The Chaska Herald submitted questions to the six candidates running for the three open three-year positions on the nine-member Jonathan Association Board of Directors.
Following the removal of six of the nine board members last week, there is only one incumbent on the board, Debbie Boe.
The Jonathan Association is a large homeowner’s association in Chaska, stretching across 23 neighborhoods and encompassing about 8,000 residents and 2,900 homes.
The election is via mail-in ballots, which were scheduled to be sent out on Feb. 26. Voting ends 5 p.m., March 20, when the ballots are counted.
The tallying will be coordinated by Doug Faust, of the public accounting firm of Casey, Menden, Faust & Nelson, P.A.
Due to the mail-in nature of the election, the candidates were asked to respond by Feb. 24 in order to publish them in this week’s issue, just as the ballots were being received in the mail by homeowners. Answers that exceeded word limits have been edited.
Jacqueline Bensman
Age: 32
Street Address/neighborhood: 112235 Hutchins Court/Neighborhood 8
Family: I have two children, 12 and 4, and also two step-children, 21 and 17. We are also expecting our first grandbaby March 3!
Job: For the past 10 years I have owned and operated a real estate and development company, along with my husband David.
Hobbies: I love having children around the home and in a way that is a hobby in itself! I enjoy reading historical and political fiction. I enjoy camping in the Boundary Waters. Starting in the spring our family enjoys walking and biking the trails of Jonathan almost every day. I also love to bake bread, and I attempt to garden in my back yard!
Experience that would be helpful: I have participated in numerous volunteering efforts with children and adults in the area I also have a continuing relationship volunteering with a woman that lives in the war-torn country of Rwanda. These are just examples of the ways in which I am strongly supportive of having a community that is bonded together for the betterment of our children and our society.
Q. Do you believe the Jonathan Association should continue to pursue litigation to determine the validity of post-JDC annexations? Why or why not?
A. The Jonathan Association should immediately terminate the ongoing litigation and stop wasting the association’s financial resources that are collected to run the association and maintain capital assets. The money would be better utilized to enhance the Lake Grace area, repair or replace the pavilion and maintain the trail system.
Jonathan members who believe their rights have been compromised by being annexed into the association inappropriately should use their own financial resources to pursue legal action and not those of their neighbors who may not support their position. The Jonathan Association is a non-profit corporation created to serve all association members.
Q. What could be done to better the Jonathan Association?
A. First, hire a full-time association manager experienced in managing associations, knowledgeable in the associations’ governing documents and dedicated to serving the whole association.
Secondly, work with the new board to improve communication with all association members. This could be accomplished by instituting a zero-cost newsletter allowing members to share opinions, sell services or advertise yard sales, etc. I would also work toward making the association more participatory by having more association-sponsored events that will encourage homeowners and apartment residents to meet and communicate more freely.
Lastly, I would institute several new committees to engage the association membership in issue resolution.
Q. What other pressing issues do you see facing the Jonathan Association?
A. 1. The declining property values in Jonathan are a very genuine threat to our community and investments. We have a beautiful area here in Chaska, and I would dedicate my time and efforts to help restore the beauty and value that we all know is in our homes and neighborhoods.
2. Communication between the homeowners and the association is essential to have a good relationship, and once that is established we can bring issues to the city of Chaska as a partnered group.
Debbie Boe
Age: 40+
Street Address/neighborhood: 2287 Clover Field Drive/Clover Ridge Village
Family: Husband Greg Boe, children: Jenna, attends Clover Ridge Elementary; Greg II, attends the University of Minnesota
Job: Paralegal in a law firm. Also owns Debbie’s Legal and Genealogical Services
Hobbies: Genealogy
Experience that would be helpful: I have been a board member since May 2007. During this time period, I have learned a great deal about the Jonathan Association and its history.
Q. Do you believe the Jonathan Association should continue to pursue litigation to determine the validity of post-JDC annexations? Why or why not?
A. Yes, I believe the proposed litigation and recent settlement discussions can be useful to the Jonathan Association if channeled in a different manner. I really do not think we have much choice but to move forward and try to channel the litigation/settlement discussions to some sort of a conclusion. I would like to open up these discussions to a broader audience, provide the Jonathan Association membership with better information, and have open discussions about the litigation/settlement possibilities. I believe this process can lead to a better Jonathan Association.
Q. What could be done to better the Jonathan Association?
A. Acquire a Jonathan “New Town” District designation for parts of Jonathan. Once acquired, this designation could be used to apply for funding, to help define Jonathan, and to market Jonathan.Removing some of the Jonathan neighborhoods can also make Jonathan better because not all of Jonathan shares the same design features. For example, the Clover Ridge neighborhoods were created with a “New Urbanism” design. This is much different than the design features you see in the core areas of Jonathan. I believe separation of these two sizable areas can allow them to evolve and celebrate their own unique features.
Q. What other pressing issues do you see facing the Jonathan Association?
A. I think most of the current issues within the Jonathan Association can be attributed to a lack of forward movement, and several strong factions within the Jonathan Association membership. These factions have taken their toll.
A recent article in the Chaska Herald was titled “Purged: Six Jonathan Directors Ousted.” The article in the Star Tribune was titled “Warring Factions in Jonathan Group Ousts 6 of 9 Board Members.” Its first sentence read: “Welcome to chaos, Jonathan Association-style.” What a black eye we all received. What more can I say?
The Jonathan Association needs to move forward and change.
Jack P. McCauley
Age: 52
Street Address/neighborhood: 111302 Village Road
Family: Wife Sharon Tiegs, son Aaron J. McCauley (U.S. Navy)
Job: Security services
Hobbies: Reading (history), biking, and travel
Experience that would be helpful: Previous 4-H (though not recently), military, and law enforcement
Q. Do you believe the Jonathan Association should continue to pursue litigation to determine the validity of post-JDC annexations? Why or why not?
A. Lincoln once said adversity was not a true judge of character because most people have no choice but to confront it. If you want to see a person’s character on display, give them power. Regarding the Jonathan Board, the pursuit of public service has taken a back seat to the ideology that we will win even if it means we lose. Regarding annexation, let’s see if we can bring a bit of statesmanship and dialogue (including the city of Chaska) to the table. We need to ask ourselves why the question of annexation became relevant in the first place.
Q. What could be done to better the Jonathan Association?
A. We need to be accountable to our members. We need to let our members know what we are doing and why. We need to define our policies and procedures and use these to shape our future. We need to remember this is still a democracy, and we serve at the pleasure of the people of the Jonathan neighborhoods. We need to give the lawyers a rest.
Q. What other pressing issues do you see facing the Jonathan Association?
A. There was last week at the Jonathan annual meeting a coup (a purge of six members of the board) that may well stand on the legality issue. What it really is was a shortsighted attempt of instant gratification at the expense of long-term stability and the democratic process. What it gained for its members was nothing of measurable value. The Jonathan Association must show its members it has value. It needs to demonstrate its relevance. If it cannot, why would we not expect our neighborhoods to explore the avenues leading to their eventual departure from the association?
David Rome
Age: 57
Street Address/neighborhood: 2865 Autumn Woods Drive/Autumn Woods East
Family: Wife Jan and four kids: Emily, Jessica, Amanda and Alex
Job: Realtor for 20 years
Hobbies: Golf, fishing, scuba diving
Experience that would be helpful: I have been a manager of both real estate and mortgage banking branches. I have been on church boards and various committees in real estate and mortgage banking.
Q. Do you believe the Jonathan Association should continue to pursue litigation to determine the validity of post-JDC annexations? Why or why not?
A. It would be easiest to say end all litigation. Is that possible? As I understand it our attorneys have said that in order to fix the mess we are in, in regard to areas added improperly, there will need to be some litigation.
To what extent that litigation will be is up to the new board. If there are people that say leave things as they are, I would disagree with that. Areas need to be brought in properly and yes, some of the areas that are not contiguous to the original Jonathan should then be removed.
Q. What could be done to better the Jonathan Association?
A. In order to better the association, better communication is needed and more input from a larger percentage of the members is required.
Q. What other pressing issues do you see facing the Jonathan Association?
A. A large issue that the association faces is financial. How can we creatively bring more money into the association to take care of the numerous needs that have gone unmet?
Sandra (Sandi) J. Rossol
Age: 53
Street Address/neighborhood: 3225 Julian Drive/Autumn Woods
Family: Husband Richard, sons Robert and Scott, both graduates of Chaska High School
Job: I am employed as a print/promotional product account representative for Document Resources in Minnetonka.
Hobbies: Reading, crafts and avid follower of politics.
Experience that would be helpful: I have previously served as a board member for homeowners associations in Illinois and Washington State. I have held numerous officer positions in volunteer service such as PTA vice president, chaired committees for fund raising activities, volunteered in the Republican Party. I am trusted by many large corporations here in Minnesota to handle their purchases.
Q. Do you believe the Jonathan Association should continue to pursue litigation to determine the validity of post-JDC annexations? Why or why not?
A. I feel it is a little premature for me to take a position on the litigation involving the annexations of post JDC properties. I do not currently have access to the information that would be necessary to form an opinion. It is my understanding that it is a very complicated matter. I am concerned about the large sums of money spent to pursue this based on one attorney’s opinion. I feel this money belonged to all the homeowners in Jonathan and I am running for this board to right this wrong.
Q. What could be done to better the Jonathan Association?
A. There is much work to do to better and rebuild this association. Homeowners’ dues can be better managed. Communication with ALL homeowners can be improved. All homeowners MUST feel they can approach the board and be treated with dignity and respect and be listened to.
I would propose equitable distribution of funds throughout Jonathan. There are many homeowners who feel they are not getting anything for their investments. I would renew and rebuild the Association’s relationship with the city of Chaska. I would utilize our voting strength as leverage to help fulfill the needs of Jonathan.
Q. What other pressing issues do you see facing the Jonathan Association?
A. Pressing issues facing our association are numerous. We need to revitalize all of the viable committees such as capital improvement, children’s activities, neighborhood picnics, Fourth of July celebration, annual street dance as well as revitalizing and re-opening Lake Grace. We need to insure we receive equitable amenities from the city of Chaska and we need to work with that relationship.Another pressing issue is revitalizing our public relations within our community. Positive images relate to higher property values. Remember Chaska was ranked one of the top 10 cities to live in. Let’s try to keep it this way!
Katie Tierney
Age: 35
Street Address/neighborhood: 1875 Clover Meadow Drive/Traditions at Clover Ridge
Family: Husband of almost 9 years Tom, and four amazing children – Emma (7), Patrick (5), Gracie (4), and Johnny (22 months)
Job: Communications manager for BSG Alliance, a Texas-based software and services company
Hobbies: Walking and biking the beautiful Jonathan trail system with my family, tap dance with the Chaska School of Dance, and reading – lots and lots and lots of reading.
Experience that would be helpful: Professionally, I am the communications manager for a Texas-based professional services startup, BSG Alliance. I ensure that our corporate vision is effectively communicated to our 175+ employees and external parties. Prior to joining BSG Alliance, I was the Marketing Director for a Twin Cities non-profit, the volunteer coordinator for a large mayoral campaign in Houston, Texas, and a software consultant for Sun Microsystems and BSG Alliance/IT. I have been attending the regular board meetings of the Jonathan Association for the past year. I am a past president and current vice president of the Chaska MOMS Club. I volunteer with the Church of the Guardian Angels in downtown Chaska as a media relations representative and as a Faith Formation teacher. I volunteer weekly at Clover Ridge Elementary and Guardian Angels Catholic School. I am also a past president of the Minneapolis Alumnae Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta, which supports over 2,500 Minneapolis-area women.
Q. Do you believe the Jonathan Association should continue to pursue litigation to determine the validity of post-JDC annexations? Why or why not?
A. The litigation should be terminated immediately. The board sought a legal opinion that fit their desire to dissolve the association.
However, there have been opposing legal opinions provided to the board that indicate the post-1979 annexations can be upheld, which the board has chosen to ignore (Missouri – 2002 & 2007, Washington – 2007, Utah – 2004, and Alabama). The board recently introduced a “settlement concept.” There is not enough information to make an educated decision as to whether or not to support a settlement. There are many unanswered questions. I cannot make a commitment to support or oppose the proposed settlement.
Q. What could be done to better the Jonathan Association?
A. I have had the opportunity to develop some wonderful friendships with my neighbors in Jonathan. Our sense of community is Jonathan’s greatest strength.
The Jonathan Association should mail official communications to all property owners on at least a quarterly basis.
The board should open up the floor for comments from property owners before they vote on an issue. There should be an equitable distribution of resources within Jonathan. A certain percentage of a neighborhood’s dues should be spent to directly benefit that neighborhood.
The board members must act with the utmost professionalism and conduct themselves ethically, respecting property owner rights.
Q. What other pressing issues do you see facing the Jonathan Association?
A. The Jonathan Association and the city of Chaska should act as partners. The current relationship is adversarial, and must be repaired in order to better serve our property owners.The board must implement a capital improvement plan to protect and enhance the common properties, including the Lake Grace area, tot lots, open space, and trails.The decreasing property values in Jonathan are a very real danger to this community. The Jonathan Association must enforce reasonable architectural controls to protect the rights of the property owners, and must maintain existing common property in excellent condition.
Jonathan is a jewel in Chaska.