It all hinges on the Board Elections - A summary of recent events

Voting for candidates committed to change

We've been fairly quiet, despite so much going on and being so frustrating to watch. There is nothing more important happening in Sun City at this very moment than the RCSC election of board members.

The Sun City Advocates were formed knowing this day would come; that point in time when we elected a slate of candidates who would be willing to listen to member concerns or we wouldn't. Jean Totten, Steve Collins, and John Fast have all made it clear, the members' voices should be heard. If elected, the change from minority status to having majority control will be quickly apparent.

 

You must vote in this coming election. The choice is yours to make, but please make it based on facts, not promises by board members trying to remain in control.

 

Quick summaries of the issues as we see them

There's been a flood of events we want to cover quickly but thoroughly enough to help you understand what is going on. You can form your own opinions, but as we walk through the topics you will see just how insidious our challenges have become. The RCSC has become masters of putting their thumbs on the scale, all the while telling us "we are listening to the members." Are they really? Here's a short list:

 

Candidate Forums: There were two opportunities to ask candidates questions. Both were out of the ordinary and questions never before allowed were featured. They've never allowed questions to be asked about open issues before the board, they've simply ruled they were out of order. There's a reason for it, promising members they can deliver anything is tantamount to pandering for votes. Both were prominent as at least two candidates were willing to say, no matter what, they would deliver the Mountain View project and the pickleball courts at Lakeview next year. Insane, everything should hinge on the cost and the quality of what they will be asked to vote on. 

We know the Mountain View project is a hot-button item; we know that phase 1 is budgeted at 27 million dollars. We have all said, to wait to see what the bids come in at. If it comes in at 10%, 20%, or 30% over budget, that will make a difference that is too large to ignore. It's fiscally imprudent to say anything other than we need to see the costs. The pickleball court replacement is another one of those red herrings. The Advocates have always argued for two venues; what we have no interest in is accepting a sub-standard second set of courts. As always, our mantra has been; to do it right the first time. It still is.

 

The Ad Hoc Bylaws Rewrite Committee:

Another one of those topics we held our breath on waiting to see the outcome. Now that it is on the table and to be voted on, we could not be more disappointed. Most of you know, the committee was formed because for the first (and only time) since 2009, we reached a quorum at an annual membership meeting. We properly submitted our bylaw changes and had expected to vote on them. None of that happened. I won't relive the mess, suffice to say, the membership was treated like second-class citizens. 

The committee of 7 worked long, hard, and quickly. As mentioned above, we were more interested in them getting it right. They didn't come close. Of our 5 motions, there is virtually nothing intact. You can read it here on TOSC where Bill Pearson breaks it down point by point. The tragedy from it all is they had the audacity to try and tell us how good the changes were for the members. Now it looks like they want to shove it down our throat with a single reading where the members can comment. Tragic.

 

The 2022 Annual Membership Meeting:

Suffice it to say, there wasn't one; and many in attendance were angered by the fact. There were, with a handful of proxies, 560 plus in the room. Oddly enough, our quorum recommendation last year was 500, but of course, that wasn't part of their changes. This year was still 1250 and the Advocates made a decision not to chase proxies or try and drive the crowd. There was no point. Under both the old bylaws and the new, even with a quorum, anything we pass is meaningless. There are still impossible hoops to jump through. Many of us know what our Articles of Incorporation say and the power the membership is given, the board simply is terrified to allow the members the rights granted to them.

 

The Lot Assessment Increase:

Another one of those topics that is mind-boggling; is a proposed lot assessment increase. Since 2016 the RCSC has been averaging 1.3 million dollars per year in unspent rec fees. Their carry forward amounts have been reported and as we watched it grow to nearly 10 million dollars, the obvious question has been asked: "Why aren't you spending it on the members' needs?" You know, things like updating our 15 years behind the time technology? Security at our amenities and filling club's requests? There have been no answers. 

At the last budget and finance meeting, the general manager asked for a $29 increase (from $496 to $525). His argument was they need the money because of inflation. Admittedly, we have very reasonable yearly fees (unless of course, you are a single homeowner) and we haven't had an increase in fees for years. There was a great reason we haven't, they didn't need the money, and they weren't spending what we were sending them. Now they've decided they want more. How do we ensure they spend it on the membership rather than just putting it in the bank? 

The good news is the proposal was voted down. The bad news is they are squeezing one of the board members to change his vote. We'll see at the November Board of Director meeting if he caves to management's wishes.

 

The POSSE:

I can't even believe I am writing this, so I will keep it short and sweet. For 50 years (1972) the POSSE has had a wonderful working relationship with the RCSC. For a small yearly donation (voluntary on the part of the RCSC), the POSSE has checked RCSC properties. They are not hired security, they have been called, from the beginning, "the eyes and ears" of the community." Their job was never to confront the bad guys, their role was to when they saw a potential problem to call it in and have the Maricopa County Sheriff respond.

For 50 years it's been a seamless and harmonious relationship. The POSSE is well-loved and well-respected by the community. At the beginning of this year, the POSSE increased its coverage by working overnight shifts. It was a new feature and one that helped alleviate some of the problems in the area along Grand Ave. In March apparently, the general manager and the POSSE commander started talking about some issues, but talks stalled and at the October member/board exchange the dispute became public. At this point, there is no resolution and the POSSE has ceased all interactions with the RCSC and any events they hold. Tragic yet again.

 

Full Play Non-Resident Golf Passes:

Another one of those issues that cause most to give their head a shake. At the April board/member exchange meeting, 3 long-time RCSC members of the golfing community stated they have been unable to get tee times like they have in the past. Once exposed, the problem was quickly diagnosed; outside full-play pass sales had exploded. Going from 50 to 150 generated 12,000 rounds of outside play. Worse yet, it was cheap outside play; cheaper than what members paid. They also were guaranteed a golf car if they paid the $500 add-on. Then we found out they could override the lottery system by joining groups of 30 or more.

The RCSC's solution was two-fold. The board announced they had "solved" the outside golf challenges with the wave of their magic marker, while in truth, it only got worse. The management team went to work and proposed a $250 increase which didn't slow down sales at all. It's the best deal in all of Phoenix, at least for the non-residents who buy the pass, not so much for the 88% who don't golf or for the members who buy the surcharge pass or pay the full price per round.

 

You Must Vote:

There is so much more we could say, but this is already too long. The RCSC is terrified the members' voices will be restored and they will have to listen to them. They are doing things never done before, they are that desperate. Their fear is apparent in their actions.

Our only recourse is for members to vote. Not just each of you reading this, but by encouraging your friends and club members to do the same. Ask them to consider voting for John Fast, Jean Totten, and Steve Collins.

 

Bill Pearson, Advisory Panel Sun City Advocates