Laguna Woods’ Third Laguna Hills Mutual members will soon vote whether to recall two board members, Robert Mutchnick and Lynn Jarrett, and at the same time, answer who should replace them as directors if the recall is successful.
Jarrett’s term ends later this year, and Mutchnick’s term ends in 2023.
Four candidates have put their names on the ballot to fill the potential seats: Mutchnick is asking voters to choose him again, while N. Cris Prince, Karen Shore and Jules Zalon all argue they would better represent the members.
Ballots must be returned to UniLect by 11 a.m. June 2 and are expected to be counted June 3.
Residents can deposit their ballot in the ballot box in the Community Center lobby (24351 El Toro Road) until 5 p.m. June 2.
If you have not received your ballot, or your ballot is lost or damaged, call the UniLect duplicate request call center at 866-466-6455, available 24/7 throughout the balloting period.
For other questions regarding the recall election, call Inspector of Elections Catherine Burkhart at 888-864-5328 (1-888-UniLect).
The Globe contacted each of the four candidates with a questionnaire, giving them word limits. Here are their responses (responses may have been edited for length or content).
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Laguna Woods Village Golf Course
(Photo by Mark Rabinowitch) -
N. Cris Prince
(Courtesy photo) -
Robert Mutchnick
(Courtesy photo) -
Karen Shore
(Courtesy photo) -
Jules Zalon
(Courtesy photo)
N. CRIS PRINCE
Years in Laguna Woods Village: 9
Education: Certificate in Legal Assistantship, UC Irvine Extension Program
Occupation/business experience: I have over 40 years of experience in the legal field in both corporate and law firm settings, including serving 19 years with Amgen, a worldwide biotech company. I served as senior compliance manager with the Healthcare Compliance Department and provided support to the Corporate Integrity Team. I also served as senior specialist paralegal with Amgen’s Law Department functioning as the Section 16 trading compliance officer and filing coordinator interfacing with the senior executive officers, the board of directors, and their respective brokers to ensure compliance with the company’s Insider Trading Policy, as well as their filing requirements with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
In addition, I served as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, having served six years, both active and reserve.
Laguna Woods Village affiliations/activities: I served as both past secretary and president of the Laguna Woods Women’s Golf Club.
Personal statement: My experiences in the legal field, on the Orange County Grand Jury, and as past presidents of both the Laguna Woods Women’s Golf Club and Orange County Paralegal Association have prepared me for the challenges of being on Third Mutual’s board. Know that I will “do the right thing.”
What one improvement or change do you think would enhance life in the Village for its residents? The recall has provided the opportunity to revisit the issue of property insurance, reevaluate the investment of the Reserve Fund, and reexamine attorney services.
ROBERT MUTCHNICK
Years in Laguna Woods Village: 3
Education: PhD, Criminology, Florida State University, 1979; MS, Criminology, Florida State University, 1973; BS, Sociology, Herbert H. Lehman College, 1972
Occupation/business experience: President, HOA, Hilton Head Island, S.C., 1998-2006; Professor/Chair, Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, 1982-2019; Professor, Department of Criminal Justice, Marshall University, 1977-1982; Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Florida A&M University, 1974-1976
Laguna Woods Village affiliations/activities: President, Third Laguna Hills Mutual, Oct. 2021-present; Treasurer, Third Laguna Hills Mutual, May 2020-Oct. 2021; Director, Third Laguna Hills Mutual, Nov. 2019-May 2020.
Member: Maintenance and Construction Committee, 2019-2022; Architectural Control and Standards Committee, 2020-2022; Resident Policy and Compliance Committee, 2020-2022; Finance Committee, 2019-2022; Executive Hearing Committee, 2020-2022
Personal statement: I believe in service and in giving back to my community. To improve communication/transparency, I instituted weekly Wednesday emails and monthly town halls. I believe my board participation has been both positive and beneficial to improving the financial well-being of Third Mutual and enhancing our quality of life.
What one improvement or change do you think would enhance life in the Village for its residents? A few select changes to the CC&Rs would allow the board flexibility that will enhance the quality of life for all residents.
KAREN SHORE
Years in Laguna Woods Village: 4
Education: Master of Science degree
Occupation/business experience: My primary occupation was as a nurse practitioner. My business experience was as the research administrator with UC Irvine for the start-up of the 90+ Study, a longitudinal study of those 90 and over; study liaison for all business contact with the Institutional Review Board; staff supervisor.
Nurse Manager: Occupational Health Program Manager, Environmental, Health and Safety at UC Irvine. My business responsibilities there included pandemic planning and business continuity planning in coordination with all campus departments; additionally developed health-related policy for the campus working with the campus compliance department.
Laguna Woods Village affiliations/activities: Since moving here, I have been a building captain in the Garden Villa Association. Other activities include the Music Club, pickleball, bridge, RV club, Baby Boomers and Community Concert Series.
Personal statement: I ran for Third board to assure our Bylaws and CC&Rs are followed by prioritizing the maintenance of property and property values. Please join me now and vote yes to recall Mr. Mutchnick and Ms. Jarrett. The future solvency of Third Mutual, GRF, and VMS depends upon your vote.
What one improvement or change do you think would enhance life in the Village for its residents? Vote yes to recall directors for poor decisions leading to sky-high dues. We can lower our dues with good business judgement, honesty, and integrity.
JULES ZALON
Years in Laguna Woods Village: 6
Education: Fairleigh Dickinson University, 1959: BS in Business Management; New York University School of Law, 1963: LL.B.
Occupation/business experience: Lawyer, specializing in entertainment litigation, copyright, trademark, rights of privacy
Laguna Woods Village affiliations/activities: Former Third director. Active member of Old Pros, Theatre Guild, Video Club, Silverstreaks, Concerned Citizens
Personal statement: I championed this recall because the membership has lost faith in the board, which failed its primary fiduciary obligation: first and foremost to protect the rights of individual members. This board has spent money like a drunken sailor and continues to follow instructions from a wildly expensive and (in my opinion) incompetent lawyer.
What one improvement or change do you think would enhance life in the Village for its residents? The one improvement: Adoption of a members’ Bill of Rights. Explanation: Our boards often disciplined members, allowing no opportunity to defend themselves. This police-state atmosphere shows no respect for the individual. It must cease immediately.
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