Sun City Anthem Resident Attends
May 24, 2018 Board Meeting
to Address Liberty Center Pool Concerns
Disappointment Results
by
Samuel Novotny
Sun City Anthem Resident
The closing of the Liberty pool to swimmers while aerobics classes were on going, was not known to the general public, except to a few of us that received emails.
Most users found out when they showed up at the pool.
No announcement to the general public and as far as I know, no posting on SCA web site.
A few of us opted to attend the Board of Directors meeting on May 24, 2018 in hope to present our case and ask that the closing of the pool be discussed before the Health and Fitness committee.
This committee no longer exists and I believe the Management and Fitness entity took its place.
That means don’t bring any problems to the people that are part of the problem.
To my surprise, Management put the pool issue on the agenda.
They made an opening statement that the pool was closed because of a threat to me (author of this report), with police recommendation to ban every one from the pool while classes were going on.
Further, Management said they tried to resolve the issues, but could not get the two parties together and because of the threat and racial overtones.
I and one other party, could not question this statement at the time it was made.
At the conclusion of all board business, each person that cared to comment on any subject was given two minutes to make their statements or ask the Board questions. .
When it came to my turn, I asked the board on how many members knew the details behind the closing.
Three members knew something.
I asked the Board to reopen the pool and allow a public hearing to hear all sides of issue.
No reply was received.
After the closing of the meeting, I asked Sandy Seddon, Sun City Anthem General Manager, why she could not get the two sides together and was told that the other party did not want to meet with us.
Furthermore, she could not make them come to the meeting.
I then asked her to provide name(s) of who made the racial comment, but was told she would not.
Since a police report was filed and an investigation conducted, it is a matter of public record and I believe names of people are/should be made public.
I will have to consider legal action to obtain this information and possibly legal action against the person who made this a racial issue.
Let’s face it, the General Manager could have forced the other party(s) to meet with us, by simply stating that if they did not show up, she would close the classes taught by the instructor who’s class is causing the problems.
I then asked Sandy Seddon how I could start a petition to get the pool reopened.
I am considering doing a petition; but frankly, talking to the chairman after the meeting, indications are it would do no good.
I asked the chairman about where I can get financial information on how the classes get paid and who benefits.
I then asked, do the residents subsidize the aerobic classes?
He said yes, but it is very little.
Management had previously denied that we subsidized the classes.
The chairman also told me part of the decision to close the pool was because of similar action taken at Anthem.
This was due to the same instructor insisting that swimmers and talkers prevented her from conducting her class.
I pointed out that the two swim/walker lanes at Anthem were closed after strenuous objections by many in Anthem, but because we were assured that no classes would be conducted in any of the Liberty pools, nor children be allowed at those facilities, the decision was accepted.
It would take another recall election to get a board that listens to the community.
After the meeting, I felt like a woman that was raped and then blamed for dressing improperly and accused of “asking for it”.
A General Manager who cannot get two parties together to resolve issues and makes a lot more money than a two star general that is responsible for the lives of 15-20K soldiers and billions worth of equipment, in my eyes, should not be running this community.
Sorry, Sandy, you took the easy way out.
I will be filing a request to get the financial details about the financing of the classes, as well how much subsidizing is being done to pay fitness instructors.
I know we do subsidize clubs, but we should not be doing this for elective classes and personal instructions.
Anyone that has financial savvy and wants to assist in examining the books, I would appreciate their help.
That is, if we are not blocked from examining the books.
Contact me at:
I do thank the board and our General Manager for letting us express our views.
All parties conducted themselves in a dignified and calm manner.
However, next time a major issue comes up, I recommend adequate notice be given to the public so people can make plans to attend meetings and be given a lot more time than two minutes to express their anger or praise or ask questions.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Anthem Opinions thanks Mr. Novotny for his follow-up report.
Got a comment?
Send it to us at:
Since the heated pool at Liberty Center is classified as a therapeutic pool with certain accommodations for individuals with disabilities or medical conditions, such as arthritis or recovery from surgery (i.e physical therapy and its required at home exercises), perhaps the manager, board and all knowing well over budget attorney are treading on violations of the Federal ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act!
In reading your blog today, the woman who wrote the letter about the pool, indicated that the clubs were subsidized.
I have never heard this and I am curious what clubs are subsidized and how?
I am a member of the pan and mah jongg club and never heard anything about any money coming from anything, other than the dues it costs to belong.
Thanks for any light you and shed on this situation.
This is the most ridiculous issue that I have ever seen.
Shame on the Board.
Shame on Sandy Seddon.
Shame on the instructor and the people involved.
Because of their personal bias, anyone wishing to use our facilities when these few people are present, will be inconvenienced.
This sets a precedent that anyone that wants to complain without merit and wants to remain private and secretive, could destroy any of the amenities that SCA offers.
I cannot put in words the disappointment that I feel for all involved.
As to what the amount is, I believe that information can be obtained through a Document Request form.
Let us know if you pursue this matter. I'm sure most of our community is unaware that fitness instructors are association subsidized.
ANYTIME race is brought into the equation, you KNOW it's a desperate act on one party's part - mainly because that party's complaint is unfounded and without merit.......kind of like the 'little boy who cried Wolf'
Ergo: James Coleman's ridiculous "ethnicity" rant.
It accomplished nothing other than his being responsible along with his "blogger" pal, for bringing the ugly subject of "racism" into what has always been a "colorblind" community.
Another way to harm the residents!
Will this behavior ever stop?
What once was a wonderful place to live is now a dictatorship where owners are being taken advantage of while the manager laughs all the way to the bank.