Yes, SAMLARC elections are fair!

Since November 2016, I've had the honor of serving my community as President of the SAMLARC board of directors and the board member for the community based SAMLARC election committee. I feel a personal need to address Mr Brent Hoff's post. Please note my post is being written on my behalf, not on behalf of SAMLARC or any other board member.

SAMLARC was given an honorary membership to the Chamber of Commerce in Rancho Santa Margarita (RSM Chamber). SAMLARC did not ask for the membership; that membership was given to SAMLARC by the Chamber at no cost nor strings attached. SAMLARC is not an agent for the Chamber nor is the Chamber an agent for SAMLARC. I am not a member of the RSM Chamber nor do I have any personal ties to the Chamber. How the RSM Chamber chooses to run their organization is up to their board and members. Any questions or concerns pertaining to the views and opinions to the RSM Chamber should be directed to them, not SAMLARC.

Individuals have brought up the concern to me over the honorary membership from the RSM Chamber, so I decided to bring the subject of "Honorary Memberships" as a whole, to the board for discussion at the Jan 24th Executive Session Meeting. The decision by the majority of the board was for SAMLARC staff to draft a policy on how to handle these types of memberships; bring back for discussion and possible action at the next SAMLARC Board meeting, 21st of February.

Looking at the current SAMLARC election, I know the election is being run with the utmost integrity. No violation of the civil code has been made and according to Corporate Counsel all actions related to the election have been consistent with the law.