President promoting only one board candidate in newsletter

Started by BobW5 • 5 replies • 1169 views

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BobW5 (Arizona)
Posts: 21

Posted:

There are three candidates running for two positions in our community. The Board president wrote a raving endorsement of only one candidate in the community newsletter who is an owner but his home is a rental unit and would only be able to vote by phone since he lives 2,000 miles away and visits only a couple times a year. Is there anything unethical about the president using her column which is to be used to promote the good of the community?

Thanks.

MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043

Posted:

Bob,

Unethical yes, and highly unprofessional! I certainly would have reservations about electing a board member who could not attend the meetings. If the Pres neglected to state this in her endorsement of him I certainly hope someone gets this info to the community. Also, it should be remembered that AZ is an open meeting law state. If this member were to "attend" the meeting by phone it would have to be a speakerphone that could be heard by all in attendance. Although this is not explicitly outlined in the statute, the law does state that all meetings are to be open to the members. If the board is conducting the meeting by phone and any members present cannot hear everything being said then the meeting is not open, right?

BobW5 (Arizona)
Posts: 21

Posted:

Mary,
Thank you. As usual, your advice is right on!
Bob

DarylF (Washington)
Posts: 157

Posted:

VERY unethical! I'd question why they want the other board slot filled by someone that won't be around?

Is the printing and delivery of the newsletter paid for by the HOA? It could get interesting if HOA funds are used to promote just one person running.

SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202

Posted:

Very inappropriate, very unusual that an officer of the HOA would endorse a candidate using the HOA newsletter. I hope the Board takes up the issue with her.

Her judgment is not good anyway, in endorsing an "absentee" candidate. I hope that members can see that.

MicheleD (Kentucky)
Posts: 4,491

Posted:

Quote:

Posted By SusanW1 on 05/28/2009 6:46 PM
Very inappropriate, very unusual that an officer of the HOA would endorse a candidate using the HOA newsletter. I hope the Board takes up the issue with her.

Her judgment is not good anyway, in endorsing an "absentee" candidate. I hope that members can see that.

Agree 100% with this post.

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