Reminder from the Election Manual

Vecinos will establish a Community Forum for the election on its website. In place of bulk emails, candidates and members are encouraged to establish topics on the forum and make posts as they like, subject only to the Vecinos forum policy as posted on the Vecinos website (www.vecinosakumalnorte.org/community-forum-policy). The DOE will be the moderator of the election forum, and the DOE’s decisions regarding forum policy violations will be final and not subject to appeal.

All electioneering material, whether printed or electronic, must identify the author(s) by name. Electioneering material may not use the Vecinos logo and may neither state nor imply that Vecinos is endorsing or opposing any candidate, nor state nor imply that the candidate list is anything other than the official list published on the Vecinos website. Electioneering of any kind, including distributing or placing flyers, posters, or other material, is strictly prohibited within fifty (50) meters of the Ordinary Meeting. 

As stated above Bulk emails are discouraged. While technically it is possible to send individual emails through the member list on the website, candidates are requested to use the Election forum or Akumal owners group to reach the majority of members/owners. 

Thank You for your cooperation

Tandy Muir-Warden

DOE

Here is the letter I sent out this morning:

Dear Neighbors,

As we approach the 2026 Vecinos General Assembly on Thursday, I want to remind the membership why I ran to serve as president in the first place by sharing my vision for the future of our association. But I want to begin with something important… gratitude. Akumal is what it is today because of the many pioneers that came before us. Over the years, countless volunteers have given their time, energy, and resources to protect this special place. From early infrastructure efforts to ongoing security coordination, their work has preserved the character and charm of our community. We owe them our thanks.

Now, as our Annual General Assembly and elections approach, I believe it is also time to look forward. It’s time to see new owners step into leadership roles on the Board — not because anything is broken… but because healthy communities evolve. New voices bring new ideas, new energy, and new ways of doing things. A more inclusive Board leads to a more inclusive Association. And a more inclusive Association attracts more members. Akumal Norte is a small community. Your vote and your participation doesn’t just matter… it’s critical.

I have lived here now for 40 years. I care deeply about what Vecinos can become. Right now, we function with 50 to 60% of Akumal Norte owners being members of Vecinos. We manage security. We handle essential coordination. Yes, we get the basics done… but why stop there?

We have approximately 250 property owners in Akumal Norte. To operate at full strength and reach the 85% threshold Tulum has asked of us, we need about 212 members. Today, we have 152 owner-members. That means 60 more neighbors choosing to participate would fundamentally transform what is possible.

Let me say that again: 60 more members changes everything.

If we reach stronger participation levels, here’s what that could mean for you as a property owner:

• A dedicated, well-funded, long-term road maintenance program instead of reactive repairs
• The possibility of a full-time administrator to handle daily operations professionally
• ⁠Stronger coordination with authorities and service providers
• Greater financial stability and reserve funds
• ⁠Broader professional talent from within our own community
• ⁠Stronger collective voice to protect our unique town
• ⁠Increased property value stability through proactive governance

The foundation laid by previous Boards remains important. But I believe we can build something stronger — together. Preserving what works while expanding our capacity is how communities mature. We face ongoing challenges: infrastructure, water management, security, erosion, sargassum impacts, legal and regulatory complexity. These require our collective strength. 

It starts with a leadership team on the Vecinos Board that better reflects our diversity — full-time residents, part-time residents, long-time owners, newer owners, Mexican and foreign owners, rental operators and non-rental homeowners alike. Inclusion builds legitimacy. Legitimacy builds participation. Participation builds capability. This election is not about personalities. It is about trajectory. Do we stay where we are… functional but limited? Or do we take the next step?

I believe this is a turning point.

We can continue operating at half strength — or we can choose to build the kind of Association that fully protects our homes, our investments, and our future. That choice will be made at this General Assembly. That is why I am asking you not only to vote, but to vote with intention — for Board members who embrace this vision to expand membership, broaden participation, and lead Vecinos into its next chapter.

Akumal Norte has always attracted independent thinkers and strong personalities. That is part of our charm and also part of our challenge. But when we align around shared goals, we are remarkably capable. The direction we choose now will shape the future.  

I am optimistic. I believe in Akumal. I believe in its owners… all of its owners. And I believe our best chapter is still ahead of us — if we choose it.

Let’s lift Akumal together.

Warm regards,

Scott Brown