Why is It Important to Vote in the SAMLARC Election?

I'm going to veer a bit from my typical blog posts to talk about this upcoming SAMLARC election, because SAMLARC is not doing what it should or with the transparency they promised. Ballots were mailed this week for the 2014 SAMLARC Board of Directors election. If you are a SAMLARC homeowner, I urge you to take a few minutes to look over your election materials and submit your vote for change. Your vote WILL make a difference.

This year there are seven candidates for three open seats, with only one incumbent—the current Board President—who has been President for three years in a row, running for re-election. That means that there will be at least two new board members after the election (and hopefully, three)... IF you vote.

However, if you don’t vote, and a quorum is not reached, instead of you having a say, the current board would continue, and that SAMLARC Board would appoint new members for any vacant seats.

With that said, understand that your vote can be the difference between protecting your money, your voice, your choice, and allowing the current leadership to continue on its trajectory towards a dues increase because of repeated deficit spending that has been largely hidden from the membership.

Three candidates running for the available seats have joined together with a number of concerned SAMLARC members who recognize the importance of protecting the interests of ALL SAMLARC MEMBERS. The candidates—former RSM Chamber of Commerce Chairman and current Director Jeff Halbreich; former City of RSM Mayor Gary Thompson; and former SAMLARC Vice President Sally Leonard—pledge to maintain current dues, and bring transparency, fiscal responsibility, and accountability to the SAMLARC Board.

These three experienced RSM leaders have been attending recent meetings and reviewing current SAMLARC operations and finances after hearing of SAMLARC members’ concerns. According to Thompson, who is a fiscal, management, and policy consultant to local government agencies, “There is an inherent lack of transparency in many SAMLARC activities, most notably in budget discussions and the contracting process.”

I've looked at these three extensively and followed them through a lot of their careers, I'm confident that Halbreich, Thompson, and Leonard are passionately united to lead efforts to require multi-bid contracts, clearly identify expenditures (no hidden items), provide the full budget to members, and work toward budget process transparency. All you gotta do is vote, please make your voice heard.