A board member says surgery has kept him away. The resident who raised the concern says he may run for the board.
By STEPHANIE HAYES, Times Staff Writer
Published September 4, 2005
WESTCHASE - A chair capping the row of tables at the Westchase Swim and Tennis Center has been empty recently, fronted by Daryl Manning's gold nameplate.
Manning, a Westchase Community Association director and Iraq war veteran, has missed the past three board meetings, prompting some to ask why.
"I've had a couple of surgeries these last couple of months, and right now I'm back on the road to recovery," said Manning, 39, who returned to Florida last November after serving nearly two years in Iraq as a judge advocate general officer in the Army Reserve.
While Manning wouldn't give specifics, he said his health complications were "definitely related to my deployment into Iraq."
At the most recent board meeting, Bridges resident Nathan Lafer brought up Manning's absences, saying he was raising the issue on behalf of another Bridges resident. Lafer has plans to run for the board during elections this month.
Westchase's governing documents say that if a board member misses three meetings in a row, he or she can be removed from office.
"It's not required and it's not automatic, so the board will have the ability to give appropriate consideration to the situation," said board president Jim Mills.
Mills couldn't say for sure whether Manning was at risk of being removed, but he sounded hopeful for Manning.
"I won't know that until I cross that bridge," he said. "We should be fine."
Manning said he understands people's concern.
"Anybody needs to be questioned when we haven't seen you in a while," he said. "I tended to medical issues as I'm sure anyone else would do in that situation."
Manning served on the board in 2002. Early the next year, he was called to Iraq and resigned from the board. In 2004, while still in Iraq, Manning decided to run for the board again, and was elected. Manning attended board meetings via phone, and if asked, said he was attending from an undisclosed location.
Manning said after finally being home, missing board meetings again is upsetting.
"It was definitely frustrating, not being able to deal with something," he said. "You have to set up priorities. I wouldn't be helpful to the community or anybody if my health is in jeopardy."
Manning said he plans to be at this month's board meeting, and will take any reaction to his absences as it comes.
"I do want everyone to know that I'm doing better and plan on being back around like I was," he said. "Everybody will see my face again."
