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Florida's first Volunteer Election Monitor Valmore Lucier describes how condo elections should be conducted - and what some boards are willing to do to stay in power. He also details urgent reforms that are needed and what they should entail. Lucier takes the reader behind the scenes to share the frustrations, challenges, and oppositions encountered by the first Condominium Ombudsman in America. Why was the first Condominium Ombudsman in America fired in less than two years? hile there are many “official” explanations, author Valmore Lucier connects the dots with this first-hand account. Lucier was Chief Election Monitor for Florida’s first Condominium Ombudsman from February 2005 to April of 2006. He handled 90 Petitioned Elections and processed 105 Election Monitor Petitions for validation by the Ombudsman. As of January 1, 2007, he was still the only licensed Condominium Election Monitor in Florida. His behind-the-scenes view reveals the inner workings of the new Condominium Election Monitor's office, created by the Florida Legislature in 2004. He explains what was provided – and what was withheld – in executing that mandate, offering an insider's understanding of the challenges confronted by the Ombudsman. TESTIMONIALS “The integrity of elections in condominium associations
has been compromised. Every legislator and condo board member should study this
book carefully.” “Valmore Lucier influenced the policies
and procedures of condo board elections throughout the State of Florida –
helping to prevent controversy, manipulation and misconduct.” “A
must-read for anyone who wants to understand how to protect condo owners against
abuse and mismanagement.” This book focuses on one of the Ombudsman's four areas of responsibility: Conducting Elections. It provides step-by-step descriptions of the regular condominium election, the petitioned election, and the election monitoring processes. Creating a new organization for the petitioned election monitor process was a daunting task. A totally new system was required. Valmore Lucier describes how condo elections should be conducted and what some boards are willing to do to stay in power. He also details the election reforms needed and why they are essential. As Florida Legislator Julio Robaina stated, “Every legislator and condo board member should study this book carefully.” The author raises the question: How can such a simple, straightforward process cause so much trouble? He offers two reasons: * The majority of volunteer association directors don't “have a clue what the statutes and rules require of them," and * The election process is “manipulated and mangled by knowledgeable boards with agendas or by property managers and attorneys that don't want to lose cash-cow accounts.” The author's service as Chief Election Monitor was the first time anyone other than an Association had the authority to conduct an election of a Board of Directors. The board, the property manager and the attorney suddenly became spectators instead of players. The financial and political costs of keeping old boards in power was disclosed. As word spread, more associations signed up for the Election Monitor's service. An entire hilarious chapter of almost unbelievable condo board election incidents is included. Yet, they all happened. The author's objective is to help frame legislation that will improve the lives of homeowners across the nation. Condo and Homeowner Associations should make copies available to all current and future Board members. Libraries, government agencies, grassroots organizations, law firms, property management companies, real estate firms and all related homeowner groups should keep this book in stock!
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