SERVICE CORPORATION ELECTION TACTICS CLAIM ANOTHER VICTIM

WRITTEN BY: CHRISTOPHER MIMS
Managing Editor
April 14, 2009

It has been reported that today's Conquistador Condominium Annual Meeting and resulting election has been deemed subject to challenge by actions of employees of the master association, St. Augustine Shores Service Corporation.

A trespass warning was previously issued against a candidate for the Service Corporation Board, in an attempt to prevent him from campaigning on property owned by the St. Augustine Shores Service corporation. While attending the Conquistador Annual Meeting, in which the candidate's wife was seeking a seat on the Conquistador Condominium Board of Directors, he was promptly removed by officers with the St. John's County Sheriff's Department.

Immediately upon entering the premises with his wife and another Association Member, a Conquistador resident, who has been named in pending civil action related to Service Corp election improprieties, headed for the office of the Service Corporation seeking out the individual stating the false claims used to obtain the trespass warning against the Service Corp Board candidate.

Shortly thereafter, the subject of the trespass warning and his wife, a candidate for the Conquistador Board, were escorted out of the facilities and the subject was given a choice of arrest or vacating the premises. His wife, under much duress, decided to accompany her husband from the premises and was not able to witness or be a part of the election process.

Under Chapter 718 of the Florida Condo Statutes is language which clearly defines the rights, responsibilities and obligations of condominium homeowners and their right to attend, speak and vote at Association Annual Meetings. In addition, both the State and US Constitution grant additional rights to homeowners of property located within an Association.

We were prepared to announce the winners of the election but it appears that it will be some time before there is a clear decision if the election is challenged.

After speaking to the individuals affected by today's actions, it is apparent that they have consulted with attorneys and are willing to move forward to challenge the proceedings as far as necessary. They have also stated that they will be in attendance at the Service Corporation Annual Meeting and expect no further interruptions.

It appears that the Service Corporation has claimed another victim, the Conquistador Condominium Election!! One can only wonder what will happen at the Service Corporation Annual Meeting. Seemingly, the only clear winners of this year's elections may very well be the attorneys.