Comments Welcome From All Visitors

You are welcome to leave your comments on the various posts on the blog. You no longer have to be registered to comment. (Even regular contributors had trouble remembering their log on passwords!)

Note that SPAM blockers are in place - and all comments require approval to be visible.

So, let's hear from you on these topics!

To view the comments, you need to click on the post topic to see the entire post and the comments.

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.


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 [...]

Gatlinburg, Tennessee Home Owners Association Files $1 Million Lawsuit Against Blog Author and Property Owner

UPDATE:  We have now filed a comprehensive $3 Million counter suit against GGRC, Joe Thomas and each board member, individually.  Click $3 Million Lawsuit for details. 

The GGRC Board for Deer Ridge Mountain Resort has filed a $1 million lawsuit against me.
They are ready to spend tens of thousand of OUR dollars in their attempt [...]

Deer Ridge Owners: Revoke Your Ballot And Your Proxy! Do Not Attend The Annual Meeting - Do Not Vote

I recommend that you don’t send your ballot or your proxy for the upcoming “Annual Meeting” or board elections – nor even attend the “Annual Meeting!”
On the advice of my attorney, I will be doing neither.
I will NOT be voting nor will I attend the meeting this week.
I want to reserve ALL of my rights [...]

Deer Ridge Board's Latest Attack Letter - The Facts

Well, the illegitimate “board” is at it again – continuing their ongoing attempts to coerce and intimidate ANY and ALL owners who dare to object to their abuse of power and attempts to continue their illegal fiefdom by breaking both Deer Ridge Law and Tennessee State Law.
This time, it is yet another mailing to the [...]

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 [...]

A Victory That Should Have Never Been A Battle With Deer Ridge Board

I received the following letter from Chuck Sexton, attorney for GGRC, with regard to my demand to see the books and records of both RML and Ridge Resort Realty.  These books had been constantly refused to me for the entire time I have owned at Deer Ridge.  Joey and the “board” have done all that [...]

Deer Ridge Owners: TN Public Record - Your Home Address, Purchase Price and Date, Etc.

Most folks don’t realize how much information is part of the public record when you buy real estate.
Did you know that you, me or anyone in the entire World can find out that you own a condo at Deer Ridge Mountain Resort, when you bought it, how much you paid for it, and how much [...]

Deer Ridge GUILTY Of Three Counts Of Violating Tennessee State Law

Below is an open email and fax that was sent today, again, requesting access tomorrow to the Administrator’s Book and supporting vouchers that is my right, and every Deer Ridge owner’s right, to view at any time.  By my count and in my opinion, this will be GGRC’s THIRD refusal and the THIRD count of [...]

Deer Ridge - Many Owners NOT Paying The Asinine Assessment - Look At This New Abuse Of Power

We have been told by several owners that they are NOT paying the Asinine Assessment payment that Joey and the “Board” claim was due March 1st.
Joe Thomas is telling some owners that their payment will be late if not paid by the 10th.  He is telling other owners that all late fees are waived until [...]

Guest Post: Neil Blair: Compare Deer Ridge Operation and Politics To This Property

The following is also a comment left by Neil, C-208, about another property he owns.  This was an email he sent tonight to the entire “board” and Joey.”
Judge for yourself:  Which property is operated better?
Please bear with me… And Yes, WAY, WAY Down the Thread, after my Rant,
[...]

Many Owners Not Paying Asinine Assessment At Deer Ridge

We have been told by several owners at Deer Ridge Mountain Resort that they are NOT going to make the March 1, 2010 assessment payment in light of the written legal opinion by Howard and Howard which states among other things, that the assessment if invalid for multiple reasons.
It’s Up To You
Your decision to pay [...]

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: RML Minutes, Bylaws and Stock Certificate - And Smoking Gun

RML Illegally Formed – Board Decision Only – No Owner Vote!

If you click RML Minutes and Bylaws, you can finally have a copy of this important document that you probably have never been able to get from Joe Thomas. It even shows a stock certificate for the company.
These documents, which include the [...]

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 History - Historical Documents And Smoking Guns - Coming Soon

We have just been presented with two massive notebooks of historical documents on Deer Ridge that date back to about the time the property was built!
This 11″ stack of papers make absolutely fascinating reading – board minutes, incorporation papers for RML, annual meeting presentations, promises, excuses, provisional hiring, political force outs, side deals – the [...]

Deer Ridge Board Abuse Of Power Continues - Vote For Walkways Improperly Done

Once again, the Deer Ridge Board continues its abuse of power by directly violating the Master Deed with respect to the vote on the walkway railings on February 6, 2010.
The First Phase Vote
Neil and I attended the Special Meeting for the Walkway Railing vote.  The ending ballots by owners were 77% in favor.  This means [...]

Open Letter to Luther Parker and the Board - Special Meeting for February 6, 2010

Open Letter to Luther Parker and the Board regarding the announced Special Meeting for February 6, 2010 concerning the waste of $49,000 of owners’ money to replace perfectly good walkway railings.
Luther, David and the Board,
Pursuant to the GGRC Bylaws, I am required to submit the attached proxies to the Secretary at least one day before [...]

Knoxville Law Firm Hired - Retainer Paid

We have just hired an established real estate-focused law firm in Knoxville to begin our legal pursuits against GGRC, Joe Thomas and the current Board of Directors of Deer Ridge Mountain Resort.
We have already paid the necessary retainer – so watch this blog closely for upcoming developments.
Do YOU believe that ALL owners of Deer Ridge [...]

Deer Ridge Board Attack Letter - Another Lie Exposed - Joe Thomas Tree Butchery

This post is in specific response to ONE of the many lies and gross misrepresentations contained in the Deer Ridge Board Attack Letter sent to all owners about me.
They are apparently SO desperate to discredit me, and the truths told here on this blog, that they are out on a vendetta to attempt to discredit [...]

My Response To The Board's Attack Letter

Thank You!
I want to thank the growing number of owners at Deer Ridge Mountain Resort who are supporting this blog and its primary goals. Those goals include making GGRC and RML transparent, accountable and compliant with the controlling documents of our property: The Master Deed and Bylaws.
These documents are the “law of the land” for [...]

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 [...]

Deer Ridge Board: What Part of No Do You NOT Understand?

Joey And The Board Are About To Trample YOUR Rights Once Again
Readers of this blog know that I have been pushing hard for the Board and Joey to abide by the rules of the Master Deed and Bylaws.  Readers also know that one part of that push has been with regard to Article XII – [...]

File A Complaint Against Joe Thomas With Tennessee Real Estate Commission

All Owners Are Negatively Impacted By Joe Thomas‘ Actions As Principal Broker At Deer Ridge
Joe Thomas serves as General Manager of both Gatlinburg Golf and Racquet Club HOA (GGRC) and Ridge Management Limited, Inc. (RML) property management company and as Principal Broker of Ridge Resort Realty, another affiliated company of RML – creating a HUGE [...]

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 [...]

Deer Ridge Problems - The Mind Map

Deer Ridge – The Mind Map
A mind map is a diagram used to represent words, ideas, tasks, or other items linked to and arranged around a central key word or idea.  I use these all the time to work with my clients as a way to convey complex planning ideas.
I decided to use [...]

FBI - Official Request Made to Investigate Alleged Criminal Activity By Deer Ridge Manager And Board

Today, I officially filed the following complaint and request for criminal investigation with the FBI regarding Deer Ridge Mountain Resort and the GGRC HOA.
After the last “board” meeting, I, along with several other owners, are totally fed up with the board not providing copies of all books and records that we all deserve.  Based on [...]

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 [...]

Deer Ridge Owners Mailing Labels Now Available To ALL Owners

Even though the “Board’s” own attorney told the “Board” that they HAD to give any and all owners the names, addresses and unit number of every current owner, Joey and the “Board” are bending over backwards to make it as hard as possible for owners.
Instead of simply forwarding the existing Word document that directly prints [...]