No Debate, No Transparency
When Leaders Refuse To Answer Questions, Owners Lose Their Voice
August 24, 2025
175 E. Delaware Pl HOA President, Scott Timmerman, has failed to respond to my invitation to a town-hall style public debate. Instead, he continues to send owners replies that substitute a direct conversation with unrelated talking points, leaving owners without an open, two-way public conversation about the issues shaping our building.
Brought to you by Drew McManus, your neighbor in 7908.
In response to my invitation last week for a town hall-style debate (details), it would be understandable if owners felt that Board President, Scott Timmerman, is avoiding a public conversation. Rather than replying directly to my invitation, he has been sending the following message to owners who have asked about it.
Scott Timmerman
I am not a candidate in this election. Even if I were, there are 25 spots open for election so it does not make sense (nor is it equitable) to host a debate between just 2 of them.
[Monday night, 8/18/25], the Board hosted a “forum for open discussion” for owners to address the board directly on the issues that matter to them. We had 7 owners provide thoughts on numerous issues.
His message says it doesn’t make sense for him to debate because he is not on the ballot this year and there are other candidates. But that explanation does not hold up to scrutiny.
Every year, regardless of whether he is a candidate, Timmerman sends a letter to owners telling them who he thinks they should vote for (details). This creates a situation where the board president is willing to influence elections but not willing to engage with owners directly in a live public forum.
What should owners make of an elected leader who influences votes but won’t engage with them directly?
Owners deserve direct answers from leadership and candidates. A town hall debate gives everyone that opportunity.
If elected, I intend to challenge Timmerman’s position as board president. Unless he publicly states he will not accept the nomination for the next term and responds to my invitation, owners are left without the opportunity to ask these questions in a public forum.
Accountability means answering questions.
When a board president tells you who to vote for but won’t answer your questions in a public forum, that’s a judgment call; and it gives the impression of a culture that values control over transparency.
Drew McManus, Tue, Aug 19, 2025
Dear Scott,
At Monday’s Owners’ Forum, I extended an invitation for a town-hall style debate in Club 44 so that owners can ask questions and hear direct answers from both of us before the upcoming election.
I want to follow up, as no clear response was given at the meeting. This is a straightforward request and one that deserves a clear answer. Owners have the right to be fully informed, and an open forum with a neutral moderator where they can ask questions is the best way to ensure transparency and accountability.
To keep this simple, I am asking directly: Will you commit to participating in this debate? If so, we can finalize a date by September 1 and provide owners with adequate notice. If not, owners should also know that decision, and why.
I hope you will agree that giving owners the chance to ask questions in an open setting is a responsible and transparent way forward. Please let me know your position so this can be communicated to the ownership.
Sincerely,
Drew McManus
Unit 7908
Keep Your Elected Leaders Accountable
The Cost Of Answering To No One
I want to thank everyone who has taken the time to reach out to the board president already encouraging him to accept the invitation to debate. In the face of your requests, he continues to send replies that dodge their questions. If you believe owners deserve real answers in a public forum, use the form below to let him know that avoidance is not acceptable and that transparency matters.
Be respectful, concise, and clear in articulating the negative impact it has had on you and your fellow homeowners. You are welcome to use the example language as-is, but feel free to personalize the example message before you send.
