January 10, 2005

Dear Fellow Homeowner,

Mesquite's annual meeting and Board of Directors election are just around the corner... in February. With that election you will 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.

I want to thank you for electing me to the Board last year. However, the Board has overruled my one vote on 
many different occasions. I know what needs to be done at Mesquite. But being a minority of one, I 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 that I can remember as an owner at Mesquite for over 15 years.

For example, they were in control as our Reserve Funds were depleted and under-funded by nearly 90% of what even THEY 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 literally without any prior discussion among owners -- again until a group of owners started asking questions about the long-term viability and cost of painting rather than other options. They were also in control when they proposed a special assessment last winter of nearly $2,000 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 also 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nearly 45% of the owners who voted in that election later wrote to the Board telling them that they wanted their vote rescinded because they believed they were mislead on what they were actually voting for.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 non-vote!

This year-- for the first time in recent memory-- we actually have a choice of candidates at Mesquite. 

Many of us have been working diligently to find candidates who will bring to the Board the intelligence, creativity, openness, fiscal responsibility and vision needed to deal with the increasing complex nature of running Mesquite Country Club. 

We have found three qualified candidates: Frances Scott (Phase 3), David Krubinski (Phase 4), and Michael Torhan (Phase 3). A short resume of each is included for your review. 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.

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 an owner I believe that you will have two very clear choices this elections: (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 your money like it was theirs when making financial decisions?

I am asking today for your consideration 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. With them I believe that we can supply a new openness, vision and vitality that has been lacking at Mesquite for many years.

Thank you.

Enrico Pietropaolo
Director, Mesquite Country Club

P.S. Do you have an email address? If so, if you have not been receiving email updates please send it to us TODAY to: Enricop24@aol.com  . This way we can keep you up to date with election news and other important issues. Just email us today with your name and location.