…who approved Smith’s $300,000 salary in the first place?

By Melissa Mecija

May 9, 2014

RANCHO SANTA FE, Calif. – Some Rancho Santa Fe residents are questioning the manager of their homeowners association after he suddenly took leave, and then retired. Pete Smith raised more eyebrows after he told the Rancho Santa Fe Review he was training for marathons and triathlons — all while on sick leave. “There are a lot of issues that have come up about transparency and governance,” resident Terry Peay said.Terry Peay has lived in Rancho Santa Fe with his family for three years. He said Smith’s salary comes from their dues. “We’re paying the dues. We ought to be entitled to be getting this kind of information, particularly when it comes to financial packages and compensation,” Peay said.