A message from MBEA President Larry Cardano:

On behalf of the MBEA board I want to thank all those who attended our Annual General Membership meeting last night. There were 51 attendees representing 49 households.

By all accounts, it was a historic meeting for MBEA. By the end of the meeting we:

1. Voted on and passed revisions to our bylaws and constitution to improve the functioning of our organization.

2. Voted on and passed a funding plan to prepare for the replacement of our rapidly aging floating dock.

3. Were presented with a plan for suggested improvements to our waterfront property. This plan was developed with the cooperation of the MBEA board and a professional landscape architect. We have the largest section of waterfront property on Manhassett Bay. The suggested improvements are intended as topics for discussion and are designed to enhance the use and enjoyment of this valuable resource or our association as well as enhance property values for all of us.
4. Voted in a new board of directors. This group of concerned residents includes a mix of members who have served MBEA for years along with new faces with a fresh perspective and new ideas.
5. Had some fun.

We dealt with some difficult issues. We tried to address them fairly. We all know that it is unrealistic to expect to get everyone to agree on everything. Our goal is to have an organization in which members who disagree with a decision that has been made will, nevertheless, feel confident that the decision was arrived at in a fair way.

In addition to the specific accomplishments mentioned above, I hope we made it clear that the "new" MBEA encourages input from members like you. Our intention is that last night's meeting will be the beginning of an ongoing dialog about issues affecting us all. This is your homeowner's association and your neighborhood. Join the conversation.

Thanks for visiting the all-new MBEA blog, viewable at http://mbayestates.blogspot.com, where I will post news and other information about the Manhasset Bay Estates Association.

The biggest news right now is the upcoming 2010 general meeting of the MBEA, to be held at the Port Washington Library on May 20th at 7:30pm. At this meeting we will:

• Review the current financial status of the Association
• Elect a new Board of Directors
• Vote on some proposed changes to the MBEA By-Laws and Constitution
• Have a presentation on possible improvements to our waterfront property.
• Discuss and vote on a dues increase to fund needed repairs.

I hope to use this blog to foster discussions on all of these issues, and anything else about the MBEA that anyone wants to discuss, before and after the meeting on the 20th.