her frustrations with the current state of the HOA on the neighborhood’s Nextdoor platform. In her detailed post, Hernandez-Sexton called for transparency, accountability, and an immediate election of new board members to address issues she says have long gone unaddressed.
Christine Hernandez-Sexton’s Call for Action
Christine, a homeowner at 7170 Wynncliff Drive, opened her post by outlining her concerns about the lack of HOA meetings and elections in recent years. According to Hernandez-Sexton, the last recorded general membership meeting occurred on February 15, 2016, with no subsequent elections or updates from the board. By her account, this failure to adhere to the HOA by-laws has left the association without a legal board since February 15, 2017.
In her post, Hernandez-Sexton proposed organizing a general membership meeting to elect new board members and address pressing community issues. She emphasized the importance of homeowners being directly involved in decision-making rather than granting blanket proxy votes to the current board.
Among the specific concerns she raised were:
- Dues and Financial Transparency: Hernandez-Sexton pointed to surplus funds in the HOA’s financial accounts, suggesting that a reduction in dues might be appropriate. She also questioned expenditures such as the neighborhood’s camera system, asking who manages it and how much it costs.
- Neighborhood Maintenance: She highlighted unresolved issues such as damaged sprinklers, improperly buried cable lines, and missing letters on the neighborhood’s entrance sign.
- Proxy Voting Concerns: Hernandez-Sexton warned homeowners about the potential misuse of proxy votes, which could allow the current board to make significant decisions, like increasing dues or initiating expensive projects, without homeowner consent.
“I would be honored to serve as your next Board President,” she wrote, calling for community members to sign a letter requesting an official meeting to elect a new board and gain clarity on the HOA’s financial status.
Response from HOA President Sparks Debate
Christine’s post quickly garnered attention from neighbors, but it also elicited a sharp response from current HOA President Chris Orrell. In a public reply, Orrell criticized Hernandez-Sexton, writing:
“Besides threatening to sue the Board of Directors (BOD) and ALL of our neighbors and violating covenants, what have you done for the neighbors of Wynnfield?”
Orrell’s comment drew mixed reactions, with some neighbors defending Hernandez-Sexton’s call for accountability and others questioning the tone of the response.
Community Reaction
The exchange has sparked heated debate within the Wynnfield neighborhood. Many residents praised Hernandez-Sexton for stepping forward and demanding greater transparency and organization within the HOA.
One resident wrote, “I completely agree that we need a meeting. It feels like decisions are being made without us even knowing what’s going on.”
Another commented, “We’ve been paying dues for years, and yet there’s no communication, no updates, and no visible improvements. It’s time for a change.”
The community appears divided, with tensions running high as discussions about the HOA’s leadership and accountability continue.
Key Issues Facing the HOA
Several underlying issues have emerged from this debate:
- Lack of Communication: The HOA has not held a general membership meeting in years, leaving residents in the dark about important decisions and financial matters.
- Accountability and Transparency: Residents are questioning how dues are being spent and whether the current board is adhering to the by-laws.
- Community Improvements: Many homeowners feel that essential maintenance projects, such as repairing damaged sprinklers and burying exposed cable lines, have been neglected.
- Leadership Disputes: The sharp exchange between Hernandez-Sexton and Orrell highlights deeper divisions within the neighborhood about the future of the HOA.
Next Steps
Hernandez-Sexton is urging homeowners to join her in signing a formal request for a general membership meeting. According to the HOA by-laws, at least 25% of the membership must petition for a meeting to force action.
Meanwhile, the current board has yet to issue an official statement regarding the allegations of inaction or the timeline for the next election.
As tensions simmer, Wynnfield residents face a crucial decision: whether to support Hernandez-Sexton’s push for change or to back the existing leadership. Either way, the outcome will have lasting implications for the neighborhood’s future.
For now, the Wynnfield community watches and waits, with many hoping that the HOA can find a way to move forward—together.
