Let Them Eat Cake...Cheesecake !
A couple of months ago, the Sun City Anthem Board of Directors passed a budget showing a 2016 deficit of approximately $300,000, a somewhat troubling figure as we entered this new year.
Keep
that in mind as we proceed.
Someone
might want to remind our Association Board President, Bella Meese, that a
deficit means...
"the
coffers are emptying faster than they are being filled"
...and
that one might think twice about frivolously spending the almighty buck as a
result...
...unless
of course you're a bureaucrat who believes "the system owes you"
Along those lines...
Ever
wonder what Board members do on the same the day before board
meetings?
Normally
they have an executive session and follow that up with a nice
lunch.
I
have no problem with our association picking up a lunch tab for directors.
After all, it is a voluntary position, but...
WHAT I DO HAVE PROBLEM
WITH IS..
Where that lunch treat is
obtained and HOW MUCH it costs !
It
was recently learned that the Sun City Anthem President, Bella Meese, made the
determination that since Cafe V was no longer available, an excellent
alternative was..
Ever
been there? It's a wonderful place to have lunch....but....one thing for
sure.....
It Ain't Cheap !
...and
that's where this article is headed !
When
you check the internet for a restaurant's menu and the prices aren't included in
the listing....
That
normally means....BRING THE BANK ACCOUNT !
...and
from the "grapevine", rumor has it that this latest "business" luncheon that
included a board and "guests" ran up a tab of
about.....
$500.00
...and
you and I paid for it !
Of
course Mrs. Meese has
long demonstrated herself to be a"spend thrift" when it comes to Association
funds, hasn't she?
By
now you must have been living in a cave not to be aware of the thousands of dollars Bella Meese and various members of
the Board squandered on Cafe V and those buses right?
But...we
have a bit more for your "digestive" system....
Looks like we may have "politics" at work !
On
Friday, January 22nd Bella Meese was spotted at Buckmans Grill having
a "casual" luncheon with board candidate, Bob
Burch.
We
know that Mr. Burch, a candidate for the Sun
City Anthem Board election, is a "fan favorite" of a number of existing board
members...
...previously
meeting separately with David Berman and his
wife, in a desperate attempt to look for candidates who
support the "leadership" qualities that has been "exemplified" with
restaurants, buses, and the Liberty Center, over the past year by a number
of them.
..and
we know that Mr. Burch STRONGLY SUPPORTS this current board for the "excellent" job
they're shown in their spending habits...
...something
ALL OF YOU should remember when you cast that Director election ballot
!
So
we have a couple of questions to ask of Mrs. Meese and Mr. Burch
!
Was
that just a casual lunch or was there a specific purpose for it
?
Was
that the first time either of them had lunch in the past
?
Who
called who to have the lunch ?
Any
other Board candidates receive a luncheon invitation ?
Was
the upcoming election discussed in any way?
and
most importantly....
WHO
PICKED UP THE TAB FOR THE LUNCH ?
Was
it a personal expense or was a SUN CITY ANTHEM CREDIT CARD
USED...
...and if
cash or a personal credit card was used, WILL THAT BE SUBMITTED for
reimbursement by SUN CITY ANTHEM funds?
Well
now, I think that's an honest question that can be asked of a board
member expected to be impartial, and a board candidate who is looking to
"represent" the best interests of a community, don't
you?
And
getting back to that lunch ordered from The Cheesecake Factory
!!!!
I
certainly hope that was just a rumor !
After
all, Burger King would have cost about $50 at best!
And...all
of that can be simply answered by...
SENDING US THE PAID
RECEIPTS and CREDIT CARD STATEMENTS in order that we can PUBLISH IT for all to
see !
We're
not insinuating anything, but then again, if it was...
"our dough...we should
know"
...don't ya think ?
And
to you, our readers...here's another one we'd like to ask your
opinion.
Is
it ethical for a sitting Board member to meet separately with a candidate, or
does that somehow create some kind of partiality or conflict of
interest?
Anyone seen this guy?
As a result of this article, I have a feeling a few of our leaders might be !
Send
us an email.
Let
us know your thoughts.
scaopinions@gmail.com
Anthem Opinions Administration
Anthem Opinions Administration
-
From Rivka Wolf...to...Anthem Opinions
Why are you making such a big deal about a luncheon? Bob Burch is a person of his convictions I trust him thoroughly and will support him. It is a pity that when somebody new and informative wants to run for the board you immediately prejudge him because of a luncheon.
I suggest you set a more positive tone rather than a constant negative tone.
I hope you do print this email even though it might not be to your liking. -
Rivka,
Why wouldn't I print your comment?
I admire your supporting Bob Burch.
It certainly is in keeping with your past intuition as to your candidate choices.
I know how much you supported Bella Meese, and especially, Jean Capillupo, in the past.
Still feel you made a wise decision?
Or...could you have possibly made a mistake in light of all the matters that have been uncovered by Anthem Opinions FOR YOUR BENEFIT in order that they not take place again and again?
You really think a candidate that cuddles up to them and has a belief that this board has done an admiral job, would vote against their continued wasteful habits?
Somehow, we would very much like to understand your logic.
No Rivka, it's a shame you can't understand that voting for Bob Burch is another vote for the deeds of the "establishment" and everything they stand for...
...that a vote for him will CONTINUE the PAST.
Is that what you want?
And Rivka, there is a difference between a "negative" tone and a "realistic" one.
We look at the past, study it, and come to logical conclusions that are pretty much DEAD ON when it comes to accuracy.
Perhaps Anthem Opinions should give kudos for waste? -
From W.E.L...to...Anthem Opinions
Did I read that right?
Board members and guests at a lunch at Cheesecake Factory paid for by the membership?
How does one get on that list?
I sat on the board of directors for a 3,000 home community in California for seven years and not once was I provided with a free meal paid for by the membership.
As it should be.
Being a board member is just as voluntary as participation in a community club and we don't provide them with meals at membership expense.
Just another perk this board seems to be taking advantage of.
-
-
-
As a result of a our article, we have since learned some additional information, and clarification must be made of what was previously reported.
It was learned that the $500 was spent for multiple events for authorized purposes over a multi-month period.
We want to thank Director Carl Weinstein for this clarification and the prompt attention he gave to this matter.
Our investigation did bring out one other interesting fact, however.
Lunches paid at alternative locations were HALF the price charged by Cafe V.
Lunches at Cafe V were authorized by President Bella Meese despite other board members objecting to the high prices; however, those objections were overruled by her, resulting in paying TWICE what alternatives would have provided.
I would be interested in knowing :
1: how many board members were at the lunch, more than 3, I believe would make it an actual meeting if they talk association business.
2: how many guests in order for the bill to be so high.
We often eat at there and unless there have been a large group the bill rarely reaches such an amount.
This is where we show them the door and how it doesn't hit them in the a _ _ on their way out.
There should be a clause that allows for impeachment !
Misuse of funds is a clear reason and justifiable reason for such an action.
Marty,
Yours is not the first comment we have received regarding impeachment.
It is a difficult process, and with 716 members (from separate homes) signing such a petition to impeach an individual board member, it would then force a ballot where it would require 50% +1 (3573) to formally impeach.
That would be a momentous task, if not impossible task.
It wasn't always that way.
Up until a few years ago, Nevada regulations called for the same number to place the question on the ballot, but once that was accomplished, a simple majority of those who voted was needed to impeach.
We have "distinguished" lawyers who saw dollar signs in their eyes in making sure "bad apples" stayed in power to thank for that change, and it appears we have a number of board members who have more than embraced that change.
I hope all can learn a good lesson from this disturbing manner in which association funds are spent....
...look carefully at those who "cuddle up" to those with such an abysmal voting track record.
And we know of one.....Bob Burch.