Changes in Crescent Bar chain of leases

CRESCENT BAR – If you've seen Ed Pace out and about Crescent Bar seemingly doing the same job he has done for years, he is, sort of.

Pace swore up and down last year that he would not return this year. He wanted no part of the PUD-vs-home owners controversy that has ended up in federal court.

But the residents changed his mind after they gained control of Crescent Bar Inc. last December. They asked him to come back and make sure everything ran smoothly.

Pace filled his old position for a couple of months but recently changed his status to consultant. He didn't really want a full-time job, and he thought he could best serve the islanders this way.

“They can save some money,” he said. “They'll just pay me a nominal consulting fee.”

Pace elevated former golf course superintendent Wes Trammel to CBI manager. To the golf course staff, Trammel has added a man he hopes will eventually work his way to superintendent.

According to Rob Miner, spokesman for the three home owner associations – South Park, North Park, Condos – made up of the island's residents, the home owners took over CBI on Dec. 9.

The friendly takeover was a result of the home owners – vs – PUD lawsuit. The CBI, which sub-leased the island from the Port of Quincy, which sub-leased from the PUD, had to be included in among the defendants.

“We didn't want to do it. They're out friends,” Miner said.

Miner noted the home owners had to include the Port in the lawsuit as well. He said they didn't want to do that either because the Port had always been supportive and friendly.

According to Miner, the CBI stock-holders (including Pace), who didn't plan on being  part of Crescent Bar Island's future, suggested a buyout settlement. The members of the home owner associations formed Crescent Bar Holding, LLC, and made the deal.

In addition to asking Pace to come back, the islanders also requested the return of CBI office manager Barbara Hoersch. She delayed her retirement plans for at least one year.

“I would have missed the people,” she said.

To assure a smooth operation, the seven-person Crescent Bar Holdings board named Miner as its liaison between the board and CBI's staff.

“We didn't want them to have 400 bosses,” Miner said. “When homeowners have questions or complaints, they'll bring them to me, and I'll take them to CBI.”

However, Miner said, it's not likely every question or complaint will get that far. He said Crescent Bar Holdings did not make the deal for the purpose of being in control.

“They've done a good job for years. They know what they're doing,” Miner said. “They'll run things, and we'll just stay out of the way. We just want to keep in going the way it was.”

Miner added that if home owners see things they think should be done and aren't, they need to remain calm. How much to spend and what to spend it on are questions that will linger as long as the lawsuit.

Miner, who has a home in Sunserra with his wife Judy, is holding back on their property on the island. Among other things, it needs paint.

“As long as the lawsuit is not settled, you don't know what to do,” he said.