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Opinion

Here is why you should care in Sun City

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We all moved to Sun City because it appealed to us in varied ways.

Perhaps it was golf, crafts, dance clubs, Arizona’s weather, no school taxes — and the list could go on. But what I’m afraid we forget — and I will admit that I was guilty of this — is that we need to take a vested interest in Sun City, how it works or doesn’t, why it works or doesn’t, how it’s successfully run, or isn’t.

I came to play and didn’t want to think about who was “running the show” or even how it worked. I came because I was retired. “Everything” looked like “it” was running smoothly. The pools were busy, gyms looked busy, I saw lots of golfers on the greens, members in large numbers played games and cards.  Why should I care about Recreation Centers of Sun City board meetings? Financials or even RCSC elections conducted every year?

Then I read in this paper that the RCSC 2021 board of directors “fired” my candidate, Karen McAdam. What? Why? Seven hundred thirty-five others voted for her besides me. What could she possibly have done wrong to be “fired?” Instead of getting answers, the board chose to stand behind its policy that what takes place in an executive meeting stays in an executive meeting. I spoke up about it at a public gathering and was severely admonished by a neighbor. This particular neighbor has lived here a lot longer than I have. He railed on me when I mentioned that we should be more involved. He said that “everything is just fine the way it is. Keep your nose out of it. Mind your own business. They’re doing a great job.”

At first, I thought he was probably right. Who was I to question since I hadn’t been a resident as long as he had? Then I researched more, reading and rereading bylaws and articles of incorporation; reading minutes of the board and committees from years past; reading what is available on the RCSC site; attending board meetings, where on Sept. 13 the president of the board pounded her gavel two minutes and 50 seconds into the meeting and declared it adjourned due to the supporters of Karen McAdam bringing signs into the meeting. When Bill Cook, the new general manager, was asked why signs weren’t allowed, he replied, “Because I said so.” According to Roberts Rules of Order, a meeting cannot end just because the president says so. A motion and a second must be made to end a meeting, and the executive session where the president and fellow directors voted to “fire” Karen had not followed Roberts Rules by not stating in the invitation why the meeting was being called.

The more I came to understand the breach of agreements made by the RCSC with the members, the more I came to question their integrity. Relationships should be built on trust; how much trust do they exude now?

Do you gain my trust by keeping me in the dark? By not divulging facts and figures that may affect me and what goes on around me? For example, if you, as a golfer, love the size and beauty of your courses here, are you aware of big changes ahead (reduction of turf, addition of native plants) due to the Arizona Department of Water Resources strategic plan? Are all of you Viewpoint Lake lovers aware that the lake is leaking, has been leaking for years, and will cost a boatload of money to fix? Do all of you fans of demolishing Mountain View Center for the proposed 3-phase architectural plan (with board approval) realize how many years this project will be stretched and that phases one and two budget study plan that was to have been given to the board in late-October — except maybe it wasn’t because director Steve Collins mentioned at the last board meeting he had not seen it (nor have any of us, the members) — realize how much it will really cost? Do you single homeowners realize that you are helping to subsidize the low cost of a round of golf here? Are all of you number crunchers aware that the solar project that was announced to cost approximately $4.2 million actually ended up costing $5.2 million? This is not how you gain my trust.

Could it be any worse, you say? Well, previous boards made it virtually impossible for us 25,000-plus members in good standing to have a say in any matters here in our “city.” Back in 2009, they introduced a change in the quorum necessary to have an annual membership meeting where business by and for the members could take place. As a result, a successful annual meeting hasn’t been conducted since! We, as members, can’t get 1,250 members present. We have absolutely no voice in anything because of that. We were told that this change was in our best interests. 

Should you care? Darn right! This is our community; the Articles of Incorporation state: “To do anything and everything lawfully necessary in the interest of the Members of the Corporation….” However, bylaws have been passed and changes made that are not in our best interest. Can we complain about it? Yes, we can stand before the board and make a comment or complaint. Does the board answer those comments or complaints as they are addressed? Hardly ever. Can we prevent a motion from being passed? Absolutely not!! No one hears the members’ voices.

I urge you to attend the annual membership meeting this year. It it is scheduled 8:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 13 at the Sundial auditorium, 14801 N. 103rd Ave. The meeting will start at 9 a.m. This could be your opportunity, as a member, to make a difference; to speak up about anything that concerns you. 

While you’re at it, please vote in this year’s election. RCSC has sent a wealth of information out about the seven candidates and has also included information about voting availability. Last year in a community of more than 25,000, only 1,166 votes were cast. Surely, we can do better!

Please consider being involved in your Sun City.

Editor’s Note: Jean Totten is a Sun City resident.