Information Pages

Thursday, July 23, 2015

This Time...They Did It Right !

Common Sense Prevails:
Board Rejects Cafe V Request


Two days ago, I did not believe that I would be able to write these words, but after attending the Sun City Anthem Board Book meeting on Tuesday, July 21st...

...I left with hope that somehow, common sense might prevail between then and Thursday, July 23rd, when various Cafe V matters were to be settled.

It was at that meeting that two items were brought up regarding Cafe V.

First, there was consideration given to allowing Cafe V to close on Sundays;

Second, there was a thought regarding rewiring a portion of the Anthem Center in order to monitor the utilities attributed to that restaurant.

With all the bad press regarding Cafe V, along with the Sun City Anthem Board's history of concession after concession to them, we fully anticipated that the bad news would continue....

...but surprisingly, cool heads made for some GOOD COMMUNICATION.

...and rather than CRITICIZE....it is now time to CONGRATULATE !

Let me first take all of you back to the Board Book meeting of July 21st.

For those unfamiliar as to how the "system" works, the Board Book is a rather informal meeting where topics are openly discussed by both board members and residents. 

Decisions are not made at that meeting....its purpose is to determine if any remaining aspects of an item need to be discussed before a formal vote is taken at a board meeting....

And...in this particular case...it was a VERY GOOD SESSION....and I commend President Bella Meese in maintaining a neutral attitude toward all those who would speak.

However....the "rumor" that we were made aware of...became a reality....

...Board Secretary Jean Capillupo brought up the subject of the Cafe V request to close on Sundays

She appeared to support the idea, and fellow board member, Don Schramski, joined her in that belief.

Discussion was then opened to fellow board members, and Director Carl Weinstein stated he strongly opposed any Sunday closing for a number of reasons  citing the numerous past concessions...but especially now... because of the promise made by the "old board" that "all concessions would come to an end" at the close of 2014.

Mr. Weinstein also stated that those who attended performances at Independence Center would be inconvenienced if looking for a place to dine prior to...and after.. the shows at Freedom Hall.

Director Jim Mayfield then stated that "a lease is a lease" and that it must be adhered to.

(and in our opinion...we wholeheartedly agreed with both of those later points of view).

One by one, members of the audience then had their opportunity to speak...and literally in each case, those individuals strongly favored the positions of Mr. Weinstein and Mr. Mayfield.

As the meeting ended, the room emptied and as I was leaving, I had the opportunity to have a detailed conversation with Director Don Schramski who was kind enough to extend in excess of one hour of his time.

We discussed the various topics at the meeting, but as we left, I still had the feeling he would favor the concession....

...but evidently...he...and the rest of the board took the next two days to ponder the various comments....

And on Thursday, July 23rd....the vote was taken.

Cafe V will NOT be allowed to close on Sundays.

The vote....a unanimous...
6 - 0*

On a second topic of rewiring Anthem Center (with what was believed to be a HUGE EXPENDITURE)....it was determined that the existing metering system was FULLY ACCURATE...and required NO FURTHER EXPENSE.

That vote....also a unanimous...
6 - 0*

*Director Tom Nissen Absent from Votes

And so...today we take a different approach than in previous articles....

...something POSITIVE...something that was made possible by good people who gave good comments...

All of which resulted in combining COMMUNICATION with COMMON SENSE...

Resulting in a solution THE PEOPLE  believed... was the "right thing to do".

Now...just as we wanted your comments in the past, we want them again.

Send your thoughts to:

...and if you think the Board did the right thing...tell them as well.  

There's nothing wrong with giving a compliment when it's deserved !


Anthem Opinions Adminstration

  1. From Dorothy Yu...to...Anthem Opinions

    I know there is a saying about how hard it is to teach an old dog new tricks.

    Well, Cafe V's situation has never been a trick, but common sense!

    If all board members watch SCA's spending as they watch their own spending, I doubt this restaurant issue would have ever existed!

    Thanks for posting to alert all residents at SCA!
    ReplyDelete
  1. From Anthony Gordon...to...Anthem Opinions

    The board made the correct decision in not giving any more concessions to the restaurant.

    It is time for Cafe V to close.

    With all the "gaming" restaurants close by, that are inexpensive, I don't see this community ALLOWING any other style of restaurant to succeed.

    The original Vic's is a case in point.

    The food was excellent, the service was too. I probably ate there 15 times before it changed.

    The complaint was that it was too expensive, and it wasn't.

    Everyone wanted it cheaper, I believe, just so that they could go more often.

    A business needs to make a profit, and a restaurant is no different. We had a quality restaurant and we let it slip away.

    This reincarnation needs to go.
    ReplyDelete
    1. From Ken Ragsdale...to...Anthem Opinions

      Dick,

      We really appreciate being kept up to date with your blog.

      Good job on the Cafe V fiasco.

      I'm glad to see our board did the right thing.

      Now if they would only make Cafe V adhere to the original contract.
      ReplyDelete

        1. From Bella Meese, President of Sun City Anthem...to...Anthem Opinions

          I wanted to say thank you for a well written article.
          ReplyDelete
        2. From Don Schramski, Sun City Anthem Board Director...to...Anthem Opinions

          Thanks for the thorough synopsis.
          ReplyDelete
        3. From Carl Weinstein, Sun City Anthem Board Director...to...Anthem Opinions

          Terrific article! Thanks!
          ReplyDelete
        4. From Forrest Fetherolf...to...Anthem Opinions

          Finally there is dialogue between concerned residents and Board Members in a positive way.

          Bella, Don and Carl's responses indicate they do read the blogs to be informed what many residents concerns are,

          Our BOD can say NO...(no more hand outs) to a restaurant that they should have been knowing Cafe V's chances of success was slim to none.

          Optimism, emotions, personal agenda and poor judgement got our community into this mess.

          Now it is a matter of time until our BOD or Cafe V turns out the lights for good.

          That space can be used more efficiently for residents and club usage without the wasted expense of a seldom used catering kitchen and unsuccessful restaurant.
          ReplyDelete



7 comments:

  1. From Dorothy Yu...to...Anthem Opinions

    I know there is a saying about how hard it is to teach an old dog new tricks.

    Well, Cafe V's situation has never been a trick, but common sense!

    If all board members watch SCA's spending as they watch their own spending, I doubt this restaurant issue would have ever existed!

    Thanks for posting to alert all residents at SCA!

    ReplyDelete
  2. From Anthony Gordon...to...Anthem Opinions

    The board made the correct decision in not giving any more concessions to the restaurant.

    It is time for Cafe V to close.

    With all the "gaming" restaurants close by, that are inexpensive, I don't see this community ALLOWING any other style of restaurant to succeed.

    The original Vic's is a case in point.

    The food was excellent, the service was too. I probably ate there 15 times before it changed.

    The complaint was that it was too expensive, and it wasn't.

    Everyone wanted it cheaper, I believe, just so that they could go go more often.

    A business needs to make a profit, and a restaurant is no different. We had a quality restaurant and we let it slip away.

    This reincarnation needs to go.

    ReplyDelete
  3. From Ken Ragsdale...to...Anthem Opinions

    Dick,

    We really appreciate being kept up to date with your blog.

    Good job on the Cafe V fiasco.

    I'm glad to see our board did the right thing.

    Now if they would only make Cafe V adhere to the original contract.

    ReplyDelete
  4. From Bella Meese, President of Sun City Anthem...to...Anthem Opinions

    I wanted to say thank you for well written article.

    ReplyDelete
  5. From Don Schramski, Sun City Anthem Board Director...to...Anthem Opinions

    Thanks for the through synopsis.

    ReplyDelete
  6. From Carl Weinstein, Sun City Anthem Board Director...to...Anthem Opinions

    Terrific article! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  7. From Forrest Fetherolf...to...Anthem Opinions

    Finally there is dialogue between concerned residents and Board Members in a positive way.

    Bella, Don and Carl's responses indicate they do read the blogs to be informed what many residents concerns are,

    Our BOD can say NO...(no more hand outs) to a restaurant that they should have been knowing Cafe V's chances of success was slim to none.

    Optimism, emotions, personal agenda and poor judgement got our community into this mess.

    Now it is a matter of time until our BOD or Cafe V turns out the lights for good.

    That space can be used more efficiently for residents and club usage without the wasted expense of a seldom used catering kitchen and unsuccessful restaurant.

    ReplyDelete