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.
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.
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 ..... !
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"!
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.