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Monday, April 24, 2017

Resident Questions Anthem Council Costs and Cost Sharing of Massive Waterfall Renovation

As you drive through down Eastern Avenue entering the Anthem communities, you're going to be in for a traffic jam, and that traffic jam will be the result of a recent decision to fix the waterfall display that has been inoperative for some time now. 

The cost? 
$200,000

...and though Sun City Anthem is merely one aspect of the Anthem subdivisions that compose Anthem Council...

...Sun City Anthem pays...

 52% 

Resident Nelson Orth, a longtime resident "watch dog", did some investigation and asked that we publish the following:

Anthem Council Strikes Again

Council Logo with Slogan.png (640×313)

by
Nelson Orth

After I read the eblast below, I was concerned about the impact on the traffic flow around the waterfall, especially during the rush hours. I was also surprised that the City of Henderson would issue the required permits to allow such a project to proceed. 
Because the elast was sent by Sun City Anthem General Manager, Sandy  Seddon, I questioned if this project could commence without such permits, and sent the following email to Ms. Seddon:

"Would you please tell me who authorized the distribution of this email?"

After acknowledging she was the individual who authorized it's release, I then sent Ms. Seddon the following email in response:

"You must realize that Anthem Council is the most corrupt outside entity that SCA deals with, and that everything they say or do must be independently verified. In this case I visited the City of Henderson on  Tuesday, and verified that neither Anthem Council, its management company, or its contractor has applied for the necessary permits to begin this project.

I now have put in place the process to halt any attempt by Anthem Council to proceed, and a process to stop this project if they attempt to obtain the required permits.

I am hopeful you will notify the SCA homeowners of this information."

To which, I received the following reply from her:

"I was able to connect with FSR (the managing agent for Anthem Council).
Below is the response:

Here's the response from the vendor:

There is no permit required to basically waterproof the fountain.  We are removing boulders to allow us to run the waterproofing liner throughout the basins then placing protective concrete, then resetting  the boulders. This is considered a repair not a new project that would require a permit.

I've copied our Anthem Council representatives on this email."

That in turn, was followed up by my email correspondence to her.

"Good Morning Sandy,

I cannot believe you expect me to believe what some unnamed person from FSR says. Just the letters FSR connotes incompetence. FSR has been terminated from so many HOAs, it is difficult to keep track.

I suggest you review again your original post. It says: LANE CLOSURES.
THAT REQUIRES A PERMIT.

If you doubt my word, call Eric Hawkins at (702)267-3084."

(Eric Hawkins is the Senior Traffic Engineer for the City of Henderson  Public Works Department.  He reports to his superior , a Mr. Robert Herr, who in turn reports directly to the City Council)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Now you may ask - How could this happen?

The only answer I can think of is to consider who is president of Anthem Council.

It is our former Sun City Anthem President, Jean  Capillupo....

...the same person whose past actions as a Sun City Anthem Board member...

1. greatly influenced the "Carver method" of management that subsequently altered the governance of the Sun City Anthem community.

2. approved two loans to a former restaurant owner that cost Sun City Anthem residents $40,000 in defaulted unpaid loans.

3. took it upon herself without consulting former Sun City Anthem Board members to enter into an agreement with the Foundation Assisting Seniors whereby FAS would pay a monthly rent of $1,000, but that the Association would donate the $1,000 back to FAS...an action that was subsequently nullified by her follow board members as an UNAUTHORIZED action....an action that ultimately resulted in the conflict that eventually resulted in the loss of the FAS lease, causing their upcoming departure from the Sun City Anthem community.

4. was then subsequently named as an "at large member" of Anthem Council.

5. and in now President of Anthem Council.

....a person whose track record of wasteful spending habits has cost Sun City Anthem residents thousands of dollars.

So, if one sees any interruption in the flow of traffic around the waterfall, simply call Tom Bailey, who is the Henderson Enforcement Officer, at (702)267-3085.

I have been assured that he will respond immediately, and shut down that operation.

Additionally, I have asked the City of Henderson to inform me if Anthem Council or one of its associated organizations requests the permits.

Upon notification I will attempt to have all sides heard on the validity of issuing these permits.

I do not believe this $200,000 project is necessary, especially since SCA is paying 52% of the cost.

Additionally, I have discovered that the waterfall and the surrounding area is rat infested.

I have contacted the Southern Nevada Health District, and have been informed that it is the responsibility of Anthem Council to correct this problem.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Anthem Opinions sends our thanks  to Nelson Orth  for "watching the purse strings of Sun City Anthem" and now wants your input and comments.

First, do you believe that Sun City Anthem's financial commitment to Anthem Council should be altered due to the increasing number of Anthem communities that have been developed over the years?

Second, do you believe that the percentage paid by the Sun City Anthem community should be in direct proportion to the total number of homes in all the respective Anthem subdivisions?

Third, do you believe Sun City Anthem's representation (total representatives) should be in direct proportion to the financial commitment and/or number of all combined homes within the Anthem communities?

Fourth, should the matter be brought before the community in a vote to remove Sun City Anthem from Anthem Council?

Fifth, should the new Sun City Anthem Board take steps to remove Jean Capillupo as our Anthem Council representative?

Sixth, when you enter the Anthem Community from Eastern Avenue and travel just past the "split" in the road...

AnthemWaterfall.jpg (500×359)

...when was the last time you noticed that the water wasn't  running...or did you not notice it at all, merely looking at the sign?  In other words, should it be repaired at all considering the $200,000 cost and resulting traffic congestion?

Let us know by sending your comments to:



  1. Thank you both for revealing another SCA and Anthem Council fiasco. Great reporting. I hope this reaches a wide audience.
  2. It boggles the mind when a person like a Jean Capillupo is appointed to such a position by cronies who supported her year after year.

    She...those like her, and THOSE WHO HAVE RECOMMENDED HER...and THOSE WHO HAVE BLINDLY VOTED for this type of selfish and destructive individual...

    ....are WHAT IS WRONG...with Sun City Anthem.

    And the blogger who has been a part of all of this since day one, has been a literal CURSE to the community for the incompetence he has recommended AGAIN and AGAIN, yet never has the guts to ever print ANY RESULTS of any damage they have created YEAR AFTER YEAR.

    That, plain and simply stated, is how you define CORRUPTION.
    1. From Gene Bertin...to...Anthem Opinions

      I would like to thank Nelson Orth for this enlightening update regarding the Fountain ‘Repair.”

      This note also brings to light an all too common issue with the actions of certain individuals who believe themselves to be ‘entitled’ or ‘blessed with an inordinate amount of authority’ to make decisions for a rather large community.

      As I read through the six suggestions for immediate remedy, I must submit all six are prudent and necessary in light of the most recent attempts to spend money needlessly.

      Once again, it must be left up to a conscientious board of directors to shut this frivolous activity down or claim the inability to act and resign.
      1. From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions

        Kudos to Mr. Orth for describing yet another waste of residents' money. There is absolutely NO reason to have a waterfall in the middle of the Mojave Desert. It represents a display of "opulence" that residents can no longer afford.

        IF we're paying 52% of the estimated cost(s) - this debacle will cost SCA Residents over $100,000 (ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS).....of course the HOA fees can always be raised (again) to cover the costs.

        IF the waterfall is repaired, think of the waste of precious water; yes, I know it's recycled through the waterfall-

        B U T -

        I'll bet a tremendous amount of water is lost through evaporation-only so that visitors and residents can get a false sense of wealth.

        Most importantly...always 'follow the money'

        This amount sounds like a kick-back?

        Maybe it's time for someone to upgrade to a new Mercedes Benz?
      2. From Jim Mayfield....member of the Sun City Anthem Board of Directors...to....Anthem Opinions

        Every April, FSR hosts a fancy dinner, open bar, and entertainment special at a casino on the strip for the members of the Boards of the associations that are its clients. In four years, i went once and never accepted their invitation again.

        It would be interesting to know if Jean was invited this year and attended, and if she did, if she reported her attendance, as required by NRS, for the reporting of gifts.
        1. From Sherry Mendoza...to...Anthem Opinions

          Those waterfalls were the first thing we saw when we came to investigate SCA and it helped make this community as magical as it is.

          No matter what they would put in there would need upkeep and never be as beautiful. Even Seven Hills just upgraded their entrance.

          Sadly, they also had a beautiful water feature where the old guard house stands and removed that. Our community is beautiful and if it costs a few bucks to keep it up, we think it is well worth it. That is what separates us from other communities.

          Keep in mind all of this beauty adds to the values of our homes collectively and over the years it becomes worth it.
        2. Sherry, no doubt about the beauty as I'm sure every person who was escorted through Sun City Anthem and the surrounding Anthem communities to purchase a home was brought through that entrance. It was the greatest scenic sales tool imaginable...

          ...but when 52% of the funds come from Sun City Anthem coffers, is that fair?
          1. It's amazing that these same people just continue leaving trails of incompetence along their path of life. It also amazes me that there are others that allow this to happen year after year. Here is the perfect example: "Jean Capillupo." It's just sad we can seemingly never get rid of the dolts.

8 comments:

  1. Thank you both for revealing another SCA and Anthem Council fiasco. Great reporting. I hope this reaches a wide audience.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It boggles the mind when a person like Jean Capillupo is appointed to such a position by cronies who supported her year after year.

    She...those like her, and THOSE WHO HAVE RECOMMENDED HER...and THOSE WHO HAVE BLINDLY VOTED for this type of selfish and destructive individual...

    ....are WHAT IS WRONG...with Sun City Anthem.

    And the blogger who has been a part of all of this since day one, has been a literal CURSE to the community for the incompetence he has recommended AGAIN and AGAIN, yet never has the guts to every print ANY RESULTS of any damage they have created YEAR AFTER YEAR.

    That, plain and simply stated, is how you define CORRUPTION.

    ReplyDelete
  3. From Gene Bertin...to...Anthem Opinions

    I would like to thank Nelson Orth for this enlightening update regarding the Fountain ‘Repair.”

    This note also brings to light an all too common issue with the actions of certain individuals who believe themselves to be ‘entitled’ or ‘blessed with an inordinate amount of authority’ to make decisions for a rather large community.

    As I read through the six suggestions for immediate remedy, I must submit all six are prudent and necessary in light of the most recent attempts to spend money needlessly.



    Once again, it must be left up to a conscientious board of directors to shut this frivolous activity down or claim the inability to act and resign.

    ReplyDelete
  4. From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions

    Kudos to Mr. Orth for describing yet another waste of residents' money. There is absolutely NO reason to have a waterfall in the middle of the Mojave Desert. It represents a display of "opulence" that residents can no longer afford.

    IF we're paying 52% of the estimated cost(s) - this debacle will cost SCA Residents over $100,000 (ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS).....of course the HOA fees can always be raised (again) to cover the costs.

    IF the waterfall is repaired, think of the waste of precious water; yes, I know it's recycled through the waterfall-

    B U T -

    I'll bet a tremendous amount of water is lost through evaporation-only so that visitors and residents can get a false sense of wealth.

    Most importantly...always 'follow the money'

    This amount sounds like a kick-back?

    Maybe it's time for someone to upgrade to a new Mercedes Benz?

    ReplyDelete
  5. From Jim Mayfield....member of the Sun City Anthem Board of Directors...to....Anthem Opinions

    Every April, FSR hosts a fancy dinner, open bar, and entertainment special at a casino on the strip for the members of the Boards of the associations that are its clients. In four years, i went once and never accepted their invitation again.

    It would be interesting to know if Jean was invited this year and attended, and if she did, if she reported her attendance, as required by NRS, for the reporting of gifts.

    ReplyDelete
  6. From Sherry Mendoza...to...Anthem Opinions

    Those waterfalls were the first thing we saw when we came to investigate SCA and it helped make this community as magical as it is.

    No matter what they would put in there would need upkeep and never be as beautiful. Even Seven Hills just upgraded their entrance.

    Sadly, they also had a beautiful water feature where the old guard house stands and removed that. Our community is beautiful and if it costs a few bucks to keep it up, we think it is well worth it. That is what separates us from other communities.

    Keep in mind all of this beauty adds to the values of our homes collectively and over the years it becomes worth it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Sherry, no doubt about the beauty as I'm sure every person who was escorted through Sun City Anthem and the surrounding Anthem communities to purchase a home were brought through that entrance. It was the greatest scenic sales tool imaginable...

    ...but when 52% of the funds come from Sun City Anthem coffers, is that fair?

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's amazing that these same people just continue leaving trails of incompetence along their path of life. It also amazes me that there are others that allow this to happen year after year. Here is the perfect example: "Jean Capillupo." It's just sad we can seemingly never get rid of the dolts.

    ReplyDelete