Canada, Schoenster join directors
By Heather Michon
Correspondent
Lake Monticello voters have approved the use of the Emergency Reserve Account (ERA) as a possible funding source to settle a federal government demand to pay back hundreds of thousands of dollars from a COVID-era loan.
Election Committee member Barbara Rorh announced the results of the vote at the 53rd annual meeting at the Fairway Clubhouse on Saturday (June 28).
Out of 1,350 votes cast, 930 voted to approve the measure, 362 voted against, and 58 did not state a preference.
The LMOA received a letter from the Department of Justice (DOJ) in December stating that a $680,000 loan given to the association under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) in 2020 had been incorrectly forgiven by the Small Business Administration, as HOAs were not eligible for loan forgiveness.
Attorneys for the association are working with the government to reach a settlement, which will at the very least include repayment of the full amount plus interest.
The ERA was created in the 1990s with proceeds from the sale of the water system to Aqua Virginia. It can only be accessed with approval from the members.
LMOA Board President Larry Henson thanked voters for supporting the initiative. The board’s primary objective in settling the case is to fund the repayment without a special assessment or a dues increase. The ERA “is just an extra tool we have,” said Henson.
Henson and Treasurer Mike Kelly said LMOA finances were doing well, with critical funds bolstered by the $150 dues increase approved in 2024.
Under the management of Troon Golf, the golf course is showing a modest profit for the first time in LMOA history. RocDun is doing well managing Bunker Bistro. Henson reminded the audience that five years ago, Golf and Food & Beverage were losing around $800,000 annually.
Hellos and goodbyes
Annual meetings often bring about a changing of the guard.
Directors Johnny Williamson and Don Polonis reached the end of their term in office.
Polonis, who was the subject of an unprecedented recall campaign in 2023 after he made homophobic comments on social media, resigned his post in late May. He has since left the community.
Nick Canada ran for one of the open seats and faced no challengers, winning 1,176 votes in total.
Kate Schoenster, chair of the Young Residents and Families Committee, was elected by the directors to the second vacant seat for the coming year. She will have to run for election by the full membership in 2026.
With Jennifer Richardson now in her second year on the board, Schoenster’s appointment marks the first time in nearly eight years there are two female board members.
Larry Henson was reelected as president and Gary Sellick as vice president. Both will reach their term limits in 2026.
“I am deeply honored to serve this community in what will be my final year on the board,” said Henson, who paused for a moment. “I’m getting choked up, I don’t know why.”
The 54th annual meeting will be held on June 27, 2026.
