Embedded Files
Some opponents of cumulative voting claim that a "small but organized Special Interest Group within the Jackson Oaks community " is "intent on populating the JOA Board of Directors with members of their choosing to gain control of Jackson Oaks Association’s future."
They describe a conspiracy that goes back years and ties together board directors past and present, fellow homeowners, and even a former board president - a secret society hidden just beneath the surface of the unsuspecting community of Jackson Oaks, plotting its takeover and ruination.
Who says there's a "Special Interest Group"?
Who says there's a "Special Interest Group"?
An anonymously published website, registered in a way that intentionally hides its ownership, replete with comments from anonymous "JOA homeowners" and "JOA directors" describing the so-called "Special Interest Group" using words like "a cancer," "litigious," and "bullies." [update June 2019 - the owner of this website did not review domain registration, so I've linked to copies from August 2018 stored on an independent web history archive]
Who's in the "Special Interest Group"?
Who's in the "Special Interest Group"?
Even though the anonymous author(s) of eliminate-cv.com claim to know many details about a group colluding through "secret lists" not open to all homeowners, coordinating efforts to vote for directors of their choice, effecting a mass campaign to support "their" candidates and denigrate other candidates, "bully" neighbors and board members, and a host of other accusations, the authors don't name names - not their own, and not the members of this secret cabal.
What kind of people are in this group?
What kind of people are in this group?
Here's what the owner(s) of eliminate-cv.com appear to be saying about Carol Ellenberger, current JOA Treasurer:
A Board director elected via CV…fails to have reports or assignments to Board on time; “forgot” to attend an important executive session meeting; demonstrates obstructionist behavior; berates other directors and JOA bookkeeper at meetings; holds meetings on her own with others in non-Board approved “secret” sessions; directed bookkeeper to cut a check to director (see #5 above) who spent association funds on non-Board approved items. Director’s request was submitted WITHOUT receipts; works at cross-purposes with the board’s majority decisions; the only 2018 board director to refuse to sign Policy of Professional Standards (Ethics Agreement).If you've ever sat on a jury in California, you may recall receiving these standard instructions from the judge, "if you decide that a witness did not tell the truth about something important, you may choose not to believe anything that witness said."
Read that part about Carol above in bold. Now read it again. Now try imagining Carol - as genial, honest, and ever-polite a director who has ever served - obstructing and berating others. As fibs go, this one's a whopper - and that's an understatement! Consider carefully whether you'd believe anything someone who makes this claim says, much less anonymously.
Character assassination has no place in our community.
Why would anyone say these things if they're not true?
Why would anyone say these things if they're not true?
Perhaps because an imaginary problem (cumulative voting) requires an imaginary threat ("Special Interest Groups") as evidence it needs fixing - and the uglier the better.
Perhaps the owners of eliminate-cv.com cynically believe you'll think, "where there's smoke, there's fire," or, "given two opposing stories, the truth lies somewhere in between."
Some neighbors may vouch for these stories in a generic way - nothing specific - and urge you to speak with them in private for more information. But remember: the truth weathers all challenges, but half-truths and outright lies quickly fall apart under public scrutiny.
Ask yourself: is our voting system "tearing the community apart," or is the way we treat each other and talk about each other - like the mudslinging via letters, on Nextdoor, and in eliminate-cv.com - that's the real problem?
What's real?
What's real?
All of the crypto-personal attacks are a distraction from the central issues in this election. Here are some very real questions to ask the board:
- How much has this election cost so far, and what is the total we expect it to cost the association? Name a specific dollar amount - all associated legal fees (to advise the board, draft the ballot, present to and respond to homeowner questions), ballot printing and mailing fees, etc. - all in.
- Did the board vote on a "not to exceed" budget figure for the entire election before agreeing to hold one? Are we under or over that budget?
- What specific motions or issues has the board failed to pass this year that it wished to pass? In the last five years? Ten years?
Read more about this election here.
Who's real?
Who's real?
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