Walden Lake residents will select candidates for three open seats on the Walden Lake Community Association board at the community’s Annual Meeting April 10.
The five candidates — Deedra (Dee) Allen, Eileen Anderson, Terry Murphy, Sharon Philbin and incumbent Heather Updike — each have their own views on solving some of Walden Lake’s most pressing concerns.
DEEDRA (DEE) ALLEN
What makes you a good candidate for the WLCA board?
Although I’ve been a member of the community for 20 years, it’s my education and experience that adds value to the community association. I’m a Florida-licensed professional engineer and licensed attorney. I’ve been involved in planning, zoning, permitting and administrative hearing functions for 20 years and have an understanding of the procedures, presentations and evidence needed to be persuasive in such matters.
What are Walden Lake’s biggest challenges in the next few years?
Walden Lake is starting to show its age in many regards and is at a junction of whether it will continue to be an attractive, desirable community, or whether it’s starting a slow decline. Much of that centers around the amenities and their condition. A golf course that is run down and doesn’t attract outside players and discourages potential property buyers, as does unkept open space and crowded conditions. While the Community Association doesn’t control all these things, it can be persuasive and exhibit leadership with respect to the path forward.
What is the best solution for the current problems at Walden Lake Golf & Country Club?
The best solution for the WLCA would be for the members to have full control of the amenities, so that the community’s future would not be tied to the business plans of others. This outcome may not be realistic or achievable. Consequently, decisions will have to be made based on collective input and identification of potential compromise or “next-best” solutions.
What is the WLCA’s role regarding the solution to those problems?
WLCA’s role is to protect the integrity and compatibility of the community, maintain civility in discourse and to be creative in its efforts to maintain Walden Lake’s overall property values.
EILEEN ANDERSON
What makes you a good candidate for the WLCA board?
I have a genuine interest in the future of Walden Lake.
What are Walden Lake’s biggest challenges in the next few years?
The future golf course conversion and subsequent changes in property values of present residents is of a particular concern to me and my neighbors.
What is the WLCA’s role regarding the solution to those problems?
The WLCA’s role is to research alternatives, keep lines of communication open with prospective developers and keep residents informed of all actions — while embracing residents’ concerns and suggestions in the process. I consider the residents’ knowledge and expertise an untapped resource.
TERRY MURPHY
What makes you a good candidate for the WLCA board?
I have been a resident of Walden Lake for almost 17 years and have seen a lot of growth within the community. I spent eight years working for the developer, WCI, and have a good understanding of how the community was master-planned. I have served on the WLCA board previously and worked together with the other board members during the transition period from developer control to the community.
What are Walden Lake’s biggest challenges in the next few years?
The most obvious challenge at this time is the proposal of Visions Golf to create a new community. Walden Lake was developed over a period of 20-plus years. I am concerned about the proposal to change our landscape as we know it and disrupt the ecosystem in place. Second, we have a large area at the polo field site to consider planning for new community use. Third, because Walden Lake is a mature community, we must continue to work on maintaining the right of ways, signage, ponds, the walking trails and subdivision entryways.
What is best solution for the current problems at Walden Lake Golf & Country Club?
The club has suffered problems due to the lack of effort to work together with the community to recruit membership and retain members. It is a business that has failed to perform. The solution is new ownership that is committed to restoring the golf course and clubhouse to one that would encourage new membership.
What is the WLCA’s role regarding the solution to those problems?
If new ownership should occur, I believe it would be in the best interest of the community to foster a mutually beneficial relationship between the club and the residents.
SHARON PHILBIN
What makes you a good candidate for the WLCA board?
I love this community. I would hope my 25-plus years of experience in the real-estate world and my experience on other boards would be a welcomed asset to the board. I am a good listener, I enjoy making decisions, and I have a lot of ideas for this community and association.
What are Walden Lake’s biggest challenges in the next few years?
Of course, the 800-pound gorilla is the proposed re-development (see comments below). Beyond that, a multi-use athletic field on the former polo fields would be an asset.
What is best solution for the current problems at Walden Lake Golf & Country Club?
There is a cloud of uncertainty hanging over our entire community. That cloud could be removed if the current property owners were to make a huge re-commitment. Since that is highly unlikely, the sooner the city and/or county denies any and all rezoning, the sooner a new owner might be able to step in and do his due diligence.
What is the WLCA’s role regarding the solution to those problems?
The WLCA must always remember that its primary obligations are to its resident-members. My first order of business, is to understand from WLCA legal, whether or not the WLCA has any legal jurisdiction to stake out a position — for or against the proposed developments. If we have legal standing, I will do my best to assist the board to fight any rezoning.
HEATHER UPDIKE
What makes you a good candidate for the WLCA board?
I am dedicated to maintaining Walden Lake as the premier community in Plant City. I will continually work on the daily issues, special events and other projects that enhance our entire community.
What are Walden Lake’s biggest challenges in the next few years?
In addition to the golf course, a few other issues are insufficient parking at our Walden Lake park, ways to best utilize the vacant polo field, the invading vines around the lake and the ongoing issue of better communication within the community.
What is best solution for the current problems at Walden Lake Golf & Country Club?
I don’t believe there is a “best” solution. I feel the country club’s problems are now too big for an easy fix, and any solution will have to be the result of some kind of compromise. The community wants a prestigious golf course with all the amenities and green spaces (preferably with new ownership), and the course owners say they want a profitable business and the only way to achieve it is through development. Hopefully, a middle ground can be reached that limits development and returns our golf course to what it once was.
What is the WLCA’s role regarding the solution to those problems?
The WLCA’s role is to guide the community through the golf-course situation — offering knowledge, insight and options as well as working alongside the city to do what is best for Walden Lake. The board has no authority or control over the privately owned golf course. However, we are all residents of Walden Lake and want to see our community flourish, without severely compromising the life style we all enjoy.