In what can only be described as a very light voter response, LARMAC members elected Carol McCormick and Ryan Miller (both shown right) to the Ladera Ranch Community Services (LARCS) Board in September, both of whom are new to the board. They have been elected to three-year terms.

The newly-elected board members replace existing board members Craig Duerr, who was seeking another term, and Janet Riordan, who is retiring from the board.

Carol McCormick garnered the most votes with 433, while Ryan Miller was close behind with 382. Craig Duerr received 348 votes and Gary Kephard rounded out the four-candidate field with 291.

A total of 1,454 proxy votes were cast, but even this slim number does not tell the entire story.

The DMV Ladera Apartment Community vote totalling 754 proxies, and the Declarent/Buider vote of 202 proxies, both of which were divided evenly among the four candidates, represented 956 of the total 1,454 proxies cast, leaving slightly under 500 proxies cast by resident members. Since there were two to be elected, each proxy received two votes, meaning that under 250 actual ballots were cast by LARMAC resident members.

In commenting on her victory, Carol McCormick said, "I am very excited about being elected to the LARCS Board. We have lived in Ladera Ranch for over seven years and have enjoyed being involved in many aspects of the Community.

"I realize how diverse the interests of Ladera Ranch are through my involvement in LARCS, PTA, Little League, Scouts and many other organizations. I want to work to ensure that LARCS addresses the diversity of the community and is responsive to the community at large.

"The two major issues I would like to initially address are increased communication between LARCS and the residents and increased resident involvement through volunteerism.

"We need to take a hard look at Laderalife, Roots and Wings, and other communications with the residents and determine if LARCS is using these publication tools effectively. We also need to expand the resident’s ability to provide input into LARCS.

"There are many people that would like to get involved but just need a little encouragement. This may be through direct involvement in LARCS activities or through promoting and being involved in the clubs.

"I am looking forward to working with the other members of the board to make a positive impact on Ladera Ranch.

Ryan Miller said, "I would first like to thank the Ladera Ranch Residents for choosing me to represent them on the LARCS Board. I know the importance of this position and will take this opportunity to represent the residents in the best of my abilities.

"I understand the challenges this type of board is faced with and will always keep the best interests of Ladera Ranch and its residents as my main concern.

"I do feel however that, for the LARCS Board to be effective in its duties, we need to enlist the support of our residents to provide us with community involvement and volunteerism.

"I would like to increase communication from the LARCS board to the community and develop standards to improve the process for current and new LARCS events."

McCormick and Miller join Sara Doyle, President, and Charlie Ware, Vice President, and Sherrie LeVan on the LARCS Board. LeVan (shown above right with microphone) was appointed to the Board to fill an opening created by a resignation this summer.

"I am very happy to be part of the LARCS Board," commented Sherrie Le Van. "For me this is a continuation of a working relationship with LARCS that began back in 2001.

Ladera Ranch Community Services – or LARCS – is a nonprofit public benefit corporation that plans and implements programs. The LARCS 2007-08 budget is $1.4 million.

For more information on Ladera Ranch, visit www.laderalife.com.