Courtesy in Communication

April 27, 2026

Dear Residents,

Re: Courtesy in Communication

Overview of Recent Communications
Prior to the recent volunteer board election, as you are all aware, there was a significant amount of troubling communication shared among the residents of River Wilderness. These included anonymous postcards, letters sent to entire sub-associations from their respective boards recommending specific candidates for the election, and inflammatory posts on Facebook, among other forms of communication.

Post-Election Communication Concerns
Following the election, some of these same contributors have continued to post negative comments, expressing dissatisfaction with the election results and their impact on the community. The ability to share thoughts freely and openly is one of the great aspects of our country; however, it comes with a shared responsibility. Posting allegations and opinions online without first seeking clarification from the source is neither effective nor responsible.

Board Service and Resident Engagement
It is important to remember that board positions are volunteer roles that require a significant commitment of time. We hold monthly board meetings, and there is always an opportunity at the end of each meeting for residents to voice their concerns. Additionally, you are always welcome to contact the board at info@rwhoa.org with questions or concerns, or to schedule an appointment to discuss any issues you may have.

Addressing Concerns About HOA Management
I would also like to address the concerns regarding the salary and work hours of our LCAM HOA Manager. Our previous manager, over two years ago, was an entry-level professional who earned approximately $75,000 plus benefits (typically 40% of salary), totaling around $105,000.
The office is open for walk-ins from 1 to 3 PM, Monday through Friday. However, John works every day from 9 AM to 5 PM and is available for scheduled appointments during those hours when he is not in meetings.

Underlying Issues With Management Perception
It appears that the primary issue regarding the manager’s salary is not the salary itself, but rather concerns such as:
• Slow responses, which are interpreted as “management doesn’t care.”
• Delayed follow-ups, perceived as “nothing gets done.”
• Inconsistent enforcement, seen as “rules aren’t fair.”
Internally, the core issue is that there are too many inputs and a single bottleneck managing them.

Next Steps and Recommendations
We are currently researching best practices for managing a community of our size and complexity and will present our findings at the next board meeting. In the meantime, the most efficient way to communicate your concerns is via email at manager.rw@amiwra.com and to copy info@rwhoa.org on your correspondence.

Request for Constructive Communication
Your volunteer HOA board kindly requests a reset in communication. If you have a concern, please reach out to both the board and the HOA manager. While there may be occasions when we cannot respond as quickly as you would like or provide your desired outcome, please know that we will do our best if given the opportunity.

Regards,
The River Wilderness of Bradenton Foundation, Inc.