Parent Upset About Oakwood Lawsuit
Oakwood has been a part of Dr. Rex Parent’s family history since before he was born with his parents visiting frequently. “So this place means a lot to me,” he said. So when attempts to fix problems with band noise the last few summers resulted in homeowners filing a lawsuit, Parent was hurt.
“Who’s going to decide if a person is going to have a DJ or a band (on the lake)?“ he asked regarding complaints about the noise from bands playing on the Oakwood’s patio. He noted many residents around Lake Wawasee have parties that run late into the night and some hire bands or DJs to provide music.
“Oakwood was a blank space when it closed,” Parent said. Since it reopened in 2013, Oakwood has been working through a process to be successful. And Parent noted there have been some bumps in the road. Last year a new general manager and a new restaurant manager were hired.
The facility has 100 employees and this season more than 50 weddings will be held at the resort along with reunions, anniversaries and milestone birthdays.
“People tell me all the time they want to have fun,” said Parent. “It isn’t exclusive, like it used to be. Everyone is invited and everyone wants to have fun. Everybody we’ve talked to has said we’re much better neighbors then they imagined. We don’t want to offend anyone, but we can’t make everyone happy.”
Parent is particularly upset about the lawsuit since prior to papers being filed, Robert MacGill, the attorney representing the homeowners, requested a conference call between Parent, Tamra Henry, Oakwood’s general manager, the client and himself. However the days suggested for the call didn’t work for Parent, a practicing opthalmologist, who was in surgery both days. After Parent suggested an alternative day for the call, the attorney broke off contact, simply stating he had to check with his client. Henry said she called MacGill numerous times to discuss scheduling the conference call, then received the legal papers May 27.
“It’s inconceivable that someone wouldn’t work with us about it,” he said.
Also upsetting Parent is dealing with the lawsuit is taking time away from his patients. “There’s a reason I’m still in business (as a doctor),” he said. “I love my patients.”
Parent said he felt hurt because he has tried to be a good partner in the community.
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