Where EXACTLY is all that money going?

In the cover letter accompanying the Sunrise Ventures/Sunnylands, Inc. 2007 annual statement and dues request, they state the following:

"We do not plan to open the pool in 2007.  If the pool is to be a viable facility, its users must pay its costs.  Those costs run about $30,000 per season, while pool fees generally generate less than $5000 each year.  Raising the fees doesn't seem to be the answer because increased fees causes the number of pool users to decrease.  Although we don't believe there is any way to operate the pool as a self supporting facility, if an individual or group would like to make the attempt, please contact us."
 
Our response:  Concerned Citizens of Sunrise Lake maintains that the pool is an amenity guaranteed to us contractually by our deeds.  We have a verified accounting report (developed by a well established and reputable accounting firm) based on receipts, invoices, and spreadsheets provided by Sunrise Ventures/Sunnylands, Inc., that clearly demonstrates mismanagement.  If funds collected from residents were used properly, there would be enough money to maintain the pool and

provide all the maintenance that we are contractually guaranteed by our deeds.  There is nothing in our deeds that allows for charging extra for amenities.

The cover letter also contains the following statement:
 
"As a side note, the roads and recreational facilities in Sunrise have always been owned and maintained by Sunrise Ventures, Inc. We think the Sunrise roads and facilities compare favorably with those of other local communities.  We're proud of the fact that we're able to maintain them while charging approximately half of what the neighboring communities, Gold Key and Conashaugh, charge.  However, recently some Sunrise property owners have formed a group called "Concerned Citizens of Sunrise Lake" to voice their opinion that Sunrise Ventures is not effectively managing Sunrise Lake and that the yearly fees are excessive.  We take these sorts of complaints very seriously and would welcome the opportunity to hear the opinions of all home and lot owners.  Specifically, if a majority of Sunrise Property Owners share the opinions of the "Concerned Citizens," we would be happy to transfer the ownership and maintenance responsibilities of the roads and recreation facilities to a Sunrise Property Owners Association.  We'd like to know how you feel.  Should you like to make your opinion on this topic known, please write us as soon as possible."
 
Our response:  Concerned Citizens of Sunrise Lake does not now advocate, nor have we at any time in the past advocated, a home owner's association.  We are well aware that the citizens of this community do not want an association.  Our complaint before the district court requests a professional management company to oversee our dues monies to ensure these monies are used for maintenance, amenities, and common areas and not for new construction that privately profits Sunnylands/Sunrise Ventures at the expense of our safety and the quality of our community.  At the last meeting, we presented a comparative cost analysis of all area communities to community members.  Contrary to the above statement, Sunrise Lake receives the least amount of services of any area communities yet our dues are not substantially less.
 
For example:
 
Pocono Woodlands (as of 2007) residents are charged  $619.  That is $84 more than Sunrise Lake (in 2007).  For that $84 they get a new pool, full facility club house, basketball courts, tennis courts, stocked fish pond, garbage drop off, security with uniformed guards, playground, 10% discount off annual dues for residents 65 and over, and Gypsy Moth spraying for the entire community.

Pocono Water Forest charged $616 (as of 2006), which is $81 more than Sunrise Lake (in 2007).  For that $81 they get a well maintained pool and full facility club house, a tennis court, basketball court, state of the art playground, security system, and a maintenance department.
 
Pocono Mountain Lake Forest has all these same facilities, security, full maintenance plus community trash pickup for $740 (as of 2006)  that's a difference of $205 a year including the trash pickup.  How much annually do you pay for your trash removal?
 
Conashaugh Lakes has all these facilities, security, full maintenance plus a community trash compacter accessible 24 hours a day for $885.46 (as of 2006). That's $350.46 a year more.
 
All four communities have planned activities for families throughout the year paid for from community dues.  They support swim teams and sponsor annual barbeques.
 
How is it that all these communities can afford so much more than Sunrise Lake?  According to the 2007 invoice, our common facilities fee this year is $92,845.98.  We have no amenities or well maintained common areas.  What is $92,845.98 a year being spent on? 
 
Historically, in 2004-2005, there were 25-30 snowstorms with more than 2" of snow.  Plowing and sanding was reported by Sunnylands, Inc. as costing $97,900.  Yet, in 2005-2006, when there were only 8 -10 storms with 2" of snow, plowing and sanding was reported by Sunrise Ventures and Sunnylands, Inc. as costing $200,126.  Even allowing for increased fuel costs, why such a substantial increase for only 1/3rd of the plowing?

Pool expenses for 2004 were reported as $27,673.45 and for 2005 as  $33,412.81.  With a total expenditure of  $61,086.26 for pool upkeep in only two years, why is the pool closed due to a lack of repair?  Where did that $61,000 go?

Common area expenses for 2004 were reported as $18,034.20 and for 2005 as $17,093.96.  With a total expenditure of $35,128.16 over two years, why are the tennis courts, basketball courts, and baseball field not in usable condition?

Road repairs and general maintenance for 2004 were reported by Sunnylands, Inc. as $392,187.50 and for 2005 as $453,517.75.  With a total expenditure of $845,705.25 in just two years, what exactly has been done?  At a minimum, there is still no yellow dividing line on the main roads necessary for traffic safety - why hasn't this been repainted so that it is visible?

If you look around you -- we have been deeded rights to these blocks, this pool, these lakes and roads -- does it look like over $500,000 of our money a year is being spent to keep our community safe and well-maintained? 

If you are as concerned as we are, please join us!

HELP YOURSELF, HELP YOUR COMMUNITY

Through the generosity of the Sunrise Lake community members who have contributed to Concerned Citizens of Sunrise Lake so far, we have opened a non-profit bank account to disperse legal fees and have raised sufficient funds to retain a lawyer and get him started on the process of requiring Sunrise Ventures and Sunnylands, Inc. to meet their legal obligations to all of us as dues paying residents of Sunrise Lake.

We are hoping that like us, you too want to see your property values remain solid and to know that you live in a community where the things you pay for, and the things you've been promised, are provided -- a community where you can bike or hike or play tennis, swim or shoot hoops, where the lakes are clean and the roads are safe.

Remember, these are our goals and our only goals:

* Obligating Sunnylands, Inc. to provide us a full and transparent accounting of our dues; 

* Obligating Sunnylands, Inc. to maintain in good and usable condition our common areas and amenities as guaranteed by our deeds;

* Obligating Sunnylands, Inc. to work with community members in providing an adequate, dependable, reliable security program.

We are suggesting each homeowner in Sunrise Lake make a voluntary contribution of $100 per family -- or whatever you can afford.  Collected funds will be used solely for legal expenses to pursue the above stated goals.  Please help the volunteers who are working diligently to improve our community and make sure our hard earned money is spent appropriately and legally.  Please make a contribution and help spread the word!

Please make checks payable and send all contributions to:

CONCERNED CITIZENS OF SUNRISE LAKE
P.O. Box 494
Milford, PA   18337