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Lehrer: Getting off on the right foot in Sun City

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Let’s start 2022 by getting off on the right foot and leaving the past behind — please.

Your concerns and frustrations are real and acknowledged, but in order to move forward, everyone — board directors, those who take the time to attend meetings and residents throughout the community — need to commit to participating and becoming involved with the understanding that nothing will change overnight.

I personally have met with resistance in the work I attempted to accomplish as a board member. More accurate data collection and attempts to survey the community to get input from as many as possible on the wants, wishes and desires for the future of Sun City have been difficult to get consensus and the buy-in necessary from others to move forward. I’ve not given up and neither should you.

Can we please start right now talking without attacking, and work together with understanding and empathy for each other?

We have stated all along that as a Recreation Centers of Sun City member, you have the responsibility to participate in the governance of RCSC. Really. Those exact words have been posted on the RCSC website, suncityaz.org. Frequently Asked Questions  under RCSC — “How can Members make recommendations to the Board or let the Board know their concerns?” While we encourage your questions, not everything can be answered on the spot, especially when each and every word spoken is being recorded and presumed to be absolute.

Please consider allowing time for us to research and to reference records before attempting to respond. Expecting timelines and immediate answers that are impossible to provide puts everyone under unnecessary and unwarranted pressure.

Another option would be to send comments and concerns by email to boardoffice@suncityaz.org or to drop them off at the Corporate/Board Office at Lakeview Center, 10626 W. Thunderbird Blvd. Maybe there could be a way to ask questions in advance and then have them answered at the following meeting. This might also allow for discussion to occur to ensure that the right question is really being asked, which can oftentimes be an issue. I would also consider using this space right here to help address issues of concern as another option.

As we look towards the future, I am hoping to establish a monthly meeting at Sundial Center, 14801 N. 103rd Ave., like the board/member exchange, where we could have an open exchange of ideas and committee reports could be shared and discussed in a town hall-style meeting format that could be video recorded and posted for others to view. We need to also develop a mechanism for reporting progress back to members on issues of concern as they arise. Lastly, I would hope we could all work together to establish a maximum meeting length of two hours.

Sun City continues to be a great place to live, play and enjoy all that’s offered here. With everyone’s help, cooperation and participation I hope we can continue to improve for generations to come. Get involved by being part of the solution. There is plenty of work that needs to be done.

Editor’s Note: Dale Lehrer is Recreation Centers of Sun City board president for 2022.