Six POA candidates running for board

One-term director Jeanne O’Dell has decided not to run for a second term, opening up three seats on the Canyon Lake POA Board for six candidates, including incumbent Chris Poland. Chris is the current president of the board.

Those who are running for the three two-year terms on the board are Brian Bock, Timothy Cook, Chris, Carl Gardner, Bradley Foland and Renee Griffiths. (The order of the candidates listed by the Canyon Lake POA was randomly selected by the Inspectors of Elections.)

The election will culminate with the annual meeting of the association on May 13. The ballots will be mailed to members of the Canyon Lake POA on April 12. Ballots can be returned anytime after receiving them, but, if mailed, should be mailed by May 7.

Each candidate turned in a Candidate Statement as part of the Intent to Run packet. The content of each statement follows:

Brian Bock

Prior to a few weeks ago, I truly had not thought about running for CLPOA Board this year. Anyone that knows me, also knows that for many years my wife literally dissuaded me from doing so due to the less than civil and unhealthy environment surrounding past CLPOA elections and the aftermath. This year, after some concerning local events, and of course, the declaration of an “emergency” to change the General Rules on “political” postings, my wife gave her blessing. As a result of her encouragement, coupled with the fact that numerous Canyon Lake residents have also summoned me to represent them on the Board, I hereby declare my intention to run for our CLPOA Board of Directors.

Similarly, last year, I did not desire to create the Canyon Lake September 11th Tribute in Light. But rather, after a series of incredible events culminating in the scheduled cancellation of the actual World Trade Center annual tribute, I was inspired to create the Tribute here in Canyon Lake – to ensure that, at least, we would never forget 9/11.

Other times, whether it was Little League/Pony Baseball, religious congregational boards, school boards/committees, Canyon Lake committees/clubs/events (e.g., Canyon Lake Lake Lease Committee) I have been asked to take the helm and serve for the greater good of our community. Often, such service comes at a price to my family (my wife, our two boys,even our livelihood), but those sacrifices, I, and my family, are always willing to make when it will help and support the needs of our community.

I believe I have been called upon not only because I am a lawyer by trade (who has represented large and small public and private entities), but because I operate in a simple and clear manner with one basic goal: To Do What is Right and Just in a Pragmatic and Civil Manner (at all times). First and foremost, we are all neighbors and friends in this one-of-a-kind community – Canyon Lake a.k.a., A Little Bit of Paradise – and regardless of the issue, we can and should never lose that sight.

There are many strong and well-qualified candidates, and fortunately three (3) potential seats to fill. I am a candidate of integrity, who stands for fairness, transparency, civility and decorum; who is never afraid of facing difficult discussions and decisions; who will work within legal parameters; who will strive to always find an amicable solution; who will never sacrifice own virtue to achieve an end; who will always work tirelessly to bridge gaps and unify; and who will work every day (and I am sure nights too) to Better Canyon Lake. I now simply ask you to support me, Brian Bock for Board Director, Canyon Lake POA. Thank you.

Questions/Concerns/Suggestions to improve our Paradise – feel free to contact me at: bock4poa@yahoo.com

Timothy Cook

Hello, my name is Tim Cook. I am running for the Canyon Lake POA Board of Directors to make positive changes in our community.

Goals of mine include appropriately managing our spending, current project completion, and prioritizing community security. Specifically, I would like to see a pause in the dues increases, considering COVID-19 and our residents with fixed incomes. Projects in the works need to finish, with a priority on projects for the children in the community. Our security team needs to be held to the high standard of pride in service, with real and visible results for our community members.

I will endeavor to be a compassionate and inclusive voice for our community. Canyon Lake is the premier place to live, and I want to see it stay that way.

I am a retired small business owner and have lived here for six years. I have been married five years to a wonderful woman, my wife Shelley, who is a 20-year resident of the community. I have always put an emphasis on community service and engagement. I am a past president of the Murrieta Junior Chamber of Commerce. I served two terms as the past president of the Murrieta National Little League and was a board member for more than 12 years. I am an Army veteran and am the vice president of the newly-formed Canyon Lake Veterans and First-Responders Group, which meets to offer support to those who have served our country and community. l love America and was honored to be a committee member for last year’s Tribute in Light-9/11 event. As the individual in charge of securing the light beams for the event, it made me so prideful in our community to see such unity.

I love all that Canyon Lake has to offer, and believe that with integrity, common sense, good judgment, and real communication with residents, that I can dutifully serve this community to the best of my ability once elected. That is my pledge to you.

Feel free to reach out to me on social media or via email at timcook4poa@yahoo.com. Thank you.

Chris Poland

2021 Candidate for Re-election to the CLPOA Board

Husband, Father, Grandfather, Native Californian, CEO, Engineer, Builder, member of the National Academy of Engineering, CLPOA Vice President 2019- 2020, CLPOA President 2020-2021, retired to Canyon Lake.

Barbara and I have been married for 50 years. We have three children, seven grandchildren, and a golden retriever. We were both raised in Big Bear Lake and married as high school sweethearts. I earned a BS in Mathematics at the University of Redlands, an MS in Structural Engineering from Stanford, completed a 40-year career with Degenkolb Engineers in San Francisco, and now maintain a Consulting Engineering Practice in Canyon Lake.

Canyon Lake is a fascinating place we discovered in the early 2000’s. We were drawn to the spectacular views, the lake and golf course, the inclusion of families of all ages and the organized and delightfully unique ambiance. In 2006, we bought our lot and invested in the CLPOA for our future retirement. In 2014 we joined in when we retired and moved here, built our retirement home on Hole 14, started participating in the clubs and committees and now in leadership at the CLPOA Board Level. We are incredibly happy to be here.

My first two years on the Board have been enlightening and rewarding though a challenging learning experience. Canyon Lake is a mutual benefit, non-profit corporation that resides in the City of Canyon Lake. We are a business organized, governed, and owned by the members of the community that are the shareholders. We operate under laws of the State of California and governing documents that include Articles of Incorporation, statements of Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), Bylaws, and self-imposed Rules and Regulations. The Board of Directors is responsible to understand, uphold, and operate within these governing documents, definitely the biggest part of my learning experience.

Over the past year as your President and CEO, I brought the same planning, operating style, and accountability to the Board that I used in my Consulting Engineering firm that was twice the size. We began by formalizing our Board Principles that included our Board’s Core Values, Purpose, Vision, and Goals for 2020-2021. These were published and are regularly referred to as the guideposts for our decision making. They allowed us to reconnect with the community through extensive communication and re-energized committee work, have efficient meetings, consistent decision making, and make good progress toward achieving our vision to become a sought-after resort- style community for the permanent residents; all of them.

My goals for the next two years are to continue thoughtful and focused leadership as follows:

• Provide visionary leadership following the Board Principles.
• Seek to understand, respect, and address the expectations of the community’s diverse membership.
• Implement projects to expand and enhance the amenities and increase property values.
• Work with our committees t hrough their appointed Director Liaisons.
• Provide constant written communication through Board Updates and Agendas.
• Modernize the CC&Rs, Bylaws and Rules to address the needs and wishes of this transitioning community.
• Refine the Annual Budget Development process to better address short-term and long-term expenses.
• Collaborate with the City through open communication and joint efforts related to planning and compliance, economic development, and emergency response and recovery planning.

Carl Gardner

Carl Gardner’s Goals and Objectives: Members Matter

The People of Canyon Lake deserve a Board of Directors who believe that members money, rights and enjoyment of our community all matter. The CLPOA is a $22m company with 4000+ members who are all equally important. My name is Carl Gardner and I am a veteran US Marine, business owner and advocate of limited, efficient government. I believe our Property Owners Association exists for a limited purpose; to manage our shared resources and not do anything that negatively affects our property values or our civil rights. I am the CLPOA board candidate who believes that all Members Matter.

Members Money Matters:

I will reduce membership dues through a more efficient property owners association. I will do this by conducting an audit of one of our biggest budget line items, the Operations Department. I will also look into what we are spending on our current legal representation to be sure we are not wasting money on actions that are outside the scope of the property owners association’s limited purpose. As a CLPOA board member, I will look at outsourcing Operations and other departments of the CLPOA to save the membership money while increasing membership control and quality of service.

Members Rights Matter:

I will work to reduce and eliminate the “self imposed rules”, policies and processes within our community that are not in line with traditional American values. To curb the erosion of our rights in the future, I will implement a Board of Directors Ethics Policy. A public ethics policy will help guide future boards in their decision making process, avoiding unneeded expenses and therefore lowering dues. I will also work on the implementation of a system mandating warnings for Members who inadvertently break one of the many rules we have in our community. I will strictly enforce the CLPOA’s duty to provide evidence against members accused of breaking rules.

Members Enjoyment Matters:

The CLPOA is here to serve the Membership. We moved here for the amenities, not to be micromanaged by an “HOA”. Each amenity we have is paid for and shared by the membership. Each member has equal rights to amenities. As a CLPOA board director, I will make educated decisions based on competent, experienced counsel and input (votes) from the Membership. Evidence will be presented and considered while private interests who want special privileges will be ignored. To save the community money in the long run, when the community is split on the use of an amenity, I will work to have the issue go to a vote of the Membership.

– Carl Gardner, CLPOA Member in Good Standing – 0319-089

Bradley Foland

Canyon Lake Property Owners Association Members:

Please accept this as my intention to become a Director candidate for the 2021-2023 election.

Since 1987, my family has lived in Canyon Lake; and I have watched this city develop and prosper during this time. My wife and I purchased our own home here in 2019, wanting our two daughters to grow up to have some of the same experiences in our hometown. For this reason, I would like to offer my time working for and helping the Canyon Lake member’s voices to be heard. I believe that we need to do what is best for our members as a whole, not just one individual, but no voice will be ignored. I understand that people may not always agree, but we can work through our differences and compromise to maintain a united community.

In preparation for this position I have become familiar with the rules and regulations of the association. I am an experienced manager at a medical gas supply company in Temecula, and previous part-owner in a small business. I have had the good fortune to work with a diversified group of individuals, and am often required to tackle many daily challenges. I have developed skills in fostering relationships by openly communicating and listening to customers and employees.

My goal is to preserve the original ideas of the lake, while fairly welcoming pertinent changes relevant to the needs of the community. To meet this goal, l will review the association’s expenses and help implement feasible timelines that will ensure staying within budget. I will address the needs and wants of the people, without giving in to the demand to increase fees and fines to the members. I will work to make adjustments to the communication platform enabling a better process for the interchange of ideas, thoughts and information between the Board and its members. I will research and question official channels to provide sources and relevant data, when concerns are brought forth that could potentially change and/or affect the members of this community. Finally, I will do my best to ensure the Board makes financially sound decisions and the bylaws are followed, so the reasons we all came to live in Canyon Lake will remain.

I look forward to be given the opportunity to be part of a Board who will work honestly and transparently for all the members of this association. I would appreciate your vote in this election!

Thank you in advance for your time and consideration,

Bradley Allen Foland

Renee Griffiths

Hello, my name is Renee Griffiths. My husband Mark and I moved to Canyon Lake in August 2017. While it took a little time to adjust to the hot summers, we immediately fell in love with the Canyon Lake Community. When Mark is not at the fire station, we enjoy spending time on our pontoon boat with our dog and cocktails with our neighbors.

While not many are fully prepared for this position, I come to you with the time, energy, and a willingness to dig in. I have spent the last two years on the Finance Committee. This has given me great insight as to how the POA operates. As a financial planner and fiscal conservative, I believe it is crucial that board members understand the financial mechanics of the POA. It is important to make certain the community’s money is spent wisely.

Goals and Objectives:

Transparency: My goal is to work with the staff to make certain all bid notifications are posted to the Canyon Lake POA Website, Facebook Page, and Instagram. This way Canyon Lakers will have an opportunity to bid on all the projects that our dollars fund. This will help us all feel that there is honesty and integrity in the selection process.

Sierra Park North: I hope all Canyon Lakers vote YES to fund the building of Sierra Park North. Children (especially teens) need a fun place to go. This is also why I suggested to the board that kids should be allowed to ride bikes at Evans Park. Bikes should be allowed on all DG pathways.

Financial Responsibility: Financial discipline is important. While there are many excellent projects on the horizon, as a board member I will consider moving forward at a slower pace to help minimize the increase in dues. Please note that the “slower pace” consideration on projects does not apply to the Sierra North Park project.

Community:I will work with staff, clubs, and committees to host a Club and Committee Rush Event (this was planned in 2018, but the event was cancelled). I am also working with the Country Club to start having “Yappy Hour,” and/or “Canine and Cocktails” events on the patio.

Security:Having excellent security is paramount. I am excited to see the improvements in our security with the new company. If adjustments are needed, I will work staff to explore all options.

Listening: As a relatively new member of the Canyon Lake Community, I understand the usefulness of listening without preconceived notions. I know that there is more than one “right” way to do something, so the opinions and ideas of our members matter to me.

Freedom: My husband served in two military branches, USMC and USAF. He was willing, like countless others, to fight for our freedom. I will not infringe upon your freedom, it is invaluable.

Fun Stuff:Amenities my husband and I enjoy at Canyon Lake…Dog Park, Basketball Courts, Tennis Courts, Pickleball Courts, Golf Course, both restaurants and of course the Lake. We are members of the Canyon Lake Yacht Club, “The best party on the water.”

Boring Stuff: Earned my Bachelor of Arts in Business Degree from Vanguard University in 2004 (age 34). I am a CERTIFIEDTM, Charted Financial Consultant® and Chartered Life Underwriter®

To learn more about me and/or ask any questions, please follow me on Instagram and Facebook @ vote4reneeclpoaboard. Cheers.