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ROTONDA WEST ASSOCIATION
Election Committee Meeting
Minutes - January 18, 2007


Present: Sue Artz, Chair, Lois Burger, Margie Carroll, Dick Duggan, Ginni Mahon, Donna Krabbe, Connie Volpe

Others: Kathy Gizzi, John Carroll, Claudette Romano, George Krabbe, Tom Madsen - Manager

Chair Sue Artz called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM. The above attendees represented a quorum; Minutes of the September 6, 2006 meeting were reviewed and approved.

Chair Sue Artz asked that Staff, upon receipt of any candidate statement, immediately confirm that:

1) That the candidate is a lot owner within Rotonda West, and
2) That they are members in good standing as defined in Article II, Section 1 of the Deed Restrictions.

Should there be any questions concerning a Candidate's qualification based on one and two above, Staff will:

1) Immediately inform the Chair of the Election Committee, and
2) Contact the Association Attorney for his advice.

There was discussion about what constitutes ownership in Rotonda West - Specific questions concerned whether a spouse whose name is not included on the deed is eligible, and how to treat trusts. Attorney DeBoest will be asked to provide guidance on this question. Each Committee member was asked to email any additional questions for Mr. Deboest to the Chair or the Manager for inclusion.

The Committee reviewed the previous Candidates Guidelines and made the following changes which are incorporated into the included document:

Motion- Lois Burger. Remove the word "unsubstantiated" from Candidate Statement Guidelines #6. Seconded by Connie Volpe. Dick Duggan disagreed, urging that candidates be allowed to put allegations into their Resume as part of their campaign. VOTE: Duggan against, Artz, Burger, Carroll, Krabbe, Mahon and Volpe for. Motion carried 6 votes to one.

Motion - Donna Krabbe. Candidate's statements must remain as presented to the Committee, without editing. The only changes allowed would be those requested by the Committee. This should become Candidate Statement Guidelines #7. Motion seconded by Dick Duggan and approved unanimously.

Motion - Lois Burger. A single lot on private property may contain no more than one sign per Candidate per lot. Seconded by Connie Volpe and approved unanimously.

The revised Guidelines read as follows:


RWA Political Campaign Guidelines

Two people will be elected to the 2007 RWA Board of Directors at the annual meeting in December. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes will serve three-year terms.

Seven Directors share the legal and fiduciary responsibility of managing RWA funds to provide services for property owners as well as maintain and protect our lands and waterways. The volunteer Board meets at least once a month and attends various committee meetings during that time.

According to RWA Rules & Guidelines set forth by The Election Committee and approved by the Board of Directors in 2002, Candidate Statements must be typewritten on one side of an 8-1/2 x 11-inch sheet of white paper and received at the RWA office on Cape Haze Drive no later than 12:01 p.m. Friday, August 26, 2006. If personal delivery is not convenient, we suggest using "return receipt" mail to confirm timely delivery.

Candidate Statement Guidelines should include:

  1. Brief personal information about yourself including background, education, work experience and family etc.
  2. All community activities including Rotonda West.
  3. Why you would like to serve as a member of the Rotonda West Association 's Board of Directors.
  4. What you like to see Rotonda West accomplish in the future.
  5. A candidate cannot sign their statement as an Officer or Director of the Rotonda West Association. The use of business letterheads or advertising is not permissible.
  6. The RWA is a volunteer organization and a high level of decorum is expected of all candidates. The Candidate Statement must not contain any allegations.
  7. Candidate's statements must remain as presented to the Committee, without editing. The only changes allowed will be those requested by the Committee

Political Sign Guidelines approved by the R WA Board of Directors, April 12. 2006:

A Political Sign is one that contains the words; vote, elect, or states a position on ballot issues.

SIZE: The size of the sign shall be no larger than 12x18 inches. Sign not to exceed 42 inches in height. No illuminated signs.

LOCATION: Signs placed on private property must have permission of the owner. All signs are prohibited from road medians and public rights of way. Lots may contain no more than one sign per Candidate per lot.

DISPLAY TIME: R WA political signs may be displayed from OCTOBER 1 to the 3rd day after the RWA annual meeting. All political signs must conform to Charlotte County Regulations.

Reminder: It is a FEDERAL OFFENSE to use the mailbox for anything other than mail going through the postal system.

The RWA is a deed-restricted community that requires a strict policy regarding Real Estate & Political Signs. The RWA regularly picks up non-conforming signs, which are set next to the dumpster at the Community Center located at 3754 Cape Haze Drive. Since vacant lots are mowed by the Association, it is recommended that signs be placed near a tree if possible to facilitate mowing and protect the sign

The committee adjourned at 10:30 AM. The next scheduled meeting is Monday March 12, 2007 at 9:30 AM