Board Elections & Candidate Statements

Below are the list of candidates and their nominating statements for consideration.  The following sections of our Bylaws outlines requirements and voting procedures for Directors.

Section 3.02 Directors to be Members.  All Directors must be members of the Association.  Members of the Association that are legal entities, such as a limited liability company or corporation, may serve as Directors through an individual representative.  The President shall act as chairperson of the Board of Directors. 

Section 3.08 Voting Procedure for Directors. Members of the Board of Directors shall be elected at regular or special meetings of the Association.  At such elections, the members or their proxies may cast, in respect to each vacancy, as many votes as they are entitled to exercise under the provisions of the Declaration. Voting for Directors may be conducted by any reasonable means, including but not limited to written ballots and show of hands. 

Candidate statements will be upload within two days of receipt.

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Alana Wagner Bio Pic

Candidate: Alana Wagner

Board Candidate Statement
Hello, my name is Alana Wagner, and I have been a proud single-family resident of the Association since 2007.  My journey with the Board began that very spring when I attended my first annual meeting and was invited to join.  I served on the Board from 2007 to 2015, primarily as Secretary, and two years ago, I stepped in to complete the remainder of a term for a departing member. Today, I am running to officially fill that seat once again. Volunteering my time and efforts to support the neighborhood I call home has always been a source of pride for me.
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A bit about myself: I have been an educator for twenty years and currently mentor new teachers. I also serve on two other Boards, as I strongly believe in dedicating time to organizations that align with my values and passions. My family keeps me busy and fulfilled—I have two children, one in their freshman year of college and another in high school. We love living in Madison, where we enjoy the charm of our neighborhood while embracing the vibrancy of the larger community.
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If elected, I look forward to continuing to serve the people of this neighborhood with dedication and care. Thank you for your support!
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John Sears

Candidate: John J. Sears

Board Candidate Statement

My name is John J Sears. I have lived in Westhaven Trails for over thirteen years; I earned my law degree and obtained my license while living here, and I have deep ties to the community. However, as long as I have lived in Westhaven the Association has been plagued with problems, especially ones due to mismanagement and neglect. Large amounts of money were spent without authorization from the Declaration while our common spaces have been neglected and abandoned. Our trails have been torn up or literally crumbled into dust; our parks have become overgrown with invasive weeds and garbage, and our playgrounds are in truly sorry shape. Our contractors are poorly supervised, our finances are in very shaky condition, our Association is unresponsive to Members, and even simple requests can turn into years-long arguments.   I believe we need someone with both the training to understand our legal obligations and the will to enforce them fairly and evenhandedly; it would also be nice if another member of the Board actually lived in the neighborhood they purport to govern. If elected I will work to bring Westhaven into compliance with its obligations to Wisconsin, to Madison, and its contractual obligations to the Members.

Qualifications:

--Long-time Westhaven resident

--Licensed attorney (Wisbar #1100011), educated here at UW-Madison (Law School Class of 2015)

--Willing to dedicate ample time to Association reform

Reason for Running:  Although I am pleased the current Board has finally started taking halting steps toward reform, moving to adopt my proposal for a professional management company to handle the Assocation's daily affairs for example, it is too little, too late, and far too slow. The rank and file members of the Association need a voice on the Board to check the voices of the large landlords and their proxies, and to exercise the powers of a Board member to bring the Association into compliance with its obligations, both legal and ethical.

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Tom G Bio Pic

Candidate: Tom Gregorich

Board Candidate Statement
Hello, I have been a member of Westhaven Trails Association since 2002.  I moved into the neighborhood when I purchased my first home.  I spent the next few years living here with my wife, walking the many trails, spending time in the parks, and meeting neighbors.  Some of my fondest memories are those of training my two daughters how to ride a bike on the sidewalks of Westhaven.  Currently I own three rental properties within the association and remain committed to keeping this neighborhood clean, safe, and friendly.  Last year I was a member of the Westhaven Trails parks and Architectural Review Board (ARB) committees.  This year I am the chair of the ARB and remain on the parks commitee.  I look to take my commitment to this community to the next level with my involvement as a board member.
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I have spent twenty-five years working in the technology industry, but one of my passions is home improvement and property management.  I have experience managing budgets, writing contracts, and I have multiple skills in the home construction related trades.  I hope that my background will fit well to meet the demands that the board will have to manage.