The Board Election

 The results of the Board election were published and I wasn't elected. Here are some relevant facts:

-    393 Owners voted (and had 3 votes each)

-    I received 170 votes (about 42% of the Owners who voted cast a ballot for me).

While I wasn't elected, the election results indicate that a significant number of Owners are dissatisfied with the governance of the Club. I note that in 2021, Marcie Flynn also received about 42% of the vote. The number of owners who are troubled by the governance of the Club isn't limited to a "small disgruntled minority"--it's a substantial portion of the Owners. In any event, thank you to the Owners who voted for me.

Our election process continues to be a joke. In a well governed club, the order of events would be:

-    The Board makes key announcements for the following year (e.g., the proposed annual assessment)

-    The nominating committee announces its candidates and petition candidates emerge

-    A candidate forum is conducted and moderated by a neutral party.

-    The ballots are mailed out and the election is conducted.

We do it differently here at Colleton:

-    The nominating committee announces its candidates and petition candidates emerge

-    The ballots are mailed out and the election begins

-    A candidate forum is held, moderated by a person who is on the ballot and is therefore conflicted. 

-    Two days before the end of the voting period, the Board announces the 2023 assessments.

-    The voting period ends.

Just one other fact. Although the Board uses a third party vote counter, the governing documents do not require them to do so.

I note that the Board approved the 15.1% increase to the 2023 annual assessment at its November 15, but delayed informing the Owners of this extraordinary increase until November 29--two days before the voting period ended. More to come on this issue.

The governing documents need to be amended to fix the election process to offer all candidates a fair chance. If the Board won't fix the process, we can use petitions to force a vote.

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