Nevada Know How
Archives...Page Four
New Tradition Team
An Open Letter to the Residents
of
Sun City Anthem
This following was sent to the major Sun Anthem community blogs by the members of The New Tradition Team:
You may read the entire text of the message by clicking on the link below this heading:
As members of the New Tradition Team, we are sending this to David's Anthem Journal, Anthem Opinions, Anthem Today, and SCA View for publication on your respective blogs.
Thank you.
An Open Letter to Sun City Anthem
Residents
from
The New Tradition Team
It is lengthy; however, in our opinion, it is "straight from their hearts" as to what the 2019 Sun City Anthem Board of Directors election means to them and to our community.
It also appears as the top headline on the New Tradition web site:
It also appears as the top headline on the New Tradition web site:
Whatever or whoever you decide to represent us, we ask all of you one important favor:
Please vote !
___________________________
Sun City Anthem New Chief Financial Officer
Let's Take a Closer Look !
It certainly didn't take long before the Sun City Anthem Chief Financial Officer's replacement was found.
According to what has been written, 150 individuals were considered for the position and the choice to replace James Orlick was a gentleman named "Bing" O'Peek to fill the position.
This is how Mr. O'Peek was "sold" by Seddon & Company to Sun City Anthem residents as their top choice at the January, 2018 Board of Directors meeting:
"Bing’s background check has been completed, and he is here with us today, so I thought I’d introduce him. Bing’s accounting and financial experience spans more than twenty years and progresses to a role of V.P. of Finance. He has extensive background in the Construction Management and Gaming industries, as well as experience with Homeowner Associations. He has supervised numerous staff and been responsible for the financials of companies significantly larger than Sun City Anthem."
With that "commercial" in mind, we decided to do a bit of research.
We have no idea how the supposed 150 individuals were solicited: but by now, what you read from "official"community publications is often less than the FULL STORY...
...and in that tradition, this too follows suit.
Let's look at this "Seddon" choice, Bing O'Peek.
First and foremost, this financial executive is NOT a CPA.
Though it is stated he has HOA experience, none could be found.
If we are in error, we believe the Sun City Anthem community should be aware of the extent of his experience; namely when, where, and a description of his duties at the location or locations.
If we are in error, we believe the Sun City Anthem community should be aware of the extent of his experience; namely when, where, and a description of his duties at the location or locations.
He received a B.A. degree from Montana Tech of the University of Montana in Business Information Systems, Accounting, & Business-Management Computer Science in 1993.
He received his Masters Degree from The University of Phoenix in 2005....
...a degree from an online institution.
We found an interesting article about that particular "learning center" originally written in 2015 that we believed would be of interest to our readers:
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Should I take the University of Phoenix off my resume?
by ALISON GREEN on March 30, 2015
A Reader writes:
I’ve got an MBA from University of Phoenix and at first I was really proud of it. I’d worked really hard to get through the corporate finance classes. Marketing, management, human resources…it all seemed pretty standard stuff for an MBA, only with no PowerPoint presentations since everything was online.
I thought I should get some credit for being able to stick with a program independently.
Now University of Phoenix has a lot of bad press and it’s not going away. (I should never have to argue with a hiring manager that my school really is accredited, should I?)
Does having this degree on my resume make me look like I’m trying to scam the company?
I’ve had interviews, but I’ve basically been unemployed for two years.
I’ve actually gone back to school – University of Maryland this time – for an MS in Accounting. I’m sick of school. My education has never helped me to get a job. I don’t know what to do.
This might be controversial, but honestly, I’d seriously consider taking it off your resume. University of Phoenix has such a terrible reputation with most people that its presence on your resume can do more harm than good. Whether or not it’s true in your specific situation and with the specific education you received there, it signals to an awful lot of people “this person doesn’t have a sufficiently high bar for academics and/or doesn’t realize that this isn’t equivalent to a degree from a nonprofit, properly accredited, more rigorous school.”
So many hiring managers cringe when they see it on people’s resumes, and it’s so likely to raise questions about critical thinking skills and intellectual rigor, whether or not that’s justified, that in most cases it’s not going to worth having it on there. It’s intended to signal a plus (a degree!) but in many cases will end up signaling a minus.
I’m sorry!
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Next, we decided to check his previous employer, Grand Canyon Development Partners. His tenure with that organization began in March, 2018 as the Vice President of Finance.
As to why he decided to seek other employment after such a short period, that was not disclosed.
I suggest you click on the video included used to promote that firm that was established in 2005.
(After viewing it, I wondered if Bruno Mars approved using his song, "Uptown Funk" as the background)
Prior to that, he worked for Lucky Dragon Hotel & Casino....the place that opened its doors in November, 2016 and closed them in October, 2018. His resume stated he was employed from July, 2016 to February, 2018.
It states:
"During pre-opening I worked on closing out construction, helping complete Nevada gaming licensing, developed standard operating procedures for Casino, Hotel, Food and Beverage and General Operation divisions. Played key role in setting up hotel PMS, POS, gaming and accounting systems using many industry standard platforms including Infinium PL/GL, Straton Warren, IGT - Patron Management/Machine Accounting/Cage & Table Accounting and integrating the information for financial statement reporting. Worked on establishing insurance binders for complicated corporate structures. Establish operating budgets, credit card processing all banking structures and hired a new staff. Worked with a variety of both gaming and non-gaming vendors for operation equipment purchasing and leasing.
I currently manage Finance & Accounting, Financial Analysis & Planning, Purchasing, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Casino Accounting, Cage and Credit and Information Technology departments."
I currently manage Finance & Accounting, Financial Analysis & Planning, Purchasing, Accounts Payable, Payroll, Casino Accounting, Cage and Credit and Information Technology departments."
Here's the latest on The Lucky Dragon:
From Wikepedia:
"During July 2018, a letter of intent was signed between Fonfa's group and two companies – DeBartolo Development and Achieved Management – for a joint venture, at a bid price of $53 million.
Fonfa's group had presented several prospective buyers, including Dotty's and The Meruelo Group, but Snow Covered Capital became the new owner of the land through a credit bid.
Snow Covered Capital stated that the resort's operations "have been a dismal failure," stating that the hotel had lost approximately $200,000 for each month during the bankruptcy case.
Three days after the auction, lawyers for the resort filed a motion to close the hotel immediately and end payments to employees and vendors, with the closure intended to ensure an efficient transition of ownership to Snow Covered Capital.
With no bids made, Snow Covered Capital retained ownership of the Lucky Dragon"
Mr. O'Peek also worked for the SLS...formerly The Sahara Hotel.
Anyone been there with any regularity?
It's far from a "favorite" for Las Vegas tourism.
We decided to pursue this information with individuals in our community whose credentials were impeccable. Though we will not disclose the names of those who volunteered their comments, we nonetheless would like to share them with you.
From a Sun City Anthem resident and actively employed CPA:
"I am concerned this new CFO, based on his past experience appears to not have HOA accounting experience. He will have an enormous task of learning the accounting standards and Nevada Revised Statutes."
From a former California Attorney who recently retired and relocated to Sun City Anthem:
"As a member of the hiring committee at my former law firm, I can tell you that we would give little or no weight to such a degree when evaluating a candidate for hire."
Let's make sure our readers fully understand the purpose of this article.
It is not in any way an indictment of an individual; it's just additional information that perhaps should have been disclosed to our community prior to hiring, but was not.
This in turn brings up the following questions to the Sun City Anthem Board which I believe the community is entitled to know:
1. Was any of this information disclosed to you prior to this individual's approval?
2. If so, did any of you find this concerning? If not, why not?
3. Would you please explain how you would approve a Chief Financial Officer who is not a CPA?
The moral of this hire is simple, folks !
There is always more the story.
Got a comment?
Send it to us at:
_____________________________
Out of Control Spending
Has No End in Sight
with
"The Machine"
It's been a couple of very interesting days.
First, let's talk Board meeting !
On Thursday, The "Machine" Board voted to authorize an expenditure of up to $12,000 to pay for a restaurant consultant PLUS additional expenses added for travel and expenses to SCA meetings.
...a lame duck board approving this a day before the election ballots were sent !
...that the agreement was drafted February 7, 2019 a month and half ago, yet nothing had ever been mentioned to the community !
Check out pages 196-197 of the recent Board book and you see all the details...that were obviously "too unimportant" for property owners to know until it was approved.
Then we received the April, 2019 edition of the community Spirit Magazine for yet another surprise !
From the Chief Operating Officer Report:
Looks like we also have added full-time employees to the payroll as well !
1. A "Scheduling Coordinator" in the Activities Department
2. An employee promoted to yet another "Staff Accountant"
3. An employee promoted to "Accounts Specialist"
4. An "Accounts Payable Representative"
Add this to the Compliance "police" and it appears that we've likely seen an additional $150,000 to $200,000 to our association expenses when benefits are included.
And while we're on the subject of benefits...
Do you have any idea what Sun City Anthem provides their full-time employees?
Medical Insurance
(85% of the premium paid by property owners)
Dental Insurance
(85% of the premium paid by property owners)
Short-term Disability
(85% of the premium paid by property owners)
Long-term Disability
(85% of the premium paid by property owners)
The going employer paid percentage in those firms providing such benefits is currently 50% of the cost.
A 401(k) plan which provides a matching contribution of 100% of the first 3% of pay...with IMMEDIATE 100% VESTING OF EMPLOYER CONTRIBUTIONS.
In other words, an employee can leave following any contribution and take 100% of the employer funds without any length of service requirement.
This is referred to as a "safe harbor" plan, normally installed in family owned businesses where family members are the highest paid employees.
The average 401(k) plan has a vesting schedule based on years of service whereby an employee can take only a percentage of employer contributions prior to a specific period of time...
...that any amounts "non-vested" are returned to the employer to REDUCE their future costs.
Still think we don't need a change in Board?
Keep the "machine" and you'll be a part of their spending waste...
Want fiscal responsibility and a "line by line" audit" of each expense paid by YOU?
Vote New Tradition Team !
Rana Goodman
Karen Hadrick
Barry Goldstein
Larry Mayer
Bill Odelson
Ballot Positions:
1-3-8-9-10
Got a comment?
Send it to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
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From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions
While we're on the subject of "spending OUR money", I noted that at the recent 'Parking Lot Sale' held on 3/23 there were, once again, PAID HOA employees directing traffic along with VOLUNTEERS from the Community Patrol
So, my question is:
WHY are we paying (most likely overtime on a Saturday) to HOA employees, whereas in the past the Community Patrol provided the same traffic control for FREE? -
A two word answer, Robert:
SANDRA SEDDON
_________________________
Machine" Candidate "Meet & Greet" Invitations
Combining Dirty Campaigning with Arrogance
"Meet & Greet" invitations from individuals supporting candidates are commonplace in Sun City Anthem, and we believe those sessions are perhaps the best way in order to meet and get to know those who will represent you.
Those invitations this year are quite different from those in the past, particularly from those who we have referenced as the "machine".
In the cases we have been available to uncover through some of our readers having received and sent them to us, a disturbing trend seems to be "part of things" when it comes to "the machine" advocates.
They all seem to contain verbiage that vilifies those they oppose.
Here is a portion of one sent by FORMER SUN CITY ANTHEM BOARD PRESIDENT, JEAN CAPILLUPO and her husband.
Before you read it, I would like our readers to keep one point in mind as to the value of her commentary and those she heavily supports; namely ...the "machine"...her "machine"...
...and those of a blogger whose campaign articles have gone to such a depth, that both share this in common.
They say NOTHING as to why their candidates SHOULD BE ELECTED, instead only WHY OTHERS SHOULD NOT...
...and those of a blogger whose campaign articles have gone to such a depth, that both share this in common.
They say NOTHING as to why their candidates SHOULD BE ELECTED, instead only WHY OTHERS SHOULD NOT...
...the opponents of The New Tradition Team.
It was during her presidency alongside Rex Weddle that one day I attended a Board meeting after it was discovered that they and certain others on the Board authorized TWO $20,000 LOANS to the former restaurant operation, the second almost two years after the tenant was granted the lease.
Both were made with the following provisions.
1. The interest rate was below the prime rate.
2. The payment was to be a "balloon" whereby the entire amount is paid at the end of the loan period...nothing until that point in time.
Both loans defaulted and you and I as property owners, were held responsible for those losses.
When I learned of this, I asked Mrs. Capillupo a couple of questions:
1. Did you vet the individual(s) who requested the loans ?
The answer I received baffled me.
She stated that the "vetting" took place when the restaurant operator was originally granted the lease.
At which point, I said to her:
"That was 2 years ago. You mean to tell me that you didn't vet the 2nd loan other than what you knew two years prior to that?"
(Keep in mind, the first $20,000 loan was not being repaid; and the operator was in default on rent and utilities as well).
This was a tenant to grant an additional UNSECURED $20,000 loan from Association funds ?????
She said, YES...that I was correct !
To which point, I said to her:
"When you get a mortgage on a home, does a bank use CURRENT financial information, or data from 2 YEARS AGO?"
Needless to say, she had no answer.
That's right, no answer at all !
That silence and demonstration of complete lack of financial intelligence, cost us:
Now, this is an individual who makes this a part of her "Meet & Greet" invitation:
"In this very important election, our association is threatened by a different group of five candidates calling themselves the “New Tradition Team.” Their hope is to take over SCA and bring about certain changes that will have a very negative effect on our community. Three of these five candidates have no history of volunteering for our association, have not served on any standing committees and have not even been regular attendees at board or committee meetings.
I am aware that all is not perfect, but it is important to focus on the positive aspects of our wonderful community while consistently working to make improvements. Certainly, improvement in communication with residents is necessary, but radical surgery to our operation would be a mistake."
New Tradition invitations in no way CRITICIZE OTHER CANDIDATES. They have been positive messages without damning others who oppose them.
Now back to Mrs. Capillupo's criticism of four former successful self-employed individuals and another individual who had years of similar success in relevant property management....
She has the gall to say these individuals "threaten" the well-being our Sun City Anthem ?
...that their election would mean...
She has the gall to say these individuals "threaten" the well-being our Sun City Anthem ?
...that their election would mean...
"Radical surgery" to our operation ?
Yes, Mrs. Capillupo, they are a "threatening group", to individuals like you and your "machine" , who carelessly lost ...
...due to your obvious LACK of common sense and financial "expertise !
And that "radical surgery" you say they would "threaten" Sun City Anthem?
That "surgery" ...going line by line in examining all expenses that Sun City Anthem incurs...
...is just what the doctor ordered to cure the problems you and your "machine" have hidden over the years with a Band-Aid approach.
What we need now are individuals with proven business success and common sense.
Years of relevant business experience by The New Tradition would have seen that tenant for what they were , unreliable, delinquent tenants, that granting any loan knowing that information was ...
...something you and Rex Weddle.....
...and those you support...
...have yet to acknowledge to this day.
...have yet to acknowledge to this day.
Sun City Anthem must finally recognize that THESE TYPES OF ACTIONS must cease, and only those who are capable of recognizing them with the ability, determination, and INTEGRITY to solve those problems PAST AND CURRENT BOARDS have created and continue to justify...
...is the only solution to problems that will multiply if left to solve by those who created them.
...is the only solution to problems that will multiply if left to solve by those who created them.
Vote...
Vote...
"New Tradition Team !
Rana Goodman (1)
Karen Hadrick (3)
Barry Goldstein (8)
Karen Hadrick (3)
Barry Goldstein (8)
Larry Mayer (9)
Bill Odelson (10)
Bill Odelson (10)
_______________________
The Disturbing Response
to
Vegas Voice Publisher's Plea
for a
"Clean"
Sun City Anthem Election
Sun City Anthem Election
Anthem Opinions published a letter sent to us from Vegas Voice publisher, Dan Roberts.
He had originally posted this plea on the Anthem Today forum and addressed it to the following Sun City Anthem Board candidates:
Rex Weddle
Forrest Quinn
David Weil
Arthur Schuetz
Paul Perlstein
Candidates Rex Weddle and Forrest Quinn had to have received that post since both are subscribers to that publication and obtain all new article eblasts.
We would also believe that Weil, Schuetz, and Perstein were also made aware of it since they often criticize blogs for "misinformation" and knowingly have contact with the blogger who supports them...
...the same one who almost daily is obsessed with vilifying The New Tradition Team....
...and whose commentary has now proven to substantially consist of statements that he himself made and disguised as originating from parties other than himself.
Though we will not reprint the entire email ( you can view the full context) by clicking:
...Mr. Robert's post was merely a plea for civility in the Sun City Anthem Board election.
It included the following verbiage:
"We are all well aware of that community blogger supporting your endeavors. And that’s okay.
But it is the mean-spirited, nasty tone and content of the writings that concerns me. My dilemma is that while I truly believe you are all “gentlemen” I cannot understand how you can sanction, yet alone approve such hateful writings.
While I have no doubt that you have communicated with this blogger (and of course, there is nothing wrong about that) I cannot believe that you have not urged this blogger to (at the very least) lower the overly aggressive, shameful and personal attacks on the “other” candidates – starting with my Rana.
As a matter of character I can’t determine what would be worse – your approval of the wording, or your silence?
In the utmost of good faith I would like to hear from you.
Notwithstanding the clear policy differences, do you approve of the tone and obvious animosity of this supporter/blogger? Is this type of behavior one that our SCA community should be proud of and embrace?"
It has been a week since that article was posted.
What was their response?
Draw you own conclusions as to their obvious support for such demeaning commentary, as well as, their pledge of "open communication".
Is this how you want Sun City Anthem to be represented?
Time for change !
New Tradition Team
Rana Goodman
Karen Hadrick
Barry Goldstein
Larry Mayer
Bill Odelson
Ballot Positions 1-3-8-9-10
Got a comment?
Send it to:
scaopinions@gmail.com
-
From Marty Winger...to...Anthem Opinions
Your recent blog certainly made sense as I read it. Dan Roberts asked everything to be both above board an well as honest. Surely not a big deal if you are dealing with rational people, but are we?
I can’t say who is or who would “play the game” if push comes to shove when things (as they seem to always do) happen.
When it comes to the Vermin guy you just never know what to expect.
Now him being the $10K guy (a recent win at GVR) gives him more in your face proof that he knows what’s best for both the community and everyone who is in his purview.
Past history haunts this guy, and it for sure karma works too.
What I find odd is the limited response’s on his blog.
Usually he needs to add fictitious names as we have seen in the past or the same old tired folks responding to his collective.
Best of luck to Dan Roberts and his wishes.
I hope people will see what he is talking about and elect the new team.
_______________________
What Every Owner Should Know about Restaurant Space
Our Choice Between Expensive and Expensive
(The Real Version)
On Monday, March 18, 2019 an eblast was sent to Sun City Anthem residents that obviously was geared to persuade them to support the current "machine" candidates in their unrelenting quest to have all of us "gleefully" pay for a restaurant that even they acknowledge, cannot exist without YOUR BUCKS...many of your BUCKS....TODAY, TOMORROW, AND FOREVER !
That propaganda piece was just that...propaganda, and like just about everything the "machine" refuses to tell you, it has more holes than Swiss cheese. Let's look at some of them.
How about we look at this "cheesy" explanation?
At least it started out somewhat honestly by finally acknowledging that the total of 7,500 square feet consists of 4,200 square ft. of eating space and bar area and 3,300 square ft. of kitchen, but that's about as far as the honesty travels.
And if it all stopped there and didn't go down the "yellow brick road" they are attempting to send you, all might be fine.
But...as you know, when Dorothy finally met the Wizard, he turned out to be a fraudulent carnival barker who fell from the sky in a balloon.
It took a while to discover his fraud because of all the hidden carnival tricks he employed, but it all ended with Dorothy clicking her heels and suddenly finding herself back home to reality.
But..it didn't cost her or the "munchkins" $250,000 EACH AND EVERY YEAR for the "ride" !
Well, this latest piece by the Sun City Anthem Board must have descended from that same Wizard...that fraudulent guy, who ended up back in the air with his balloon to an unknown location.
So let's see what our "wizard" or "wizards" dreamed up when they descended on our "Oz".
For years the annual crowning of our "wizards" brought one restaurant in after another, and one after another, all went the way of the Wizard's balloon.
Yet they continued to inflate the same balloon again and again, filling it with hot air year after year, until they finally came to the conclusion that the balloon wasn't working and had to be abandoned...
...or saved for a rainy day...
...if the "munchkins" would finally come to the conclusion that the Wizard was a fraud.
That's where we are today with the "uninformed", folks.
We've become a modern day version of Oz filled with "munchkins" ....
...who just go along their merry way believing a wizard or group of them, is treating all of us as they would themselves, enjoying the benefits of Oz.
Yet in reality, the balloon is all set to burst with the hot air that's been expelled.
Yet in reality, the balloon is all set to burst with the hot air that's been expelled.
They tell you that a subsidized restaurant is a common HOA practice, but they don't tell you where that exists in the Las Vegas valley, do they?
Some even claim "it's typical of a Del Webb community"...
...and...that one is laughable.
Got some news for those folks...we've not been a Del Webb community for years. We're an independent community that has to pay its own bills without a mega firm supporting us in any way !
The "wizards" tell you that the costs of maintaining the restaurant section of "Oz" is $100,000 per year, a figure that has never been professionally verified.
Just where do they come up with that number?
What formal bids were submitted, how many, and why weren't some "home grown experts" that spent their lives in that industry ever consulted "to keep everyone honest"?
Oops, forgot that's what The New Tradition Team wants to do, not the "wizards".
The New Tradition Team would ask "experts" in our community for assistance in verifying that cost and examine all bids before a vote is taken...
...kind of like a "checks & balance system" rather than one individual obtaining bids from three "favorites" and the inexperienced "wizards" rubber stamping their approval.
And what would we be getting for the $100,000?
Tell me one person in the current "wizardry...a.k.a. machine" that can determine if a bid is one that has all the "i's" dotted and the "t's" crossed.
Then they state that of the 50% of those who were polled, residents chose to have a restaurant by a 2-1 margin.
What that poll didn't do was allow any form of opponent argument.
The New Tradition Team would have welcomed that idea. It was fair and the right thing to do, considering the magnitude of the decision on 7,144 homes, but the "wizards"?
Well, they didn't bother when asked to do so. Their attitude was:
"Why? We know better than any munchkins"!
In other words the "wizards" decided to ignore any bothersome details, and unfortunately the munchkins swallowed it hook, line, and sinker. After all, "They are... The Great & Powerful Oz" aren't they?
Fine, so much for common sense.
After the poll they decided to "vet" (cough cough) various chosen vendors, ignoring one who was going to spend $700,000 for remodeling, $3,000 per month in rent, and pay all the utilities !
...on the basis that he wanted to be open 24/7 !
Really ?
Take a pass on someone who is willing to drop $700,000 as a start-up and pay rent and utilities?
And the munchkins just smiled because they believed that was the right thing to do because "The Great & Powerful Oz" said it was !
The New Tradition Team on the other hand, would likely have said:
"Hmmm...a guy who is willing to drop 700 Large believes a senior community where Mr. & Mrs. Old Codger go to bed a 10:00pm, is demanding 24/7 hours, is a problem?"
My guess is that once that was realized, paying costs for an all-night bar with video machines might have had them rethinking "profitabliity" and eventually reduced those hours.
...but by that time....
We Would Have Had the Money !
...and not have had to ask a community for a dime other than what they would spend to eat there !
Then again, that logic comes from someone who was in the business world, those in a New Tradition Team, which of course means little to bureaucratic "wizards" who believe they know everything, until they have to cover their mistakes with INCREASED ASSESSMENTS.
Instead the "wizards" decided that we should go for one who would pay ZILCH and cost us $250,000 each and every year FOREVER !
Anyone believe that logic was taught at Harvard or Wharton ?
That's probably where the "wizards" went to school, and that's why all of them worked for someone else their whole lives !
The New Tradition Team on the other hand, grew up in the trenches as independent business people who learned how to survive attending "The School of Hard Knocks" where a degree was stamped with entrepreneurial honors, glaring at their desks at the plaque that read...
"The World is Filled With Intelligent Derelicts"
...thinking about the "wizards" who preceded them !
On top of that, the "wizards", in their infinite wisdom, also threw in the kitchen sink as in large TVs, DirecTV, linen cleaning, and free advertising, initially promising to give them top billing in the Spirit magazine, while dumping a law firm's month advertising fees paid to it.
Then, it's discovered that the "wizards" chose a tenant with a history of bankruptcy...discovered by that damn Anthem Opinions blog...the one always accused of spreading misinformation...
...something that "the wizards" likely would have paid a consultant $25,000 for a google search recommended by the association attorney.
Somehow that never made "the poll" did it?
Now you have two of them running for reelection alongside another one on a Finance Committee, who actually believe that poll was on the "up and up".
Rex Weddle, Forrest Quinn, and Arthur Scheutz !
Those factors never seem to come out when you're dealing with "wizards" who are ex-carnival barkers do they?
...or from the ruthless blogger whose history included fleecing a client !
The New Tradition Team has had to dispel all the rumor mongering about being anti-restaurant, but that doesn't seem to mean much to the candidate "wizards".
They'll tell you that if you elect them, it ain't gonna happen; when in reality, that "Wharton" degree the "wizards" boast of, hasn't allowed many of them to read the very first New Tradition platform item which states:
Develop a Food & Beverage Service that SCA Residents will support Without Permanent Long-Term Subsidies
Oh well, while a New Tradition Team says "we'll meet a new tenant part of the way for a specified duration", the "machine" says "Let's pay forever".
Which do you believe is in the best financial interests of an independent organization whose lifestyle is based on a dues paying membership"?
Which economic philosophy do you share ?
And to some of you in Sun City Anthem, stop being "munchkins" and realize that these existing "wizards" need to get back in the balloon they arrived in, and float away to a land called "Reality".
What have you got to lose that they haven't already given away ?
Vote New Tradition Team !
Ballot Position
1-3-8-9-10
Got a comment? Send it to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
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From Valerie Lapin...to...Anthem Opinions
Excellent information! -
From Marty Winger...to...Anthem Opinions
Hi Dick,
Simply, the one question I have is; how much does a place rent for per square foot?
Pick anywhere.
Pick a competitive place like along Decatur or Rainbow, or now that you have a clue???
Businesses know that it’s a part of doing business, to rent a place of business, so why give away everything like they always have?
Of course in this case they give away the pots, pans and space too.
How do you convince “them” to show us reality?
Let’s get some enjoyment out of this space and give it to Sandy!
Don’t modify or change it in any way either.
YES, I’m being facetious so D. Vermin won’t put me in his proverbial barrel again (so what).
In any event she’ll have a Las Vegas view from her new office. -
Marty, in light of the personality she seems to demonstrate toward residents, I think a great office for her would be to make her presence more available to those who pay her salary.
How about putting a white sheet over some cardboard on one of the billiard tables in the gallery with a folding chair with an adjoining pay telephone booth?
If she wants to RENT a more attractive location, she has over $250,000 to do it with.
She'd have a great view of The Las Vegas Strip !
What do you think ??? -
From Marty Winger...to...Anthem Opinions
I agree Dick.
She has her "golden tower" to hide in and make her amazing "intelligent" decisions.
Moving her for all to see is a wonderful distraction.
I'd bet (if l was a betting man living in a betting town) she eventually would say, "hasta la vista, Anthem."
I wonder what decisions she has made to prove to us why she is worth more than a city manager, and a big city at that.
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_______________________
Former Sun City Anthem Director
Begging for Money
to Continue "Machine" Control of Sun City Anthem Board
Anthem Opinions received an email from a reader sent from a former member of the Sun City Anthem Board of Directors to fellow members of his "machine" group...begging for money !
Of course This" begging" includes negative commentary to The New Tradition Team, rather than anything positive about his "machine" endorsements.
"Send us money, don't question who or why we want your vote, besides the other guys are bums", right Mr. Carey?
Folks, remember who agrees with him...and the "INTREGITY (sic) this individual has demonstrated in his continual rants that have shown any individual how much inner rage exists in a person who laughingly says others demonstrate hatred !
Send those bucks off today, folks.
This is what you'll be supporting:
What we find amusing is that his email misspelled the word "integrity".
We've highlighted his version of the word in the below referenced email he sent out to his fellow "machiners"...
...something the New Tradition Team knows exactly how to spell and DEMONSTRATE, if elected to the Sun City Anthem Board.
Sorry Mr. Carey, we think your ability to spell a word in the manner in which you did, clearly explains the manner in which your "machine" has demonstrated it to our community.
Dr. Freud likely would have had a field day with this one !
Nice try, Mr. Carey, The New Tradition Team" knows "integrity" when they see it, and they know how to spell it too, and all of their monetary donations were made without BEGGING in any way, unlike yours.
Why? Because of your "machine's" history of demonstrating a complete lack of it, much less knowing how to spell it !
Hey Mike? Guess what day it is?
A new day with a New Tradition while restoring Old Values your "machine" seems to have abandoned !
From: Mike Carey
To: Mike Carey
Sent: Wed, Mar 13, 2019 3:55 pm
Subject: SCA Board Election: Donations to help candidates with intregity
Sun City Anthem is facing its most important election with a well funded campaign of misinformation from the New-Traditions team.
A group of former and existing board members will mail to each home owner a mailer supporting five candidates who we believe will govern with integrity and responsibility.
This mailing will cost a lot of money and your help is needed. If you want to help, please send a check made out to “Michael L Carey”:
Michael L. Carey
1656 Williamsport St
Henderson, NV 89052
Please forward this e-mail to any SCA Member who you feel will also want to contribute to this important effort.
Vote New Tradition Team:
Got money? Send it to the Salvation Army !
Ballot Positions
1-3-8-9-10
1-3-8-9-10
Got money? Send it to the Salvation Army !
Got a comment?
Send it to:
scaopinions@gmail.com
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From Valerie Lapin...to...Anthem Opinions
Thank you for publishing David Berman’s demise as a lawyer in Massachusetts where he resided previously when he practiced law.
It is important that the SCA community learn just who this individual that has so much clout here in SCA is.
He has successfully garnered followers who are unaware of his past behavior.
Past behavior is indicative of future behavior.
How he has been able to hide his past will no longer work in his favor.
This individual has had too much power to influence our community and elections.
Think about it folks, are you still willing to accept the words of such an individual, or do you want to listen to and be rewarded with individuals at the helm that are honest and willing to make our community one that is run for the welfare of the owners?
You be the judge!
The New Tradition Team offers a new beginning to our community. -
Valerie,
If there was any question as to his ever changing the type of individual evidenced in his past, the manner in which his rude and vicious attacks on The New Tradition Team, as well as so many others in our community over the years, has proven one thing:
"A Leopard Can't Change its Spots"
or perhaps a better way of saying it is:
"A Skunk Still Stinks No Matter How Cute It First Appears to You" -
From Mary Lee Duley...to...Anthem Opinions
Why on earth would David Berman post ANYTHING from A distraught resident with no name (???) about someone else (without a name but referencing candidates(??) of an opposing side??
My TX phone has been ringing of the wall with residents saying “No names, no verification, just another lie from one of David's Anthem Journal followers attempting to get attention at any cost??
Any SCA resident with a Brain will not listen to the constant spewing of nasty remarks about other SCA residents on David's Anthem Journal.
This type of lie and negative rhetoric is so unnecessary and has caused the entire SCA community's reputation to suffer.
How sad!
Wishing the New Tradition candidates the best of luck!
Residents should contact every candidate directly, and not read or listen to this type of ignorant nonsense.
Some things and people never seem to learn from their past inexcusable behavior.
IF a resident has a comment, their names should be posted OR bloggers should NOT allow “anonymous” postings, in my opinion.
Professional dialogue helps everyone, yet these types of postings are hurtful and disgusting and exceptionally Unprofessional!
Happy to be living in a community where there is mutual respect for all! - Happy to be living in a community where there is mutual respect for all!
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From Robert Smith...Retired Deputy Director, County Surveyor, Los Angeles County, Dept of Public Works...to...Anthem Opinions
Regarding Attorney Marty Greenblatt's Legal Assessment:
Sage comments from a competent & still coherent Attorney…
Judging from his informative observation/ arguments…
Seems like Yogi said, “when you reach the fork in the road, take it”…
Metaphorically speaking I believe our residents have reached that point…
It appears our present Board is loath to act on their own good judgement and continues to spend money on legal counsel and a manager rather than stand on their own wisdom and thoughtfulness…
...fearing the consequences of responsibility for their actions…
Let’s not continue to permit, "the tail to wag the dog” and change leadership.
Maybe, just maybe, we will choose the best direction to continue past the “ Y”…
Admittedly a crap shoot but I’m fed up with the restaurant situation.
Another simple example; Couple of weeks ago a large tree branch broke off in the median on Anthem Pkwy, and laid out in the edge of the fast lane being crunched up for at least a week…
...before the crumbs and what remained was picked up, by who knows whom.
I’ve been a home owner in Anthem the past 15+ years and have never witnessed more pathetic actions by our leadership…
Board, Management, Counsel…
Take the ”Y”...
Thank you Anthem Opinions for your tireless attempt to reach out to our ownership…
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__________________________
From the Heart
or
or
From the "Machine"
It has come to our attention that an invitation was sent to those in Pinnacle Village from Bernard Horton, a member of the Sun City Anthem Finance Committee....also a staunch member of "The Machine".
Mr. Horton has the right as any Sun City Anthem owner, to invite whomever he chooses to his affair, and for that I commend his generosity for opening his home to candidates he supports.
What I do find concerning is his apparent need to condemn other candidates, namely those affiliated with The New Tradition Team.
Let's begin with his view of The New Tradition Team. States Mr. Horton in his invitation:
"They seek control of the HOA Board for change. Unfortunately I know many of the Team are not informed about how things really work or the facts about certain matters in running our SCA city"
And to that comment, let me respond to him as follows:
Mr. Horton, you are absolutely correct in your statement that they wish to take control of the HOA Board for "change".
...and that "change" is exactly the reason for their deciding to be candidates for the Sun City Anthem Board.
It is the actions of the current administration that they believe require a reexamination of community leadership, and unlike many others in the community who sit idly by, have made a decision to serve their association in a Board director position.
For some reason, you feel that commitment must be criticized, and to all of them, the dedication to that commitment, means "change".
It is the actions of the current administration that they believe require a reexamination of community leadership, and unlike many others in the community who sit idly by, have made a decision to serve their association in a Board director position.
For some reason, you feel that commitment must be criticized, and to all of them, the dedication to that commitment, means "change".
Sir, it is more than obvious that you want the status quo, as evidenced by your endorsement of "the machine".
Now, readers, let's all remember that Mr. Horton is a member of the Sun City Anthem FINANCE COMMITTEE appointed by "The Machine" and who, according to those who appointed him, is an individual who can best be trusted with providing SOUND FINANCIAL ADVICE to a community.
How about looking at a few the accomplishments of "the Machine" you seem to endorse, and believe should continue, Mr. Horton:
1. Unlimited resident subsidization of a restaurant that included, but was not limited to: FREE rent, FREE utilities, FREE advertising, FREE linen service, FREE DirecTV service, and initially granting a deal with an organization that had a history of BANKRUPTCY, allowing renters the opportunity to be included in a poll that also did not allow ANY ALTERNATIVE COMMENTARY.
2. Giving a contract to a General Manager without informing a community HOW LONG it will remain in force, or for that matter, ANY information as to it's contents, and most importantly, NO INFORMATION as to its cost to the community.
3. Attorney fees that have substantially increased year after year that are well ABOVE THE BUDGET you approved to be submitted to the Board for approval.
Mr. Horton, we note that you also support Arthur Schuetz, a fellow member of the Finance Committee, also appointed by "The Machine", and Forrest Quinn, the current Sun City Anthem Treasurer and "Machine" extraordinaire.
Obiviously they too agree that the above acts I have referenced, represent FINANCIAL EXPERTISE that should continue to guide the financial security of our community.
Obiviously they too agree that the above acts I have referenced, represent FINANCIAL EXPERTISE that should continue to guide the financial security of our community.
On top of that, we also note that you also support Rex Weddle, a man who received in excess of 40% of the vote to remove him from office, the individual who had more votes than any other removal nominee, despite the manner in which that unethical election which your "Machine" sanctioned, was handled by an outside firm, sending ballots in envelopes that didn't even reference it was official Sun City Anthem business...
...costing our community $85,000 for something WEDDLE AND QUINN AUTHORIZED AND PAID FOR, and to this day, PUBLICLY STATE OTHERS WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST.
Who wrote the check, Mr. Horton, and who signed it, the recall supporters or those YOU ENDORSE?
Ever hear the saying:
Ever hear the saying:
You see, Mr. Horton, LOSERS blame others, while WINNERS accept their mistakes, apologize for them, and pledge never to make them again.
Ever hear any of your candidates apologize for anything, or do their egos prevent them from doing so?
Now let's take a look at those who you condemn, Mr, Horton, because you also state that electing these individuals would represent "radical surgery that could have a negative impact on our property values".
Rana Goodman
(a woman who has more compassion for human beings in her pinky finger than any of those you endorse)
She was responsible for saving scores of seniors from the predatory guardianship laws that prevailed in Nevada through her dedication to that cause.
Having that type of person, Mr. Horton, doesn't harm a community's property values, it ENHANCES THEM by housing a person having an impeccable reputation in a senior community. She was also self-employed and has a business background.
Barry Goldstein
A man whose financial expertise was responsible for properly auditing a former restaurant's insurance coverage to protect the financial security of a community he was committed to ETHICALLY serve, yet for that service, was criticized by former members of YOUR FINANCE COMMITTEE AND former BOARD for doing so. He too was self-employed and to this day, his son continues to run a successful business he founded.
Larry Mayer
Here is a man who owned and operated 3 successful Pet businesses in the Pittsburgh area, negotiating leases, and successfully competing with other giants that included "Petco", the only self-employed business person appointed by a Pennsylvania governmental commission responsible for drafting that state's "Dog Laws", and all the while, offering employment to numerous kids helping them finance college expenses.
Bill Odelson
Here is a man who has years of experience in the food industry, a man who was the president of a shopping mall tenant's association for years until his retirement, and offers practical experience that only a person "in the trenches" for years can bring to a community.
Karen Hadrick
Here is a woman who has years of experience in Property Management, and whose ability to look at waste, and offering REALISTIC SOLUTIONS to curtail it, is second to none. Karen was the individual who discovered the former bankruptcy of the last restaurant operator, YOU, YOUR FINANCE COMMITTEE, and FAVORED CANDIDATES seemed incapable...or...refused to admit...existed.
Mr. Horton, which of your candidates have been self-employed, paid employee salaries and benefits, and negotiated and signed leases using their OWN FUNDS? To our knowledge, none can make that claim.
Mr. Horton, which of your candidates have been self-employed, paid employee salaries and benefits, and negotiated and signed leases using their OWN FUNDS? To our knowledge, none can make that claim.
Mr. Horton, I'll take "those who have been there and done it" over any group who tell you "HOW TO DO IT BUT, NEVER HAVE DONE IT SUCCESSFULLY THEMSELVES".
And how's this one, Mr. Horton...
What does it say about credibility and confidence in their abilities when their main support comes a blogger and those who believe his words, a person whose background includes:
Ever hear either of these sayings, Mr. Horton?
And how's this one, Mr. Horton...
What does it say about credibility and confidence in their abilities when their main support comes a blogger and those who believe his words, a person whose background includes:
Ever hear either of these sayings, Mr. Horton?
The track record of those you seem to believe can best represent our community have allowed Sun City Anthem to fall from the #1 rated active adult senior community in country to completely being removed from the Top 55 list.
Mr. Horton, that is reality and those in an "Ivory Tower"...the "Machine"...the ones who have allowed all this to happen...the ones you believe must continue to do so in the next two years.
You see, Mr. Horton, there is one additional advantage that The New Tradition Team candidates may claim that yours can't...
...a kindness and willingness to answer questions from a community that obviously you and your only spokesman, seem to believe are not worthy of their taking the time to answer in a cordial manner.
And that sir, in the minds of many, really differentiates the parties involved.
You see, Mr. Horton, there is one additional advantage that The New Tradition Team candidates may claim that yours can't...
...a kindness and willingness to answer questions from a community that obviously you and your only spokesman, seem to believe are not worthy of their taking the time to answer in a cordial manner.
And that sir, in the minds of many, really differentiates the parties involved.
Got a comment?
Send to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
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From Marty Greenblatt...Attorney
Having just reread the statement of facts in the bar disciplinary proceeding, you may find interesting my perspective as a long time Massachusetts practitioner.
While the creation and attempt to use a so-called license to sell decree with the forged signature of a probate court judge, coupled with a counterfeit release of tax lien by the Department of Revenue are in and of themselves egregious breaches of legal ethics, the practical effect of this deception could have really injured an innocent purchaser of the property.
In those days, it was not the customary practice in Massachusetts to use escrow companies and title insurers as we do here, but rather to rely on the lawyers for the purchaser and the lender to conduct title searches and render title opinions.
I suspect that it was Mr. Mimno, the bank counsel, that spotted the phony documents and then reported the offense to the Board of Bar Overseers.
Had that not been caught, the purchaser of the property would have received a title with a "cloud" on it that could have cost thousands of dollars and much time to remove through court proceedings when the deception was ultimately discovered.
Despite all the "lawyer jokes" (some of which are deserved, but most are not) lawyers are bound by strict ethical codes and what was done here not only is unethical, but could have had serious consequences for the buyer and the mortgage lender by rendering the title defective.
The most common cause for lawyer discipline is misappropriation of clients' trust funds, and this sort of wrongdoing is in my experience highly unusual. -
From Valerie Lapin...to...Anthem Opinions
Excellent factual rebuttal. -
Apparently the current Board and General Manager are all following the 'Golden Rule': "The guy with the gold makes the rules"....unfortunately it's OUR gold.
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From Elizaberth Breier...Past President of the Mah Jongg Club...to...Anthem Opinions
For some reason unclear to me that the New Traditions Team of 5 candidates is being labeled as The Arendt Team.
IF that were true, I would ask, “So what?”
Certainly that would then make the 5 candidates whose names all appear on a red business card that’s being distributed, as the “Berman” Team.
Those are the candidates that “the other blogger” is supporting and for whom he has glowing comments.
Unlike The New Traditions Team and their supporters who are constantly attacked by the "Master Baiter" and his cronies, who has made this election a “them” vs “us” election?
Some folks aren’t satisfied unless they are creating unnecessary turmoil.
I DO know the 5 individuals of The New Traditions Team, and they are 5 distinct individuals who all think and speak for themselves and no one is telling them what to say.
However, a member of the current board that is running to be elected, yet again, is deeply embedded with the “other blogger”, so much so, that the candidate has, as an endorser on his flyer, one very close friend of “the other blogger”.
Trouble is, that person is a renter in Sun City.
So we know where those “other 5” take their marching orders from.
Each household should vote for the candidates they personally support and not get in the middle of invented wars or vote based on what one other person tells them, unless of course the voters can’t think for themselves.
That’s the “other bloggers” accusation of The New Traditions candidates (Goodman, Hadrick, Goldstein, Mayer and Odelson), that they are a team controlled by someone else and can’t think for themselves.
They actually each present themselves very well at the numerous gatherings that are well attended by enthusiastic unit owners almost daily and sometimes twice a day.
So maybe their are some independent thinkers in Sun City after all! -
Liz,
A Very interesting and appropriate new name for Mr. Berman in light of his constant pounding away at Anthem Opinions instead of having his chosen candidates speak for themselves.
We'll stick to what really counts...the candidates and what each offers to community.
But thanks for the chuckle for yet another nickname for Mr. B. -
From Matt Horween...to...Anthem Opinions
The GM and the Board and the attorney intentionally inflated the cost of the recall by hiring an outside CPA firm for big bucks and of course other expenses like legal fees. -
Got a real chuckle about the Bob Burch "expert" commentary.
Unfortunately, we all know that the petition totals were invalid after Clark County Records indicated the $85,000 Audit Firm neglected to correct them when 55 owner signatures were incorrectly removed as eligible voters.
Add that to the 2 "missing pages" of the petitions, that after both the rejected owners and missing pages of the petitions being shown to both the General Manager as well as the Ombudsman as proof of the error, somehow never warranted any response from either party.
Mr. Burch then escapes the removal election by all of 2 signatures. That part of the equation never seems to be addressed by "the machine", does it? He runs for reelection, quits after 2 months on the job, and then the remaining Board appoints a person who lost the election.
Best part...836 signed "No Confidence" petitions were sent to the GM and asked to be placed in her Personnel file for future job performance and evaluation.
Never got a response as to that, but we do know she got some kind of bonus.
Coincidence or Corruption ?
Just additional reasons why it's called "The Machine" -
From Mary Lee Duley...to...Anthem Opinions
BLESS MARTY GREENBLATT….AN ATTORNEY FROM BERMAN’S AREA WHO PROVIDED FACTUAL INFORMATION
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____________________________
50 Year Massachusetts Attorney
Attends 2/28/19 Board Meeting
Strongly Disagrees with Sun City Anthem Association Attorney's Compliance Explanation
I attended the Board meeting Thursday night, and am deeply disturbed by the conduct of the Board and HOA counsel, Adam Clarkson.
Faced with an angry group of homeowners, the Board resorted to an old and cowardly stunt to seek cover. They invited HOA counsel to attend and called on him to explain the legal necessity for the new compliance program, prior to giving homeowners the opportunity to comment.
Predictably, Clarkson advanced a misleading and contrived argument purporting to justify the Board's action as necessary due to certain changes in the NRS which mandate uniformity in the enforcement of the CC&Rs.
I have practiced law as a senior partner of a prominent law firm for over 50 years and served as a Board member and president of two prestigious condominium communities for more than two decades, so I know whereof I speak.
Clarkson, apparently having provided the advice that got the Board into this situation, then had the audacity to opine that since over 5,000 homes had already been inspected and over 1800 violation notices issued, there was no way the program could now be stopped as that would be a violation of the requirement of uniform treatment.
Reminds me of the old lawyer joke that a young man on trial for killing his parents should be treated leniently because he is an orphan!
I hadn't filled a out a request to comment slip and realized too late that I could do so even after the meeting commenced (for which I am upset at myself); but if I had spoken, I would have challenged Clarkson to show me any federal, state, county, municipal law, rule or regulation that requires an HOA to aggressively inspect its community for any and all CC&R violations, especially mere aesthetic issues, and cite homeowners; in effect, requiring the establishment of a CC&R Compliance Police Department.
The simple answer is that none exists.
While I agree with Clarkson that an HOA needs to treat homeowners fairly and uniformly, such that if two homeowners are reported for having the same violation, the action taken by the Board should be the same for each; that's a long way from the misleading argument that uniformity requires the adoption of a policy to actively seek out such violations, let alone hiring a $40,000 a year employee to do so.
Unfortunately, most of those commenting were down in the weeds (bad pun) objecting to the specific violation notices they had received, and failed to focus on the big question as to why such a costly and unnecessary program was adopted in the first place, when the long-time practice of reacting to complaints was working perfectly well.
My guess is that this program was proposed by management, and a weak Board simply rubber stamped it with little thought as to its consequences and effect on the community.
Indeed several Board members conceded that the program was a "work in progress" and that many problematic aspects and issues had simply not been taken into account.
In conclusion, this program was not a legal requirement at all, but just a very ill-conceived and wasteful governance decision by the Board, and with an election coming up, homeowners need to consider whether the Board as currently constituted respects and reflects the values of the community or whether a change is in order, and cast their votes accordingly.
Marty Greenblatt
Ridgecrest Village
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Got a comment to Mr. Greenblatt's article?
Send it to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
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From Elizabeth Breier...to...Anthem Opinions
How convenient...
.
Coupled with the insert regarding the Restaurant Space in The March Spirit, I am convinced that the Board and Management have come up with what they believe are preemptive ploys to make residents think that anyone cares what they want.
Up until now we have been treated like stupid children who need to be told what and when to do everything. Our years of life's and formal education are pushed aside for the whims of a few that want to remain in control and power.
For example, shortly after going to self-management, all the Clubs were told to select new times and days to meet, based on a 10:00 am to 2:00 pm or 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm daytime schedule.
Our cries for reconsideration fell on deaf ears UNTIL one concerned citizen was clever enough to circulate a petition which ultimately reached the Board.
The Board panicked and only then did our esteemed new Manager agree to meet.
Ultimately the ridiculous rules were rolled back but it took a lot of work on the part of ONE CITIZEN TO CIRCULATE A PETITION and then the fright of the Board that they would lose votes at the next election.
I foresee that everyone is going to be coddled for the next 6 weeks and made to think that all of a sudden our opinions matter, but once the election is over, if we have the same old guard I can't imagine why they would decide to change the "my way or the highway" attitude we have all suffered. -
From Larry Mayer...New Tradition Team Candidate for the 2019 Sun City Anthem Board...to...Anthem Opinions
I would like to answer Liz’s letter.
I along with my wife drafted the petition regarding the GM and Board's decision to revamp the club hours.
Her actions were taken after only 2 months on the job without asking anyone.
After only 2 days more than 150 signatures were obtained by frustrated homeowners.
Morning hours are often reserved for doctor appointments, as well as, exercising or just sleeping and not rushing to a morning game.
The non-Club gallery would have seen an unbelievable overflow with people not interested in playing at club locations with those ridiculous hours.
10 to 2 poses questions when to eat lunch.
Only after our board president got wind of the extent of dissatisfaction did he consult with management.
The change was made back to the way it’s always been, but not before The Spirit went to print proudly announcing all the clubs new hours.
So if 2 people can make a difference, imagine what 5 new faces on the board can do?
I might add 5 with a common sense approach!!!!
Good changes can be made by those that care enough to work at it !!!! -
From Valerie Lapin...to...Anthem Opinions
Why are the terms of her contract hidden from owners?
What is she hiding?
Owners have a right to know!
Golden parachute perhaps? -
Valerie, I can understand some things being confidential such as arrest records, child support delinquencies, or bankruptcies, but as far as items that include length, duties, income and responsibilities associated with her employment contract, there is no reason not to disclose any such information.
Yesterday afternoon, both incumbents made every attempt to justify full secrecy, which did not bode well with the audience.
Barry Goldstein quoted the section of NRS 116 that seemed to allow such information being divulged.
It further demonstrates a major difference between The New Tradition Team and the incumbents, Weddle & Quinn.
Whereas the former believe the community has the right to know, the later does not.
What was most disturbing yesterday afternoon, was the commentary of some that instead of confronting various candidates and seeking their views, a number of individuals specifically confronted some candidates with insults. Adults? No discourteous adults, acting like children ! -
From Matt Horween...to...Anthem Opinions
The board has hired at 40k plus benefits etc person who is supposed to inspect the community four times a year and use his own car to do but we would still be responsible if he is liable in an accident. We reimburse him based on mileage when we have many Patrol vehicles that he could use that we are already paying for. However, as stated below I do not think that we need a paid employee to do these inspections and four times a year is just a make work project and a total overkill for a problem that for 20 years we did not know we had. Once a year would be a much more efficient and sensible idea.
I think that we should have volunteers do the inspections ONCE a year starting in March every year and those ten teams of two volunteers each would use an association Patrol car to inspect the homes. If the volunteers find violations both volunteers would have to agree on the violation and then they would send it in to management for review and the sending of a letter to the homeowner.
If the two volunteers cannot agree on a violation, they would report the disagreement to management who would then make the call and issue a letter if warranted. This should reduce frivolous charges against homeowners.
I think that a team of two people wearing a HOA vest of some kind and a HOA hat and with an HOA ID of some kind on their vest would be a good idea to avoid concerns about people roaming around checking houses. The HOA would inform the community before and during the annual inspection period that the volunteers are out inspecting to reduce the chance that residents become alarmed if they see two people inspecting homes in their village. -
From Mike Messenger...to...Anthem Opinions
First I want to thank you for publishing an alternative opinion about the issue of what Nevada laws require with respect to compliance with HOA requirements from the Massachusetts attorney.
This is an important issue which suggests at a minimum that the board might want to seek a second opinion before charging ahead with the current plan.
Second I would urge that all parties in this dispute to turn down the rhetoric!
Everyone should be treated with grace and respect when offering an opinion.
References to the machine and suggestions that Attorneys or board members are incompetent simply add fuel to an ongoing fire and do not help to actually resolve the issue or come up with a plan to treat residents better.
It is perfectly reasonable to complain about a policy or board action but personal attacks are simply counterproductive.
I suggest the right approach is to simply ask the board to come up with an analysis of what went wrong in this compliance activity and a plan to move forward that addresses the legitimate resident complaints heard to date. If they asked me.
I would immediately freeze or stop the current practice of sending out violation letters and ask the staff to perform an analysis of the frequency and type of violations found to date.
Then the ARC should be asked to decide if a case can be made to make some modest changes to each guideline to address concerns raised to date and if so what are the pros and cons of each possible change.
Only then will the board be in the position to decide if and when to restart the compliance audit.
Having said all that I acknowledge I am not in possession of all of the facts here and could be wrong.
Nevertheless I hope some of the board candidates and the board itself will consider this course of action or some variant thereof.
Thanks for the opportunity to reply to this comment and for your service in keeping lines of communication open.
A resident since 2015. -
Mike, thank you for your comments, but I would like to address some of them. First, "toning down the rhetoric:".
The New Tradition Team has been referred to as "The Arendt Team", obviously a tactic used by another blogger to somehow enhance the candidates he supports. It is common knowledge that his elective weapon has always involved destroying character, rather than facing any real issues. Unfortunately, that tactic on this go around has accomplished little as evidenced by the more than sparse commentary on his publication.
This is nothing new and fully expected, and I might say, now considered irrelevant; so much so, that it is our belief that if that alone determines a candidate's qualifications in the minds of some, our condolences are sent to them for the obvious insult to their intelligence if a choice is made on that basis.
What has taken place is a venue I fully support...and I make no apology in doing so....namely,OPEN COMMUNICATION, and frankly, knowing something about who you are planning to vote for in this election.
That objective is being accomplished by The New Tradition Team's web site offering to answer any relevant campaign questions posed to them.
That is their web site and they are the ones who to date, have been more than willing to earn the votes of the community by keeping their promises in answering them to the best of their ability.
Anthem Opinions is merely making our readers aware of it, the questions asked of their candidates, and providing a reference as to their answers.
You have not seen anything similar to that from those endorsed by the other blogger. Instead, his cry is "Vote for Them Because I Say So" and not for the others because of my support for them.
You also have not in any way witnessed any reference to The New Tradition Team web site or candidates or that website to obtain their views either, have you?
On the other hand, Anthem Opinions has WELCOMED commentary from other candidates if they will play by the same rules of The New Tradition Team, namely answering ANY relevant election questions posed by our readers.
That was met by the them through the other blogger by saying that such questions would be loaded.
We will leave it up the community to determine if that reasoning is sufficient to elect his candidates of choice.
Tragic to say the least if that reasoning is acceptable to the electorate.
The New Traditions Team has worked for three months in actively seeking GOOD and KNOWLEDGEABLE BUSINESS EXPERIENCED candidates to represent our community, and...WE FOUND THEM.
Their supporters are upward of 30-35 hard core individuals who have committed their time and money to make SCA a more friendly and fiscally responsible place, I am merely one of them.
Why, because I've gotten to know them, talk to them, and whose openness, views, and kind demeanor are those most cordial individuals should possess to lead a community. They too have gotten to know me, and despite another blogger portraying me as the devil and others making such disparaging remarks who have never met me, I'm not the one who has ever been chastised for committing dishonest acts as was the case with his sordid employment background. Then again, as the saying goes: "You are who you associate with" ! We'll leave it at that.
Finally, if "machine" is inflammatory in any way, well, that's how things have worked out here, and that's calling it like it is. I've been here for 13 years, and believe me, what I have seen and witnessed over that time period is more than disturbing...and that sir, is what a blog that includes community governance should be about...
...making people aware that a problem exists, identifying it and those responsible for it, bringing sound reasoning for such concerns, and a common sense approach to solving them....
Not...saying "Vote for Mr. X because I say You Should".
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________________________
Sun City Anthem Board Meeting
Anthem Center--Delaware Room
Thursday, February 28th
5:30pm
5:30pm
An Agenda with "An Agenda"
Has the Sun City Anthem Board panicked while in "election season" mode?
Hmmm ! We shall see!
An announcement has been made that the compliance issue will be discussed at this meeting.
For some "coincidental" reason, evidently "the heat's on" regarding the 1,000+ individuals who have received the "you done me wrong" letters by the Association, threatening them with fines.
Will they change their attitude about those supposed "offensive" decorations that have been in place for years; but now, as a result of a "control freak" calling the management shots, combined with a weak "yes ma'am" Board, allowed her to alienate a substantial number of property owners in our hobbit ?
My guess is that "the machine" has come to the conclusion that allowing a Control Freak to take aim at those owners who put them in office, are starting to believe "things ain't so good on the ranch", the "cattle know they're being lead to the slaughter house", and to save two of their elective backsides (Rex Weddle and Forrest Quinn), the "Queen Bee" needs to be swatted before the sting becomes fatal to them.
But wait, there's more !
Looks like "the machine" seems to be worrying about the rules they've allowed Queenie to dump on Clubs as well.
In addition, emails have been sent to Sun City Anthem Clubs asking members for "change" suggestions.
Now why would that take place at this time after months of "we control your lives, don't question anything, just do it".
We were able to obtain a copy of that email.
Wait for it !!!
Do I see some back peddling here?
Just when did The Clubs concerns matter so much?
It was always "my way or the highway", but has that too, somehow worked its way into the Board election period ?
Anyone really think this email was a sign of being "A Good Guy" ??
Is this just another last minute way to win a few votes for "the machine", or worse, a "Who shot John" set-up?
Me thinks the latter...especially after reading the last sentence !
"The CLC is in the process of reviewing and revising the CCG&Rs with the goal of clarification, and, where possible, simplification of procedures. As part of that process the CLC would like input from you and your boards regarding any changes in the CCG&Rs you would like to see made.
Please consult with the members of your club board of directors, and let us know by email what your club’s suggestions are.
Since we hope to complete this project in a timely manner, please send your suggestions to us by no later than March 30, 2019, to (name) at (email address).
Please understand that while we will give fair consideration to all of the suggestions we receive, for a variety of reasons we may not be able to incorporate your club’s specific suggestions.
Thanks very much."
And...did you happen to notice the date to receive the suggestions?
Just another "coincidence" that happens to be...
Well, one thing for sure...
And...did you happen to notice the date to receive the suggestions?
Just another "coincidence" that happens to be...
The day the election ballots
are scheduled to be mailed !
Perhaps it might be time to think about this !
Well, one thing for sure...
Want the status quo? Want more rules? Want more "maybes", want more of the same ????
Then "the machine" is your way to go in the coming election.
We at Anthem Opinions brought these problems to all of you as a result of you, our readers, searching for a voice to express your concerns.
We don't want a thanks, we want a CHANGE...
...a change that ONLY The New Tradition Team has offered Sun City Anthem.
1-3-8-9-10
________________________
Sun City Anthem Board of Directors Election
A Clear Choice
"Machine" Status Quo
vs
Reform
vs
Reform
Topic 1: The Compliance Letter Regulations & Resident Fines
If there was ever an election that offered a clear choice of the direction of Sun City Anthem, 2019 has to be the one !
That choice, in our opinion, is easy to differentiate.
Over the election period, we will examine why we make that statement, but first...
Let's look at the recent activity that has taken place that "the machine" has been responsible for achieving:
Compliance Regulations that have resulted in the continual badgering of residents and owners to alter their lifestyle choices in home decoration.
Hiring an individual at an annual income of $40,000 to roam our neighborhoods taking photos of our homes day and night, without warning, coupled with subsequent letters from another outside paid organization that warn you to make the changes within 30 days or be subjected to continual fines for noncompliance...
...changes that have never bothered the overwhelming percentage of owners for up to 20 years...
...yet now are being forced to remove items that many spent hundreds and in come cases thousands of dollars, to decorate the outside of their homes in a tasteful manner...
...changes that a former complaint card system, effectively investigated and were enforced by a FREE local committee...
...that association funds are now being spent to rigidly enforce.
THE MACHINE CANDIDATES Rex Weddle and Forrest Quinn, current incumbents, are RESPONSIBLE FOR ALLOWING THIS TO TAKE PLACE.
There can be no question that their authorizing such activity by allowing a General Manager to commence this action, makes them responsible.
Reelecting these two individuals will GUARANTEE that this procedure, which in the opinion of MANY, constitutes resident harassment, will continue.
Adding the two remaining individuals on the Board not subject to election, Candice Karrow and James Coleman, who have also fully supported this activity, would then have the affect of controlling the actions of the next Sun City Anthem Board.
...and if that is what you wish to take place, your ballot choice is a simple one...
...reelect those two MACHINE candidates !
A number of other candidates have also to date, refused to commit to answering any questions on this matter...
...and the question all of you must ask yourself is this !
Are you willing to allow any of these individuals to continue to govern your lives for the next two years WITHOUT ANY COMMITMENT TO YOU on their parts?
If that is an acceptable answer to you, then once again, those individuals should also be your ballot choices.
On the other hand, there is The Reform movement...
...The New Tradition Team that consists of Rana Goodman...the individual who unquestionably has dedicated her life to assisting seniors in her guardianship activity, along with numerous other governmental issues that, at personal expense, involved traveling to Carson City to fight for legislative senior rights...
...and four others, Barry Goldstein, Karen Hadrick, Bill Odelson, and Larry Mayer...
...all with past successful business backgrounds who share the same dedicated views toward seniors...
...all with past successful business backgrounds who share the same dedicated views toward seniors...
...who have pledged to review these procedures and the expense caused the Sun City Anthem community, bringing a common sense approach to such issues...
...and...
...unlike the other candidates, have established a detailed web site, pledging to answer any and all of your relevant questions...
If "the unknown" attitudes of the other candidates remain silent on this matter....
...then perhaps the group of individuals, The New Tradition Team, might be your ballot choice.
Ballot Positions:
1-3-8-9-10
Got a comment?
Send it to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
-
From Victor Tolin...to...Anthem Opinions
I'm assuming we're also paying for some benefits?
Usually 15 - 20% of that salary? -
Victor,
To sadly answer your question, that appears to be the case.
He is also receiving a reimbursed mileage allowance that in 2018, was $.545 per mile and in 2019 due to IRS regulations, has been increased to $.58 per mile.
During the election campaign period Anthem Opinions has plans to publish an employee "benefit" article that will "knock your socks off" when you see the benefit structure that is currently in place for Sun City Anthem employees.
We believe all SCA employees should have a benefit package that must be designed to attract and retain quality workmanship, but those benefits must be commensurate with others available in the marketplace.
Those of us that had been in the private sector and self-employed know full well that providing such benefits are a cost of doing business, combined with applying the basics of economic affordability.
They should be patterned on those currently available in the marketplace coupled with spending association assets in an affordable manner.
The greatest percentage of residents in Sun City Anthem have no idea as to their cost to property owners due to the likelihood that they were never confronted with paying them due to having been employed in the private sector by a generous employer and/or government service.
The New Tradition Team is composed of 4 individuals who have been self-employed, experiencing these costs in their business planning and 1 individual highly experienced in property management who knows the value of getting "bang for your buck".
That clearly separates them from the rest of the candidate pack.
Of the other candidate flyers we have examined, coupled with the two incumbents running for reelection, NONE have ever been self-employed or have much "every day knowledge" of such matters.
Since we are now an independent organization that must pay those costs, it would stand to reason, that individuals who govern us, should be aware of such factors and have the experience in dealing with them.
The New Tradition Team has that experience, but they freely admit they "don't know everything there is to know" unlike those current on our Board who all to often "wing it" rather than seek advice on topics in which that are not familiar.
One of their major bullet points include:
"Utilize community expertise through creation of resident advisory oversight Groups."
And that desire to obtain relevant information on vital matters from those in the community, is far different than what is now being experienced.
Let's never forget we are a community...one for all and all for one...and if a resident received a telephone call from a Board member asking that individual if they could spare an hour of their time to add their experience to an issue prior to a decision, who wouldn't be honored to receive such a call?
And wouldn't the actual decision have more credence ?
That should be the definition of the word "community"...
...and that is what The New Tradition Team is all about !
___________________
New Tradition Team Web Site
Now Easier Access from I-Phones
From The New Tradition Team:
There have been a number of individuals who have attempted to check our web site, and having difficulty. The problem appears to only apply to those viewing the site by way of an I-Phone.
Laptops, desktops, and tablets have had no difficulty.
As a result, the web site has now been improved, and those using I-Phones should no longer have difficulty viewing the site and candidates.
Some simple instructions:
Once you open the web site:
...scroll down the page until you see "Read More" and click on that statement.
A Page will then open which lists the New Tradition candidates.
Below each individual candidate is this statement:
"Meet _________by Clicking Here"
Chose the candidate with whom you would like to become more familiar and then simply "click" on the above statement.
The individual candidate's biography will then be displayed along with an email link to answer any questions you may have.
Emails to The New Tradition Team can be sent to:
scanewtraditions@gmail.com
...by simply clicking on the email address itself.
Finally, below the email link are the individual candidate's responses to the various questions posed to The New Tradition Team.
Try it, we think you'll like what you see.
From all of us:
Rana Goodman
(Ballot Position #1)
Karen Hadrick
(Ballot Position #3)
Barry Goldstein
(Ballot Position #8)
Larry Mayer
(Ballot Position #9)
Bill Odelson
(Ballot Position #10)
The New Tradition Team
-
It's terrific that the New Tradition web site has been improved; now ANYONE (including alternate Bloggers) can learn about the candidates and not make the idiotic statement that although he doesn't know them, he doesn't support them
-
From Richard Inglefield...to...Anthem Opinions
DAB posts even though he doesn’t even know three of “your” candidates, he will not even consider endorsing any of them.
A “mob boss” mentality, asking for ‘one-on-one’ meetings before publishing their campaign materials; ‘mafia lawyer’ tactics.
SCA should ignore his divisive methodologies; he is once again setting up a “us against them” scenario of voter intimidation.
This community deserves better than this; DAB’s ilk need to be soundly defeated, and sent packing along with the GM/COO.
DAB erroneously believes he speaks for the entire SCA community; well, he doesn’t, and the sooner he finds out, the better. -
To our readers:
First of all, these are not Anthem Opinions candidates. They are five honorable individuals who are doing their best to make Sun City Anthem a better place, and we fully support all of them for the efforts they have made in trying to accomplish that objective.
It is a sad state of affairs when a specific individual can target a group of candidates solely based on dislike for another individual whose sole objective has always been placing honesty and integrity in a community by bringing out the many problems and "hidden agendas" past members of Boards have demonstrated over the years.
We are, and always have been, fully dedicated to removing "a machine" from our midst in order that a better life can be obtained for all who reside in our community.
Should a community choose to elect individuals who wish to maintain the status quo and ignore what surrounds them, they are free to do so.
Let me emphatically state:
This is NOT about one blogger against another; it is about the candidates and whom the community can best represent their best interests.
Anthem Opinions once again, will offer any free time to any candidate if they will accept what The New Tradition Team has done; namely agree in print to answer each and every question posed to them by our readers.
To date, only The New Tradition Team has offered to do so. -
I recently found out during a meeting at one of the SCA clubs, that many of the members had never heard of Anthem Opinions. Naturally I informed them, but it was only a small group. How can we ensure that every resident of SCA will learn of The New Tradition Team prior to the election?
-
Malcolm,
Since our inception in November, 2006, we have had in excess of 2,550,000 visits to our publication and in excess of 2,300+ subscribers.
We average between 1,800 and 2,000 visits per day. That makes us the largest read private blog in the Anthem communities, 10 times more then the 2nd one in line.
We established our blog with the intent of making it helpful to senior citizens in the remaining aspects of our lives through numerous ways that include the various categories offered, and have surrounded ourselves with excellent sources to bring helpful and fun information to Sun City Anthem.
As time passed, we began to see things that didn't seem to add up, and more and more questions arose over the years were not answered in a manner that my prior business experience could tolerate.
I saw vast amounts of money wasted while watching 5 restaurants fail; and in just about each case, I couldn't help but notice that the financial decisions were being made by Board members whose experience at handling money, rarely exceeded their ability to balance a check book.
In addition I saw that seniors were being treated as if they were children needing guidance, when in fact all they wanted was to live a peaceful and fun life.
Our past Board members, in my estimation, have failed in those respects, and if we do not have change NOW before it's too late, it will be a matter of time before even greater problems will arise.
Anthem Opinions accepts no advertising funds, and has never even had business cards printed.
Everything has been word of mouth.
But what counts is not Anthem Opinions, but instead are the right people elected who we can trust, who in turn will look closely to management of our funds many of us have spent a lifetime saving to enjoy retirement.
With that in mind, I am hoping that those who do read Anthem Opinions will "spread the word" about The New Tradition Team.
Their web site is excellent; these are unselfish individuals who know the meaning of hard earned money, and will closely monitor the decisions on how it will be spent.
Look for the New Tradition web site to be a part of the Team flyers that are currently being printed and will be distributed to the community.
Then, if any of those individuals have questions, all they need to is just ask the question on the site. The New Tradition Team has pledged that they will address every question asked of them. They are the ONLY ONES who have made that pledge.
We believe that knowing how a person thinks in WRITING, allows a community to subsequently judge the value of their "word" in the future.
We hope you will strongly consider choosing each of them to represent. -
From George O..to..Anthem Opinions
PEOPLE, a restaurant won’t survive there anymore. It did when there were display homes, new home sales and this place was bustling with activity and people needed a place to eat, conduct their business.
That’s over now and a restaurant won’t make it ever!
Nor a food court!
Perhaps move the coffee concession into that area, give everyone a place to go to to relax and enjoy the views and see what it might "morph into organically".
Make it available to be used just like Liberty Center, Independence center and Anthem Center, modify usage rules as needed when the problems become apparent.
We do have some past working knowledge about this you know.
Allow food service through outside catering (or not) and minimal use of kitchen area when needed.
Allow it to be used as a community space.
It’s purpose and potential use will be apparent and thus it’s true purpose to the community determined..
Don’t need to pay somebody to figure this out, do a study blah blah blah.
What the heck ???? -
From Tony Orzada...to...Anthem Opinions
Great idea from Frank Lewis.
Now here's a guy with a brain vs the the SPEND A LOT BOARD FOR A FANCY RESTAURANT which we need like another jerk on the
Board ! !
-
-
-
- ________________________
Sun City Anthem
"Vetting"
Just Another Reason Why It's Fallen from the Top 55
Retirement Communities in the USA
Just Another Reason Why It's Fallen from the Top 55
Retirement Communities in the USA
If you haven't already heard, yet another "first" has taken place in good old Sun City Anthem.
Yup, the guy doing the fishing is actually YOU, the other one is doing what's happening to YOU ! You are getting pushed aside while some are taking you for the retirement "ride" of our life.
What is it going to take for the residents to finally open their eyes and look past the "excuse" so many times heard to justify PROBLEMS that won't go away unless YOU and the rest of Sun City Anthem finally acknowledge they exist ?
...and that "excuse" that is getting as old as many of us is this:
"What are you complaining about, the dues is so low compared to what other communities are paying?"
This eblast was recently sent to all residents of our lovely community.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
February 15, 2019
To: All Sun City Anthem Residents
Re: Notice of Employee Termination
Re: Notice of Employee Termination
Dear Resident:
We are writing to let all Sun City Anthem residents know that an individual who worked in Sun City Anthem’s accounting department has been identified as being involved with an alleged embezzlement at a previous place of employment dating back to 2015. It is being handled by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. This may be reported through the media and we wanted to notify you in advance. As a result of this arrest, the employee has been terminated.
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.
On behalf of Sun City Anthem, the Board and Management alike have long taken steps to ensure the security of the Association’s funds. Our CFO has reviewed SCA’s internal controls, to ensure that proper segregation of duties and safeguards were in, and still are in place, to mitigate any loss.
The SCA Board and Management take seriously their obligation to maintain your Community’s funds in a secure and safe environment. We appreciate the trust you place in us and look forward to working for the continued betterment of the Sun City Anthem community.
Sincerely,
Sun City Anthem Board of Directors and
Sun City Anthem Management Staff
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
OK, what next?
Time to think a few things out?
If you look closely at the statement, something seemed to pop out like a broken balloon; namely:
The employee was fully vetted, including a background check when hired and the prior employers’ reference check offered no suggestion of risk.
Sure! That's certainly believable ! Just who or what did the vetting?
McGriff the Dog?
You mean just like the vetting on the last restaurant guy who, after his "vetting", was subsequently discovered through a 15 minute Google search, to have had prior bankruptcies, yet was approved by Management and a Board ?
Or perhaps the vetting that took place to hire an association attorney who once worked for the Nancy Quon Law firm...
...you know, the "innocent soul" who did herself in when the FBI decided to do some serious investigating about HOA fraud and was about to "do time" for her involvement with a few other notables who "coincidentally" also saw fit to "do themselves in" as well, prior to "doing the time after committing the crime" ???
But that just happened, nothing out of the ordinary that can't happen anywhere else, right ?
Tell that to those who cry:
"What are you complaining about, the dues is so low compared to what other communities are paying?"
I only wish it ended with that one, folks, but wait...
Oops, there was an accounting firm that a certain someone hired that decided to handle a removal election that sent letters to everyone that included a ballot that never bothered to identify the letter contained official Sun City Anthem business.
You know, the one that a "certain someone" allowed them to charge $85,000 for their "expert and ethical" manner of conducting an election while their supposed "governing bosses"(our HOA Board of Directors) decided to make sure it was others who were to blame for its high cost. That certainly must have been vetted properly by someone, right?
What ever happened to them?
Oops...they were given a three year contract to audit Sun City Anthem for the "reasonable & customary" fees they charged for the " efficient and professional" manner in which they handled that past task...by the same governing and management individuals, weren't they ???
Then again...
"What are you complaining about, the dues is so low compared to what other communities are paying?"
And we can't forget the manner in which all the "untold" unimportant extra goodies were going to be thrown into the restaurant package that was suggested that we ONLY spend $250,000+ a year, can we?
Just who decided to place all that vital information on page 1,234,555 of a Board Book for all to "easily" view ???
Answer: The same ones who insultingly look you in the face and use the word "transparency" ... the same ones who tell you "things are peachy keen", yet BURY such vital information to COVER their despicable actions that sell all of us down their river of waste, greed, and incompetent control.
Then again...
"What are you complaining about, the dues is so low compared to what other communities are paying?"
But...oops...how about those amazing new shrubs and trees that make residents and visitors mob the community center we treasure? You know, the ones that look like they were tossed out the back of the local nursery because of their impending ugly death....that a certain someone decided to pay $50,000 for what they looked at as "competitive" beauty ?
Then again...
"What are you complaining about, the dues is so low compared to what other communities are paying?"
But, hey, we have a community that needs to have standards too !
And at 40 GRAND a YEAR for a Sun City Anthem Compliance Inspector, you 1,000 culprits who dare push the envelope by violating sacred rules that include hanging plastic flowers in front of your home because of the belief that allowing them to exist, reduces your property values, should be ashamed of yourself for even questioning such logical "competence", right ???
Then again...
"What are you complaining about, the dues is so low compared to what other communities are paying?"
Now...that's what I call a leader who deserved an Employment Contract that must be retained for as long as possible, don't ya think?
Contact?
What contract?
But who has the audacity of even questioning its contents? How dare any of you do so ???
Well, that too is a good question. No one seems to know what's in it or what it's going to cost us, don't ya know !!!
Then again...
"What are you complaining about, the dues is so low compared to what other communities are paying?"
Now look, we all believe these things have been done to make our community the Best in the West, right?
Who could possibly question such valuable leadership qualities in a retirement community ?
I'll tell who would question it...
People Who Care About You !
People Who Take the Time to Examine Those Actions
People Who Take the Time to Examine Those Actions
...while others just sit back, do nothing, and yet have the audacity to criticize them, never addressing any pressing problem, and come up with this ridiculous comment that refuses to consider what's obvious to any thinking individual who CARES about the future of a community.
"What are you complaining about, the dues is so low compared to what other communities are paying?"
Actually, as the next two months proceed, we know that there are some people, while attempting to keep a straight face, who are actually going to make every effort to try to convince you such "competence" deserves to continue governing Sun City Anthem, especially Misters Rex Weddle & Forest Quinn, since both, as incumbents, are seeking to continue their "expertise" for another two years !
And so, with those two in addition to the a General Manager....oops...now Chief Operating Officer, the only conclusion that can be drawn by any thinking and caring individual is simply:
And if you run into one the those who still chooses to say....
"What are you complaining about, the dues is so low compared to what other communities are paying?"
Look them in the face, bring out the above mentioned questionable activities that they refuse to believe exist and take little or no time exploring, and ask them in return...
"Why aren't our dues much lower compared to what other communities are paying?"
My guess is that they'll have no answer to that at all !
Why, because they just don't care about others; they're just too consumed with themselves instead....and that's why, when I hear...
"What are you complaining about, the dues is so low compared to what other communities are paying?"
...it makes me sad to be part of a generation that I always believed cared about others that, over the years, have forgotten the words:
It's time for..
"A New Tradition"
bringing back
Old Values
Got a comment? Send it to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
-
From Valerie Lapin...to...Anthem Opinions
What can be done about transparency regarding the contract with the manager that should be available to the individuals who pay their salary? We, the owners, need to know what we are dealing with and how to get rid of individuals who do not have the best interest of those who pay their salary. Something is rotten in the state of Nevada!
At this point, do we still need Sandy and her team?
The things she set up no longer require her expertise nor what we pay for her. -
First of all, Valerie, I believe you're very loosely using the word "expertise". That "expertise" has created one nightmare after another as documented.
As far as a solution, there is only ONE available...a new honest Board, a.k.a. The New Tradition Team with Rana Goodman, Barry Goldstein, Karen Hadrick, Bill Odelson, and Larry Mayer. -
From Richard Inglefield...to...Anthem Opinions
Someone please me how this happened if the person was "fully vetted", who hired this person, who did this "full vetting", and have they been fired yet?
This is another example of SCA self-MIS-management, like not knowing about the coach lights, and how they worked; did anybody ask an actual homeowner?
When will we ever learn that 'world-class' community management is best left to professional managers with actual management skills, not rank amateurs.
My real concern is if and/or how 'spend it 'till it's gone' Seddon got vetted, and by whom.
She was/is/will continue to bring disaster after disaster to SCA, and will, in the end, do us in.
We should, at the least, require all management personnel to be SCA residents, and be accountable.
Some sort of basic I.Q. test, and/or polygraph, should also be required, and the results be made public.
The same goes for DAB; I fear he's gone completely off the rails, and is becoming paranoid and dangerous.
-
_________________________
"New Tradition" Team
Sets Agenda
for
2019 Sun City Anthem Board Election
The 2019 Board of Directors election season kicks off with a bang this morning with the announcement of "The New Tradition Team" of five individuals who have combined their talents to run as candidates in the coming election where five individuals will be chosen to govern Sun City Anthem for the next two years.
From left to right they include: Bill Odelson, Karen Hadrick, Barry Goldstein, Larry Mayer, and Rana Goodman.
Perhaps the most widely known is Rana Goodman, who championed the State of Nevada Guardianship reforms that were responsible for sending guardianship manipulator, April Parks, to prison a couple of months ago.
For some time residents "have spoken" about a number of issues that must be addressed, yet have been ignored by so many current and previous Sun City Anthem Boards.
In our opinion this team of candidates represent a returning of the community to one that once existed, but has so dramatically changed over the years, by encompassing a "common sense" and "compassionate" alternative to needs and desires of a senior community.
Perhaps what differentiates this group from so many others is the fact that all have relevant business oriented backgrounds....
...a vital ingredient that must be addressed in a community that collects in excess of $8 million in annual revenue.
They have generated a web site where you can learn of their backgrounds, positions, and most importantly, ask any questions of them...
...which all have promised to publicly answer on the New Tradition Team web site.
Our suggestion is that you take a moment and save it to your "Favorites" for the next couple of months prior to your casting a ballot and "click" on it often to examine their views, comparing them other candidates, and to those you personally have, while also asking them to clarify any community concerns you have.
Anthem Opinions will also include the "New Tradition Team" web site link on the Welcome Page each day new articles are posted in addition to providing easy access to this site on the Main Page of the Anthem Opinions web site near the lower right side entitled "OTHER INFORMATIONAL SITES" by simply "clicking" on the heading:
"2019 Sun City Anthem Board Election "New Traditions Team" Website"
OTHER INFORMATIONAL SITES
We hope you'll join us in closely examining this "breath of fresh air" team of individuals who pledge the necessary reform solely needed as we conclude the decade.
Got a comment?
Send it to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
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From Lloyd Frank...to...Anthem Opinions
This looks like the kind of Board SCA needs.
Let’s hope they can make Anthem great again. -
From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions
A new slate of Directors on the SCA Board would fix the overall "SCA Toilet". -
From Elizabeth Breier...to...Anthem Opinions
In the over 11 years we have lived in Sun City Anthem, the community has deteriorated and is no longer a premier community with a stellar reputation. The residents are disrespected and in fact often treated like ignorant children. Our concerns are often ignored. The facilities are in terrible shape with badly chipped furniture, and comfortable seating, fake carpet flooring covered in electric tape to name a few.
I would say it’s not such a happy birthday because Sun City Anthem is NOT AGING WELL! -
From Mary Lee Duley...to...Anthem Opinions
There is hope for SCA on the horizon with the 5 member Dream Team!!!!
To say I am excited is an understatement.
Sandy has control over ALL residents names and addresses (renters as well who should Never be able to vote for anything).
Vegas Voice, Anthem Opinions and Anthem Today should help Promote this team. -
I have never seen such an out pour of enthusiasm for change.
A strong concern is the ballot collecting procedure that has recently been approved.
If one looks carefully at how it is being conducted, the possibility of FRAUD is more than apparent.
We will discuss this potentially CORRUPT regulation in the near future. Yes, it's that CONCERNING ! -
From Lenore Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions
I hope these qualified individuals get elected. They encompass a wealth of experience, education, competence and dedication.
Let's get the word out to our community and support these people. -
From Bill Kuncewicki...to...Anthem Opinions
Seems like the endorsement for these five candidates is set in “stone.”
Are there any other individuals to date that have been accepted to run out there as well?
Don’t get me wrong, but throwing it all in for these folks may be just a little premature.
I do not doubt that these folks have the experience and expertise to help run this community, however all candidates should be able to voice their qualifications on your opinion page as well.
Could this new Dream Team become the New Machine?
As a community we need to judge each and every candidate as individuals and then make the smartest decisions in our own opinion. -
Bill,
This team includes Rana Goodman, a woman whose integrity is 2nd to none in my mind. Her unselfish dedication to good causes is unquestioned.
Rana would never, and I stress the word NEVER, be any part of any "machine" that would do the harm to Sun City Anthem, what the current "machine" has done.
We do not know who the other candidates are at this point, but as to why the other candidates have not yet been announced since the deadline was 2/8/19, is a FIRST in the history of Sun City Anthem.
I would like any of the other individuals who completed their candidacy to come forward. As to why they have not, leads me to believe SOMETHING OUT THERE does not meet the eye.
If any of them are out there, perhaps they might come forward and state if they too are wondering as to why everything has been so secretive.
Finally, let me address your desire to have all the candidates express their opinions.
Two years ago when a number of individuals ran, I did just that; however I placed one restriction on giving any of them a free commercial:
That restriction was that to obtain the free advertising, they would have to agree to answer publicly ANY QUESTION posed to them on Anthem Opinions.
None of the "machine" candidates would agree to do so.
If any of the candidates would agree to that, I urge them to post that guarantee for all to see. -
From RoseAnn Picca...to...Anthem Opinions
Let's Go "New Traditions Team" ! You certainly have my vote. -
Still think we don't need a change in ALL FORMS of COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP?
What next? This just came in via an official Sun City Anthem eblast:
This is the guy whom we pay $40,000 a year to spy on residents.
"Our Community Standards Inspector, Trent Austin, will be conducting night inspections in February. He will be inspecting all homes for address lights and coach lights that aren’t lit. Please check your address lights and coach lights to make sure they are functioning properly."
Is this man getting paid overtime to spy on the community in the evening?
What's next, Ms. Seddon, a personal Pledge of Allegiance ? -
From Forrest Fetherolf...to...Anthem Opinions
Many homes don’t have coach lights...duh!!!
As for me, I’m not aware of any code requirements to have coach lights.
Coach lights on garages and porches are switch controlled, not required to be controlled by light sensor. -
From Tony Orzada...to...Anthem Opinions
Great picks for the BOARD ! ! ! ! ! ! !
Thanks for YOUR help. -
From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions
Thank you for the informative link to the candidates' web page.....your 2000+ daily readers now have easier access to the information.
I applaud Anthem Opinions for taking the "high road" in this election; it appears an alternate blogger has chosen to disparage and insult a candidate and a potential voter.
He has insulted and questioned the integrity of Mr. Wong who he refers to as a 'community activist in a recent bog
He has questioned the ability of Ms. Goodman to properly attend to Board duties due to her schedule of 'guardianship activities', etc.
I never heard him (or anyone else) question a MALE candidate as to whether he can properly attend to Board duties because of a busy schedule. -
Robert,
He is what he is !
He will never change, and dwelling on him and what he represents means little.
Insulting individuals and destroying their characters is his typical manner of defending his beloved "machine."
He is a non-factor in this election.
What counts are those who are running; the way they will communicate with the voters, the prior business experience they bring, and the common sense and compassion all wish to again see a part of our community.
If prior "experience" with past SCA activities is a factor on which to base an individual's qualifications are important, perhaps looking at what that experience has accomplished tells the tale about its value.
Thus far, that "experience" seems to have contributed to:
Failing restaurants
Outrageous nonsensical Compliance Rules
Exorbitant incomes levels of Senior Management
A Retirement community's falling from being #1 in the nation to being completely omitted form the Top 55 in just a matter of a few years.
An HOA Hall of Shame report distinction
and Club restrictions that have alienated those they pledged to represent.
It would seem fresh faces offering a "New Tradition" might be just what the doctor ordered. -
Memo to the Cabal running SCA: It's OUR money - NOT YOUR MONEY
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Former 2 Term Sun City Anthem
by
James Mayfield
I received a call from a friend last Friday. He needed advice on how to protest an enforcement letter he received because no instructions were provided in the letter on how to protest a proposed enforcement action that a homeowner believes is inaccurate or incorrect.
The reason he needed to protest the enforcement action is that the pictures attached to the letter of all three alleged violations were not pictures of his house or car.
I suggested that he should email the General Manager and the President of the SCA Board of Directors with a description of the basis of his protest and pictures of his house and car.
I also suggested that he take a copy of his protest email to the SCA administrative offices and have it logged-in as received.
In addition, I advised him of his right to appeal an enforcement action to the Covenants Committee if the email to the GM and president didn’t result in resolving the obvious mistake.
In addition, I advised him of his right to appeal an enforcement action to the Covenants Committee if the email to the GM and president didn’t result in resolving the obvious mistake.
After reflecting on the issue, I determined that the erroneous enforcement letter he received represented three (3) managerial and governance mistakes that need to be pointed out to SCA homeowners.
One, the letter should have included information about how to protest and/or appeal the proposed violations.
The letter was probably written by the SCA attorney who should have known that including a list of protest and/or appeal actions is a standard part of a notice of violation letter.
The presumption of guilt of a violation is insulting to homeowners and fails to provide them with information they need if they believe an error has occurred or they disagree with the basis of the finding.
At what SCA is paying the GM because of her experience and competencies, she should have caught the omission in a review of the attorney’s work before it was used in over 1,000 enforcement action letters to homeowners—no trivial matter.
The letter was probably written by the SCA attorney who should have known that including a list of protest and/or appeal actions is a standard part of a notice of violation letter.
The presumption of guilt of a violation is insulting to homeowners and fails to provide them with information they need if they believe an error has occurred or they disagree with the basis of the finding.
At what SCA is paying the GM because of her experience and competencies, she should have caught the omission in a review of the attorney’s work before it was used in over 1,000 enforcement action letters to homeowners—no trivial matter.
Two, on a matter of implementation of a new Board policy, the Board should have included initial oversight protocols to insure that its policy decision was correctly implemented.
Three, the new person retained to conduct the inspections should have been trained in the use of SCA data and SCA governance documents before the inspections began.
The GM should have implemented a review process (basic internal controls) of all alleged violations by the SCA compliance office prior to letters being sent to homeowners.
Since approximately 90-days occurred between the adoption of the active enforcement policy and its implementation, sufficient time was available for the GM to insure that staff training and process development were accomplished prior to initiation of the inspections.
The GM should have implemented a review process (basic internal controls) of all alleged violations by the SCA compliance office prior to letters being sent to homeowners.
Since approximately 90-days occurred between the adoption of the active enforcement policy and its implementation, sufficient time was available for the GM to insure that staff training and process development were accomplished prior to initiation of the inspections.
Homeowners should not be subject to being put in the role of catching staff mistakes.
It unfairly consumes their time and is disrespectful. More importantly, this is another example of the failure to establish oversight procedures by the Board of the work of the GM.
It unfairly consumes their time and is disrespectful. More importantly, this is another example of the failure to establish oversight procedures by the Board of the work of the GM.
The entire active enforcement policy was ill conceived because it represented a solution to a problem that didn’t exist.
The previous passive enforcement policy that resulted from two years of work by previous Boards was a result of a determination that passive enforcement had worked well at SCA for 20 years.
The previous passive enforcement policy that resulted from two years of work by previous Boards was a result of a determination that passive enforcement had worked well at SCA for 20 years.
Homeowners should ask why the change now?
Who is it benefiting?
How much will it cost?
How will the quality of enforcement and effectiveness of the policy be measured and tracked by the Board?
Got a comment?
Send it to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
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From Angelina & Tony Orzada...to....Anthem Opinions
When I read the headline regarding " a bit of Las Vegas History soon to be a memory "I had 2 thoughts:
a) Sun City Anthem has been found to be a scam & we all lose our shirts.
b) the current Board of Directors are being called before the Nevada Senate for a hearing into their mishandling of their duties & the possibility of them facing jail time & returning all fees improperly collected from which they derived substantial monetary gains. -
Tony,
Did your thoughts include Sun City Anthem management, their attorney, and their mouthpiece blogger?
Just wondering ! -
From Valerie Lapin...to...Anthem Opinions
What is this about the Board being made responsible for their actions?
When did this take place?
What about including our manager as well into this? -
In publishing the above article we were informed that this information was also sent to David's Anthem Journal.
Why would he refuse to publish it?
Perhaps he might address that issue on his publication as this was written by a former member of the Sun City Anthem Board.
If not, is that further proof that he merely mirrors "The Machine" and its actions in promoting their wasteful decisions? -
From Carolyn Schmalz...to...Anthem Opinions
It just boggles my mind that this Board really thinks after 5 restaurant failures a 6th will be successful.
I posed that question to one of the Board members and the answer was “I have hope”.
Hope just doesn’t get it.
I predict it will not be successful.
I can have a glass of wine and enjoy the sunset from my living room or patio.
What gets me out to eat is good food for a reasonable price or if willing, gourmet food for a higher price.
The last meal I had at the center was neither inexpensive nor good. I never went back.
I would love to hear why the Board thinks restaurant #6 will be successful.
The liability issues and parking issues are certainly something that should be seriously taken. -
Carolyn,
Did a Board Member actually say "I hope so?"
Nothing like "We have every reason, based on our research, that it would succeed" ???
Who in their right mind would invest a dime when the supposed "expert decision makers" would use that answer to commit $250,000+ each and every year of one's money ?
The answer is evident by the 0 for 5 record...
7 bureaucratic unqualified imbeciles ! -
It has come to my attention that the "Machine blogger" made the following statements on his blog which I feel must be addressed.
"If you want to have your thoughts or comments published directly to Arendt’s blog, you are not permitted to do so. Instead, you must send him a message and he will decide whether or not to publish it."
This is completely untrue. Individuals can comment directly if they choose to do so. We have found it easier to send an email to Anthem Opinions. Do we edit? Yes, for spelling and at times clarification. It has proven to assist our readers and have yet to have a complaint from any person....except of course the "Machine" man.
"I have heard from many folks over the years who sent him items they wanted shared with his readers and they never saw the light of day. He WILL occasionally publish a message of disagreement, but only so that he can immediately follow it with a strong disagreement of his own, or even a personal attack on the sender."
Yes, this is true...somewhat. In the few that have been omitted, in our opinion they constituted comments that your mother likely would have washed your mouth out with soap as a kid. Unlike "Machine man", we don't have a desire to stoop to such levels that seem to constitute the majority of the commentary that appears on his publication. Perhaps he can supply us the names on his publication of those we've deleted and determined as both condescending and low class not worthy of any value. We believe if he did so, their names would likely be synonymous with those few who often comment on his blog in the demeaning manner in which we omit.
Of course, the part of "large numbers" is reminiscent of the time a number of years ago when "Machine man" reported that a" large number" of individuals demanded a woman not be reappointed to the Henderson Senior Citizens Advisory Commission through a petition that proved to have contained all of 8 signatures as a result of The Freedom of Information Act...one of which was forged.
That same woman was also denied admission to the Sun City Anthem Lifestyle Committee after first being recommended by that Committee, yet was rejected by the Sun City Anthem Board....the President of which at that time was "by coincidence", his wife, Roz Berman.
That same lady...as damned as he tried to portray her in the eyes of a community, happened to be the one woman who eventually changed the Guardianship Laws in the State of Nevada, Rana Goodman.
We have no desire to focus on him in any way following this clarification of his misguided attempts to maintain his beloved "system". He has more than proven his "worth" to the community in recommending ideas and individuals that have contributed to the continual waste that has become known as "The Machine".
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Sun City Anthem Board Anticipated Actions to Cost Owners
Thousands of Dollars
We know many of our fellow residents in Sun City Anthem pay little attention to the goings on of a Board of Directors actions, but here are a few you need to tell your friends and neighbors about...ASAP !
On Thursday, January 24th at 1:30pm the Sun City Anthem Board will likely be "pulling one over" on the community again...
...this time with yet another "last minute" notification !
As if the compliance letters to over 1,000 unsuspecting owners at a cost that included hiring yet another employee as a watchdog for $40,000 per year and a firm to send out the notices wasn't enough, check this out folks !
This is in their next agenda!
NEW BUSINESS
(Action May Be Taken)
Review/Approve Special Reserve Assessment for Pinnacle Village in the amount of $1,575 per unit to be paid in three equal installments of $525 due April 1st, July 1st, and October 1st, 2019.
Approve Employment Agreement for Chief Operating Officer ("COO")
Approve directive to Management to solicit proposals for the Association’s general counsel & collections contract.
Approve Employment Agreement for Chief Operating Officer ("COO")
Approve directive to Management to solicit proposals for the Association’s general counsel & collections contract.
To say the least, those of you living in the gated section of Pinnacle Village are going to get "nailed" on top of your already paying a higher dues assessment than others in the non-gated areas of the Sun Anthem community.
But...for the rest of us, look closely at the part about approving an Employment Agreement for Chief Operating Officer.
Well now, after reading through 147 pages of Board Book "boilerplate stuff", one of our readers found the following on page 147 !
...that's right...
...that's right...
Page 147
Read it and weep, and get ready to be "squeezed" again !
On that page it states:
"As identified in the agenda for today's meeting, the Board is prepared to review and consider for execution a Chief Operating Officer Agreement.
In accordance with Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 116.31175(4)(a) the Agreement and the terms therein are confidential personnel records of an employee of the Association except for information concerning the number of hours worked and the salaries and benefits of the employee.
The employee being considered for the Chief Operating Officer position is the Association's current General Manager and Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Sandy Seddon.
The proposed Agreement does not expand or reduce the current responsibilities of Ms. Seddon but serves to consolidate the responsibilities under one identified role as Chief Operating Officer rather than Chief Operating Officer and General Manager.
The proposed Agreement serves to more effectively identify the responsibilities of the Chief Operating Officer and otherwise protect the interests of the association."
"As identified in the agenda for today's meeting, the Board is prepared to review and consider for execution a Chief Operating Officer Agreement.
In accordance with Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 116.31175(4)(a) the Agreement and the terms therein are confidential personnel records of an employee of the Association except for information concerning the number of hours worked and the salaries and benefits of the employee.
The employee being considered for the Chief Operating Officer position is the Association's current General Manager and Chief Operating Officer, Ms. Sandy Seddon.
The proposed Agreement does not expand or reduce the current responsibilities of Ms. Seddon but serves to consolidate the responsibilities under one identified role as Chief Operating Officer rather than Chief Operating Officer and General Manager.
The proposed Agreement serves to more effectively identify the responsibilities of the Chief Operating Officer and otherwise protect the interests of the association."
Now...let's try and figure out what this means !
The former Chief Financial Officer, James Orlick, resigned his post as of January 24, 2018, the SAME DAY THIS IS BEING PROPOSED and/or ADOPTED...
...and...
... as has been the case on NUMEROUS PREVIOUS OCCASIONS, when "something is up", the unit owners are the last to know.
Consolidation of even MORE POWER in one individual?
Will this also involve even HIGHER COMPENSATION, and if so, how much?
Note the section above:
In accordance with Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 116.31175(4)(a) the Agreement and the terms therein are confidential personnel records of an employee of the Association except for information concerning the
number of hours worked and the salaries and benefits of the employee.
number of hours worked and the salaries and benefits of the employee.
In other words, this Board in collaboration with Seddon's handpicked association attorney, Adam Clarkson, WILL NOT DISCLOSE ANY OF THIS TO YOU AND I....the ones who are paying her salary.
Why would that be ???
Likely to avoid another Darcy Spears Channel 13 report as to what will probably be an even higher excessive income than this individual already receives.
Remember the last one ?
For those of you who need a reminder of how overly compensated this individual always was a year ago, watch this clip...and CRY...Again !
This is a travesty !
Placing even greater power and likely HIGHER COMPENSATION in the hands of an individual who, a year ago, 836 Sun Anthem property owners signed a petition of "No Confidence" regarding her managerial tactics...
...an individual who engineered one of the most disturbing events in the Removal Election by not only approving an $85,000 expenditure that included an audit firm who "lost" or "miscalculated" petition totals...
...an individual who refused at all costs to allow those vital records to be properly corrected...
...an individual who refused at all costs to allow those vital records to be properly corrected...
...then was instrumental in HIRING THAT SAME FIRM to a three year contract to audit Sun City Anthem financials...
...while allowing her hand picked association attorney to increase legal fees well beyond any budgeted amount...
...defies common sense...
...and more than raises the issues of competency and/or ethical behavior on the part of those who would allow such questionable activity.
...defies common sense...
...and more than raises the issues of competency and/or ethical behavior on the part of those who would allow such questionable activity.
A Board who will allow this latest type of action to continue without the full details PRIOR to any action or review by the community which they pledged to SERVE...not...RULE...
...a Board stuffed and padded within the past year with two "political appointees" not elected by the membership (Aletta Waterhouse & Patricia Carroll) who have in all cases, VOTED in the manner in which the "machine" always has advocated....
...combined with yet another Board member who, though elected a year ago in his own right, was also an original "political appointee" (James Coleman) by that same "machine"...
...a Board stuffed and padded within the past year with two "political appointees" not elected by the membership (Aletta Waterhouse & Patricia Carroll) who have in all cases, VOTED in the manner in which the "machine" always has advocated....
...combined with yet another Board member who, though elected a year ago in his own right, was also an original "political appointee" (James Coleman) by that same "machine"...
...should now, in the eyes of any rational individual, be looked at for what their actions have clearly shown...
&
...and must NOT be allowed to commit our financial resources at a date that within a few months, a new Board will be forced to abide by...
...no matter how negatively Sun City Anthem would be impacted by this decision.
The time to act is NOW.
Send your objections to each and every member of Sun City Anthem Board of Directors.
Send your objections to each and every member of Sun City Anthem Board of Directors.
We've made it easy for you. Click click here for their respective email addresses:
Don't allow these self-serving individuals to control your lives any longer...
...and...make them pay if they ignore the common sense and decency a senior community must have in its leaders...
...by rejecting any and all of them in the coming Board election should they decide to run for office.
...and...make them pay if they ignore the common sense and decency a senior community must have in its leaders...
...by rejecting any and all of them in the coming Board election should they decide to run for office.
Take back your community...it is quickly being taken from you !
Got a comment?
Send it us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
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From Mary Lee Duley...to...Anthem Opinions
What next? Appears she’s locking herself into a FOREVER POSITION and the machine, once again, does nothing except abide by her every wish and passes whatever she dictates.
I am soooooooo sorry for the residents.
I have never understood how so many can keep their heads in the sand over these issues.
SCA is so damn lucky to have all of your time and energy going into keeping the SCA residents INFORMED!
I do not miss the drama and the way the association is run.
It could be such an incredible community but will continue to be run in that fashion until the apathetic community WAKES UP. -
From Valerie Lapin...to...Anthem Opinions
Say this isn’t going to happen, please! We need to get rid of this over paid , power hungry woman who is destroying what was once a wonderful community.
How can we get rid of her? -
Valerie, my deepest fear, and the "machine's" only weapon left, is to give her a contract.
They know that the public tide is dramatically moving against HER and THEM, and this idea of any long-term contract would be just another way to BULLY a community into maintaining their devious ways....AND...a GM's way to prove SHE'S THE BOSS, not any Board.
Let's not forget that Nona Tobin strongly advised all of us that this would take place; and as a result, every attempt was made to shut her up at every turn.
...and an uncaring community not only watched it, but allowed it to happen.
To you Nona, this community owes you a sincere apology for doubting you in any way. Over time they all have proven themselves to be the untrustworthy group you tried to warn us about again and again.
The "sickest" aspect of this entire thing is that they are REFUSING to disclose the contents of the agreement.
That is despicable and certainly makes total LIARS of all of them when they preach the word "transparency".
I hope that many in the community will finally look at all of them for what many of us have stated for years...
...and been ridiculed for as a result !
This group and those who support them and such activity are completely untrustworthy and deserve to be dumped as soon as possible.
We hope and PRAY that some honest individuals with integrity will come forward, run for the Board, and literally do everything in their power to curb these acts.
Our community is at a turning point that without such change, our future will be a dark one to say the least. -
From Jack Yocum...to...Anthem Opinions
What exactly are you trying to say in you lengthy article?
It is so long the I cannot figure our what you are complaining about?
Please be shorter and get to the point.
Maybe I would write a response if I could understand what exactly you are saying. -
Jack, read my above comment if you want a shorter version.
My objective was simple...READ the facts from the past; DIGEST them; and unless you want to loose your identity as a community, make sure you DUMP any individuals from a Board who would make such fools out of intelligent people as a result of their actions.
Hope this clarifies things in order for you to submit a comment. -
From Robert Latchford...to...Anthem Opinions
Since the holidays occupying much of out time, it is easy to overlook events going on in our backyard, relatively unnoticed. A perfect example is the article in the Anthem Opinions about the apparent plans of changes our Board of Directors have in store for us.
The article seems quite innocent with its main feature being to change the title of Ms. Seddon to Chief Operating Officer, with no change in responsibility.
Then why bother, especially by barely mentioning the fact in an obscure place in the board book?
Not questioning the Board’s integrity (right), it is reminiscent of our last president a few years ago wishing to reward some staff members in his favor do so, as their salaries were set by Civil Service regulations, so he merely created a new job title for them and gave them raises. I’d lay odds that the Board of Directors has a motive.
The Board also gloated in their E-Blast, which should be subtitled “All the news we want you to hear’ to the results of the “opinion questionnaire” sent out last month. However, I doubt they could justify the facts that several hundred ballots more than property owners were sent out and many completed ballots were counted from renters, with no vested financial interest in out community.
For all we know, the Board of Directors may already have a restaurant lease signed, which many of us thought was the case last fall until a surprise almost cost us dearly.
Also, has anyone heard what was happening out with the Liberty Center lawsuit? Do we feel like it is being conducted in our best interests?
After the first of the year, I saw a new or near new pickup on our street with some compliance title on it.
I later found out it was a person hired by Ms. Seddon (at $40,000) to cruise the area looking for landscaping violations and report them to a group to mail out no-no letters, also hired by management.
When questioning why, I has told the compliance policy was being proactive, not reactive.
Since we can’t seem to find any qualified people internally to address envelopes and check out the nature of violation to the culprits and outside help is needed, I hope we don’t have to pay for truck purchase or lease, as it looked like a $60000-$70000 model.
These are merely a few examples of what out our “Sad Seven” keeps from us behind closed doors,
What can we do?
Do not accept the logic that no news is not always good news as we are finding out.
Speak to your friends and neighbors, many of whom are not aware or only hear part of an issue.
Subscribe to the Anthem Opinion an online publication, and voice your dislikes by using your “toxic keyboard” to enlighten others.
And more important, an election for 5 board seats will happen later this spring. It is about the only chance we have to seat members who may by the moat qualified and committed.
There is an open monthly meeting of the Board of Directors on Thur 1/24 at I believe 1:00 PM in the Delaware Room of the Anthem Center.
All Homeowners are invited, but Board Members are very good at dodging issues. -
From William L...to...Anthem Opinions
Unbelievable the membership is not even provided a job description for this new position.
I am still not happy about being questioned by another member regarding my vote on a particular issue in an election in which member votes should be confidential.
Instead of paying someone $40,000 to drive around looking at properties, give our patrol volunteers forms and a clipboard and include this in their duties as they drive around.
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Sun City Anthem Compliance Rules
Driving Community Crazy
Have you been lucky enough to receive your "No Compliance" letter from Seddon & Company yet ?
Well, stay tuned, you'll likely be on...
...before you know it !
Anthem Opinions has learned that she...with the approval of our "cost conscious Board of Directors", has done it again !
Looks like the Association Boss, Ms. Seddon, has hired a person for ...
...to float through the "hoods" taking note of all you bad apples out there for not keeping her newly instituted decrees.
But alas...that's not the end of it.
Turns out we also found out that she's also added yet another element of cost to her bureaucratic empire by employing a firm to send out the...
"You're in Deep S _ _ T"
...notices !
We've also learned that to date approximately 1,000 of you lucky individuals out there have already received the news for such "heinous acts" that they dare to violate...
Garbage Cans Not Being Placed Properly outside your abode.
Using "fake" plants to enhance your home's beauty.
(Fake flowers are allowed in pots but nowhere else)
...and...
Decorative benches in your front yards not surrounded by a concrete barrier.
(Pity the sad frog statues that will lose their contact with humans as a result)
Nothing yet on the dead plants that have been sitting around for 5 years or the trees that are either dead or hang over the sidewalks!
Obviously, the guy doing the investigating must be consumed with the benches and their cheerful, sad to say, unwelcome frogs who will be losing their homes !
Do we favor such acts of righteousness?
But wait...if they're going to take it that level, perhaps the next compliance revision might also encompass similar laws that exist in various states...
...laws, that in my opinion, should be considered by the looney birds...
...who have determined how senior citizens must be treated like kindergarten children !
And so...
Let's examine some of the regulations have been enacted by others in this great land of ours...
...to give them an idea of what to do next !
Pay attention Ms. Seddon, and take note of these potential next ideas !
It Is Illegal For a Man to Buy Drinks for More Than Three People at a Time in Las Vegas ?
It's Illegal to Wear a Bulletproof Vest While Committing a Murder In New Jersey ?
Beer and Pretzels Cannot Be Served at the Same Time in Any Bar or Restaurant In North Dakota ?
You May Not Take a Picture of a Rabbit during the Month of June In Wyoming ?
It is Illegal to Walk across a Street on Your Hands In Connecticut ?
Women Must Obtain Written Permission from Their Husbands to Wear False Teeth In Vermont ?
Putting Salt on a Railroad Track May Be Punishable By Death In Alabama ?
Donkeys Cannot Sleep in Bathtubs in Arizona ?
In Blythe, California, You Must Own Two Cows before You Can Wear Cowboy Boots ?
You Can Be Stopped By the Police for Biking Over 65 Miles Per Hour In Connecticut ?
Fishing While Sitting on a Giraffe’s Neck is Forbidden in Illinois ?
It Is Illegal to Rob a Bank and Then Shoot at the Bank Teller with a Water Pistol in Louisiana ?
Next-Door Neighbors May Not Lend Each Other Vacuum Cleaners in Colorado ?
No One May Cross Minnesota State Lines with a Duck on Top of Their Head?
Whistling Underwater Is Illegal in Vermont ?
Under US military law, unsuccessful suicide attempts are illegal ?
It's Illegal to Wear a Bulletproof Vest While Committing a Murder In New Jersey ?
Beer and Pretzels Cannot Be Served at the Same Time in Any Bar or Restaurant In North Dakota ?
You May Not Take a Picture of a Rabbit during the Month of June In Wyoming ?
It is Illegal to Walk across a Street on Your Hands In Connecticut ?
Women Must Obtain Written Permission from Their Husbands to Wear False Teeth In Vermont ?
Putting Salt on a Railroad Track May Be Punishable By Death In Alabama ?
Donkeys Cannot Sleep in Bathtubs in Arizona ?
In Blythe, California, You Must Own Two Cows before You Can Wear Cowboy Boots ?
You Can Be Stopped By the Police for Biking Over 65 Miles Per Hour In Connecticut ?
Fishing While Sitting on a Giraffe’s Neck is Forbidden in Illinois ?
It Is Illegal to Rob a Bank and Then Shoot at the Bank Teller with a Water Pistol in Louisiana ?
Next-Door Neighbors May Not Lend Each Other Vacuum Cleaners in Colorado ?
No One May Cross Minnesota State Lines with a Duck on Top of Their Head?
Whistling Underwater Is Illegal in Vermont ?
Under US military law, unsuccessful suicide attempts are illegal ?
Had enough of this insanity?
Don't forget that this General Manager acted with the full blessing of the Sun City Anthem Board of Directors approval and of course, one other element...
You're
Anyone out there believe that any of them should be reelected?
They should...if this is what you want the future of your neighborhood to become!
Got a comment?
Let's hear it.
Send it to:
scaopinions@gmail.com
_____________________________
Credibility
A Quality Lacking in Sun City Anthem Treasurer
Let's face facts...this guy is a real piece of work who obviously starts every morning by looking in a mirror and saying:
...but that mirror lately has been staring back at him and saying....
Obviously Anthem Opinions "got to him" and his "machine" cohorts, because he wouldn't have published the restaurant poll numbers again...
...this time reflecting the "renters" that for some reason, HE, and his MACHINE, and their boss, the General Manager, decided to intentionally omit from their original report...
...until he and "the bunch" got caught with their pants over their knees when the real truth came out.
Of course, that meant "'Oh Oh !....
...and...
...just as his pen made sure the community would not vote against any of his "bunch" to rid itself of them a year ago in the recall election, refusing any retort to his official eblast on an official community publication...
...or his "machine" buried all the fine print freebie goodies that were to be given in the last "sell the community down the drain deal" to the last restaurant guy, (linens, DirectTV, free advertising, etc., and most importantly, a lack of vetting that took a 5 minute google search to discover a former bankruptcy)... until that was discovered by Anthem Opinions and Anthem Today...
...the ever so slick Mr. Quinn seems to be at it again...this time with what should have been labeled...
Now... he and "the machine" have tried to save face by saying the renters who did vote, were only an insignificant number.
As if that was supposed to cover up the fact, that...
...as a Treasurer...
...the keeper of the community till...
...that a "man of high finance"...
... would actually try to make such an insulting statement...
...tying to justify that...
A RENTER HAS A RIGHT IN ANY WAY TO AFFECT ANY FINANCIAL DECISION OF SUN CITY ANTHEM !
Well now, Mr. Quinn....
In simple everyday talk, to any person of even modest intelligence....
Unfortunately for Mr. Quinn, his reputation now seems to proceed his latest attempt at journalism, and when one considers that the numbers used in the tainted POLL SCAM were nothing more than...
"guesstimates"...
..."guesstimates" without seeing or presenting a single legitimate firm bid to justify them...
..."guesstimates" he refuses to say were nothing more than ...
....to trust anything this guy or his "bunch" conveys to an unsuspecting community as to their competent ability to engineer any future financial "deal" that would benefit the homeowners, is simply...
&
Add these facts to he and his pompous "bunch" continuing to refuse any others to retort their "tainted" propaganda in allowing others to "tell their side of the story" in the same official manner he and his "machine" groupies" have done...
...this entire group of (cough cough) "leaders" is beginning to remind me of a scene in the film, "Wayne's World"...
...this entire group of (cough cough) "leaders" is beginning to remind me of a scene in the film, "Wayne's World"...
It goes without saying that this individual's credibility is now on par with with a guy who stops you on the street and asks if you want to buy a Rolex !
...that his latest bunk, and that of his "machine" fruit loops, if objectively evaluated, have resulted in some of the worst and wasteful decisions in the history of our association.
Wake up, Sun City Anthem, this is serious business, and must be addressed by those who are capable of telling the full story, not just a fraction of it.
This is a guy with an ego and desire for power that far exceeds his commitment to the people.
If he chooses to run again for reelection, I can assure you his support will come from the following sources:
a. A MACHINE
b. Those who believe a "machine" works to the benefit of the people.
c. Those who are an active part of that MACHINE.
d. Those who won't take the time to look at the real person.
He is a hero to the uninformed; the ignorant, the ones who "say how to do it, but have never done it themselves".
The question then remains...
Do you fall into one of the above categories ???
This saying was recently shared with me that I would ask all of you to commit to memory as we approach the Board election season:
“If you do not take an interest in the affairs of your government, then you are doomed to live under the rule of fools."
He MUST GO; Sun City Anthem can little afford to have such an individual who will look for excuse after excuse, to be a part of decisions that will affect the financial security of a community.
If he tells "half truths" now, only a fool would believe it would be any different in the next two years.
Got a comment?
Send it to us at:
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From Barbara Sidary...to...Anthem OpinionsDick, I am actually not sure I believe they got that many responses to the restaurant survey.When residents won't send back the age survey to keep us a senior community, I have trouble believing that 50% of the residents voted on the restaurant.I am just very skeptical.
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Barbara,Based on so many actions of this Board in the past few years, believing anything they try to "peddle", insults the entire community.They have lost all credibility...if they ever had it at all.They have to be dumped at the next election to avoid catastrophic financial results.There has never been a time when SCA was in greater need of strong and qualified leadership.It has become so obvious that this Board WORKS for the General Manager.That is not governance, but weakness as a result of incompetence.
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From Valerie Lapin...to...Anthem OpinionsWhen I first heard that a poll was being sent out to see if we wanted a restaurant my first reaction was, “you have got to be kidding,”.In my mind it was a ruse to fool the owners so that the manager and Board could manipulate the results to show what they wanted.Sure enough this is what happened!They had the poll results and could show what they wanted.Does that sound like a fair endeavor or was it the highest form of manipulation and control?Both the Manager and the Board should be ashamed of their underhanded actions to get what they want at the expense of owners.It’s us against them!The icing on the cake is that the numbers they used to frighten the residents had no back up, as far as anyone knows!No impartial individuals monitored the results.Do these individuals believe that we can’t see what they are doing?This is one outrageous act after another.Get rid of them all and bring fairness and sanity to our community!It’s about time we had a healthy community!
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From Marcia Kosterka...to...Anthem OpinionsIn my opinion there is more to this picture than the very valid points brought to light so far. Everyone that I have talked to, including people that have recently moved here and have learned about the dishonest way this association is run, are furious.That is all good and well but...........In order to replace the arrogant, inept, and selfish ruling few, it is necessary for those that have professional and valuable backgrounds in their earlier lives, to step up and "throw their hats into the ring" and run for the BOD. NOTHING LESS will accomplish what we all want, which is fairness, honesty and integrity from those that govern.i know for a fact that there are homeowners who have professional backgrounds in the fields of finance, construction, insurance, restaurants, etc. who would be assets as board members.Just complaining about this abomination of how this HOA is currently run is not enough to rid us of the choke-hold we are experiencing currently and ignoring the state laws governing HOA's.Some residents have said that they moved here to retire and will just pay any increase in dues and or any special assessment to live the life they want. This adds a real burden upon those owners who are really on a fixed income and tight budget and may be forced to move elsewhere. This would be a real tragedy.
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From Tony & Angelina Orzada...to...Anthem OpinionsHi Dick,I have noticed a new sign in the front of the Anthem Center which purports to be “ RUNNING FOR THE BOARD “When I lived in California, there were similar signs warning drivers of illegals running across the freeway.When I see our new sign I am reminded of our BOARD OF DIRECTORS running for the hills !Keep up the great work in fighting the OLD CHICAGO MACHINE ! ( only now here in Sun City Anthem )You are due for an award to keep us informed of the BS which comes from our current board, (the renter voting issue the most recent example )Congratulations !
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.
Did any of you read a last minute insert in the January, 2019 issue of The Spirit Magazine entitled "The Real Deal III"?
Well here's the real truth about that "Deal" !
The "Real Deal, Volume III" is a fraud...yes...
I'm calling it like it is !
Through continuous...
...Sun City Anthem has now hit an...
...in the manner which a "supposed" conclusion was drawn to go forth with seeking yet another restaurant.
This time they have taken it to a new low level by INSULTING the intelligence of each and every property owner, spending needless ASSOCIATION FUNDS to DECEPTIVELY convince a community that an overwhelming number of owners desire a restaurant.
It was previously reported via OFFICIAL SUN CITY ANTHEM eblast that there was an overwhelming number of individuals who cast their ballot in favor of a restaurant rather than re-purposing the area in what the 5-time defunct losing proposition of what we have previously referred to as a "restaurant", is currently located.
We found it VERY STRANGE that the results of the poll were as follows:
For a restaurant
For re-purposing the space for another purpose
1,216
We had spoken to many of the residents who voted, and were, more often than not, told that they believed the "EVERYTHING FREE" CONCEPT was both a WASTE and MISUSE of association of funds.
The outrageous "back door" unannounced giveaways included in a previous deal with G2G discovered by both the Anthem Today and Anthem Opinions blogs, raised serious doubts as to the credibility of the Sun City Anthem Board in the minds of many who were made aware of them...
... and strangely were repeated in the letter that was enclosed with the poll ballot.
In addition the cost estimates for both alternatives were unreliable "guesstimates" without any concrete information as to their validity.
But...despite that belief, the numbers proved otherwise.
That is...
...until...
...Former Finance Committee member, Barry Goldstein, attended a Current Events session a week ago and heard "the impossible" from Board member, Aletta Waterhouse !
Renters were allowed to vote !
What ? Why ?
Her answer...
"because they would use the restaurant".
Wait a minute !
Is this supposed "representative of the people" (the one who LOST in the last election, but was appointed back on the Sun City Anthem Board by her "machine" cohorts) actually saying that those who have NO VOTING PRIVILEGES, had any right in any way as to how OWNERS funds are utilized?
Evidently, this Board (of the seven, two not even having been elected), in conjunction with the General Manager, believes such an action was acceptable...
...acceptable to them, but not worthy of DISCLOSING THAT TO THE ASSOCIATION OWNERS ????
Then...comes "The Real Deal III" insert to the January, 2019 Spirit Magazine...sent to property owners....all 7,144 of them..
There was a GLARING inconsistency that many may not have noticed...
...a "detail" that INVALIDATES THE ENTIRE POLL...
...and proves it was a...
The report stated that ballots were sent to 7,831 individuals !
Now, let's see, if my math is correct, that means that 687 other ballots were sent...
...TO WHOM ?????
...TO WHOM ?????
AND MORE IMPORTANTLY...
They were sent by way of our ridiculously overpaid...
...you know, the one who had close to 700 residents sign a "no confidence" petition as to her managerial skills...
...makes...
...the income of the average HOA General Manager in the state of Nevada...
...and, as a result...
... was the subject of an "HOA Hall of Shame Report" last year conducted by Channel 13's Darcy Spears.
Remember it ???
If you missed it, watch and weep...especially the part where YOUR CURRENT LEADERS REFUSED TO COMMENT in any way, when asked for their "side of the story".
We also believe you should know that when those 700 petitions were submitted, a DEMAND was also made to INCLUDE THEM IN HER PERSONNEL FILE...
...a common business practice when complaints are filed against an employee's job performance used for evaluation and future income increases.
Were they?
Everyone has refused to answer that question, but guess what?
Despite those damning 700 petitions, the General Manager nevertheless, received a subsequent substantial bonus and raise !
Is this the first time Sun City Anthem residents have been...HAD ???
Remember the Recall and the petitions that were "supposedly lost" that should have placed former Sun City Anthem president, Bob Burch, on the removal list?
And the accounting firm who handled it...the one who was recommended by our Association attorney, Adam Clarkson, and embraced by our General Manager's recommendation...
...the same one just awarded a 3 year auditing...
Unfortunately, this latest BLATANT ACT of DECEPTION that was disgustingly referred to as "The Real Deal, Volume III" did not have an author's name attached to it, but that terminology has unsurprisingly been previously used in a former President's Report written and published in the Spirit by former Sun City Anthem President and current Vice President, Rex Weddle.
When all is said and done, each and every Sun City Anthem property owner got...
...and that must have repercussions, namely, the following:
1. A formal acknowledgement that renters should not have been included in any decision affecting homeowner funds.
3. A complete retraction in the February Spirit magazine as to renters being included that had the effect of invalidating the entire poll.
4. PERSONAL REIMBURSEMENT from the individual or individuals for any association funds expended that created this deliberate deception.
We will not forget any of this when it comes to the next Board election, and we certainly hope if any of their names appear on any future Board ballot, you thoroughly reject this type of action as indicative of their ability to properly and/or ETHICALLY govern.
This latest action in our opinion is more than proof that Sun City Anthem is now at an ETHICAL GOVERNANCE CROSSROAD that ONLY THE OWNERS can rectify at a ballot box.
The time has come for owners to finally recognize it exists...
...and...
In our opinion, a starting point is RIDDING this menacing effect on our community in the next Board election in order that a new qualified and caring Board can carefully and competently identify the problems the present and numerous previous Boards have not only created, but have allowed to flourish over the years.
What say you?
Send your comments to:
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From Robert Lacthford...to...Anthem Opinions
The ballots wee returned by a number of misguided respondents, many on whom only read the fear statement on the letter and concluded that their only choices were between $250,000 annually for a restaurant or $750,000 without one.
They opted to support one without considering the fact that these estimates could be merely the tip on the iceberg if allowed to enter into such a venture that already failed 5 times.
Of the ballots sent out, 3416 failed to return them, while 2386 supported the measure as to 1216 opposed it.
Many of those favoring it, or at least those I spoke with, based their opinion that having a restaurant would be “nice” with little knowledge of it’s potential consequences.
Also since 30% of the properties are rentals and it is up to property owners to shell out the costs, and a board member allegedly reporting ballots accepted from renters, one must question the validity of the count.
Did the board go to the Assessor's office or a title company to get the owners’ current mailing addresses?
A restaurant would hardly benefit renters, as higher expenses would lead to higher rents.
The board president made a statement after common sense prevailed and G2G virtually got the axe; that the board learned from their mistakes from failing miserably in the last debacle, but their lack of experience was evident and the figures remain quite the same.
True, the 7500 sq. ft. or so is costing us being vacant, but out board tells us that the only option is a restaurant.
It could be used by clubs or meeting rooms, which would be non revenue producing, but has anyone discussed the feasibility to partitioning it into smaller tenants which would serve the community on a regular basis while paying rent?
Examples coming to mind are a dry cleaner, barber shop, hairdresser, shoe repair which are patronized regularly by many.
It would likely command too high a rent for office space, but offices like investment brokers not requiring foot traffic may be worth investigation.
A lot of smart minds living here could likely think of something worth considering.
Now that our CFO has left, a huge chunk is taken off the budget, Not that some in-house financial services are not needed, the high price tag seems superfluous, especially with the big bucks to the accounting firm we are seemingly committed to for 3 years, hopefully they can provide regular operating statements, tax work, projections, and other booking services.
Since I believe it to be the same firm we paid $85,000 to count the recall ballots, does this mean we should brace ourselves for another surprise when we get their bill to count the latest “opinion’ ballots? -
A Barber/Beauty Shop--what a GOOD and PRACTICAL idea!! Downsize the overall restaurant prep space and reconfigure the rear section where the walk-in freezers and grills are currently to accommodate private entry into usable AND rentable spaces. Even the Maintenance Department's space could possibly be enlarged during the process. And best of all, the BOD might not have to obtain a majority vote to do this because it would be "for the benefit of the Owners" (CC&R 7.9). I LIKE IT!!
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From Richard Inglefield...to...Anthem Opinions
A point has been made that some SCA residents wouldn’t pay Buckman’s prices for the same fare in our proposed venue.
Assuming that Buckman’s operates as a profitable enterprise, there are only two (2) conclusions to be drawn from this:
The proposed venue, if it were to be somewhat profitable, would have to offer inferior quality food and service.
The proposed venue, to maintain good quality food and service, would have to be subsidized by all SCA residents.
Personally, we would not tolerate poor food and service, or wish to pay for someone else to eat, at a discount, on our dime.
This whole debacle smells of another boondoggle by our BOD and management by trial and error by our erstwhile GM. -
From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions
How did the Board unilaterally decide to violate our by-laws by letting Renters vote for the restaurant survey??? THIS is the most recent example as to how the SCA Board blatantly ignores the 'rules' when it's to their benefit, and in that way, the Residents ALWAYS lose...…….they are NOT in charge of a casino where the house always wins ! -
Robert, my guess is that's why they called it a "poll" not a "vote".
Just another example of "speaking with forked tongue"?
What's new ! -
From Valerie Lapin...to...Anthem Opinions
Well, we have once again been HAD!
SCA owners are being held hostage by a manager that has too much power and a Board that is dancing to her music. Owners have no voice in our community. The poll was a useless endeavor to make it appear that we had a choice in what the owners wanted.
We have been fooled again. -
From Jim Mayfield...former Sun City Anthem Vice President...to...Anthem Opinions
There are 7,144 owned units in SCA.
Why were renters asked to participate?
They do not have any skin in the game; they won't be the ones to pay the special assessment or increased annual assessments.
I am also curious to know where SCA got the list of renters since its position has been that it doesn't have the ability to track renters. -
Resident Rules for Association, under Section 8.3
Renter Activity Cards, (which was adopted by the Board on 10-23-2014)
"Renter activity card holders are granted all privileges associated with membership except the right to vote in Association affairs; to serve on the Board of Directors or on a standing committee or ad hoc group; or to attend Board or member meetings".
Has this ever been changed?
I could not find any documentation if it was; however, clarification would be more than welcome. -
From Rana Goodman...to...Anthem Opinions
Go to sca-hoa.net go, governance/governing documents Scan down to page 46 7.9.
“The board has the power and right to terminate provided services or to change the use of portions of the common area..”
LINE 5: “Any change shall be made by board resolution stating that:
A). the present use or service is not in the best interest of the community.
B: the new use IS for the benefit of the owners,
C: the new use is consistent with and deed restrictions and zoning. -
From Barbara Sidary...to...Anthem Opinions
I also can't believe that many responses from the mailing were received.
It is amazing that we have to work to get the required amount to keep us a senior community and over 50% of the owners voted on a restaurant.
I find that really hard to understand. -
From Richard Inglefield...to...Anthem Opinions
What’s next with these ?people? running our community into the ground?
Including renters in a poll just because they might want to eat somewhere?
What about all the other Anthem Community Council members, they eat too?
I’m sure some McDonald Ranch folks feel left out as well as in North Las Vegas.
Including renters is no different than these other people, a flagrant abuse of power.
This whole thing reeks of self-serving authoritarianism, and possible criminal activity.
Look behind the curtain, and you’ll see a cadre of lawyers, some disbarred, at work.
Sadly, we have no one to blame except ourselves for letting them take over our lives.
We are fast becoming the laughing stock of Las Vegas, and things are looking to get worse.
Our only option is to boycott the venue completely, if it opens, and let the renters have at it.
They will soon tire of eating there, and will move on leaving a mess behind for us to clean up.
The clubs will tire of poor quality catering prepared by disinterested staff, and will move on.
The wait staff will diminish to a few down on their luck transients, and the venue will shutter.
From the beginning, this community used a restaurant as a sales gimmick for new home buyers.
No one in their right mind would believe that ‘old fools’ and ‘gray hairs’ would keep up the place.
Enough of the smoke and mirrors, open up another failure, but don’t pretend that we all want it. -
Richard,
You have expressed the views of many, and the word "boycott" is becoming one that is being widely used as a result of the manner this Board and General Manager handled the "renters" admission.
Is that the manner in which an honest group of individuals handles such matters?
If they continue this, there's another word that might reappear...
RECALL. -
From Mary Lee Duley...to...Anthem Opinions
RENTERS HAVE NEVER BEEN ALLOWED TO VOTE.
THEY DO NOT OWN PROPERTY AND DO NOT HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AS AN OWNER.
THE RENTERS CARD ALLOWS THEM TO ENJOY THE AMENITIES BUT NOT ATTEND MEETINGS, NOT VOTE.
I THOUGHT IT COULD NOT GET WORSE IN SCA…IT HAS!
HEARTBREAKING
GREAT EDITORIAL EDUCATING FOLKS AND HOPEFULLY THERE ARE SOME QUALIFIED, HONEST, AND CARING RESIDENTS THAT WILL RUN FOR BOARD POSITIONS.
UNTIL THE LOSERS ARE REMOVED, RESIDENTS ARE IN TROUBLE.
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______________________________
The Effect of a Financially Unsophisticated
Community Decision
We gave it our best.
We made every attempt to bring out facts that were not originally discussed (and/or purposely withheld or distorted).
We had many with financial experience present their views, and most importantly, THEIR WARNINGS.
All stressed fiscal responsibility...
...but that didn't seem to matter when it came to the total restaurant opinion poll totals as they were recently reported.
The poll results:
For a restaurant
2,386
For re-purposing the space for another purpose
1,216
And now, because of this tally...
...based on that biased poll in which NO alternative REALISTIC FACTS were allowed to be presented in the same manner as that community sponsored deceptive letter cleverly portrayed them...
...a letter that NO ONE HAS ADMITTED TO HAVE AUTHORED IN ORDER TO VERIFY ITS CONTENTS....
...a letter that NO ONE HAS ADMITTED TO HAVE AUTHORED IN ORDER TO VERIFY ITS CONTENTS....
... Sun City Anthem is all but certain to have yet another restaurant...a 6th restaurant...
...along with each and every property owner now being subjected to a likely increasing annual assessment due to the virtual guarantee of a community subsidization if the terms of the original letter stand.
...along with each and every property owner now being subjected to a likely increasing annual assessment due to the virtual guarantee of a community subsidization if the terms of the original letter stand.
Common sense dictates that costs for any business will increase each year, so it shouldn't come to anyone's surprise that those costs will have to be absorbed by those who pay for it....the owners.
What are some of those INCREASING costs YOU and I will absorb each year as a result of this decision?
Rent
Property Taxes
Utilities
Insurance
Large TV sets
DirecTV service
Security
Linen Services
Comped Advertising Expenses
You name it, we'll probably be paying for all of it !
It was obviously irrelevant that...
...surrounding developments are rapidly being built along with new chain restaurant venues...
...or that statistics state that 80% of new restaurants fail (and that Sun City Anthem's failure rate is 100%)...
... or that "buy-one, get one free" competition will likely make it difficult if not impossible for any Sun City Anthem venue to succeed...
...or that not a single individual on the Sun City Anthem Board has EVER had the slightest successful experience in negotiating any form of restaurant lease...
...or even the likelihood of a substantial number of those 2,386 individuals who voted in favor of such waste, regularly patronizing any establishment (33% of all owners), is all but nil. None ever have, and none likely ever will.
This time though, none of that makes little difference.
This "poll", no matter how filled with fallacy, will be the justification on which this "losing proposition" will go forward.
YOU and I will be "footing the bill" in order to walk past a space in Anthem Center that will likely be void of traffic following a brief "flavor of the month" opening; shortly after which, boredom, and then on to the next new eatery that will open in the general vicinity, will take its place.
YOU and I will be "footing the bill" in order to walk past a space in Anthem Center that will likely be void of traffic following a brief "flavor of the month" opening; shortly after which, boredom, and then on to the next new eatery that will open in the general vicinity, will take its place.
How convinced are any individuals who have any experience in the real business world of this prediction ???
That's how sure !!!!
Sound pessimistic?
Sorry, it's realistic !
Sound pessimistic?
Sorry, it's realistic !
And this not only pertains to Sun City Anthem restaurants.
All one has to do is look at the history of the many "successful" bistros on Eastern Avenue that have gone by the wayside over the years. They too had their "days in the sun"...until the cash registers stopped working when increasing competition knocked at their doors!
The tragedy of what numerous experienced financially sophisticated individuals realize, and have made every attempt to make individuals aware (unsuccessfully)...
...yet those not of that mindset find it impossible to comprehend...
...is this short sided decision is a mere further example of what seems to be sweeping the general consensus of our entire nation; namely...
"I want it, but you pay for it"
Now it is up to those 2,386 (supposed) ardent supporters of this decision to put their money where their votes were cast...
...because it's more than likely that 1,216 owners who voted against this act of financial incompetence and betrayal of fiduciary responsibility...
...not to mention the percentage of the 3,416 owners who were mailed ballots and didn't bother to even cast one...
47.8%
of all Sun City Anthem properties
...who likely cared so little, and won't patronize it either...
...or the...
...or the...
...of all owners who rent their properties, who will likely pass that cost on to their tenants ! (Renters loose in this deal too !)
...and...
As the costs to fellow property owners mount over the years, and those of you who belong to Clubs, unsuccessfully yearn for additional space to plan activities...
...look at the number of those likely few who will be dining at your expense.
After all, they'll be looking back at you saying...
And when all of this likely occurs...
...as history has dictated 100% of the time in Sun City Anthem...
...remember how much time and effort individuals with experience tried to bring all of this to you...
...and...
... BLAME those 2,386 individuals and the 3,416 who remained silent...
81.2%
...of all homeowners...
...for allowing this act of financial incompetence.
Got a comment?
Send it to:
scaopinions@gmail.com
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From Barry Goldstein...to...Anthem Opinions
On Monday in Current Events, Aletta Waterhouse admitted that SCA management accepted responses from people renting units, not the owners.
They figured the renters would be patrons of the restaurant. -
Just another manner in which the poll was "fake news".
Why was that never admitted?
SCA owners were scammed once again.
I wonder if any of those renters who voted in favor of a restaurant realized that their rent will likely increase as a result? -
From Rana Goodman...to...Anthem Opinions
If a viable tenant is not found, the board CAN change the use by resolution.
See provisions and services.
Go to sca-hoa.net.
Go to governance/governing documents.
Scan down to page 46 7.9
“The board has the power and right to terminate provided services or to change the use of portions of the common area..”
(skip Declarant portion since they are gone now)
LINE 5:
“Any change shall be made by board resolution stating that; (A) the present use or service is not in the best interest of the community. B: the new use Is for the benefit of the owners, C: the new use is consistent with and deed restrictions and zoning." -
From Buddy Greenfield...to...Anthem Opinions
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
Have you ever heard that saying? It is true.
If you do not reach your goal, just go back and do it again but as far as the SCA restaurant and the 5 failed attempts at being successful, we must learn from our failures.
This community is not the best place for an independent restaurant.
Do not try and try again. Five times was ample.
It is time to try something that is possible and likely.
So, why do we try and try again?
It is because so many of the residents here at Sun City Anthem are uninformed.
I am confident that the majority of the community does care, and if they paid attention to what is going on here with our board and our management, they would not be happy.
They just want others to make SCA a nice place to live and at a low cost of living.
There are so many of our residents that are just making it watching their pennies and just making enough to have the basics.
They do not seem to get involved. They just want to keep everything going as usual.
They do not pay attention to the gross mismanagement that is going on regularly.
Many of those neighbors cannot afford increases easily.
So I ask, why do they not pay attention to the decisions that are made as a normal existence?
Why do they not attend board meetings?
Why do they not vote in our elections?
Why do they not offer opinions as to whether or not we have a restaurant?
With the subsidies that WE have offered to potential vendors to open a restaurant, it will likely mean an ultimate DUES INCREASE.
Restaurants at SCA are not capable of making a profit unless WE SUBSIDIZE their income.
Yes, that uses our money to pay them to open and run a restaurant. So this will ultimately cause all of us to pay more money.
I have been fortunate to have a comfortable lifestyle after my many years of hard and financially successful working years. I can afford a dues increase and it will not effect my life style.
Not everyone is as fortunate as me.
A small dues increase for many people that are on fixed budgets, means they will have to cut expenses in another area.
Sad but true.
Those households that remain uninformed and elected not to voice an opinion on the restaurant will suffer.
I feel sorry for those people who don't take even a few minutes of their day to show a real concern for their neighbors. -
From Barbara Sidary...to...Anthem Opinions
I noticed that some of the individuals that responded, mentioned that we should attend board meetings.
I have attended board meetings and found out the following:
1) You can't ask any questions on any of the reports or information reported.
2) You can talk if you have signed up to do so, but the board does not answer (some are whispering among themselves and some have even gotten up and walked out).
3) You get no response to questions you want answered.
4) To get anything done that the board is not interested in, is impossible.
So what is the point of wasting time going to a meeting? -
Great comment, Barbara.
I hope those who read what you've written realize that the only manner in which to solve this problem...is...change the people who treat you in that manner.
That means we need concerned individuals who also share these concerns to step up, run for the Board in the Spring, and change the current method in which "the people" are all too often ignored.
We are in deep need of a new philosophy in which owners make the major decisions, not 7 of them in a closed door session, while their weak leadership allows an overpaid General Manager to control their every action that greatly affects all of our lives. -
From Mary Lee Duley...to...Anthem Opinions
Another boondoggle that will benefit the chosen few!
What are they thinking??????
Renters have NEVER been allowed to vote on anything as they do not have a vested interest, yet Aletta Waterhouse admitted the poll included Renters Votes??
That, in itself, should Void the survey!!!
What next?
This is a prime example of incompetence on the part of the GM and the Board.
My heart goes out to you and all who Really Care about SCA as things will never change with the current General Manager at the helm of this sinking ship. -
Mary Lee,
Add...
The Association Attorney she personally recommended...
The auditing firm who demonstrated they couldn't count (obtained through the Association attorney) by giving them a 3 year contract...
...to her management abilities...and sneaky manner in which renters were included WITHOUT DIVULGING THAT FACT...
..and that adds up to the SCA's definition of...
the Diabolical Trinity...
...all endorsed by a Board whose actions will go down as perhaps the worst and weakest individuals in the history of SCA governance. -
From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions
One definition of Insanity is:
Doing the same thing over and over, and expecting the outcome to be different. -
From A.Corso...to...Anthem Opinions
Of course. Let renters vote!
After all "non-citizens " vote in the general elections!
I am now so old, I'm grouchy!! -
From Fred Arnow...to...Anthem Opinions
I have been following the restaurant/repurpose folderol for a while. It seems to boil down to one of two choices … try another restaurant or repurpose the space for use by chartered clubs.
Without being too factitious, how about this novel third choice:
Keep the restaurant facilities and create a new chartered club, “The Restaurant Club” to use what we already have. In other words, how about treating the existing facilities as a “Wood-chips Club for Foodies."
Let’s think outside the box! Almost anything is better than allowing the space to be unused.
For example, members of this new club use the existing equipment and engage chef/instructors (of course with TULIP coverage) in a variety of ways. "Restaurant Club” members would have to be certified (like Wood-chip members) if they want to use kitchen facilities.
The club can offer hands-on classes (like Sur La Table) during which a particular genre of cooking is presented and consumed afterwards.
"Restaurant Club" members would get discounted tuition to participate in these classes and non-members would have to pay an increased fee to attend a/k/a watch a la carte classes.
If people don’t want to attend the class(es), but want to eat the food, they could do so as restaurant patrons.
Channel 99 could film the classes and broadcast them in a special weekly restaurant segment.
The “Restaurant Club” could invite and host other chartered clubs to have periodic regional/ethnic nights. In other words, the Chinese, Filipino, Chicago, Italian, etc. clubs could create dinners that are prepared by the aforementioned chefs and offered to the general public for consumption. The RV club could create “potluck” meal creations.
The first two points could be memorialized by the “Anthem Authors,” and turned into cook books for sale.
The “Restaurant Club" could create, prepare and offer meals cooked for home delivery to compete with the variety of services that are available but probably not used by SCA residents who might not be Internet savvy but would like to enjoy outside food.
The Community Patrol could add vehicles and manpower (hire resident drivers like the people who work in the various clubhouse positions) and dispatch and deliver these meals for a fee. Just think about catered Thanksgiving meals alone.
The “Restaurant Club” could manage the bar and subsidize its operation through permitted gaming machines. It would ensure compliance with Nevada gaming regulations.
Creative culinary ideas are limitless, and this “Restaurant Club” could be the filter through which these ideas pass. Who knows what might evolve? This is certainly an alternative to the present “either/or” scenario that is currently on the table.
Any takers?
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Sun City Anthem Restaurant Poll
December 14th Deadline
Rapidly Approaching
Anthem Opinions receives numerous comments about relevant community matters and we share them with you beneath the articles that are written.
We pride ourselves in having a number of community residents join our efforts to "make Sun City Anthem an honest and better place" to enjoy a retirement experience.
Along those lines, perhaps the most controversial topic we have experienced in our existence is a restaurant in Anthem Center.
After five previous failures, it is obvious this substantial financial investment should and must be looked at carefully before any final decision is made....
...by individuals whose past has not only shown experience in such relevant matters, but whose community service distinguishes them as THOSE WHO SHOULD BE LISTENED TO !
Comments such as "I want one" in our estimation, though appreciated, are as effective as letters to Santa Claus. They say nothing other than expressing a "want", but do not address community NEEDS, as well as, community FINANCES...
...and must be placed in proper perspective as to the community in general.
Since the original poll letter was mailed to all Sun City Anthem owners, we have tried to provide relevant commentary to you in order to make an intelligent decision; articles which take numerous aspects of the decision into account...
...and we hope that through articles published by former Sun City Anthem Board members (Favil West & Jim Mayfield) alongside those of former Finance Committee member, Barry Goldstein, our well-experienced and successful "Mr. Fix-It", Forrest Fetherolf, Nevada Guardianship champion and Political Editor of the Vegas Voice magazine, Rana Goodman, former long time resident, Mary Lee Duley, and current resident, Robert Lachford, have allowed you to come to an intelligent decision on which to complete the poll sent to you by Sun City Anthem management a few weeks ago.
I believe we have provided a substantial amount of information that you DID NOT RECEIVE in the original poll letter sent to you...
...a letter that, in our opinion, was unfairly biased, filled with inaccurate "half truth" information, "guesstimates" of cost that have never been verified, and written by an unknown author who refuses to come forward....
...in order to produce a contrived predetermined result that will benefit a FEW at the expense of MANY.
Our suspicions also seem to be well founded based on another recent QUESTIONABLE decision.
Since that letter was sent, the current Sun City Anthem Board signed a THREE YEAR AGREEMENT with an accounting firm whose handling of the REMOVAL ELECTION a year ago, produced a substandard method of distribution to unit owners by disguising the contents of their correspondence that included a ballot, refused to correct relevant information provided to them, and was a participant in an $85,000 outrageous cost to the Sun City Anthem community.
Based on these facts, one would question such an arrangement until it was learned that the choice...
...was recommended by a current Sun City Anthem Treasurer, Forrest Quinn...
...through an initial recommendation a year ago by Association Attorney, Adam Clarkson, highly recommended by the "Star" of a Darcy Spears Channel 13, "HOA Hall of Shame" report, General Manager, Sandra Seddon, and readily approved by the then Sun City Anthem Board of Directors.
One must consider all this vital information in determining the credibility of those who are responsible for the financial future and well-being our community, and we urge all of you to complete the poll and deliver it to Anthem Center by the deadline, Friday, December 14th.
_____________________________
Restaurant Poll
A Last Ditch Plea to Please Vote
by
Jim Mayfield
Former 2 Term Sun City Anthem Board Vice President
Former Chair of the Sun City Anthem Finance Committee
This Friday, December 14, is the last day you can submit the survey sent to you by SCA soliciting your opinion on how SCA should proceed to use the space currently dedicated for a high-end restaurant in Anthem Center. I urge you to submit your survey, regardless of how you vote on the survey, for two reasons.
Reason 1.
I agree with many of the criticisms that have been written on various blogs regarding the deficiencies of the survey and the misleading cost comparisons presented to compare the two choices offered by the Board in the survey.
However, these shortcomings should not lead to homeowners to becoming frustrated and deciding not to vote.
Several key issues are embedded in this decision that will substantially affect the amount of your annual assessments for years to come and potentially your property value.
The increased operating costs necessary to subsidize a restaurant have been thoroughly presented by other people, but two almost invisible policy decisions are less apparent and inadequately discussed.
A vote to have a restaurant will result in a SPECIAL ASSESSMENT to cover the remodeling costs for a commercial operator.
SCA has never had a special assessment, and authorizing one now will break the plane and set policy precedents that special assessments:
(1) can be used by the Board to fund commercial ventures at SCA; as well as, (2) used to fund improvements that benefit only a small portion of SCA homeowners.
Such policies will have an adverse effect on home values—ask any realtors.
Reason 2.
Using a survey to cover up flagrantly inadequate business practices by the Board and General Manager limits consideration of choices available about food service at SCA and space utilization.
Only the SCA property owners can hold the Board and ultimately the General Manager accountable for fulfilling their fiduciary responsibilities to SCA homeowners.
If you believe that special assessments are a useful tool for the board to use to support subsidies to commercial entities and levels of service that benefit only a minority portion of SCA homeowners, then you should vote in favor of the restaurant proposition offered by the Board.
If you believe the Board and General Manager have adequately represented your interests in negotiating with commercial interests to operate a restaurant at SCA, you should vote in favor of the restaurant proposition offered by the Board.
If you think the two options offered in the survey are the only two options and you prefer the restaurant option, you should vote in favor of the restaurant proposition offered by the Board.
However...
If you do not support the restaurant option offered by the Board, you should vote for the reallocation of space option offered in the survey.
This option leaves open future planning and decisions regarding the use of the space, including using a portion of it for a different type of food service and bar than presently possible.
Regardless of how you vote on the survey, please vote.
A decision as important as this one with its potential to affect costs of annual assessments and special assessment at SCA should not be left to a minority of SCA home owners.
If you did not receive a survey or have lost your survey, please contact the SCA administrative offices for a replacement survey.
THIS FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2018, IS THE DEADLINE.
Got a comment?
Send it to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
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From A. Parenti...to...Anthem Opinions
To Anthem Opinions:
I don’t usually complain. ,but, I never received this survey.
I travel a couple times a year. My mail is forwarded by the US Postal Service. They do an excellent job of forwarding all my important mail.
I received my HOA dues coupon book. It’s sent 1st class mail, as it should.
If the survey is so important.I would assume it was sent 1st class mail.
I wonder how many other owners have not received the survey? -
As per Jim Mayfield's concluding note to his article, I would suggest that you go to Anthem Center, report you had not received it, and ask for replacement ballot.
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From Bob Frank...to...Anthem Opinions
James and all others.
It is good to hear from you.
My immediate thoughts are as follows:
Apathy is normal by joy-seeking, tired, and ill seniors who came here simply to enjoy their last days and prefer to pay for inconvenience rather than challenge theft, corruption and fraud by the SCA boards and their close friends on the Henderson City Council.
Members are being informally asked (not required to vote among major, high-cost modifications to common facilities per Statute and our By Laws) to choose among 2 unacceptable, very expensive options when in fact, there is at least one additional option--to do nothing but change the rules of use of the dining area and kitchen.
The 3rd option would require the association to issue consistent rules to turn the current SCA-owned dining and restaurant facilities into private use only--as is the case for all other facilities.
The rules would allow SCA clubs and ad hoc SCA member groups to reserve use of the restaurant area and/or kitchen area as they wish, and SCA would managed them much as the multi-purpose rooms are. Club/group clean up and any needed repairs resulting from group use would be handled the same as other SCA multi-purpose rooms, game rooms, pools and the ballroom. This would make it possible for the restaurant area to be reserved independently for catered events held in other locations than the dining area.
The 3rd option will mean that many groups will be using the dining and/or restaurant areas in lieu of multi-purpose rooms, and free up some multi-purpose rooms for plain meetings.
The board survey is a false dilemma using fuzzy logic.
The survey and any preliminary actions should be withdrawn and the following 3rd option tested in 2019.
A nonprofit, NV LLC organization should be formed for a small cost to prepare to file a suit to protect membership rights if the board refuses to honor the 3rd option trial use approach and abandon their fiduciary duties to the membership.
If desired, I will help in any way fellow members wish.
I know many of the newer SCA members who attend my Church and believe there are many others who will prefer to fight such board corruption in ways most likely to be successful in this city election year.
As stated before, all our property values will start to decline as well as having to pay a special assessment and pay higher dues in the future, if a firm stand with a stronger membership strategy is not implemented this time around.
We are facing hundreds of dollars of losses during the next few years if we simply respond to the board's unacceptable survey.
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______________________
Sun City Anthem Resident Restaurant Evaluation
Deserves Special Notice
by
Robert Latchford
Sun City Anthem Resident
It was refreshing to read the articles from Favil West with his opinions about issues to be considered before considering a restaurant in the Anthem Center.
His noted experience in the field of commercial leasing in general and more specifically our problem, was invaluable, and I would hope, though not optimistic, that every property owner would make note of his comments.
A lease of this nature is only as good as the way it was written, and certain areas must be addressed to prevent a disaster. Nothing was more evident than that we were allowed to see parts of in the conditions in the proposed lease from G2G a few months ago.
It was a recipe for sure disaster.
Though their efforts were likely done with (in their eyes) the best motives, it was obvious to even my unskilled eyes that was not done through negotiation, but agreeing with whatever the possible tenant wanted.
We want free rent !
Free utilities !
Catering exclusive catering rights !
The greatest point Mr. West that I feel would influence most voters to give a thumbs down to the pro-restaurant people are the possible costs that could be encounter that were never explained, which were only brief examples.
Expect to pay a lot more.
He did state that he favored a restaurant as an effective use of the space if done right and mentioned a successful lease he had negotiated at that location.
He failed to point out that it was on the property already housing a restaurant, already having an existing customer base, due largely through subsidies from the developer.
Getting new business is not that easy.
The current ballot still rates resounding NO as trying to attract outside customers, There seems to be no plan to generate more revenue.
You won't do it by selling coffee and bagels in an off the beaten track location with little options to draw traffic.
However, if the issue came to push and shore, pointing to a judge that it was wanted by the majority of homeowners, could be a factor.
_______________________
Former President
of
Sun City Anthem & Foundation Assisting Seniors
Speaks Out on Restaurant Debacle
(Part One of Two)
Favil West
There is an element of professionalism that exists in most every facet of our daily business lives. Sadly, that element seems to be missing in the way that the past few boards consider “good business practices.”
They have made the leasing of the SCA Restaurant space little more than a laughing matter.
Beside the obvious who, what, when, where, and how much elements of a lease, there is one other that is of equal importance, the “right to quiet enjoyment.”
Essentially, that means that once the space is leased, butt out.
But... that has not been the modus operandi of recent boards and it has, in my opinion, colored the outcome in a significantly negative way.
In 2001-02 the Association was losing more than $23,000 per month on restaurant operations.
As the only elected board member and former business owner, I found that objectionable.
I prevailed on Del Webb to close the restaurant down.
The President of Del Webb, Chris Haines, asked to meet with me and put forth the proposition of leasing the restaurant to an outside operator.
In 2002 a lease was negotiated with S&D Partners that paid SCA $10,000 per month plus certain “sharing of revenue clauses.”
In spite of the fact that SCA was losing $23,000 per month, a few, 19 to be exact, objected to leasing “our restaurant, Trumpets,” to a private party.
After a series of "resident only" meetings in which the board agreed to follow the wishes of the residents, a vote was taken the results of which showed that more than 90% of our residents were in favor of the lease.
For the next 5 years S&D operated the space.
While they lost money on the restaurant, they more than made up for those losses through their catering. Their catering was primarily to outside groups, to wedding groups, galas, birthdays, etc.
Because of the actions of a few of our board members, committee members, and a few bloggers an extension of the lease was rejected.
S & D, the lessee, successfully sued SCA recovering most of the money they paid in leasing the restaurant.
Yes, we lost the suit.
The failure of the last few restaurants has, in many respects, been the result of an inexperienced board and manager.
Leasing space of any kind is not for amateurs and that has been exactly the makeup of the negotiating teams representing SCA.
Now, we must all keep in mind, that, with the exception of Sun City Anthem, General Manager, Sandy Seddon, they are volunteers and are doing the best job they can.
I respect that and take my hat off to them.
However, having said that, “good business practices” dictate that if you don’t know what you are doing, you get someone who does.
An interesting sidebar, I was asked to meet with the operator of the last restaurant, which I did.
He asked me to review his lease.
He told me that SCA had loaned them $40,000.
I don’t know the truth about the $40,000 but I will say this:
If SCA loaned them the money, then it is not inexperience we are dealing with, it is something much more basic.
What I found in the lease documents was that there was no right to a quiet enjoyment clause, and a few other clauses that really limited their ability to successfully do business.
It was clear to me that they were going under sooner than later.
Tomorrow: Part Two
Looking Toward the Future
Got a comment on Mr. West's commentary?
Send it to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
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Mr. West's comment: "Leasing space of any kind is not for amateurs" is very true - especially a lease for a restaurant....there are many Doctors, Lawyers, Accountants, etc who had the grandiose idea of opening a restaurant for some "extra free money" that went bust because they had no idea what they were doing
___________________________
Former President
of
Sun City Anthem & Foundation Assisting Seniors
Speaks Out on Restaurant Debacle
(Part Two of Two)
Favil West
Now, we have received a “space opinion poll” where the residents are presented with the SCA Boards’ version of facts.
We are told, “that a for-profit restaurant is not feasible,” that “it cannot be supported by the limited number of restaurant patrons,” that even "vacant, it costs us money, primarily in reserve funding, taxes, and utilities.”
We have even been told that most HOA’s subsidize their restaurants.
That is not true.
What is true, Country Clubs that have restaurants do subsidize them.
I do not know of any age qualified community such as ours that provides a subsidy for a restaurant.
The person who came up with the cost to re-purpose the restaurant space obviously knows little about construction, and even less about construction costs.
Are architectural and design fees in the cost?
Are permit fees included?
Do the costs include a complete re-engineering of the sprinkler system, of the HVAC system, of lighting, handicap requirements, etc?
Is the person who produced these cost figures aware of the requirements for a one hour corridor?
I highly doubt it.
As a former general contractor specializing in commercial construction with more than 1400 completed projects under my belt, I would hazard a guess that the cost to re-purpose the facility would be well over $1 million and could go as high as $1.75 million.
As far as keeping the restaurant goes, over the years a number of operators have approached us with the idea of leasing the space.
What I’ve learned from talking with several of them is that they were turned off by a small group of residents who threatened law suits, and boycotts.
They could not understand why the board wanted to preclude non-residents from using the restaurant.
They thought it a waste of time that the negotiators continually referred to their past experience, which they found boring and off point.
Clearly, the board negotiators were inexperienced in leasing a restaurant.
Most recently we learned that the Board and its General Manager want to treat our restaurant as a country club type operation where each resident would subsidize the restaurant.
SCA is not a country club.
I find it interesting that the Board and management could not, in the past year, find the time to hire a leasing agent experienced and specializing in restaurant leasing.
The reason they didn’t find a restaurant leasing specialist is obvious:
They didn’t look !
They want to do it themselves.
It has been said that only a fool acts as his own attorney.
I will extend that to the instant case and candidly state only a fool would try to negotiate a lease for a restaurant without any direct knowledge of restaurant operations and local knowledge of the market.
Having said that, I think the same would apply to a person trying to play General Contractor and estimate construction costs.
It just so happens that there are many out there who make a living doing this kind of work.
I’m sure the next thing we will hear is that the SCA Board will want to spend $30,000 or $40,000 to hire a consultant to tell them what to do, which I’m sure you’ll agree, proves my point.
What should we do?
I can only tell you what I would do if I was still on the board.
I would find a real estate person who specializes in restaurant leasing; then, I would invite them to look over the space.
I would offer gaming, which we did before.
I would open the restaurant to the public, which it was before.
I would allow catering as we did before.
and...
I would advise the leasing agent that the operator would have the right to quiet enjoyment, which they had before.
I would then sit back and wait for leasing agent to bring me an offer.
At that point I would open negotiations, but only at arms-length, meaning the leasing agent would carry the water.
After a few exchanges we would probably find common ground and a standard lease would be submitted for approval.
Free rent?
For a period of time.
Tenant Improvements over and above a certain allowance, determined by the board, would be at the expense of the lessee and, as is typical, spread out over the term of the lease.
I could fill two pages with additional items that are normally included in a restaurant lease, but I would have to go back in my files for accuracy.
What I find incredible is that this manager and board have put in print their desire to have the residents subsidize the restaurant.
In essence, they have given away the store.
Out in the real world, they would be replaced.
Understanding that there are few if any secrets in Las Vegas, it is probable that all potential lessees have now heard the words, “free rent.”
It is clear that this board, or elements thereof, and its manager are not capable of negotiating a lease without giving away the store.
I am for leasing the restaurant as it is the least expensive and most effective use of the space.
It should be done at arms-length.
I believe that we have plenty of qualified people on the property that could find the leasing agent, and could provide advice, free of charge, on how to effectively find the right level of service, food types, etc. to make the restaurant a winner.
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Got a comment on Mr. West's commentary?
Send it to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
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From Richard Inglefield...to...Anthem Opinions
In my humble opinion, our BOD and GM believe they have found, and hold captive, the Goose that lays Golden Eggs, and it is the deaf, dumb and blind SCA residents.
They are taking us to the cleaners; every decision only benefits themselves, not us.
Time will tell, but it’s starting to smell like something’s fishy here, possibly criminal. -
From Jim Handler...to...Anthem Opinions
Favel West's idea of having a PROFESSIONAL find us a lessee for the restaurant is RIGHT ON.
When member meetings were held after S&D left, many Commercial and Business realtors suggested that we could find a licensed broker to take a listing, some even at no cost, but only a commission for an approved Lease. This Broker would only ask for a listing only if they felt certain they could produce an approved result.
Naturally, this was voted down by the Board and loud members.
Sun City Anthem Restaurant Poll
Just Another Deceptive Step to Control Your Life
It's been two weeks since the Sun City Anthem Board decided to send their "poll" to the community, and while we were temporarily "taking a break", our thanks to a number of Sun City Anthem Residents who corresponded with Anthem Opinions and wrote detailed commentary that looked carefully between the lines to examine what intelligent individuals in Sun City Anthem could only determine was a...
...to design something so obviously biased...
...that it has since become the laughing stock of the community.
If you look carefully at the "terms" of the proposed...
...this Board actually is proposing almost the same identical "giveaway" that was being offered to G2G before they disappeared.
Has no one noticed that ?
Makes you wonder if G2G has really disappeared !
There appears to be a strange odor of similarity, isn't there?
Those individuals who wrote articles (Forrest Fetherolf, Barry Goldstein, Rana Goodman, and former resident Mary Lee Duley) were well thought out, and if the Board and General Manager really had the full intention of a complete disclosure, it would seem logical that letter, prior to it being sent, would have asked for some form of input from others in the community whose experience in the business world might have created a fair assessment on which individuals could make an unbiased decision.
Instead, they bowed to pressure and choose to open this up to what amounted to only a small fraction of the community who currently subscribe to the Sun City Anthem website eblasts.
Then again, when the largest percentage of controversial topics communicated to residents is based on half truths designed to do little other than enhance a personal agenda, what did anyone expect?
Who wrote the letter? No one seems to accept authorship, have they?
What sources were consulted for input? No one seems to answer that either, have they?
Well now, this one smacks of nothing more than what we've told you for years; namely, if you believe everything these control freaks tell you, never stopping to think or allow alternative thought, yet keep this "machine" in place, you will pay a price...
...and that price will not only involve your wallet, but limit your lifestyle as well.
Let me be a bit more specific to dramatize this point.
The accounting firm of Ovist & Howard just signed a three year contract with Sun City Anthem for auditing services.
Recognize that name?
In case you need a reminder, they were the accounting firm who ran the REMOVAL ELECTION ...
...you know, the same one who made sure they used disguised envelopes to send ballots...
...forcing you to go to their offices on the other side of town to obtain alternates many owners likely "pitched "(making it literally impossible for the 30% of owners who do not reside year round to obtain one) as a result of envelopes not being clearly defined as official community business...
...refusing to accurately determine or ACCEPT PROOF of the authenticity of numerous addresses that were removed or "disappeared" from signed petitions, thereby keeping former Board "short term" president Bob Burch off the removal ballot by 2 addresses...
...and of course, being a major part of the $85,000 tab...
...a Board tried to scam a community blaming the cost on others by failing to acknowledge that the Board authorized the expense, never reporting to the community those who were in favor of the recall CALLED FOR THE MATTER TO BE HANDLED IN HOUSE at minimal expense.
And who recommended this firm?
Forrest Quinn, the current Sun City Anthem Treasurer....
...the same individual who wrote an official community eblast recommending individuals vote against the Recall, and being part of a Board who REFUSED to allow any rebuttal to his biased statement.
And who originally recommended Orvist & Howard to Sun City Anthem?
None other than Association Attorney, Adam Clarkson !
And who recommended Adam Clarkson to replace our former Association Attorney, John Leach ?
None other than Association General Manager, Sandy Seddon !
Did ya know that Sun City Anthem's legal fees for October, 2018 were $40,000?
If you can't see the picture how this community is gradually being allowed to be controlled by elements that began with the hiring of an overpriced General Manager and star of a Darcy Spears Hall of Shame Report, along with other members of her senior staff, that accounts for $1,000,000 per year of salaries...
...then we suggest you get yourself a pair of Elton John glasses !
And who do we have to thank for all this WASTE and loss of control of a community?
The Sun City Anthem Board and the lack of competence and inability to recognize that a community they pledged to represent, is QUICKLY being sold by them down a path of no return.
Open you eyes, Sun City Anthem, you are losing complete control of your community.
Can none see these actions are crucial to our way of life ???
Is this the path you wish to continue ????
If not, there is only one solution...the...
...in the next Board election...
...ridding ourselves of those who allow these conditions to exist and recognizing that their actions speak louder then any words they may utter.
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Send it to us at:
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From Tim Stebbins...to...Anthem OpinionsDick,MSN (Microsoft Network) a popular on-line news and information service had a feature article listing the 21 most luxurious retirement communities in America. About half were in Arizona and Florida and the rest all over the country.Sun City Summerlin made the list - BUT Sun City Anthem did not.SCA just did not measure up.
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From Malcolm "Scotty" Fraser...to...Anthem OpinionsGive us a Bar, not a Restaurant.I belong to the American Legion Post in Henderson, it is a lively friendly place where members and guests gather for a few drinks, comradery and maybe to watch a ball game or play a game of pool.Although it has a meeting hall and a kitchen, daily activities always revolve around the bar, which is run entirely by volunteers working for tips.No food is available other than chips, nuts, pickled eggs and the like, available for a modest price.The post bar is able to make a profit selling beer and drinks at extremely reasonable prices.Food is prepared in the kitchen on a schedule dictated by post officers, prepared by volunteers and sold at cost. (no volunteers no food).Why could not a similar system be put in place in the restaurant area?I'm sure there are numerous individuals in Anthem who would volunteer to run the bar either for something to do or to make a few extra bucks. Groups could reserve the kitchen for various functions if they wanted to prepare food (being responsible for cleaning up of course) or hiring a caterer to do it for them.In fact here is no reason that meeting space and a bar could not co-exist in the same area.The whole operation would be non-profit, and the HOA would provide nothing but utilities and janitorial services.Possibly a group such as the Veterans club, or Silver Foxes could take the lead in setting up such a system, if for any reason it fails due to lack of volunteers we're no worse off than we are now.
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From Matt Horween...to...Anthem OpinionsPrevious restaurants did not do maintenance correctly or at all and we got stuck with huge costs to remedy the neglect.
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From Bob Goldman...to...Anthem OpinionsPeople should refuse to return a response, as I have. Homeowners deserve a real effort at research, not this bogus non-effort. Boycott the one-question!!!
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From Samuel Novotny...to...Anthem OpinionsI received my opinion poll survey and crossed out both options and put my opinion on what we should do.First, I do not remember the famous quote exactly, but I believe it was “ Doing the same thing over and over exactly the same every day and expecting different results is inanity amplified”, or words to that effect.Restaurants have repeatedly failed and nothing I can see has changed and any new attempt is due to failure.As to office space, people in this country are obsessed with meetings, whether in the military, industry or associations, we are constantly meeting about something.Fortunately, I think we have enough meeting rooms. Let’s cut down on the meetings.Ok, so what do we do with the space.I know this will cost a lot of money, but how about another workout room?While I cannot use the equipment we now have, I am sure people would use such a room more than any other solution.How about going to the extreme. I would like to see another thermal pool that is free of thermal aerobics, or even a pool for walkers only, or lap swimmers only, all free of any classes?I know where we can come up with a half a million by selling the kitchen equipment we paid for.A cut in GM’s 250K salary would add another 75K.I would pay an extra to have a pool free of any kind of classes. I know, I am just being funny, but I am curious just how much such a facility would cost. 3-5M?OK, I had my fun, hope someone comes up with something, other than the two options we were given.LOL
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From Vincent Cimino...to...Anthem OpinionsMy name is Vincent Cimino I made a suggestion in reference to the restaurant I think we should leave the kitchen area as is for maybe a future restaurant.Take the seating area restaurant leave as is or refresh with more seating etc.Let the SCA members use for games,cards, poker or whatever.Leave the bar and have it maintained by SCA volunteers to man and sell soft drinks, coffee, water, have pre made sandwiches, hot dogs, and whatever snakes we can think of etc all proceeds go to SCA to maintain.
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From Richard Inglefield...to...Anthem OpinionsAfter many attempts to get a response from “the other guy” and Ms. “spend ‘till it’s gone”, I ask you:1. What incentive would a restaurateur have to please SCA residents if they were subsidized?2. What incentive would a restaurateur have to even succeed in SCA if they were subsidized?3. What incentive would any of us here have to be our best if failure was taken off the table?4. What ever happened to the old John Smith axiom “if you don’t work, you don’t eat” rule?I assume from their lack of any answers, they have none; there is no reason to launch another fiasco.Maybe someone in our community could provide some reasonable answers, but I seriously doubt it.
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Richard,All good questions.In my opinion, the first THREE are NONE.As far as #4, that axiom obviously doesn't mean much any longer considering 53% of Americans would likely starve if it did !What can I say, Richard?It appears the words "work ethic" and "capitalism" are now politically incorrect.
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I would love a casual place like a Deli/Coffee shop. We could have breakfast with a friend or a club. How about a quick sandwich, soup,or salad for lunch. I don't want a high end place just a place to to run in when I'm too lazy to cook. So many of us run to a place like Coffee Bean or Starbucks to meet friends, why not here in our own coffee shop? This is my opinion but it's also the opinion of many of the residents here in SCA that I have spoken to about this.
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From Al Griefer...to...Anthem OpinionsThe Restaurant Is a Stated Amenity.Many of us were shown the restaurant and it was hyped as one of the many amenities here at SCA. If the Board decided to remove it, or even let it sit closed, there might be lawsuits involved.It is no Costlier than Other Amenities.Folks complain about the fact that the restaurant will be costly to operate since it is impossible for it to run at a profit.I won’t argue about the assumption that it won’t operate at a profit, but it is certain that it would be no costlier to operate than our swimming pools, Bocce, tennis & Pickle ball courts and other amenities that are only used by a subset of homeowners.The Cost Could be Handled Nicely.Instead of just adding to the assessment, we could add an amount, say $10/mo, for example only, and issue a coupon to each homeowner good for a $10 buy in the restaurant. That acts as an incentive for them to use the restaurant and spend even more there. If they choose not to use the coupon immediately, they could save them up or sell, trade, or give them to others. Many clubs use this method for their restaurants. We have approximately 7200 homes which would gross about $72,000 per month or $864,000/year. That would be a heck of a good start at making it profitable for a vendor or we could operate it ourselves and the profit would go back to the Association, perhaps reducing the assessment.The Restaurant Needs to Be Open 14/7.Having a restaurant here that is open just for dinner or lunch and dinner is just plain silly. If you visit one of the local restaurants during breakfast or lunch, you’ll find many of our residents there. To be most successful, we need to address the wants and needs of our residents. Let’s have it open by 8 for breakfast, open the bar when lunch begins and stop dinner orders around 8pm. The bar could stay open until 10 or later with bar snacks available.The Restaurant Must be Affordable.We can’t support a fine dining restaurant up here. For the restaurant to be most successful, we need a menu that will encourage residents to dine multiple times per month. That means a breakfast and lunch menu similar to upscale family restaurants with the dinner menu including the lunch items plus 3-6 standard dinner entrees and a special. Having a midweek special such as all you can eat fish and chips and an upscale weekend special like a filet would be great.The bar should be a friendly, neighborhood bar with competitive prices and bar food.ConclusionWe should set our sights on the mainstream of resident’s tastes, neither shooting too high or too low. A friendly eating & drinking place that everyone will feel comfortable visiting, some on a frequent basis, will indeed be an amenity that will be worthwhile.
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Al,Let me address several of your comments.First, there is strong disagreement at to a restaurant being an amenity. An amenity is strictly for owners. The current proposal would allow outsiders. Your comparison to the swimming pool is not valid comparing that to a restaurant. Should outsiders be allowed to use that as well as all other facilities that we refer to amenities?In addition, the original SCA Master Plan called for a 3rd golf course too !The idea of a lawsuit is ridiculous. Who would personally sue SCA and use personal funds to do so knowing at the same time, their dues money would be used against them in defense?As far as cost, I also disagree. The examples you use to compare the relatively fixed costs of your examples to the variable and inevitable increasing costs of a restaurant are not valid. A subsidized restaurant would be an ever increasing expense that it has been proven through 5 previous attempts ,will not be patronized sufficiently.Al, your coupon idea represents not only additional cost, but try selling that to the 30% of owners who do not reside here year round.Let me just say that for years, I have yet to hear about anyone starving because of not having a restaurant. Somehow we've also made it elsewhere over the years to dine.Major chains have examined the situation and wanted no part of us for various reasons. Doesn't a marketing department of a large corporation have more knowledge about such matters than "winging it"?Sorry Al, in my opinion, it's a waste of time, money, and expense.That space can be utilized by more residents for Club and meeting purposes than the few who would patronize any eatery...and it's the usage by the majority that should prevail.
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From Dolores Schaefer...to...Anthem OpinionsI like Scotty Fraser's ideas, with a little bar food offered like hamburgers and a few simple sandwiches.
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From Valerie Lapin...to...Anthem OpinionsWe no longer need a manager with Sandy’s expertise so why do we still employ her for her exorbitant salary and that of her staff?If Sun City Summerlin, which is larger and has more homes than we have, pay a manager $160,000, something is seriously out of line with what we pay our manager.We are being fleeced, and most of the owners are not happy.
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PS - wonder how much he's getting paid???
...a statement that was found to be ILLEGAL by the Nevada Real Estate Division...
...a statement that DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SIGNED...
...yet the signature part still remains on the form just in case some fool signs it, and if then discloses it to another party...
...which in turn does give "The Machine" and their attorney the right to go after you.
The moral of the story if you make the request and when asked by the person at the desk to sign the form...
...say "THE SIGNATURE ISN'T REQUIRED BY LAW".
"Big Sister's" assistants will then take the form WITHOUT THE SIGNATURE.