What you may not be aware of is this is HIS newsletter essentially.  The reason it sounds like one big advertisement is that is exactly what Olson deems "essential news".  He has clearly demonstrated that informing the residents is not on his agenda and continuing to promote how great we have it here is. 

 I have first hand knowledge and experience of how these newsletters get put together and I can be the first to tell you that they are compiled from somewhat recent press releases (usually within two months), information on Channel 78 and whatever may have been relevant from LAST years newsletter at that time.  If you examine the publication and have knowledge of the website, you will clearly be able to see that it is only duplicated information that has already been posted on the site.

 To tell you a little bit of how little Olson knows about our OPA newsletters, he squabbled with me several times about the fact that we do not design this publication in any way.  We do not provide lay out, we only provide copy.  That's it.  It is a part of what we pay The Paper People for.  When we ask for a layout or proof, it takes time for the contracted party to produce those materials.  We are not talking about an unreasonable amount of time either but when our GM has no idea what the "process" involves, it seems like we are simply passing the buck when actually it is the exact procedure that has always been followed but he has never bothered to educate himself on.   I confirmed this with several people including our rep from the company and my former predecessor. 

There is also another element to delay that he directly contributes to.  Olson has a known habit of demanding that all press releases, print pieces, advertisements, anything related to print marketing be edited and approved by him before execution.  When he has his employees submit copy after copy to him so that he can make at least a half a dozen revisions, that will ALWAYS produce delays.  It has been explained many times, long before I ever took office there, publications will go to print with or without us.  It is not at our discretion if the story can hold up going to press just because WE have been unable to meet deadline due to revision after revision.  IMHO, if you hire an experienced marketing and sales professional then you should allow them to do their job, compose accurate and competent print pieces and meet the deadlines provided.   

It is obvious that this is  meant to be nothing more than a marketing tool which is a little ironic when it is sent out to the residents that have already committed to living here or owning property.  I know that marketing our amenities is key to generating sales but you should not mask a mass promotional piece and dub it a "newsletter".  It amazes me how he accuses everyone he can find of "passing the buck or delegating responsibility" when he is the first one to throw someone on his so-called team under the bus when questioned by the Board or residents.