The current SAMLARC Board of Directors election is very interesting, there are 10 candidates running for four seats. The RSM Chamber of Commerce is endorsing three candidates. I don't recall the Chamber being involved in SAMLARC elections in the past. What is the real motive for their involvement? That will be discussed at a later time. Were the three candidates endorsed by a majority of the Chamber members or just the leadership?
Since SAMLARC is a member of the RSM Chamber of Commerce and the SAMLARC Election Chairman and SAMLARC President Robert Dickson has not refuted the negative comments made by the Chamber or at least made an attempt to publicly state that SAMLARC does not agree with the Chambers electioneering. By the endorsement of certain candidates, it implies that SAMLARC condones the actions of the Chamber. This would definitely put the remaining seven candidates at a distinct disadvantage of receiving a fair election, if the very person in charge of conducting a so-called fair and impartial election has the appearance of supporting three candidates.
It seems it would be prudent for SAMLARC as a Chamber member to request the Chamber remove any election endorsements or SAMLARC could simply resign their membership from the Chamber to remove any real or perception of partiality. If these steps are not taken the actions of the SAMLARC Election Chairman could prove costly to the membership (approx. $30,000) if any or a number of the candidates successfully contests the election .as provided by Civ. Code § 5135 and 5145(a) and the election has to be redone.
