Paul's Episcopal in Beaufort. The reception would be at Harbor Point on the dock on the waterfront under a white tent with crystal chandeliers and imported peonies.
Vivian's daughter, Kelsey, had been engaged since Christmas. The news arrived via a mass email from Vivian, not a personal announcement, but an official HOA communication sent from the board's email address, as if her daughter's engagement were a community policy update. The email included a photograph of the ring, a 2-carat cushion-cut diamond that must have cost more than Dave Espinoza's entire boat, and a paragraph informing residents that the community should expect increased activity at the marina in preparation for the Harcourt-Ashworth wedding celebration this June.
Vivian announced the wedding plans at the March board meeting with the energy of a woman unveiling a national monument. The marina and community dock will be reserved for a private family event from June 14th through June 16th. All vessels must be relocated to temporary moorings in Taylor's Creek during the event period. The board will coordinate mooring assignments.
Three days. She was closing the entire marina for three days, displacing 32 boats for her daughter's wedding. I raised my hand. Vivian, the CC&Rs require 30 days written notice and a 2/3 homeowner vote to close common facilities for private use.
This has been discussed and approved by the board. The board is three people, two of whom are in this room. That's not a homeowner vote. The board has the authority to manage community facilities for special events.
It's in the bylaws. Which bylaw? She shuffled papers. I'll have the management company send you the reference.
No reference ever came because no such bylaw existed.
I canceled the marina closure through Elena. She filed an injunction citing the lack of a homeowner vote. The county court granted a temporary restraining order prohibiting the HOA from closing the marina without proper authorization. Vivian was furious.
She called me at 9:00 p.m. the night the order was served. I let it go to voicemail. The message was 37 seconds of controlled rage disguised as politeness. Jack, this is unnecessarily adversarial.
The wedding is a community celebration. I expected more neighborly cooperation from someone who claims to value this community. I hope you'll reconsider your position before this becomes something neither of us can take back. I saved the voicemail.
It's exhibit 31.