Special Members Meeting – August 1, 2026 – CANCELED
Members started demanding the removal of the board of directors. Directors included Chase Billow, Ed Hallyburton, Tommy Blanton and Tim Bird (unless he has resigned). Chase, Ed and Tommy have decided not to hold any further elections until 2030 so they can stay in office and run this community, as some say, in the ground. Last year the assessment dues was $1,000 per household and starting July 1st, 2026 the assessment jumped up to $4,800 per household or $400 per month.
That jump took the income for the POA from $189,000 to $597,000 a year. It was calculated about 10 years ago to cost $250,000 to run the community with 9 employees, keep the water running, full-time maintenance and road repair, etc. We can all appreciate cost of living inflation, but this is ridiculous. Inflation cost, lack of water to some homes for 41 days, refusal to allow members to vote or have a say, refusal to a list of member, see the files, and the list just continues.
Will there be a meeting???? No! Why?????
It seems the members have formed small clicks and can’t get along.
A petition form was signed, proxy forms filled out – but the common ground stopped there. No meeting announcement went out. No one wanted to meet in a large group. Petty stuff all around. In other words, the board has won.
If you are unable to attend, please fill out: August 1st 2026 Pine Mountain Proxy form
Homeowners / Members of any Association has the right to call a “Special” Membership Meeting: See: Article – Special Members Meeting and Article – Special Membership Meetings Provide Platform
History/reasons why:
In early May an electrical storm burnt one of the motors in the Pine Mountain water supply system. Instead of repairing or replacing the burnt motor, the board decided to have a local company look at the whole water/sewer system. Repairs and replacements went from around $1,200 to thousands of dollars. Monies the board does not have. Instead of regrouping to find a financial solution, the board asked if 88 lot owners would provide $1,000 each to help fund parts, equipment and services to the water/sewer supply system. As of early June, approximately $43,000+ has been collected and demands for more money continue.
Members are demanding to see financial records, board meeting minutes and monthly financial reports… only to be denied by not only the board but also by the board’s lawyer – who says all documents are client-lawyer privilege.
The straw that broke the camel’s back came when the board announced they were upping the annual dues from $1,000 to $5,000 – all without a budget. The budget that was presented at a “Follow-Up” meeting didn’t make any sense other than they just wanted to line the bank with money. They “guess-ta-mated” on what they wanted and how much those things were… nothing definite just once again empty promises. It’s been heard they make a used car salesman look good.
Pine Mountain Members, after no water for a month have had enough. Sixty-one (61) members, including a board member, have signed a petition requesting a Special Member’s Meeting to discuss and vote the current board off and select and vote in a new board… one who will provide details and transparency as well as follow through on their due diligence.
Board Violations: Pine Mountain POA – Governing Document Violation Analysis
Board’s unannounced proposed 2026-2027 Budget: Proposed Budget 26-27
Nominations & Applications to be considered for the new Board of Directors 2026-2027 must summarize the following information: (Send information to: TBA)
Nominations: May be announced during the Special Member’s Meeting.
Applications:
- Name, Pine Mountain address or lot information (Section/number)
- Qualifications to hold a position on the board (training, experience, etc.)
- Expectations – Campaign promises of what to expect while on the board – any qualifications and experience to back-up promises
- Why you want to be on the board?
Special Members Meeting – October 18, 2025
Subject: Town Hall Meeting
Attendance: 16 – Residents of Pine Mountain POA, Inc., including one board member
Meeting started at 11:00
Attendees were given an opportunity to openly speak on any topic of concern and organize these concerns in a priority sequence. Below are the results of the open discussion:
- Water issues – how to find a new buyer for our water system
- Road conditions – when will they be repaired
- Gates – Security – what is the legal situation, change the gate locations, repair the old gates, too many non-residents on our roads with the gates open
- Finances – lack of finance accountability; transparency, need to generate funds
- Golf Course – majority of attendees wants the golf course to reopen
- Concerns of the current board: Notify members of all actions, want to meet in person, cannot do zoom or online meetings, want a president that isn’t afraid of the members, all board responses to members are negative in nature, who is going after delinquents, stop all individual private talks
- Shook & Tarlton Realty – not doing their job
- Remove all board members and start fresh – Question: What are the qualifications required to become a board member? (see below)
At the end of the meeting – attendees discussed holding another meeting. Information on any future meetings will be announced through email, Facebook, bulletin board, door-to-door.
End of meeting. Meeting lasted 2 hrs; 41 minutes
Remember: Members vote in the Board of Directors, therefore the board works for the members. Committees, employees, and contractors work for the Board.
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The following information was requested by attendees:
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Board of Directors Training: North Carolina Center for Nonprofits provides Board Leadership Boot Camp https://ncnonprofits.org/
events/board-leadership-boot- camp -
Board of Directors Training: WNC Nonprofit Pathways: https://
nonprofitpathways.org/ -
Board of Directors Qualification Requirements: #1 https://pinemountainnews.
com/bod-files/