May 3, 2024
We are pleased that the group led by White-Leasure from Boise continues to show strong interest in the course. Their plans for restoration are very exciting. We are hopeful that they will successfully negotiate a purchase from Romano Capital, the lending company. An update is available below.
Eaglemont was a unique treasure. Romano Capital from Vancouver, WA now owns Eaglemont and they have communicated they plan to turn it into homes. A highly qualified buyer who would restore it has made very strong offers but has been repeatedly rebuffed. The community needs to come together to stop this destruction and let Romano know this
Eaglemont was a unique treasure. Romano Capital from Vancouver, WA now owns Eaglemont and they have communicated they plan to turn it into homes. A highly qualified buyer who would restore it has made very strong offers but has been repeatedly rebuffed. The community needs to come together to stop this destruction and let Romano know this community is committed to retoring this to one of the top courses in the region.
Photos near Hole 12 green on May 13, 2024
The judge ruled that the promise that this reamin a golf course could not be enforced because "it looks like a golf course." She relied on photos from May 2023. It's doubtful that anyone could consider this a golf course now. A hayfield is not a golf course. She said earlier that failing to maintai
Photos near Hole 12 green on May 13, 2024
The judge ruled that the promise that this reamin a golf course could not be enforced because "it looks like a golf course." She relied on photos from May 2023. It's doubtful that anyone could consider this a golf course now. A hayfield is not a golf course. She said earlier that failing to maintain constituted a change of land use. That violates the promise. We may have to go to court again.
To date, about 150 of your neighbors have contributed to the legal fund to restore Eaglemont. The more there are the more the commitment is demonstrated and the better able we are to make certain of success in court and all that is needed to stop this destruction. We need your help to cover the legal costs and send a clear and unmistakab
To date, about 150 of your neighbors have contributed to the legal fund to restore Eaglemont. The more there are the more the commitment is demonstrated and the better able we are to make certain of success in court and all that is needed to stop this destruction. We need your help to cover the legal costs and send a clear and unmistakable message: we will get this course back in operation! Go to our FAQ for more detailed info about what is happening and why.
MAY 13, 2024
Romano’s Plans to Convert Eaglemont Golf Course Into Homes Needs to Be Stopped Now!
Dear Eaglemont Supporters:
Anyone wanting to see the beautiful Eaglemont Golf Course and Clubhouse restored should be very concerned and angry. We have information from different sources that strongly indicate Romano Capital’s plan for the golf course is to turn it into a residential development. We’ve also heard from the representative of the White-Leasure group from Boise that Romano has refused to even respond to a very strong offer made to purchase the property. This group is the one that has plans to make it a top-notch golf destination and have been trying to buy it for some time. Unfortunately they have been repeatedly rebuffed by Romano.
The urgency
Every day that goes by now causes further harm to the property if it is going to be a golf course. If Romano plans to develop it, the damage to the turf, irrigation system and more damage to the clubhouse is of little concern. But, as the only known group interested in buying it to restore it, the White-Leasure group is very concerned about the deterioration. At some point, the cost of restoration will simply be too great and they will no longer be interested. That’s why we have to act now to let Romano leaders know that it will be impossible to develop this into non-golf use given the strong opposition by the community.
Can we stop it?
We believe we can –– without question. But it will require the strong interest and participation of the greater community, not just the Homeowners Association, the group of homeowners who led the lawsuit or those living in the immediate neighborhood. This update is to explain how we can stop it and why getting everyone concerned about this involved is crucial. There are four ways:
Public awareness
We have found that Romano is very sensitive to communications that may affect the trust and confidence that investors may have in their investment decisions. Capital Preservation 200, the legal entity that loaned the money to a convicted felon, and now owns the property is an investment vehicle owned by Romano Capital from Vancouver, Washington. While they are primarily a development and construction company, they seek investors who will entrust them with their money for Romano to invest in real estate. Based on what we know it is our opinion that Romano has made many highly questionable decisions involving Eaglemont, and continues to do so. These include making a loan to a felon with a pattern of fraud, failing to step in to protect or maintain the clubhouse and golf course, and not seeking emergency legal recourse when it became obvious that the damage was happening to the course and clubhouse.
When we suggested that potential investors may be concerned about the use of their funds based on Romano’s actions here, they responded by threatening to sue us for defamation. We have not defamed them, simply stated the facts as we understand them. We responded by asking them to prove that statements we made were false. They have not provided those and weeks have gone by. What this shows is that there is concern about public exposure of their actions here, actions very harmful to the value of the property and totally in opposition to the clear interests of the community. There are a number of ways, many involving the media, that we can consider to inform investors.
2) Residential development requires a vote of the City Council
HOA president Darlene Andris along with Kent Haberly and Gerald Baron met with Mayor Donovan, Special Projects Coordinator Steve Sexton, City Attorney Kevin Rogerson and City Planner Stacie Pratchner on Thursday, May 9. The purpose was to explore best options for the community to work with the City to make certain this remains a golf course. What we know from that is the process of converting from the current use is very lengthy, expensive and time consuming. The Master Plan has to be changed and existing balances of uses have to be recalculated. It is a very public process with public hearings and ultimately a vote by the City Council. When the problems with the previous owner first emerged, over 150 concerned citizens showed up at City Hall for a City Council meeting. The impact of that has not been lost on City and elected officials. But, what if that number was doubled, or even much more? What if City Council members heard how important it is to the greater community that we keep this a golf course? We believe that it would be very difficult in the face of that level of public interest for the Council to vote to approve a plan to put rows of houses in our backyards. We also believe that Eaglemont as a golf course is seen by the City as an important community amenity and one they are not eager to see lost.
3) A public district can condemn and purchase the property
The City Attorney suggested that a Parks and Recreation Special District has the legal authority to condemn and purchase the property from an unwilling seller. We certainly appear to have an unwilling seller. The purchase price would be set by a jury based on what would be considered appraised value. There are three different forms for this opportunity which you can study here: https://mrsc.org/explore-topics/parks/financing/park-district-list. The Eaglemont Restoration Committee of the HOA is currently investigating this opportunity so more details to follow. What we understand so far is that we can define a district and get approval to form the district. If funds are needed that would come in the form of taxes paid by those in the district. No one wants more taxes, but we also see an opportunity through bonds to borrow money for the purchase and then sell off the developable portions including the clubhouse. We know of a local group interested in buying and operating the clubhouse. It is also possible to sell the entire property to an entity interested in restoring and operating it. The key, of course, is getting community support and approval for such a measure. But given the overwhelming and growing support we have seen, we do not see that as insurmountable.
4) More legal action.
We put this last because frankly, given our experience, going to court provides less certainty than we might like. Plus, it is expensive. However, we believe the final ruling of the Court in the January trial provided a very solid basis for the homeowners to require this to be a golf course. The ruling was essentially one of timing. The judge ruled that the implied equitable servitude –– the promise made to homeowners that this would be a golf course –– could not be applied now because to her it still looked like a golf course. She was basing that on photos taken last May. We posted photos on our website www.restoreeaglemont.com taken this May 13 to show this is not a golf course by anyone’s definition. It looks less like a golf course and more like a hayfield every day. If she looked at it now, we doubt she could or would say that it is or even looks like a golf course. In an earlier hearing she said that failing to maintain the course constituted a change of use. That may need to be tested in court.
She also made it clear that when the land owner applies for a change of use such as for residential development, then the implied promise could be used to stop the change. That’s what happened in the Riverview case that served as the basis for our litigation. If we do decide it is necessary to go to court again we will look seriously at a claim for damages as all property owners near the course have been financially harmed by the neglect and failure to maintain this as a golf course as required by the City agreement with the developer. According to testimony in Court by a real estate expert, the combined impact to property owners of losing the golf course would be about $30,000,000. Those numbers could get the interest of legal firms specializing in class action lawsuits.
Code and agreement violations and safety issues
There is one more thing that community members and nearby property owners need to do to protect their interests. Romano was very responsive to notices that trees on their property were endangering homes or had fallen across paths. That’s encouraging. They need to be made aware of any dangerous situation or violations of City codes and violations of their requirements as property owners. For example, the owner of the property according to the Master Plan and agreements with the City is required to provide public access on trails for hiking and biking. These trails are designated in the Master Plan and the owner must maintain them. The City notified Beacon Hill about this, but, of course, they did nothing. It may take many reminders to the City and Romano to have them do the required maintenance. We’ll provide more information on possible code violations, safety issues such as fire danger, to you in the near future. In the meantime, if you have any concerns we encourage you to send them to the Code Enforcement Office of the City of Mount Vernon using this online form: https://ci-mountvernon-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/CodeEnforcement/ComplaintEntry
Also, you may want to copy Harry Andris, the Eaglemont HOA Landscape Chair at harryandris5218@gmail.com, and Eric Christensen, the Chief Operating Officer at Romano at eric@romanofinancial.com. Their address is 4660 NE 77th Ave, St 200, Vancouver, WA 98662.
Essential community support–a Rally for Eaglemont!
Given the obstacles to developing Eaglemont into homes, Romano must either be very unaware of what they face or they simply believe they have the deep pockets and the time to outlast those opposing it. That is why we are appealing to the broader community. We hear almost daily through our website and in conversations with others that a great many in our community have strong interest in Eaglemont and its future. Now is the time for everyone to show that support.
We are planning a “Rally for Eaglemont” on Wednesday, May 30 at 6 pm. Weather permitting we will hold this on the street in front of the severely damaged clubhouse. Community members who have not seen this damage will see for themselves what the neglect and inaction of Romano has caused. The lack of maintenance of the course itself will also be very evident.
We are asking Stephen Frostick, the representative of the group of investors led by White-Leasure to speak at this rally and show what their group has in mind for the future of the property. We have also invited the Mayor to participate so he can answer questions about the process as well as address the importance of the course as an amenity benefiting the entire city and wider community. This will be a very important opportunity to demonstrate to Romano that this community is fully committed to this course and will not quit in our efforts to get it restored.
Please share this update with everyone you know. It is important we have a great showing of support if we are going to stop the disaster of losing this course and seeing bulldozers tear up the fairways for new homes.
Also, if you are concerned about Eaglemont and want to support the possibly on-going legal effort to protect this property from development, please consider joining the over 150 neighbors and community members who have contributed.
An account for contributions to the legal fund has been set up with SEAS, Inc., a subsidiary of Guardian Northwest Title Co., in Mount Vernon. Contributions should be made payable to SEAS, Inc., and mailed to P.O. Box 2116, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. The checks should reference: Eaglemont – HB#230316
If you have questions or comments about the legal action or the efforts to restore Eaglemont, please email Kent Haberly at khaberly@pugetsoundinvestors.com or Gerald Baron at gerald.baron@agincourt.us. In addition to the email addresses above, their phone numbers are: Kent – 360-202-0277. Gerald – 360-303-9123.
Gerald & Lynne Baron
Kent & Gretchen Haberly
Jerry & Peggy Anderson
Karl & Louise Kirchgasler
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PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ATTEND THE RALLY FOR EAGLEMONT MAY 30
We know that a great many in our community have a strong interest in seeing Eaglemont golf course and the clubhouse restored and operating again. We are planning a Rally on May 30 where all those interested can come and find out what is happening and join in the effort to restore this course. If you would like an email invitation to this event, please use the contact form above on this website and we'll be sure and send you a personal invitation.
Checks can be made to SEAS, Inc., with Eaglemont HB#230316 written on the check. Mail to PO Box 1667, Mount Vernon, WA 98273. For questions or comments email Kent Haberly at khaberly@pugetsoundinvestors.com or Gerald Baron at gerald.baron@agincourt.us. In addition to the email addresses above, their phone numbers are: Kent – 360-202-0277. Gerald – 360-303-9123. We will update the website restoreeaglemont.com so please encourage those interested to visit the site which has information about how they can contribute. www.restoreaglemont.com.
Restore Eaglemont Golf Course
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