By Mary-Justine Lanyon
Editor
With the resignation of Denise Loxton from the Arrowhead Lake Association board of directors, the At Large A seat has opened up. Three candidates are running for that seat and answered questions at the candidates forum held on Sept. 13.
General Manager Mike Pate thanked the three – Gary Clifford, Michelle DiSimone and Justin Frank – for running for the board. “It took my breath away when I found out how much time it takes.”
Pate then introduced moderator Nathan Godwin, who explained each candidate would have two minutes for an opening statement and then two minutes to answer each question.
Opening statements
Clifford noted he had five years experience as an ALA board member, four as president. “I have a servant’s heart,” he said. “I understand the current issues and have a grasp of what has happened in the past.” He added he will fight for members’ privacy and lower fees.
“I have a lifelong connection to Lake Arrowhead,” DiSimone said. She became devoted to volunteer work after retiring; among that work was her beginning the Happy Trails program in which volunteers clean up the ALA trail. “I will always do the right thing for all ALA members and will promote a positive member experience. I will bring a fresh, balanced voice to the board.”
Frank said he had been considering “this for quite a while.” Noting he had spent every summer at the lake, he has been a full-time resident for 11 years. “Whether your family has been here for 80 years or this is your first year, we have something in common – an appreciation for the lake,” Frank said. “It’s a privilege to spend time here – it’s important to preserve and protect that.”
Questions
The candidates then answered 14 questions. (Note: The Alpine Mountaineer will summarize the candidates’ answers to some of them. ALA members may watch the recorded forum on the ALA website.)
Q: What top three priorities do you want to accomplish, change or improve?
Clifford: The top priority is safety. Having great fiscal assets. Make sure members have an outstanding experience. Couple of big issues: cleanliness of lake water, the valve project.
DiSimone: Not about my priorities – mine would be to be a steward for members, bring members’ concerns to the board. Second: fiscal responsibility – a lot of people have questioned some decisions board has made. Third: lake safety and cleanliness.
Frank: Share some of the same views. Concern about rising fees – need a deep dive into the budget, maintain fees where they are. Valve project of great interest with my construction background. Lake operations and lake safety both a big focus.
Q: What is single biggest issue facing ALA right now and how would you work to resolve it?
All three candidates pointed to the valve project and said they were happy a contract has been signed with an engineering firm.
Q: Board is tasked with balancing diverse interests of over 5,000 members. How do you plan to address any conflicts or disagreements regarding use of the lake and its facilities?
Frank: I want to make sure the 5,000 members are represented equitably. Member surveys have been phenomenal – find out what’s important to them.
Clifford: Focus on members. (He said he was at the beach club and encountered people renting a house who were using a member’s card. He said that is not right.) We have to make sure members have the best experience they can.
DiSimone: Was thrilled several years ago when board decided to start doing member surveys. ALA should represent members’ needs, wishes and desires.
Q: What’s your position on member surveys? What topics would you like added?
Clifford: This is a member organization – surveys are important. I am a fan of them. Need a blend of surveys – what full-time people know, what part-time people need, what management can provide.
DiSimone: 100 percent for surveys. Topics wouldn’t be driven by me – would gather information from members. Valve project will be a large capital expenditure – we will need to get members involved. I think there are a lot of members who would like to volunteer, to do things we haven’t thought of yet.
Frank: Survey should go out on at least an annual basis. Topics: There are not enough funds to address capital improvement projects. Engage the members – which do they want? What are some fun things you want to do; make it the best experience possible.
Q: How do you interact with the lake and facilities? Do you own a boat? Do you fish? Have you volunteered your time for ALA committees and events?
DiSimone: Own a dock and boat. Don’t fish but take friends out in my boat to fish. Very involved in committees; have done a lot of volunteer work. Created Happy Trails day.
Frank: Been skiing since 3 – have probably spent more hours on lake than Lake
Safety. Own dock and boat. Fish occasionally but not very good at it – not very patient.
Clifford: Family is on lake just about every weekend. Fish, have a boat and dock, hike around the lake. Learned to ski on this lake as did children. We really use this asset and want to preserve it for generations to come.
Q: ALA is not immune to rising cost of business – members hate seeing costs go up and yet no one wants to see services decline. How would you balance the two?
Frank: Need a deep dive into the budget – analyze it to see where we can make adjustments. It’s not viable to keep sending fee increases to members.
Clifford: Want to turn trend the other way. Can’t have a continuum where costs keep going up. Need to be more cost effective.
DiSimone: We all know costs are rising. I don’t see us spending less money on our membership fees realistically. It’s time to do a deep dive into the entire budget – maybe look at putting out some more competitive bid requests. Let’s look at volunteer opportunities; we have members who are happy to help.
Other questions addressed the leadership experience the candidates have had, member-to-member communication, successful projects they had led, how to face unforeseen challenges, the role of County Fire and the sheriff on the lake, legal fees, things ALA should focus on in the next five years and their long-term vision for Lake Arrowhead.
The three candidates then had the opportunity to share closing statements, which recapped their answers to the questions.
Ballots and voting instructions will be sent to members by 5:00 p.m. on Sept. 28. Members must complete their voting by 5:00 p.m. on Oct. 13 when Mark Lester, the inspector of elections, will announce the results.
The newly elected director will be seated at the ALA board meeting on Oct. 25.
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