Sun City Anthem

Nevada Know How...Archives (Page Five)


Nevada Know How

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Carson City State Capital 


Open Your Eyes Sun City Anthem
Yet Another Area Golf Course in Financial Difficulty

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The 9/8/19 Nevada section of the Las Vegas Review Journal featured an article showing what is happening to a residential community designed with a golf course being a major amenity and has the course closing its doors and the problems its absence leads to for the property owners.

In this instance the classic Black Mountain Golf and Country Club here in Henderson, walked away less than 2 years ago, leaving about 200 acres of unkempt desert rather than lush fairways and greens, most surely detrimental to their property values. 

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Recently, an out of state developer submitted a plan to use the land to build 1800 homes which they claim would provide a vibrant planned community. The homeowners understandably are concerned over the increased density causing their values to further tank and likely will result in the courts. 


This is reminiscent of the Badlands golf course closure and the legal procedures currently in progress, which you may have seen on Anthem Opinions or other sources. The property owners are on hold, with little recourse. When unkempt, a golf course turns ugly very quickly, dragging down surrounding properties.

Then

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Now

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A similar situation, could possibly occur here in Sun City Anthem.  

Throughout the valley, golf courses are having a struggle keeping their revenues at a comfortable level. Even our 2 Revere courses do not seem as busy as they were a few years ago and it appears they reduced green fees to be competitive. Their management has the benefit of Buckmans restaurant, bar and catering business.  Shrinking golf revenues seemingly can to a degree, be compensated  for by a healthy food service business. 

Who out there could possibly imagine the beautiful Lexington and Concord Revere Courses in disarray?

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Is a self-managed costly restaurant worth the possibility of the loss of these Sun City Anthem landmarks? 
        
Seemingly, 5 straight failures are not enough to negate their pursuit of what I refer to as the “Pay Twice Restaurant” (once in subsidies and once for the food), but a certain group feel that (using the food service consultants figures) taking $371,000 from the bank to start, inflated payroll costs, increased dues, in an attempt to average $126,000/month in sales (with no rent factored into the numbers) as a break even point, is a good deal. 

However the same old center-focused members of the carryover Board of Directors seem to still be in play by their attempts to stuff a self-managed  restaurant in the Anthem Center down our throats. 

Besides throwing good money after bad, the ambitious but unrealistic sales could take just enough revenue from Buckmans, causing Revere management to say Adios due to sub profit levels, leaving the course to rot, along with our property values.

I have heard board members state that understandably it costs us money to leave the 8000 sq. ft. site vacant, so a small net operating loss may not be all bad, but never elaborated. The property owners have the right to know how their money is being dispersed.

Since the Liberty settlement was reached, I was under the impression that the bulk of the funds would be put in the reserve fund rather than blowing it on something as useless as an eatery.

I hope our financial minds are cognizant on the age of our facilities, and that repairs and replacement will probably occur more frequently. 

We cannot afford duplicating previous errors.  We should think of better uses for our funds and space.
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Got a comment on Mr. Latchford's thoughts?

Send it to us at:

scaopinions@gmail.com
  1. From Art Goldsmith...to...Anthem Opinions

    An excellent documentary on what could happen here.

    It expresses my concerns over what an SCA restaurant can cause in property values, a future decline.

    This is a reality of golf courses throughout the United States, failure and ensuing drop in value of surrounding properties.

    Our holdover board members must open their eyes to this eventuality.
  2. Art, thanks for the comment. 

    This is just one of a number of terrific articles written by Sun City Anthem resident, Bob Latchford.

    I believe all "thinking RESPONSIBLE and COMMUNITY ORIENTED individuals" owe Bob a resounding KUDO for this piece, as well as, the others he has authored.

    Just a reminder to all of our readers:

    We welcome any detailed, thought provoking, and relevant articles by our readers. 

    As we have made it clear, this is a "you" blog, not a "me" blog.

    Over our 6 year history, a number of Sun City Anthem residents, including past Sun City Anthem Board members, have added valuable input in great detail.

    And...all have been willing to do so under their real identities, unlike another publication.

    Our blog policy has always been and NEVER will, publish any article or comment on an anonymous basis.

    Our readers know that publishing anything on an anonymous basis, questions its validity, that any person who has something to say, should never fear using a REAL NAME, and be proud of their input.

    We "pull no punches", and want you to know THE FULL STORY, good or bad, not merely the partial information you often receive elsewhere, whether it be from official Sun City Anthem sources or alternative private publications that only publish information they wish you to know, often misleading an unknowing public as to the FULL TRUTH they are entitled to be aware of AT ALL TIMES.
  3. From Dave & Trudy...to...Anthem Opinions

    You should also add Legacy Golf Course.
    1. From Tony Orzada...to...Anthem Opinions

      The whole idea of starting the discussion of whether to have or not a restaurant here in Sun City Anthem was, I thought a dead issue.

      Now apparently some of of OLD MACHINE mopes are again pushing for opening a restaurant here.

      Have they all lost their minds ?

      In addition to the restaurants that have tried & failed & taken our $$$ with them, now you raise a VERY INTERESTING POINT, the Revere Golf Club.

      This site offers 2 golf courses which increase the value of our homes here in Sun City Anthem,.

      Without them house values will be in the toilet.

      Also we already have a GREAT restaurant in BUCKMANS which is used not  only by the residents of Sun City Anthem,  BUT BY THE GOLFERS !!!!!!

      Wake up folks, without a golf course(in our case 2 golf courses), we are DEAD !!!

      Does management have a brain problem or are they just stupid ?

      Aside from the many arguments voiced in the past about how a new restaurant in Sun City Anthem is beyond dumb, now factor in Buckmans demise along with the Golf courses!

      How much $$$ do you want to lose in your home value to keep  pushing for a NEW RESTAURANT here in SUN CITY ANTHEM ?

      1) Any new Restaurant in Sun City Anthem is DOOMED !  Just a quick look back at the sorry history of the dead restaurants  as a reference point makes the idea of doing it yet AGAIN is beyond stupid.

      2) Now look at your home value without the golf courses & the already proven success of BUCKMANS ?

      How much do you want to lose, not only from a new restaurant, but shooting ourselves in the foot by giving competition to BUCKMANS & resulting in less golfers  i.e. no GOLF COURSE.

      3) I know this is a retirement community; however, we can’t  have a governing team suffering from  Alzheimers and/or Dementia making these decisions ( the machine ).


      Dick, you MUST have the OLD MACHINE  BOARD tested by qualified medical personnel to determine if they have truly LOST THEIR MIND !
    2. Tony,

      When it comes to common sense, there is little doubt it takes a back seat to greed, stupidity, and a complete lack of financial competence to continue pushing any form of a SURE LOSER WHEN it involves a "spend spend spend" Manager coupled with "I don't give a damn" remnants of  this current Board.

      Karrow and Coleman are a lost cause who listen to no one other than themselves.

      It's time both were DUMPED.

      Both are an embarrassment to competent governance, and are dragging the reputation of their fellow members with them.  It's sad that the other 5 Board members would allow this shameful leadership to continue.  It's a reflection on them...a bad reflection.
      1. From Matt Horween...to...Anthem Opinions

        Will we have non-residents come to eat our subsidized food?

        What about security?

        The main building basically does not have any security and only the fitness center and the computer club log people in using their cards.

        Why do I want strangers coming here to eat my subsidized food and then roaming around the center? 
      2. Matt, I don't think the problem will be strangers eating there...it's ANYONE eating there !

        And if this comes to pass, when the place goes into a bright red color on the association financial statements, and the dues increase annually to keep it open, all the residents who tried to say "I told ya so", should file a class action law suit against each of them who voted in favor of this insanity for knowingly breaching their financial due diligence by entering into any such agreement,,being warned well in advance by EVERY FINANCIAL ANALYST, that such action would cause a substantial financial annual loss to each and every owner in Sun City Anthem.
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Striking Out Against a Messenger
by Avoiding the Message
Typical Behavior of Corruption
(Part One of Two)

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In the past couple of weeks an alternative blogger, in his obsession with a continual target, Anthem Opinions, continued to strike like a venomous serpent whose sole attempt was to kill its prey.

It didn't work !

Of course, some of his "same old-same old" followers joined in the fracas, centering in on a mediocre aspect of an article that completely ignored the purpose of the Anthem Opinions piece clarifying a Sun City Anthem Board meeting.

We have remained silent until now for one reason. 

We believe a person should be allowed enough rope to hang himself...


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...and has been the case again and again, like ...

...LiMu the Emu in the Liberty Mutual commercials...


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...he and others have done it again !

We do not hate this blogger nor do we hold much credence in the ignorance and insulting comments by so many on this blog. That's who they are, and that's how insecure "never done it themselves" individuals usually act.

Instead we choose to look at them for their inexperience in the "real world"  and their all to often attempt to justify the incompetence and corruption bureaucrats "need to exist"" in a community that sadly, in many cases, refuses to open its eyes to problems that Anthem Opinions believes it should be made aware of, for one reason...

...to recognize the errors of the past, correct them, and have leaders who will refrain from allowing them to take place in the future.

That's why we are looked at as "troublemakers"...and are treated with insults rather than rational argument.

A political machine can't handle questions they cannot or refuse to answer.  Instead it insults the individual who asks the relevant questions!

A "machine" for example will never focus on the history associated with 5 failed restaurants;  and rather then admit an alternative would be a financially responsible decision, instead choose to solve the problem the way most bureaucrats do...

...do it again...with more money...and expect a different result !

...only this time, with YOUR MONEY !


We "shake the trees" because "the machine" and their minions can't or won't ! 

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We don't look at residents of Sun City Anthem as sheep to be led; we look at them as mature seniors whose financial future are contingent on responsible actions.


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Tomorrow we will look at Anthem Opinions itself. 

What it has stood for, the difference between it and another blog, and how we strive to serve a community we believe:


"Has the right to know"

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Striking Out Against a Messenger
by Avoiding the Message
Typical Behavior of Corruption
(Part Two of Two)


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Anthem Opinions is not a "me" publication. 

We have never sought any form of power; however, we've tried our best to support candidates for Board positions with relevant business experience necessary to guide a multi-million dollar non-profit organization.


It is a community device designed primarily to entertain, not complain, and less than 10% of all articles are political in nature; however, for those infrequent articles that do pertain to Sun City Anthem governance and management, it also prides itself on making you aware of community decisions that others believe you don't have the right to know...or won't take the time to read a Board Book agenda that can be close to 200 pages in length prior to a vote.

...a publication that as of this date, has 2,395 subscribers, is visited between 1,900 and 2100 each day a new article is published, and since its inception in November, 2012, has had 2,870,000 visits....

...approximately 1,000 more subscribers than the alternative blogger's report a few months ago....

...and I might add, 10 additional new subscribers in the past two weeks since the damning article that was written by the other blogger.

Earlier in 2019 we succeeded in assisting the election of two individuals, Rana Goodman and Karen Hadrick, who, to date, have demonstrated the financial frugality they promised to the advantage of Sun City Anthem's well-being despite the "machine" mouth, continuing a political ploy of being referred to as "The Arendt Group". 

It was solely intended to have the effect of a detriment to their election; however, it backfired and the above individuals were elected in their own right.  

You will note that Anthem Opinions NEVER succumbed to DIRTY CAMPAIGN TACTICS, and never referred to the "machine" as the "Berman Group". 

Each individual Anthem Opinions supported offered to answer any relevant question asked of them on a website specifically designed for open communication and a manner on which to judge them if they were elected.


No such offer was made from "the machine" candidates....

...and Sun City Anthem...looking at things since that election, especially on 8/22/19, you got what you "paid for" in subsequent decisions made by that "machine".

That leads us to the crux of the 8/22/19 article which brought out who voted for certain matters and who did not.

The title of the other blogger's article was entitled:

"Board Votes to Authorize Self-Managed Restaurant Proposal"

It was misleading; It DID NOT authorize any such proposal.

The Sun City Anthem Board merely authorized management to FURTHER EXPLORE IT.

What was completely omitted from that article was the fact that 2 existing members  (those he fully supported) wanted to go forward with it WITHOUT EXPLORING vital aspects that would have a substantial impact on the community...

...Board members who, in our opinion, did so without sufficient knowledge as to its ultimate affect.

Candace Karrow
Jim Coleman

...2 members whom Anthem Opinions, prior to their being elected to office,  WARNED THE COMMUNITY that their personal interests outweighed financial responsibility...

...a warning that went unheeded with the result WE CORRECTLY PREDICTED.

On two other issues, Office Renovation and the purchase of 12 tables were also included in the Board meeting.

Who chose to vote to SPEND thousands on unnecessary and expensive office renovations?

Candace Karrow
Jim Coleman

And who voted to needlessly spend $13,000+ on chairs that could have been refinished for $2,000?   Forrest QuinnArthur Scheutz, and...

Candace Karrow
Jim Coleman

...all of which we warned the community that electing such individuals would result in UNNECESSARY SPENDING WASTE.

Why are these VITAL voting matters COMPLETELY AVOIDED by the alternative blogger AT ALL COSTS?

The answer is obvious...

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You can't expect competence from an individual who has never demonstrated it.

Then there are those who choose to make comments (or in the recent case, published an article) only those of limited intelligence would actually consider relevant...

...obviously from the same "school of thought"...

...a feeble attempt to avoid the message by condemning the messenger !

That individual refused to use a real name using an excuse that he was no longer the brave soul he once was...actually expecting a gullible following to accept that as a mark of bravery ???

Such an article was worth sending to a community? 

For what purpose?

For what literary value?

Unlike the alternative blogger, Anthem Opinions does not permit ANY COMMENT that is anonymous...or those from dead professional baseball players.

Another comment appeared from an individual whom we will not mention by name, was terminated from an Anthem Opinions subscription in July, 2017 for comments which were insulting, included inappropriate commentary on a national political figure, was warned prior to termination that such harassment would result in subscription termination and police involvement, and after further examination of this individual, turned out to be A RENTER, NOT A PROPERTY OWNER.

We will close this piece by once again, pledging to report to our readers the concerning and/or expensive issues on which the Sun City Anthem Board will cast their votes, and identify ALL as to how they voted.

That is what counts...not Anthem Opinionsnor any other blogger

As we previous said, we are not a "me" blog; we are a "you" blog...

...a blog that offers intelligent commentary, and in many cases, allows fellow residents to become an active part of our publication by relishing their input on community matters by posting articles which they author...

...using their real identities !

Existing Board members, not blogs, control your future, and we wholeheartedly believe that you should know full information in order to cast an intelligent vote as to Sun City Anthem leadership...

...and that's what we intend to do in the future (as we always have done) despite the biased "unwritten" and all to often FULL facts that are withheld from a community by another blogger or an official community publication that believes:

You don't have a right to know !

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Does Common Sense Exist with Certain Sun City Anthem Board Members When it Comes to Spending?


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 by
Robert Lachford
Sun City Anthem Resident

It is somewhat shameful that not more homeowners seem to take a closer interest in how our dues money is handled once it leaves our bank account.  

This couldn’t be more evident than how the the rather sparsely attended HOA meeting on 8/22 was conducted.

When discussing various repair and maintenance projects in the planning or early stages with a lot of emphasis placed on scheduling and its effect on cash flow, some members wanted to spread out the costs and get them completed ASAP. 

In building and recreation facilities, items used for about 20 years, will require constant repair and replacement; prioritizing their importance is essential.

For example, a faulty revolving door, possibly a safety hazard, should take priority over expanded office space, which may or may not even be necessary. 

That’s why we have a reserve account.

 Another issue was replacement of 12 card gaming tables for over $13,000 when board member David Weil discovered a source of replacement parts which would cost $2000. 

Even with labor costs to assemble them, only he and the 2 new members supported saving several thousand dollars,  but 4 votes did not want to hear it .

Then, the headline item on the docket was if the Board should go forward with the restaurant, and the majority of the Board was ready to vote on the  issue.

Even though they had insufficient information, some still wanted us to give them a blanket approval to proceed. 

Board president Candace Karrow seemed very insistent, stressing that it would not be binding. 

(Then why waste the time?) 

Despite last year's near disaster which she supported with G2G, that could have put us behind the 8-Ball if we had become involved;  she possibly had her feathers ruffled and was  pushing hard.

She claimed after that deal fell through,

 “We learned a lot by our mistakes"

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Well, lets look at a few facts, before another failure will head us to mistake... 
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Apparently, the restaurant consultants that I understand we paid $10,000 or more for their opinion regarding the feasibility of a successful operation in that location, only got us a rather lukewarm "definite maybe" that an establishment may only possibly survive in their business model.

It must be a gastropod (current term for beer and burger bar) seemingly due to being able to utilize a limited menu and decor.

Possibly they assumed the member who supported  it, would work a shift busing dishes, flipping burgers, or such. 

The most obvious question I would have is they offered ...

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They did offer a projected Profit & Loss  monthly statement, assuming about $26,000 in sales to break even, with likely no positive cash flow

We could call it "Pay Twice",  likely resulting in property owner subsidies due to very little street visibility, little or no effective advertising, and a limited clientele consisting of 12,000 to 13,000 bodies...

...a clientele that has existed for years, yet have NEVER SUPPORTED any restaurant venture.

Rather than trying to see how long a $1,230,000 construction defect settlement check can last, lets get all the repairs and landscaping to  get the place looking at lot better than it currently looks, and think of possible other uses for 8000 sq ft which could generate revenue if broken up !

A barber shop?

A beauty shop?

A  dry cleaner?

A  shoe repair?

A manicurist?

OR  even increased office space ???

Smart minds in our community who were in the restaurant business should be called on for their thoughts and/or how to make anything work. 

I heard talk of tax advantages or pitfalls  that could benefit  of hurt us,  so lets see some figures. 

Most importantly, no matter what the various suggestions, put the matter to a proper well-informed vote of the owners.  

Give them full information rather than an empty question

"Do you want a restaurant?" 


It's the fair and right thing to do.

Let real democracy prevail by Board members first establishing a survey with full information, making sure that unrestricted alternative points of view be included and agreed to by the two sides of the argumentwith a pledge that a Board to follow the results of the agreed upon information both sides would believe would constitute a fair poll.

This is the only way this matter will be brought to a proper conclusion. Anything less will likely result in another 20 year community division.
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Got a comment on Mr. Latchford's thoughts?

Send it to us at:

scaopinions@gmail.com
  1. From Joe Fay...to...Anthem Opinions

    AS A PREVIOUS BAR/RESTAURANT OWNER IN CARSON CITY, NV, AN INDIVIDUAL THAT SPENT MOST OF HIS ADULT LIFE IN THE FOOD SERVICE INDUSTRY, MY REACTION TO THE PROPOSED RESTAURANT, IS:

    "ARE YOU ALL NUTS"?

    FIRST, YOU WOULD BE COMPETING WITH EVERY CASINO, THAT HAS A RESTAURANT.

    FOR THE FEW OF YOU THAT MIGHT GO TO A CASINO, (LOL), FOOD IS A LOSS LEADER.

    IF YOU PLAY THE "FUN" GAMES, YOU GET POINTS (COMPS), THAT ARE MORE THAN LIKELY FOR FREE FOOD.

    THIS IS ALSO TRUE FOR SMALLER RESTAURANTS WITH VIDEO POKER.

    IE: LOCALLY, WILDFIRE, VILLAGE PUB, AND ALMOST EVERY BAR ON EASTERN AVE.

    THIS IS YOUR COMPETITION, AND YOUR PROPOSED RESTAURANT IS DOOMED FROM THE START, JUST LIKE ALL THE PREVIOUS EATERIES.

    MR. LATCHFORD'S IDEAS FOR A MANICURIST, BEAUTY SALON, AND BARBER MAKE SENSE.

    EACH SMALL BUSINESS COULD PAY RENT, AND SUPPLY THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT AND INSURANCE.MAYBE A DOG GROOMING OPERATION?

    I DON'T BELIEVE A SHOE REPAIR OR CLEANERS FITS. (BUT THAT'S JUST MY OPINION).

    MY LAST 2 CENTS IS, HOW MANY OF THE CURRENT FOLKS ON THE BOARD EVER OWNED A RESTAURANT IN NEVADA, AND JUST HOW SUCCESSFUL WAS IT?

    THE "OLD" RESTAURANT OWNER                                      JOE E. FAY 
  2. Joe, this comment of yours put a big smile on my face.

    You and Bob Latchford should be commended for having something Directors Karrow and Coleman obviously don't...

    COMMON SENSE.

    Both couldn't care less about YOU or ME or the ENTIRE COMMUNITY by their irresponsible votes.

    And...NO...no one on the Board has any restaurant experience except eating at one.

    The Blind leading the Blind !

    Let's hope we can rid ourselves of them if either choose to run for reelection in 2020.
  3. That is a good idea. Beauty shoe, barber shop, nail salon. Many people living in this community do not or cannot drive far. As the community gets older, more and more people will have limitations and be happy you only have to go a short distance for such services. I think it would be a success, something that no other senior community has.
  4. From Barbara Sidary...to...Anthem Opinions

    In your article, you talk about the low attendance at the board meeting.  Those of us that have gone to board meetings realize it is a waste of our time.

    The Board makes the decisions, and in the 2 minute time limit that you are able to ask questions or comments, there is no real response.

    This Board seems to think that we need to spend money like a drunken sailor and doesn't worry about whether the people living here have to foot the bill at some point.

    For example, there is nothing wrong with the bathrooms on the west end of the gallery, yet they are remodeling them.  The cost is major and the time frame to get them done is 3 months.

    They expect senior citizens to go to the bathroom in outhouses which have steps to get into them.

    Guess if you are handicapped, you had better stay home.

    The noise and dust from this project will make it impossible to play cards or mah jongg in the area.

    Of course, I can't write anyone with my opinion since I was sanctioned from my last batch of emails that were just questioning and not at all nasty.

    I was told that I was harassing our employees and had to cease or I would be fined or sanctioned.

    Didn't know that emails were harassment.

    The letter I received (by certified mail) was signed by "The SCA Board",  but I know it was written by an attorney and not sure the board members even had any idea it was sent.

    Pretty sad that I pay dues but can't speak my peace in a normal email.

    The Board is taking advantage of us, and Sandy does what she wants, when she wants.

    Most people who live here don't seem to care what the Board does, but expects them to do the right thing.

    Hope their blinders are working well and they don't mind our dues going up. 
    1. From Tony Orzada...to...Anthem Opinions

      Hi Dick,

      Although we were able to get 2 new board members with a brain elected, the machine carryovers keep beating the same tired drum.

      The comments made in response to your latest of Sept 3rd, is logical, on the money, from a guy with the brains, experience & guts to tell it like it is.

      THIS is the kind of guy who should be on the board instead of the mopes we are still blessed with.

      When is the next election?
    2. Bob Latchford, are you listening ?  

      We've had numerous comments like Tony's made to us about this piece, as well as, the other articles you've written in the past.

      Tony, the next election is in the Spring of 2020 and there will be 4 seats up for election.  

      Because Rana Goodman and Karen Hadrick finished in the top 4 spots, they, along with David Weil and Forrest Quinn, will remain on the Board through 2021.  

      Arthur Scheutz (the current Board Vice President) , who finished 5th in the last election, will have to run again in 2020 if he wishes to remain on the Board.

      What that all boils down to is that 4 individuals will be elected in 2020, and capturing 2 of the 4 available seats would likely ensure the reform our community has needed for years...

      ...and candidates with relevant experience, a concern for fiscal responsibility, and showing a true concern for fellow homeowners without selfish "secretive" personal agendas and have FRIENDLY PERSONALITIES, should be the "norm" for member of the Sun City Anthem Board.

      Based on the past, there is little doubt that current President, Candace Karrow and Director Jim Coleman, if they choose to run again, MUST GO ! 

      They certainly fail to meet the above definition of a GOOD representative of the people.

      Their voting records can simply be in this short phrase:

      ANTI-HOMEOWNER & REMNANTS OF THE MACHINE

      Arthur Scheutz voted to WASTE $11,000 on tables that could have been repaired for $2,000; and that in our opinion, represents A RED FLAG as to financial responsibility.  

      He believes a restaurant is a MUST despite the substantial losses it would sustain, as well as, the yearly annual burden it would place on property owners that would require a DUES INCREASE.  

      If Scheutz  decides to run for reelection and is reelected, you will likely get an increase in dues to finance Restaurant #6.

      As we've stated in the past, we will be paying very close attention as to who to spend funds wisely, and who does not.
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August 22, 2019 Sun City Anthem Board Meeting

A Clarified
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 In his zeal to promote financial ruin, a fellow blogger initially published an article that appeared to "assume" a self-managed restaurant was a "done deal".

He subsequently published a follow-up article, and with his "machine biased mindset", noticeably omitted anything that represented Board Secretary Rana Goodman's and Director Karen Hadrick's notable efforts for financial responsibility.

Not so fast !  We will !

And we'll go into some detail that was left out in order to clarify his biased reporting.

With respect to the restaurant issue, nothing was passed except a motion to seek further information in order to make a well informed decision....

...and it appears that we have a way to go before this deal is "done".

Now...to the real story from various reports of those who did attend the meeting.

 As we anticipated, President Candice Karrow made her irresponsible attempt to push this self-managed "insanity" through, despite the negative comments of residents at the meeting.  

She was joined by Director Jim Coleman, who made a statement saying he had received a number of emails from residents that insisted he vote against it; that he would be disappointing them by his vote...

...and had a vote taken placeKarrow and Coleman both would have voted to allow Seddon and Company to "call the full shots" on a self-managed restaurant.

Coleman's comments proved one thing...a community's comments mean little to him other than they being a nuisance to his personal wants and desires.

Were we surprised as to his inane comment?

Absolutely not, he has never voted on any matter other than supporting "the machine" and its never ending waste.  After all, they put him there, and that's who supports his every move.

Sad to say, many residents who attend Board functions consider Coleman  a "bump on a log" who occasionally opens his mouth to hear himself speak. He is perhaps one of the most unqualified members of our community to ever hold office; has never come up with an original idea of his own; shuns additional responsibility whenever possible having never expressed an interest to serve as a Board officer, and was obviously recruited by "the machine" for a vote, not his brain.

If you recall, prior to his election in his own right a year and a half ago, he was originally appointed by the "Weddle Bunch" having never attended any meeting or been a member of any committee in his 18 year residence at that time...

...the perfect individual to serve as a Board member, right ?

He has never disappointed them when it comes to a vote !  

He joins Karrow as a "machine remnant" whose concern for the community is secondary to his personal self interest.

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It didn't work out as both had planned; and Karrow, from reports we received, gave her typical "I didn't get my way...hissy face look" when SANITY PREVAILED and the majority of the Board voted to table the matter pending further information...

...thanks to Rana Goodman and Karen Hadrick stating that there was more to be considered before such a substantial ANNUAL EVER INCREASING COMMUNITY SUBSIDY that would likely have to be made....

...something obviously that did not concern Coleman or Karrow !

There was one additional comment we wish to call to your attention; that of Board member, David Weil, who obviously takes the word of fools, rather than researching and confirming the real truth.

According to two men in the first row of the Board meeting, Mr. Weil, another Board member strongly favored by "the machine", decided to throw in this comment...a comment that was obviously aimed at Anthem Opinions:

"Some of our residents will do anything to insure the failure of a restaurant by in part calling for a boycott".

We defy Mr. Weil, as well as any other current or past Board member, to find ANY WORDING where this publication called for any boycott.

He and/or they can't for one reason, IT NEVER HAPPENED.

Then again, that's what "the machine" does to cover up their inadequacies.

It relies on a publication that will do anything to harm others with whom it disagrees, one that has habitually justified impending failures and frivolous spending as a "right" to serve selfish personal wants and desires.

As previously stated, it was Board Secretary Rana Goodman and fellow Board member, Karen Hadrick, whose true concern for FULL INFORMATION be disclosed to the community prior to any final decision being made, and thank goodness, three other members of the Board concurred....

...and to both Goodman and Hadrick, Sun City Anthem residents who have a concern for responsible spending, owe a sincere...

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When the biased blogger originally published his deceptive piece, Rana Goodman, on her blog, Anthem Today, took little time in clarifying the matter...

...that NOTHING had been passed with regard to the restaurant situation, making known that many additional facts needed to be considered; a number of which included:

The costs associated with a liquor license?

Do we have gaming or not?

How much would employees be paid ?

What would their benefits actually be?

What would the cost of an experienced restaurant manager be?

And to the credit of Board Treasurer, Forrest Quinn,  he mentioned that at the current time, certain financial matters needed clarification that could possibly adversely affect the association.

A day later, the biased blogger, as a result of Goodman's Anthem Today posting, decided to "cover himself" by publishing a second article...but...of course, gave NO credit to Goodman for exposing his deception, nor any to Goodman or Hadrick for their responsible actions at the meeting.

As to the Other Matters & Board Votes

The proposed:

Replacement of the front entry revolving door, and the re-model of the administration offices from OS Construction Services in the amount of $389,849.90 to be paid from Reserves.

The Board voted to TABLE any office construction other than a remodeling of the revolving door in Anthem Center...a decision we agreed made sense due to the dangers and litigation that has resulted in the past.

Sorry, "Bing the CFO", no office with a window for now !

The vote?  The office construction lost by a vote of:

 5-2

Not surprisingly, who voted how ?

Coleman and Karrow voted "YES"...DO IT ALL NOW.

David WeilArt ScheutzForrest Quinn, Karen Hadrick, and Rana Goodman voted:
NO

Again, financial responsibility prevailed...without the help of the "Machine's"...

Image result for frick and frack

Finally, there was this matter:

The Proposed:

Purchase of 12 gaming tables for the Emerson / Franklin room at Anthem Center from BKM Office Environments in the amount of $13,718.37 to be paid from Reserves.

Every once in a while, a "Machine" Board member does his homework, and in this case, that applies to David Weil.

He obtained information that the base of the tables needed a replacement; that the table tops were in good condition.

He suggested that the association spend $2,000 in repairing the existing tables.

The Voting Result:

Don't be shocked now !

Who voted to spend the $13,718.37 now?

Candace Karrow
Jim Coleman
Forrest Quinn
Arthur Schuetz

Their reasoning?

They didn't want to leave the Bridge Club and other players without a place to play for the time to make the repairs.

Of course, most people in Sun City Anthem have no idea as to where the Emerson/Franklin room is even located, and we have to wonder if a vote was taken by those who do use that room, if saving over $11,000 for a short period of time (perhaps doing 3 tables at a time rather than all at once), they could somehow endure the "hardship"?

Who voted NO to spending the $13,718.37?

Rana Goodman
Karen Hadrick
David Weil

So...there you have it...THE FULL STORY...the one that counts !

What conclusion can be drawn from all of this?

Which Board members care about your financial future and consider ramifications prior to spending association funds?

We know at least two who don't !  

Image result for the machine

Candace Karrow
Jim Coleman

Who have ALWAYS demonstrated financial responsibility since their election to the Sun City Anthem Board?

Rana Goodman
Karen Hadrick

Got a comment?

Send it to us at:

scaopinions@gmail.com
  1. From Marty Greenblatt...to...Anthem Opinions

    Dick,

    This posting easily ranks in the top five of the most informative and effective blog entries I have ever read.

    Kudos!
  2. From Buddy Greenfield...to...Anthem Opinions

    So since the election, Berman has treated Rana Goodman fairly?

    Does that means before the election, he did not?

    What a hypocrite.
  3. Buddy,

    He's a sick disturbed man who needs help, habitually distorting everything to make his "machine" look good.

    He has no life without it, and since the election, has become the laughing stock of SCA.

    Sometimes you have to call it like it is, and to have a community believe it desires a self-managed restaurant, is a farce.

    That was evidenced by the reports received from those who were present at the meeting.

    I wish those who believe this fiasco makes sense, would state who they are, and give a rational reason as to why they would favor this financial disaster.

    The original model on which they wish to go forward assumed that over 200 people per day would patronize the place spending about $13+ per person, spend over $300,000 to set it up, and BASED on all of that, STILL LOSE $125,000 PER YEAR.

    Who out there wants to pay for a stranger eating at a restaurant WE PAY FOR?

    A non-caring MACHINE who believes the world owes them EVERYTHING.

    I wonder how may of the big mouths would invest a DIME of their own money if they felt this in any way, could be successful?

    Big Talk but expect Everyone Else to Pay the Bills.

    That's how they define the words "financial responsibility".
    1. From Elizabeth Breier...to...Anthem Opinions

      Apparently it is a when, not if, situation with the restaurant issue.

      In which case, if I will be a “partner” in a restaurant, I have a few questions:

      How much insurance will we carry to protect all of us from lawsuits for food poisoning/and the potential of additional medical complications resulting from such an event, as well as, any other litigation that could arise in owning a restaurant and how much would that premium be?

      In considering a self-managed restaurant that has been preordained to lose money by the experts, will The Board provide for a ceiling on that loss?

      If we (yes, we/ all the  residents supplementing the loss each year) lose $150,000 the first year and the losses continue to escalate year, where will it end?

      Will the losses continue in perpetuity?

      Then there is the question of whether the restaurant will be advertised outside the community or if we just hope all of Inspirada, Madeira Canyon. Solera,  Anthem Country  Club  and Highlands and all other surrounding communities magically will be flocking  to our establishment for bacon and eggs in the morning and a salad at lunch as opposed to all of the myriad local options.

      How much should be allocated for appropriate advertising?

      In essence we have already had a self-managed restaurant since we paid for so much of the last failure.

      For example, Vic couldn’t pay utilities so we picked up that tab and still he failed......

      How excited and on board will the Clubs be when it is mandated that ALL events can only have food provided by OUR restaurant (whether it be good or bad or within their budget)?

      I personally believe that a restaurant at Anthem is doomed to failure and as Einstein rightfully pointed out, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result ”.

      This would be attempt number 6?

      I am not insane yet/ however it remains to be seen if our Board has lost their minds....
      1. From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions

        Regarding the 8/22/2019 Board Meeting, that alternate blogger appears to never let the truth get in the way of a good story......seems that SCA has its own, "in-house" source for Fake News.
        1. Wow...what a day. 2 articles from The Bull Sheet about yours truly in the same day !

          I am honored !

          Unfortunately, what can't be disputed is the vote and who voted for the various matters. That's what counts, not me, but what do you expect from a loon who:

          a. Lost a law license for cheating a client.
          b. Defrauding a state's taxation Dept.
          c. Forging a judge's signature.
          d. Dirty Campaign tactics
          e. Telling his readers of a mass number of individuals who opposed Rana Goodman being reappointed to the Senior Citizen's Advisory Commission that had 8 signatures.
          f. Trying to convince a widow to sue The Woodchips Club for their approved Board actions of temporarily suspending a members actions due to mental instability and blaming that Club for his tragic suicide.
          g. Picking up a chair at a Board meeting threatening to hit a woman over the head.
          h. Was #1 in the total resident Code of Conduct complaints before they were discontinued.
          i. Has referred to me as Anti-Semitic (my wife is Jewish), anti-Asian, a bigot for omitting the word of a Club....doing so at Green Valley Ranch while his crazy wife was using words that a sailor wouldn't use....and writing an article that I physically attacked him...yet I WAS THE ONE WHO FILED a police report, not him.
          j. Has a history of depression.
          k. Ran to the Ombudsman complaining about having experienced "emotional distress" after the past election; and when rejected there, went to the Police Dept in Henderson who also rejected him....3 months after the occurrence.
          l. Demonstrates characteristics of a sociopath and narcissistic behavior.

          Yup, to those of you who want to believe this man's credibility and integrity, or seek out this person as a source of truth, we send you our fond wishes, and commend you for your excellent judgment of character.

          In the meantime, let's worry about Sun City Anthem and how those in power cast their votes. I've learned you can't argue with a nut.
___________________________


$300,000 per year + Dues Increase

A Self Managed Restaurant

Stupidity Compounded with Arrogant Incompetence
of a Board President

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A Self managed Restaurant ?  The Decision will be made TODAY.

Based on the latest commentary, it appears that at least 1 member of the Sun City Anthem Board, President Candace Karrow, whose sole experience at restaurant competence is EATING, is ready to commit Sun City Anthem residents to an unending increase in subsidization for one reason...

Her Ego Wants One

...and she doesn't give a hoot about YOU when it comes to the increasing amounts of money that will be DEMANDED of you, year after year after year! 

This "machine remnant" of the previous Sun City Anthem Board (in the 2nd year of her term of office) has demonstrated her quest to commit Sun City Anthem to financial suicide...

...not just by this INSANE LOSING idea, but also voting for a SECRET CONTRACT for a Chief Financial Officer that has committed YOU and I for an unknown period of time for an unknown amount of money.

That is INCOMPETENCE ...

...compounded with being a CONTROL FREAK.

Candace Karrow is nasty, condescending, and is discourteous to any resident who approaches her in disagreement. She has demonstrated such actions in public as well as in private emails.

She believes she is "clever" when it comes to answering comments of others; but in reality, what she really demonstrates is her inability to get along with anyone who dares disagree with her; and in the process, makes a complete fool of herself...

....not just as a member of the current Board....

...but whose history of doing so as a former "quitter" of the community Finance Committee when she couldn't convince other members of that committee to support her SELFISH efforts.

The words "COMPROMISE" or "DISAGREEMENT" with her, makes one AN ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE....

...in other words...

Her...

Image result for hissy fits

..resemble the actions of a childish...

SPOILED BRAT !

She supposedly spends hours of her day on Sun City Anthem governance...which, to the experienced successful manager, demonstrates an attribute of POOR MANAGEMENT....the  INABILITY to DELEGATE....

...and is the female clone of former President and fellow control freak, Rex Weddle, who was overwhelmingly ousted from office a few months ago when attempting to remain on the Sun City Anthem Board for a third...2 year term.

With literally no experience at running any formal business operation, her attitude toward Chief Operating Officer, Sandy Seddon, has allowed Seddon free reign at any expense Seddon desires...

...completely ignoring the advice of those with financial experience who believe that qualified governance should take on the role of a...


Financial


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...instead considering any individual who questions Seddon's decisions as an act of "micro-management".

And that...demonstrates CONCEITED INCOMPETENCE.

And...

...you and I will pay the price as a result of allowing this to take place.

Watch her in action...and...you will literally get ill !

So while she undoubtedly cares little about the continuing financial security of Revere Golf course by even considering contacting them for any form of relationship to maintain their community presence AND at the same time, COST THE COMMUNITY NOTHING...

...she in turn will subject you to:


Image result for cartoon money thrown in the air moving


An initial subsidy of $300,000
with likely continual annual similar amounts 

Employing  25+ full time employees with full benefits

and 


Continue increasing your dues year after year

... for one reason as a result.

...and that...is not only INCOMPETENCE, but incompetence compounded with STUPIDITY.

One can only hope that 2 other Board members will join "New Tradition" Board members, Rana Goodman and Karen Hadrick in their opposition to restaurant self-management to cease this senseless act and others as well.

According to the recent Association Board Book, this will be voted on today at 1:30pm at the Sun City Anthem Board meeting, and we strongly suggest you either attend this meeting or take a moment to write other Board members, Forrest Quinn, Arthur ScheutzJim Coleman, and David Weil, urging them to vote against this losing proposition.

Forrest Quinn

Arthur Scheutz

David Weil

It will take a total of FOUR VOTES to defeat this enigma.

We know that writing Karrow would be a waste of time.   Her actions toward your concerns and so many other matters are unimportant to her.

She is unbending and demanding; and frankly, in our view, an embarrassment to Sun City Anthem governance.

If this current Board wishes to maintain any form of credibility with property owners, such a menace must be replaced.  Doing so would strongly signal a caring attitude toward constituents and confidence in caring for the well-being of our community.

Listen carefully fellow Board members.  Her actions are a reflection of you

And...finally...

...if this restaurant self-management passes...the ultimate obvious result of substantial association financial loss...will occur.

And...

...when it doesnot IF it does, and when you dues increase each year to subsidize this gross error in judgment...

...never forget....

IT WAS HER FAULT

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...and...

...any other Board members who would join her in this devastating act of waste.

Your community financial future is at stake...

It's that important ! 

And...look what else in on the voting agenda ?

1. Purchase of 12 gaming tables for the Emerson / Franklin room at Anthem Center from BKM Office Environments in the amount of $13,718.37 to be paid from Reserves.

2. Replacement of the front entry revolving door, and the re-model of the administration offices from OS Construction Services in the amount of $389,849.90 to be paid from Reserves.

3. Purchase two Total Body Trainers from Keiser in the amount of $3,380.31 to be paid from Capital. 

Got a comment?  Send it to us at:


scaopinions@gmail.com

  1. From Favil West...former President of Sun City Anthem...to...Anthem Opinions

    The restaurant was self managed from 2000 to September 2002.

    We were losing huge amounts of money then ($10,000 per month accelerating to more than $270,000 per year).

    Trumpets, the original restaurant was self managed. It was open to the public; it was NEVER sold as an amenity.

    For people to believe that with our cost structure and our overpaid and inexperienced staff that  we can successfully run a restaurant, clearly shows their level of business acumen.
    1. From Eleanor Lapin...to...Anthem Opinions

      After reading today’s blog there is more information to substantiate getting rid of Sandy.

      She is turning SCA into financial ruin and must be stopped!
      1. From Barbara Sidary...to...Anthem Opinions

        You always hit the nail on the head.  I appreciate that you take the time to do for those who have no idea what is going on in this community.

        Another example is that the cabinet where they keep the poker supplies could not be unlocked on one side.  They called facilities and they came and looked at it and decided to replace the lock.

        2 guys came to look at the problem.

        2 guys came back with the lock and one did all the work for about 1 1/2 hours while the other one stood above him and watched.

        So we paid 2 men to do the job that should have required only one.

        Guess facilities is just not busy enough.  
      2. Barbara,

        Thanks for schooling us on the Karrow accepted "Seddon School of Management".

        Efficiency is unimportant when you allow a Chief Operating Officer free reign on funds.
        1. The BIG problem in SCA (and what the Board depends on) is the overall APATHY in SCA, A N D everyone's short memory......with apologies to Pogo - 'we have met the enemy and he is us'
          1. From L. B....to Anthem Opinions

            Some observations from my 1st SCA board meeting:

            Roberts Rules of Order will help explain how a motion can be tabled, suspended, revised, etc. and I heard "How do we do this?" too many times to make me feel good about the people who are "self-managing" us.

            Geez!

            Roberts Rules of Order can not, unfortunately, convey common sense, knowledge, or ethical substance to a governmental body.

            I felt like I was back in High School at times during this meeting.

            Some people should thank their lucky stars that the meetings are not televised on our SCA web page.

            I sensed a lot of anger in some board members....and witnessed some "eye rolling" behavior by the staff.

            I watched one resident ask a perfectly understandable question which could be answered with a yes or no answer as he repeated it several times....he never received a simple answer...it seemed beyond the ability of the chairperson to grasp his simple question.

            Plain subterfuge.
          2. L.B.,  welcome to the world of unqualified bureaucracy.

            It was obvious from reports we received that President Candace Karrow cares little about the economic well-being of SCA.

            She has proven herself to be nothing more than an unqualified figurehead who dislikes anyone who disagrees with her.

            She is what she is, a selfish "wannabee" who demonstrates that self-interest will always take precedence over the good of a community.

            A close second is Director Jim Coleman, who demonstrates that fiancial matters are so far above his head.

            This guy is perhaps one of the most uninformed and ignorant individuals to ever be elected to a Board; and he, like Karrow, is more concerned with self-interest than the financial good of the community.

            Both have always demonstrated the "you owe me" attitude since being on the Board...perfect examples of the "machine" attitude that those of us who supported the "New Tradition" candidates believe have been a detriment to our community......

            and......have proved to be, again and again !  If either had to spend their own money that they have no problem asking others to spend, both would run to Canada.

            We told you what to expect of the "machine" and they have lived up to their selfish beliefs.

            On the other hand, kudos go out to  Rana Goodman and Karen Hadrick of The New Tradition Team.

            They have proven to be the "watch dogs" they promised to be during their election campaign......and it's obvious, that a common sense independent "show me before we spend" attitude has been driving "the machine" nuts......to the advantage of SCA.

            We need more like these two !
            1. As a side note to our considerations to the upcoming restaurant, we know that as to all the construction at the St Rose road construction, we can expect about 25 NEW RESTAURANTS. Sure seems that whatever numbers that was provided by "the experts" in their recent report we need to consider that a major factor. Even if consideration is given to those who have difficulties regarding health issues unfortunately need to be taken into account to the growth here in the local area. We have many new forms of transportation to get anybody, anywhere in this location. Look at all the growth we have and what to expect in the very short future that will be upon us, and very soon too.
            2. Responding to Barbary Sidary's comment. As someone who is partially related to this industry (locksmith/electronic security) I know for a fact that this simple job should have taken 15 minutes tops by any competent locksmith. Two people at 1 1/2 hours is absurd at best. The hall of shame to them (less any aspirsons to character).
 ______________________


Is Badlands Golf Club Revere's Future
 "Course

Image result for badlands closed golf course las vegas

by
Robert Latchford
Sun City Anthem Resident

If we still have any pie in the sky day dreamers who would like to play the come line with our HOA dues by believing that a restaurant in the Anthem Center would be in our best interests, I suggest they should have read the article in "Viewpoints"  page 3D in the July 21, 2019 edition of the Las Vegas Review Journal regarding the issues the residents of the area surrounding the defunct Badlands golf course have faced since its departure in 2013. 

Image result for badlands closed golf course las vegas

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Image result for badlands closed golf course las vegas

Click on the below link to read the article.

http://bit.ly/2Z5xiB2

For those unfamiliar with the area, it is not unlike SCA, with  large well designed custom homes, which AT ONE TIME, had a beautifully maintained golf course snaking though the development. 

This is how Badlands once appeared !

Image result for badlands closed golf course las vegas


When golf courses overbuilt in the valley (Badlands is off W. Charleston), there were not enough players on the course to justify staying open, so they left with the course turning into a weed infested desert.

The land was sold to a developer, and many legal challenges pursued.

The homeowners were left in the middle of legal battles as the article, written by a Las Vegas City Councilman, describes, and are waiting to see their fate.


Anyone wondering how that affects SCA, must realize the value Revere golf complex adds to our property by their mere presence. 

With course revenues surely down due to lower prices and more competition, the income generated by Buckman’s restaurant, the bar, pro shop and fine catering business, could be a factor keeping them here.

Additional local competition, could possibly cause the lost revenue to entice them to close, leaving us in a Badlands type situation.

As far as the feasibility of the clubhouse restaurant, referred to by the Sun City Anthem Board report as ’The View”, the former board, in a last ditch gasp of credibility (or perhaps a better word, DESPERATION believing "the machine" would be defeated), hired a food service consulting firm, to analyze the location. 

The report, costing us $10,000 as we were told, was clear in stating the only hope would be a beer pub, which could only survive if it was self managed and met certain criteria

By their estimates we would have to shell out over $371,000 in updates, pay management $140,000 per year, and hire a bloated staff from Craig’s List.  

Also they claim that sales of about $126,000 per month would be a break even pointonly if a remaining deficit of $125,000 would be financed by reducing our reserve funds

I believe anyone with food service experience would feel achieving those sales figures in that location would be like spitting into the wind, well on the way to failure #6, another costly lesson. 

Is it time to quit wasting the time and energy of our Board and more importantly, throwing good money after bad?  

Then the time to act is NOW.  

This Thursday, August 22nd, there is an agenda item on the Sun City Anthem Board agenda to APPROVE A SELF-MANAGED RESTAURANT that will cost residents an ever increasing amount of money as the years go by...starting with a budgeted amount of $300,000 OF YOUR MONEY plus a DUES INCREASE.  

I urge you to take a few moments to contact each member of the Board NOW to express your thoughts on this matter by clicking this link to obtain their email addresses:



Making the same mistake repeatedly does not change the more than likely failed anticipated results, so let the present board benefit from the errors of the past.
_____________________________


Former Sun City Anthem
Vice President & Chairman of Finance Committee
Sounds Off on 2020 Association Budgeting Process
&
Chief Financial Officer's Competence


by
Jim Mayfield

In my opinion "Bing" O'Peak, the Sun City Anthem Chief Financial Officer,  is an over-paid “yes man” without any credentials or previous experience in Homeowners Association operations--including finance.
The questions that need to be answered are:
1 Which reserve study ( the one before, or after the award of the proceeds from the Liberty Center Pulte settlementwas used for his support of a Finance Committee recommendation for a dues increase?
2.  If the reserve study from before the award of the Liberty settlement proceeds was used, how were the proceeds from the settlement factored into the justification for an increase for reserves
(Simple math reveals that an award of almost $1 million would cover an increase in reserves of $175,000 annually for approximately six years.)
3.  If an increase is approved, will it be dedicated to an increase in the annual contribution for reserves in perpetuity or until rescinded in future budgets?
The current members of the Finance Committee have repeatedly demonstrated their arrogance and willingness to put-down any resident who questions their process or assessment skills. 
It is time to have public hearings of the Finance Committee (like we used to have) where the Board members and the public can ask questions and receive answers prior to the Finance Committee reporting its recommendations for the next year's budget.
It is also time to have the process for the review of annual expenditures from reserve funds restored that were in effect prior to the arrival of Sandy Seddon. 
A 2019 example of abuse of reserve funds was the replacement of perfectly good equipment in the Liberty Fitness Center and a grossly inadequate trade-in amount received for the "used" equipment virtually given to the vendor. 
What is the relationship between the Fitness Director and the equipment provider? 
If reserve assets are being replaced "because they are in the reserve study for replacement" without any homeowner included assessment process for acceleration and deferral of reserve expenditureswe don't need a $300,000+ General Manager or overpaid Chief Financial Officer or Fitness Director to run a blind, unthinking process.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

Got a comment on Mr. Mayfield's assessment?

Send it to us at:


scaopinions@gmail.com
  1. From Nelson Orth...to...Anthem Opinions

    Regarding Jim Mayfield's article:

    Jim,I have read with interest your posting on Dick's blog.

    While I certainly agree with everything you say, I must add two items which I believe are critical.

    1. Until the Audit Committee becomes totally and completely transparent, the residents can never have any faith that any number in the budget can be trusted.

    I would venture to say that 99% of the homeowners do not even know that an Audit Committee exists, let alone know that all of the meetings, agendas, and minutes are secret. And the worst part is that the annual Audit Report is delivered at the May board meeting, voted on for approval, and accepted by the board with the vast majority of the board never seeing or reading the report.

    And of course no questions submitted by the residents are ever answered.

    This is corruption at its highest level.

    I am sure you know that SCA has never had an independent audit.

    The first time that one should have been done is during the May 2005 transition from developer to homeowner control. If it had not been for Tim Stebbins, Del Webb would have kept another $1M.

    You yourself told me that the board paid the auditor another $1500 to do a payroll audit, but Nissen vetoed that effort at one of the Audit Committee's secret meetings.

    2. While the Audit Committee is the most corrupt internal organization, Anthem Council is the most corrupt external organization.

    SCA pays them about $600,000/year which is about 52% of their budget. And yet we only have one vote on the Council. One only needs to talk to Mary Jo Ruark in the COHs Community Development Department to know that all the City requires is that Anthem Council maintain 97.23 acres, most of which is between the entrance to Anthem Country Club and the waterfall.

    There is nothing that dictates the maintenance and upkeep of that waterfall, and it has become the bread and butter item of BrightView in their contract with Anthem Council.

    Plus the contractor provides a yearly $25,000 kickback to Anthem Council in order for them to maintain that contract.

    Ron Johnson exposed this fact years ago.

    All that needs to be done is for the president of SCA to grow a spine, and send a letter to the president of Anthem Council demanding a conference to discuss the budget.

    I am convinced that the Association can save $200,000 to $300,00/year.

    All it takes is a little guts.
_____________________


Another Dues Increase Proposal?
It's Time to Reevaluate Self-Management Authority
(Part One of Two)

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We've just received word that the 2020 Sun City Anthem budget recommends a dues increase...or...in dollar terms:

$24.00 per year per home

Doesn't seem like much, but that "small" increase amounts to...

$171,456.00
of additional annual Sun City Anthem revenue

And our simple question is:

WHY ?

It appears that our "non-CPA" Chief Financial Officer, Bing O'Peak, who has been on the job for some time now, has made the statement that the last reserve study recommended a $156,000 increase over the 2019 contribution...

...and of course, the Chief Operating Officer, Seddon, is, as usual, on board with having more money in the till in order to continue her frivolous spending habits.

As to why we need it, the answer in our estimation is just another example of "raiding the residents" pocketbook.


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Let's look at a few items that Bing and Sandy believe are justification for an additional $171,146 in 2020 and likely, EVERY SUCCEEDING YEAR.

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$300,000
... for a restaurant that doesn't exist !

$85,000
... for payroll increases !

$200,000
... to renovate employee office space.

We won't even discuss the first item because to do so, without any plan in motion, is simply...

Image result for goofy word

Where they even came up with that number seems to have been based on the "resident paid" recent restaurant study that had more holes in it than Swiss cheese.

Payroll increases?

Here are a couple of "diddys" you should know about our "effective" management.

First, did you know that Sun City Anthem employs 31 individuals in facilities management for 3 buildings ?

We obtained information from a Sun City Anthem resident who, prior to retirement, worked for a major firm with annual revenue of $200 million that employed 17 individuals for facility maintenance.  Sun City Anthem annual revenue is approximately $10 million.

Yup, why am I visualizing that changing a light bulb, involves using one employee to open the package, another to hold the ladder, and another to screw in the bulb?

Here's another one from the Seddon playbook of ...

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Did you know that the 2020 budget calls for having approximately 90 employees and will EXCEED the payroll costs of the former FSR management company...an additional...

...$600,000 ...from the original $3.3 million to $3.9 million within a few short years ???

Where will we be 5 years from now ????

And... the Sun City Anthem definition of  "waste management" includes  EMPLOYEES of the MONTH awards that provide each of them a bonus of:

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That's right !

$14,400.00 a year

...to pay 3 employees for doing their jobs...not one, but THREE...in addition to annual pay raises and benefits that are so far above and beyond those of "normalcy" in the real workplace world.

And then there are the office renovation plans that call for dumping another $200,000 so the $300,000+ Queen Bee and her Non-CPA Chief Financial Officer can have offices that "befit" their self-decreed and "machine approved" ROYALTY !

Rumor has it that Bing needs a window to gaze at while he dreams up new ideas to spend resident funds, and that the Queen needs more space for her employee meetings !

Our thought on that is....Really ???

Save the 200 Grand and set up folding chairs in a vacant restaurant by the window !

...and if either believe their "working atmosphere" is so repulsive...

The YELLOW PAGES or CRAIG'S LIST await their arrival for further employment !

Can any of you imagine how the phones would fall off the hook with qualified individuals, offering even HALF of what both are currently being paid and the benefits they enjoy?

Now...

Adding JUST these items alone together...

...and...

 ...in lieu of the $1,230,000 Pulte settlement and the additional $786,000 of annual income PER YEAR for the past three years in dues totaling $2,358,000 for a law suit that is NOW settled, there is only one logical conclusion that in our estimation that can be drawn:

The time has come for fiscal responsibilityOVERSIGHT of expenditures through resident experienced volunteers...

... and the end of...

"Whatever Seddon wants, Seddon Gets".

Tomorrow...in Part Two...

...we'll look closely at the lack of competence in the current Sun City Anthem Board president, her being accountable for allowing such waste, and the reasons we believe the time has come...

...for the current Board to replace her !


Got a comment?  Send it to us at:

  1. From Tim Chapman...to...Anthem Opinions

    Dick, It must take you a long time to write and gather the facts.

    You are right about frivolous spending.The board has to stand up to Sandy!
    1. From Vince Cimino...to...Anthem Opinions

      Why is it that she and Sandy have so much power?

      Does not the Board have any say so?

      Why can’t we see her contract?  After all she works for US not for herself.

      Sun City Anthem is not her private pocket book.

      It is time for us to hold her accountable for her spending.

      Does she have free reign on what she does?

      Why do we have a Board if she can do what she wants. There has to be something that can be done.
    2. Vince,

      Candace Karrow is straight from the Rex Weddle School of Bully Management.

      Though Nevada law states that all Board members are equal, she. like Weddle, is of the opinion that the Board President is above reproach.That's obviously why they got along so well.

      She was, is, and always has been the best example of "machine politics", and frankly, like Weddle, has become an embarrassment to the community for the way she acts.

      There are only two ways to solve the problem.

      First, her fellow Board members should realize that she casts a dark shadow them to the community and as such, should be replaced as the President.

      The second, make sure she suffers the same fate as Weddle if she runs for reelection. .

      Either way, the community should realize that she "needs to go".
    3. From Valerie Lapin...to...Anthem Opinions

      Outrageous demands from Sandy to increase our dues.

      Let Sandy and her employees have a cut in salary for what they want to charge the owners, OR get rid of all of them and look for a more owner-friendly manager and staff.

      Is anyone surprised at the plan to get more money from owners while the manager and staff happily cash in on their salary and over generous compensation?

      This is an outrage and insult.

      We employ THEM, not the other way around.

      Get rid of all of them and find another manager and staff!

      We have been controlled by Sandy and her actions, and now it’s time to say ENOUGH!

      We will find a better manager.

      She is not the only one around and this request is out of line and unnecessary.

      If she wants more money let the door slam on her backside as we waive bye bye!
      1. I wouldn't have known about this proposed increased if I had not read it here this afternoon. Would have read it this morning but I didn’t wake up until 11:45.

        This HOA general manager makes a salary of around $250,000 +/- a year plus retirement contributions - more than the governor of Nevada - who makes around $129,000 a year. The governor is responsible for 110,567 sq miles of property. This GM is responsible for about 7,200 homes and common property equating to what, 10 - 20 sq miles of property. Would someone explain the rational of this to me?

        Either late 2016 or early 2017, the then board, under Rex's leadership, approved a $20K bonus for the then new GM and then a few months later, we saw an increase in HOA fees from $275 to $304 a quarter. Doesn't that seem pretty fishy to you or did it piss you off? It's one thing for a slight increase, it's another when you award a bonus for a new GM then jump the fee.

        WHAT TO DO? One effective way is start telling your friends and neighbors about attending the budget meeting Monday, August 19th at 10:00am in the Anthem Center Delaware Room. The larger the turnout, the more effective it is. Start talking HOA proposed increase with people you come in contact with at the center, your clubs, etc. Write the board members. Creating awareness is key so residents can be informed of this proposal.
____________________



Another Dues Increase Proposal?
It's Time to Reevaluate Self-Management Authority
(Part Two of Two)
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Unfortunately, the Sun City Anthem president, Candace Karrow ... 

...does little other than justify waste in the excuse of "micro-managing"...

...and that belief more than proves her lack of relevant business experience and inability to differentiate between managing and governance.

Otherwise, A DUES INCREASE would not even be considered for approval in the 2020 budget....

...and it's time to keep hers and others records in mind if some choose to run again for reelection. 

Yesterday, we reported that a recommendation for a dues increase is on the agenda for Board approval in the 2020 Sun City Anthem Budget...

...and brought out three key elements that show the QUESTIONABLE additions to the 2020 Sun City Anthem budget,.

If nothing else, it brought out the NECESSITY of proper financial management and ability to GOVERN while differentiating between that and micro-management of Sun City Anthem affairs and expenditures.

As this budget process continues, we'll report WHO voted FOR an increase, and WHO voted against one !

The property owners, based on this latest proposed increase in assessment, should be aware and demanding more accountability, and the time has come for the old "machineway of doing business that Candice Karrow clings to...

...needs to go !

...especially the belief that an association President need not share all information with all directors...

... a belief that DIED a quick death with the ejection and humiliating defeat of past President, Rex Weddle, a few months ago, finishing 9th out of 11 candidates, the last place finisher not even actively campaigning for office !

Along those lines, it's time we hired a new Association attorney who works for the PEOPLE, not Seddon and Karrow.  

And...

...a Board  considering replacing Karrow as the Association President with an individual who is open-minded and not a "control freak" with a "my way or the highway" attitude.

Has the Sun City Anthem Board ever "changed horses in the middle of the stream?"

Yes, it has.  

One former President was replaced during their term, and another resigned. 

Over the past year, money is seeping from our association reserves like a sieve for one reason...

...a California attitude that is of the belief, "If you have it, spend it !" and "if you don't have it, FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET IT".

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...because we have certain weak or controlling leaders who will authorize it !

The words "make do" are not part of Seddon's and Karrow's vocabulary.

So, with Seddon running the show with the approval of some on the Board who believe she should have unchecked spending ability, it's time we ceased this destructive attitude...

...starting with OPENING UP THE CONTENTS of SEDDON'S EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT...

...that the 'excuse" used for not doing so, supposed "confidentiality"...

...in numerous aspects that do not involve private matters, is merely an excuse to HIDE INFORMATION...and...must be made public...to protect the financial integrity of Sun City Anthem.

Just what have property owners been committed to by "the machine" and its descendants?  

No one knows, and CANDACE KARROW refuses to make it public !

And...if Association Attorney Clarkson continues to maintain this belief that conveniently serves his and Seddon's purposes, along with a current Sun CIty Anthem president who shares a belief that "secrecy" must be part of governance, perhaps it's time we also found a new association attorney...NOT ASSOCIATED in any way with Seddon...

...and...

... finding such an individual  MUST EXCLUDE SEDDON from any aspect of the search and include input and interviewing by ALL members of the Board of Directors, not a select few at an off campus location, as was the case with Seddon's hiring at the EXPENSIVE M Resort.

For those of you not members of the Sun City Anthem community at that time, , here is how it all went down in 2016:



With the addition of the Pulte settlement, what reason could exist to put additional funds in the association kitty, other than allowing continued unchecked spending ?

Where does the buck stop?

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There's a budget meeting scheduled to discuss the 2020 Sun City Anthem budget on Monday, August 19th at 10:00am in the Anthem Center Delaware Room.

We rarely attend such functions, but this one in particular should be considered for attendance.

You will have the opportunity to object to any such dues increase...and...you will see firsthand WHO and WHY any individuals support one.

Let's conclude this two part series by saying...

If you do not speak upTHIS BUDGET WILL BE PASSED under the assumption that you have no objection to the increase.

In lieu of attendance, here is a link to the email addresses of the Sun City Anthem Board.  Send ALL OF THEM your feelings on this matter.

Got a comment?  Send it to us at:

scaopinions@gmail.com
  1. From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions

    The ONLY reason the Board can get yet another dues increase is because the residents shrug their collective shoulders.

    The Residents' apathy allow them to conduct business they way THEY want to.
  2. From JoAnna Kalalekas...to...Anthem Opinions

    Good day..After reading the proposed agenda for a "dues increase", let me just put my two cents in.  There are so many things seriously wrong with this community and it seems as though CC&R's along with "other" rules are NOT be followed.

    How is it that a pod can sit in a homeowners driveway for not days, but weeks?

    And it is my understanding that it can sit there for months on end while the homeowners are trying to get it together to build a room/extension onto their home to store all the "crap" they have stacked on their back patio and in the front doorway of their home.  This is all visible from the street.

    Secondly, how is it that a seasonal homeowner can have someone UNDER AGE residing in the home ?

    (Per our CC&R's it can not exceed 21 days from the time the homeowner leaves)

    and  is able to stay there?

    This has been going on for years.

    There was a paragraph found in the CC&R's dated 2009, which clearly references boats/motor homes, but does not indicate a huge storage unit.

    You want us to pay additional fees, but yet issues that are a constant, do not seem to go away or appear to get resolved.

    Look around the various villages and you will see weeds, overgrown trees, and shrubs, the front yards looking like trash.

    Homeowners/Renters leave trash cans out for over a week after Republic has picked up.

    Numerous cards have been submitted with regards to the lounge chairs at the pool...these are so low that most of us seniors have a great deal of difficulty getting out of them, hence we can not enjoy what we PAY FOR.

    Maybe someone should take a look at that as well.

    What was once a beautiful community is truly going down hill.

    These things along with other concerns have been submitted to the "office" .

    It appears as though the staff is overwhelmed and may not be able to handle these problems along with others.

    Maybe we  should go back to having an outside company manage us.

    With the exorbitant salaries that are being forked out by "US" you would  think they could get a better hold on these things.

    Thank you for allowing me to vent.
      1. Why do we need to pour HOA money into a TV studio? How many HOAs do you know have their own TV studio? Sure, you get some information out of it but can't you get that same information if you have a special section in our Spirit Magazine? The magazine, I think, is a good amenity and goes to everyone's home. Not every home watches SCA TV! Get rid of the TV studio and expand the Spirit and save money that way.

        Why are we paying the SCA GM around $250,000 a year? The governor of this state only makes around $129,000 +/-. Can someone explain that to me? The top salary for a general in the military is around $15,000.10 a month, for a top general with more than 40 years of military service. That's a salary range of $103,687.20 to 189,601.20 annually, depending on rank and years of service.

        I'd say the governor and a top general have more responsibility than the SCA GM, and yet she makes a hell of lot more - Can someone explain that to me?

        It doesn't take a rocket scientist to run this HOA - this HOA staff proves that. It just takes conscientious management.


Liberty Center Settlement Explained
But
Not Without Sun City Anthem President
Condescending & Sarcastic Comment



Don't get me wrong, the Liberty Center settlement of $2.4 million, netting Sun City Anthem approximately $1.2 million, wasn't bad.

...but Sun City Anthem President Candace Karrow's comment was !

Approximately six weeks ago when the settlement was announced, Anthem Opinions wrote an article entitled:

Liberty Center Default Construction Lawsuit Settled
Was It Worth It?

All we did was simply ask for a detailed summary of the bottom line.

Part of that article said:

"One important aspect that should be remembered is that when the decision was made to go forth with legal action, NONE of the current members of the Sun City Anthem Board at that time, EXCEPT FORREST QUINN, are now a part of it.

And with that in mind, this article is NOT IN ANY WAY a criticism of ANY OF THEM."

We also summarized the entire history of the lawsuit's origin. and stated:

"I guess we'll know the answer to that question on June 27, 2019."

...and it remains to be seen if the entire matter was worth the time and money !"

We also merely summarized the history of the lawsuit. 

It was Sun City Anthem history that we hoped would be remembered as time passes, summarizing various aspects of the process the former Board took in going forth with the suit....and the many questions we believed property owners were entitled to know, BEFORE they cast a vote to go forward with the action.

The most important question we WROTE was and I QUOTE:

What were some of the additional items we believed residents were entitled to know before casting a vote?

The full contents of THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT WITH ANY LAW FIRM that would handle this matter.

This was IGNORED.

Unit owners should have been advised that any such legal action MUST BE DISCLOSED PRIOR TO THE SALE OF ANY PROPERTY.

This was IGNORED.

Though no longer applicable, had a trial commenced and  Sun City Anthem prevailed, and Pulte Homes of Nevada subsequently filed an appeal, the legal fee contingency associated with the initial suit DID NOT APPLY TO LEGAL FEES REGARDING APPEAL...those fees would have to be paid separately by the association.

This was IGNORED.

As a result of "avoiding" that aspect of the law...

The "yes" votes totaled 3,470 and the "no" votes totaled 294.

Sun City Anthem CCRs calls for 75% of ALL UNIT OWNERS, while Nevada statutes called for the lesser amount of 50% to proceed.

92% of those who completed the ballot stated they wished to sue; however, the "numbers" also indicated only 48.5% of all unit owners indicated their approval, meaning that...

...the 50% NRS requirement had NOT BEEN MET.

What did that mean?

The association fell 103 votes short of achieving the necessary 3,573 total needed to go forth with the suit.

That meant little to the then Sun City Anthem Board who would meet in Executive Session to determine how Nevada law could somehow be bypassed.

It was more than obvious they were determined to go forward with the suit under any circumstance, and the then Board President, association counsel, the remaining members of that Board, took the position that 50% of "yes" votes should apply, and therefore the requirement had been met to proceed with any civil litigation.

And so, the litigation went forward on a contingency basis until the matter was apparently settled a few days ago...

...BUT...various details must be completed before the actual amount of the settlement can be determined...

...the reason as to WHY there will be a delay in determining the actual monetary settlement to Sun City Anthem.

So...what does that mean to our pocket books and why is it necessary to wait until a July 27, 2019 Board meeting...three weeks after the settlement?

Here are the "vitals" and WAS IT WORTH IT?

So, in order to determine that, we must know the following information:

1. What is the gross settlement amount?
2. What will be the attorney fees (taken from the GROSS SETTLEMENT)?
3. What were the miscellaneous costs associated with the suit (that are not part of the Attorney fees?

And let's not forget a few other "intangibles" that likely will not be considered in any financial recovery "boasts of victory":

1. The total out of pocket reduction from our association reserves needed to pay the cost of the Liberty Center repairs.

2. The reimbursement to the insurance company(s) THAT MUST BE MADE.

3. The Cost of the Association Vote.

4. The Supplemental Attorney Fees of an Association Attorney to advise the Board to commence the action.

5. The adverse affect on the Association Insurance Claim experience over the period of time when the claims were made to the obvious increase in premiums that resulted.

6. The loss of the Liberty Center usage for the year it took to repair it.

Let's conclude this article by once again dipping into the past and reexamining an article written our Mr. Fix-It on November 22, 2015:

Sun City Anthem Liberty Center Debacle...
It Could Have Been Easily Avoided
by
Forrest Fetherolf


Perhaps members of the Board and Management will provide a complete summary as to all of the above in order for the Sun City Anthem property owners will get a COMPLETE PICTURE of the actual costs associated with this entire affair.

We believe they are fully entitled to know !  Until then, we'll all be forced to wait until July 27th."

As you can see, it was an HONEST question, based on a very questionable past, that we were looking for an HONEST answer.  That was it, nothing more, nothing less, but that didn't seem to be enough for the Sun City Anthem President !

Nope...not for Candice Karrow...and...she couldn't help but be her sarcastic and condescending self....a.k.a. the "Rex Weddle School of Social Etiquette"...

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While commenting that a blog had questioned the value of pursuing the lawsuit...she couldn't resist a remark that was obviously intended to criticize Anthem Opinions...

...the only blog who wanted details and questioned the worth.

Rather than simply stating the numbers, her nasty typical "machine"" mentality just seemed to come out when she took a shot at Anthem Opinions by saying:

"I have one million two hundred and twenty-nine thousand reasons for being glad we did it"

That was pure vintage "Candice Karrow"...a person who has a history of sarcasm, recalling a time while she was a member of the Sun City Anthem Finance Committee.

Having had a "hissy fit"....


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... in not getting her way...

...she made an UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPT to get a number of individuals to join her and resign from that committee.


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It failed, she resigned, and  many in the community thought we had seen the last of her "my way or the highway" attitude...


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...until of course, the "machine" recruited and endorsed her to run for the Sun City Anthem Board.

Well, old "Hissy Candy" reappeared at the Sun City Anthem Board on Thursday, July 25, 2019...

...when she made the above NASTY and UNPROFESSIONAL comment that had no significance other than an uncalled for criticism of a resident who writes a blog, asking an honest question A MONTH AGO, that took her A MONTH to answer.

Well, "Ms. Hissy Fit", now it's Anthem Opinion's turn to summarize a few points of the settlement, and ask YOU to answer.

1. Legal fees.

 $960,000 is 40% of the gross $2,400,000.  Normally the percentage is 33% of it does not go to court, 40% if it does.   It did NOT

Who cut that original deal ???  

What would the percentage have been HAD IT GONE TO COURT ?

2. We had spent $1,900,000 to patch up the Liberty Center that was to a great degree, due to the INCOMPETENCE of the wife of a blogger who wouldn't spend a few bucks to have the place professionally inspected when originally built accepting it on an "as is basis" before it was built, giving up $1,350,000 Del Webb owed Sun City Anthem for making The Liberty Center "green".

The settlement Sun City Anthem net amount of $1,230,000 after expenses means that it still cost us $670.000.  

(That figure also does not include the years of maintenance expenses we also paid on the patch jobs the "machine" closed their eyes to during the former management company's reign.)

3. Three years ago, we got a 10% dues increase to REPLENISH the reserves WE DEPLETED to fix the Liberty Center.

The dues increase was SPECIFICALLY for that purpose in lieu of a one time special assessment.  That increase has generated an additional $786,000 per year in revenue ($2,358,000) over the last three years.

(Those of us who opposed the suit believed a LIMITED TIME ASSESSMENT would have been to the advantage of property owners to solve the problem...the "machine" instead, with the dues increase, MADE THE INCREASE A PERMANENT ANNUAL COST.)

Those three years of dues increases and the settlement have now more than covered the $670,000 net loss.

As a result of the recovery placing the $1,230,000 settlement back in the reserves, and adding the additional $2,358,000 of revenue through the dues increases, that means that SCA will have received $3,550,000 more money that we didn't have before the suit....

...and that assumes we stop dues increases now.

And with all this in mind...now that everything has been covered with more than enough money..we have a question for you, Mrs. Karrow:

Does that mean that we will have a dues DECREASE ?

So Mrs. Karrow, another way of looking at things is saying that the $1,230,000 NET you couldn't help but boast about and criticize a resident for asking an honest question, may have actually cost Sun City Anthem property owners $3,558,000 plus the costs of all the years maintenance in fixing the defects to get it !

And that Mrs. Karrow represents THREE MILLION FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY EIGHT THOUSAND REASONS we believe proves this point:

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Well Mrs. Karrow,  remember what that attitude got Rex Weddle when he recently ran for Board reelection?  

If you need a reminder, he finished 9th in a field of 11.  

I can assure you, Anthem Opinions readers won't forget... 


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Candice 


Got a comment?

Send it to us at:

scaopinions@gmail.com
  1. From Barbara Sidary...to...Anthem Opinions

    Great article.

    You are so good at keeping us all up to date on everything.  I appreciate what you do.

    Thanks.
    1. From Robert Latchford...to...Anthem Opinions

      After attending the 7/25 BOD meeting, I find it that the Board could possibly consider proceeding without considering other use for that space, especially after reading the possible business model provided by NRC with all the disclaimers.

      Their suggestion of pushing a “gastro pub” (actually a beer and burger joint) was likely made as it requires less staff, frills and and limited menu.

      Their assertion that only self-managed business could be successful there actually means “you will not find anyone stupid enough to put their own money up “.

      The hours of operation of 11AM to 9PM reflect trying to operate with 1 full time shift plus part timers, who may not receive benefits, like the ones they suggest hiring off on Craig’s List.

      Still the most prominent feature is their assumption of serving 207 customers per day, pushed in the back rear corner of a large parking lot with no high traffic frontage is far from realistic.

      And their claim of generating of over $129,000 per mo. with meal tabs between $16-$20 seems like they are blowing smoke.

      Their model shows start up fees of $371.000 plus and $9885 rent figure (or $13.728 on a triple net basis) would show a loss an operation loss of $126.000 as the rent figure is our money but in different accounts.

      Another very important consideration is that the Revere golf courses presence in our community is a very valuable asset as our properties continue to escalate or at least maintain with them.

      As you realize in the entire valley, golf fees are shrinking due to over expansion, and courses are closing leaving bordering homeowners see their home values tank as the closed courses go unkept or sold to developers

      Read about Badlands for example.

      Revere has Buckman’s so they have restaurant, bar, and catering revenue to pick up slack as course income decreases from green fees.

      However, if the food service income there is hurt by additional income, there is no assurance Revere management may say adios, and within months the Anthem clubhouse restaurant, referred to as “The View” in the NRC plan, could provide the view of a weed infested dust bowl.

      As reported by the BOD, they announced the settlement reached on the LIBERTY CENTER lawsuit.

      We were awarded a gross settlement of $2.4 million less 40% legal fees and other fees (which should be clarified) leaving a net of $1.2 plus million.

      The BOB Prez. gloated over the figure, but is my belief that this money, along with the 3 yr special assessment (part of our dues) which we already paid a huge amount, was to go back into our reserve fund was part was largely due to the mishandling of $1,300,000 reimbursed to Del Webb as one of our members filed to order a final inspection upon completion of work, necessary to be considered “green”.

      Is this cash bonus causing some board members seeking to push through a bad choice?

      More information can be found on a recent issue of the Anthem Opinions online.
  2. _________________________

The Case for Fiscal Irresponsibility

The Cost of a Self-Managed Restaurant

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When it comes to spending money like water...especially when it's others money...

...there is no one like David Berman and his constant journey into the realm of fiscal irresponsibility, where he and his like-minded lemmings have always had a belief that living in Sun City Anthem means "you owe me" !

His latest "commercial" for a"self-managed" restaurant idea is something that can best be described as "wasteful desperation". 

It reminds me of another of his "genius" ideas; an outdoor miniature golf course where seniors could be viewed collapsing in the 115 degree summer heat while they watch their grandchildren swinging at golf balls aimed at parked cars in the Liberty Center.

Oh well, we should be used to it after all these years, but we've "laid low" on this topic because we believed...and still believe...that this new Board, unlike the old one, will keep a promise they all subscribed to when they were elected to office...

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This is a new era, and the addition of various "new blood" has appeared to be a positive change in Sun City Anthem.

The verdict is still out, but unlike the past, this "new blood" element is different...I believe most are looking at cost as never before.

...and THAT'S GOOD, and certainly...

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But...this will shortly be put to the test when it comes to yet another restaurant idea...self-managed; an idea that has about as much a chance of fiscal success as a 6'5" jockey riding a horse in the Kentucky Derby...

...unless residents are willing to finance it FOREVER, no matter what it costs them to do so !

And...unlike the past, if it flops, owners are likely stuck with it forever, and when costs escalate, as they are predicted under the recent study, this means one thing...increasing dues !

I believe the recent study can best be described as "expensive" boilerplate that won't go very far if the "new blood" Board are honest with themselves and the community...

...and they know that "selling" this one to the community, will be difficult at best...

...if FULL FACTS are disclosed !

So, after reading the 48 page report, the following stuck out like a sore thumb which we believe should put this option out to pasture where it belongs.....alongside miniature golf !

The very thought that this in any way might be approached as:



...is perhaps the most IGNORANT statement any rational person with COMMON SENSE who cares about the well-being of their community, could possibly make.

Why?

...because the answer to that question is:

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Let me remind our readers this cost estimate was merely a guide...a professional guide...and...to my knowledge...has been questioned...

...and...

...if history repeats when it comes to numerous past Association expenditures, is more than likely,  GROSSLY understated.

 A. Start-Up Cost:  $371.047.00

Of course "The Bull Sheet" tried to minimize this OUTRAGEOUS cost by quoting a report to re-purpose the area that was based on hearsay without any formal quotes to back-up the statement.

And, as a result....that argument is....
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B. Average Monthly Sales of $126,534.00 in the first year, increasing 4% each year...with an average of 207 people per day dining there.

(Later in the report it showed monthly expenses of $129,438.00 which showed that a loss was actually FULLY ANTICIPATED to be approximately $2,900.00 per month...first year)

C. Sales based on an average lunch price of $16.75 and dinner of $19.25, but when adding a 15% tip, the numbers become $19.95 for lunch and $22.83 for dinner.  

No coupons and certainly no "buy one, get one free" as is the case with competitors.

D. Employing 25-30 full and part-time employees obtained through Craig's List, Indeed, and Poached, as well as word of mouth.  

No mention of using the Las Vegas Review Journal want-ads.

E. Full-time employees receiving benefits that include property owners paying 85% of the cost of group life, medical, short and long-term disability coverage, dental insurance,  and a 401(k) plan matching the first 3% of pay at 100% with FULL AND IMMEDIATE VESTING of all employer contributions.

F. Restaurant Manager salary of $140,000.

G. No breakfast served.  Restaurant hours to be 11:00am to 9:00pm.

At 207 projected patrons each day, open for 10 hours each day, that means that approximately 21 people would have to be dining there EACH HOUR of operation and spending between $20 to $23 per person to reach the projected total annual sales !

H. Now to examining some of the initial expenses in the $371,047.00 start-up cost !

a. Liquor License:  $63,000.00
b. New Dining Room Furniture:  $39,126.00
c. artwork and special decor: $5,000.00
d. interior signs:$2,000.00
e. opening parties:  $2,500.00

Once again, let me remind our readers that these figures were obtained from a professional report all Sun City Anthem property owner paid for, and hopefully upon review and further analysis, will likely be refined if the self-managed concept is pursued and/or adopted.

With all this in mind, let's put this out to our readers?

Image result for another option

Would you choose restaurant self-management over contacting the...


Image result for revere golf club logo

... and trying to negotiate an arrangement that would be at modest expense for Sun City Anthem,  providing them additional desperately needed revenue to continue the operation of the Revere Golf Courses by supporting a "restaurant option" through a Buckman's Grill arrangement...

...enhancing their ability to remain a vital part of Sun City Anthem's future, rather an the possibility of the golf course GONE and/or looking like 
this ????


Related image

Image result for unkept golf course

What's more important ?

In our opinion, it's time to think with your head, not your stomach !

Let us know your thoughts.


Send them to us at:

scaopinions@gmail.com
  1. From Dorothy Yu...to...Anthem Opinions

    This issue is so important for all residents in SCA.

    By The way, I enjoy going to Revere Golf Club's restaurant for either breakfast, lunch and/or dinner at anytime myself.

    The suggestion of having our board negotiate with that restaurant for even a better price for SCA residents sounds like a win-win situation for all SCA residents, as well as, for the  Revere Golf Club Restaurant!

    Thanks, Dick for your endless caring of the betterment of All Residents of SCA! 
  2. From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions

    With regard to a "self-managed" restaurant, Berman's mantra proves the following:

    NEVER let the facts get in the way of a good story.
    1. From Phil Goldstein...to...Anthem Opinions

      Our SCA facility is located off the main travel streets.

      Only SCA, Solera, and some other locations that pass by Anthem Center will possibly come here for food.

      And to expect 20+ dinners is not reality.

      There are so many restaurants within a few miles of SCA.

      Additionally with the growth of St. Rose Pkwy. between the M Rewsort and Eastern Avenue, more food establishments will pop up shortly.

      Lets not kid ourselves.

      A restaurant at Anthem Center will NEVER cover expenses, and is like throwing our money away.

      Lets keep the kitchen for catered events etc. and re-purpose the rest of the area.
      1. Why ANOTHER restaurant? It’s not like there isn’t any competition in the area vying for patrons.

        Are there not enough restaurants, buffets and fast food establishments just outside of SCA? If you’re hungry, just go down Eastern, go down St. Rose, go down Volunteer Rd., Green Valley, even Costco. Hell, food is everywhere around here. I’ve never seen a town with so much food before. I’ve gained three pounds just writing about this.

        Why another restaurant at Anthem Center? I know if I’m spending around $25 for a dinner, it certainly wouldn’t be at the Anthem Center.

        Twenty-five dollars can get me the meal of my dreams, including wine and an endless variety of desserts, at the end of Volunteer Rd., where the possibility of overdosing is a reality.

        Twenty dollars can get me the meal close to my dreams at any of the local casinos.

        Fifteen dollars can get me a meal, when I’m not dreaming, at any of the hundreds of restaurants in the local area.

        A dollar and a half can get me a hot dog and coke on St Rose Blvd.

        Seems to me, if this HOA has spent years trying to figure out what kind of restaurant to establish in Anthem Center, then my advice is: GIVE IT UP ALREADY!   If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work – and apparently, it didn’t work when one was there.

        Don’t even think about wasting our HOA money on a white elephant. If someone thinks it’s essentially imperative to have food at the Center, then open a snack shop, or partner with Starbucks and let them invest in startup costs – everyone loves their coffee and they’d have snacks people can get while playing cards, or doing whatever there.

        Just give up on this idea and start thinking about re-purposing the space to something seniors can really use.
________________________


Comparing Him with Her !

Image result for something you should know

The Henderson City Council unanimously approved a $10,000 bonus for City Manager Richard Derrick

He was appointed to the position last year with a base salary of $235,000

His salary will increase by 2.5% starting in the next fiscal year.

At the last Council meeting, Derrick was touted a long list of accomplishments, including:

 Reorganizing the city of Henderson

Attracting companies such as Haas Automation

Opening new parks

Securing a deal with the Golden Knights to build a community ice rink complex in the Water Street District

Now let's compare

He...


Image result for richard derrick city of henderson
Richard Derrick
City Manager of Henderson, NV

 ...makes $235,000 and supervises 143,812 employees in a city with a population of 302,335 people, and has a one year contract.

She...

Sandra Seddon
Chief Operating Officer of Sun City Anthem


...make $300,000+, supervises approximately 80 employees in an HOA with a population of approximately 13,000 people, and refuses to disclose ANY PART of her contract.

Got a comment?  Send it to us at:


scaopinions@gmail.com
  1. From Barbara Sidary...to...Anthem Opinions

    Below is the letter we all need to send to Sandy Sedden (her email is in the front of the Spirit) and the Board (if you are so inclined) to let them know our questions and concerns with the lower gallery.

    Questions & Concerns

    Many of us have now played in the lower gallery in the new tables and chairs.  It is a pleasure to not fight over the chairs that are adjustable. The poker and pan tables are pretty, but many of us noticed that the felt tops have already started to pill.

    If they have started to do this after less than one week, we are worried about how long they will last.

    Not sure if the felt is sub-standard or if there is some sort of coating that can be put on top of them.  They need a fix of some sort before they are not usable.  You all need to check it out and see all the bits of red on the tables.

    We were utilizing the 2 octagon tables nearest the fitness center and there is not enough room to get through.

    Individuals that sit in those chairs, with their backs to the aisle, have to get up and move every time.  There just isn't enough room.

    The tables can't be off-set as we don't have enough space.

    If there is an emergency, we will all be in trouble trying to get out.

    We have been told several different things by you, Danielle and the monitors, about food and drink.  Please understand that we want to keep everything nice and clean and pretty, but we come up to the clubhouse to play cards, mah jongg, etc. and want to be able to have a sandwich, drink, cookie, protein bar or salad.

    We understand that some individuals are not neat and they don't care, however, we can't all be penalized for that.

    Yesterday, the monitor told us it was OK if it didn't require a utensil, but today we were told we weren't allowed to eat anything at the table.

    We were told we would have to go outside.

    This is ridiculous.

    We, also, now have a major problem with purses, extra playing cards, bottles of water, a shuffler or anything that we want to keep near us.

    It is impossible to put it all on the floor and we require extra chairs for these items.

    Most purses are too large to put on the chair arms and not all of them will hang on the back.The monitor was very upset with all the comments today and came back to tell us so.

    The monitors should not have to reinforce rules that make no sense at all.

    We are all owners of the clubhouse and don't appreciate being treated like third graders.

    We need to be able to enjoy our space.

    The mah jongg end has the same problem with space.

    Try checking it out on a busy day like a Thursday and the noise level will be unreal and we won't even be able to hear the tiles that we are discarding.

    There is the same problem with nowhere to put the bags that the mah sets come in, purses and drinks.

    If you feel you need a petition signed by all the people that utilize the lower gallery, we will work on getting that and presenting it at a board meeting.

    Please help us to resolve these issues.

    We are open to suggestions.  
  2. From Bill Odelson...to...Anthem Opinions

    What a shame that our true management (our Board) has not had a public meeting to openly and honestly discuss the salaries and benefits of our entire family of employees.

    If they don’t know either, that’s a problem.

    If they do know and won’t disclose or discuss this with us the homeowners, that’s also a problem.

    Sad. 
  3. From Eltzabeth Breier...to...Anthem Opinions

    GREAT/ short , sweet and very much to the point!!!!
    1. The past elections have shown that the majority of voters are like Lemmings - all following their leader over the cliff. The Lemmings appear to enjoy being hoodwinked and act like 'money is no object'. Sadly the Lemmings are also following their alternate Blogger over his cliff, also.
      1. From Robert Latchford...to...Anthem Opinions

        The article in the last Anthem Opinions comparing the salaries packages of the Henderson City Manager with our CEO of SCA:

        Comparing further, our Congresspersons’s current salary is $174,000/ yr with an anticipated increase of $4500 next year (irrespective of opinions if it is deserved or not), which is roughly 40% less than we pay Ms. Seddon.

        It is also 100% more than the salary paid President Trump.

        When first hired, the reimbursement package terms were protected like the Normandy Invasion plans , though rumored to be well above the norm in the area, as the then BOD was  tight lipped but generous with our money.

        Someone on the Board or management came up with an idea, probably prior to salary review time, to change her job title from General Manager to Chief Executive Officer so, when seeking salary comps on various headhunter websites, CEO would be in a higher benefits level than GM so they went for the gold.

        Cute trick.

        We seem to be having our pockets picked by the lack of transparency in the by laws and legal services not acting in our best interests.
      2. From Robert Latchford...to...Anthem Opinions

        Well, it seems we still have believers that a restaurant can survive our favorite clubhouse.

        It was obvious that there would be a "go", as the former Board hired a food service consulting firm to investigate the feasibility for a fee.

        I personally can live very well without the aroma of hamburger grease penetrating our clubhouse walls and fully agree with Mr. Fay who seems convinced the location could support an eating place.

        With all the prior failures, even after being subsidized by our dues and even encouraging people from the outside to patronize it, it could draw little more than flies.

        The concept of a dining club is interesting, and if enough residents could and would use it often and it could provide occupancy revenue, with no cost to the homeowners, more power to them.

        Finding a tenant to accept these terms with enough up front security deposits and insurance to protect our assets, is very doubtful.

        Anyone who desires to be part of a “private” eating, drinking or socializing club, join the Elk’s Club, or the like.

        I only hope the consulting firm’s report committed to by the former Board and seems already past its completion period,  will not try to increase the fees (I believe $10,000) and, if favorably to  those already drooling, are able to itemize what, where and how thew drew their conclusions.
  _____________________


Liberty Center Default Construction Lawsuit Settled

Was It Worth It?

Image result for lawsuit settlement
I guess we'll know the answer to that question on June 27, 2019.

...and it remains to be seen if the entire matter was worth the time and money !

A number of owners weren't here in Sun City Anthem back in 2015 when all of this commenced, so we thought we would take the time to provide the "newbies" a history lesson and remind all those who were here just how all this took place.

One important aspect that should be remembered is that when the decision was made to go forth with legal action, NONE of the current members of the Sun City Board were a part of it.

And with that in mind, this article is NOT IN ANY WAY a criticism of ANY OF THEM.  

It's merely a history lesson that we hope will be remembered as time passes.

It's been a few years since, in our opinion,  that the 2015-16 past Sun City Anthem Board violated NRS regulations and went forth with a law suit without receiving the necessary owner votes to do so.  

Looking back at the past, we questioned if such action would be viable, and a vote was taken in order to determine if the association should go forward with such a measure.

However, that Board "conveniently" avoided  a vital aspect in sending out that vote.

NRS 116 states that an Association must provide EQUAL TIME for both "PRO" and "CON" arguments.

..GIVING UNIT OWNERS THE FULL FACTS to make an informed decision.

Because they were NEVER provided...
.
...all of which included DEMANDING COMPLIANCE WITH STATE LAW...

...the measure overwhelmingly received community support.

What were some of the additional items we believed residents were entitled to know before casting a vote?

The full contents of THE ENTIRE AGREEMENT WITH ANY LAW FIRM that would handle this matter.

This was IGNORED.

Unit owners should have been advised that any such legal action MUST BE DISCLOSED PRIOR TO THE SALE OF ANY PROPERTY.

This was IGNORED.

Though no longer applicable, had a trial commenced and  Sun City Anthem prevailed, and Pulte Homes of Nevada subsequently filed an appeal, the legal fee contingency associated with the initial suit DID NOT APPLY TO LEGAL FEES REGARDING APPEAL...those fees would have to be paid separately by the association.

This was IGNORED.

As a result of "avoiding" that aspect of the law...

The "yes" votes totaled 3,470 and the "no" votes totaled 294.

Sun City Anthem CCRs call for 75% of ALL UNIT OWNERS, while Nevada statutes called for the lesser amount of 50% to proceed.

92% of those who completed the ballot stated they wished to sue; however, the "numbers" also indicated only 48.5% of all unit owners indicated their approval, meaning that...

...the 50% NRS requirement had NOT BEEN MET.

What did that mean?

The association fell 103 votes short of achieving the necessary 3,573 total needed to go forth with the suit.

That meant little to the then Sun City Anthem Board who would meet in Executive Session to determine how Nevada law could somehow be bypassed.

It was more than obvious they were determined to go forward with the suit under any circumstance, and the then Board President, association counsel,  and the remaining members of that Board, took the position that 50% of "yes" votes should apply, and therefore the requirement had been met to proceed with any civil litigation.

And so, the litigation went forward on a contingency basis until the matter was apparently settled a few days ago...

...BUT...various details must be completed before the actual amount of the settlement can be determined...

...the reason as to WHY there will be a delay in determining the actual monetary settlement to Sun City Anthem.

So...what does that mean to our pocket books and why is it necessary to wait until a June 27, 2019 Board meeting...three weeks after the settlement?

Here are the "vitals" and determining WAS IT WORTH IT?

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In order to determine that, we must know the following information:

Image result for how much?

1. What is the gross settlement amount?
2. What will be the attorney fees (taken from the GROSS SETTLEMENT)?
3. What were the miscellaneous costs associated with the suit (that are not part of the Attorney fees?

And let's not forget a few other "intangibles" that likely will not be considered in any financial recovery "boasts of victory":

 Image result for how much?

1. The total out of pocket reduction from our association reserves needed to pay the cost of the Liberty Center repairs.
2. The reimbursement to the insurance company(s) THAT MUST BE MADE.
3. The Cost of the Association Vote.
4. The Supplemental Attorney Fees of an Association Attorney to advise the Board to commence the action.
5. The adverse affect on the Association Insurance Claim experience over the period of time when the claims were made to the obvious increase in premiums that resulted.
6. The loss of the Liberty Center usage for the year it took to repair it.

Let's conclude this article by once again dipping into the past and reexamining an article written by our Mr. Fix-It on November 22, 2015:

Sun City Anthem Liberty Center Debacle...
It Could Have Been Easily Avoided
by
Forrest Fetherolf

https://anthemopinions.blogspot.com/search?q=Sun+City+Anthem+Liberty+Center+Debacle..


Perhaps members of the Board and Management will provide a complete summary as to all of the above in order for the Sun City Anthem property owners to get a complete picture of the actual costs associated with this entire affair.

We believe they are fully entitled to know !  

Until then, we'll all be forced to wait until June 27th.

Got a comment?

Send it to us at:


scaopinions@gmail.com
  1. From Elizabeth Breier...to...Anthem Opinions

    Another potential expense affecting net return:

    Depending on how the Settlement is written and if the proceeds are compensatory or punitive damages, there are taxes to be considered. 
  2. A great additional consideration, Liz.
  3. From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions

    As a retired Bank employee and retired Real Estate Appraiser, I fully concur with Mr. Fetherolf's  opinion that the Liberty Center building should have been professionally inspected BEFORE we accepted the keys to the building; AND if, in fact, SCA had a deal with Pulte to accept the structure "as is", it demonstrated the complete lack of experience of that HOA Board.

    In over 30 years of experience, I NEVER heard of a situation whereby a Bank funded or accepted new construction without incremental inspections during the building process AND a complete final inspection BEFORE paying for the construction...

    ...of course, some individual(s) may try to show me to be incorrect since we didn't "pay" for the building - but, in effect, we ALL paid for it.

    The fact that Pulte would NOT allow inspections of the on-going construction WOULD  have been a RED-FLAG to anyone with a modicum of construction experience.  




A Resident's
Anthem Center Restaurant Proposal

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"The  SCA community is approaching a critical decision with regard to a very expensive choice….the reopening of another restaurant in the Anthem Center. Over the last fifteen years the Association has used members assessments of unimaginable amounts to subsidize five (5) failed operations. 

A recent poll of residents has shown that 2386 (33%) are in favor of the reopening & subsidizing a new operator.  A large majority 4758 (67%) are not interested in supporting such an endeavor. 

I suggest that those residents who wish to have a subsidized restaurant at Anthem Center, join together to form an SCA Charter Club that could be known as The SCA Dining Club.

They could operate similar to the SCA Woodchips Club, which has accepted from the date of their founding, the responsibility for all costs of shop equipment replacement & maintenance. In addition the Woodchips cover all cost of services & supplies from subcontractors. The SCA Association provides the structure and utilities.

Assuming that there are approximately 1.7 residents per household, there would be 4056 potential club members. 

The Club would develop their own By Laws & establish their membership fees.

If they choose to have $100 per year member dues their treasury would have $405,600.00 to subsidize their chosen operator. 

As an incentive, the members could receive discount certificates for their membership loyalty.

The restaurant and bar would be open to serve anyone no matter if they were a member or not. 

Only Club Members would benefit from a discount.

It is patently unfair to force homeowners to who are not interested in an Anthem Center restaurant to pay for an undesired amenity. Based on past history this operation will fail like the last five."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Any thoughts?  

Send them to us at:


  1. From Joe Fay...to...Anthem Opinions

    WHAT A GREAT IDEA.

    I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH "DINER'S" IN SCA, TO SUPPORT THE RESTAURANT.

    THEY WANT IT, BUT WANT THE REST OF US TO PAY FOR IT.

    IN THE EVENT THE CLUB EVOLVED, I BELIEVE IT WOULD ULTIMATELY FAIL, JUST LIKE THE PAST FIVE RESTAURANTS.

    TALK IS CHEAP, AND SO ARE MANY OF THE POTENTIAL CLUB MEMBERS.

    NUFF SAID.  A PREVIOUS BAR AND RESTAURANT OWNER.  
    1. From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions

      What a terrific idea!!!

      Yes - let those who want the restaurant to fully fund its operation.

      I won't spend sleepless nights worried that I can't use the restaurant.

      Let's see how may SCA residents REALLY want a restaurant...you know the tried & true saying: 'Money Talks, BS Walks'
___________________________

Our Realistic Interpretation of the 
2019 Sun City Anthem Board Election

Image result for A Different Look at Things
Though another blog painstakingly boasted about some sort of victory for the "Old Guard" candidates, Anthem Opinions decided to hold off our "take" on the election until his commentary concluded. 

Now let's look at OBJECTIVE REALITY, rather than through the pen of an individual whose life's purpose is to dedicated to deceiving and twisting facts in order to maintain an unnatural need of maintaining a sense of  importance...

...while ranting and raving over and over again with caustic rude and crude comments made toward New Tradition candidates, as well as, any individual who supported them.

That mode of electioneering had a devastating effect on a senior 
community !

It turned resident against resident, and harmed the reputation of a community by demonstrating perhaps the dirtiest election campaign in its history.

That folks, is what harms property values...

 ...not compliance regulations or whether or not a restaurant should operate....

Hatred...not disagreement...but unadulterated HATRED, that he, along with his poison pen, and  a small number of his mutant followers displayed on a continual basis over the entire period who did everything in their power to look at NEGATIVITY rather than presenting anything POSITIVE.

They provided no new ideas of change; they instead chose to display HATED toward anything and any person who brought danger to their corrupt "system" they knew had to be preserved...

... while an ever increasing number of "civilized" residents in our community joined together to support a group of individuals who NEVER CRITICIZED ANY OPPONENT, established a web site for all to ask questions, and chose "the high road" in every aspect of their campaign.

That is the REALITY of the 2019 Sun City Anthem Board Election.

Now let's look at 2019 more realistically and objectively.

The 2019 SCA Board Election demonstrated clear increasing discontent by homeowners with the following concerns:

1. Performance of the SCA Chief Operating Officer.
2. Over reaching role of the SCA attorney.
3. Failure by the Board to exercise its executive responsibility to continually hold the COO and attorney accountable for their performance.
4. The desire by homeowners for more transparency by the Board. 

The election also demonstrated the up-hill climb to implement change in an organization.  

It reminded me of a three round boxing match !

The first round was a draw, but it signaled that the well-entrenched incumbent "old guard" is no longer safe in its political domination of SCA. 

Why?

Image result for Round One

One incumbent was elected, Forrest Quinn, with the 2nd largest number of votes, and one incumbent was SOLIDLY defeatedRex Weddle, garnering a vote total coming in 9th in a field of 11.  The two candidates with less votes included one New Tradition Team candidate, and one who literally had no support from either camp, neither of which had any prior Sun City Anthem experience.

Image result for Round two

The "Old Guard Team" won two seats: David Weil, a former Board member whose record was highly disputed by Favil West, an individual who joined Mr. Weil on the same Board years ago, will serve two years; the other, Arthur Schuetz, who finished 5th, and will only serve one year before the next Board election.

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The New Tradition Team won two seats:  Rana Goodman, having been the #1 choice of voters, and newcomer, Karen Hadrick.  Both will serve two year terms. 

The Decision  ??? 

A Draw !
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The truth is that it was a draw in election results, but a win in open communication ...giving the entire Sun City Anthem community an opportunity to see their differences in the next year.

What does that mean ?

A clear picture of voting records and THE END OF BACKDOOR "Old Guard Machine" secrecy...

...unless history repeats with the "shutting out" of  the New Tradition elected members as it did in the Nona Tobin debacle.

Knowing Rana Goodman and Karen Hadrick, this is HIGHLY UNLIKELY as these two women have minds of their own and have MORE EXPERIENCE in homeowner association business than the combined experience of the other 5 remaining Board members.

Rana Goodman was a prior President of another Las Vegas homeowners association for a number of years having experience dealing with legislators, as well as, a strong command of Nevada laws pertaining to homeowners associations, NRS 116, while Karen Hadrick has had YEARS of property management experience...

...past RELEVANT EXPERIENCE at "watching the store" with great scrutiny and openness in reporting and commenting at Board meetings, questioning a number of decisions, as well as, expenses, giving the community a more balanced view of reality, rather than...

...what a Board wants you to know.

"Sugarcoating" the truth is NOT part of their personalities. 

Both believe full facts must be shared with those they expect to live with their decisions.

For example, most residents are unaware that a Board member must attend "NRS school", training by professionals in order to be aware of Nevada law.

Rana Goodman and Jim Coleman have since been asked to explore a workshop open to the community, conducted by NRED, in order to learn more of NRED services and the cost free services they offer..

Score one... FOR...Rana Goodman!   

A "New Tradition" ???

Karen Hadrick is surprising fellow Board members with her knowledge of our CCRs....

...something not expected of a new Board member thought to have been considered inexperienced for her position and constantly criticized during the election by the Berman supported candidates.

Score One...FOR...Karen Hadrick !

A "New Tradition" ???

It was Karen Hadrick who painstakingly went through Board Book after Board Book...hundreds of pages...and discovered the hidden freebies associated with a former restaurant option...along with their former history of bankruptcy that was disclosed by Anthem Opinions prior to the signing of a lease with the organization...

...and neglected by two fellow current Board members and one who was defeated.

We all know that such decisions belong in the hands of a majority of a Board, but now, unlike yesterday,  YOU WILL KNOW  they exist, and be able to know WHO supports WHAT !

Prior to their election, you did not !

Which options would you, the property owner, choose ?

What is this a sign of ?

Better open communication...alternative PUBLIC viewpoints !

And who wins in the ability to make an intelligent voting decision in the future ?

SUN CITY ANTHEM PROPERTY OWNERS ... 


Image result for cartoon victory dance moving

...that's who !

...knowing how each is representing YOU in the next year by the voting records WE SHALL REPORT for various important decisions impacting our community.

For now, we wish to congratulate the new members of our Board and hope this "NEW TRADITION"  of openness will benefit us all.

In conclusion, our "take" was that it was indeed a draw...with...advantage going to the the property owners of Sun City Anthem.
May 20, 2019 at 9:58 AM
  1. From Ron Lawrick...to...Anthem Opinions

    With the exception of Rana Goodman and Dan Roberts, your blog articles almost never indicate the name of the author.

    Specifically, today’s articles “Interpretation of the 2019 Sun City Anthem Board Election” and “Two New Board Members Say "Go Away Mr. Berman" do not include the names of the authors.

    The reason that is important to me is that as a former journalist, I’m puzzled about opinions “anonymously” expressed.I know that David Berman’s articles are his because he takes ownership of everything he writes on his blog.

    On the other hand, articles on your blog almost never reveal the person(s) who express(es) some pretty harsh views (Rana Goodman and Dan Roberts excepted.

    We know where they stand).Anyone not responsible enough to take credit for an article attacking others in our community should be dismissed as irresponsible.

    As Anthem homeowners we have a right to judge the information we receive based upon who delivers the information.Caring homeowners try to inform ourselves by reading all sides to issues affecting our community.

    I tend to dismiss opinions which seem mean spirited and/or anonymously presented. Thus, I read your anonymously written articles and weigh the information accordingly.These are my opinions.

    Homeowners can disagree without throwing mud at each other while hiding behind their anonymity.
  2. Ron, I don't know how long you have resided in Sun City Anthem, but who do you think owns, operates, and writes the editorials?

    Unless another individual is named under an editorial, it has always been assumed that I have written them.

    The blog clearly states that I AM THE WEBMASTER.

    I have to admit, that of the 2,300+ subscribers in the 6.5 years of operation and the 2,675,000 visits to our publication to date, this is the first time this comment has ever been made.

    I think you may have spoken a bit quickly about "animosity".

    After all, the blog is called Anthem OPINIONS.

    Dick Arendt
    13+ year Resident of Sun City Anthem
    1. From Elizabeth Breier...to...Anthem Opinions

      What is he talking about????

      Every response to every one of your articles has the name of the author.

      UNLIKE another blog that uses pseudonyms and dead athletes- which, according to THAT blogger is at the request of the submitter.

      Isn’t it odd that  Anthem Opinions doesn’t have anyone afraid to use their own names????

      That’s not because they don’t anticipate backlash from the other blogger (on the contrary),  but because Anthem Opinions is honest.

      On that other blog we might assume it’s true that folks are afraid to use their real names or, on the other hand, that the blogger likes to bolster himself !!!!
    2. From Dan Roberts...Publisher of The Vegas Voice...to...Anthem Opinions

      I don't know if you know this guy, but for his above comment, I wonder if he knows any former dead baseball players...
_________________________


Two New Board Members 
Say
"Go Away Mr. Berman"

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If someone "kicks you in the teeth" at every available opportunity, do you have any desire to have anything to do with him, or do you do your best to avoid him?

If a person is known to continually stick his nose in matters that don't concern him, and worse, believes himself to be in a position of authority WHEN HE IS NOT, and when his past life is cluttered with failure and activities you would, as an upright person, never consider being a part of...

...cheating a state, a client, and even trying to cover his tracks through forgery...

...and then instead of returning to the practice of law after a year of "suspension", telling people he preferred working in an IRS computer room...


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...is this a "normal" person whom someone would look at as a credible source of valuable information or as someone you would laugh at the very thought of doing so?

Then, if the loser moves across the country to a retirement community, resumes his "need" for control he failed to achieve his entire life, hides his past, and then after being elected to the Sun City Anthem Board, suddenly resigns in order to write a blog to get the attention his fellow Board members refused to give him...

...then uses that publication to create even more discord than he did prior to his arrival by:


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...writing the meanest of articles about individuals, doing his best not just to disagree, but destroy the character of any person who exposes him for the evil he has created.

...includes self written imaginary commentary by individuals who do not exist to further exploit members of the community.

...sends harassing unsolicited emails to unsuspecting individuals.

...carries a recorder in his pocket to record conversations in order to "use them" at a later time for the most diabolical reasons.

We simply ask you...

Do you embrace such an individual ???

or...

Would you ignore him ????

If you have any common sense or intelligence, your decision should be an easy one.

You look at these facts for what they are and have been, and come to the conclusion that somewhere down the road in life, that person must have always been that way, that his mental instability will never allow him to change, and the only alternative is to avoid himignore him, and hope that someday, he will disappear to some other place where he would likely create as much havoc toward others as he has for you !

You ask yourself, is that the type of individual whom you would consider spending a moment of your day discussing anything...knowing his intentions toward you are hostile and will, like a snake lying in wait to strike his prey, attack you at any moment that best fits his "sick" purpose?

Or would you come to the logical conclusion that there has to be something mentally wrong with that individual, and do your best to avoid that person to the best of your ability?

What kind of person loves to make others miserable, and who follows such a person ?

That one's easy to answer...

Miserable and unhappy people just like him who have some unnatural need to control something at a stage of their lives while others wish to merely enjoy it.
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 Not only does it pretty much describe those who look at him with some form of admiration, but...

...until two weeks ago, as a result of the recent election, what he is now finally realizing, is that the tide has begun for change.

In addition to his continuous preying on innocent individuals, his tactics are now, more then ever, being looked on as disturbing behavior that are an embarrassment to a community.

Who cares if two new Board members want nothing to do with him?

Only he does...
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...and...a select few others who display similar "I need to be recognized" behavior, as well as, a few others who comment on his publication, using phony monikers to hide their names...or...more likely, are comments written by himself !


However, rather than using the same tactics he has employed, two newly elected individuals to the Sun City Anthem Board, Rana Goodman and Karen Hadrick, have decided to IGNORE HIM...

...and that's the best manner to handle self-absorbed unstable individuals who should be more properly referred to as bullies ...

They can't handle it !
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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrnWp5O0DEs


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
  1. I hear you Dick,

    The problem is you don't know what devious things he and his cohorts are planning. So once again, "Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer."
____________________________


A Question of Character
Part One of Two

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by
Dan Roberts
Editor & Publisher
Image result for the vegas voice

It’s been nearly a week since I fully disclosed what  that  blogger” described as “something very bad that Roberts has done in his personal life.”

Did you see or read his follow-up post?

Neither have I.

That blogger claimed that many months ago he was “provided with verified documentation” about my personal life over something “much, much worse” than anything that he did.

Who is he kidding? 

Does anyone really believe the documentation was “provided” to him by somebody else?

You think it was during a late-night meeting in an underground garage similar to Woodward & Bernstein in the movie “All the President’s Men”? 

Or do you think that blogger and only that blogger tried to find “dirt” on yours truly?

And more importantly and regarding that blogger’s character, what do you think his reaction was once he obtained such “verified documentation”?

1, What a sad and tragic story; or

2. It happened nearly 20 years ago and has nothing to do with Sun City Anthem, or

3. I GOT HIM ! I GOT HIM !

While I (and his few friends, neighbors and anyone who has ever had any contact with him) have no doubt that the blogger couldn’t contain his glee over my past, can you imagine his disappointment when my “mea culpa” was published in the other 2 SCA blogs – and his threat to expose my “past misdeed” was already an “open book” for all to know ?

Character counts and his past actions (and now non-actions) speaks volumes.

Got a comment ?

Send it to us at:


scaopinions@gmail.com
  1. From Neal Graham...to...Dan Roberts c/o Anthem Opinions

    Dan: I can feel your pain from years of “lawfare.”

    When I moved to SCA I had just retired and wanted to be AWAY-FAR, FAR AWAY from NYC where I was on the board of a family business.

    The company was hit by 7 years of lawsuits (costing $2 million), with the aim of a hostile takeover. 
_________________________



A Question of Character
Part Two of Two

Image result for dan roberts vegas voice
by
Dan Roberts
Editor & Publisher
Image result for the vegas voice

It starts with that blogger’s Welcome, Readers intro:

Here you can post your own comments and questions, and you are free to express your (respectful) opinions, whether you agree or disagree with what I or other readers have to say on a subject.
 
The ironic part about that sentence is that if there are no comments, have no fear, that blogger will post his own under another name(s).

And “surprisingly” all such posts speak glowingly of him.
 
From SCA resident, C. Carrasquel:

David, I’ve been following your advice by sending the links for your wonderful, factual election articles to my personal mailing list of about 85 friends…”
 
And from SCA resident: M. Minoso:

David, whether I agree with you or disagree with you is irrelevant, because what I do commend you for is your gift, and it is truly a gift, for explaining complex subjects with eloquence and accuracy.”
 
There were also other gushing, fawning comments from residents, E. Banks and D. Buddin.
 
The “only problem” with the commentators is that these individuals are NOT residentsbut are names of former major league baseball players:

C. Carrasquel

                                                  
Chico Carresquel (Chicago White Sox)

Image result for C. Carrasquel – Chico Carrasquel (Chicago White Sox)
                                              
M. Minoso       
                                                                              
Minnie Minoso (Chicago White Sox)

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E. Banks
                                                          
                                                        
Ernie Banks (Chicago Cubs)

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D. Buddin 

Don Buddin (Boston Red Sox)

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What type of individual (who insists that he always places the good of the community above himself) would then intentionally deceive and mislead them? How many other times has that blogger done this?

Now ask yourself this: Do you really believe that this was the only time he’s done this or is it just another example of how that blogger operates?

If I am wrong, I implore that blogger or his “good friends” to respond and strenuously deny these damning accusations. That’s what any honest person would do.

If he remains silent, it only serves as a reminder that “character counts” and that blogger’s actions and now, non-actions speaks volumes. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

To Dan Roberts...from Anthem Opinions:
Thank you Dan for this vital information regarding David Berman’s newest claim of clairvoyance, and our sincere best wishes to those in the Sun City Anthem community who look at him with confidence !
And to those who do, may they enjoy these words written from his pen.
“I think most folks who read blogs regularly have an understanding that, ultimately, blogs reflect the opinions and personalities of their owners. While I personally believe that this blog does the best job of providing unbiased news and information to our readers, it is also weighted somewhat toward an opinionated philosophy that can be reflected in my writings. Simply put, this is how blogs operate.
My articles are aimed at readers who appreciate a relatively high literary standard of writing and are thoughtful about the issues of the day, as well as being willing to occasionally contribute to subjects under discussion via posted blog comments and/or personal email exchanges.”
Yup, he certainly is right about those who “appreciate a relatively high literary standard of writing” in “providing unbiased news”; and that “blogs reflect the personalities of their owners”.
We know that David Berman considers himself “the voice of Sun City Anthem”, but it now appears that he is also “the voice of those who are no longer a part of this world”…and claims they are members of the Sun City Anthem community…and…believe in his journalistic wisdom !
We thank the following individuals who took the time to share their thoughts on his blog…and…if you’re out there,  we would love to obtain your autograph if your Pearly Gate duties will allow.
Chico Carrasquel, who died on May 26, 2005 at the age of 79 in Caracas, Venezuela.
Minnie Minoso, who died on March 15, 2015 at the age of 89 in Chicago, Illinois.
Ernie Banks, who died on January 23, 2015 at the age of 83 in Chicago, Illinois.
Don Buddin, who died on June 30, 2011 at the age of 77 in South Carolina.
As a result, we finally understood who his role model in life has always been !
and suggest when you see him and any of his followers, you honor them by humming this tune !
PS…I would gladly contribute to his taking a lie detector test.
As it is often said, once you lie, you have to continue the ruse by continuing to do so…until your caught.  A judge told him that in 1991.
It’s his last “save your butt” weapon.  What a sick and disturbed human being.
  1. From Mary Lee Duley...to...Anthem Opinions

    Kudos to Dan Roberts for sharing his past honestly, unlike Berman.
    Please give him my heartfelt thanks and also Rana.
    Sadly, David Berman and his brainwashed followers will continue the nasty behavior but PERHAPS SCA residents will wake up and see what has been happening there Year after Year!
    Berman makes up names on his posts, anyone can check tax office records and see these are Not property owners but Fake Names!
    Disgusting behavior!
    I had hoped to see an election change with ALL honest, caring and experienced residents who wanted the community together, not continue the Huge division  in  the entire SCA community.
    Sadly only two on the New Tradition were elected BUT, if given a chance, they WILL make a difference.
    Berman's high school Bully mentality and antics, lies, distortions, and  critical behavior will continue.
    He has always been like a runaway train.
    At some time runaway trains crash!
    Ignore the ongoing nastiness, some things never change!
    1. From Elizabeth Breier...to...Anthem Opinions

      What to make of his “claim” that he has allowed readers to respond under pseudonyms so they do not get “attacked”?

      But of course the almighty DAB knows who they are?

      How do you fact check his claim ?

      It may be readers with pseudonyms or they may all be DAB writing to himself - good luck trying to prove it.

      Is’s all a Steele Dossier.

      As long as he is unchecked, nothing is judged strictly on its merits- EVERY ISSUE and ANYONE who disagrees with him is subject to attack, lies, subversion, his uncanny ability to read minds and a very dishonest blog that he controls.

      Out the window is cogent argument and facts.
    2. Liz,
      This guy has such a history of lies that only someone born yesterday would believe his latest "poop".
      He is so desperate now that he's no longer "the godfather of corrupt elections", but instead is now looked upon as the "mosquito  on the butt of SCA"...
      ...who will keep buzzing around, creating havoc and discord, and looking for ways to maintain the dirty methods of electioneering that he's responsible for creating.
      His days of looking at himself as a "someone" now include only his minions. his mirror, his foul mouthed wife, and his "happy pills".
      Liars have to keep lying...it's what they do, and the sheep who are too naive or CORRUPT to see it, need pity.
      That's what sheep do.
      Sheep are blind followers who, no matter how much you prove to them how "off the wall" the guy is, they will follow him to the end.
      Why?
      Because if you ever talk to any them, you'll quickly realize how "off the wall" many of them have always been.
      And the irony?
      They are the ones who always yell "hate", but if you read their words, they certainly don't constitute a "Lovefest".
      They are demeaning, crude, and for the most part,, rarely if ever make any sense, but instead consist of insult after insult....LOW CLASS.
      1. From Elizabeth Breier...to...Anthem Opinions

        An example of mind reading:

        More than once DAB has commented “at least your husband sat down  and met with me” -  he even shouted it at me while wagging his finger.

        DAB, in his ultimate wisdom, is assuming to know why my husband did that  - now I will tell you, since  when I tried to respond to his shouting this at me after the Election, his wife started screaming at me “shut up, shut up” (so I walked away rather than escalate).

        My husband never wanted to meet with DAB, but because I begged him to in order to possibly help broker some peace in what was becoming more and more adversity in our community, my husband finally agreed.

        He came home after that meeting  to tell me it was a waste of time and told me what he thought of DAB- not a complimentary assessment.

        But DAB just wants to continue assuming my husband is a good guy and I am the devil - so he can keep writing it on his blog and screaming it at the top of his lungs in public and we find it humorous -

        --because he presumed to know what was in my mind and in my husband’s.

        The  end result - No Fool Like an Old Fool.

        PS - written under my own name even though I figure he will find a way to attack (rather than apologize for coming at me after the Election for trying to break up an altercation) because I am braver than many of his alleged readers. 
      2. Liz,

        I've seen Mrs. Bull Sheet in action. She carries a purse ready for combat too !

        The incident at Green Valley Ranch had her using more four letter words than a drunk at a truck stop in front of numerous patrons MAKING A COMPLETE ASS OF HERSELF.

        ...and I made all of that part of the report to the Henderson Police saying VIDEO DOESN'T LIE.

        For some reason, since he claimed I attacked him and pushed a Green Valley Security guard on his "reputable BULL SHEET, it was rather strange that same guard escorted me to the Security Desk for information as to how to file a POLICE REPORT...AGAINST HIM and MRS BULL SHEET.

        ...something he was unaware of at the time while his blog and HIS MINIONS kept referring to me as a thug...

        ..until a week later when I disclosed the fact I was the one who reported the matter to the police within an hour of its occurrence...

        ...PROVING HIM TO BE A COMPLETE LIAR.

        After that, for some strange reason, he NOR HIS MINIONS bothered to refer to me as a thug...they were scared that THEY WOULD BE SUED AS A RESULT OF THEIR DEFAMATORY COMMENTS made as a direct result of HIS LIES...as well they should have been.

        What all of them should know is THAT ALL THEIR COMMENTS AND NAMES WERE ADDED TO THE POLICE REPORT with full copies in my possession along with the POLICE REPORT.

        All of these despicable people are made for each other; hateful menaces to the well-being of a community.
      3. _____________________


 Martha, George and I
 By
 Dan Roberts 
Vegas Voice Publisher



What do TV/Celebrity hostess Martha Stewart, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner and yours truly have in common? We’re all convicted felons. 

Ex-Con is the common term, but nevertheless we are all branded with this Scarlet letter for the rest of our lives. 

Unlike Martha and George, I was not a multi-millionaire when the “stuff hit the fan” so my fellow former criminals have no idea what it is like to lose everything in the blink of an eye. Your job, your life-long profession, your home, your cars and bank accounts – everything that you accumulated over your life – gone. 

They say every convict has a story. This is mine. 

Ask anyone who knows me (and I’ll be the first to admit) that I’m not the smartest person in a room. While my college buddies were out partying and enjoying the benefits of youth, I studied. Friday nights for me - as well as the rest of the week - meant going to the library and studying. 

Somehow, I made it through law school and after failing the New York State Bar (like I said, not the smartest guy in the world) made it on the second try and was admitted to the Bar. 

Through fate, luck and more hours working than you can imagine, I became the “man” for the medical transportation industry in New York State. Medical transportation is just a fancy “legal term” for the private ambulance and wheelchair accessible van companies. 

In New York City alone, there were over 150 separate companies – and I knew them all; or more importantly, they knew me as “the lawyer” to call whenever they had a legal problem. 

To an attorney’s delight, the medical transportation industry was heavily regulated by separate City, State and Federal rules, regulations and laws. I became and was the expert on all medical transportation legal issues. 

Besides individual’s company problems that might require my legal services, there were many times when certain governmental agencies would “target” the industry. Whenever that occurred, I would receive the first frantic phone call, quickly followed by the second, third, fourth and on and on. 

It really was not a question of whether I was a “great attorney,” but mostly the quality of my  opposition. It was always a good talking point to remind my clients that the administrative agencies that were challenging them on any given moment were as “arrogant as they were incompetent.”  

My win/loss record was quiet impressive and my ambulance clients respected me. The administrative agencies did not. 

In 1994, after 16 years of such legal services, circumstances arose where I could “practice what I preached’ to my clients. Along with members of my family, I was able to purchase a struggling ambulance company. 

Life was good. In all candor, it was very good. Interestingly, since ambulances are a 24 hour, 7 day a week, 365 day operation, I was never “off-duty”- but while there were killer hours, I never considered it “work.” 

The family joke was that a truly successful attorney is one who owned his own ambulance company – and to a certain degree it was true. I became my own “ambulance chaser.” 

The medical transportation industry grew and changed with my former clients selling and retiring. Ambulance companies became “corporate” and a wave of consolidation began so the bigger ones could go “public.” 

To my benefit, a number of mid-level management guys (and gals) who did the daily operations and who knew me from my attorney days of representing their employers, began lining up to join my company. I hired them all and within 3 years, my ambulance company grew by over 200%. 

And then came the next industry wide audit.  

The federal government, through its Medicare program came up with a “Report” that it was overcharged by various New York ambulance companies in the total amount of $109,000,000. My former government adversaries were on TV and quoted in the newspapers lambasting the ambulance services and alleging “overpayment and fraud.” 

It made quite a few headlines and the 18 “named” companies quickly looked over the list to see where they were in the pecking order. My company was number 13 at $2,600,000. 

Coincidently, as this became public, the national ambulance association was having its annual convention at the MGM Casino in Las Vegas. All New York companies attended and we had a separate meeting to discuss this issue. 

The meeting was chaired by the ambulance owner who was number 1 on the list ($22 million) and he had the solution to our collective problems. He had contacts with a New York Congressman who was in the process of running for United States Senate.

If each company would contribute $25,000 to the Congressman’s future campaign, this problem would disappear. Yes, there might be some unknown “token” payment to settle, but the audit would go away. 

Make no mistake, it was not a bribe, but a legal campaign contribution to a “concerned” politician reviewing the entire situation and resolving it. 

If I could take back just one moment of time; a second chance with 20-20 hindsight, it would be that day.  

If there was the possibility to make a pact with the Devil to do it all over again - a chance to play back that one singular moment – I would have stood up, jumped on the dais and screamed for the entire world to hear: “Damn the $25,000; let’s give him $50,000.”    

Instead, I was horrified. I gave a speech, a lecture on right and wrong, the rule of law and the fairness of our situation. The audit was bogus, illegal and strictly a grandstanding bureaucratic tactic. We didn’t need a politician, I recall saying, we need justice. 

To my everlasting regret, I refused to make that campaign contribution. It was the biggest mistake in my life. 

Once I notified the Feds of my intention to challenge the audit, all hell broke loose. My company was accused of fraud and ripping off the Medicare system. 

Medicare was able to “temporarily” suspend my company. Temporarily, as it turned out, was forever. Without Medicare reimbursement and with notice to all hospital and medical facilities of the potential “fraud and abuse,” my thriving company died overnight. 

There are no words to adequately convey the fear when U. S. Marshals arrive at your door with subpoenas to take all records, file cabinets as well as your private papers. Boxes and boxes were taped shut and hauled out; all while your employees watched in indescribable horror as everything you once had disappeared. 

A joint task force of state and federal workers spent the next 3 years looking over every single medical transport and the initial audit was expanded to 5 years. Every transaction was examined and re-examined. 

I fought them – from hearing to hearing; from state to federal courts and appeals. It was a street fight, a legal war with guerrilla and nuclear tactics and weapons – with neither side giving an inch. It was a war of attrition. 

That claim of $2,600,000? Even after expanding the audit two additional years, the final amount of overpayments was $4,920. Even the government dropped the allegation of “fraud.”  

That’s less than a thousand dollars per year or $82 per month. Put another way, a reduction of 99.7% over the initial claim. 

The government claimed “victory” in the final ruling; after all, there was indeed an overpayment of monies. And they protected the taxpayers. 

They also reviewed every mailed or filed document to any government agency, looking for anything – and they found one. They claimed it contained “false statements” and since they were unsure as to who sent it - it was obviously a criminal conspiracy.  

Such conspiracy by the owners and officers of the company (meaning my parents, brother and wife) would be determined by a criminal trial. With separate attorneys to avoid any “conflict of interest,” the preliminary attorney fees quoted began at $250,000. 

I was done. I couldn’t go on. Five years of hand-to-hand combat without any income had taken its toll. I gave up.  

I pled guilty in federal court in March, 1999 of submitting a “false statement.” Even with the government admission that there was no “harm” or “monies obtained,” it was a Class D felony. 

No members of my family were ever implicated; but as the government pointed out, it was not a deal. It was also a “coincidence” that once I pled guilty, the government returned nearly $100,000. 

I can say however, that I am the only convict in New York who ever received a refund after pleading guilty. How’s that for a lasting legacy? 

Let’s be clear. I am not stating that I was framed or that there was a secret understanding. I pled guilty and I am and will forever remain a convicted felon. It is, what it is…pure and simple. 

Am I bitter? I guess the honest answer is “not anymore.” But I sure was. 

I have realized that it does not pay being bitter or angry or resentful. Life goes on (whether you want it to or not) and looking back does not accomplish anything except making you ill. It’s been nearly 10 years - enough already. 

Where does one pick up the pieces of his life after such conviction? How does a family stay together after losing their home…their lifestyle… and after the shame and humiliation? 

They say when God shuts a door, He opens a window. I hope that’s true. 

Because if it is, then I guess I’m still going through that window. Maybe I gained a few pounds over the years, or that window may not be very large, but I do believe that such window exists. 

That window allowed me to keep my proudest accomplishment. I still have my family. I’m still with my wife. And all our sons are with us in our new home state of Nevada.  

I don’t know how many families could survive what we went through. I don’t know if it made us stronger, but I sure do know the meaning of love. 

I learned that there is nothing like a crisis to discover who your friends are. Everybody likes you when you’re successful and have money…but it takes a very special individual; a true friend that stands by your side and watches your back when the bombs are incoming. 

Let me remind you of another inspirational cliché – it’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get back up. Yes, I was knocked down; knocked completely out of the ring as a matter of fact - but was able to stagger and eventually stand up again. 


With the help of my family, business partners and friends, we’ve established The Vegas Voice – the largest monthly senior newspaper in Nevada. With the economy being what it is and with newspapers in general dying by the day, I’m proud to say that our publication is still growing; still expanding.  

And that’s no small feat. 

No, I never met Martha Stewart or George Steinbrenner who were able to successfully return to their original profession. However, I must admit that I love my life as publisher; working with my family and friends and meeting new people every day. 

Maybe, just maybe, if I lose a few pounds and squeeze a little harder, I’ll push through that window yet.   
  1. To our readers:

    Yesterday, May 6, 2019, the above article broke our daily visits to Anthem Opinions.

    A total of
     2,920 visits were recorded and NOT ONE PERSON IN ANY WAY CRITICIZED MR. Roberts.

    All comments received looked at David Berman in a negative light for his continual harassing behavior toward Sun City Anthem Residents.
    1. From Dan Roberts...Vegas Voice Publisher...to...Anthem Opinions

      Once again, there seems to be some misinformation from “that blogger.” As usual, there was more to the story.

      Background: New SCA Board of Director and my PILL(partner in love & life) Rana Goodman finally made the decision to cut-out “that blogger” from her life. While she wishes him no ill-will, he is now a “non-entity.”

      When directors were informed of the new annual Board photo shoot, besides being photographed by SCA information coordinator Andrew Leary, “that blogger” was also included to take pictures. Rana informed the other members, that keeping to her principles, she would not agree to sit or do anything with “that blogger.”

      Let’s be clear: Rana did not throw a hissy fit, nor demand anything. She even advised Board members that there would be no hard feelings or problems if the photo was taken without her.

      (As an aside: Does anyone really believe that blogger’s statement that “I place(d) the good of the community above my own, so I was more than willing to step aside… Wouldn’t you like to have been that proverbial fly on the wall when he was told? But I digress.)

      Anyway, contrary to “that blogger’s” concerns he is wrong that SCA is “entering a period of internal warfare during which some directors will pick and choose who they will represent in Sun City Anthem.”

      Have no concerns, it will be just the opposite.

      I have absolutely no doubt that my Rana will go above and beyond to represent all homeowners – each and every one. So those worried can take down that blogger’s “yellow caution flag.”

      There will, however, be a giant red stop sign over the blogger’s long held attitudes to residents that:

      He (and only he) is a Board member who should make decisions; and He (and only he) is in charge of SCA staff and management; and He (and only he) is the definitive heart and brains of SCA; and finally He (and only he) speaks for SCA.

      And one last thing for “that blogger” – and it consists of both good and bad news for him:

      The good news: No matter how vile, demeaning and mean-spirited his future blogs will be (and you know they will) under no circumstances will Rana respond.

      The bad news: I will.
_____________________
  

Vegas Voice Publisher Issues Challenge
to Blogger
David Berman
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My Open Letter to David Berman

David:

Time to end your “I know your secret past and I will continue to hold it over your head.”

Now that the SCA election is over, I am responding to your April 27th post that I had done something “very bad” (and as you wrote - even worse than you!).

Unfortunately, you failed to mention my frankness in disclosing a very sad episode in my life. Unlike some, I never hid or provided excuses.

The basics: Your “journalistic investigation” of my life occurred 20 years ago - before my family moved to Nevada, prior to the formation of 
The Vegas Voice and before Rana ever met me.

I want to be clear: I never shied away from my past, just the opposite. I wrote about it in a chapter of 
“Life Choices” (ISBN: 978-0-9825264-0-8) nearly 10 years ago; posted it on The Vegas Voice website and discussed it in previous Vegas Voice editions as well as, “Listening to The Vegas Voice” radio shows.

My chapter in “Life Choices” and book cover is attached below for all to 
read.


And rather than hide it, I told Rana about my “past” during our 2nd week of dating. It’s also known by my family, friends, partner Ray and Vegas Voice editors, the non-profit Medicare Advisory Foundation officers, the guardianship group Rana and I worked with, as well as, two state senators & assemblymen that we lobbied for guardianship reforms.


By the way, I fully disclosed this situation to not only the New Tradition candidates, but the entire NT team and Rana even offered to resign her candidacy over it. To a man (and woman) they all requested that my PILL (that’s partner in love & life – I’m too old to be called her “boyfriend”) remain on the ticket.

So where do we go from here?

If you agree, I would be more than willing to attend any meeting, any forum (perhaps Lifelong Learning?) and we can both stand up and fully discuss our past. At the very least, you’ll have the opportunity to put to rest (as you wrote) the “misleading attacks by some in our community over an incident in my distant past” and not only explain the event(s) in our respective lives, but more importantly, how we learned from it.

From one disgraced former attorney to another: It’s now your decision if your “better angels” want us to trash each other - or work together for our community.

Image result for dan roberts the vegas voice

Tomorrow....

The reprinted article from "Life Choices" entitled "Martha, George & I" originally published in 2006.

  1. From Rana Goodman...to...Anthem Opinions

    During my campaign I promised to work diligently for every home owner in our community.

    There is one exception and I doubt any reader of the community blogs would not understand when I say, the exception is the owner of that blog.

    I, like many of you, are not as young as I once was and I have learned that the safest way for me to deal with so many biased, mean-spirited attacks is to cut that person out of my life as if they are non-existent.

    This I have done, but don’t think for a moment that I will let my pledge to serve the rest of the 7,144 home owners to the very best of my ability be affected; it will not.

    For the blogger to now intimate that my refusal to interact with him is a sign that my performance as a board member would not be as I have pledged, is just one more unwarranted attack.
  2. Rana,

    Thanks for your stance on ridding our community of such continual harassment.

    I hope the rest of our association will soon look at such behavior as rude, childish, embarrassing, and not a manner in which mature adults should act.

    That particular blogger has been a menace to all those who desire peace, tranquility, and honesty toward residents.

    Destruction and harassment of good people has been his trademark for years and must stop.

    Your desire to cut all ties with such an individual is more than understandable. His actions toward you and so many others over the years, have done nothing other than dramatize the problems that should not occur in a civilized senior society.

    It may not be within your ability to stop his behavior on an independent blog, but it can be within your ability if this new Board supports and enforces the Code of Conduct regulations that exist, but have not been enforced; as well as enact anti-bully regulations if such behavior intimidates innocent individuals if such behavior is exhibited on common element properties or through unsolicited harassing and threatening emails to those who reside here.

    His disgusting, hateful, and unwarranted editorials toward you and the other members of The New Tradition Team during the past election should be considered not only unbecoming any individual, but should be vilified by any person who has respect for his fellow man.

    For a Board...or for that matter, any individual... to support such behavior is not only a poor reflection on them personally, but serves no purpose other than harming the very fiber of our neighborhoods.

    Good luck in the years ahead to curb this destroyer of character he and his dwindling followers have supported for years.

    SCA saw fit through the ballot box to repudiate one Board incumbent who was of the same disturbing behavioral fiber, now let's complete the job with ridding it of his as well.
    1. From John Schmidt...to...Anthem Opinions

      Dick, please post this email that I sent to Rana Goodman:

      Hi Rana,

      I  also have had a problem with Dave Berman.

      He misquoted me at a board meeting and stated he had confirmed what he heard with board members.

      After review of the tape he apologized for what he had reported acknowledging that I had not in fact said what he reported.

      Although I accepted his apology I requested the names of the board members who had allegedly "confirmed" what I had not said.

      He refused and after several requests for the information (which I knew he lied about ), I confronted his "integrity".

      I then was blocked from commenting on his blog.

      Several years passed and I again asked for the names, at which time he said  he could not release their names just because they may just have given him bad information.

      When I reminded him that he reported having heard me say and only "confirmed " it with the board members, he walked away saying he did not remember.

      Please don't let this horrible man get you angry.

      He is without principle and lacks any sense of honesty.

      I find it refreshing to know I can now trust at least two  board members to act in the best interest of the community.

      Good Luck
    2. From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions

      Let's see if Berman responds to Dan's offer.

      (in the interest of self-preservation I will NOT hold my breath)
    3. Robert,

      My guess is that he doesn't have the guts to do so in public.

      All he has is his blog and his private emails to intimidate and embarrass people.

      He is what he is...a disturbed menace to SCA.
      1. Hi Dick,
        David can say all he wants about what I said to him, I consider myself a lady but everyone has their limits. After he was cursing out my husband, Barry, the week before after a finance meeting and yelling at the ballot counting at Rana & saying that Dan was a felon yes I had enough & told David how I felt. This man has bullied enough people myself included when I wouldn't give him a cookie at a meet & greet. If you ask me he is the thin skinned person. He is a very evil person & he bullies people all the time. Enough is enough the old board let him do whatever he wanted including taking the pictures when we have people here much more qualified then he is. I hope now he will be treated as what he is, just another home owner no more special then you or me.
_______________________


2019 Sun City Anthem Board Results

Elected to a 2 Year Term

Rana Goodman
1,993

Forrest Quinn
1,989

David Weil
1,881

Karen Hadrick
1,822
___________________

Elected to a 1 Year Term

Arthur Schuetz
1,767
________________________

Not Elected

Paul Perlstein
1,715

William “Bill” Odelson
1,711

Barry Goldstein
1,707

Rex Weddle 
1,673

Larry Mayer
1,591

Robert LePome
386
____________________________


Sun City Anthem Board of Directors Election
A Clear Choice
"Machine" Status Quo vs Reform
A Final Consideration
Image result for what should i do
One more day...

...and if you haven't yet voted, you have until Tuesday, April 30th at 4:00pm to cast your vote in the ballot boxes located at Anthem Center, Independence Center, or The Liberty Center.  

You'll have to do it personally because the US mail at this point will not get it there in time.

If you are one of those who have not yet done so, we ask you to look at the word:

Image result for experience

Experience Behind the Desk
 or 
Experience In Front of It 

What in the world does that mean?

Should a Board of Directors consist of those whose experience consists of making decisions FOR people, OR should it consist of individuals whose experience is DEALING WITH people in order to make decisions on their behalf ?

We've had the opportunity of examining the resumes of the candidates, as well as, seeing them in "action".

And that...is a difference that is striking between "the Old Guard Machine" and a number of others whom we believe, will be of the same "Old Guard Machinecloning image.

When one wishes to govern people, in addition to having educational credentials,  they should have relevant experience dealing with them personally as well.  

They must be likable.  

They must be approachable, and most importantly...

They must be willing to LISTEN.  

In short, they must be "PEOPLE" people....with...

Image result for a people person

All the candidates have educational backgrounds and working records that allowed them to retire, but have those backgrounds allowed them to be considered "PEOPLEpeople?

Just what are the ingredients of being a "PEOPLEperson?

We found a fascinating article that we'd like to share with you.  It was written in January, 2005 by an individual named Lee Hopkins, entitled 

"People Skills: 8 Essential People Skills"


What are those 8 skills?

1. Understanding People
2. Expressing Your Thoughts & Feelings Clearly
3. Speaking Up When Your Needs are Not Being Met
4. Asking for Feedback from Others and Giving Quality Feedback in return
5. Influencing How Others Think & Act
6. Bringing Conflicts to the Surface & Getting Them Resolved
7. Collaborating with Others instead of Doing Things by Yourself
8. Shifting Gears when Relationships Are Unproductive

Have these skills been demonstrated by those "Old Guard machine" candidates, Rex Weddle and Forrest Quinn ????

If they had been, would Sun City Anthem have the dissension it is currently experiencing?

Are these two individuals "PEOPLEpeople?

There are other candidates whose educational and past working  credentials are wonderful, but that same question must be asked of them as well.

Then there is the "Anti-Machine" Reform candidates, The New Tradition Team that consists of Rana Goodman, Barry GoldsteinKaren HadrickBill Odelson, and Larry Mayer

Image result for a people person

This "team" consists of "PEOPLEpeople.

All of The New Tradition Team have had successful careers that involved MAKING DECISIONS DEALING WITH PEOPLE.

They were "PEOPLE IN THE TRENCHES" so to speak, unlike the other candidates.

Do they have educational credentials that compare with those achieving degrees in Ivy League schools?  No, they do not.

However,  though each has an educational background that fits the leadership requirement, what separates them from the others, is that their success in life also included DEALING WITH PEOPLE...people like you and I...because they all believed...

PEOPLE NEED PEOPLE


This is just one of those "peoplepersons who has lead this team and is representative of their community value system caring beliefs.


Image result for rana goodman nevada senior citizen of the year

...and in our opinion,  that belief would...as the song goes... make us...

THE LUCKIEST PEOPLE
IN THE WORLD

...if elected to the Sun City Anthem Board.

Ballot Positions
1-3-8-9-10

Got a Question?  Send it to us at:

scaopinions@gmail.com
  1. From JoAnna Karalekas...to...Anthem Opinions

    After digesting the latest Anthem Opinions, I can ONLY speak for myself.ALTHOUGH I have heard from several Homeowners, NOT RENTERS....of which we are not fully aware of just how many there are, along with the many YOUNGER individuals who have infiltrated our Center,

    MAYBE we should go back to having an outside management company manage us.

    I am sure if the new Board were to look into an outside company, they would probably find them to be no where near the cost of this COO...or  her team.

    I would REALLY  like to know, although I am sure none of us will ever be able to get a full accountability of what "they" actually do for this community, how they are entitled to such outlandish salaries AND all the perks.

    For those of you who have not voted yet.....PLEASE for the sake of our community,

    VOTE !!!
    1. Members of The New Tradition Team have notified Anthem Opinions that a rumor, likely from The "Old Guard Machine", if the New Tradition Team is elected, the employment of all the women in Sun City Anthem administration would be terminated.

      They asked Anthem Opinions to notify our readers that THIS IS ENTIRELY FALSE, likely just another example of the dirty politics embraced by their supporters, that has been demonstrated again and again over the election period.

      If any of our readers are aware of who started this UNTRUTHFUL LIE, let us know.  

      We believe the community should be aware of that individual or individuals who would stoop to such activity.
____________________________

Latest "Insane" Compliance Regulation
of
"Lame Duck" Board

Image result for cartoon insanity

Are you folks ready for this latest "rule" that will likely pass at the April 25, 2019 Board Meeting ?

Read it...then ask yourself this question:

Pages 273-74 of the NEW Rules & Regulations Booklet shown in the April Board Book.

12.3 Vehicle parking – ADDED

No vehicles other than golf carts are allowed to park on golf cart garage driveways.

Who in the world sits in an office and dreams nonsense like this up?

Simple....

An overpaid C.O.O. in conjunction with an association attorney with the inevitable approval of an  out of control "old guard" Sun City Anthem Board...

...that MUST BE REPLACED with COMMON SENSE !

We urge all of those who have not yet voted to look closely at this overbearing and out of touch governance, and vote:

The New Tradition Team

1-3-8-9-10
  1. From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions

    So, the  $13,355.10 designated for painting the Community Patrol building is for the EXTERIOR only (since the interior was painted less than 2 years ago).

    WHO negotiates these deals??????????

    The exterior of my house (a Concord model) was painted a few years back for LESS than $3,000 and is a tad bigger than the 3-room Community Patrol building.
  2. From Tony Ozanda...to...Anthem Opinions

    Isn’t it about time to wake up & smell the coffee?Kick out the MACHINE  ! ! ! ! ! !

    How many more examples of no/poor leadership do you need to get the picture?

     -- the $$ overpaid staff led by the over-the-top head of the mgmt or whatever title she holds, also her contract term?

    -- the absurd restaurant ideas & the great deals offered to someone bright enough to pick our pocket?

    (remember Trumpets back in the day)

    --the waste of our $$ to incompetent legal & accounting professionals (?)

    --- the lack of response to the needs expressed here in Anthem Opinions (?)

    -- the no or poor  background check on staff in ACCOUNTING ?)

    (are you kidding me ? ACCOUNTING, REALLY)

    Don't you think we can do better.?

    We need to have a new board to improve our lifestyle and our ratings as a great place to retire as it once was when we moved here in 2001 rather than our present dismal rating; maybe even break into the top 10 as we once were?

    Also, don't you feel a little dumb to be mentioned on TV as a poor choice for a retirement home along with those restaurants highlighted with filth & bugs to warn you to stay away ?

    Vote for THE NEW TRADITION TEAM !
  3. Evidently, prior to any vote, the Sun City Anthem Board removed this item from their agenda due to a massive amount of emails sent to them.

    This will be the last scheduled meeting of this Board.

    The matter will be taken up once the new Board is seated.

    Let's hope new Board will be The New Tradition Team in order to bring common sense to our community.
    1. From Carolyn Corso...to...Anthem Opinions

      I see by the "Monday E Blast" that the "Board" voted to approve $179,000. in expenditures to be paid thru our "reserves".

      Why weren't these items included in the budget, why drain the reserves?

      Is this good fiscal management"?

      I understood that the "health" of an HOA is determined (in part) by the "health of their reserve account.
    2. Carolyn,What people cannot understand is that is a manner in which "books" can be "cooked" in order to provide a result that  will make a situation appear a lot better than what it actually is !

      If The New Tradition Team wins the election, expect a greater scrutiny of the reserves AND all other forms of spending.
 _____________________


"Employee Recognition" Honoree
Was Former Sun City Anthem Employee
Arrested for Embezzlement
Image result for vetting
We won't mention the name of which employee, but we discovered that one of these four...who was supposedly "vetted" for employment, less than two months later, was terminated.

This first appeared on an official Sun City Anthem General Manager's Report on Demember 20, 2018.




Then, this appeared less than 2 months later  in a subsequent eblast.

February 15, 2019 

To:   All Sun City Anthem Residents

Re: Notice of Employee Termination

Dear Resident:

Sun

It is important to note that although this individual worked in Sun City Anthem’s accounting department, this former employee did not have access to any payroll processing or operations checks, had no check signing authority and no direct access to any SCA bank accounts.   

The employee was fully vetted, including a background check, when hired and the prior employers’ reference check offered no suggestion of risk.  

Management has communicated with the police and with the Association’s auditors as part of the investigation to ensure your Community’s funds were safeguarded. 

Anyone believe this deserved a C.O.O. receiving a  CONTRACT without any vital information as to its contents disclosed?

Time for change . If you haven't already done so, STOP THIS...and...

Vote

 New Tradition Team

Rana Goodman  (1)
Karen Hadrick  (3)
Barry Goldstein  (8)
Larry Mayer  (9)
Bill Odelson  (10)

________________________


Lame Duck Board 
on
Last Effort Spending Spree

Image result for lame duck

On April 25, 2019, with only 4 days left to their ability to SPEND, SPEND, SPEND, the current "lame duck" Sun City Anthem Board" seems to be on a spending spree before they leave office on May 1, 2019...

According the official community elbast, the following is expected to pass at that Board meeting:

Approve the following expenditures


a. Awning covers at Independence Center

 $2,350,00

b. Snooker Billiard Table at Independence Center

$7,463.68

c.  Auto floor Scrubber for Independence Center


$5,508.51

d. Irrigation Controllers for the common areas

$15,270.87

e. Lower gallery furniture

$144,286.26
(Over $30,000 the amount approved less than a month ago)


f. Seven 55" TV's
$4,531.12

Total

 $179,410.44

ALL EXPENSES TO BE PAID FROM ASSOCIATION RESERVES

Image result for lame duck


On another note, as of April 19, 2019, with 11 days left to cast your ballots in the Board of Directors Election, 3,235 ballots have been received representing 45% of those eligible to vote.

For those of you who have not cast your ballot, we urge you to  do so before the April 30th noon deadline.

Do you support a Board deciding on such matters four days prior to their leaving office?

We'd like to hear from you.

Send your comments to:

scaopinions@gmail.com



April 23, 2019 at 8:53 AM










  • From Barbara Sidary...to...Anthem Opinions

    Yes, the board is spending a lot.  

    I see a charge coming in the near future to put more money in our reserves.  

    Did you read the email blast from yesterday?  

    They are also buying a snooker table (Rex Weddle's thing) and I sent the following to Sandy.

    "I read in the email blast today that the following was approved:

    lower gallery furniture in the amount of $144,286.26 to be paid from reserve

    What is going on with our furniture?

    I know that $114K was approved earlier.

    I checked out the company that this bid came from and they didn't offer any tables and chairs under their products on their website.

    So what has changed now that the bid is $30K higher?

    Who are we using and I would like to see a copy of what we are getting
    ." 

    We will see what kind of answer she sends.   
  • Barbara, Let us know if you get any response.
  • From Robert Nusser....to...Anthem Opinions

    A recent email blast reported (in part):

    "Painting of various areas at Anthem and Liberty Centers and the Community Patrol Building by Unforgettable Coatings Inc. in the amount of $13,355.10 to be paid from Reserves"

    Note that the entire interior of the Community Patrol building was painted about 24 months ago.

    I sent an email asking WHAT was being painted in the Community Patrol building.

    That was ignored/never answered.
  • From Jo-Anna Karalekas...to...Anthem Opinions

    Thank you for this current update of "our" money being spent.

    Maybe they need to buy chairs and loungers in the pool area that are for SENIORS.

    In other words chairs and loungers that are not so low to the ground that we need a crane to get out of them
  • Anthem OpinionsApril 23, 2019 at 8:57 AM
  • Jo-Anna,

    This is no rant...this is TRUE CONCERN.
  • ________________________


    Association Compliance Report 
    An Unnecessary & Expensive Plague on Sun City Anthem Residents

    Image result for senseless rules

    Anthem Opinions received the latest tally on the number of homes found in compliance violation since the current Board, in conjunction with the C.O.O. Sandra Seddon, with the assistance of the Association Attorney, which they approved that began on January 1, 2019.

    In a mere three month period at a cost of:

    1. Employing an individual at an annual income of $40,000 in addition to:

    a. Reimbursement of mileage (government 2019 allowance is $.58 per mile for his personal auto)...
    Related image
    b. Employee benefits that include medical, dental, short and long-term disability coverage...
    Related image
    c. A 401(k) plan providing an Employer contribution of 3% of pay that, if matched by the employee, is IMMEDIATELY 100% vested without any traditional vesting schedule of EMPLOYER contributions.

    2. An attorney drafting the letters at considerable undisclosed expense...

    3. Contracting an outside vendor to send violation letters at yet another unknown cost at this time...

    ...the following information was released:

    As of March 31, 2019

    # of inspections
    6,494
    # of homes in violation
    2,000
    # of homes still in violation
    1,839
    # of violation letters issued
    3,230
    # of actual violations
    2,584

    Has this now gone too far? 

    Have you been a victim or do you know of a neighbor of this ridiculous purge on residents who, in many cases, have never been affected prior to these senseless regulations being enforced, some of them for up to 20 years ???

    With this current administration, it's...

    Image result for comply

    OR

    Related image

    Remember, the original "rule" was to have two trees in the front of your home, but since the community outcry, this Board took it upon itself to CHANGE that regulation to one tree, didn't they?

    What conclusion can be drawn from this action?

    These newly enforced rules CAN BE CHANGED by a simple Board decision...

    But...

    They weren't, were they ?  No


    Do you believe that common sense has left Sun City Anthem ???

    Do you want these senseless costs and treatment toward residents to continue?

    If so, vote for the "Old Guard" that includes incumbents Rex Weddle and Forrest Quinn, along with their handpicked candidates, David WeilArthur Scheutz, and Paul Perlstein...

    Image result for the

    Image result for machine word
    Image result for team word
     They support these actions to continue.

    Are you ready to elect those who will put common sense back into Sun City Anthem ? 

    Is so, elect Rana Goodman (1), Karen Hadrick (3), Barry Goldstein (8), Larry Mayer (9), and Bill Odelson (10)...

    Image result for new tradition
    Image result for team word

    Have you cast your ballot yet ?

    You have until noon on April 30th.
    1. ________________________
    "Old Guard

    or
    "New Tradition"

    Image result for election

    With 12 days to go before Sun City Anthem ballots must be received (April 30, 2019), for those who have yet to cast their ballot, we urge you to do so before the deadline.

    It has been said the 2019 Board of Director election might be the most important decision to ever face the Sun City Anthem community...

    ...and yes, we believe that to be the case.

    In the twenty year history of our community, many changes have taken place that have affected the lives of our residents; some good, some bad; but what should concern most of us regarding those changes is a simple question?

    Were you, the residents, an active part of those changes, or were you merely individuals who were forced to comply with them?

    We believe that time has allowed us to be complacent and evolve into the later scenario.

    What is the result of complacency?

    Stagnationa lack of proper guidance, and worst of all, allowing an annual  selectively chosen  group of individuals to control our lives in a manner that THEY believe is the manner it should be led, rather than allowing individuals to control their own destinies.


    Related image

    All of us worked hard to achieve the retirement experience to which those long years of employment entitled us, but achieving that goal does NOT STOP with merely moving to a new community.

    It requires thought, participation, and a desire to look at neighbors as a diverse group where ALL CONCERNS must be recognized.

    Yes, living in a homeowners association has its rules and regulations, but as time passes, the times change, and changes must adapt to those times.

    And...that adaptation differentiates the two elective camps.

    The first camp is the one who believes RULES ARE RULES, that no matter how strict, THEY MUST BE FOLLOWED at all costs.  

    That group, known as "the Berman backed old guard candidates", (the "machine") are an inflexible group who believes that power must be maintained at all cost.

    All too often they have ignored the individual needs and wants of a community because they believe that  a community "needs" an iron hand to control it !


    Related image

    They are THE STATUS QUO !

    They shirk their community responsibility by allowing one individual to control their decisions, believing that individual (known as the C.O.O.) is not to be questioned...

    ...that she be allowed to create layer after layer of middle management and nonessential additional employees...

    ...in order to isolate herself from a community...

    ...looking at that community  not as one in which she is EMPLOYED; but instead, as one in which SHE IS NOT TO BE QUESTIONED...

    ...relying on a hand picked association attorney who, in the opinion of many, looks at resident needs as subservient to her desires !


    Image result for cartoon attorney shark

    Past elected individuals whose "real life" experience is limited in needed aspects of proper management has allowed that to occur, and in numerous cases,  many of them lack the courage to admit their past experience does not allow them to properly guide her actions.

    These a not BAD PEOPLE; they are INCAPABLE PEOPLE !

    ...and the current  "machine" camp of "Old Guard" Board candidates are nothing more than a retread of "the past".

    None have ever been self-employed; all have been part of an "ivory tower" mentality of telling people WHAT TO DO, without ever having DONE IT THEMSELVES; that they believe their relevant experience results from their educational backgrounds; that "people" are their subjects, not their peers.

    Governing to those individuals must be accomplished by using a close minded "rule book", not by practical experience.


    Image result for rule book cartoon
    The result? 

    Giving free reign to an individual who has displayed:

    Excess expenditures without "checks & balance" safeguards !

    Irrational and unpopular compliance regulations !

    A lack of understanding the needs of senior citizens !

    On the reverse side of the coin is another camp, the "reformers"; the ones who say...

    ...we need to reevaluate our wants and needs.

    ...we need to be brought into the 21st century.

    ...we must enjoy our retirement experience...

    and

    ...we must provide an element that "machine" has not...


    Image result for common sense

    ...looking at yesterday; examining it thoroughly those the eyes of real life experience, and making necessary change with the community's needs being the #1 responsibility of governance.

    That is what self-employed individuals had to do to SURVIVE; they had no guaranteed income, did not squander assets they did not have, and "treated the company's money as if it were their own".

    That...is a new way of thinking...


    Image result for a new tradition

    ...one in which four of the candidates had successful histories of self-employment and one with decades of relevant property management experience.

    ...one where all received endorsements from former business associates.

    ...one which has believed  in open communication by establishing a website to answer questions on which they wish to judged.

    ...one which will never allow our community to be considered by a TV broadcaster a member of the HOA Hall of Shame...

    ...one who will keep their promises.

    ...one who cares about people.

    Vote New Tradition !

    Ballot Positions

    1-3-8-9-10

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