Editor:

As of this writing, the DBPOA is asking the property owners to approve an amendment to the association's bylaws that sets a $25 annual limit for association dues that cannot be exceeded unless the bylaws are amended by majority of a quorum of two-thirds of all who are eligible to vote.

Since DBPOA officials and staff have a clear conflict of interest as far as the outcome of this election is concerned, we are calling on the DBPOA to take the following steps to ensure the integrity of the election process:

All ballots received are to be turned over unopened to a neutral party, perhaps designated staff from this paper.

The DBPOA should designate a time and public place within Discovery Bay where the counting and opening of the ballots shall take place.

Interested parties should be able to witness the process.

The membership is to be informed of the time and place well in advance of Jan. 12, the end of the balloting period.

If followed, this procedure would go a long way to give some credibility to the election process.

Anthony Steller

Discovery Bay