This is a report on the May 27, 2008 meeting of the Clear Lake Riviera Community Association where president Alan Siegel and first vice-president Sid Donell resigned.

Truthfully, they didn’t resign. They stopped claiming offices they didn’t hold. They were in violation of term limits, one of the most fundamental rules of the association they claimed to represent. Both, CC&R's and by-laws, say no board member may hold office more than two consecutive years. Special elections must be held to fill vacancies when no one is eligible.

In other words, they were imposters. They deceived many into thinking they had a right to hold office. Because of a guest commentary in the Lake County News (and arduous efforts of a group called “We the People”) revealed the truth, there was a persistent groundswell of dissent, forcing them out.

By pretending to be bona-fide representatives, Alan and Sid have placed homeowners in great danger. They’ve signed contracts for liability insurance that can be overturned in litigation. Like the real estate agent whose license expired, their eligibility had run out. Violating the CC&R’s, they were no longer members in good standing. Applications for insurance must be truthful or insurance companies can refuse to pay. Everyone knows they have good attorneys.

It gets worse. Every ineligible vote Sid and Alan made while they pretended to be directors may be disqualified. Lake County Supervisors should pay attention because (before they “resigned”) Alan and Sid voted to recommend an increase in property taxes for everyone in the Riviera. They forwarded their recommendation to the county. Supervisors would be wise to send this recommendation back to the association until it has eligible agents.

Darrell Watkins lives in Kelseyville.

{mos_sb_discuss:4}