Can They Really Tell Us Which Website We’re Allowed to Visit?
This article is a direct response to the email sent out by the Board earlier today.
Over the past few weeks, something important has happened at Santaluz. A large and growing group of thoughtful, engaged members has come together. We are not here to create division. We are here because we care about this community, and we want transparency, accountability, and answers. Now, we’re being told that visiting a website is somehow dangerous?
Let’s be clear.
www.thesantaluz.com is not part of the Club, and it doesn’t claim to be. It’s a website in cyberspace, a place where members can read, learn, ask questions, and form their own opinions. If someone agrees with what’s written, they’re welcome to stay. If they don’t, they’re free to leave or share their opinion. That’s how open dialogue works.
But now we’re being warned against even visiting the website?
What’s next?
Are we going to be told we can’t use Instagram?
That we can’t talk to one another unless it’s pre-approved?
Let’s not confuse safety with censorship. This is not about protecting anyone. This is about trying to control what members read, where they go, and what questions they ask.
And let’s talk about the real issue:
The Club’s leadership says it welcomes “credible feedback,” but ignores the most important questions we’ve raised:
- What happened with the food poisoning at The Bistro?
- Is the Health Department involved again?
- How many members were affected?
- What is the actual cost of the fountain project? We’re hearing the total may approach $50,000, and after three weeks of work, it still isn’t done.
Would any of this have come to light if members like us weren’t paying attention?
This community is strong because we care. We support this Club and want to see it thrive. That includes maintaining high standards, encouraging open communication, and yes, asking tough questions when needed.
We are not going anywhere.
We are not afraid of the truth.
And we will not be told what we can or cannot read.
We love Santaluz, and we believe in making it better. That starts with transparency, something leadership still seems to struggle with.
Trying to silence questions only proves one thing.
You’re not ready to answer them.
We are many. We are paying attention. And we’re not backing down.
— Concerned Members of The Santaluz Club
If you believe in transparency and want real answers, email the Board directly and let them know that the membership deserves better. And don’t forget to let us know too. Use the Contact Us form on this website to share your thoughts. We’re listening.
By the way, to the leadership — take a look at what really scares you.
1,488 visits on April 7
1,188 visits today by 5 p.m.
That’s not a threat.
That’s the voice of the membership.
And it’s only getting louder.
Honestly, what’s happening right now is just embarrassing. The leadership is making a total mess of things. Instead of owning up and fixing real issues, they’re trying to silence people and control the narrative. They’re destroying what makes this club special, the community.
Thank you to this platform for giving members a space to speak up.
We really appreciate all you are doing for the members at Santaluz and love your open platform. A member owned club should have a membership communication platform like this. We think a hot tub would be a wonderful addition – kudos!
However, we sold our golf member ship this year, so are no longer members. We were on the waiting list to sell since the abomination of a general manager – Russell – started back in 2022. In our opinion he ruined our lovely club. Not sure why he is still there……
Thank you!
the problems are numerous at every level of management.The true abomination is Stanley Streblow.He is a manager not an owner yet he is selectively nice to certain members and patronizing and condescending to others as he struts around the dining room..He needs to be shown the exit sign, the sooner the better
I agree wholeheartedly with above.He is especially rude to members guests.He forgets that his salary is paid by the members.He has outstayed his welcome
Oh no, the big scary website with gasp… questions! Quick, everyone, shut your eyes before you start thinking critically! Come on, Russell! You’re supposed to be the GM, not the hall monitor. And Chris, you’re the president, not a censor. If this is your idea of leadership, no wonder the members are speaking up.
The leadership keeps saying they welcome feedback… just not the kind that comes with facts, questions, or accountability. Classic. Maybe instead of trying to shut down a website, Russell could focus on running the Club, and Chris could try answering the questions members have been asking for months. Just a thought.
I saw your email Chris! Still laughing.
Wait, Scott A. got 5,000 spam emails and we’re blaming a Santaluz member-run website? Bro, maybe stop signing up for those porn sites after 11 p.m. Just saying.
So… leadership can’t give us a straight answer about the fountain budget or the Health Department, but they’re suddenly IT experts warning us about “dangerous websites”? Yeah okay, totally normal behavior. Nothing suspicious at all.
Chris, Russell, bravo on that letter yesterday. Truly a masterclass in spin. “Improper access” to a member directory that’s been freely available to every member? Groundbreaking. Next you’ll be warning us about the dangers of using the front gate with a key.
Also, can’t wait to see how much of our dues are funding this top-secret cybersecurity mission to uncover… someone using the Club’s own website. Please keep us updated, this is better than Netflix and way more unintentionally funny.
Huge thanks to this platform for being the only source of actual clarity around here.
Chris are you ok? Nice try with your email yesterday!
Seriously though, calling it “improper access” when the directory’s been more open than the snack bar during happy hour? Iconic. And now we’re hiring a cybersecurity firm to investigate… members using their login? Can’t wait to see that invoice.
With the worst GM in Club history, Russell Sylte, now teaming up with our board president Chris Williams, it’s honestly historic. You two deserve a monument.
Damage control? No no, this is damage creation, but with flair
There’s only been 3 GM’s since club history. You make it sound like there’s been so many GM’s running the club.
It is very sad to see what is happening to The Santaluz Club. I have been a member almost since the Club started. I also live in the community so this is more than just my Club.
Disagree on the need for a hot tub but that is beside the point. I did not even know about this website until Chris Williams sent out that silly email. The problem is that Russell and the Board of Directors are stuck in the past. They are trying to run the club like we aren’t in the new era of social media. You can’t stop free speech.
To imply this is a dangerous site is laughable. What is a “sanctioned website”?
The only thing negative about this website is that it is public and if someone posted this website on Next Door this would be very embarrassing for the Club, it’s members and resale is already tough enough to get off the Spa or the Golf.
Some of what you all post uses scare tactics and some of the facts are probably disputable. If you are going to send out emails it is good to make sure they are accurate. Things like wait lists if you are going to post them should separate between Spa and Golf.
It IS true that wait list tells to sell your membership is multiple years long. I have a friend that tried to sell her Spa membership and it took her 3 years. They really need to do something with the Spa category as many members do not believe it offers value. That is why the resale list is so high. If people were satisfied they would not be listing to sell their membership.
They need to do something about that. I am a Golf member and love the Club. Love playing golf here but do feel like things are going down hill. Fees keep going up.
What happened with the City health inspector closing down the club is embarrassing. I would be ashamed if my friends outside of the club and community found out about that. There is nothing the Club can do about people posting about this true event. But it is embarrassing.
Many felt the decline of the club since Russell started. If the county health department is shutting down your kitchen then the person at the top has to take blame for this. Firing the chef is not the solution.
I don’t know about the food poisoning and if it is true or not. I did not hear about it until I saw this website. I did not know about this website until Santaluz sent it out.
The Club is out of touch. By sending an email like that is just embarrassing. I hope they don’t waste money on “cybersecurity experts”. They waste enough money on things we don’t need. There are better uses of money.
It is time for Russell to step down and if he won’t step down he needs to get terminated. The club needs to accept the new realities of open communication. They can’t stop members who own the club from giving their opinions.
It would probably be a good idea to change the website domain so you do not cause confusion. Unfortunately the cat is out of the bag on the problems we are facing at the Club.
Russell is a distraction. I know at least two dozen members that constantly complain about Russell and the direction the Club is going. He simply can’t be effective running the Club with all of these constant issues.
I am embarrassed that it came down to the County health department shutting down our kitchen.
Chi XXXXX: you are talking out of both sides of your mouth. Blasting management and the board but you’re the last one to join a committee to try to make a difference. Put your money where your big mouth is. This goes to everyone who whines like spoiled children about the club, but as “owners” you are too cheap to spend a dime to make it any better. YOU are the ones who are stuck in the past
Wow, not desperate at all. So, how many people have access to the directory right now? Let me guess… just a few. Board and management, right? And you magically know Chi’s last name? Yeah, totally normal. I’d bet money it’s Russell Sylte or Chris Williams behind this nonsense
FROM ADMIN: NO LAST NAME MENTIONED — ALSO, YOU USED TWO DIFFERENT NAMES UNDER THE SAME IP. – I did not write this. Don’t know who used my name, If you have points to make do it on your own accord, do not fictitiously write up fake responses or use people’s real names.. That is illegal
People should keep people’s last names out of this unless they choose to share their name. This should be a constructive forum not one where people are arguing.
And even if you are part of a committee does not always mean that things will get done right. I have a friend that was on the committee to renovate the main dining room years ago and the Board decided to do things other than what the committee decided. The problem is that the Board of Directors has too much authority.
The amount they spent to renovate the main dining room was obscene. Interior designer fees alone they wasted $150,000! Someone needs to audit all of the money being spent. Excessive fees. I do not know about how much they spent on the water fountain but it would be good for the Club to get member input when they want to spend more than $5,000.
The problem with the spending is there is no real oversight and prices are extremely high. Take a look what was spent on the main dining room renovation and you will be shocked.
People should keep people’s last names out of this unless they choose to share their name. OK Foodie!
Not in agreement with how money is spent
I am not against having a board where members in the Club can communicate. But can we make it a private board? If the general public find this website and all of these complaints it will detract from the membership and from people possibly buying a membership in the Club. I am on the resale list and I fear this will cause me to have to wait even longer.
Does anyone know the formal resale list numbers? How many people are on the resale list for the Spa? What about Golf? How many of these are being sold each year?
Can we still just pay 12 months of dues and quit the club? I am probably going to do that because getting rid of my golf membership will take too long.
Embarrassing situation overall.
Lots of people not wanting to pay for the product offered. Long lists of people wanting to sell. That’s all you need to know.
Folks–I recommend everyone take a beat. The members have elected representatives from each type of membership (Hacienda, SPA, and Golf) advising on club matters. It is impossible to make everyone happy with every decision. I’ve been unhappy with some of the decisions and happy with others. That’s going to be the case at every club. I will say that it’s unfortunate that this current effort by some members to oust club management has turned very ugly. I believe club management and the members serving on various committee are doing their best to make the right decisions.
Also, as a member, I’d like to preserve the value of the membership. Santaluz is a private club. Having a public website with suspect tabloid headlines and vitriolic comments/articles is counter to that goal.
I served on the board of another private club, and I’ve seen how a small circle can sometimes ignore the broader membership. That’s why they don’t want independent sites like this one, because it gives members real power to speak up. Respectfully, I support this platform. It’s a healthy check.
Michael, I respect your point of view but saying “it’s a private club” doesn’t mean we give up the right to question decisions. If anything, we’re all co-owners here. This site gives people a place to express what they’ve been thinking for a while. I’d rather hear some tough truths than pretend everything’s fine.
Thank you Michael! At least there’s someone on this “forum” who can think sensibly.
P.S. who is the editor of this site? Come out, come out, wherever you are!
“Come out, come out”? What is this, hide and seek? Or are we just upset people get to post things without board approval?
I just want to know who is running this site. Aren’t you a bit curious?
Absolutely! That’s definitely the biggest issue right now, not the discounts, the resignations, or the silence from leadership (food poisoning at the Bistro). Let’s all focus on unmasking the mystery bloggers instead. Because once we know who runs the site, everything will be fine again, right?
No, it’ll be worse.