February 2011 5607 Jackson Valley Road • Ione, California95640

Message from the President

by Dot James

First, I’d like to thank all of you who supported the Reform Coalition with your votes. We appreciate your placing your confidence in us and vow to do everything possible not to let you down.

Second, I also know that many of you were disappointed — some bitterly disappointed — in the result. I can only say that I hope (and believe) the four of us who are newly elected to the 2011-2013 board will prove to be a better choice than you now think we are.

A fellow came up to me after the election and said: “I can’t tell you how unhappy I am that you got elected.”

Being a cantankerous sort, I was poised to retort: “I can’t tell you how little your opinion means to me.” But within a nanosecond of that thought I realized that his opinions, even when hurtful,do matter to me; so I just shrugged and walked away.

I want to continue to hear from him and from everyone else in this park, whether or not you voted for me, Earl, JoAnn, and Raymond, because I truly believe in open, honest discussion. I may not always agree with you; I may not always vote on an issue the way you hoped I would; but know this: I will listen to you and give weightto your concerns and ideas.

Finally, on behalf of the entire association, I want to thank the outgoing board members — Deborah Hummel, Patricia Cotner, Ron Craven, and Rosa Lopez — for their service to the community.

Election Results

JoAnn Keen...... 48

Raymond Kirk ...... 42

Earl Dodson ...... 42

Dot James ...... 41

Patty Cotner...... 27

Teresa Dart ...... 25

Debbie Hummel...... 25

Bob Lockhart ...... 21

PrestonVonSlochteren...... 12

Write-Ins ...... 16

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Socked in the Gut by the IRS

At the Annual Meeting on 01/27/11 the members assembled received the devastating news from then-president Deborah Hummel that the IRS haslevied our bank account for $55,773.86 because of unpaid payroll taxes for the tax quarter ending 12/31/06.

A letter from IRS dated 12/15/2010 instructed “if [The Oaks] can’t pay it, call as soon as you get this letter.” I don’t know what efforts were made by The Oaks to contact the IRS before its bank levy on 12/23/10.

According to yet another IRS letter (12/13/10), The Oaks owes an additional $41,182.09 in taxes, penalties, and interest (tax periods 09/30/05 and 12/31/05). This letter was a “final notice” to call IRS before it placed another levy on our bank account. Again, I don’t know what response The Oaks may have made to that letter.

Frankly, I am almost physically sick over this. Not only can The Oaks not afford a $97K hit in the first two months of 2011, there are additional ramifications. I am told — and have not yet verified — that the State requires our keeping some $300K in reserves for the water plant and that we will be subject to penalties if that requirement is not met.

My highest priority was to contact Randy Reece of IRS immediately. I talked to him 01/31/11 and received his assurance that IRS will not levy any more funds until he and I have an opportunity to chat at his Stockton office. He requested that I first bring myself up to speed by talking to the CPA who has been handling our tax problems. I’ll keep you posted. 