Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why are there 5 open Board of Directors (BOD) seats this year?

A: Five Sudden Valley Board of Directors seats are open in the November election because three positions are reaching the end of their regular terms, and two positions were vacated mid‑term and require replacement for the remainder of those terms. The seats currently held by Mitch Waterman, Linda Bradley, Keith McLean, Lori Robinson, and Tom Henning are all open.

According to association rules, the top three vote getters will receive full three year terms, while the next two highest vote getters will fill the remaining two year and one year terms associated with the previously resigned positions.

For example, if all five Fab5 candidates win this fall, the terms would be allocated based on the vote count. 

• Candidate 1: 1,100 votes (3-year term) 

• Candidate 2: 1,000 votes (3-year term) 

• Candidate 3: 900 votes (3-year term) 

• Candidate 4: 800 votes (2-year term) 

• Candidate 5: 700 votes (1-year term) 

The candidate who receives the 1-year term would be eligible to run for reelection next year for a full 3-year term. 

Q: How will this BOD coalition actually change anything? How does having a majority work?

A: The SV Board of Directors (BOD) has 11 members: 9 voting members and 2 non‑voting members (the ACC Chair and the N&E Chair). Our coalition is running as a group of five candidates, which if elected would create a majority among the 9 voting seats. A coordinated majority can more effectively set direction, pass motions, and ensure follow‑through on community priorities. While we intend to work respectfully with all current and future board members, a unified team provides the stability and alignment needed to implement meaningful change.

Q: What makes you qualified as a group and as individuals?

A: Our team brings decades of professional experience across fields that directly support the needs of the Association. Together, we offer a diverse and complementary mix of expertise—including licensed mental health professionals, seasoned technology specialists, and a medical research scientist. This breadth allows us to competently address a wide range of organizational challenges, from budgetary and operational issues to technological improvements and interpersonal dynamics.

We are also committed to collaborating respectfully and constructively with the current Board to ensure continuity, stability, and effective governance.

You can learn more about each team member’s background and qualifications at https://www.svfab5.com/team.

Q: You haven’t lived in Sudden Valley very long. Why should you be on our BOD?

A: Our team represents a healthy mix of long‑time residents and newer community members. Some of us have lived in Sudden Valley for more than 20 years, while others arrived within the past five. We believe this combination offers valuable balance: deep historical perspective paired with fresh ideas and new perspectives.

Length of residency is only one form of experience. We also bring decades of business, organizational, and professional expertise that directly support effective governance. Professional experience is just as important—and often more relevant—than how long someone has lived here.

We approach community service without entrenched positions or hidden agendas. What we offer is a clear‑eyed, forward‑looking commitment to what’s best for Sudden Valley as a whole.

Q: You’ve lived in Sudden Valley a long time. Why the sudden interest in serving on the BOD?

A: Like many long‑time residents, I’ve always loved living in Sudden Valley and have generally been willing to overlook occasional governance missteps as no community is perfect. However, recent BOD actions have made it clear that the current majority is steering the HOA in a direction that doesn’t reflect the best interests of most residents.

I’m deeply committed to this community and have no desire to live anywhere else. That’s exactly why I’m stepping forward now: to help restore balance, strengthen trust, and contribute to decisions that benefit the broader membership. My goal is to be part of a constructive, positive change for the Sudden Valley community.

Q: We’ve heard promises like this before. What makes your group any different?

A: This election provides the unique opportunity to seat a majority of voting Board members in a single year. Our group is aligned in values and committed to bringing constructive, structured leadership to Sudden Valley community.

We plan to use a consistent, transparent decision‑making process that incorporates homeowner input at every stage. This includes gathering community feedback, evaluating options openly, and making informed decisions on policies and projects that matter most to residents. Learn more about our structured approach at https://www.svfab5.com/key-issues and how homeowner input will be gathered and used athttps://www.svfab5.com/your-voice.

Our five candidates bring a wide range of skills, backgrounds, and years living in both the upper and lower gates of Sudden Valley. Despite our differences, we share core principles centered on Community, Nature, and Stewardship. You can learn more about each candidate at https://www.svfab5.com/team.

Q: Isn’t this just a group of “dog people”?

A: No. Our candidate group includes dog owners, non‑dog owners, households with children, and households without children. What unites us is concern about the current Dog Park Fence project to add 700 feet of chain‑link fencing to Marina Park. We reject the idea that this issue is “dogs vs. children” or “fence vs. no fence.” Instead, we support a design of a boundary between off-leash and on-leash areas that preserve the natural beauty of Marina Park while allowing the entire community to enjoy it. 

The dog park is only one of many issues facing Sudden Valley. You can learn more about our broader priorities including restoring the Marina Dog Park at svfab5.com/key-issues.

Q: If you were a current BOD member, how would you have voted on the recent Marina Dog Park Fence motions?

A: Marina Dog Park Fence Project: I would have voted No. The project lacked adequate community input and introduced several concerns, including potential dog conflicts in the chute, no shelter during rainy months, limited bathroom access, and a cost of approximately $70,000. I would have asked the Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) to develop alternative designs using the existing 2020.02 policy boundaries.

A: Policy 2026.02 (Dog Park Size Reduction): I would have voted No. The policy cuts the dog park area in half without clear justification, especially given that fence permit approvals were still months away, if they were going to be approved at all.

You can learn more about our viewpoints on broader priorities at svfab5.com/key-issues.

Q: When can we start displaying yard signs on Sudden Valley (SV) private property? 

A: Yard signs may be displayed on SV private property beginning Wednesday September 23, 2026, which is 45 days before AGM on November 7, 2026. 

This timing follows SVCA’s Architectural Control Policies (Section 15.7, p. 40) which states: 

• Signs may be displayed no more than 45 days before the election and must be removed within 48 hours after. 

• Maximum size allowed is 18" x 24", and signs cannot be lighted or decorated. 

Washington State and Federal court rulings interpret “before the election” to mean when voters must cast their vote, not simply Election Day itself. For Sudden Valley’s 2026 election cycle, the relevant date is November 7, 2026, as referenced in SVCA’s published GM calendar. 

To stay compliant, SV residents should use September 23, 2026 as the earliest date to place yard signs on their private property.