JACKSON – Signs were seen and signatures sought as part of an effort by residents of the 60 Acre Reserve Condominium Association to modify a measure coming up for a vote concerning electronic voting.
Resident Robert Skinner, who heads the 60 Acre Reserve Activists Facebook page, spearheaded a rally on April 21 to bring awareness of the issue that involves the idea of the development’s residents voting on association issues via e-mail.
“We are for that but there needs to be an amendment to how this vote has been written,” Skinner said.
Skinner, and several other residents who came out for the day-long rally, said that they are opposed to the part of the vote that states a proxy is part of the process and if a dwelling owner does not choose to vote, the vote automatically counts as a yes vote.
“I feel that anything written that is subject to interpretation should be scrapped and started over. Therefore, since I feel the residents are largely “for” E-Voting, this amendment must be written in such a way that it needs no interpretation and instead that it explains everything and does not have any language in it that would subject any homeowner to automatically vote “yes” to this amendment or any other amendment to our bylaws,” Skinner said.
Skinner said that the association would pick a proxy and that “this is a real problem.”
The measure comes from a recently passed state bill called the Radburn bill.
The state has not yet provided regulations in relation to that legislation and Skinner said he feels the association is “skirting the issue on this.”
The 60 Acre Reserve development, which is not a 55 plus community, has 1,086 units according to Skinner. “We are divided into 10 regimes and have representation by delegates who vote on their behalf. I am a firm believer in direct voting.”
“Every homeowner must assert his or her own vote of confidence in any and all amendments and procedures thereof,” Skinner added.
Skinner said his efforts to mobilize residents has created a combative relationship between him and the board of directors of the association which he said have tried to sue him in the past.
Skinner and several other residents began canvassing the development two weeks ago for signatures calling for an amendment to the current vote.
Leonard Loria was among those who stood beside Skinner with a sign on 60 Acre Boulevard and Nature Boulevard with signs and calling over curious residents driving and walking around the development to their cause.
“I’ve lived here for 16 years,” Jim Cassese said. “They know people are too busy to always vote but it shouldn’t be written this way. We are for electronic voting. It would make it easier. All we want to do is for the board to knock this down and rewrite it.”
Skinner said he and others who support this idea either want it rewritten or for it to be voted down when the tally comes due on April 27.
“This is a beautiful community but the association just needs to get their act together.” Skinner said.
When the association was reached for comment, a man who stated he was the property manager at the 60 Acre Reserve, said he could not comment on the issue. Attempts were made to contact the attorney for the development, but calls were not returned.
