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The Real Thing for Plantation Residents is a vehicle to air concerns and grievances.
By TIM GRANT, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 28, 2001
CARROLLWOOD -- Failing to win control over Plantation's board of directors, a group of homeowners here have channeled their efforts into an unofficial community newsletter.
The Real Thing for Plantation Residents is a vehicle to air concerns and grievances that surfaced as Mary Jo Kail, Corinna Santiago and Margo Maseman ran for three seats on the homeowners board.
Led by former board member David Cutting, the four residents created the eight-page publication to shine a critical light on Plantation's board of directors and the property management.
"I get lots of comments from people who read it and love it," Cutting said. "They read this publication, but not the (official) one."
In its three issues, the newsletter has so far criticized a salary increase for property manager Tom Jones, selective enforcement of deed restrictions and the improper sale of Plantation's reclinata palms, which was an issue during the election.
"We're giving a lot of our time and money and this is no personal gain for any of us," Kail said. "We feel the neighbors need to be informed of what's going on."
Cutting said the Real Thing has reached a point where it can support itself. None of the writers or ad sellers are paid and volunteers hand-deliver the newsletter to each of the 1,832 homes.
The Real Thing competes for advertisers against Plantation's official newsletter. Its publishers have accused Jones of discouraging their advertisers from placing ads in the Real Thing. Jones said he has contacted a few advertisers, but he denies trying to sabotage the Real Thing. "I didn't strong-arm anyone and I didn't try to stop them," Jones said. "Since they had shown a desire to advertise in our community, I wanted to welcome them to also advertise in our official publication."
The residents who created the Real Thing had led a petition drive last summer to defeat a community vote to build a permanent Boys & Girls Club facility in Plantation. During their campaign for the three vacant seats, they promised to fire Jones and even change the name of the 25-year-old planned community.
Cutting, who resigned his board seat in September, said the Real Thing has made a difference.
"Our paper is making things happen," Cutting said. "The board of directors is reacting to the issues we are raising and the homeowners are being made aware of the issues that makes me feel good."