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Monday, October 9, 2017

Former Sun City Anthem Six Year Board Member Speaks Out on Removal Election...Recommends Unit Owners Vote "Yes" to Remove Directors

Former Sun City Anthem Board
Vice President Speaks Out
on
Removal Election

by
Jim Mayfield

On Saturday, we received our ballot for the recall election in the mail. At first, I almost discarded it in the recycle bin without even opening it.  I thought it was another piece of solicitation junk mail. 

(Subsequently, I was told that I was not the only one who thought this way.) 

However, I opened the letter and found out that it was the ballot for the recall election and the instructions for how to mail in the ballot.

The purpose of this email is not to reiterate the obvious flaws (already noted by others) in the ballot process that should and could have been avoided by the CPAs retained to perform the voting process if they had studied and incorporated the time-tested SCA election processes. 

Instead, the purpose of this email is to raise the ominous issues regarding:

1. the motivation for the use of voter suppression tactics, and
2. the ethics behind obvious voter suppression tactics.

Preface

During my six years of service on an SCA committee and board of directors, I observed a steady decline in the willingness of SCA homeowners to volunteer their time to serve as club officers, SCA committee members and to seek election to the SCA board of directors. 

This trend is indeed regrettable because of the large number of intelligent, talented residents who live within SCA and whose talents could be used to ensure efficient operations at SCA and continuous improvement of the quality of life within SCA. 

I also observed that fewer than half of the SCA homeowners vote in the annual board of directors election. 

Even more significant, less than .75% of the SCA homeowners attend public board and committee meetings.

On one level, I empathize with why SCA homeowners do not choose to participate in the governance of their homeowners association. 

Most people retired to enjoy pursuing life-long retirement objectives. 
Annual assessments appear low compared to the benefits received. 

However, as consequence of the lack of involvement by a broad group of homeowners in the governance of SCA, a small group of self-serving homeowners and management, control and manipulate the operations of SCA. Their personal agendas frequently do not represent the best interest or service expectations of the homeowners.

Motivation for Use of Voter Suppression Tactics 

The threshold to remove a director is just over 2,500 votes of the 7,144 SCA homeowners.  Anyone who doesn't vote or whose ballot is disqualified is an automatic "no" vote.

Obtaining the "yes" vote from 2,500+ homeowners is an almost impenetrable barrier to the removal of a director. 

This reality begs the question of why management, members of the current board, and individuals wanting to maintain the status quo feel compelled to:
  • use voter suppression tactics,
  • disseminate false and misleading information,
  • spend over $4,500 to get out their fake fact message, and
  • conduct possible violations of state law and SCA governing documents
...to defeat the removal election. 

The obvious answer is that they want to send the message that any attempts to dislodge them will be unsuccessful;` so, don't waste your time
They also fear that even an unsuccessful attempt at removal in which a majority of the votes cast are for removal will send the communication that a majority of the active members of the community are not supportive of the performance of current management or board of directors. 

When faced with dissent, they rely on brutal, frequently illegal, tactics to suppress homeowner involvement and the dissent of any elected director who doesn't "go along to get along".

Ethics Behind Obvious Voter Suppression Tactics

The question we, the homeowners, need to answer in this recall election is the message we want to send regarding the ethics and culture of the SCA community.

My experience since moving to SCA is that it is a community of fine, diverse people who share an incredible moral compass. 

I do not believe that the actions of the current board or management reflect the moral values of the residents of SCA.

Personally, I never believed the recall election stood a chance of being successful. 

However, I believe that every "yes" vote sends a message to the corrupt, self-serving insiders who currently control the governance of SCA that their morals and actions do not represent the community.

I urge you to spend the 50 cents to send in your  ballot and to vote "yes" in the recall election.

Thanks for reading and best wishes to all of you.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Mr. Mayfield served on the Sun City Anthem Board with each of the three individuals subject to removal:

Rex Weddle

Thomas Nissen

Aletta Waterhouse

...and...the one who escaped removal election by 2 very questionable petition signatures (Robert Burch).

Anthem Opinions was also made aware this same message was sent to EACH COMMUNITY PUBLICATION. 

The obvious question:

Which ones will publish it for their readers to be aware of the observations of a four year member of the Sun City Anthem Board and two year head of the association Finance Committee?

Let us know what you think about Mr. Mayfield's observations.

Send your comments to:


scaopinions@gmail.com
  1. From Buddy Greenfield...to...Anthem Opinions

    Great article, Mr. Mayfield.

    Did anyone happen to notice this Mayfield article was also sent to Mr. Berman, yet WASN'T PUBLISHED by the OSCAR weiner?

    You certainly called that one, Dick.

    Just proves a point.

    Typical half truths and keeping the story by a distinguished former Board member from his readers, while praising the former OSCAR board members who created the problems he hasn't the guts to properly report.

    The leopard continues to prowl the community with his legion of fools who couldn't see the truth if it bit them in the ..... !

    1. From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions

      The ONLY reason the corrupt individuals can operate so openly and freely is because of the overall APATHY of the SCA Residents.

      As Pogo said "We have met the enemy, and he is us"!
      1. Mr. Mayfield,
        I just want to thank you for a well written letter. As you know, I have always been impressed with the guidance you gave the Board and your insight and foresight. I had seriously considered running for the Board. Working with you would have been a great experience. But, I saw how they treated you that last year of your service and realized I did not want to spend my retirement associating with such people. Would have been rewarding to work for this community, which I deeply care for and appreciate. Ah well. So it is.

        Anyway, Thank you again.

3 comments:

  1. From Buddy Greenfield...to...Anthem Opinions

    Great article, Mr. Mayfield.

    Did anyone happen to notice this Mayfield article was also sent to Mr. Berman, yet WASN'T PUBLISHED by the OSCAR weiner?

    You certainly called that one, Dick.

    Just proves a point.

    Typical half truths and keeping the a story by a distinguished former Board member from his readers, while praising the former OSCAR board members who created the problems he hasn't the guts to properly report.

    The leopard continues to prowl the community with his legion of fools who couldn't see the truth if it bit them in the ..... !

    ReplyDelete

  2. From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions

    The ONLY reason the corrupt individuals can operate so openly and freely is because of the overall APATHY of the SCA Residents.

    As Pogo said "We have met the enemy, and he is us"!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Mr. Mayfield,
    I just want to thank you for a well written letter. As you know, I have always been impressed with the guidance you gave the Board and your insight and foresight. I had seriously considered running for the Board. Working with you would have been a great experience. But, I saw how they treated you that last year of your service and realized I did not want to spend my retirement associating with such people. Would have been rewarding to work for this community, which I deeply care for and appreciate. Ah well. So it is.

    Anyway, Thank you again.

    ReplyDelete