We often receive correspondence from
our valued readers who are concerned as to financial
aspects of our community.
Occasionally we find something SO
concerning, that we bring it to your
attention.
Recently we received this from Sun City
Anthem Resident, Robert N.
Robert raises an issue that has long
been the subject of controversy in our association, and we would like to hear
your comments as to your thoughts.
Prior to publishing Robert's
comments, we decided to do a bit of research....
...and we found
these startling facts !
At the end of
August, 2011, the Spirit magazine brought in an additional $33,000 of income due to the
advertising revenue generated.
As of the end of
August 2015, the Spirit magazine was running a $16,000
deficit due to loss of advertisers.
That is a swing of almost $50,000 in the wrong direction.
Note that the Spirit magazine is supposed to pay for itself with the possibility of adding additional revenue to Sun City Anthem.
That is a swing of almost $50,000 in the wrong direction.
Note that the Spirit magazine is supposed to pay for itself with the possibility of adding additional revenue to Sun City Anthem.
...and a simple fact
remains...
In the past... prior to the Meese publication....it
was doing just that !
Now it is
not !
Is there a conflict of
interest?
You decide.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Has Sun City Anthem
Suffered
Financially Due to a
Possible
Conflict of Interest ?
by
Robert
N.
You are undoubtedly aware that our "Spirit" magazine now has competition.
"Villages of Sun City Anthem" is
also being delivered to our neighbors.
As you also know the publisher of this
magazine is none other than the husband of Bella Meese, the President of Sun City
Anthem.
I have long held that this reflects a breach of Fiduciary
responsibility by the HOA President as it possibly affects the financial
well-being of SCA.
By
coincidence...OR...intentionally... both magazines arrived the same
day.
I took the time to compare the advertisements in both
publications.
I found a total of forty-five (45)
advertisers that appeared in the Villages of Sun City Anthem magazine that did
NOT appear in the November issue of Spirit
magazine.
Here is that list:
Dream Design
Modern Closet
Sai Sushi
Sai Sushi
Ichabod’s Lounge
Bernard’s Bristo
Bernard’s Bristo
New York Chinese
Restaurant
Cheeseburger‐Cheeseburger
Cheeseburger‐Cheeseburger
Barcelona
Tapas/Restaurant
The 52
The 52
Bavarian
Castle
Quality Water
Open Mortgage
Sellmyhome.com
Multicare Group
Kimberly’s Cleaning
Kimberly’s Cleaning
Sunburst Shutters & Window
Fashions
rebathandkitchen.com
rebathandkitchen.com
Elite Plumbing
Blind Doctor
Blind Doctor
Dura‐Kool
Pet ‘orgraphique
Realty One Group
Realty One Group
Southwest A/C
Service
Summit Mechanical
Summit Mechanical
Sierra A/C & Heat
Ambiance Barber Salon
Superior Plumbing & Drain
Aire Serve Heating & A/C
Senior Helpers
American Jewelers
Ambiance Barber Salon
Superior Plumbing & Drain
Aire Serve Heating & A/C
Senior Helpers
American Jewelers
Hybar Window & Doors
Surface Specialists of Nevada
Pacifica Senior Living
Land Trek Inc
First Class Pharmacy
Air Supply Heat & A/C
Silverton Casino
Patio Furniture Inc
Ron DeCars Event Center
Universal Realty
Surface Specialists of Nevada
Pacifica Senior Living
Land Trek Inc
First Class Pharmacy
Air Supply Heat & A/C
Silverton Casino
Patio Furniture Inc
Ron DeCars Event Center
Universal Realty
Linda Woodson
Dermatology
Action Plumbing
ATF Painting
ATF Painting
Davis Funeral
Homes
Fast‐Fix Jewelry & Watch Repair
Fast‐Fix Jewelry & Watch Repair
In my opinion this reflects a loss of revenue to the community.
For 30 years I worked as a Bank Appraiser; the Appraisers
were governed by many regulations, not the least of which, were the Ethics Provisions.
The Uniform Standards of Professional
Appraisal Practice (basically a list of "Thou shalt
not....." items) made it clear that it would be unprofessional for an
Appraiser to even give the appearance of a conflict of
interest.
Mrs. Meese's association with this magazine certainly gives
such an appearance.
--------------------------------------------------------
Now it's your turn. How do you feel about
these comments?
Send them to us
at:
We thank Robert N. for taking his time to
share his thought provoking commentary with us.
Anthem Opinions
Administration
Dick
I have been following your blog for years now and appreciate and enjoy your informative, informational, and sometimes provocative comments.
It has been apparent to me over the past decade plus that the community, without the few who speak up and out would be straying further off the road to providing intelligent management and oversight and financial comfort to our community at large.
This does not seem to be the case, as there are lots of bystanders and few upstanders in this community who have not used their collective power to make the board responsible to the community and not to their own delusional whims; Vic’s being the last and the Community Self-Management the latest.
It will be interesting but sad to watch this group spend the owner’s money as if it was there own. There is something to be said for spending other people’s money, especially when it is handed to you in a ledger.
The package offered the new manager is incredible to say the least.
As to the comment that there are “no amateurs living here", a typically arrogant remark. They had better take another look, and get real.
People will not join committees when their voices are not heard.
People do not attend meetings when their voices are silenced.
Until the community becomes pro-active and not re-active, this will continue until it hurts.
Having lived in other communities with professional and self-management I can attest to the sheer dollar impact from the Professional Managers to the “management amateurs”, all very professional in their fields, but not in managing a community of people.
For $50,000 or $60,000, is that worth losing a reputation at our age?
What means being a volunteer to some of these people?
For 35 years I worked in Advertising and Marketing for major publishing companies.
Beside looking at the lost revenue, you also need to look at the expenses.
I would also look to see what the rate is for both magazines.
They may be undercutting our rate and taking our advertisers.
Something to Consider
If the listed companies are hurting Sun City Anthem by advertising in the magazine, "Villages of Sun City Anthem" that directly completes with "The Spirit", maybe the way to stop those companies from hurting our association is not to patronize them long as they continue to do.
If people don't patronize a company or contractor who harms the community in which they seek income, perhaps those companies might think twice before they spend their advertising dollars on a publication that hurts Sun City Anthem.
Also, Sun City Anthem residents who choose to allow their photos on the magazine cover or write articles for that magazine are harming us as well. Seeing their name in print does nothing but feed their personal egos while financially hurting those they call neighbor.
As far as I'm concerned, The Meese's are power hungry people and don't care who they step on along the way.
"What goes around, comes around"
Only The Spirit should be part of our community and the revenue should be dedicated to The Spirit and our community. There is no need or reason for the other publication.
still await a comparison of the contract cost being offered to the projected cost when the decision to go to self management was made. Assuming your very valid concerns are settled, a comparison would show if the projected savings of this initiative are on plan or not.
As an aside, I worked for a company in the 1990s that had a significantly better plan for its executives than for the vast majority of employees.
Don’t know if they were compliant with current law or had to pay taxes on the excess benefits.
DEFINITELY A CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
Thanks to Robert N. we have yet another example for Dracy Spears.
An HOA Officer and Board of Director profiting at the expense of the HOA, another example of demonstrated blatant disregard of fiduciary responsibility.
George Meese should also not be pushing people to “visit” Café V that the board and its President so badly want and pour Money into!!
If you wish not to receive George Meeses magazine , do as I did.
Over a year ago. I sent him an e-mail advising him to remove my address from his mailing list. His response was why ?
My answer was that I only read the official magazine of our community .
And that ,I get enough junk mail and have no time for any more.
You have to e-mail him. There is no phone number listed .
Also, the magazine is addressed to current resident.
No matter whom lives at the address, the post office will continue to fill your mail box with this trash.