February 10, 2005

Dear Fellow Homeowner,

It is time for us to select who will lead us on the Board of Directors at Mesquite for the next 2 years. With this election we believe you have an opportunity to take an important step to assure that Mesquite moves forward to become what we all strive for -- a MORE secure, MORE livable, MORE beautiful, and MORE fiscally sound community.

Last year we made a giant step in taking back ownership of Mesquite by electing little known candidate Rico Pietropaolo, who ran against the President of the HOA—a person who had been on the Board for nearly a decade. Rico has rewarded our trust and been a breath of fresh air on the Board. But being a minority of one, he could sure use some help. 

There are three current long time members of the Board running for reelection: Mr. Carlin, Mr. Barbaglia, and Mr. Lubin. Although they like to see themselves as part of the solution, they have been in charge during many of the most controversial decisions made at Mesquite in recent years. 

For example, they were in control as our Reserve Funds were depleted and under-funded by nearly 90% of what even the Board admitted they should be-- before owners raised the issue and
drove them into action. 

They were in control when the Board started painting buildings at Mesquite without the knowledge of and literally without any prior discussion among owners -- again until owners started asking questions about the long-term cost of painting, which can begin a cycle costing millions of dollars more than other options.

They were also in control when they proposed a special assessment last winter of nearly $3,000 per owner only to back down when the word leaked out and owners started asking hard questions about what their money was to be used for.

Finally, they were in control during the CC&R scandal a couple of years ago. Remember? That was when nearly 45% of the owners who voted in that election later wrote to the Board telling them that they wanted their vote rescinded because they believed they were mislead on what they were actually voting for. What did Mr. Carlin, Mr. Barbaglia and Mr. Lubin do then? They simply paid our HOA lawyer to refuse owners access to review the results of that vote to verify that the resolution even passed in the first place!

This year-- for the first time in recent memory-- we actually have a full slate of candidates at Mesquite.
And we believe the best-qualified candidates this year are Frances Scott (Phase 3), David Krubinski (Phase 4), and Michael Torhan (Phase 3). Frances, if elected, will be the first woman in many years to serve on the Board at Mesquite, a most welcome and long overdue representation. And Michael, along with Frances, will be the first people elected from Phase 3 to serve on the Board in several years. David brings years of experience as a licensed contractor and expertise needed as we deal with millions of dollars of maintenance projects at Mesquite in the future. And Michael has a solid background in technology and leadership that will be a great asset in providing focus and building a consensus within the Board.

Electing these three informed and energetic candidates will provide the majority votes necessary to remove the air of secrecy and move Mesquite decision-making out into the sunlight where it belongs.

As owners we believe that these candidates offer us a very clear choices this election:

1.) Vote to re-elect a Board that prefers to operate in secret and has too often decided to take the easy road by raising membership dues rather than doing the hard work needed to make Mesquite more efficient and financially sound; or,
2.) Vote to elect a new Board that will listen to the owners who elected them, who will represent all members at Mesquite -- seasonal and weekenders, long time and new owners, those who rent their units and those who live here all year long.

Isn’t it is time we elected Board members who will treat our money like it was theirs when making financial decisions?

Isn’t it time we were informed and had a voice in where our money is going?

I am asking today for your vote and support for Frances, David, and Michael, and for you to give them an opportunity to bring their fresh ideas and solutions to the management of Mesquite. Send in your ballot today to our address on the prepaid envelope provided. With them I believe that we can create a new openness, vision and vitality that has been lacking at Mesquite for many years.

Thank you.

Tim Gaffney
MesquiteOwners.com

P.S. Enclosed today is a prepaid envelope with an optional ballot that includes votes for the 3 Reform Candidates. If you agree with our suggested choice please sign and send in your ballot to us today at Box 440, Palm Springs, CA 92263 so we may tabulate the vote and forward it to the HOA for processing.