Celebration Recall
Download the ballot!
What
Florida statute allows for members in a homeowners association to recall any board member with or without cause. Unfortunately, the Celebration Residential Owners Association Board of Directors have not been acting with owners' best interests in mind.
Section 720.303(10)(a)1 of the Florida Statutes provides that members of a homeowners' association's board of directors may be removed by a vote of the majority of the association's voting interests. The statute also provides that the recall may be without cause. This means that the homeowners seeking the recall do not have to provide a reason for recalling a director. The homeowners simply have to follow the procedures of the statute and applicable administrative rules.
If you have additional questions, please read the FAQ.
Who
The recall effort is to remove Cindy Swisher, Celia McFadden, and David Anderson from their director positions on the CROA Board of Directors effective immediately upon submission of the required number of homeowner signatures.
These three board members have repeatedly acted in ways not in the best interest of homeowners. These individuals have not acted in the wishes of the majority of residents on multiple issues. They have not been financially responsible in their decision-making. They also have violated the CROA Code of Conduct on multiple occasions.
This Recall seeks to remove these Directors from their positions, to allow for a more owner-focused future that is inclusive of the wishes of the majority of the homeowners in Celebration.
For a detailed list of actions, please see the violations below.
How
The state of Florida provides a path to recall Directors of an association by written ballot. It is highly recommended by the state that the state-approved recall ballot be used, and therefore this is the form being used. When filled out as indicated, this ballot will be accepted by an arbitrator as meeting the technical requirements found in the applicable statute and rule regarding the form of the ballot.
Each homeowner in good standing (ie. not delinquent in dues) may cast one ballot per address owned. Simply check the boxes of the Director(s) you wish to recall in box A, then print, sign, date, and write your address on the lines in Box C.
- Get the form
- Return the signed ballot
By Email:
croarecall@gmail.com
Call for pickup:
689-244-0188
Or mail to:
Celebration Recall
P.O. Box 471141
Celebration, Florida 34747
Board Member Infractions
All items can be publicly verified.
Violations of Code of Conduct
Cindy Swisher
- On May 1, 2023, Cindy Swisher sent an e-mail to the community without advising or reviewing with the Board, which is a requirement of the Rules of the President. This is a direct violation of Paragraph L of the Code of Conduct.
- On June 20, Cindy Swisher issued an edict to the board, stating "Unless you are the 'one-voice' on a matter as designated by the President, it is not acceptable for Board members to email, text, call, or come to Town Hall to meet with staff. All communication must come through either the President or the full Board only, and I, as President will forward it as necessary." This was disputed by multiple board members as an overreach of power.
- Boycotted a Board Workshop on May 25 that was called to discuss Master Plan and Board cohesion. This is a direct violation of Paragraph K of the Code of Conduct.
- Refused to sanction Bill Grindl for personal attacks on fellow board member Charles Richards (which is a direct violation of the CROA governing documents). This is a direct violation of Paragraph K of the Code of Conduct.
Celia McFadden
- Celia McFadden refuses to recuse herself with matters related to the Celebration Foundation, even though her daughter in-law is an employee of the organization. This is a direct violation of Paragraph C of the Code of Conduct.
- Boycotted a Board Workshop on May 25 that was called to discuss Master Plan and Board cohesion, stating, "I will not be attending! I've already had 2 3-hour sessions with GM on Best Practices of a board member. I paid attention so no need for anymore time from me." This is a direct violation of Paragraph K of the Code of Conduct.
- Refused to sanction Bill Grindl for personal attacks on fellow board member Charles Richards (which is a direct violation of the CROA governing documents). This is a direct violation of Paragraph K of the Code of Conduct.
David Anderson
- Boycotted a Board Workshop on May 25 that was called to discuss Master Plan and Board cohesion, stating, "…the proposed agenda appears to cover just what we spent our Organizational Meeting and then follow-up Board Operations Workshop (led by GrandManors) covering." This is a direct violation of Paragraph K of the Code of Conduct.
- Refused to sanction Bill Grindl for personal attacks on fellow board member Charles Richards (which is a direct violation of the CROA governing documents). This is a direct violation of Paragraph K of the Code of Conduct.
Financial Irresponsibility
Cindy Swisher
- Refused to overturn or revisit the Lot D/Pickleball vote, in spite of overwhelming resident requests and a pending referendum (which ended up costing homeowners $11,000).
- Voted without hesitation, to spend $12,000 without review of contracts or terms and conditions on an IT project, that was eventually found to be lacking significantly in detail and not in the best interest of CROA.
Celia McFadden
- Refused to overturn or revisit the Lot D/Pickleball vote, in spite of overwhelming resident requests and a pending referendum (which ended up costing homeowners $11,000).
- Voted without hesitation, to spend $12,000 without review of contracts or terms and conditions on an IT project, that was eventually found to be lacking significantly in detail and not in the best interest of CROA.
David Anderson
- Refused to overturn or revisit the Lot D/Pickleball vote, in spite of overwhelming resident requests and a pending referendum (which ended up costing homeowners $11,000).
- Voted without hesitation, to spend $12,000 without review of contracts or terms and conditions on an IT project, that was eventually found to be lacking significantly in detail and not in the best interest of CROA.
Disrespect to Community
Cindy Swisher
- Serves as liaison to Covenants Committee, and has never provided a recap for other Board members or to the community, which is the primary function of a liaison.
- Refused to support removing Bill Grindl as Treasurer (he would have remained on the Board), after he stated he "can't say he would never take a bribe" at the April Board Meeting.
- In June, Cindy Swisher recommended that Grand Manors conduct their own review of themselves, and return it to the board.
- At the June Board Meeting, a board member motioned to add (2) additional members to both the Covenants Committee and the Dog Park Committee. This was supported by a majority of the board, however Cindy Swisher blocked it, and placed it on the July Workshop agenda. Then, at the July Workshop a vote was taken to prohibit the topic for discussion, where Cindy Swisher was part of the majority four to not discuss it as previously agreed. Finally, when it was added to the July Board Meeting agenda, there was a 4/3 vote,with Cindy Swisher being one of the four that blocked the recommended names put forth in a motion to help these committees act. (The consequcnes of this have already played out in the month of July, as three committees could not hold proper meetings because they did not have enough members to meet quorum.)
Celia McFadden
- Serves as liaison to Lifestyles & Special Events Committee, and has never provided a recap for other Board members or to the community, which is the primary function of a liaison.
- Refused to support removing Bill Grindl as Treasurer (he would have remained on the Board), after he stated he "can't say he would never take a bribe" at the April Board Meeting.
- At the June Board Meeting, a board member motioned to add (2) additional members to both the Covenants Committee and the Dog Park Committee. This was supported by a majority of the board, however Cindy Swisher blocked it, and placed it on the July Workshop agenda. Then, at the July Workshop a vote was taken to prohibit the topic for discussion, where Celia McFadden was part of the majority four to not discuss it as previously agreed. Finally, when it was added to the July Board Meeting agenda, there was a 4/3 vote,with Celia McFadden being one of the four that blocked the recommended names put forth in a motion to help these committees act. (The consequcnes of this have already played out in the month of July, as three committees could not hold proper meetings because they did not have enough members to meet quorum.)
David Anderson
- Serves as liaison to the Celebration Foundation, and has never provided a recap for other Board members or to the community, which is the primary function of a liaison.
- Refused to support removing Bill Grindl as Treasurer (he would have remained on the Board), after he stated he "can't say he would never take a bribe" at the April Board Meeting.
- At the June Board Meeting, a board member motioned to add (2) additional members to both the Covenants Committee and the Dog Park Committee. This was supported by a majority of the board, however Cindy Swisher blocked it, and placed it on the July Workshop agenda. Then, at the July Workshop a vote was taken to prohibit the topic for discussion, where David Anderson was part of the majority four to not discuss it as previously agreed. Finally, when it was added to the July Board Meeting agenda, there was a 4/3 vote,with David Anderson being one of the four that blocked the recommended names put forth in a motion to help these committees act. (The consequcnes of this have already played out in the month of July, as three committees could not hold proper meetings because they did not have enough members to meet quorum.)
Acting Beyond Protocol
Cindy Swisher
- In March, 2023, Cindy Swisher attempted to block the entirety of the Board from receiving legal communications. She also made the statement "…as president of the CROA Board to officially designate Lauren Gunnyon as our Executive Director to act on the Board's behalf in all legal matters affecting the association with no exceptions." This proclamation is a direct violation of Florida law as well as CROA governing documents.
- In April, 2023, Cindy Swisher stated to the board that she would not vote for specific committee candidates based on their opposition to the Lot D Project.
- Ms. Swisher made an ethnically insensitive comment during the board meeting, stating "I could tell by his accent that he probably learned it someplace else." [2:46:40]
- During the April board meeting, there was a candidate who was identified as having multiple conflicts of interest to serve on the Finance Committee. Cindy Swisher acknowledged this conflict of interest, and also voted to place them on the Finance Committee.
- On May 1, 2023, and May 23, 2023, Cindy Swisher sent e-mails to the community intended to state "FACTS" surrounding the Lot D/Pickleball project. Many of these "facts" have since been proven inaccurate.
Celia McFadden
- At the April 27 Board of Appeals meeting, Ceilia McFadden made a motion to waive all fees and fines for a homeowner, stating magnanimously "I'd like to make a motion to wave everything, because I feel generous." [47:47]
- During the April board meeting, Celia McFadden attacked a resident and their freedom of speech openly and to the public. [1:51:29]
- During the April board meeting, there was a candidate who was identified as having multiple conflicts of interest to serve on the Finance Committee. Celia McFadden acknowledged this conflict of interest, and also voted to place them on the Finance Committee.
David Anderson
- During the board meeting, Mr.David Anderson chastised the collective community for assuming a general expectation of his affirming vote for the Lot D Project action item, while simultaneously reiterating his involvement in the Lot D Project longer than any other board member, and consistently voting to advance the project over that timeframe.
- During the April board meeting, there was a candidate who was identified as having multiple conflicts of interest to serve on the Finance Committee. David Anderson acknowledged this conflict of interest, and also voted to place them on the Finance Committee.
CROA Board of Directors Recall FAQ
- How many signatures are needed?
- Our goal is 2,300 signatures/ballots. This will give us a small buffer in case any ballots are deemed ineligible.
- Who can sign the ballot?
- One ballot can be submitted for each residential address in Celebration. The ballot must be filled out and signed by the Owner of the property. In order to sign, your name must be on the deed to the property. If the property is owned by an entity, you must be a named member of that entity. (If you're not sure about this, it probably doesn't apply to you). Your homeowners dues also must be current.
- Do I have to vote to recall all 3 directors?
- No, each director on the recall ballot can be selected to retain or recall. 1, 2, or all 3 directors can be selected for recall on each ballot.
- Who is behind the recall?
- We are a group of concerned homeowners who want the best for Celebration. We feel that some of the current directors don't have our community's best interests at heart.
- Will there be an election to replace the directors if removed?
- No, the board can continue with the remaining directors until the next regular election in 2024.
- Why are we just recalling 3 directors?
- If more than 3 directors are recalled, the remaining directors won't be able to make quorum at the board meetings, meaning no business can get done for the rest of the year. If 4 or more names are on the ballot, replacement nominees must be listed. This is a legal requirement. We don't feel it's our place to select those nominees, and every homeowner should have the ability to run a campaign if they choose to.
- Will there be a vote?
- No, the ballot you sign is your vote. This is a one-and-done effort.
- Does this cost the association anything?
- While there is no guarantee that there will be zero cost to the town, based on previous elections (for example, the referendum) where the cost exceeded $11,000, we estimate the only cost for the recall to be some basic legal fees required by state law, to total less than $1,000.
- Why were these 3 directors chosen?
- Bill has reached his term limit and is ineligible to run next year, so his time on the board is already limited. Cindy and David are eligible to run again, and Celia has 1.5 years left on her term, so she's not going anywhere.
2. Return the Signed Ballot
By Email: croarecall@gmail.com
Call for pickup: 689-244-0188
Or mail to:
Celebration Recall
P.O. Box 471141
Celebration, Florida 34747