JOSEPH MONTANYE
IN WHICH VILLAGE DO YOU RESIDE , AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A MEMBER OF LLA ? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO MAKE LLA YOUR HOME ?
My family and I live in the Hamptons Village and we have been here for just over a year . We chose to make LLA our home due to the proximity to good schools , included amenities , and the natural setting . With two small children , having an elementary school just up the hill from us was a selling point , along with the natural setting , lake access , and playgrounds .
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE TOP 3 PRIORITIES FOR THE BOARD IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS ?
I see the top three priorities of the Board over the next two years as increasing transparency , sustainable development of the remaining areas and infrastructure , service and amenities improvements .
The Board needs to strive for the greatest level of transparency possible and with technology there are ways to ensure that all community members always know what ’ s happening in the community . As the
remaining areas of LLA are built out over the next two years , it is imperative that the Board hold the developer to the standards originally envisioned for this community . The original plan for LLA had certain standards and it is important for the Board to work with both the developer and the county to ensure they are maintained . There is a distinct imbalance of amenities across the villages and an important function of the Board over the next two years should be to strategically plan to harmonize amenities across communities .
One area of relatively low-hanging fruit is an improved trail network . The walking trails are a great asset for LLA , but they should connect to all villages and be thought of as a comprehensive network , with separate routes for advanced hikers , strollers , and golf carts . As LLA continues to grow , the Board needs to focus on what has made LLA a special place to live and the original vision of the association .
HOW MANY LLA BOARD MEETINGS AND WORK SESSIONS HAVE YOU ATTENDED IN THE LAST YEAR ? IF NONE , PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT MOTIVATED YOU TO RUN FOR THE BOARD , AND HOW YOU WILL EDUCATE YOURSELF ABOUT THE ASSOCIATIONS ’ WORK OVER THE LAST YEAR .
I have attended almost all of the work sessions and Board meetings . I also recently joined the Strategic Planning Committee and am working on updating LLA ’ s Strategic Plan . I think it ’ s important to be involved in the community , while also understanding the community , and have read all that I can find on the unique history of LLA . The current format of the Board meetings allows for easy attendance and I would push to record some Board meetings as further opportunity for community involvement . As an administrative law attorney , I have an interest in regulation and governance . I think that good governance / regulation can be as much of a boon as poor governance or excessive regulation can impede .
CONSIDERING LLA ' S VISION OF NATURE AND SUSTAINABILITY ALONG WITH THE TODAY ’ S BUYER PREFERENCE FOR A “ TRADITIONAL ” COMMUNITY , AS A BOARD MEMBER , HOW WOULD YOU NAVIGATE THE DEMANDS OF BOTH PRESERVING THE INTENDED PLANS FOR LAKE LINGANORE WHILE MEETING THE NEEDS AND WANTS OF MEMBERS WHO HAVE LIVED HERE FOR DECADES AND THOSE OF RECENT AND FUTURE MEMBERS ?
As a Board Member , my approach to navigating the demands of preserving Lake Linganore ' s vision of nature and sustainability while meeting the preferences of both long-standing and new members would be based on a strategy of communication , education , and compromise . I would encourage open dialogue among members to understand their perspectives , foster awareness about the importance of sustainability , and identify common ground to find innovative solutions that honor both the original intent of the community and the evolving desires of its members . The unique feature of Lake Linganore ' s many different neighborhoods under one HOA presents challenges and may create friction from competing visions but also allows individuals to self-select the type of community they live in . This diversity of viewpoints is a strength of LLA and only needs to be properly captured . The LLA staff should treat all community suggestions as opportunities for growth and improvement . By being responsive to all of the community members , we can meet the demands of residents , both old and new .
LAKE LINGANORE ASSOCIATION IS HOME TO 17,000 + FREDERICK COUNTY CITIZENS . MOVING FORWARD , WHAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIP DO YOU FEEL LLA SHOULD HAVE WITH THE GREATER FREDERICK COUNTY COMMUNITY ? WOULD YOU FAVOR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE COUNTY COUNCIL MEMBERS AND EXECUTIVE ? IF NOT , WHY ?
In order to create a stronger and more connected community , I believe LLA should have a collaborative relationship with the greater Frederick County community . This would involve engaging with County Council Members and the County Executive to address shared concerns , such as infrastructure , environmental protection , and public services . Engagement will also ensure our community ' s voice is heard on important matters . By working together , we can ensure that the decisions made for Lake Linganore Association are aligned with the broader goals of Frederick County , ultimately benefiting all citizens . A significant issue for the community , and county as a whole , is school overcrowding . Continuous engagement with the County will help push LLA ’ s perspective on that vital issue . The only way to ensure input into decisions that affect LLA is to be included in the meetings where those decisions are being made . The Board should push to have representative town halls in the area and make sure that our voices are heard .
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