Comments on: MY VIEW – THE KILLEARN DEBACLE

By: N.S. Atkinson

N.S. Atkinson — Sat, 21 Nov 2015 16:41:12 +0000

I fully support Mrs. Claire Duchemin regarding her good efforts to protect the homeowners of Killearn Estates and their vested rights.

All of us bought into Killearn ownership in good faith that our rights were not going to be violated by the personal interest of any one individual.

By: Claire Duchemin

Claire Duchemin — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 22:06:03 +0000

In reply to Don Rexroad. Don, I am very sorry that your lake dried up. But what do you think is going to happen to all of the lakes, the roads, the parks, and our neighborhood when 450 apartments are built on holes 7, 8, and 9 of the north course?

By: Claire Duchemin

Claire Duchemin — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 22:01:22 +0000

In reply to Resident Observer. As previously replied to another inquiry on this matter, I have not charged anyone a fee for my services and am working pro bono to the tune that I am about $125,000 in the hole already. I am more concerned about doing the right thing and helping my friends and neighbors than money. If it was all about money, I would have never been involved. That's not the touchstone for my life, thankfully.

By: Claire Duchemin

Claire Duchemin — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 21:52:21 +0000

In reply to Richard Yood. Yes, pro bono and currently $125,000 in the hole trying to protect mine and my neighbors' property values.

By: Don Rexroad

Don Rexroad — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 19:06:59 +0000

My wife andI have lived in Killearn for 42 yrs. During the last 20 or so yrs we have watched the club facilities deteriorate to their present condition which is almost a safety hazard and certainly not a pleasant picture to show guests who are visiting. I don’t know who is responsible… probably there is equel guilt on the past owners and to those they leased the club to. I know that if I owned property that badly needed to be repaired or renovated, and did not have the money to do what was obviously necessary, I would sell the least used part of my assets to gain the money. It appears to me that is what the present owner is attempting to do. I understand the position of the homeowners adjscent to the Narrrows. But in my 85 yrs I have seen many cases where WHAT YOU SEE IS NOT WHAT YOU GET. y wife and I are a good example. We lived on the golf course for 18 yrs and had to move for health reasons. We loved Killearn and were able to buy a house on beautiful Lake Kanturk but have discovered that half of the time there is no water in our beautiful lake!!! My wife has to mow the lake grass and weeds to keep them from coming into our yard It seems as though some must suffer for the good of the whole…

By: Resident Observer

Resident Observer — Wed, 30 Sep 2015 01:23:57 +0000

It is odd, Claire, that you failed to mention that you, as a lawyer (not just as a homeowner) filed a lawsuit. Who hired you? Should we, as Killearn residents, presume that your work is pro bono? Should we, as homeowners have to pay you? If any group of homeowners did hire you, what are the compensation arrangements? If you will want to be paid by all homeowners, how about disclosing the terms of the representation? What are the benchmarks for success and entitlement to a fee? What is your hourly rate? What is your expertise? What value to you bring? I don’t know Mr. Tuck, but casting aspersions at him (“and his merry band of blind followers”) certainly speaks to the level of discourse of which you are capable. Perhaps you SHOULD consider this as your mandatory pro bono. Or better yet, moot court.

By: Dick Franklin

Dick Franklin — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 18:57:35 +0000

Claire every owner of property in Killearn should be involved and concerned about the proposed changes as we all are affected. You make some great observations about the character and motives of Mr. Tuck. Every homeowner knows you have to maintain your home to keep it up; Mr. Tuck must think golf courses are immune from such repairs. Thank you and everyone involved in challenging the self serving interest of this man.

By: Theresa

Theresa — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 02:47:44 +0000

To get the best perspective on this discussion, you must ask the question cui bono? Who benefits? Frankly, Mr. Tuck is a businessman and developer with his own best interest in mind. His objective is to make more money off of his investment. Period. To ascribe to Mr Tuck more altruistic motives is to be beguiled by visions of a future that he will not deliver based on his past record.

Ms. Duchemin is protecting the property values of all the homeowners. She has the “skin in the game.” Mr. Tuck does not have the same commitment to the community. Ms. Duchemin is fighting to maintain a community. If Mr. Tuck’s group has netted +/- 11 million over the years the club is clearly sustainable as a community owned asset. No one ever washes a rental car – the same can be said for a country club.

By: Theresa

Theresa — Sun, 27 Sep 2015 02:34:00 +0000

In reply to Richard Yood.

Interesting way to cast aspersions on Ms. Duchemin’s character….. When your property values plummet (and ask any realtor about how the homes away from the course always plummet farther) – I think you will find leaving your dog in the cage was the wrong plan.

By: Old Timer

Old Timer — Fri, 25 Sep 2015 18:35:21 +0000

I grew up in Killearn in the late 60’s and 70’s ( my first job was at the “Sing” store at the end of Killearny Way) and although I don’t live in the subdivision now, Killearn still is a special place to me.

It seems to me that Mr. Williams (and Mr. Cartee) made very clear provision for this very situation, and it would seem to be a simple matter of the members deciding on whether or not to take advantage of the terms of the covenants which allow them to purchase the golf course.

I don’t know for sure, but it would seem reasonable that institutional financing would be obtainable, assuming that the “numbers” work.

Working through the forecasts and projections in order to see if the numbers work, the members would seem to be able to see clearly whether or not current owner is being forthright in his representations to the members as to his inability to make the numbers work without taking the actions he has proposed.

It would be interesting to know what the numbers say.