If you received a copy of the March, 2021 Spirit, there was an insert describing the above that becomes effective April 1, 2021...
..and it ain't no April Fools Day joke !
Make no bones about this latest Board decision:
1. Sun City Anthem "Big Brother" will decide morality.
2. Sun City Anthem "Big Brother" is making a decision to curb your freedom of speech.
In summary, Sun City Anthem "Big Brother" ....
...is just another example of A CURRENT ADDITIONAL governing body, similar to most national and social media, saying WHAT YOU MAY SAY OR DO BASED ON HOW THEY DETERMINE MORALITY.
Let's examine this latest TRASH....and I mean TRASH...that likely cost the association THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN ATTORNEY FEES to make sure you SHUT UP and BE GOOD...in their estimation.
Section 3 on Page 2 states:
"The Board shall determine IN ITS SOLE DISCRETION, whether acts occurring in the association created a hostile environment or constitute harassment."
"Acts may be deemed to create a hostile environment or harassment regardless of whether they occur in person OR THROUGH OTHER COMMUNICATION MEDIUMS."
"Neither psychological nor physical harm must be demonstrated to prove that harassment or other conduct which may create a hostile environment occurred or exists."
Section 5 on Page 3 states:
"The amount of fine imposed to this section shall be determined AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS."
Now talk about a can of worms ???
The "Supreme Soviet" has spoken ...
...and it actually may have contributed to a community hostile environment in addition to the countless numbers of complaints filed that would take HOURS FOR A BOARD to hear.
In other words, the Board is the judge, jury, and EXECUTIONER.
Why am I bringing this to your attention now?
...Because THIS WAS obviously PRE-PLANNED and a SET-UP by six individual members of the Sun City Anthem Board of Directors either at their own doing, the association attorney, or the community C.E.O. some time ago without informing the community as to their doing so....
...for a reason none will disclose...
...and are likely scared to death about a certain blogger and his club buddy suing a community over what they attempted to portray as racial problems THAT NEVER EXISTED and only existed in their minds.
If you like this newest tactic, you have them to thank for not only this invasion of free speech, but the additional expense born by each and every association member.
Our Rules and Regulations already have existing language as to harassment...
NRS 116.31184 Threats, harassment and other conduct prohibited; penalty.
1. A community manager, an agent or employee of the community manager, a member of the executive board, an officer, employee or agent of an association, a unit’s owner or a guest or tenant of a unit’s owner shall not willfully and without legal authority threaten, harass or otherwise engage in a course of conduct against any other person who is the community manager of his or her common-interest community or an agent or employee of that community manager, a member of the executive board of his or her association, an officer, employee or agent of his or her association, another unit’s owner in his or her common-interest community or a guest or tenant of a unit’s owner in his or her common-interest community which:
(a) Causes harm or serious emotional distress, or the reasonable apprehension thereof, to that person; or
(b) Creates a hostile environment for that person.
2. A person who violates the provisions of subsection 1 is guilty of a misdemeanor.
...however, if you read them and compare them to these new "Big Brother" restrictions, one has to ask a simple question:
Why was this change necessary and why has any freedom of speech been attacked without due process ???
All we want is the truth.
That much all of us are more than entitled to receive, rather than a dictum signed and sealed without any community knowledge prior to doing so.
Note this "Big Brother" resolution becomes effective as of April 1, 2021.
Got a comment?
Send it to us at:
From Buddy Greenfield...to...Anthem Opinions
I see this being drafted and even suggested by the attorney as a way to increase his relevance and revenue. It is an over reach of authority.
This is another attempt to silence the blogs……you in particular.
Why not just tell the people that the board wants to hide under the umbrella of rules rather than to operate the community with brains and judgment.
I find this new Morality is a way to take our rights as an American away.
Does this extend to a neighbor complaining to the board about something his/her neighbor is doing that may her in violation of the rules of SCA but also paints that neighbor in a bad light?
Can you be sued/fined for standing up for your own rights as a citizen?
Doe that mean that free speech is NO LONGER unless you agree that the board of 7 blesses it?
What is the definition of harassment?
One complaint? Two complaints?
This new rule further makes our counsel more powerful, charging additional fees, and more control over this association.
From Paul Shea...to...Anthem Opinions
NOT A WELL THOUGHT OUT “PLAN.”
What they have done?
Answer:Pandora’s Box for multiple lawsuits.
And, they will LOSE.
He said, she said.
Then, HOA will raise dues to offset the payouts.
From Martin Shapiro...to...Anthem Opinions
Can anything be done about this morality junk?
Nothing other than recognize them for what they are:
Power hungry anti-Americans who care little about free speech.
From Peter Brown...to...Anthem Opinions
We are in this predicament because this community has failed to take serious notice of who they put on the Board of Directors; this time around there will not be an election for lack of interest.
Sadly, in general the Freedom of Speech is protection for people against government's.
Normally, courts allow restrictions on many freedoms if based on a contract;Yes when we accepted the Deed to our house we accepted the CC&R's and that is essentially a contract.
Some states have limited the HOA authority in these areas; I am currently unsure where Nevada and the NRS stands in this area.
Though I will look into the NRS, in the end we have a Board that continues to "march" to the legal counsel of this HOA.
From Jan Palermo...to...Anthem Opinions
BIG BROTHER on our BOD??????
CENSORSHIP of our FREE SPEECH in SCA???????
Someone, tell me this is a mistake/fake news!!!
I too got this "trash" as it made me guilty of something I never would have thought of, and was blamed by those who think we are all guilty of their problem.
I found their problem became an affront to us all in this community.
Now that this dictate, this law, is now on the books and is "official language" that we all must subscribe too, oh, and never forget... who they are because "they" have the power to constantly control us and our thoughts.
Shame on them! The nerve of them! The gall of them!
What's next?
Jan & Marty,
This is not what our fathers, their fathers, and their fathers, fought for, was it?
Is that what their wives and sisters believed when they saw them march off to war?
I'm sure if any were alive today, they would be so ashamed of this "new anti-American" attitude. It's disgraceful.
And what about you vets out there who served? What say you on this literal attack on America???
For any of you who believe this should be the future of our nation, let me assure you that there are numbers of us who would die first before we accept this as "normal" in this great land.
It has to do with the 4th commandment:
"Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother"
From Dan Roberts of The Vegas Voice as per his post on Anthem Today:
WELCOME TO NORTH KOREA
First they claim “confidentiality” that prohibits them from disclosing the truth. Then your Board and Management decided that they must investigate and “vet” any candidate to run for the Board (and residents “wonder” why no qualified SCA person would do so – but I digress).
Then if you don’t follow their gospel, they toss you off the Board.
Then they tell residents not to read what “bloggers” write about our SCA community. And now the latest – the notification that “your” SCA Board of Directors adopted a new “Anti-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy.”
Beginning to see a pattern?
I admit that their actions are ones that North Korean “ Little Rocket Man” Kim Jong-um would admire. For you see, the Board is now claiming it has the absolute and sole discretion to determine whether any statement/act creates a hostile environment or constitutes harassment.
No proof is needed (not even a hearing, although Nevada law requires it – but since when is our Board bound by any state or federal law?) and they are now prosecutor, judge, jury and executioner.
To an overwhelming number of residents, this is yet another reason to keep their mouths shut and not get involved.
But anybody doubt that the sole reason for this new and unnecessary policy (it’s already Nevada law and a part of our SCA Rules & Regulations) is to silence any question, criticism and/or discussion of Management and the Board?
Disagree with the Board’s actions? Surely it’s “harassment” and constitutes a hostile environment to our SCA community.
Want to question how much this new policy cost SCA for the Board to consult/obtain the opinion of legal counsel (which did nothing more than add new paperwork)? Don’t push it, since it just might be harassment, and besides, such information is “confidential.”
Of particular interest and amusement is that such harassment/hostile environment can now occur not only through verbal threats or bullying tactics but via other “communication mediums.”
Certainly, that cannot means the community blogs, could it?
It is the position of Anthem Today that such SCA absurd and embarrassing policy is null, void and “dead on arrival.” We will unconditionally stand behind our First Amendment Freedom of Press right – and besides this blog, will continue to speak out and disclose the facts, and our opinions on our:
Weekly Vegas Voice radio show (shameless plug – every Thursday from 11-12 noon, KSHP- AM 1440), AND
Monthly Vegas Voice magazine, AND
Now always “on” our (another shameless plug) dedicated YouTube channel (YouTube.com/c/VegasVoiceTV).
I also want to make clear that I am not asking to change slander/libel restrictions or even “shouting fire in a theater” statements against the Board.
But if the Board (or its attorney) hope that this policy will silence or frighten Anthem Today and its related blogs, or my Rana from speaking/writing about the truth they, once again screwed up. And if they want to run up legal fees, by all means we would be willing to be the “test” case.” Bring it on.
Actually the timing could not be better for us. My PILL (partner in love & life) started her new Vegas Voice YouTube segments – Rana’s Rants. Just last week, she asked me what she should discuss. And now….
I also want to remind the Board/Management that “Hell hath no fury and there is nothing more frightening than a determined Rana Goodman.”
By the way, the last person to challenge her on her right to speak “truth to so-call people with power” was a private guardian. By all means Board members, feel free to check with April Parks to verify my claim. Visiting hours are from 1-4 pm on Tuesdays.
I have now been a SCA resident for nearly 9 years, Rana 18 years. We both love living here, including our lifestyle, neighbors and now friends. And to quickly alleviate any push-back, it’s not Sun City Anthem that we are trashing, but the Board. Just shameful.
From Mary Lee Duley...to...Anthem Opinions
OMG….What next?????
Just when one thinks that things cannot get worse in SCA….duh!
It really breaks my heart to see this incredible community, now run by a bunch of idiots; that are doing more harm than help to it’s residents.
To say I’m thankful I’m no longer in Sun City Anthem and am happy to be in Sun City Georgetown, Texas, a WELL RUN ASSOCIATION, is an understatement.
There are no dictators here, in Sun City Georgetown, and the BOD takes seriously ALL suggestions from any and all owners.
Harmony is prevalent here and, again, the ongoing changes and additional rules and the board’s perception of what residents need in Sun City Anthem is really sad and deplorable.
Additional residents are leaving as they have “had it”, according to emails I receive and the feeling that some things will Never change continues.
I wish I had an answer or suggestions, but until the SCA Board of Directors listens to the RESIDENTS and put their egos aside, nothing will change.
From A. Shawn Hicks...to...Anthem Opinions
I read your article. I live in SCA. My first reaction was that I did not like the new policy either.
After researching the subject with other HOAs, I don’t think it is quite that simple.
There are some relatively new HUD (Housing and Urban Development) anti-harassment and anti-discrimination Rules that went into effect October 2016 which significantly impact HOAs.
Although many HOAs and their management dislike these new rules, it is important for HOAs to be aware of these new liability traps.
The kicker is that an HOA may be liable if they have the power to exercise control, but fail to do so.
One way to avoid the liability trap is to adopt anti-discrimination / anti-harassment policies, and to judiciously enforce them.
A legitimate (and mandatory) area for enforcement is quid-pro-quo and hostile environment cases. Quid-pro-quo is “this for that” which applies when someone says I will help you with X in exchange for sex.
The hostile environment cases do seem to be already covered by NRS 116, at least to a degree.
I read NRS 116.3118, which prohibits threats and harassment, but the harassment under that statute must be so severe that it “causes harm or serious emotional distress” or “creates a hostile enforcement.” Those are pretty high burdens.
When a person violates the statute, the remedy is a misdemeanor charge.
Police, however, don’t want to get involved in garden variety neighbor quarrels.
What about cases where a member is hostile to and curses at a staff person? What if they do the same to their neighbors?
You pointed out that the policy is a “Can O Worms.” You have a point. Much of it is vague.
What is “verbal abuse,” “intimidation,” “bullying,” “profane language,” and “unwelcome conduct”?
Those words seem vague to me.
Will we get a fine for swearing?
Will we get a fine for being critical of a board or management decision?
Will I get a fine for reading Dr. Seuss?
Who will be issuing the fines?
Who will hear an objection to the fine – Covenants? The Board? CLC?
I do agree that neighbors should be neighborly. We should not curse at our neighbors.
We should be respectful to all SCA staff, even if we think they made a mistake.
We should not berate someone because we do not like the political sign in their yard.
HUD is forcing HOAs down this road.
There is much to be worked out with this new policy and the HUD requirements.From Marcia Kosterka...to...Anthem Opinions
Being a former president of an HOA in another state for more years than SCA's current boards members collectively, I am not only appalled, but extremely angry at the constant and blatantly dysfunctional decisions spewing forth from this board.
As many of you know, several board members have been caught in lies, have consistently demonstrated selfishness in decisions that display total disregard for the residents in our community and their well-being, and only look upon us as a source to continually insult and waste our monies.
Furthermore, they have continually insulted our intelligence and expertise, caused continual strife and disregard our input and opinions.
This type of aberrant behavior if not stopped, will destroy our community.
Finally, taking orders from an individual who only seems to care about the enormous amount of money that is paid to him for his opinions, can only be labeled as lethal!
THIS MUST BE STOPPED ONCE AND FOR ALL!
Regardless of an individual’s political persuasion, we all love this country. What we love about it most are our freedoms. To live in a community that wants to take away those freedoms and override even the Nevada Statutes to determine right and wrong without due process is appalling.
I see the constant pleas for people to step up and volunteer in the community for committees and clubs. I know that many of the clubs have officers that have two rolls or officers that are repeating beyond the two-year limit because nobody will step up to replace them. This new policy further promotes friction among residents and will further deter residents from wanting to “get involved“.
There is nothing equitable or fair about this new policy. That is completely contrary to everything we know to be honest and right in this country.