The CotoBuzz Journal, Community Journalism

To say that the Laguna Woods United board of Directors Recall Process is contentious may be the understatement of the year. Below is a Point-Counterpoint table authored by recall targets Rosenhaft & Rubin and Connie Grundke respectively.

Also included are revelations from lightening rod Michael Curtis providing a motive as to why TrueBallot pulled out from the process and replaced by Martin & Chapman. We have contacted both organizations and asked them to respond to Mr. Curtis' charges. We have not heard from them

By Marv Rosenhaft and Marty Rubin- Recall Targets

By Connie Grundke

THERE IS A CLEAR CHOICE FOR VOTERS; AND WE NEED YOU TO VOTE “NO” 4 TIMES, ONCE FOR EACH NAMED DIRECTOR, ON THE RECALL BALLOT.

Mr. Curtis and his supporters want to take control of the village for their own

personal agenda. Mr. Curtis has so stated in his June 3, 2009 “When I am the

only Director, here’s what I’ll do” e-mail. The choice is between Mr. Curtis

and the rest of the board.

A "YES" vote will move the board in the right direction to again get control of our monies. A "NO" vote will allow this board to continue with "Business as Usual." Most Board members were elected with the promise of "oversight and transparency," and they have failed us in these areas.

THE BOARD IS CALLING FOR A CLEAR, DEMOCRATIC AND INCLUSIVE ELECTION. WE SUPPORT THE ACTIONS OF ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO ARE WORKING IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE COMMUNITY.

Mr. Curtis and his supporters are attempting to disenfranchise the voters in the

community to achieve his narrow agenda.

Nothing could be more democratic than to let the voters in the community have the opportunity to voice their opinion. Not allowing a recall would disenfranchise the people who elected M. Curtis by the largest majority.

THIS RECALL IS UNNECESSARY, COSTLY AND DESTRUCTIVE FOR THE COMMUNITY. IT WILL COST THE RESIDENTS OF UNITED MUTUAL BETWEEN $50,000 AND $80,000.

Mr. Curtis and his supporters are taking valuable time from the board, our

agent, our legal counselors plus it is interfering with our ability to do the work

necessary to run our village efficiently. This recall is divisive for the

community. It is pitting neighbor against neighbor and sometimes spouse

against spouses

Yes!" This is taking "valuable" time away from the board, our agent, and our legal counselors. The board has not done what they promised to do over the past couple of years. This legal recall process is no different than the recall of our ex-governor G. Davis and within the rights of any individuals.

WHAT IS THIS RECALL REALLY ABOUT? IT IS NOT THE ISSUES WHICH HAVE BEEN FULLY EXPLORED AND ADDRESSED BY THE BOARD, BY LEGAL AUTHORITIES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

It’s about the control that Mr. Curtis and his supporters want to have over how

the community goes forward and is run. The accusations that he and his

supporters have put forth have shown no evidence of wrong-doing,

misfeasance or malfeasance. He and his supporters have come up with

spurious reasons for recalling these specific 4 targeted directors. Again there

is NO evidence of misfeasance, malfeasance or not doing the specific work of

the board, by the members he has targeted. The CotoBuzz, a noncredited

blog, quotes Mr. Curtis as saying that the targeted directors always have

to get the last word, are arrogant, vote against his agenda and have their noses

in the hip pocket of the managing agent, as his reasons for recalling them.

By refusing to open their eyes, the board fails to realize why the recall is happening. Ignoring critical issues shows their lack of understanding on how the board is being manipulated. The comment above, that, "There is NO evidence of misfeasance, malfeasance or not doing the specific work of the board, by the members he (Mr Curtis) has targeted," illustrates the failure of this board to understand the reason for the recall and how their lack of "Oversight" has cost the residents millions of dollars.

What is the justification for this recall? Just answer "YES" or "NO" to the following question and take that answer to your recall ballot.

Should there be a public audit on the Incentive Plan that;

1). Was Implemented between 1996 and 2006 by the General Manager with no knowledge of the majority of any boards,

2). Cost the resident owners $5.4 million dollars,

3). Would allow the General Manager sole determination of the amount of a bonus without approval by the majority of any board,

4). Has not been made public even after two years since the Incentive Plan was accidentally exposed in 2006.

Having a Bonus Plan is not the problem, "recallees." The real problem is the IMPLEMENTATION OF A BONUS PLAN WITHOUT BOARD KNOWLEDGE AND APPROVAL. How many "other" Bonus Plans exist in our village? With NO Oversight, we'll never know.

This justifies a "YES" vote on the Ballot. How can you vote otherwise?

By the way, is "The Globe" any more credited than "CotoBuzz"? You would think not when you see what information is selected to be printed in "OUR" newspaper.

THE STAKES IN THIS RECALL ARE HIGHER THAN JUST THE RUNNING OF THE UNITED BOARD. THIS RECALL IS AFFECTING THE WHOLE VILLAGE.

For the past few years Mr. Curtis and his supporters have tarnished the village

and surrounding communities and have fed negative stereotypes to the local

media. Mr. Curtis and his supporter’s actions are affecting everyone’s pocket

books; the value of our manors are being negatively impacted; people across

the country are not moving here, at least in part, because of the alleged

charges and negativity that has been falsely spread.

YES! This does affect the whole village! That is the problem. The board's decisions impact the whole village. Every Housing Mutual, AND, the current GRF Board is impacted by the decisions of this board. Look at how the residents are treated by GRF directors that were elected by this board. Contention, argumentation and bullying of the residents at board meetings are indicative of what the current boards think of the people whom they are supposed to serve and represent.

The contents and justification for closed meetings is questionable in many instances. The failure to adhere to an agenda at a board meeting and not allowing "Members Comments" even when it is so noted on the agenda, shows the contempt the boards have for the residents.

WE SUPPORT HEALTHY SKEPTICISM, LOYAL OPPOSITION AND DIVERSITY OF OPINIONS AND APPROACHES.

As individual board members we do not support witch-hunts and narrow

agendas which are self serving, and criticism without the ability to admit

when it is wrong.

The definition of .... "Healthy Skepticism, Loyal Opposition and Diversity of Opinions" seems lost on this board. Look at their failure to acknowledge problems with the governance of our mutuals.

The Board's method of ostracising Mr. Curtis by not allowing him access to either the 2nd floor of the Administration Building or to attend closed meetings, is in direct opposition to what they supposedly "support." Yes! Mr. Curtis is adamant in his efforts, but when you're right, YOU'RE RIGHT! Many times he is RIGHT.

THIS RECALL IS ABOUT RELENTLESS NEGATIVE DEMANDS

This recall is about failure to comply with requests for information and oversight

THIS RECALL HAS REAL NEGATIVE TANGIBLE CONSEQUENCES AND COSTS.

This recall is about OUR money being spent without our knowledge and approval

THIS RECALL IS PREVENTING US FROM MOVING FORWARD AS A COMMUNITY IN DIFFICULT TIMES.

This recall is about containing the costs affecting every resident

THIS RECALL IS A SELF SERVING WITCH-HUNT.

This recall is about visibility and fiduciary responsibility

IT IS TIME FOR US TO STAND UP AND TELL PEOPLE THAT

“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!”

Yes! Stand up and tell PCM they cannot spend our money without our consent.

"TOO MUCH is TOO MUCH"

VOTE “NO” 4 TIMES

ONCE FOR EACH NAMED DIRECTOR

These are only a couple of areas of concern!)

(VOTE "YES" Four Times)

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