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A flying water bottle? A bruise? A heave-ho in Laguna Woods?
March 5th, 2009, 3:00 am · 29 Comments · posted by Teri Sforza, Register staff writer
So there they were, the board of directors, in the throes of a heated argument in closed session.
Katie McDaniel (pictured below right) - a reformer-type appointed in December to fill a vacancy on the Third Mutual board at Laguna Woods Village - was disagreeing with President Carol Moore (pictured bottom right).
Next thing McDaniel knows, she would later complain to police, she was walloped with a water bottle. “It came screaming across the table and whacked me in the arm and I have a bruise,” McDaniel told The Watchdog. ”I said at the time, ‘That’s assault.’”
Moore declined to detail her version of events, but said “I did not throw a water bottle at anyone” through LVW’s management company, Professional Community Management.
That was Feb. 23. McDaniel’s lawyer sent a letter to Moore, asking Moore to relinquish the presidency (but 
not asking her to step down altogether). The lawyer requested a response by Monday.
On Tuesday, after no response had come, McDaniel filed a battery report with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
When McDaniel opened her email that very same day, she was surprised to see that a special board meeting had been called for Thursday to - among other things - remove her from the Third Mutual board.
A big crowd was expected at the meeting at 1 p.m. today at the 
Community Center, 24351 El Toro Road - but at about 8 p.m. Wednesday night, notice went out that the meeting was cancelled. No explanation, McDaniel said.
McDaniel has only been on the board a matter of weeks; she was appointed to fill the vacancy in December. Because it appointed her, the board may be able to remove her at will.
“I am one of three people they don’t care for much,” McDaniel said. “We’re outspoken about our fiduciary duty and transparency and getting answers for people. And somebody doesn’t like it.”
Part of the justification for removing McDaniel, apparently, is that she revealed contents of a closed session. But when we at The Watchdog asked McDaniel to expound upon the specifics of the argument, she said she couldn’t, because that information is protected. A flying water bottle, McDaniel contends, is not.
The Sheriff’s Department report says that McDaniel claims a 12-ounce plastic bottle filled with water struck her in the right arm. The department is looking into the allegations, and will interview board members who were at the meeting, said Sheriff’s spokesman Jim Amormino.
This isn’t the first time that the acrimony at Laguna Woods Village has taken (or threatened to take) a physical turn. Whatever the truth turns out to be, may we suggest that those attending meetings at Laguna Woods Village leave the water bottles at home?
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I cannot believe that sweet Carol Moore could be this violent. But I’ve been told that lately, Carol’s attitude has changed drastically against the residents. Wondering what happened to cause this change in her.
I don’t blame Katie for filing assault charges. I like Katie and I’m most grateful that she is willing to fight to defend the residents’ rights. I would’ve gone to that meeting today to support her , if it had not been cancelled. I guess somebody who called for that meeting came to their senses. They must have found out about the large number of residents who were planning to show up to support Katie.
Katie we love you. Carol, what’s happened to you? We loved you too but you turned on us.
Its so wonder someone doesn’t really get hurt or have a heart attack
at some or these meetings. As the GM Manager and some board members try to shut us up by intimidating us residents with our 6′5 Head of security brought in to hoover over us or slap the micophone away from us if they don’t like want we ask or say. Security also is told to sit in a meetings, and our average age here is 78..and most average 5′2 and under..I know if a resident has a question management or boards don’t like they will intimidate us also even by turning off micophone or calling recess. Katie McDanial has been intimidated since she so nicely took on the position of Board member..Why, because she is one smart lady and like answers..and she question about management . Now if a resident has a job ,management might try to get you fired for speaking up but Katie is retired so intimidate is their only course! Almost 40 years of no questions asked of spending, wages etc..and people want answers now with a 95+million dollar budget thats when the problems and intimidation starts..Some board members don’t even know where the moveable figures of the budge are. Katie just wants some answers like the rest of the struggling residents want..after all we our the supports and the residents of this community. By the way, I don’t work either. So I’ve been intimidated too by turned off micophones and hooving.
Temper gettin’ the best of ya? Time to resign, lady. Replace her with somebody who can take some criticism and debate without having a tantrum.
Either that or fire the management company.
GROW UP LADY. YOU WHINE LIKE A LITTLE BABY
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Old people….. they’re phunny
.
.
Their too old to have this be a cool chick fight.
MENOPAUSE…. I just hate it too.
I’m not saying this as a joke, but usually when someone starts to change and get violent at her age it can be the beginning of Alzheimer’s.
Nobody has any backbone anymore. Filing charges from being hit in the arm by a water bottle? I hardly think it’s assult. You should have gotten up and slugged her - oh wait, the other person probably doesn’t have any backbone either. She probably would file charges also. Bunch of wimps. People have lost the ability to have debates and argue without having their feelings hurt. I’m sure your bruise will heal just fine.
I was appalled when I learned of the bottle throwing incident, and asked what topic could possibly have provoked President Moore to react in such a way. Director McDaniel, who I am happy to call a friend, would tell me nothing about the business content of the closed board session. Because of the police report, a public document, the dismaying facts have come out. I also know and like President Moore, but have been puzzled and saddened by many of her actions since becoming Third Board President. I know of the intelligence, work ethic, and integrity of Katie McDaniel, and I do not doubt her version of the events. But I do not understand the changes in Carol Moore. She is not a bottle throwing person or a person who would not immediately apologize if the act were inadvertent. Both Carol and Katie have contributions to make to the Board. They should both remain. But Carol, perhaps you could be more effective as a Board member, not president.
It must really be true that as we age we revert to childish behavior. I am totally embarassed by the behavior displayed by the President of the 3rd mutual board. Out of controll behavior is unacceptable and when displayed by the board president, it is not to be tolerated. Carol Moore needs to resign her position as board president as she has demonstrted by her actions the stress of the job renders her out ot control.
Who cares?
DarinB,
Your comment is ridiculous. Healthy debating and arguing is one thing. Throwing objects because you disagree? Not cool, uncalled for and NOT acceptable. I would have reported that numbskull, too.
The absolute crap I saw as a property manager of condos led me to quit my job: vindicative board members, psycho homeowners, petty greivances, character assasination, mistrust , police intervention, false claims, lawsuits, mismanagement, meglomania, etc….
I maintain to this day that I’d rather live in a crappy part of town where I’m at least free, than under the rule of a condo association.
Way too funny but it happens! I once represented a 92 year old man who was assaulted and injured his knee after being shoved to the ground while playing tennis table at Leisure (Seizure) World!
The defendant’s homeowners insurance ended up coughing up several grand! I was so intrigued with the matter that I didn’t charge the plaintiff a dime!
Friggin’ old peeps!
It’s funny how one-sided the story and comments are. Water bottle thrown at her? How about water bottle knocked over by Moore while talking excitedly and with convictions, the bottle rolls across the table and hits McCrazy in the arm. A report was not filed until after they Board talked of removing McCrazy, and the meeting was cancelled due to improper notice (not enough days given) most likely. Everyone wants to jump to the conclusion that the President must be at fault and removed from office, but maybe there are other reasons for McCrazy to now claim asualt? And poor Moore, getting eaten alive by the very people who put her in office and why? Because she dare vote her conscience on one vote? Look out Carol, that little Voice has turned against you!
Aw heck … sorry there was no meeting yesterday … some members were gonna pitch up ripe tomatoes … while Moore batted them away with her water bottle and gavel.
Now PCM’s General Manager’s office is reporting to the public that the meeting is only “postponed” … these are the real jerks behind the recall of Director McDaniel. They can’t take the heat … after all; the discussion was all about removing them as managing agent.
OC Dad, you will be a “friggin’ old peep” one of these days too. So be careful how you denigrate the senior citizens, it will come back and haunt you someday.
These old people are all crazy! Even if water bottle hit the arm it will not going to kill anyone. Get a life!
BTW I am old person myself.
Laguna Woods, just hold a special election to re-elect a whole new Board because you are humiliating yourself on a national scale.
You should probably disqualify the existing board members, except for McDaniel, from running in the new election. If you can’t find enough candidates then hire a manager.
You don’t honestly think this is news do you?
What is happening at the OC Register?
Are you actually attempting to call this news?
You have a huge tax revolt in progress.
You have recall committees being organized against politicians left and right.
You have an economic depression in this area.
And you people find a “bottle throwing” incident to cover?
No wonder your papers are going broke… this story appears the equivalent of a “tattle tale” on the 8 year old’s playground.
Go cover a real story!
They should settle this the “old” fashioned way, a winner take all golf cart race!
menopause,alzheimzers or theft of funds.
Mike C - Maybe you should stop with the comments about PCM while you are serving on the Board yourself. It only makes you look small and petty, especially after all the money you’ve pulled from the community through all your lawsuits! Why don’t you just enjoy the rest of your time on this Earth and enjoy spending your neighbors money which you got!
Mike Curtis is a cancer patient and to refer to him as “enjoying the rest of your time on this earth” is despicable. If this is not a personal attack I don’t know what is. This person should not only have the comment removed, he /she should be barred from civil discourse and from posting comments on this site..”
Carol, don’t be so upset and Mike is the reigning KING of the personal attack. I do believe that Mike can defend himself quite nicely, evidenced by his success in prevailing in several lawsuits against PCM and the Boards. And for you to reveal his medical information on a public blog is very improper and maybe you should be blocked for violation health privacy laws.
To Marilyn Stephens -
1) There’s only been one, not “several law suits” as you say. The suit was filed after I spent nearly a year trying to get PCM’s records of who contacted my employer and tried to get me fired. I just wanted someone to apologize, but board members would not help me. You can watch the board meetings where I kept asking for records month after month. I finally had to file my defamation case and the judge later agreed that Janet Price (PCM Finance Manager) did defame me - that’s public record. Subsequently, the case was settled out of court to the satisfaction of all sides. This was the only law suit I have ever filed in my life, and I do not recommend to anyone that they go through this. I’m not spending my neighbor’s money – do you really think it was okay for Price, with Milt Johns approval, to falsely tell my company I’ve been cheating them? How do you rationalize that? If fact, I wanted to drop United and GRF from the case and just have it against PCM. We offered that, but their attorneys told us that GRF and United would be paying PCM’s costs regardless. You should be blaming the boards for not doing something about PCM’s outrageous action, and also not following up on their own contract restriction with PCM which states PCM is NOT indemnified for “willful misconduct” and “gross negligence”. Instead, boards didn’t even challenge PCM.
2) Everybody who knows me knows about my lung cancer treatments. Most people know about my current progress - which is great. And many, many friends and others I don’t even know are praying for my recovery. I do not fear my illness or the day I die - and have received many blessings from others. I believe we’re here for a purpose on this Earth, and I’m trying my best to follow it. CWSkydell, and anyone else, can discuss my illness publicly as they like. By the way; I did interpreted your statement as a death wish towards me. But, I had decided to disregard it - that is, until you attacked CWSkydell.
3) What’s this “McCrazy” junk you spew? You were not even at the closed meeting where the water bottle went flying (no one even tries to say it “rolled across the table” - that’s stupid). And, Carol’s story has changed three times. You’re absolutely wrong when you say, “A report was not filed until after they Board (sic) talked of removing McCrazy.” The sheriff’s report was filed as soon as possible following the closed session – after no response from Moore. The board did not talk of removing McDaniel until later. As for me, I cannot believe someone would file a sheriff’s report unless something really did happen and solid witnesses can back it up – particularly when knowing that other board members supporting Carol may have also witnessed what happened. I believe, when under oath in a court room, board members will not put themselves in the position of lying to the court – it just isn’t worth the risk. We shall see.