Dean McMullen’s letter advocating for the proposed agreement between the Twin Lakes Homeowners Association and the Twin Lakes Golf and Country Club continues the proponents’ argument that the amenities package the golf club is offering is a good value.

For most of the homeowners who don’t golf, who have no interest in swimming in the little pool by a busy street, and who don’t think dining at the club is a big deal, the amenities package is a waste of money. If the package was such a great deal, it would be easy for the golf club to sell subscriptions to the public and not need a subsidy from the HOA to remain in business.

Mr. McMullen continues that the youth programs sponsored by the club are a great value to the community. I think a better use of my time and money is to schools and families in need, especially in these tough times.

The members of the club do not value the club enough to fully support it. They would rather close the business and sell off the property than pay any more to maintain it. The proposal, if passed, would levy a fee on all Twin Lakes homeowners, but the golf club members who are also homeowners would have their golf club fees reduced by the same amount their homeowners fees are increased. And the golf club members who aren’t homeowners would not see an increase in their membership fees. This proposal places the entire burden of the subsidy on the homeowners who are not members.

The golf club will fail. Membership will continue to decline, a trend the HOA board highlighted during the town hall meeting, and costs will continue to rise. If this proposal passes, the homeowners will find themselves in the same situation in a few years after having wasted millions of dollars.

The issue for the homeowners is the green space, not the golf club. There are many ideas in the community for mitigating the failure of the golf club. Purchasing all or parts of the property, partnering with a developer to ensure maintenance of green space, building density, and HOA membership of any new homes built are just a couple. Real long-term solutions are needed, not this wasteful plan hatched hastily and in a panic.

Richard Perry, Twin Lakes