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Welcome to All Deer Ridge Owners

Welcome to all owners of Deer Ridge Mountain Resort condos in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

My goal is to help all Deer Ridge owners to have a voice in the management and operation of your property.

Click on the TITLES of any of the following subjects to read the whole posting - and see the comments made by your co-owners. You can also type any term into the below search box, or any word or term in the search cloud.

Click the big image at the top of the page to return to the front page at any time.

Investment Analysis For A Rental Condo At Deer Ridge


Will you really lose $40,000 cash if you buy a rental condo at Deer Ridge and use Ridge Management Ltd?

Click To Download!

As an owner-occupied home, Deer Ridge is an incredible value with THE best view in the Smokies and great amenities.

However, several owners and would-be owners of Deer Ridge condos have asked me if these units are a good rental property investment or not. To help answer that question objectively, I had to analyze the real moving parts of buying and owning here.

Get my complete, detailed investment analysis based on buying a rental condo unit at Deer Ridge Mountain Resort in Gatlinburg, Tennessee.

It shows what you MUST do to make money when you buy a rental unit at Deer Ridge.

Just click the picture or click Investment Analysis

Gross Negligence – Or Is It Fraud?

Legalese On

GENERAL DISCLAIMER FOR ALL PAGES AND POSTS

Note: The following, and the information on any and all other posts and pages by me about General Manager Joe Thomas, GGRC, RML and /or the Board of Directors and its members, or any related topics, are my personal opinions based on my ongoing investigation into the actions and inactions of the GGRC and RML Board of Directors and / or Joe Thomas, General Manager.

While I believe these allegations to be true based on my objective analysis, these opinions remain as only allegations until I, or others, prove things in court.

My goal is to offer all owners all the information and evidence that I have available so that everyone can reach their own conclusions.

Legalese - And Powered Wig - Off

----------------------------

Every Dollar You Pay For Deer Ridge Is The WRONG Amount!

Please read the various posts here on this Deer Ridge Owners Blog - and see my evidence and analysis which I believe shows conclusively that EVERY dollar of HOA Fees, EVERY dollar EVERY special assessment, EVERY water bill and cable TV sent out for YEARS to ALL Deer Ridge Owners has been wrong!

In many cases at least ONE THIRD of ALL owners have been GROSSLY overcharged. My calculations show that I have been overcharged more than TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS in the past 50 months I've owned at Deer Ridge.

The Board has been WRONGLY and arbitrarily ignoring the requirements of the Master Deed and the Bylaws for YEARS.

If my analysis is correct, the Board has zero choice. They MUST abide by the Master Deed Percentages.

But they haven’t.

However, if the Board knowingly ignored the clear directives of the Master Deed and the Bylaws when allocating costs to various unit types, and overcharging certain unit types on a regular basis, my opinion is that the Board and Joe Thomas may have acted fraudulently.

If they have not been fraudulent, then they have been, at the very least, grossly negligent.

Read the various blog postings - and judge for yourself.

Please Register To Log In And Leave Your Comments

Please register first - so you can participate in the discussions by making comments that reflect YOUR opinion.

When you register, please include your unit number so we can confirm you are really an owner!

You are welcome to submit as many comments as you want on any of the topics - or even on a new topic. This is the time and the place to finally have YOUR voice heard with regard to your investment at Deer Ridge Mountain Resort.

I would ask that you include your Deer Ridge unit number at the end of each of your posts so other owners get to know you - however, it is not required. I understand some owners may want anonymity for a variety of reasons - but I will need you to show me that you are an owner.

I may post non-owner comments from time to time if I believe they add to the discussion. When this happens I will note that it is a non-owner comment.

Bear in mind, any and all comments you make here can be seen by all one billion folks on the Internet, worldwide!

Thanks!

"We do not believe any group of men adequate enough or wise enough to operate without scrutiny or without criticism. We know that the only way to avoid error is to detect it, that the only way to detect it is to be free to inquire. We know that in secrecy error undetected will flourish and subvert." — J. Robert Oppenheimer. This includes the Board of Directors of Deer Ridge Mountain Resort.


Wonder Why Your Electric Bill At Deer Ridge Is So High?

Three Ways To Cut Your Electric Bill At Deer Ridge Mountain Resort
The cost of electricity has been going though the roof.  Yeah, I know, you heard it here first.
But, have you wondered why your electric bill at Deer Ridge Mountain Resort is so high?  Well, we’ve identified three possible reasons.
#1:  Apparent Theft Of Services
One of [...]

Homeowner Files $3 Million Lawsuit Against Deer Ridge Mountain Resort AKA Gatlinburg Golf and Racquet Club HOA And Individual Board Members

In response to their meritless, retaliatory $1 Million defamation lawsuit against me, I have now  filed a $3 Million lawsuit against Deer Ridge Mountain Resort, AKA Gatlinburg Golf and Racquet Club HOA and Joe Thomas, Luther Parker, Larry Ohm, Margie Duncan, David Barone and Tom Reise, all as individuals.
The lawsuit against GGRC et al is [...]

Smoking Gun: Board Minutes Show Intent To Block Sales To Non-RML Buyers

Joe Thomas was quick to unequivocally blame me personally, by name, in the recent “Annual Meeting” for being responsible for the slow sales at Deer Ridge.
Gee, really, Joe?
It has been my personal belief that through his position as Principal Broker of the on site real estate company, Joe Thomas has attempted to overtly control [...]

The Latest Defamation By The Deer Ridge Board

Once again, Joe Thomas and the “board” have used GGRC monies and an immense amount of time at last month’s “Annual Meeting” for their continued defamation and vilification of me in my home community of Deer Ridge.
These inappropriate actions, along with the content of past mailings to all owners, will most probably be used as [...]

Deer Ridge and Cobbly Nob - Bear Alert

The bears are out of hibernation and already causing some havoc here in Cobbly Nob.

The above photo was taken in front of the 19th Hole – a cabin on Deer Path Lane – a short distance from Deer Ridge Mountain Resort.
Notice the shed door ripped from its hinges.
From what we’ve read, black bears are becoming [...]

Guest Post: Another 1 Bedroom Owner Responds To Deer Ridge Board Attack Letter

I received this email yesterday from another 1-1 Owner at Deer Ridge in response to the blatantly self-serving attack letter by Joe Thomas and the “board.”   With this Owner’s approval, I am including it here as an example of the support I am receiving from a number of other owners who are equally outraged at [...]

Deer Ridge Mountain Resort History Book 1987 – 2009

You can now download one document that is a complete scan of one Deer Ridge owner’s notebooks of all his documents related to GGRC and RML from 1987 through 2009.
This may or may not be comprehensive – there were probably other documents during that time frame that didn’t make its way into this notebook.
To get [...]

Are You In Hot Water At Deer Ridge Mountain Resort?

This is an open email to Joe Thomas regarding the new hot water heaters that we were all forced to install last summer.
Our old one worked perfectly – but with the new one, we are only getting less than 17 gallons of hot water out of our 30 gallon tank.
If you haven’t been here for [...]

Guest Post - Owner Pastor James Goebel: Donate To The Litigation Fund

The following comment was added by Deer Ridge Owner James Goebel regarding the David Barone / “Board” “Suspension of Membership” Letter that Joe Thomas and the illegitimate “board” are using to attempt to intimidate owners who refuse to pay the equally illegitimate Asinine Assessment.
I appreciate Jim speaking up – and wanted to upgrade his comment [...]

Did You Get A GGRC * Suspension of Membership * On Deer Ridge?

Did you get a letter in the mail from GGRC regarding your “Suspension of Membership” on Deer Ridge?
If so, don’t let them intimidate you with their threats.  Don’t let them illegally take away YOUR rights as an owner!
A LOT of owners are refusing to pay this illegitimate “special assessment.”  So, a lot of other owners [...]

Deer Ridge Attorney Charles Sexton: Response To His Letter : Suspension of Membership : Access To HOA Records

This is an open letter to Chuck Sexton, attorney representing GGRC, regarding both his letter regarding access to HOA books and records and a letter from David Barone, attempting to suspend my membership rights for GGRC.
Sent Via Email, Fax and Certified Mail
Chuck,
I received your letter dated March 15, 2010 regarding my rights to review the [...]

Do NOT Make Your Deer Ridge March 1st Assessment Payment - It Is NOT A Valid Assessment

I strongly recommend you do NOT make your March 1, 2010 OR your 2011 “special” assessment payments to Deer Ridge.
Based on an independent legal counsel review of our Master Deed and Bylaws, his legal opinion is that this “special” Deer Ridge assessment is invalid for at least FOUR reasons:

The GGRC Master Deed and Bylaws do NOT [...]

Independent Legal Opinion: GGRC Board Guilty Of Numerous Violations / $353,500 Assessment Is Null And Void

Independent Legal Opinion:   GGRC “Board” Guilty Of Numerous Violations / $353,500 Assessment Is Null And Void
The following is a copy of an email sent to Luther Parker, other “board” members and Joe Thomas on February 18, 2010 describing the legal findings of a real estate law firm concerning Gatlinburg Golf and Racquet Club – GGRC [...]

Audits At Deer Ridge - The Fallacy and Joe Thomas - The Deer Ridge $10 Million Man

Joe Thomas and the board make a big deal out of the fact that we have audited financial statements for GGRC and RML – and that, because of this, owners don’t have any need for copies of the books and records.
They make out that this “comprehensive oversight by an outside accounting firm” should give all [...]

Deer Ridge History 1987-2006 - New Downloadable Document For All Owners

We have a new, major document you can download from the “Documents You Can Download” Section in the left column of this blog – or by clicking Deer Ridge History 1987-2006.
This document is a complete scan of one Deer Ridge owner’s notebook of all his documents related to GGRC and RML from 1987 through 2006.
This [...]

Deer Ridge Mountain Resort / Gatlinburg: Great Deal On Firewood

Just a quick note about firewood for Deer Ridge Mountain Resort in particular and Gatlinburg area in general – we’ve found a great guy for firewood for this cold winter.
We just got our second order from Matthew Roark and highly recommend him for both great prices and total dependability.  He lives near Deer Ridge and [...]

Deer Ridge Mountain Resort: Who IS Responsible For Multiple Violations of Article XII of the Master Deed?

The following was part of my December 4th email I sent in response to Joe Thomas’ email at Deer Ridge Mountain Resort.  The brackets from this comment are so clear on this point, I thought it deserved its own posting.
Joe,
With the long running untrustworthy track record of you and the board when it comes to [...]

Deer Ridge Mountain Resort: Open Letter To Luther, GGRC Attorney Chuck Sexton and Board - Walkway Railings Test Requires Vote First!

The following email was sent to Luther Parker and the board of Deer Ridge Mountain Resort on January 2, 2010.  It was also sent to GGRC attorney, Chuck Sexton.
Luther,
You and Joe Thomas and the Board are hereby put on notice that any walkway railing “test” is a DIRECT violation of the Article XII of the [...]

20th Annual Wilderness Wildlife Week January 9-16, 2010 Gatlinburg / Pigeon Forge

We’ve never been at Deer Ridge when they were having this week long convention.  It is mostly free and meets in Pigeon Forge at the Music Road Hotel & Convention Center.  We’re looking forward to attending and participating.  If you plan on being at Deer Ridge that week, we invite you to join us.
Robert and [...]

Deer Ridge Walkway Railing Alteration Fiasco - Vote NO!

Hot Off The Press
Watch your mail.  You will be getting a copy of the latest diatribe from President Luther Parker – this one regarding the Walkway Railing Alteration.  To read Luther’s letter now, just click Fiasco or check under Documents You Can Download located in the left column of this blog.
Joey and The Board Finally [...]

Fantasy of Lights Gatlinburg Christmas Parade

Happy Holidays To All Deer Ridge Owners

For more information on this year’s events, click Gatlinburg.

Tree Trimming At Deer Ridge: A Guest Post By Tina

****   GUEST POST   ***
Note:  The way blogs work is that one person makes posts and others can add comments to each of those posts.  Since I want to give ALL owners a REAL voice in the their property and investment at Deer Ridge Mountain Resort, I will sometimes elevate a comment to a [...]

Windstorm Damage At Deer Ridge

Yesterday, we have very heavy winds – probably gusting t0 60 MPH.  One fatality was a 30′ tree in the island as you drive into Deer Ridge.  It was quickly cut up and removed by our maintenance staff – even while the storm was still raging.

Nature has a way of destroying things like this tree [...]

Deer Ridge 2010 Budgets BOD Minutes Etc - Hot Off The Press

The JUST released Deer Ridge Mountain Resort 2010 Budgets and Board of Directors Minutes are now available as a Document You Can Download.  Please click CROCK to download your own copy of this very special document.
At least, I assume these are supposed to be the minutes of Deer Ridge AKA Gatlinburg Golf and Racquet Club, [...]

Deer Ridge Board Of Directors: No Compensation Means NO Compensation

One of the multitude of Board of Director violations that seems to occur in significant amounts is with regard to compensation.  There seems to be a major issue of entitlement by the current “board” members that is in direct violation of Article IX Section 1 Paragraph D of the Bylaws:

“Serve without compensation” means NO compensation, [...]

Joe Thomas Butchers Deer Ridge Trees For Benefit Of Non Deer Ridge Owner - Chapter 2

 
 
 
CLICK HERE TO SEE JUST ADDED VIDEO
ON DAMAGE DONE BY JOE THOMAS

Major Successes At Deer Ridge Board Meeting - Four Total - One Major Win!

At this weekend’s board meeting, my presence was warmly anticipated by the Board making sure that Chuck Sexton, the GGRC attorney, was there while I was there.  He, unfortunately, left right after I left.
While Chuck was argumentative about many of my 17 issues, as it turns out, his presence worked in our favor in several [...]

Joe Thomas Butchers Deer Ridge Trees For Benefit Of Non Deer Ridge Owner

***  UPDATE   ***
With the help of three other owners, we were able to investigate who it is that is benefiting from Joe Thomas butchering our trees.  If you watch the following video you will see that Joe Thomas cut himself a deal by cutting the trees owned by ALL Deer Ridge owners.
The ONLY property [...]

Open Letter To Luther Parker: Board Meeting Negativity and Credentials

Luther,
Thank you for allowing me to ask 17 questions during the Board meeting this weekend.  While your need for frisking regular owners before they attended struck me as very negative, insulting and paranoid, I obliged since it was apparently the only way to get a chance to actually receive any kind of response from you [...]

Deer Ridge Owners Beware: You Will Be Frisked By The Police If You Attend Board Meetings

Yes, I am serious.
Your Deer Ridge Board of Director led by Luther Parker and Joe Thomas, the General Manager are SO paranoid that they actually had a police officer blocking entrance to this weekend’s Board and Budget Meeting.
No “regular” owners were allowed to attend the meeting – until they were literally frisked and all of [...]