HAVE YOU VOTED YET?

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO become familiar with this year's issues and VOTE!


Most recently we were informed that the association attorney spoke up at the last HOA meeting and when asked why the association has taken so long to accomplish a routine annual meeting and election,  and why the board has not petitioned the court to certify a meeting and vote count, so as not to delay the vote count any longer,  he replied by saying that "he" did not want to go to the court for remedy until the lawsuit was over.  Now that IS novel isn't it?  A contractor controlling OUR election process ! A CONTRACTOR IN WHOSE BEST INTEREST IT IS TO HAVE THE SAME BOARD MEMBERS RE ELECTED?  We think there is something wrong with that picture.  What do you think?  Let us know.


In the mean time,  if you have not yet voted,  our recommendations are:


Don Beckendorf
Lucy Walund
Richard Goward
Phil Spatafora
ELLEN SCHNOOR


WE suggest that you divide your seven votes between these people and let the "ne'er do wells fight it out" among themselve for the remaining 2 seats.


Rather than try to recommed others we will tell you here who should NOT be on the board and why:


PAULINE PETRIE -  CONFLICT OF INTEREST -  she is an employee of Ken Durante who manages the lake and beach club.  IF she getS elected, there will be another recall vote,  which will cost money,  and she will be removed: as MLMA policy is that no homeowner who works for the association or a contractor working for the association,  may be on the board of directors at the same time.


GLENDA HUGHES- CONFLICT OF INTEREST - ALSO an employee of Ken Ken Durante- SAME REASONS as PETRIE.


RICHARD SAVARD- BAD CHOICE- He wrote off huge amounts of legitimate "accounts receivable" and authorized the spending of over 200 THOUSAND dollars pursuing former lake manager and menifee Lakes Resident Don Harris over "piddly" items.  This is money the association ( you) did not authorize, and which will NEVER be returned.  He put personal agenda,  and animosity ahead of what is good for the association. IF he is re elected count on more hundreds of thousands being spent on personal agenda items.

JIM ROACH- BAD CHOICE-  Worked in concert with Rick Savard and Jerry Stamper and Susan Vejar to waste our money in the frivolous and malicious law suits..  $200,000.00 and counting!  Pursued personal agenda over what is good for the association.  Has been "booted" from the rest of the board.  No one likes him.  No one on the board supports him except his "buddy" Savard.  CLEARLY used his position on the board for personal and vindictive purposes rather than the good of the association.  FAILED in his FIDUCIARY responsibility to the association,  along with STAMPER and SAVARD and VEJAR.


JERRY STAMPER-BAD CHOICE  Cost the association THOUSANDS in attorney fees to defend against Avalon's claim that Stamper spent association funds to pursue a seat on the City Council .  He is alleged to have "ordered" Avalon to make phone calls to voters and encourage them to vote for Jerry.  Mark Jones also alleges that "Ken Durante" spent Lake Manager time recruiting voters for Stamper.  He could well be under investigation now by the State Elections Authorities for not reporting sources and amounts of campaign donations.  Reported to charge hundreds per year to Belcanto residents for storing xmas decorations.  Jerry is a seasoned politician.  In several years as the President of the board never even learned how to conduct a board meeting!  Too many personal interests to deal selflessly with board matters.  He is a Realtor with access to foreclosure information before it "hits the streets" so he has opportunity to purchase.  This is a CONFLICT of INTEREST.  STAMPER already owns "more than a few" homes.  Can you spell "MONOPOLY" ? 




SUSAN VEJAR - BAD CHOICE  -  Susan was THE major reason that the 2006 recall election was held.     BUT the main reason for NOT voting for SUSAN VEJAR is that she just is not "with it" any more.  Her memory is EXTREMELY faulty,  and she is ONLY on the Board because it gives her POWER.  She has been characterized as "Dictatorial" .  She stands accused of lying about homeowners openly and in public forum for her own purposes.  It is TIME for SUSAN VEJAR to go.

PATRICK CAMERON - BAD CHOICE FOR MENIFEE LAKES        Cameron has been characterized by others on the board as being "not interested" in what others have to say.  Only interested in putting his own ideas in play.  SUPPORTED the vindictive pursuit of Harris at a cost of over $200,000 dollars AND COUNTING.  CAMERON is duplicitous,  and is not to be trusted when it comes to making decisions in the best interest of the community.  Heads the lake committee where he is not interested in anyone whose ideas are different from his.  Feels that it is "ok" for him to violate association rules but not for others.

ELLEN SCHNOOR - AN ENIGMA - YOU MUST DECIDE!

We would love to hear from Ellen Schnoor with regard to what she "stands for".  UNFORTUNATELY we find her to represent an enigma to the concerned voter.  Each time Ellen wants to be on the board she canvases the neighborhoods telling everyone she is "concerned" about the direction the community is taking,  the need for more active homeowners,  the need for reform.  We agree with each of those concerns!  Way to go Ellen!

BUT... and this is an important BUT:  What will she do if she is actually elected?  We remember when Ellen was a valuable member of the Board. And when she was a valuable member of the Lake Committee.

But somehow she either changed her views,  or was deceived into supporting Savard, Roach, Stamper, Moffitt, Vejar, Cameron, and other "no gooders" on the board.  We understand that she is now no longer supporting these board members or what they stand for.  GOOD for you Ellen.

But a lot of damage has been done by this board that you served on and then resigned from.  What are you going to do SPECIFICALLY if you are elected to oppose the rampant misuse of association funds?  Will you support the continued persecution of Mr. Harris?  Will you continue to support contractors who are known to have lied and misrepresented their qualifications?  Will you continue to support lake monitors who abuse their position of trust in the community by spreading lies about homeowners?  Will you continue to support the likes of Savard and Roach and Jerry Stamper?

Concerned readers want to know.  If you will weigh in on these important issues, we will HAPPILY support you as a candidate for the board,  and encourage all of our friends and neighbors, and readers of this blog to support you.

Please comment Ellen.  We would be most happy to post your comment.

WHO IS GOOD FOR MENIFEE LAKES? PHIL SPATAFORA - CPA - CONCERNED HOMEOWNER

YOU might wonder why we are backing Phil Spatafora when he has been on the present board for two years without standing up against the 'bad boys' and others. Well, we understand that he has drawn a line in the sand with regard to what is legal and what is not legal. We are here only going on what we have heard from some who actually "were there". What we KNOW about Phil Spatafora is that he is a trained accountant, and not just a "wanna be" with no real accounting background or training. As an accountant he is REQUIRED to keep up with what is legal and what is not. He works in this field as a profession. This is always good, unless the accountant is a crook.

We do NOT believe that Mr. Spatafora is a crook. We believe that Mr. Spatafora has the best interests of the community at heart. We KNOW that Mr. Spatafora has felt somewhat intimidated by "other members" of the board who we hope will be on the board no longer after this election.

That would leave Phil Spatafora in an environment that would encourage his participation in an honest and forthright manner, and not discourage it as has been the case in the past.

We believe that when Mr. Spatafora is working with other honest folks, his honesty, and lack of "political motivation" will shine through and he will be an asset to the board. We do not believe that Mr. Spatafora has any "hidden agenda" or "personal grudges" or "vendettas" against anyone in the community. We believe that when faced with an obvious choice of right and wrong, Mr. Spatafora will choose honorably to do the "right" thing.

When we look at the remaining candidates: Vejar, Savard, Roach, Stamper, and Cameron. It is pretty easy to pick Mr. Spatafora if for no other reason, : TO KEEP VEJAR, STAMPER, SAVARD, ROACH, AND CAMERON OFF THE BOARD!  AT THE VERY LEAST.... WE MUST REMOVE SAVARD, ROACH, STAMPER, AND CAMERON. THEY ARE 'NOT GOOD' FOR OUR COMMUNITY... IN OUR HUMBLE OPINION.

SO PLEASE VOTE FOR MR. SPATAFORA !

WHO IS GOOD FOR MENIFEE LAKES? LUCY WALUND - A TRUE ADVOCATE FOR THE HOMEOWNER

We are wholeheartedly in support of Lucy Walund for a seat on the Menifee Master Association Board of Direcgtors.  Why?  Because she is in direct opposition to the current Board of Directors and their apparent pre occupation with "personal vendettas"  "personal agendas",  "failure to put the interests of the association and its members ahead of their own selfish,  and self serving, and EXPENSIVE pursuits of  personal grudges and sworn vendettas which by one report have cost the association "over $300,000.00 with at least another $100,000.00 to come in out of pocket (your pocket) legal fees".

Additionally,  she has reminded us of the hundreds of thousands of dollars that the association has lost out on due to the apparent pre occupation with the pursuit of petty and largely baseless claims against Mr. Harris.  Lucy Walund was willing to stand up and lead a successful RECALL effort of a board majority in 2006 which was corrupt and which was unconcerned with the clear dishonesty of a contractor solicited by them. Dishonesty counts folks!  Lucy was falsely accused by Susan Vejar at an open session of the board of Directors of whom Susan Vejar was the "acting" President.  Lucy OPENLY vowed to not take the dishonesty of Susan Vejar without taking action. She did take action,  and not only exposed the dishonest remarks made by Vejar, but exposed other actions worthy of a recall, which in the end persuaded the majority to vote for her expulsion from the board.

Lucy is a compassionate, caring, and dedicated woman who is constantly showing her concern for others.  She is a professional in the community,  is highly intelligent,  the wife of a career military man, beloved mother. She volunteered for years to provide the community with quality entertainment provided through the "concerts in the park" which she was in charge of until she "pissed off " the powers at be by taking a stand for TRUTH.

Lucy is not a corporate executive,  but she knows the difference between right and wrong,  She is a dedicated health care professional,  and an advocate of HOMEOWNER RIGHTS.  Chief among those rights is the right NOT to be lied about by Board members who are solely interested int promoting their own agendas,  and will lie to protect their "power".  We like Lucy because she is willing to stand up and be counted,  when others bury their heads in the sand and refuse to take notice of the injustices,  and evil actions of men and women who simply want the "power" over others,  and who have done nothing noteworthy to improve Menifee Lakes in 4 years of opportunities.  It took them over three years just to replace a water fountain !!!

Lucy will back up each and every homeowner who wants to have a voice in their community.  Lucy takes the time to get to know her neighbors,  and to make it her business to know what is going on with the board who governs our community, and to communicate that to her neighbors,  and to attend board meetings to confront the "culprits".

As an example of her tenacious and committed attitude towards doing what is best for our community,  Lucy recently inquired of the Association Property Manager just how much money has been spent on legal fees (paid to David Peters) pursuing the law suit against homeowner and former Lake Manager Don Harris.  I doubt anyone here would doubt her right to know this information,  since it is her money along with yours that is being siphoned by self interested men who have demonstrated admitted hostility toward Mr. Harris for 4 years now and more.

She was DENIED this information by the association,  and by the Association Attorney... in direct defiance of the Davis Sterling LAW which governs how non profit home owner associations are to be run. The law requires that the association shall make available all financial records to ANY homeowner who has a legitimate interest in knowing.  The denial of this information represents the consummate "cover up" because the Board knows that if you "really knew" what they were doing,  you would oust them in a minute!!!  And let's remember who is getting all of the money that the board is paying.... that's right ... ATTY DAVID PETERS...about whom we will have much to say very soon.

Please cast at least one of your votes for Lucy Walund.  She is GOOD for our community,  and will work cooperatively with the other board members to ensure that your money /  our money is not wasted.

She recently pointed out that the association could have done so much with the HUNDREDS of THOUSANDS of dollars wasted on petty grudge driven agendas by the current board of directors.  We are sure that she will raise the ire of the likes of Savard, Roach, and Jerry Stamper... and rightly so.  They should be afraid of what Lucy will do WHEN she is elected.  She will expose their irresponsible actions and make sure that you as homeowners are kept up to date,  and encouraged to voice your opinion on matters of importance to our association.

LUCY WALUND IS GOOD FOR MENIFEE LAKES !  PLEASE SUPPORT HER IN HER EFFORTS TO RETURN MENIFEE LAKES TO THE TOWN OF A LIFETIME WE ALL REMEMBER.

WHO IS GOOD FOR MENIFEE LAKES? DON BECKENDORF- EXCEPTIONAL CITIZEN- EXPERIENCED CORPORATION EXECUTIVE

We have decided to put our confidence once again in Mr. Donald Beckendorf of Vista Estrella district.  Why?  Because once again there are no hidden agendas with this man. No vendettas.  No grudges.  What you see is what you get.  Mr. Beckendorf has a demonstrated history of helping the association,  and standing up when things run amuck and the Board begins to act selfishly or childishly.

When Mr. Beckendorf discovered that a contrtactor had lied on his application with regard to his experience and job history,  Mr. Beckendorf  had no difficulty in suggesting that the applicant be dismissed for DISHONESTY.  Others on the  board majority found those lies to be undisturbing, and actually covered them up; and instead of dismissing the candidate,  they decided to make their decisions without the input of Mr. Beckendorf, and Mr. Chris Carnes and others who were concerned about the dishonesty.   (Dishonest and 'backroom' politics.)  The contractor still works for the association,  even though the current board is aware of serious allegations of misconduct against this individual.  Instead of transparency, there is a concerted 'cover up' .  Dishonest ! Shameful!

Mr. Beckendorf is a staunch Christian man who "walks his talk".  Along with his wife Sue, they have faithfully served our commnity whenever called to the task since for the past 12 years. Mr. Beckendorf has served as the chairperson of the Lake Committee,  as well as President of the Board of Directors.  In fact the only time they have not been involved is when they have been denigrated by individual board members, and not allowed to participate. (Darkness does not like the "light".)

Mr. Beckendorf is an honest man,  who has never resorted to lying about anyone to get himself elected,  as have "others" running.  You always know where Mr. Beckendorf stands on issues of importance to the association. HONESTY  is a prime qualification.  We can ALL TRUST Don Beckendorf.

But perhaps one of the most important characteristics of Mr. Beckendorf with respect to serving on the Board of Directors is the FACT that he has GONE ON RECORD many times with regard to "transparency" when it comes to board activities. He has ALWAYS invited the opinions and input from homeowners,  and delegates on EACH and EVERY issue of importance to the community.  He has openly disavowed the practice of "secret meetings" of board members,  and "back door politics" which have characterized the past 4 Boards of directors. As a result, Mr. Beckendorf himself has been "uninvited" to meetings where unlawful activity was on the agenda. Don Beckendorf became the target of the likes of Savard and Roach, when he openly distanced himself from those on the board who were dealing dishonestly with the association.  They belittled his relationship with his wife,  hiding behind the "menifee truth" website and email address. (We have the actual emails sent.. and publications on the menifee truth web site owned and / or operated by Savard and Roach) he became the object of Ad Hominem criticisms which were designed to discredit him and his wife. They tried to intimidate him with threatening emails,  sent both to him and to others "implying that he could be sued" for more than one 'cause of action' relating to the SUCCESSFUL RECALL in 2006 and for other alleged conduct which was presented without any substantiation.

You can often tell the character of a man by who his enemies are.  This is true in this case for sure.

We once again have a track record by which to judge Mr. Beckendorf's suitability and desirability for the Board of Directors of our association.  Mr.Beckendorf has:

• Consistently promoted openness in ALL board matters,  except when it comes to protecting the privacy interests of homeowners.  He understands the demands of the Davis Sterling Act which governs how community associations are to be run.
• Voted for the acquisition of the information center for the purposes of housing the management company.
• Voted for and actively participated in the process of improving the Beach and Swim Club as an amenity for the association. (raising property values for all homeowners)
• Consistently voted for the improvements to the lake and landscape. (raising property values for every home in our community)
• Voted for the protection of our lake from the intrusion of outsiders.  (improving and maintaining property values)
• Opposed Secret meetings (and there were many held by Susan Vejar when she was "acting" president of the board just prior to HER RECALL from the board) held by any committee or the board.
• Worked with management to improve the quality of water going into the lake,  and the quality of water going on the landscape.
• Supported multiple inspections per month of our association property by the management company.
• Supported the enforcement of architectural guidelines,  and with his wife,  was instrumental in the re writing of those guidelines.

Yes,  to sum up our observations of Mr. Beckendorf's character,  and his proven track record:  Mr. Beckendorf is a man of INTEGRITY,  with extensive background in corporation management.  He supports the involvement of each and every homeowner in the decision making process. Has been involved actively in our association since 1999,  well before "the boys"who came out of the woodwork with one goal in mind,  and we all know what that was/is.  Don Beckendorf is TRUSTWORTY.  He is worthy of our trust,  and of our support, and YOUR vote.  We heartily recommend Don Beckendorf for the Board of Directors,  and we encourage you to vote for him.

Who is GOOD for Menifee Lakes? RICHARD GOWARD - DISTINGUISHED VETERAN

We (those who contribute to this blog) feel that we can wholeheartedly RECOMMEND that you vote for RICHARD GOWARD. Here is why:

Mr. Goward has served on various Menifee Boards of Directors over the past 15 years. He has served as President, as well as CFO. His knowledge of the "early days" of Menifee Lakes is excellent. He has a working knowledge of this HISTORY and the intent of the developer as well as the Lusk Company. He is familiar with the District Delegate System, and has been on the Board when it worked! Mr. Goward is intelligent, forthright, and skilled in management. He has served his country with DISTINCTION as an officer in the United States Coast Guard.  He is familiar with the requirements for ongoing and preventive maintenance of all assets.  But perhaps the most important factors which cause us to lend support to Mr. Goward is the FACT that he is HONEST and IS A MAN OF INTEGRITY.

Furthermore, Mr. Goward has NO PERSONAL AGENDAS. He has no "favorite son" contractors, attorneys, or managers. He has been and is very dedicated to the community of Menifee Lakes. He supported the following in the past, which have all proved good for Menifee Lakes: (1) Mr. Goward supported the purchase of the information center from Diamond Brothers with the intent that the management company would occupy the building for the convenience of the association.He was also involved in the interior design and build out of the info center into its present day configuration (2) Mr. Goward supported the improvements at the Beach and Swim Club. (3) Mr. Goward has always been a believer in getting the views and opinions of the homeowners on important decisions. (4)Mr. Goward was an integral part of the transition from Diamond Brothers Control of the Lake and Beach Club and was a part of the committee which wrote the rules and regulations for Lake and Beach Club use. (5) Mr. Goward is a skilled CFO with the knowledge and experience to keep us safe from speculative investments . (6) Mr. Goward has a good understanding of the basic purposes of a homeowner's association: to maintain and improve property values by maintaining all common areas, ensuring that homes are kept up and properly maintained (by more frequent drive throughsd by the property manager); and of course providing for the maintenance and upkeep, AND improvement of the common areas. MOST IMPORTANTLY, Dick Goward has a VIEWABLE TRACK RECORD in terms of his past leadership, solicitation of community input, and fiscal responsibility. Add to that the FACT that Mr. Goward has no personal grudges against anyone in the community, and no "rote loyalty" to any contractor, and couple that with his PERSONAL INTEGRITY and we feel that he is the NUMBER ONE CHOICE for being on the NEW Board of Directors.

PLEASE CAST AT LEAST ONE VOTE FOR RICHARD GOWARD!!! Your comments please?

These remarks represent the opinions of those responsible for this blog. In some instances the information published is only an opinion. In other cases the information published is factual information which is available to all. It comes from documents which are available for public viewing, and/or acquisition. In cases where no source is cited, the reader should assume that the information presented is based on personal opinion (based on personal experiences) of those who publish the remarks.


After putting off the election for months, the Board finally "got around to it". Only six months late! After all sorts of "INTERNAL" problems and issues involving Savard, Roach, and Stamper.... and of course the association attorney David Peters.. the Board is trying to convince us that they deserve re election. What a bunch of HOOEY!

In the first place the reason there are SEVEN seats up for election is because we have not had a "legal election" since 2007. That's right! Not since 2007!! And the only reason that one was legal is because a judge erroneously ruled that he could extend the quorum change into a year not at issue in the hearing. By legal, we mean that the standards required for the votes to be counted (a quorum) was not reached for the affected years.


Why you might ask is this the case? Well, it is our opinion that the board was too busy dealing with their own schisms, infighting, ego trips, and of course squandering almost a quarter of a million dollars pursuing our previous lake manager, Don Harris. And trying to protect themselves against future law suits. The association attorney was questioned about this at a recent board meeting by a homeowner, and admitted the number was "north of 160,000.00" but would not say exactly how much has been spent on his services thus far. Other sources cite documents indicating over $200,000 in legal fees.


It has been pretty clear to us, and others who have kept up on the activities of this board that at the very least Stamper, Savard, and Roach should be kicked as far off the board as possible. In the past they have inundated us with rhetoric to hoodwink us into voting for them. Those who criticized them for what appeared to them as self promoting, and private agenda driven actions as the "executive committee" in complete charge of the law suit against Mr. Harris (which has cost the association almost a quarter of a million dollars over the past 4 years, once every thing is considered.) were intimidated, slandered, or denigrated. Everyone already knows, who was around in 2006 and 2007 how these men openly led a campaign against Mr. Harris, but also others in the community like Don Beckendorf, Christopher Carnes, Lucy Walund, Jim and Judy Hyneman, and others who took issue with their pretexts, professions, and platitudes.


So we are going to try to provide you with some factual information which we hope will cause you to do some of your own investigating, and come to a rational conclusion and vote for a complete change of the board, as much as is possible.


We also invite your comments. We are happy to publish comments which address the issues of importance to our community. This site is not "aimed at anyone". We are very open about the fact that we disapprove strongly with the way the board has operated during the past several years. We believe that it is time for a change in the leadership of this community. We have strong opinions about certain individuals who are currently on the board, and strong opinions about some who are running for the board. We also have strong opinions about a couple of the contractors working for the association. We intend to publish facts, information, and opinion which, we think once you evaluate for yourselves, will assist you in electing folks who REALLY have the best interest of our community at heart.

Remember, rhetoric and words are cheap and easy to spout. But what will people do once they are in office? These are the questions to be asked. And fortunately for us, the folks who are running for the board this year EACH has a track record which can be examined. Let's agree about this: actions speak louder than words!!! And let's focus on those who are running for the board. We are not creating a forum here for bashing anyone we don't like; nor will we allow others to do that. At this time, this blog site is dedicated to issues which affect us all, and which will be affected by the outcome of this election.

Let us hear from you! It would be nice if you signed your name to your post. But if you prefer to remain anonymous that is ok also. We reserve the right to edit posts if we deem they are too personal, use profanity, sexual or racial slurs, or are not generally relevant to the issues.