It's Time You've Been Made Aware
of
an Association Matter that Concerns all Property Owners
(Part One of Four)
(Part One of Four)
Let me begin this series of articles by stating that over the past 2+ months, many of you in the community are unaware of the numerous communications that have been sent to members of the African American Heritage Club by its President, James Coleman on African American Heritage Club letterhead (AAHC).
As to why a former three-year member of the Sun City Anthem Board of Directors has brought the subject of racism to our community that to my knowledge has never experienced it, only Mr. Coleman and his Club can answer that question...
...but he has, despite no club ever having been accused of any racial discrimination in the community's 20-year history.
Its effect on Sun City Anthem can be devastating in so many ways, morally and financially.
I became aware of this when I received an email with an attached letter from a concerned AAHC member, expressing concern as to the appropriateness of the Coleman letter.
My first instinct would have been to make our readers aware of this matter; however, after deep consideration, I refused to enter any thought of racism on Anthem Opinions.
Instead I brought this PRIVATE ISSUE to the attention of the President of the Sun City Anthem Board.
To my understanding, the SCA Board President felt the letters were inappropriately sent, and reached out to the Chairman of the CLC, to determine the appropriateness of using the Club's email list.
The Chairman of the CLC then reached back to Goodman to find out if other members had similar concerns.
Robert Goldfried, Chairman of the Community Lifestyle Committee, along with his entire committee, determined that such correspondence was acceptable due to it being sent ONLY to African American Heritage Club members.
It has subsequently been learned NOT TO BE THE CASE.
They were not only sent to members, but are READILY AVAILABLE on the internet, which makes them PUBLIC DOCUMENTS.
These series of letters can be read and examined by ANYONE in the WORLD if one clicks on this link:
James Coleman, the President of the African American Heritage Club, has, in those letters, made the following statements:
June 3, 2020
Referring to the President of the United States and those in America who support him:
"This man is a cowardly narcissist, racist, and sexist xenophobe who has a history of prejudice."
"If you support the philosophy of racism or the person who perpetrates racism, then by definition you are a Racist."
We specifically stated Mr. Coleman had the full right to think and say whatever he chose...with one exception...violating Club charter guidelines.
This is America; we all have freedom of speech as a right, but we were concerned that such written material was not appropriate on CLUB STATIONERY.
Who better to seek advice from other than the Association president?
She, IN GOOD FAITH, asked if I was aware of any concerns, to send them to her in order that she could bring them to the attention of the Lifestyle Committee for determination.
Because we believed this to be a procedure that would not create any form of adverse effect to the community or embarrass any person or club, we sent an email to SELECTED individuals, saying that they had our permission to forward it to others.
I then reached out to ONLY a select group of friends to get their opinion as to the appropriateness; and if so, send their concern directly to the SCA President.
This was NOT a mass mailer of any kind due to my desire to refrain from making this a major issue to the community.
We attached Coleman's PUBLIC LETTER on CLUB STATIONERY...
with the following email:
"I have discussed this with Rana Goodman, and she has asked a favor. If you find the letter objectionable, send her an email telling her why you believe that to be the case in order for her to bring the letter up with the CLC committee."
No responses were requested to be sent to us, and NONE were sent to us.
Any and all were sent to President Goodman, which she IN GOOD FAITH as the President of the Association, took them to the Community Lifestyle Committee for review, believing it was the proper channel for determination.
Tomorrow in Part Two, we will discuss the results of that INTERACTION.
It's Time You've Been Made Aware
of
an Association Matter that Concerns all Property Owners
(Part Two of Four)
(Part Two of Four)
In Part One of our series, we discussed the initial correspondence that led to the problems we now have in Sun City Anthem.
Today, we will discuss what took place following that "IN GOOD FAITH" procedure IN ORDER that the problem would not be made public and not bring UNDUE CONCERN to the property owners of Sun City Anthem.
Once Robert Goldfried, the Chairman of the Community Lifestyle Committee, received copies of the emails sent to Rana Goodman, he took it upon himself, WITHOUT NOTIFYING THE SUN CITY ANTHEM BOARD to formally publish a 7 page response, stating the matter was within Club guidelines because they were considered private communication between Club members.
His conclusion was subsequently challenged by Anthem Opinions due to all of the Coleman letters being readily available on the SCA website, the basis of Goldfried's decision.
He never bothered to respond to that challenge, nor did any of the other members of that committee once it was PROVEN that the letters were NOT PRIVATE.
Shortly thereafter, for some strange reason, the SCA website then demanded a Club member password to view them...
...an obvious ADMISSION to Anthem Opinions and the community that the letters had been public as PROVEN by Anthem Opinions, and were now being "covered up" by some individual.
In Part Three, we will discuss the consequences of that series of events.
From Paul & Jo Ellen Christensen...to...Anthem Opinions
We appreciate you keeping us informed about so many issues in SCA.
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Really a 4 part series? It certainly seems like you are stretching out the release of this “story” and it’s informational facts. Unfortunately this type of journalism lands this publication right in there with the likes of the various politically based network and cable news outlets.
Hal Sacks SCA resident
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Hal,
Thanks for the comment, but over the years, we've been publishing detailed articles in this manner.
Why do we do this?
Writing and editing many articles take a great deal of time in research, development, and eventually publishing them.
In this particular case, it took MONTHS of studying this situation while the greatest percentage of the Sun City Anthem community was unaware of any of this at all.
As you can see, our article was BACKED UP 100% BY THE LINKS provided; links that took a great deal of time to read in addition to our published piece.
Personally, through my experience in both public speaking and writing, I learned a long time ago to live by this belief:
"The mind can absorb, what the butt can endure."
This is a blog, not a book.
Unlike another publication that believes that length is more important then content, there are times when the details are so important, that detailing them all at once, would both confuse and frankly, bore our readers.
In this particular series of articles, there are so many points that the community should be aware of, that it took every bit of a series of four articles to summarize them.
As far as being compared to network and cable news outlets, I wish I was paid like them ! As you know, we provide this publication free of charge and do not accept advertising of any kind.
We have been offered remuneration many times including freebies to promote certain restaurants and other business entities, especially restaurants, and have NEVER ACCEPTED A PENNY from any person or organization.
So far it seems to have worked out fairly well as we have been the #1 read independent community publication for years, recently exceeding 3,345,000 visits in the less than 8 years we have operated.
I guess this our way of saying:
"If it works, don't fix it."
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At best Hal's comment is a case of sour grapes.....OR it's a case where: 'never let the truth ruin a good story"
It's Time You've Been Made Aware
of
an Association Matter that Concerns all Property Owners
(Part Three of Four)
(Part Three of Four)
Following the series of events that we summarized in the first two segments of this series, numerous letters have been sent to members of the African American Heritage Club by James Coleman, making one demand after another of the SCA Board.
Once again, many of those letters to his members are AVAILABLE on the internet by clicking on this link previously referenced in Part Two of our series.
Here it is:
https://onedrive.live.com/?authkey=%21ADtHyQl%2Dh8UNn6k&id=109497982785EA79%21170&cid=109497982785EA79
As a result...
...after the Sun City Anthem Community website was altered to require an African American Heritage Club MEMBER PASSWORD in order to maintain THE ORIGINAL CONTENTION THAT THEY WERE ONLY AVAILABLE TO CLUB MEMBERS...
...Mr. Coleman then commenced a number of allegations, writing one letter after another to his members, allowing MANY OF THEM TO BE PLACED ON THE INTERNET, allowing ANY INDIVIDUAL to view them, and consequently, negates his contention they were only available to Club members.
As you examine each one, you will notice that Mr. Coleman's statements not only condemn the Sun City Anthem Board, but include naming SCA residents as part of a "conspiracy" toward the African American Heritage Club.
Let's take a few in particular.
June 20, 2020
In response to a request for clarification as to the appropriateness of using official club stationery, Mr. Coleman wrote the following, beginning with the words...
...an obvious RACIAL remark.
That demand of the SCA Board stated:
"Perhaps a question you should pose to them is whether or not they are trying to stir up racial tensions with their negative rhetoric".
June 23, 2020
On June 23, 2020, Mr. Coleman sent this PUBLIC letter to his African American Heritage Club members making the following DEMANDS:
1. An apology from the SCA Board.
2. That a Cease and Desist letter be sent to Dick Arendt stating that he must no longer distribute AAHC correspondence in order to fan racial tensions. This practice must end immediately.
3. I am also requesting a Cease and Desist Order letter be sent to Forrest Fetherolf requesting that he immediately terminate any slander, implicit threats, and insults targeted toward me or the AAHC.
Here's the full PUBLIC letter and while you examine it, he is making a demand of the Sun City Anthem Board to chastise a fellow Sun City Anthem resident for bringing it to the attention of the community, a letter that was AVAILABLE to any individual who subscribed to the official SCA web site.
Such discourse in DEFAMING certain individuals was further complicated by a letter sent to James Coleman by SCA Board Secretary, Wendy Linow.
June 22, 2020
Linow's letter, dated June 22, 2020, was sent without Board knowledge and approval and is part of the above referenced PUBLIC list.
You can go straight to that letter by clicking this link:
As you can see, this letter by a member of the Sun City Anthem Board, clearly, without Board approval, publicly demeaned certain SCA residents without allowing them any opportunity of defense and violates NRS 116 by creating a "hostile environment" for them, with the ultimate result of creating bias toward ANY resolution of the matter by the remainder of the SCA Board.
As a result, such discourse was not only inappropriate, but opened the possibility of her creating a legal problem for the property owners of Sun City Anthem.
Then...
Anthem Opinions received , from an AAHC member, a letter sent by James Coleman to his members dated August 9, 2020.
This letter is NOT YET posted on above reference link; however, it contained the following statement from Coleman:
"The unwillingness of the SCA Board to simply issue a genuine and heartfelt apology has given us no choice but to seek assistance from various Civil Rights organizations, media, the Ombudsman, HUD, and other organizations for advice if an acceptable conclusion cannot be reached through this correspondence. We will be communicating with the SCA community in general detailing our position and concerns."
The matter continued and we received another letter from a member of The African American Heritage Club dated August 20, 2020.
This letter, like the one dated August 9, 2020, was sent to SCA Association Attorney Adam Clarkson by James Coleman, and also sent to members of the African American Heritage Club.
The August 20, 2020 letter addresses some form of agreement that appears to have been offered by the SCA Board that involves some form of mediation referring to a letter dated August 18, 2020, which triggered another response from Coleman to Association Attorney Clarkson.
Within its contents the following comment and demands were made by Coleman:
"...we are more than willing to participate in a Mediation platform with the following stipulations:
Any list provided:
a. Must come from the Federal Medication and Conciliation Service (FMCS).
b. Must categorically include a woman and African Americans.
Our preference is to have an African American Mediator as our choice."
That letter sent to the Association Attorney by Coleman with copies to his entire membership, demanded some form of federal mediation...
...something that would obviously require many SCA dollars to fund.
As it is, we can imagine the legal fees that have already been incurred as result of this matter over the past 2+ months.
At the August 27, 2020 Sun City Anthem Board meeting, though the matter was not on the official agenda, a comment was read from former Association President, Candace Karrow.
You might recall that Karrow ran for reelection a number of months ago, and was thoroughly rejected by the Sun City Anthem property owners, finishing a distant 5th in a field of 6 candidates.
That statement will be part of the Board Book minutes; however, Karrow accused President Goodman of using "association funds" as a personal "piggy bank" in demeaning the African American Heritage Club.
It triggered a response from Goodman telling Karrow that she (Karrow), as a past President, should be more than aware that information discussed in Executive Session is confidential and CANNOT BE PUBLICLY DISCUSSED.
Goodman did mention, however that NUMEROUS apology LETTERS had been sent to Coleman to resolve the matter, and he rejected them all.
In Part Four we will conclude this series of articles with an Epilogue that will greatly surprise all of you.
From Peter Brown...to...Anthem Opinions
Your articles are excellent!
I expect it took some effort on your part to research and write these articles...
Job well done.
My thoughts are as follows:
I cannot understand why this Board has offered any form of an apology, nothing was done to require an apology; the only thing done was the CLC made an error in judgement and misunderstood the facts and circumstances.
Karrow's input is pathetic and of no value to the matter; you would think after being rejected as a sitting Board President she would have the humility to go away from SCA matters.
Linow's correspondence was simply amazing and inappropriate; this Board should take action to remove her immediately; no Board member can or should trust her again.
This Board needs to move on and finalize the house with graffiti and so many other matters.
Let Coleman do whatever he wants to; respond to any agency that contacts SCA in a brief manner and continue to move on!
Obviously Coleman as an appointed director never accomplished anything other than to vote with the "Karrow" gang of fools.
This Board needs to be aggressive and proactive on any and all issues facing this community.
Your articles are excellent!
I expect it took some effort on your part to research and write these articles...
Job well done.
My thoughts are as follows:
I cannot understand why this Board has offered any form of an apology, nothing was done to require an apology; the only thing done was the CLC made an error in judgement and misunderstood the facts and circumstances.
Karrow's input is pathetic and of no value to the matter; you would think after being rejected as a sitting Board President she would have the humility to go away from SCA matters.
Linow's correspondence was simply amazing and inappropriate; this Board should take action to remove her immediately; no Board member can or should trust her again.
This Board needs to move on and finalize the house with graffiti and so many other matters.
Let Coleman do whatever he wants to; respond to any agency that contacts SCA in a brief manner and continue to move on!
Obviously Coleman as an appointed director never accomplished anything other than to vote with the "Karrow" gang of fools.
This Board needs to be aggressive and proactive on any and all issues facing this community.
It's Time You've Been Made Aware
of
an Association Matter that Concerns all Property Owners
(Part Four of Four)
Epilogue
(Part Four of Four)
Epilogue
As you can see, none of what was discussed in the previous three segments of this series has been disclosed to the community other than through PUBLIC correspondence or letters sent to members of the African American Heritage Club by James Coleman, the CLC findings through publication by David Berman of David's Anthem Journal, Board Secretary Wendy Linow's unauthorized letter to James Coleman, and Candace Karrow's comments at the past 2 SCA Board meetings...
... but we believe that the time has finally come, despite our making every effort to keep these events from the community in general, to release them.
Our Board will now be forced to come to a conclusion as to any further communication to the community.
Yes, they have the final decision, but we believe that this Board, before any action is taken, should have input from the property owners as to how to proceed.
Sun City Anthem has NEVER been confronted with a situation like this before, and hopefully, will never be again !
...which brings us to the final concern and disclosure....
Questions as to the impartiality of two members of the Sun City Anthem Board.
First there is Board Secretary, Wendy Linow.
In Part three we disclosed an UNAUTHORIZED LETTER she sent to the African American Heritage Club, which strongly supported the position of James Coleman.
Once again, here it is:
Any PUBLIC DISPLAY of such treatment toward fellow members of Sun City Anthem without allowing them the opportunity of any defense, is more than reprehensible, and we believe her casting any vote in any matter concerning this situation requires one of two actions:
1. Recusing herself from any such vote.
2. If refusing to do so, commencing Recall petitions to remove her from office in order to avoid bias from ever taking place again.
Then there is Board Director, Stephen Anderson. Anderson is a member of the African American Heritage Club.
How do we know this?
Yet another SHOCKING bit of information available to the ENTIRE WORLD ON THE INTERNET....
The complete membership list of the African American Heritage Club has been published on the internet, which is a violation of Sun City Anthem Club Rules & Regulations.
Here it is !
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wZSOHVuiIca2cgLdHL_vNl6hOkPbzqL_0nwlXqnrzh0/edit#gid=1896172633
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wZSOHVuiIca2cgLdHL_vNl6hOkPbzqL_0nwlXqnrzh0/edit#gid=1896172633
He too, as a member of that Club, should recuse himself from any AAHC Board decision as well.
We ask that you refrain from any further comments to this series of articles.
Instead, send them directly to the Board at your earliest opportunity.
Their email addresses can be found by clicking on this link or looking at the monthly Spirit magazine.
http://anthemopinions.blogspot.com/p/sun-city-anthem-board-of-directors.html
We are concluding this Four-Part Series of articles with one purpose in mind....
YOU, the owner of Sun City Anthem, ARE FULLY ENTITLED TO KNOW.
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I'm delighted to see that this is going to be your final Opinion on this topic about the AAHC. I'd prefer that you spend your time letting us know about the restaurants and strip action. Now, that's your real skill. Thank you.
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David, thank you for the comment, but in the past few days, we have NEVER HAD HIGHER READERSHIP then on this particular subject.Anthem Opinions felt obligated to inform the community as to the current status of the potential problems that all of our SCA property owners may be subjected to in the future in order that those who are concerned, should write the Board as to their opinions regarding the matter and how it should be handled.We found the entire matter DISTASTEFUL and hoped it would fade away, but that does not appear to be the case.It has many elements that should concern all residents, one of which is a member of the Sun City Anthem Board, Wendy Linow, PUBLICLY DEFAMING residents on the internet by sending UNAUTHORIZED correspondence AS A BOARD MEMBER to a Club, which the Club President PUBLISHED, to which SHE DOES NOT BELONG AS A MEMBER, thereby proving both BIAS and behavior that should subject her to REMOVAL from the Board.
To all our readers, do not forget, this member of the Sun City Anthem Board of Directors now has taken it upon herself to VIOLATE NRS 116, and that cannot be tolerated NOW or at any time in the future.David, in the future, please identify yourself with your entire name.This will be the last post we will allow without your doing so.Our policy does not permit anonymous comments.To our readers, in order that it does not appear that we are "picking on" David, we will be enforcing this requirement on all individuals from this point who wish to post anonymous comments without providing a full name.In the future, any such posts not identifying themselves without a last name will be removed.Thank you.
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A "David" name! Why a "David" name? Is it possibly a "David" that is our SCA pariah "David" that is always conniving and seeking ways to his own agenda? The "David" that hated helicopters, and was "committed" to their destruction and wanted them to go to Sloan (which, by the way never made it there). Our "David" that was concerned Henderson airport would blossom into machines flying thru our airspace like flies around horses and would surely crash into the then open spaces of south/west St Rose? OMG!
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From Dorothy Yu...to...Anthem Opinions
This very unfortunate situation happened by residents who are trying to use racial divisions as an issue to regain their lost power.
I have been fighting racial discrimination all my professional career life, let's say, from 1964 til 2002 or so, but nothing like this one when someone using wrong stationary sending out political endorsement to official membership listing--this is wrong action for sure.
I am so sorry that you and Rana, as eyes for all residents betterment, are being accused of racial discrimination.
To me it is unthinkable!!!
Still Think a Self-Managed Restaurant Makes Sense?
Some articles don't need much of an explanation. Instead...
Click on this link!
Now ask yourself this question:
Would you invest association funds in any self-managed restaurant after seeing this?
Pros fail, but amateurs will succeed?
Keep in mind that a couple of years ago, the "machine blogger" in conjunction with his then Machine Board determined that a man affiliated with Denny's should have been chosen to fill the empty restaurant space, with Sun City Anthem property owners PAYING ALL EXPENSES.
Pros fail, but amateurs will succeed?
Send us your comments to:
scaopinions@gmail.com
https://www.cnbc.com/2020/08/17/pizza-hut-to-close-up-to-300-locations-operated-by-bankrupt-franchisee.html
___________________
Our Thoughts on a Properly Designed
From Elizabeth Breier...to...Anthem Opinions
Another great article.
The problem is will the board members all read it?
Will the members of the restaurant committee read it?
They’re the ones who need to be aware that they are on a fools mission.
Another great article.
The problem is will the board members all read it?
Will the members of the restaurant committee read it?
They’re the ones who need to be aware that they are on a fools mission.
From Barry Goldstein...to...Anthem Opinions
Great article Dick.
I guess we dodged a bullet.
Great article Dick.
I guess we dodged a bullet.
Liz, in my mind, no matter what evidence you provide, the Perstein's and Linow's of this community have no concern as to any of these damaging facts.
Add these two to some on the restaurant committee, as well as, the diehards and other blogger who believe they are "entitled" to everything...at the expense of others.
We tried to tell people both were unfit for election to the Board, and it appears in this case, we seem to be dead on with our conclusion.
We're stuck with Linow for another year and and a half, but we can rid ourselves of Perstein in the next election if he chooses to run again.
Add these two to some on the restaurant committee, as well as, the diehards and other blogger who believe they are "entitled" to everything...at the expense of others.
We tried to tell people both were unfit for election to the Board, and it appears in this case, we seem to be dead on with our conclusion.
We're stuck with Linow for another year and and a half, but we can rid ourselves of Perstein in the next election if he chooses to run again.
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From Robert Latchford...to...Anthem Opinions
The idea of even considering a restaurant in these troubled times is beyond comprehension, when good, well established eateries are falling like flies,but some optimism must prevail as i assume the panel of residents with food and beverage experience are offering their welcomed advise.
It sure beats the last board's action over the last few years in jumping at the chance to allow the Denny’s franchisee to pick our pockets, thinking it the opportunity of a lifetime.
Then realizing the errors in their ways, hires an expensive consulting firm, to receive opinion that their only chance of survival was a self managed “beer & burger" pub.
It will be interesting what hands-on experience come up with.
I do not claim to have managed or even worked in the food and beverage industry, but have a pretty fair knowledge of retail business.
Without traffic going past your operation, one undeniable factor that must be realized is that without that, your business will lack the “cha-ching"element,that being the sound of cash registers.
A restaurant pushed way back off the servicing roads, with virtually that only traffic being from the residents, it appears to be a lost cause.
One way to partially compensate for a sub-par location is by advertising.
Ads, designed to hit your marketing area . can help but also double whammy your cash flow.
The cost of newspaper and mail out brochures is expensive, and to excite potential diners, the product sold must be reduced sufficiently which drops your gross profit down the drain.
We need convincing evidence from the experts before this can chance even the best of times .
From Barry Goldstein...to...Anthem Opinions
Please note this article:"Pizza Hut to close up to 300 locations operated by bankrupt franchisee"
Please note this article:"Pizza Hut to close up to 300 locations operated by bankrupt franchisee"
Restaurant / Re-Purpose Survey
(Part One of Three)
(Part One of Three)
Recently the new Board brought out the suggestion that residents with restaurant experience volunteer to construct an unbiased survey regarding utilization of the Anthem Center space that has been the site of prior failed restaurants.
For that, they are to be commended; however, in constructing such a survey, it is our belief that it must be unbiased and both pro and con reasoning be used in order to make a decision that is acceptable to the property owners of Sun City Anthem...
...and that survey, to be unbiased, must include arguments as to other usages for the space, namely re-purposing it for alternative usage.
We believe that "timing is everything" and that under existing current economic circumstances, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the thought of making such a decision at this time would be a terrible mistake.
On the positive side however, this should allow TIME to properly develop such a survey before it is presented to the membership...
...and that TIME should be utilized to do the proper HOMEWORK to accomplish that mission.
Anthem Opinions would like to explain our position and suggestions to obtain a fair survey.
We believe the original survey was tainted; that a simple "yes" or "no" vote left too many unanswered questions on which a decision would be made to go forth with what will likely be the most costly expenditure of association funds in the history of Sun City Anthem...both initially, as well as, on a continuous basis.
In light of the 1,358 petitions to the a previous Board opposing the restaurant...all obtained within a two week period...
...what is most encouraging is the newly elected Board has kept a promise to structure an unbiased survey to determine the desire and feasibility of whether to pursue a restaurant or look toward re-purposing a space that has remained vacant for years.
A number of individuals volunteered their restaurant experience in determining how and what that survey should include; however, we are concerned that certain of those individuals might be misunderstanding their mission.
They should not believe that the original "yes" or "no" survey was adequate; nor should they believe that only the restaurant option should be stressed at the expense of diminishing the re-purpose alternative.
We hope the remaining members (or any new members if the Board allows) will not show bias in the development of the future survey; that both aspects (restaurant or re-purpose) be fully explained in assisting property owners as to the FULL ramifications of either option.
Tomorrow we will share with you Anthem Opinions belief on what a proper impartial restaurant survey analysis should include !
Got a comment?
Send it to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
From Hal Sacks...to...Anthem Opinions
I certainly support a complete re-evaluation of the restaurant space to include potential alternative uses.
I would hope that whatever financial decisions are being made regarding the current restaurant space comply with our SCA Associations guidelines, any applicable laws governing our SCA holdings and it’s financial impact on our homeowners.
And finally, I would expect our board to take into account the pandemics impact on our community and surrounding cities abilities to financially support whatever short and long term uses of the restaurant space they might consider.
I certainly support a complete re-evaluation of the restaurant space to include potential alternative uses.
I would hope that whatever financial decisions are being made regarding the current restaurant space comply with our SCA Associations guidelines, any applicable laws governing our SCA holdings and it’s financial impact on our homeowners.
And finally, I would expect our board to take into account the pandemics impact on our community and surrounding cities abilities to financially support whatever short and long term uses of the restaurant space they might consider.
_______________________
Our Thoughts on a Properly Designed
Restaurant / Re-Purpose Survey
(Part Two of Three)
Now...as to our belief in what a proper survey analysis should include.
We believe that proper research is more than important and must be included in the facts before any pros and cons can be written.
One VERY STRONG consideration that did not exist until six months ago, was the effect that the Covid-19 pandemic would have on ANY PLAN.
Social distancing is now "the norm", and likely will be, for some time to come; the result of which limits the number of patrons who may dine at any given time and adjusting prices upward to compensate for fewer customers in order to obtain any "break even" objective...
...that numbers previously obtained (even if they were correct...which were merely determined on the "whim" of previous Board members having NO EXPERIENCE in any such venture)...are now MEANINGLESS.
What must also be fully understood is that using any form of statistics from an area outside the Las Vegas valley would be worthless.
The prior study done by a Colorado firm did not take into account the specialized Las Vegas market, and actually blamed a prior restaurant failure on Anthem Opinions calling for a boycott...based on a conversation with another blogger...which was COMPLETELY FALSE.
The Vegas market is unique, and is in no way comparable to any other in the USA as a result of gaming revenue being the mainstay of the entire state.
This is indisputable as evidenced by of the number of restaurant closures due to their bars being closed, and therefore, gambling no longer available.
All casinos LOSE money on their restaurants, which is part of their marketing plan, designed as "loss leaders", usually using the "Buy One Get One" marketing approach to entice the consumer....
...and the Covid pandemic has made this even worse !
Proof of this is obvious by looking at the limited number of restaurant options now common place in most casinos, along with the closing of all buffets (with the exceptions of the South Point's Garden Buffet and the few available on Strip properties).
Independent restaurants in the Las Vegas valley have had to operate under the highly competitive and unique nature of this market with the results of numerous closures even prior to the Covid-19 pandemic.
This fact MUST BE a consideration in determining the future of the Anthem Center space.
A proper survey should also summarize "homework" comparisons of other HOAs in the Vegas area ONLY...
...whether or not they are financed by tenant, association dues, or any combination...
...and...
...and...
...financial success or burden they placed on their members.
Success or failure of Independent or chain restaurants should be considered since they carry special considerations due to a probable lack of gambling activity.
Their marketing should also be closely examined (senior specials, coupons, BOGO), etc.
These options were not addressed in the original proposal, and are critical to comprise an accurate survey to determine the effect of competition.
Finally, the true cost of re-purposing the space requires a complete cost analysis.
Finally, the true cost of re-purposing the space requires a complete cost analysis.
In the past, only a "guess" was used and no detailed plans were presented as to how it would be re-purposed.
Just what would that entail?
All of the space, part of the space, and what would be the DETAILED COSTS of each option that includes equipment, furniture, activities, etc.?
Realistic cost estimates should be obtained under the various options, and Sun City Anthem has MANY former successful contractors in our community that should be consulted in order to accurately make such determination...
...and...included in the restaurant feasibility analysis.
As you can see, before you prepare ANY FORM OF SURVEY, proper accurate information is imperative, and considering the vast amount of any owner paid subsidy...without even eating a single meal...
...a great deal of homework is required.
Tomorrow, we'll look at what we believe any survey should encompass to insure that objective is achieved.
Got a comment or additional suggestions?
Send it to :
scaopinions@gmail.com
From Elizabeth Breier...to...Anthem Opinions
To further emphasize the importance of gambling on the success of many restaurants, I would like to bring attention to two local examples.
Winchells on Eastern Ave, after spending months remodeling (In fact not even done yet, still working on incorporating the patio area as an intrinsic part of the dining experience.)
However when the governor issued his most recent order to close bars (again), it affected their revenue so much that they have temporarily installed a couple of free-standing slot machines that, rather than being in the bar top, are now installed in the corner of the bar area for patrons to enjoy while Winchells enjoys the profits those Machines generate.
Black Mountain Grill on Sunridge Heights, has removed all of their bar top slot machines and placed them in one of the dining rooms.
Rounders has closed completely since the Governor closed bar areas-and I can only assume it’s because they can’t make a living just off of the food service alone.
Apparently restaurants cannot survive without the gambling.
Why would Anthem be immune to requiring this revenue stream to survive?
It is inconceivable how anyone can expect a restaurant to survive in Sun City’s Anthem Center with the limited number of patrons and no revenue from gambling generated.
To make matters worse, it is conceivable that restaurants will have to operate at reduced capacity not only in the near future but very possibly again as new viruses and new strains may develop.
It is a consideration never previously factored when determining the revenues of a restaurant, but now must be incorporated.
Planning on operating at 50% of usual capacity is something that is imperative.
There’s never been one successful restaurant in Sun City Anthem.
To further emphasize the importance of gambling on the success of many restaurants, I would like to bring attention to two local examples.
Winchells on Eastern Ave, after spending months remodeling (In fact not even done yet, still working on incorporating the patio area as an intrinsic part of the dining experience.)
However when the governor issued his most recent order to close bars (again), it affected their revenue so much that they have temporarily installed a couple of free-standing slot machines that, rather than being in the bar top, are now installed in the corner of the bar area for patrons to enjoy while Winchells enjoys the profits those Machines generate.
Black Mountain Grill on Sunridge Heights, has removed all of their bar top slot machines and placed them in one of the dining rooms.
Rounders has closed completely since the Governor closed bar areas-and I can only assume it’s because they can’t make a living just off of the food service alone.
Apparently restaurants cannot survive without the gambling.
Why would Anthem be immune to requiring this revenue stream to survive?
It is inconceivable how anyone can expect a restaurant to survive in Sun City’s Anthem Center with the limited number of patrons and no revenue from gambling generated.
To make matters worse, it is conceivable that restaurants will have to operate at reduced capacity not only in the near future but very possibly again as new viruses and new strains may develop.
It is a consideration never previously factored when determining the revenues of a restaurant, but now must be incorporated.
Planning on operating at 50% of usual capacity is something that is imperative.
There’s never been one successful restaurant in Sun City Anthem.
From Robert Nusser...to...Anthem Opinions
While it is wonderful that a new, "improved" survey is being taken, all of us should guard against SCA taking several surveys until the survey results are what the pro-restaurant crowd wants...
...this is a tried and true method used in corporate America (WHEN the new restaurant fails,
Those individuals can respond "Well, that's what the survey said"
Keep in mind that currently there are more restaurants closing (due to COVID) than are being opened.....it all comes down to financial viability.
Let's see HOW an SCA restaurant can make a PROFIT (and NOT o
While it is wonderful that a new, "improved" survey is being taken, all of us should guard against SCA taking several surveys until the survey results are what the pro-restaurant crowd wants...
...this is a tried and true method used in corporate America (WHEN the new restaurant fails,
Those individuals can respond "Well, that's what the survey said"
Keep in mind that currently there are more restaurants closing (due to COVID) than are being opened.....it all comes down to financial viability.
Let's see HOW an SCA restaurant can make a PROFIT (and NOT o
___________________________
Our Thoughts on a Properly Designed
Restaurant / Re-Purpose Survey
(Part Three of Three)
Once the initial study is completed on BOTH the restaurant and re-purpose options, the time arrives when a a fair and unbiased survey can be designed.
Our thoughts include:
First and foremost, since the objective of the survey is to determine the usage of space that is currently unoccupied, we suggest it be entitled:
"Restaurant / Re-Purpose Space Survey"
Of extreme importance is a Board beginning any such survey with a statement explaining that there are two types of restaurants: one offering an outside independently owned and tenant operated concept, and another, an association owned and operated arrangement...
...another subject completely unaddressed in the initial "yes" or "no" survey.
The full costs of each option can be defined and briefly summarized in order for owners to fully understand the difference they would be responsible for that would be paid via dues, and/or a potential special assessment.
It is our belief this initial statement must be included with the first question being:
"Do you as an owner understand the difference between the two options ?
Why would such a statement be included?
Believe it or not, we spoke with one resident who favored the restaurant because he actually believed that self-management meant employee volunteers doing everything, but when I explained the difference between the two, he quickly changed his mind about wanting one.
After that clarification, the cost summaries must be addressed that include:
1. Number of full time employees and part-time employees and their salaries, any bonus arrangements.
2. All benefits to employees (group life, medical, dental, short term disability, long-term disability, medical, and the guaranteed 3% of pay associated with the 100% immediately vested employer contribution 401(k) plan).
3. Liability insurance.
4. Vacation pay.
5. Pay for substitute employees of those on vacation.
6. Legal fees (initial and continuing).
7. Accounting fees.
8. A sophisticated security video system to protect against lawsuit and employee theft.
9. A "bouncer" to watch prospective patron violence.
10. Liquor license costs.
12. SPOILAGE that must be discarded.
13. Garbage Disposal options and affect of scent to neighbors.
14. Redecoration expenses....
15. Linen expenses.
16. Cutlery expenses.
17. Daily Clean-up expenses.
Then...
...following a summarized cost analysis of the above....
...determining how many individuals would be needed and perhaps would commit to GUARANTEE patronage each month combining all these figures to determine the amount EACH PERSON MUST SPEND to achieve a break even analysis.
A brief statement must be made regarding other intangible factors that should be considered.
a. the effect on Revere Golf Course and Buckman's, closely examining the effect that the Badlands Golf Course recent Nevada Supreme Court ruling that allows a "dead" course to be redeveloped for residential use, causing property values to plummet not just for those properties located on golf courses or views, but the community as a whole.
b. the effect on rental property which comprises 30% of the homes in SCA, and the likelihood that landlords will push the increase on to the tenant, that when combined with the massive amount of homes being built in the area, the probability they could likely go elsewhere for a lesser COST and NEWER UNIT.
c. the effect that many in our community exit the community for other locations in the heat of the summer.
Following that information, the survey should ask the following:
Based on the above facts determined in the detailed survey:
1. Do you support a tenant operated restaurant whereby a tenant pays the greatest majority of expenses?
2. Do you support a self-managed restaurant whereby only association funds are utilized through dues and/or special assessments?
3. Would you guarantee your attendance at any restaurant spending an average of XXX dollars per person per visit?
4. If yes, how many times per month would you guarantee such attendance and $XXX per person cost?
5. Do you oppose any form of restaurant?
6. Do you support re-purposing the entire area?
That's how a fair and accurate survey would be conducted.
As you can see, there is a lot more involved than a simple "yes" or "no", but to embrace the most expensive proposition in the history of the community to both a substantial upfront investment and unknown continual increases without a community being fully aware of such effects, would be irresponsible without the understanding and acceptance of such information by owners.
Sadly, we have been made aware that a number of existing members of the restaurant committee have expressed elements of a survey which encompass little more than "What should be the menu"?
...which in our estimation defeats the purpose of an unbiased survey...
... that if such a survey is presented to the members, it INSULTS THE INTELLIGENCE OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY by purposely omitting relevant information on which to make an intelligent decision.
...and if that be the case, and subsequently approved by this Board WHO PROMISED AN UNBIASED SURVEY, It would be foolish for the community to approve ANY RESTAURANT OPTION.
Let's hope this concern is unfounded; that such a survey will be fair and unbiased.
And so we end this by asking you...
Do you have additional suggestions?
Would you vote to approve any form of restaurant you believed did not provide full disclosure of researched relevant costs and other vital information that would affect you, the property owner?
Sadly, we have been made aware that a number of existing members of the restaurant committee have expressed elements of a survey which encompass little more than "What should be the menu"?
...which in our estimation defeats the purpose of an unbiased survey...
... that if such a survey is presented to the members, it INSULTS THE INTELLIGENCE OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY by purposely omitting relevant information on which to make an intelligent decision.
...and if that be the case, and subsequently approved by this Board WHO PROMISED AN UNBIASED SURVEY, It would be foolish for the community to approve ANY RESTAURANT OPTION.
Let's hope this concern is unfounded; that such a survey will be fair and unbiased.
And so we end this by asking you...
Do you have additional suggestions?
Would you vote to approve any form of restaurant you believed did not provide full disclosure of researched relevant costs and other vital information that would affect you, the property owner?
Let us know.
From Jack Yocum...to...Anthem Opinions
Your recent article on a survey presents a good list of concerns/expenses associated with a restaurant. Nice job.
We need another list of concerns/expenses that should be included in the cost of re-appropriation of the restaurant area for other purposes.
Your recent article on a survey presents a good list of concerns/expenses associated with a restaurant. Nice job.
We need another list of concerns/expenses that should be included in the cost of re-appropriation of the restaurant area for other purposes.
From Bob Goldman...to...Anthem Opinions
Two years ago I wrote a long letter detailing what real research would be when analyzing a potential restaurant.
Your article is an excellent start toward that goal.
Thank you.
Two years ago I wrote a long letter detailing what real research would be when analyzing a potential restaurant.
Your article is an excellent start toward that goal.
Thank you.
Part One of Two
Bob, I dug through the archives and found your letter of two years ago.
I have reprinted here for all to see the wonderful analysis you provided on November 18, 2018.
For our readers, this was Bob's response to the original "yes" or "no" survey.
It was EXCELLENT. In my estimation, if you add the complete uncertainty created by the pandemic, your letter has even more significance in 2020.
Bob, I dug through the archives and found your letter of two years ago.
I have reprinted here for all to see the wonderful analysis you provided on November 18, 2018.
For our readers, this was Bob's response to the original "yes" or "no" survey.
It was EXCELLENT. In my estimation, if you add the complete uncertainty created by the pandemic, your letter has even more significance in 2020.
Part Two of Two
"Yesterday I received the association’s opinion poll and at first I was just going to mark my choice, multi-purpose rooms, and then drop it at the Anthem Center.
However, as I then began to read the accompanying fact sheet, I was left with glaring questions on what was written there.
Please read the pro and con sheet and judge for yourself, the misleading information, at least that is my opinion of what I saw there.
Starting with the statement that converting to multi-purpose rooms will cost SCA $2.3 million per year…
Once built, all I see are a slight addition to the current cost for possibly more janitorial and utility costs.
(if you are interested in buying a bridge, I heard that the Brooklyn Bridge might be available!)
Additionally, from what I understand without the restaurant and bar, SCA will not pay the property tax charged now because we will be entirely “not for profit”.
Option 1 “reopen the restaurant:“
The operator will pay not rent, property taxes, utilities.
SCA will pay some operating costs like janitorial, linen service, advertising etc.”
The restaurant operator only pay for staff and food and cost to us (SCA) would be about $250,000 per year or $35 per home.
Pros offered:
“Provides a unique dining experience?”
That is an assumption without foundation, with no vendor we don’t know that, and that idea has failed 5 or 6 times already.
“Excellent sales and marketing tool for home sales”
According to real estate studies done this far, the lack of a restaurant has NOT hampered home sales at all.
Cons offered:
1: Our area has many other restaurant choices.
2: A restaurant will attract non-residents!
It does not and that is one of the reasons all past restaurants have failed.
3: There will be NO pot-lucks or “drop & go’s (food delivery) in Anthem Center.
The restaurant operator will have exclusive catering rights.
This will restrict clubs from many food choices for their events o unless they go off campus.
Option 2 Converting to multipurpose rooms “cons” listed:
1: Before bids have ever been announced, they have listed the approximate cost at “$750,000 (or more)” and states that “a special assessment will be required”.
However, when the board and GM agreed to $250,000 subsidy per year plus tons and tons or additional perks to the last restaurant asking to take the space, not one word was stated about a special assessment to support the place.
2: “SCA already has many meeting rooms”
Yes we do, BUT scheduling is already a problem for the few large rooms that clubs and residents may use for events.
One at Liberty Center, one at Independence Center and the Delaware room/grand ballroom at Anthem Center.
Many clubs vie for those rooms and perhaps if we had more, the cost to use them for residence would be a little less.
3: “As our demographics change, in the future we may have less need for more meeting rooms”
In my opinion that is hogwash!
Homes are being sold at SCA constantly, as more people move in often the age demographic changes too.
Also, just because we are aging it does not mean we won’t want to meet with the respective clubs, our friends, or hold events without fighting for dates and spaces.
Currently, for example, when the Women’s Club meets for their luncheons; Current Events Club must move to another location so their regular meeting room can be encompassed into the Grand Ballroom.
In the second paragraph of this section it states;
“after conversion SCA’s annual cost would be approximately $160,000 per year or $22 per home”
I don’t believe that, and would like to see the bare cost of operating the meeting rooms in Anthem Center at this point."
"Yesterday I received the association’s opinion poll and at first I was just going to mark my choice, multi-purpose rooms, and then drop it at the Anthem Center.
However, as I then began to read the accompanying fact sheet, I was left with glaring questions on what was written there.
Please read the pro and con sheet and judge for yourself, the misleading information, at least that is my opinion of what I saw there.
Starting with the statement that converting to multi-purpose rooms will cost SCA $2.3 million per year…
Once built, all I see are a slight addition to the current cost for possibly more janitorial and utility costs.
(if you are interested in buying a bridge, I heard that the Brooklyn Bridge might be available!)
Additionally, from what I understand without the restaurant and bar, SCA will not pay the property tax charged now because we will be entirely “not for profit”.
Option 1 “reopen the restaurant:“
The operator will pay not rent, property taxes, utilities.
SCA will pay some operating costs like janitorial, linen service, advertising etc.”
The restaurant operator only pay for staff and food and cost to us (SCA) would be about $250,000 per year or $35 per home.
Pros offered:
“Provides a unique dining experience?”
That is an assumption without foundation, with no vendor we don’t know that, and that idea has failed 5 or 6 times already.
“Excellent sales and marketing tool for home sales”
According to real estate studies done this far, the lack of a restaurant has NOT hampered home sales at all.
Cons offered:
1: Our area has many other restaurant choices.
2: A restaurant will attract non-residents!
It does not and that is one of the reasons all past restaurants have failed.
3: There will be NO pot-lucks or “drop & go’s (food delivery) in Anthem Center.
The restaurant operator will have exclusive catering rights.
This will restrict clubs from many food choices for their events o unless they go off campus.
Option 2 Converting to multipurpose rooms “cons” listed:
1: Before bids have ever been announced, they have listed the approximate cost at “$750,000 (or more)” and states that “a special assessment will be required”.
However, when the board and GM agreed to $250,000 subsidy per year plus tons and tons or additional perks to the last restaurant asking to take the space, not one word was stated about a special assessment to support the place.
2: “SCA already has many meeting rooms”
Yes we do, BUT scheduling is already a problem for the few large rooms that clubs and residents may use for events.
One at Liberty Center, one at Independence Center and the Delaware room/grand ballroom at Anthem Center.
Many clubs vie for those rooms and perhaps if we had more, the cost to use them for residence would be a little less.
3: “As our demographics change, in the future we may have less need for more meeting rooms”
In my opinion that is hogwash!
Homes are being sold at SCA constantly, as more people move in often the age demographic changes too.
Also, just because we are aging it does not mean we won’t want to meet with the respective clubs, our friends, or hold events without fighting for dates and spaces.
Currently, for example, when the Women’s Club meets for their luncheons; Current Events Club must move to another location so their regular meeting room can be encompassed into the Grand Ballroom.
In the second paragraph of this section it states;
“after conversion SCA’s annual cost would be approximately $160,000 per year or $22 per home”
I don’t believe that, and would like to see the bare cost of operating the meeting rooms in Anthem Center at this point."
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From Joe Fay...to...Anthem Opinions
OOPS, I DIDN'T SEE THE 7.65% PER DOLLAR RESTAURANT CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIAL SECURITY FOR EACH EMPLOYEE.
IF MY MATH IS CORRECT, A FULL TIME EMPLOYEE HIRED AT SAY $15.00 PER HOUR, OR $600.00 PER WEEK, WILL ADD ANOTHER $45.90 PER "WEEK", IN ADDITIONAL COSTS.
IN EASY TERMS, EVERY EMPLOYEE HOUR WORKED COSTS THE RESTAURANT $1.15 PER HOUR. LOTS OF HOURS, LOTS OF COSTS.
From Marcia Kosterka...to...Anthem Opinions
While all three parts posted and comments which are very good, another issue is looming in the background which has not been addressed.
As the common properties owned by our association continue to age, there are more and more issues that have been brought to light.
1. Retaining walls have been reported that need attention soon because they are crumbling and must either be repaired or replaced. That in itself, is very costly.
2. There are repairs that must be made on streets as well.
3. The "good, bad and ugly" must be made clear in any HONEST survey so that every homeowner can assess what it will cost them to open another restaurant and more importantly, cost over time.
4. Can anyone name an HOA which has a restaurant that is self-supporting here in Nevada as well as elsewhere?
I HIGHLY DOUBT IT!
5. Because of five previous restaurant failures, the scheduling problems for all our clubs, and more space needed to play games within the centers, it would make more sense to re-purpose the space and have a small catering kitchen which could be used by clubs who want a specific type of food for each event they plan.
The caterer would have to bear the cost of breakage, theft and insurance-NOT THE HOMEOWNERS.
6. It is very important for Revere Golf Course and its restaurant Buckman's Grille to survive.
If they close and the property is sold, you can bet that developers will buy the land and build another community of condominiums and/or more homes which would cause many problems right in our backyard.
7. With so many uncertainties facing our homeowners in today's world such as increasing expenses to remain in SCA, do you really think they will choose a subsidized restaurant over increasing costs for food, insurance, maintenance, vacations and more?
While all three parts posted and comments which are very good, another issue is looming in the background which has not been addressed.
As the common properties owned by our association continue to age, there are more and more issues that have been brought to light.
1. Retaining walls have been reported that need attention soon because they are crumbling and must either be repaired or replaced. That in itself, is very costly.
2. There are repairs that must be made on streets as well.
3. The "good, bad and ugly" must be made clear in any HONEST survey so that every homeowner can assess what it will cost them to open another restaurant and more importantly, cost over time.
4. Can anyone name an HOA which has a restaurant that is self-supporting here in Nevada as well as elsewhere?
I HIGHLY DOUBT IT!
5. Because of five previous restaurant failures, the scheduling problems for all our clubs, and more space needed to play games within the centers, it would make more sense to re-purpose the space and have a small catering kitchen which could be used by clubs who want a specific type of food for each event they plan.
The caterer would have to bear the cost of breakage, theft and insurance-NOT THE HOMEOWNERS.
6. It is very important for Revere Golf Course and its restaurant Buckman's Grille to survive.
If they close and the property is sold, you can bet that developers will buy the land and build another community of condominiums and/or more homes which would cause many problems right in our backyard.
7. With so many uncertainties facing our homeowners in today's world such as increasing expenses to remain in SCA, do you really think they will choose a subsidized restaurant over increasing costs for food, insurance, maintenance, vacations and more?
From Elizabeth Breier...to...Anthem Opinions
Many consider the restaurant an amenity, but we haven’t had that particular “amenity” in years.
There’s been nothing there, so obviously this is no longer an “amenity”.
Perhaps it was previously, one subsidized first by the developer and then the residents’ funds- and still they all failed.
If a professional restaurateur wants to take a go at it, rent free, and feel they can eek out a living, then by all means - --Have at it.
But if somebody who’s already in the business doesn’t feel that this is a viable venue for a successful restaurant, why in God's name would the residents want to take that on?
Somehow, everybody’s managed to survive even through this pandemic when everybody is locked down.
There are so many restaurants in this area that will deliver (grub hub, door dash, etc) or allow curbside pick up that it has become more evident than ever that we do not need one in the Anthem Center.
I can’t find a reason to incur the expense of a restaurant manager and staff with all the accompanying expenses along with the risk of being party to a lawsuit for trip and fall, food poisoning or an intoxication issue.
People have bought and sold homes for years now with no restaurant.
It’s time to give up the fight and go down the road to Buckman’s or Stove or Winchells or Black Mountain or Tuscany or Rounders, New Day, Kneaders, just to name a few local options - with more being built every day.
Many consider the restaurant an amenity, but we haven’t had that particular “amenity” in years.
There’s been nothing there, so obviously this is no longer an “amenity”.
Perhaps it was previously, one subsidized first by the developer and then the residents’ funds- and still they all failed.
If a professional restaurateur wants to take a go at it, rent free, and feel they can eek out a living, then by all means - --Have at it.
But if somebody who’s already in the business doesn’t feel that this is a viable venue for a successful restaurant, why in God's name would the residents want to take that on?
Somehow, everybody’s managed to survive even through this pandemic when everybody is locked down.
There are so many restaurants in this area that will deliver (grub hub, door dash, etc) or allow curbside pick up that it has become more evident than ever that we do not need one in the Anthem Center.
I can’t find a reason to incur the expense of a restaurant manager and staff with all the accompanying expenses along with the risk of being party to a lawsuit for trip and fall, food poisoning or an intoxication issue.
People have bought and sold homes for years now with no restaurant.
It’s time to give up the fight and go down the road to Buckman’s or Stove or Winchells or Black Mountain or Tuscany or Rounders, New Day, Kneaders, just to name a few local options - with more being built every day.
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From Marty Winger...to...Anthem Opinions
So sorry to sound like a “broken record,” but as I have said countless times now; Run this entity as a “ARMS LENGTH TRANSACTION.”
Sign the new entity with a TRIPLE NET LEASE.
This frees the homeowners from the constant source of being in business with all the insane demands of the daily operations,Along with the associated costs that drag on a business trying to make a bit of money.
Look at what is happening in our general area now?
We have seen so many new restaurants in our area, and if I was a betting man living in a betting town, I’d say we now have at least a dozen (to two dozen) new restaurants in this area.
Should I make a list of all the choices we have to pick from?
The one argument always was “well,its close to the rec center for people to get to.”
That’s just plain old B.S.
The fact is we have Uber, and Lyft, along with at least a few other choices to get people moved to their destinations.
WAKE UP PEOPLE!
Find out specifically and purposely how many would go to this restaurant because we all know the reality of Only going to THAT ONE AND NO OTHER!
How many people living here would go to “this one” after the initial one time as a curiosity?
Look at Dick’s list of all the associated costs to run this insane “Del Webb Trumpets” marketing attraction?
We’re done, done, done….
From Peter Brown...to...Anthem Opinions
Dick, let me commend you for the 3 part series on a potential restaurant Survey; it was clear and comprehensive.
In addition, all the comments previously presented, I am generally in complete agreement with.
I am writing to give you my thoughts as to why the entire process is a waste of everyone's time as follows:
1. If the survey is ever completed with the level of information needed to allow members to make an informed decision, there will be no consensus or conclusion; many members simply do not have the capacity to understand many of these issues and will not complete the survey; others will not complete it as they have no interest in the matter; likely about 2590 households will respond (35% of 7400 Homes); these are the people who really want the restaurant and the people who really don't want the restaurant.
In the end nothing will emerge as a solution.
2. A survey and the results are only as good as the people who will evaluate those results and make decisions with proper analysis and Judgement.
Honestly, other than our Board President, I have no confidence in the judgement of this Board to make an informed and appropriate decision.
3. In a couple weeks, this Board will have completed 1/3 of their term; I don't believe there is adequate time to to assess all the information, have workshops and everything else needed to implement any decision during the remainder of this term.
Further, I believe there are many other issues and matters that should be resolved by the Board that have greater current importance.
4. If the restaurant is viable, then rather than spending money on a members survey; use the time and money to send Letters to every restaurant in Henderson and Las Vegas that meet certain criteria that could be utilized at SCA.
For example if 500 letters were mailed (to include some information, such as free rent and other matters) and only 2% respond (10) and after brief discussions, none are willing to proceed; then let's drop the restaurant for good; (of course if a willing candidate comes forth and is acceptable--give it a shot!)
To me the only other restaurant option is to allow as many SCA members who are confident of its success to have the same terms (Free Rent) and let them invest their money and recruit their own team.
5. Otherwise for now, just open the area up for Clubs; Games and whatever.
Yes, apparently that will cost some $$$$$......OK...up front then were done;
Remember the SCA Board's recently disbursed $160,000 for a waterfall on the back-side of the Anthem Center;
Also, $85,000 was disbursed to repair the Bocce Courts at Liberty that are rarely used.
Of course there is the $600,000 each Year to the Anthem Council with no accountability.
Essentially SCA currently has no representation on the Anthem Council Board.
A Mr. Shuetz who decided not to run for SCA Board re-election, remains as our seat on the Board; this is simply inappropriate, beyond the fact he is inept.
It is required to have a sitting SCA Board member on Anthem Council Board.
I may have strayed a "bit" from my original thoughts, hopefully it is understandable.
Dick, let me commend you for the 3 part series on a potential restaurant Survey; it was clear and comprehensive.
In addition, all the comments previously presented, I am generally in complete agreement with.
I am writing to give you my thoughts as to why the entire process is a waste of everyone's time as follows:
1. If the survey is ever completed with the level of information needed to allow members to make an informed decision, there will be no consensus or conclusion; many members simply do not have the capacity to understand many of these issues and will not complete the survey; others will not complete it as they have no interest in the matter; likely about 2590 households will respond (35% of 7400 Homes); these are the people who really want the restaurant and the people who really don't want the restaurant.
In the end nothing will emerge as a solution.
2. A survey and the results are only as good as the people who will evaluate those results and make decisions with proper analysis and Judgement.
Honestly, other than our Board President, I have no confidence in the judgement of this Board to make an informed and appropriate decision.
3. In a couple weeks, this Board will have completed 1/3 of their term; I don't believe there is adequate time to to assess all the information, have workshops and everything else needed to implement any decision during the remainder of this term.
Further, I believe there are many other issues and matters that should be resolved by the Board that have greater current importance.
4. If the restaurant is viable, then rather than spending money on a members survey; use the time and money to send Letters to every restaurant in Henderson and Las Vegas that meet certain criteria that could be utilized at SCA.
For example if 500 letters were mailed (to include some information, such as free rent and other matters) and only 2% respond (10) and after brief discussions, none are willing to proceed; then let's drop the restaurant for good; (of course if a willing candidate comes forth and is acceptable--give it a shot!)
To me the only other restaurant option is to allow as many SCA members who are confident of its success to have the same terms (Free Rent) and let them invest their money and recruit their own team.
5. Otherwise for now, just open the area up for Clubs; Games and whatever.
Yes, apparently that will cost some $$$$$......OK...up front then were done;
Remember the SCA Board's recently disbursed $160,000 for a waterfall on the back-side of the Anthem Center;
Also, $85,000 was disbursed to repair the Bocce Courts at Liberty that are rarely used.
Of course there is the $600,000 each Year to the Anthem Council with no accountability.
Essentially SCA currently has no representation on the Anthem Council Board.
A Mr. Shuetz who decided not to run for SCA Board re-election, remains as our seat on the Board; this is simply inappropriate, beyond the fact he is inept.
It is required to have a sitting SCA Board member on Anthem Council Board.
I may have strayed a "bit" from my original thoughts, hopefully it is understandable.
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From Elizabeth Breier...to...Anthem Opinions
Remedy’s on St Rose - bar closed so they set up gaming in a separate area - why? because they can’t survive on food alone....
Is this starting to become repetitive?
__________________________
Sun City Anthem President Announces Current Status of Community Restaurant Study
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Rana Goodman
President
"I would like to share with everyone how pleased the board is with, not only the amount of residents who stepped up to help craft a restaurant survey, but also the amount of long term restaurant experience in several areas each brings to the table."
The work group for this challenge will be:
From the SCA board of directors:
Rana Goodman, Paul Perlstein, Karen Hadrick and Forrest Quinn.
While the above members of the Board will be heavily involved with developing a detailed and fair community survey, the remaining Board members will be heading up their own teams of community volunteers with other strategic planning projects.
While the above members of the Board will be heavily involved with developing a detailed and fair community survey, the remaining Board members will be heading up their own teams of community volunteers with other strategic planning projects.
Our resident "expert" volunteers are:
Clara Lau, who, along with her husband owned 3 restaurants in CA. Clara’s job in those ventures was planning, business projection, cost control, marketing and the administrative end.
Richard Guaraldi, who for 30 years owned and operated a catering business in San Francisco.
Chris Gadda, whose experience includes designing layouts for sellers of restaurant equipment.
Gary Chamberlin, who has 48 years in the food industry including ownership of 3 restaurants and was also the director of operations for a large seafood chain in Seattle.
Ann Lubin, who was the director of catering for 2 large synagogues in CA working directly for the caterer. She ran the wait staff, ordering food and event planning.
Jim Byrnes, who was in the industry for 28 years, owning 5 restaurants which he personally managed.
I’m sure you will all agree, this is a wonderful well-rounded group, and they deserve a thank you from the community for offering their valued experience in determining the viability of any restaurant option.
Sadly some of the new things the Board wanted to tackle had to be put on hold for a while until the governor allows community centers to open more fully; but rest assured, we will alert you all to new things coming as we are able to get back to our fun retirement in the best senior community in the country.
Plus the whole tone of the board is so different and the communications as well.
From Matt Horween...to...Anthem Opinions
You won a huge victory for you and us with the new attitude of the board to resident experts for very experienced people if you will.
You won a huge victory for you and us with the new attitude of the board to resident experts for very experienced people if you will.
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Matt,The "victory" doesn't go to me; it goes to the people who finally realized that they deserved "a new deal".
This current Board has been transparent and have made every attempt to bring honesty and openness to our community despite the pandemic circumstances.
In addition the comment (speech) that was read aloud at the meeting that was authorized by former SCA president, Candace Karrow, further proved how much better off our community has been without her presence...
...though it appeared that she still hasn't comprehended she's now nothing but a "has been" nightmare in the history of our community.
I hope that the rest of this Board's actions in the future months ahead will show others that GOOD PEOPLE can prevail, and that their examples will show others in the years to come that MACHINE POLITICS will no longer be acceptable in our community.
________________________
Sun City Anthem Board Seeking Residents Advice
in
Restaurant Matters
If you kept the July, 2020 issue of The Spirit magazine, you may have noticed that instead of a “President's Report”, on Page 6 a “Sun City Anthem Board of Directors Corner” has been adopted.
Included in that report, authored by SCA president, Rana Goodman, were the following statements:
“It is my belief that gathering opinions from retired resident professionals who have “ a dog in the fight” prior to commissioning jobs outside our community, is the best way to make fiscally sound decisions. This will allow us to have an advance opinion if something we think a good idea is feasible or not. If it is not, we move on without spending funds to explore the idea further.”
“SCA is very rich with a diverse retired population. We have doctors, accountants, lawyers, engineers, contractors, and such as our neighbors. For years many have offered their help, yet they were turned away due to the Board's interpretation of NRS 116 and the feeling that since they were retired and not being paid, they were no longer experts. In my opinion, you do not lose your expertise once you retire.”
“Your Board would like to invite any of these residents who would be willing to volunteer their time by consulting the Board as the need arises. This way they can build a data base with your prior trade and contact information. We hope to hear from you soon.”
On Monday, July 13, 2020, other than the typical boredom which all Sun City Anthem eblast subscribers receive...
... a striking addition was included that is aimed at keeping that pledge...
...and we want all of you, our readers, to be aware of it.
This “New Deal” Board Is looking for “the right stuff", regarding a potential “self-administered...owner pay all restaurant” ,as well as, other feasible ideas.
...and is asking if you would be willing to take the time to volunteer your knowledge and expertise if you believe you have had relevant restaurant experience.
As we all know, this issue has plagued our community for years, and though in excess of 1300+ residents signed a petition stating they did not wish to have our community property owners finance a resident paid restaurant, it was promised that a “new and improved...and FAIR” survey be presented to the community in order that a consensus might be obtained.
...and this “New Deal” Board is keeping that promise...
...the difference being that this new Board is actively making an attempt to recruit residents for sound advice.
The section of the eblast we are referring to states:
Resident Restaurateurs?
SCA is seeking residents with a background in restaurant ownership/management who would like to consult with the SCA Board Members working on the new restaurant survey.
Please send your contact information and a short bio with your background to the Volunteer Coordinator, Pat Prevoto.
Click here
We urge all who might fit the proper relevant profile to submit your name and a brief description of your experience to Pat Prevosto, by simply clicking on the above link.
We send our best wished to this new Board and thank them for keeping the promise of openness and fiscal responsibility in this new and exciting way of seeking residents for their input on such vital matters.
Click here
We urge all who might fit the proper relevant profile to submit your name and a brief description of your experience to Pat Prevosto, by simply clicking on the above link.
We send our best wished to this new Board and thank them for keeping the promise of openness and fiscal responsibility in this new and exciting way of seeking residents for their input on such vital matters.
______________________
Governor Calls Special Session
of Nevada Lawmakers
to Address Budget Crisis
Are New Taxes on the Agendas?
Are New Taxes on the Agendas?
Governor Steve Sisolak
Severe budget deficit to be addressed.
Do you want new taxes?
Send your views with you name, home address, email address, and telephone number to each member of the Assembly & Senate.
Let them know if you approve of tax increases of any kind...TODAY.
Below is a list of all Nevada legislators, Democrat & Republican.
Merely copy and paste the email addresses to your "write email" and send it off. They are currently in session and future of Nevada depends on their votes and YOUR voices.
Nevada Assembly Members
Alex.Assefa@asm.state.nv.us,
Shea.Backus@asm.state.nv.us,
Shannon.BilbrayAxelrod@asm.state.nv.us,
Maggie.Carlton@asm.state.nv.us,
Richard.Carrillo@asm.state.nv.us,
Lesley.Cohen@asm.state.nv.us,
Skip.Daly@asm.state.nv.us,
Beatrice.Duran@asm.state.nv.us,
Edgar.Flores@asm.state.nv.us,
Ozzie.Fumo@asm.state.nv.us,
Michelle.Gorelow@asm.state.nv.us,
Sandra.Jauregui@asm.state.nv.us,
Susie.Martinez@asm.state.nv.us,
William.McCurdy@asm.state.nv.us,
Brittany.Miller@asm.state.nv.us,
Daniele.MonroeMoreno@asm.state.nv.us,
Connie.Munk@asm.state.nv.us,
Dina.Neal@asm.state.nv.us,
Rochelle.Nguyen@asm.state.nv.us,
Sarah.Peters@asm.state.nv.us,
Ellen.Spiegel@asm.state.nv.us,
Heidi.Swank@asm.state.nv.us,
Selena.Torres@asm.state.nv.us,
Howard.Watts@asm.state.nv.us,
Steve.Yeager@asm.state.nv.us,
Chris.Edwards@asm.state.nv.us,
John.Ellison@asm.state.nv.us,
Gregory.Hafen@asm.state.nv.us,
Alexis.Hansen@asm.state.nv.us,
Melissa.Hardy@asm.state.nv.us,
Al.Kramer@asm.state.nv.us,
Lisa.Krasner@asm.state.nv.us,
Glen.Leavitt@asm.state.nv.us,
Tom.Roberts@asm.state.nv.us,
Robin.Titus@asm.state.nv.us,
Jill.Tolles@asm.state.nv.us,
Jim.Wheeler@asm.state.nv.us,
Chris.Brooks@sen.state.nv.us,
Yvanna.Cancella@sen.state.nv.us,
Moises.Denis@sen.state.nv.us,
Marilyn.DonderoLoop@sen.state.nv.us,
Dallas.Harris@sen.state.nv.us
Nevada Senate Members
James.Ohrenschall@sen.state.nv.us,
David.Parks@sen.state.nv.us,
Julia.Ratti@sen.state.nv.us,
Pat.Spearman@sen.state.nv.us,
Joyce.Woodhouse@sen.state.nv.us,
Heidi.Gansert@sen.state.nv.us,
Pete.Goicoechea@sen.state.nv.us,
Scott.Hammond@sen.state.nv.us,
Ira.Hansen@sen.state.nv.us,
Ben.Kieckhefer@sen.state.nv.us,
Keith.Pickard@sen.state.nv.us,
James.Settelmeyer@sen.state.nv.us
July 14, 2020 at 3:47 AM
What?
On 9 July, the Nevada Policy Research Institute filed suit against several members of the legislature as holding office on two branches of state or local government (legislative, executive & judicial) as clearly stated in Article 3, Section 1 of out state Constitution.
Members representing both parties seem in violation as some hold positions at executive department employees, as county prosecutors, public defenders, public school teachers and other positions.
Those named include Speaker Jason Frierson and Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro.
The NPRI who initiated the suit, is a LV based non profit, acting as a watchdog opposing reckless spending.
This separation of powers clause was incorporated for a reason since it prohibits a person from enforcing or ruling on the same law that this person voted on it’s passage is certainly commendable.
It was abused, for example when Dina Titus served in the state Senate while a professor at state run UNLV, though her claim that working for the state university was a “fourth branch” and seemingly was believed, even if unlawful.
One issue is last year when the Teachers’ union tried to force through an initiative to dramatically raise the sales tax to increase school revenues, thereby increasing dues.
How many schoolteacher legislators would oppose it?
They may try again.
To avoid conflicts of interest and outsiders using their power to influence our tax policies, lets get these double dippers out of our government, by letting our legislatures know we want our voices heard.
July 14, 2020 at 3:47 AM
From Robert Latchford...to...Anthem Opinions
It seems with their track record of always reaching for more than needed, I think it prudent to let our legislators let us know our feelings on new or increased taxes, and more importantly, if there are representing us legally.
What?
On 9 July, the Nevada Policy Research Institute filed suit against several members of the legislature as holding office on two branches of state or local government (legislative, executive & judicial) as clearly stated in Article 3, Section 1 of out state Constitution.
Members representing both parties seem in violation as some hold positions at executive department employees, as county prosecutors, public defenders, public school teachers and other positions.
Those named include Speaker Jason Frierson and Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro.
The NPRI who initiated the suit, is a LV based non profit, acting as a watchdog opposing reckless spending.
This separation of powers clause was incorporated for a reason since it prohibits a person from enforcing or ruling on the same law that this person voted on it’s passage is certainly commendable.
It was abused, for example when Dina Titus served in the state Senate while a professor at state run UNLV, though her claim that working for the state university was a “fourth branch” and seemingly was believed, even if unlawful.
One issue is last year when the Teachers’ union tried to force through an initiative to dramatically raise the sales tax to increase school revenues, thereby increasing dues.
How many schoolteacher legislators would oppose it?
They may try again.
To avoid conflicts of interest and outsiders using their power to influence our tax policies, lets get these double dippers out of our government, by letting our legislatures know we want our voices heard.
From Neal Graham...to...Anthem Opinions
I’ve sent a message regarding tax increases to the 50 or so members listed in the Assembly & Senate, but I got this message back from one of them.
Has this been a waste of time and energy on my part?
From: Swank, Heidi Assemblywoman Heidi.Swank@asm.state.nv.us
Subject: Automatic reply: NO ADDITIONAL TAXES
Date: July 13, 2020 at 2:21 PM
Thank you for contacting Assemblywoman Heidi Swank.
Please note this email account is active only while the Nevada Legislature is in Session, and business is concluded for the 80th Legislative Session.
If you need to contact Assemblywoman Swank, please user her personal account, Heidi@HeidiSwank.com.
I’ve sent a message regarding tax increases to the 50 or so members listed in the Assembly & Senate, but I got this message back from one of them.
Has this been a waste of time and energy on my part?
From: Swank, Heidi Assemblywoman Heidi.Swank@asm.state.nv.us
Subject: Automatic reply: NO ADDITIONAL TAXES
Date: July 13, 2020 at 2:21 PM
Thank you for contacting Assemblywoman Heidi Swank.
Please note this email account is active only while the Nevada Legislature is in Session, and business is concluded for the 80th Legislative Session.
If you need to contact Assemblywoman Swank, please user her personal account, Heidi@HeidiSwank.com.
_________________________
Coleman Club Business Private?
When you try to defend an individual whose rhetoric displays hatred in the name of "heritage", and use a comment like "it's none of our business" as to what is said, claiming that doing so is just a part of private club business, you better do your homework rather than crucify a person for doing so.
Folks, in our opinion, the Lifestyle Commitee GOOFED when it decided that private correspondence between clubs and their members may be a "free for all" when it came to the African American Heritage Club.
Folks, in our opinion, the Lifestyle Commitee GOOFED when it decided that private correspondence between clubs and their members may be a "free for all" when it came to the African American Heritage Club.
Be that as it may...
However, in their 10-0 decision to allow such discourse among clubs to be considered private between members, they didn't exactly do their homework when it came to Coleman's diatribes in the name of being a Club president.
What?
Here's what !
You see, the Sun City Anthem website is a PUBLIC OFFICIAL SCA communication device available to each and every individual who owns or rents property in the community.
...and because it it a PUBLIC OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION DEVICE for those owners and renters, that site becomes "the official voice of the community".
As such, we would like to call your attention to a few items which, in our opinion, question the argument used by the LifeStyle Chairperson in his 7 page "legaleze" decision.
First, log into the SCA Website.
Once you have logged into the site, look for the word "Clubs" at the top of the page and CLICK ON IT.
Page down and you will see the words "African American".
(As an interlude, when Anthem Opinions previously referred to the African American Heritage Club in error by calling it the African American Club, this comment appeared by the "distinguished" James Coleman at that time in 2018:
"For the record, Mr Arendt, the correct name of AAHC is "African American Heritage Club.
I found your aforementioned statement an insult and deeply disturbing. Not only did I find it personally insulting, but an insult to the more than 200-plus African Americans who reside in this community. You should apologize for the reference to me, the African American community, and other broad-minded unit owners.”
So I guess the SCA website referring to it as African American, must have insulted more than the 200+ African Americans who reside in the community" as well !...I wonder if he got an apology from SCA leaders then and now for their "sins"? )
But back to the SCA website...
Click on the "insulting words" African American and the AAHC Club logo and Mission statement page will appear.
On the left side of the page you will see the words "Club Information".
Click on those words and another screen will open offering 6 different sections as follows:
1. Bylaws
2. Club Officers
3. Meeting Minutes
4. President's Letters to Members
5. Update Documents
6. Update Roster
Click on "President's Letters to Members".
Guess what appears?
Coleman's disturbing letters.
So, if this is available on a PUBLIC OFFICIAL COMMUNITY WEBSITE that is available to ANY REGISTERED individual in Sun City Anthem, that means it becomes an OFFICIAL COMMUNITY DOCUMENT...
...and is NOT private correspondence.
So much for the"not anyone's business who is not a member"!
It's available to EVERYONE at the click of a few buttons.
So, who GOOFED in their conclusions?
Two individuals, one a Chairperson of the LifeStyle Committee, a LAWYER, and the other, a blogger, A USED TO BE ONE for reasons we all are now aware of his "expertise" that cost him his law license.
I hope both enjoy their day.
Oh yeah, one more thing to both of them and the entire group consisting of the LifeStyle Committee, all of which are holdovers of a 'MACHINE" Board from a person using common sense without a law degree...
![Image - 95698] | Jessi Slaughter | Know Your Meme](https://i.kym-cdn.com/photos/images/original/000/095/698/Thou-hast-Goofed.jpg)
That Chairperson of the LifeStyle Committee is seeking to be reappointed another term to be voted on at the June 25th Board meeting.
Should he be reappointed?
I can't end this editorial without addressing the recent article by David Berman and his "conspiracy theory" against James Coleman by Forrest Fetherolf, Association President Rana Goodman, and myself.
It was a "bad trip" to Fantasyland by a man whose entire goal is to destroy the efforts of a new Board.
There were SO MANY fabrications in his "world of make believe" that commenting on them one at a time, would bore our readers.
Simply stated, he is "full of s _ _t".
Let's leave it at that.
Forrest Fetherolf and I can laugh at him, but when it comes to that demon taking aim at one of the most decent ladies I AND OTHERS have ever known for years, Rana Goodman, a woman who has always demonstrated her kindness, generosity, and volunteer work...
...especially that of her being responsible for changes in Nevada Guardianship laws with her SELF FUNDED journeys to Carson City and attending court rooms to assist those who have been taken advantage of, being robbed of their retirement...
...the time has come to look him straight in the face, reject him for the poor excuse of a man he is...
...and...
Tell him to Go to H_ _L.
So much for that...and...the quest for some to DESTROY our community with the language of racism.
Should he be reappointed?
I can't end this editorial without addressing the recent article by David Berman and his "conspiracy theory" against James Coleman by Forrest Fetherolf, Association President Rana Goodman, and myself.
It was a "bad trip" to Fantasyland by a man whose entire goal is to destroy the efforts of a new Board.
There were SO MANY fabrications in his "world of make believe" that commenting on them one at a time, would bore our readers.
Simply stated, he is "full of s _ _t".
Let's leave it at that.
Forrest Fetherolf and I can laugh at him, but when it comes to that demon taking aim at one of the most decent ladies I AND OTHERS have ever known for years, Rana Goodman, a woman who has always demonstrated her kindness, generosity, and volunteer work...
...especially that of her being responsible for changes in Nevada Guardianship laws with her SELF FUNDED journeys to Carson City and attending court rooms to assist those who have been taken advantage of, being robbed of their retirement...
...the time has come to look him straight in the face, reject him for the poor excuse of a man he is...
...and...
Tell him to Go to H_ _L.
So much for that...and...the quest for some to DESTROY our community with the language of racism.
We have spoken our last on this destructive subject and any further attempts to bring it into our community, will only come from those who wish to make it a part of our community.
NO COMMENTS PLEASE. This must end NOW.
NO COMMENTS PLEASE. This must end NOW.
_________________________
Community Lifestyle Committee
Rules in Favor of Coleman's Club
When you read the word "victory" on the Berman blog, look closely at the definition of the word....
...this was a victory for a man, not his Club.
The Community Lifestyle Committee voted 10-0 in favor of Coleman, essentially giving free reign to allow comments that will do little other than create division in our community.
He knows that...he's happy about that, and you have that committee to thank for allowing Sun City Anthem to become the most divided community in the Las Vegas valley as a result.
Was this really a Coleman victory?
Think about it !
Sure it was...for Coleman.
He gets to continue his crusade against all whom he hates.
But was it really a victory for Coleman and a Club he represents as its president?
After all...
He was exposed for his beliefs, actually referring to himself as an "angry man".
He looks at any person who differs with his political views as racists.
He refuses to fly the American flag...
...and he will likely continue to pound his chest spreading his racially charged messages at every opportunity, claiming it to be a "heritage" issue....
...at the full approval of a Lifestyle Committee headed by a man we should all know and "commemorate" as being responsible for allowing it to take place....
Robert Goldfried
Community Lifestyle Committee Chairperson
...who is seeking another term as its Chairperson to be voted on by the Board this Thursday, June 25th.
How that approved attitude will play out with most of the residents should now concern any individual, whether it be an ordinary citizen, an existing member of his club, or one who wishes to become one.
...and based on the feedback we received, it did little to enhance "warmth" toward a substantial number in our community.
Well, what is a Mr. Coleman's "victory" in the eyes of himself or another blogger, in our opinion, represents a sad day in Sun City Anthem for those who had hoped to live in a society free of racial distress.
Congratulations Mr. Coleman, we owe it all to you !
_____________________________
The James Coleman Letters
You Decide
Some of you may be aware that a recent article appeared on David's Anthem Journal concerning 2 letters sent by James Coleman, President of the African American Heritage Club, to his members on June 3, 2020 and June 11, 2020.
They were letters sent on Club stationery that we believed to be a violation of association CCRs banning such activity from official Club business.
Furthermore, Clubs are not allowed to send out political letters telling their members how or whom they should vote for in elections.
Furthermore, Clubs are not allowed to send out political letters telling their members how or whom they should vote for in elections.
We received the worst criticism from the Berman blog inferring both our Mr. Fix-It, Forrest Fetherolf, and I, were bigots and racists, a comment that could only come from an individual who will do anything to harm the reputation of any person, without conscience.
There is no depth beyond where that man will go to do so, and it is more than obvious his objective is to destroy the administration of a new Board, restoring a MACHINE that was sent into oblivion in May, as a result of an overwhelming number of votes to do so.
That's his style. It was that way yesterday, is more then obvious today, and will be, tomorrow.
But...he will not succeed because the community is now more than aware of his continual underground attempts, along with former President Candace Karrow, and in our opinion, Sun City Anthem's newest "piranha", Wendy Linow, to harm this new Board and their mission of reform.
Too many individuals in our community have experienced the wrath of an individual they now realize is the destructive force he has always been, and he will not achieve his devious objective.
Those of you familiar with Forrest and I know that such an inference is nonsense and merely another attempt of an individual who hates any person who stands up to his lies and half-truths.
There are countless numbers of residents whom Forrest Fetherolf has given his personal time in his "Mr. Fix-It" role, and to infer his being a racist or bigot of any kind, brings out the evil of the man who is incapable of looking in the mirror without realizing that his worst criticisms of others, are in reality, a reflection of himself.
There is no depth beyond where that man will go to do so, and it is more than obvious his objective is to destroy the administration of a new Board, restoring a MACHINE that was sent into oblivion in May, as a result of an overwhelming number of votes to do so.
That's his style. It was that way yesterday, is more then obvious today, and will be, tomorrow.
But...he will not succeed because the community is now more than aware of his continual underground attempts, along with former President Candace Karrow, and in our opinion, Sun City Anthem's newest "piranha", Wendy Linow, to harm this new Board and their mission of reform.
Too many individuals in our community have experienced the wrath of an individual they now realize is the destructive force he has always been, and he will not achieve his devious objective.
Those of you familiar with Forrest and I know that such an inference is nonsense and merely another attempt of an individual who hates any person who stands up to his lies and half-truths.
There are countless numbers of residents whom Forrest Fetherolf has given his personal time in his "Mr. Fix-It" role, and to infer his being a racist or bigot of any kind, brings out the evil of the man who is incapable of looking in the mirror without realizing that his worst criticisms of others, are in reality, a reflection of himself.
What should concern any individual who would read or believe such trash is that such typical self-serving accusations were made, yet for some reason, Berman did not print the actual Coleman letters.
He did not do so because he did not want his readers to examine their contents...contents which do little other than promote racial tension in a community that has never experienced it...
...that is...until the arrival of James Coleman's obvious deep seeded anger emerged on a publication to the members of his club that will accomplish little other than creating fear and turmoil.
If displaying hatred toward others is considered "club business", what ugly precedent does that set for other ethnic based clubs such as I.C.C.C., Chinese Heritage, Filipiano...even Havarah and the Italian American Clubs?
Or...does it strike a blow to them and their members as well as to how a community may look at them?
Should their stationery be allowed to include praising Hitler, Mao, or Mussolini in the name of "club business"?
And you Veterans...
...Should your "club business" include a president writing
a reason as to why he will not fly the American flag?
Remember that what is acceptable for one club, MUST BE for all others !
Anthem Opinions, unlike David's Anthem Journal, steadfastly refuses to inject the very idea of racism in our community.
He did not do so because he did not want his readers to examine their contents...contents which do little other than promote racial tension in a community that has never experienced it...
...that is...until the arrival of James Coleman's obvious deep seeded anger emerged on a publication to the members of his club that will accomplish little other than creating fear and turmoil.
If displaying hatred toward others is considered "club business", what ugly precedent does that set for other ethnic based clubs such as I.C.C.C., Chinese Heritage, Filipiano...even Havarah and the Italian American Clubs?
Or...does it strike a blow to them and their members as well as to how a community may look at them?
Should their stationery be allowed to include praising Hitler, Mao, or Mussolini in the name of "club business"?
And you Veterans...
...Should your "club business" include a president writing
a reason as to why he will not fly the American flag?
Remember that what is acceptable for one club, MUST BE for all others !
Anthem Opinions, unlike David's Anthem Journal, steadfastly refuses to inject the very idea of racism in our community.
Let us make one thing very clear.
We believe that Coleman has a right to express a PERSONAL OPINION ON PERSONAL EMAIL or PERSONAL STATIONERY, but by using Club stationery, that action is wrong, and needs to cease.
We believe that Coleman has a right to express a PERSONAL OPINION ON PERSONAL EMAIL or PERSONAL STATIONERY, but by using Club stationery, that action is wrong, and needs to cease.
If such rhetoric is allowed to be considered "club business", that would indicate a club's philosophy that all in our community should be aware of, in addition to their membership....
...and if such a membership supports looking at others in the manner that Coleman has chosen to look at all others who disagree with him as racists, perhaps it is time for that club to either ask for his resignation as President, or in the worst case scenario...
... removing that club's charter under the Charter Club Rules and Guidelines referring to #4 under the section captioned:
#4 states that the Community Lifestyle Committee may recommend to the Board of Directors that a club's charter may be revoked if...
"The club's activities are detrimental to the Association's reputation or operations, financial or otherwise."
Perhaps those who have, or will, read such commentary, might explain how the letters portray the reputation of our community in a positive light?
...or...
Would they portray Sun City Anthem as a breeding ground of racial discontent and potential violence?
If you were a potential buyer in Sun City Anthem and became aware of a former Board member and President of a sanctioned Club's utter contempt for many of its residents...
...and...
... that an association would actually sanction it...
Would you purchase property here?
No matter the outcome, the outburst of James Coleman MUST BE ADDRESSED in revisions to the Board Policy Manual to OUTLAW such inflammatory rhetoric.
This, to some may be a violation of "freedom of speech", but to others, is similar to banning one from screaming "Fire" in a crowded theater.
...and if such a membership supports looking at others in the manner that Coleman has chosen to look at all others who disagree with him as racists, perhaps it is time for that club to either ask for his resignation as President, or in the worst case scenario...
... removing that club's charter under the Charter Club Rules and Guidelines referring to #4 under the section captioned:
Revocation of a Club Charter
#4 states that the Community Lifestyle Committee may recommend to the Board of Directors that a club's charter may be revoked if...
"The club's activities are detrimental to the Association's reputation or operations, financial or otherwise."
Perhaps those who have, or will, read such commentary, might explain how the letters portray the reputation of our community in a positive light?
...or...
Would they portray Sun City Anthem as a breeding ground of racial discontent and potential violence?
If you were a potential buyer in Sun City Anthem and became aware of a former Board member and President of a sanctioned Club's utter contempt for many of its residents...
...and...
... that an association would actually sanction it...
Would you purchase property here?
No matter the outcome, the outburst of James Coleman MUST BE ADDRESSED in revisions to the Board Policy Manual to OUTLAW such inflammatory rhetoric.
This, to some may be a violation of "freedom of speech", but to others, is similar to banning one from screaming "Fire" in a crowded theater.
We will NOT reprint the letters Mr. Coleman sent to his members because of the overwhelming number of individuals who have read them have found their contents OFFENSIVE, but rather than take our word for it, we urge you to read them yourself and draw your own conclusions.
However, if you wish to receive copies of the Coleman SIGNED letters, merely send us an email at:
We will email them to you and you may feel free to forward them to your friends for their perusal and personal opinions as to a belief such material is Club business, that sending such material on Club stationery should be permitted, and if such comments constitute the approval and views of that Club.
Once again, we made every attempt to keep this matter private so as not to create controversy or embarrassment to any minority or member of the African American Heritage Club in our community; however, David Berman decided not to do so, choosing to throw gasoline on fire, requiring our response.
After you have read the letters, we will print any comment you might make.
Our email address for both requests and comments:
scaopinions@gmail.com
From Ronald Shapiro...to...Anthem Opinions
I am 100% for free speech and I have no argument with his topic.
I do not think that as a club president it is appropriate to send such letters to his club members on club stationary.
We have many ethnic groups in our community that have all experienced racism, some more severe than others. I have not seen any of them send such letters to their members.
Everyone has a right to their options but certain topics are not appropriate for community clubs.
If you want to express your feelings find a more acceptable source.
I am 100% for free speech and I have no argument with his topic.
I do not think that as a club president it is appropriate to send such letters to his club members on club stationary.
We have many ethnic groups in our community that have all experienced racism, some more severe than others. I have not seen any of them send such letters to their members.
Everyone has a right to their options but certain topics are not appropriate for community clubs.
If you want to express your feelings find a more acceptable source.
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A Special Note to Our Readers
We want to make you aware of the number of emails we received wishing to comment on this article.
There were MANY.
We at first printed the first comment, then made the decision to omit many of them because of the fear some expressed after they examined the letters contents and how they felt such rhetoric might affect their safety.
We respect that, and for that reason, they were not posted.
Others avoided the issue at hand and instead decided to write their views of racism.
For that reason, they too were not posted.
The article was solely intended to make a community informed of two letters composed by James Coleman, President of the African American Heritage Club to make a community aware of that Club's personal usage of Club stationery to promote views that a community is entitled to be aware of, and whether or not such dialogue is acceptable under community standards set forth in the CCRs.
That matter will be decided by actions of the Community Lifestyle Committee in conjunction with what they recommend to the Board.
It was not intended for any one person to state if they supported Coleman's views or not.
We received approximately 50 requests to obtain the letters which, in each case, we provided, mentioning to each one who requested the letter, to feel free to send it to their neighbors for their perusal.
These letters were likely passed to many in our community.
Regardless of any Board conclusion, it is now more than evident that Mr. Coleman's views have now been publicly exposed.
As to how a Board will react to the violations, we shall see.
In our opinion we found them so incendiary and offensive, we did not publish them, but made them only available to those who made the request.
We now wish to close the issue until a Board decision is made.
-
This morning we were shocked to receive our daily report of readership.
In the past 24 hours since the "James Coleman: You Decide" article was published, Anthem Opinions broke all prior readership records having...
2,704
individuals visit our site.
We now average in excess of 2,000 visits per day.
________________________
Look No Further than
Candace Karrow & A Machine Blogger
Candace Karrow:
Please comprehend this message on the part of the voters of Sun City Anthem:
1.You not only lost, but lost BADLY, just like your mentor, Rex Weddle, did a year ago.
2. The community spoke loudly that your Sun City Anthem time in volunteer work was plagued with your personality and your inability to get along with others which you demonstrated your effectiveness as a leader by:
a. Obnoxious behavior
b. Insulting members of the community
c. Causing a Finance Committee to resign
d. Exercising bully behavior toward those who opposed your views.
e. Making life miserable for a number of your fellow Board members to the point they could no longer work with you; so much so, it was obvious that a number of them didn't even wish to sit next to you at meetings.
f. your prior experience at making an attempt to get a Finance Committee to resign in mass...when you were on that committee...which failed and you subsequently resigned.
You make accusations about the reputation Sun City Anthem is suffering due to the resignation of two senior members of management.
Who made those comments to you?
On what basis were they made?
And...Your Machine Blogger:
Then of course your ridiculous article was followed by your mentor blog owner, who made this commentary...all of which was obviously geared to your inability to accept YOU AND YOUR MACHINE are no longer welcome in our governance.
Let's take a few of MACHINE MAN's typical NONSENSE comments to prove a point as to the "worth" of what YOU and HE have brought our community.
Some of his recent comments:
"Right now they must deal with a rejected audit that the auditors stated was perfectly clean."
A complete lie...the board didn't reject anything...it stated that more information was needed to be reviewed and that the matter be passed on to a new board.
"Who will be our auditors a few months from now?"
No one suggested they be removed.
"Who will be our general counsel a few months from now?"
No one suggested he be removed.
![BS] Blue Sky - YouTube](https://yt3.ggpht.com/a/AATXAJyOrc_NAkKdX9TO42uDRklqnxET66IkQGrwvg=s900-c-k-c0xffffffff-no-rj-mo)
"Which additional senior personnel will be shown the door"
No one was shown the door, they were both voluntary resignations.
"There's a lot to deal with, but the thing that troubles me most at the moment is that some of the staff think this may be the beginning of a reign of terror."
Who are these staff members?
As before:
...but...let's get back to you, Mrs. Karrow.
You state our reputation precedes us !
How was our "reputation" affected according to a Darcy Spears report that when she asked for Sun City Anthem to comment, YOUR MACHINE refused to do so ?
Need a refresher of that report?
Enjoy the reputation the entire valley was able to see YOU and YOUR MACHINE were responsible for creating, and was one of the most watched EXPOSES ever televised by a local major television station:
Remember?
This was caused by YOUR MACHINE who met in secret to create this current situation...
...which has always been characterized by SECRECY and wasted residents funds...
...that at the time included private parties, expensive dinners, $50 pots of coffee, private association paid air for interviews, and then after a hiring at a cost that far exceeded anyone's expectation, especially those of a major TV network, you and YOUR MACHINE further hid your ANTICS by signing a 3 year contract with an individual YOU REFUSED TO DISCLOSE, claiming "confidentiality"...
...when in fact, after NUMEROUS attempts to obtain its contents, making EXCUSE AFTER EXCUSE not to disclose it, an Ombudsman RULED IT WAS NOT A CONFIDENTIAL DOCUMENT.
How did your MACHINE react to that ruling?
YOU CONTINUED TO WITHHOLD IT FROM THE COMMUNITY by refusing to make it available on a web site available to residents only, and your Association attorney included a statement when the information was received that disclosing it WOULD SUBJECT THE INDIVIDUAL TO CRIMINAL MISDEMEANOR PROSECUTION, DIDN'T YOU?
Why?
If you were so proud of your SECRET "accomplishment", did you continue to WITHHOLD IT?
...or...
Were you EMBARRASSED to have the community know how you and YOUR MACHINE, sold them down the river by passing it THE DAY THE 2019 Director ballots were mailed to the owners?
Let me further remind you, Mrs. Karrow, that the "morale problem" you seem to CONTRIVE, in our opinion and MANY OTHERS, was created by YOU and YOUR MACHINE.
Granting powers to an individual who subsequently MADE LIFE MISERABLE for a number of our HOMEOWNER RESIDENTS who NEEDED the additional money while employed as MONITORS, and bringing in her own handpicked individuals from another state TO CONTROL our community.
Enough, Ms. Karrow, the voters spoke, and based on the number of votes you received, the confidence you inspired as a leader, was more than evident by the thrashing YOU DESERVED.
So to you "Ms. Nobody Any Longer" and your MACHINE, look no further than yourselves when you utter the words...
"Hostile Environment"
You created it, you nurtured it, a community was forced to live with it...
...and a "New Deal" is trying to rectify it.
Now please, GO AWAY, you have created enough damage..
Got a comment? Send it to us at:
Got a comment? Send it to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
From Valerie Lapin...to...Anthem Opinions
Thank you for today’s excellent blog and exposing the lies.
Thank you for today’s excellent blog and exposing the lies.
-
I don't know Candace Karrow but I'm sure she's a very nice person, However I think that she is extremely bitter because she wasn't re elected to the board and it's a shame that this is how she's leaving her legacy.
-
From Quintin Yao...to...Anthem Opinions
We should start renegotiate her existing contract.
If she refused,I think paying the $100,000.00 of Golden Parachute to terminate the expensive pay is worth the cause.We could probably event save from a lower pay new employee for the 3 years of her contract left. -
Linda, unfortunately, those that think kindly of her are usually of like mind.
There have been a few association officers that have been very disliked over the years, and Karrow would make it in the Top 3.
I won't mention the other two because thankfully they have long disappeared from the scene.
-
Peter, you just defined the words "no class".
-
From Marty Winger...to...Anthem Opinions
l watched the Darcy Spears youtube...Wow! -
Quintin,
Your thoughts have been expressed by a number of individuals, and in my mind as this "New Deal" Board analyzes job descriptions and income levels, proper financial planning requires considering any and all options.
This does not mean a "blood bath" as portrayed by the MACHINE blogger; it means a stronger commitment to efficiency.
The world is now a different place since the country was shutdown a few months ago, and that requires a great deal of planning to adapt to it.
If you noticed, several unions in the Las Vegas valley have agreed to take 5% pay cuts to strengthen the economy.
The "Days of Wine & Roses" are now gone and A reasonable income is better than NO income.
-
From Marcia Kosterka...to...Anthem Opinions
Your editorial was right on the money.
One thing I have learned early on since moving here, is that you may be blunt, but you do not lie nor tell half truths as members of the "machine" have done year after year.
The voters of Sun City Anthem have spoken and have elected several new members to this current board whom have demonstrated the capabilities of listening to homeowners, not being nasty and arrogant, nor demonstrating bullying tactics and have shown humility.
Most of all, the majority of this board will try to make decisions that incorporate the best interests of the homeowners.
-
From Bernard Horton...to...Anthem Opinions
Well said! Exactly what I would have liked to say.
I heard she commented on my post/comment on her "guest" article after David did with hearsay and BS as well.
I won't read it or anything else machine blogger writes frankly anymore because it is BS trying to cause problems and dissension, and as you point out, hearsay.
I could not help myself and had to make a comment after I saw her "guest" article.
I will just let it go because you exposed both of them with the words you have written and distributed.
Sure glad we have more than one blogger in our community who exposes their kind of BS!
______________________
Does Such Dysfunction Between Management, Board, and Employees Exist that a Change at the Top is the Only Solution?
New directions create questions, clarification, and in some cases, dissension, and the Sun City Anthem Board of Directors must face the matter in the way that maintains the quality and integrity of the association.
That is all too often easier said than done, but when two members of higher management suddenly come to the conclusion that departing is their only option, it's time to start the evaluation from the top...
...the individual who hired them.
Recent criticism from a Machine blogger and a blogger "has been" who also recently supported the Machine in the past election, is just another excuse to cling to a crumbling Machine they are being forced to realize is now...
...that the old way of doing business that supported secrecy and bullying tactics, insulting a Finance Committee and members of our Asian community, and frivolous spending without a "checks and balance" system to curb the abuse, is now unacceptable in our community.
Add to that, the menacing "sour grapes" of a former Sun City Anthem Board President who, during her "reign of obnoxious behavior", will likely leave a legacy as one the worst and most disliked officers in the history of Sun City Anthem...
...evidenced by the embarrassing pounding she took at the polls.
While those with any form of "class" or "common courtesy" would allow the new leaders an opportunity to make the changes that THE VOTERS DEMANDED...
...they wasted no time to pounce like mountain lions on their prey...
...and in doing so, made it more than obvious that they were searching for some contrived excuse, to build their case to start a smear campaign at the earliest opportunity.
But...unfortunately for them...none of it worked !
Our community saw through it !
...and only those who participated in the smears believed it.
But...they are unimportant, they've had their day in the sun, and the storm they created (and are obviously trying to maintain), now has been replaced with a bright sun of what we have referred to as a "New Deal" to a community that will look to them for optimism.
It' was a display of individuals with diminishing followers who know life has now taken a turn where their "influence" has finally been determined to be a "nuisance".
Now lets really discuss the "nuts and bolts" of the word "morale" as it pertains to our community.
The very fact that employee morale has been low as a result of two resignations is ridiculous.
Both of those individuals obviously saw that "change was in the air" and that a bully regime that has lied to its community, was on the way out the door...
Both of those individuals obviously saw that "change was in the air" and that a bully regime that has lied to its community, was on the way out the door...
...that competence and accountability is the new standard.
They left voluntarily, they were more than well paid while they were here, provided benefits they likely will never receive elsewhere, and we wish them well...
...but...
...it's over, they have moved on, and no one is not expendable.
That's life...and...it will go on !
That's life...and...it will go on !
If there is a morale problem, it begins at the top, not the recent election of new members of the Sun City Anthem Board.
The morale problem commenced years ago when an individual was hired at a ridiculously high salary in the secrecy of the M Resort by a Machine Board who needlessly spent thousands of dollars in doing so, which a then Sun City Anthem President enjoyed the benefits of thousands of casino points in the process....
...points and comps that should have been cashed in and considered property of the association, but instead were retained by her for PRIVATE USE...
...compounded by that individual authorizing the association's payment of buses for a Democratic presidential candidate in 2016.
How quickly that seems to have been forgotten.
The subsequent individual who was hired, proceeded to "clean house" bringing in a management staff that included DUMPING a number of long time resident monitors and a very well liked Fitness Director named Meg Poulson, and replaced by a woman whose credentials and licenses were far less then hers, who recently resigned.
The hiring of a Chief Financial Officer at yet another exorbitant income of $200,000 per year, lasted a relatively short period of time until he resigned, left the Las Vegas area, and relocated to the East Coast.
Somehow that NEVER seemed to create the chaos created by the Machine blogger and his "has been" accomplices, did it?
Of course not, the MACHINE still had the control, but what resulted?
The highly compensated woman then hired the individual who recently resigned...
...the individual whose credentials included a number of former short-term employments....
...the individual who received a degree online...
...the individual who was not, nor made any further attempt, to obtain the professional designation of CPA...
...the individual given the title of Chief Financial Officer who was asked questions to which he was unable to provide answers...
...at an income when he departed of approximately $185,000 per year.
Did his departure have anything to do with "employee morale"?
Sure it did...
...it had to do with a new Board member asking honest accounting questions that were vital to the financials of the community, that he was not only unable to answer, but suddenly decided to resign on the spot when excellence was demanded in return for $185,000 per year...
...without even the benefit of of a two week notice.
No folks, if we have a problem with "employee morale", it starts with the person who chose these individuals....
...the individual who also received in excess of 800 owner signatures of "no confidence" approximately a year or so after she was hired...
...the individual who, despite those rejection signatures, still received a bonus of $20,000 shortly thereafter...
...the same one who SECRETLY received a 3 year contract that a MACHINE BOARD passed the day the 2019 community election ballots were mailed, that locked future Boards into financial requirements that still, despite an Ombudsman determining that contract to be information available to residents, HAS YET TO BE DIVULGED, increasing her income to $270,500 and providing a golden parachute amounting to approximately $100,000 if the contract is prematurely terminated...
...the same one who this "New Deal" will hopefully determine that "the buck stops with her".
This new board is guilty of two things...
Demanding excellence and honesty!
And the fear of them succeeding by a Machine blogger is so terrifying, that we can look for the dirtiest of further commentary from him to maintain the corruption and incompetence he has advocated for years.
That's the sickest part...
it's the Machine blogger who will actually be the one to promote problems in morale...
...his existence depends on it.
Got a comment?
Send it to us at:
it's the Machine blogger who will actually be the one to promote problems in morale...
...his existence depends on it.
Got a comment?
Send it to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
Peter BrownJune 15, 2020 at 9:55 AM
Robert in Nevada.
OK so it is the same old story....As it pertains to this article that these comments relate to..... what fault are you addressing and whom do you believe is at fault regarding the matters summarized by Anthem Opinions?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmFR7vEpWP0
From Barry Goldstein...to...Anthem Opinions
The Candace Karrow article on the other blog missed a very important point.
Just a reminder to those who believe what she wrote:
When they were writing the Board Policy Manual to which she relied, the lawyer who was also a board member, specifically said, no future board was obligated to follow it.
Every new Board can rewrite it.
It was only meant to be used as a guide.
The Candace Karrow article on the other blog missed a very important point.
Just a reminder to those who believe what she wrote:
When they were writing the Board Policy Manual to which she relied, the lawyer who was also a board member, specifically said, no future board was obligated to follow it.
Every new Board can rewrite it.
It was only meant to be used as a guide.
From Tien H. Cheng...to...Anthem Opinions
I agree that an experienced accountant can fill the shoes of a CFO for much less money.
I agree that an experienced accountant can fill the shoes of a CFO for much less money.
From Peter Brown...to...Anthem Opinions
Change the Board Policy Manual...end of story.
Candace Karrow cares more about the employees and managers than she does the community owners.
Change the Board Policy Manual...end of story.
Candace Karrow cares more about the employees and managers than she does the community owners.
-
It's the same old story (and the biggest problem in this Country): "It's always somebody else's fault"
Peter BrownJune 15, 2020 at 9:55 AM
Robert in Nevada.
OK so it is the same old story....As it pertains to this article that these comments relate to..... what fault are you addressing and whom do you believe is at fault regarding the matters summarized by Anthem Opinions?
From John Yocum...to...Anthem Opinions
I respectfully suggest that you stop all the negative comments like you put in your recent article called MORALE.
Negative comments about Sandy and her salary should not be rehashed.
She is doing a respectable job.
The negative comments serve to divide the community.
Please just let the new board do its thing and let the community decide on the merits.
I respectfully suggest that you stop all the negative comments like you put in your recent article called MORALE.
Negative comments about Sandy and her salary should not be rehashed.
She is doing a respectable job.
The negative comments serve to divide the community.
Please just let the new board do its thing and let the community decide on the merits.
Excuse me John, I was not the individual who initially brought up the issue of MORALE.
The MACHINE blogger did, along with a former SCA president, who made statements without basis and whose obvious objective was to destroy the credibility of those new members and leaders.
My article was simple...
...if there was a MORALE problem, it didn't begin with a new Board; it began years ago under circumstances that were at best questionable...
...so questionable that I was featured on Channel 13 in a Darcy Spears TV report bring out information that A MACHINE BOARD HID FROM ITS RESIDENTS.
In case you missed it, here it is:
The MACHINE blogger did, along with a former SCA president, who made statements without basis and whose obvious objective was to destroy the credibility of those new members and leaders.
My article was simple...
...if there was a MORALE problem, it didn't begin with a new Board; it began years ago under circumstances that were at best questionable...
...so questionable that I was featured on Channel 13 in a Darcy Spears TV report bring out information that A MACHINE BOARD HID FROM ITS RESIDENTS.
In case you missed it, here it is:
If I am guilty of anything, it's my desire to have people who pay the bills know how their money is spent....something you NEVER SEE ELSEWHERE.
And sir, that will never change as long as I own property in Sun City Anthem and write a blog.
I trust you have leveled the same criticism to the individuals who began this issue?
-
From Lloyd Frank...to...Anthem Opinions
Dick,
Wow what a great article on your blog.
It was an amazing look at were we are today and where we have come since the last board and past president was voted out.
Looks like we only have one obstacle left.
Thanks for keeping us informed as only you can.
___________________________
Sun City Anthem Chief Financial Officer
Abruptly Quits
First it's the Fitness Director, now it's the Chief Financial Officer.
It was recently announced that C.F.O. Bing O'Peek has resigned from his position.
O'Peek came under fire at a previous Board meeting when, after numerous accounting questions were posed to him, responded on a number of occasions, "It's complicated" or "I don't know."...
...insufficient answers that likely caused the then directors to vote 4-3 to table the approval of the tax returns and audit to the new board that commenced in mid-May, 2020.
In August, 2019, it was discovered through Sun City Anthem records he was earning a $180,000 annual salary, but likely a 3% across the board cost of living raise in January, 2020 would have brought that to $185,400 per year.
The search for a replacement will commence immediately.
Will a formal Chief Financial Officer position replace O'Peek?
Will a formal Chief Financial Officer position replace O'Peek?
That remains to be seen.
As we had said in the past, this "New Deal" Board plans to review various job descriptions and income levels.
A number of experienced CPAs in the Sun City Anthem community have expressed an opinion that a non-profit HOA has no need for a Chief Financial Officer, but rather an experienced accountant or comptroller...
...positions that command incomes less than the current compensation that was paid to O'Peek or his predecessor, James Orlick.
We wish him well in his future plans.
Got a comment?
Send it to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
From Peter Brown...to...Anthem Opinions
Sadly I looked at the other blog.......he writes "Second Domino Falls: CFO abruptly resigns"
No mention how this act by a management position is inappropriate without proper notice.
Seems to indicate this Board is responsible AND SCA does not need a big overhaul or changes.
I hope the record is set straight and sheds light on Sandy S's. management ability and her lack of competence in hiring personnel.
This Board has been in progress for 20 days. CFO left because he lacked confidence and competence and knew this was about to unfold.
Yes there should be accountability, direct it where it belongs, the prior Board and Sandy Seddon.
SCA is becoming a difficult place to enjoy unless you ignore management; the sad little man; many of the fools that live here and are attracted to sad little man; past Board of Directors (Shuetz; Karrow; Weil) and certain current members of the Board.
In the end we all make our own decisions and conclusions.
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IF his answers to financial questions were "It's complicated" or "I don't know."...it begs the question WHO hired him? WHO vetted his credentials, and WHO decided he was a good pick (and WHY)
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From Elizabeth Breier...to...Anthem Opinions
I understand that some in the Community would like to lay "blame' for the recent departures on the Current Board that has been in place for 2 weeks.
I am sure (in fact, I hope) they have many questions of staff in order to bring themselves up to speed, especially as it relates to Financial matters.
What comes to mind is the old expression "if you can't take the heat, get out of the kitchen" and I guess some staff could not take the "heat" of actually responding to the Board.
This is not the only Board that could be "blamed" for loss of significant employees, including, but not limited to, Meg Poulson, a long-time, much loved Activity Director that actually could teach classes.
What Board allowed that to occur?
At least when Meg departed it wasn't after doing almost nothing for almost 3 months and collecting salary and benefits.
Kathy Elliott was mourned when she passed, but I fear many were crocodile tears, because, when she was working at Anthem Center, she confided that she was miserable, browbeaten and felt there were attempts to force her out.
Perhaps the stress of the job is what killed her....
But where was the Board that was allowing that to happen to that "beloved in hindsight" employee?
I recall that Bing's predecessor left rather abruptly after a short term with our Association, what Board was in charge then?
Were any of these departures the fault of the Board?
Why didn't upper Management step in and console unhappy employees and attempt to make things right?
In fact, who is responsible for hiring Bing at an exorbitant salary, and now we find out he has neither the professionalism or character to provide a reasonable notice before departing?
This is the highly paid CFO that said at the last Board meeting, when asked about certain financial issues "I don't know" and "that's complicated".
Not only was there no notice, but allegedly word was "leaked" - possibly to prior Board Member(s) and/or residents not on the Board - now that's classy.
Responsibility rests as much on whomever made the final decision that Bing was the right person (at the wrong compensation) for his job.
Before anyone points fingers they should not be speculating if they "don't know" the details and not insinuate the departures are the fault of the Board in total or any individuals on the Board.
Responsibility rests as much on whomever made the final decision to hire the CFO as on anyone, including the Board that was in place at the time of his hire.
If anyone feels these employees left because they were disrespected, I would say, that works both ways.
The residents should be respected and not treated like ignorant children who cannot figure out for themselves what might be best rather than have every decision shoved down their throats.
Finally, before everyone gets their panties in a knot - remember NO ONE is irreplaceable. -
Every new change of governance is normally followed by changes in personnel who report to them.
The new governance sets the policy and management must follow it.
If management and its members decide it cannot follow that governance, they would either leave voluntarily or be asked to do so, and despite the picture that was painted by the Machine blogger, it was a voluntary resignation.
In the case of Bing O'Peek, perhaps his inability to conform to a new Board's governance, may have created an atmosphere he knew would question his abilities.
In the time he was here, to our knowledge, he never took the extra step to pass the CPA exam, something that should have been an initial requirement and commemorate with the income and title of Chief Financial Officer, something that the old regime, in accepting less than excellence, determined was not of any importance...
...and in the minds of a number of experienced CPAs, the community received less than what it should have received.
In the past election, it was obvious the community was seeking change, and they got it.
The voters spoke and in the case of O'Peek, the employee, not the Board, reacted. Everyone is expendable.
As far as the Machine blogger, I'm sure we can anticipate continual "sour grapes" toward any and all who attack his beloved corrupt machine.
Like Bing, it appears that he too, must come to the conclusion that his "way of doing business" is also now expendable.
It's a new day, and a New Deal, and this new Board deserves a chance to reform a community that has long been in need of it.
-
From Pat Goode...to...Anthem Opinions
Dick, why no mention of Karen?
She’s done a good job while on the board. She was part of the New Deal.
You’ve mentioned everyone else but her - what gives? -
Pat,
There is a reason as to why I have not mentioned her name.
In my opinion, Karen Hadrick in many instances has been a disappointment.
She has not kept a number of her campaign promises.
She was part of the New Tradition, and we hope she will be part of the New Deal.
Let's just leave it at that, and I sincerely hope she will keep those promises in the 2nd year of her term.
However, if the decision were made today as to her reelection, I would have a difficult time supporting her at this time.
Most try to ignore discussions with her because of her ability to turn a 2 minute response into 2 hours of never getting to the point.
She leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to reaching out to the voices of experience, and instead prefers her answers to questions coming from the internet.
We hope she will change and seek advice from those who supported her. -
From Barry Goldstein...to...Anthem Opinions
Liz forgot to mention the departure of Lori Martin the prior CAM.
She was well liked.
I thought Anthem Opinions was the doom and gloom blog?
Now which blog is giving SCA a bad name?
The self promoting blowhard, is at it again.
Only he can get all the details for us, boo hoo. -
We should compare the salary paid (inc. anticipated increase) to the outgoing CFO and survey the average compensation of similarly situated CFO's who are CPAs or at least have an accounting degree. Or, should SCA BOD contract with an independent CPA service which would take a lot of the politics and interpersonal drama out of the position?
I'm new here so I have only a couple of months under the old BOD. -
From Buddy Greenfield...to...Anthem Opinions
The other blogger should change his name to Chicken Little - because apparently the sky is falling.
BTW - further evidence of Bing’s unprofessionalism/ giving his “exit interview” to a community blogger.
My opinion of Bing diminishes with each immature act.
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Eltee,
My guess is that your suggestion will be pursued by this new Board.
It's common sense and would be showing fiduciary responsibility.
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From Robert Smith...to...Anthem Opinions
Seems as though the Covid19 Pandemic freeze in place mandate is never going to thaw,,.At least in the minds of our present management…
We, as well as neighbors filed written complaints about a landlord who for at least 15 years has never maintained or trimmed his 25-30’ Palm tree in our common back yards.
The dried palm branches overhang our rear property line and about 12’ higher than our ground level have become a distinct fire hazard.
An initial investigation by Management, and letters sent to the renters and landlord have been ignored this past two plus months.
Nothing can be done, according to a call from compliance officials until the “freeze” whatever that is, is lifted.
Meanwhile…”No what if’s, in case our house is set on fire” according to the compliance guy.
”We don’t deal with what if’s”…
And in the mean time…NO COMPLIANCE ENFORCEMENT.
Just want to pass on how messed up our Management System (lack thereof) is handling things.
PEOPLE BEING PAID BUT, no one accomplishing anything…
Gym open, sort of…but no showers…spa…etc…
Just what have we been paying for the past 6 months???
Treated like mushrooms…kept in the dark and fed BS.
Perhaps others are encountering the same type of noncompliance enforcement?
If so, hope they speak up.
-
From Lloyd Frank...to...Anthem Opinions
Seems to me since a new board was elected some of the big shots are quitting SCA.
I wounder why?
Also were these people still getting paid while we were shut down?
Looks like we're saving some big salaries now.
Who will be next? -
Lloyd,
From what I learned, both the Fitness Director and Chief Financial Officer were paid during the shutdown.
And to boot, remember all SCA 401(k) contributions made for them were also 100% vested to take that with them as well.
For example, if Bing O'Peek was contributing 3% of his pay to the plan, the approximate $46,250 he was paid in the past three months also cost an additional $1,387.50 in the employer match.
He did quite well, and this will repeat if this 401(k) plan is not immediately revised.
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From Valerie Lapin...to...Anthem Opinions
It appears that the resignation of two individuals that were working here was because they were fearful of being found out about their incompetence in their jobs!
SCA needs housecleaning after being held hostage by management and the new Board can make that happen.
-
From Bosco Wang...to...Anthem Opinions
SCA Board has been known/criticized as a big spender.
Annual salary of $180,000 in this low-living standard Nevada state seems to be extremely high.
Hope the new Board Directors can do a better job to watch all expenses on behalf of homeowners.
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From Yushih Chen...to...Anthem Opinions
I agree that we do not need a financial official with such high salary.
Maybe an accountant will do? -
From Peter Brown...to...Anthem Opinions
I think it is a reasonable conclusion based on past events and current understanding that there needs to be a top to bottom assessment of all employees including Sandy S.
This should include compensation, benefits, job description; date of hire; person who hired; Board involved.
I expect the the Auditors assess and document internal control of SCA operations including a flowchart.
I would request that from current auditors and prior auditors rather then start from scratch.
I would look at all Auditors letters that address Internal Controls and or the Management letter that typically address areas of concern in operations and internal control.
In this regard, I would suggest assessing each position and estimate the time to complete their tasks on a daily basis.
I would suggest interviewing Sandy S. To determine how and why she hires or terminates certain employees.
I would suggest a review of all employee benefits and to the extent possible, add time in service as to vesting. (20% per year).
I would suggest hiring all positions on a 90 day probationary basis.
I would suggest restructuring the organizational chart.....Fitness and Facilities management co-exist with Sandy S. and they report to the Board.
-
_______________________
What's On Your Mind ?
An Open Invitation to Sun City Anthem Owners & Board
The 2020 Sun City Anthem election is now behind us, and a country and a community are easing many pandemic restrictions.
In other words, life is resuming and it's time to start living it again.
Yes, there is a "new normal", but that "new normal" should also encompass a "new normal" in Sun City Anthem as well...
...a "new normal" that we hope with bring about a happier community where many concerns of owners can be addressed without the strife that has existed for years.
Anthem Opinions has long been an advocate of change...positive change...
...change that has been resisted by a "Machine" for years....
...change a "Machine" has been forced to accept as a result of the past 2 community elections of those who promised to be more attentive to residents wants and needs...
...change that we believe can be accomplished if those who have been elected will keep their campaign promises, and if our elected leaders are STRONG ENOUGH TO MAKE THEM HAPPEN.
We have been made aware that initial steps have already been taken by various Board members to "prioritize" the needed community changes...
...and...taking a business approach in developing a strategic plan to implement them.
This change in philosophy really is a "New Deal" !
The best part?
In fulfilling that commitment, we believe that a number of these Board members will actively be willing to seek your help and advice in determining what priorities should be in the development of that plan...
...that the words "that's the way we've always done it" are no longer an acceptable solution to complex problems that exist now, as well as, those that must be anticipated in the years to come.
With that in mind, how many times have you, the property owners of Sun City Anthem, had an opportunity to "speak your peace" other than attending a Board meeting and being given 2 minutes to do so, or gone to some kind of "work shop" that 50 or less attended, where your voice was rarely heard, and all to often, ignored?
Too many times !
Why?
Because a philosophy was allowed to develop over time that you mattered little; that decisions had already been made behind closed doors due to an attitude "we know better than they do"...that you, the owner merely represent the financial means to provide those already predetermined needs.
That Machine manner of thinking is now obsolete.
Over the years we've been told that those who cling to Machine politics rarely read Anthem Opinions, but our continual increasing readership numbers contradict that substantially, and we can assure you that our views are shared by many that appear to have resulted in recently electing Richard Pope, a candidate that was heavily opposed by the Machine, Rana Goodman as association President, and returning Forrest Quinn as the community treasurer, in addition to Stephen Anderson.
We believe that was a positive change, and there is no time like the present to SHOW it was !
Members of our Board are only 7 in a community of 7,144 homes, and the responsibility they have chosen to bear, should, in our opinion, coincide with the wishes of a community that elected them.
I believe a number of them (hopefully all of them) want to be aware of your feelings about issues that are important to you.
And...with that in mind, we want to give you an opportunity to "let it go" and "speak your peace"...in a respectful manner...to let the elected leaders of our community AS WELL AS the individual members of our association know what's on your mind..
...what you find acceptable, what you believe should be changed, and suggestions you have they should consider during their tenure in office.
What can this hope to accomplish?
Two things...your views will be made known...and...and most importantly, if this new Board will address them and HOW and or IF they plan to do so !
So...tell us what you think. Share your priorities of living in a 55+ community. Your expectations? Your joys? Your disappointments?
Now is an opportunity to express your feelings and if these new leaders will address them.
We are looking for positive objective ideas and concerns that need explanation from those who make the ultimate decisions.
We would hope that any and all members of the Sun City Anthem Board will respond to such comments and questions; and if so, freely express their views as to how each believes such concerns should be addressed.
If any refuse to respond or oppose your concerns, that should be an indication as to how receptive they are to owners, and most importantly, provide a "scorecard" as to attitudes toward them in the future regarding their effectiveness as a leader should they wish to be reelected.
There are just a few minor restrictions as to your comments, and we will post ONLY RESPONSIBLE and RESPECTFUL statements.
Name calling will NOT be an acceptable posting and will be removed. That will accomplish nothing.
A couple of additional rules:
First, we will NOT post anonymous comments. We insist that you use a real name and are a verifiable Sun City Anthem property owner.
Sorry renters, we believe that only those "who pay" should have an opinion on a community's matters they finance.
Secondly, we invite all Board members to respond regardless of whether we supported or opposed them in prior elections.
What matters now is the present and the future. The clock can't be turned back....only remembered !
We hope this provides an opportunity for all owners to express their beliefs and all Board members to respond.
Now it's your turn. What's on your mind?
We urge all to take the opportunity to make this a better community by telling our leaders you ideas and concerns, and they in return, explaining to us, if and how they plan to address them.
Let's start this "new normal" the right way.
Send your comments and suggestions as to what a new Board should prioritize to:
scaopinions@gmail.com
Anthem Opinions would like to make the first suggested priority.
A sound business operates on a properly prepared budget as part of its planning.
The greatest percentage of the SCA budget is allocated to employee salaries and benefits.
These items need close examination in comparing them with similar sized Nevada HOAs.
A perfect example is the hiring of a Chief Financial Officer at a cost of about $200,000 per year.
It was obvious at the last Board meeting when basic questions were asked of the SCA's CFO, there were many "I don't know" answers.
A CFO's job description in a non-profit organization is defined as follows:
A sound business operates on a properly prepared budget as part of its planning.
The greatest percentage of the SCA budget is allocated to employee salaries and benefits.
These items need close examination in comparing them with similar sized Nevada HOAs.
A perfect example is the hiring of a Chief Financial Officer at a cost of about $200,000 per year.
It was obvious at the last Board meeting when basic questions were asked of the SCA's CFO, there were many "I don't know" answers.
A CFO's job description in a non-profit organization is defined as follows:
https://work.chron.com/nonprofit-organization-cfo-job-descriptions-19145.html
The benefit program also needs close examination.
Of particular concern is the 401(k) vesting schedule in providing a 100% employer match of the first 3% of pay with immediate vesting of those contributions, while even the largest Nevada casinos that offer such a plan, have suspended employer contributions since the real estate collapse in 2008.
The benefit program also needs close examination.
Of particular concern is the 401(k) vesting schedule in providing a 100% employer match of the first 3% of pay with immediate vesting of those contributions, while even the largest Nevada casinos that offer such a plan, have suspended employer contributions since the real estate collapse in 2008.
-
From Barry Goldstein...to...Anthem Opinions
I will make the second recommendation:
Transparency of all employment contracts, including who drew them up and who recommended what was included in them.
Maybe a written letter from the association attorney, why it was in the best interest of the association.
-
From Marcia Kosterka...to...Anthem Opinions
I would like to make a recommendation regarding standing committees.
ANYONE who is a homeowner in good standing with the association and has experience in their previous life looking at problem solving, interacting with others and has the welfare of all SCA homeowners as their number one priority, should be considered as a member of that committee.Furthermore, they should never be asked the question, "Are you willing to vote in unison to go along to get along?"
Diverse ideas with substance should be allowed.There are many homeowners who could add a more fair-minded approach to rules and regulations governing each committee that would make our community a better and more open and transparent place to reside.
____________________
Richard Pope
Sun City Anthem Vice President
A Man on a Mission
Having met and spent time with Richard and his lovely wife, Lonette, the best way to describe this individual is he's the...
The election of Richard Pope is the appointment of an individual who is fearless when it comes to examining wrongs, and whose qualifications for cost/benefit analysis of association expenditures and accounting procedures is unlike anything we have ever seen in Sun City Anthem history...
...and unlike past MACHINE leadership, he considers the words "that's the way we've always done it", is archaic as to how a large HOA should operate in the 21st century.
Pope is a businessman...and...
....he believes Sun City Anthem should follow the rules of successful business...
...that to maintain a quality lifestyle, increase property values, and guide a community toward success, requires constant examination and evaluation of financial expenditures that include, but are not limited to, employee payroll, benefits provided, examination of individual employee job descriptions in addition to all major projects with outside contractors...
...and insisting that efficiency combined with kindness toward residents, can be accomplished, while demanding excellence...
...encouraging those in the community whose working experience, can assist him with their expertise, allowing him to make proper decisions.
Pope is a retired CPA, is only 61 years old, and has owned and operated numerous businesses all over the United States.
That background translates into being able to recognize issues that those without such real-life experience, were unable to identify, properly investigate, and in many cases were unable to accept the fact that without adapting to the world we live in, subjects Sun City Anthem to financial future jeopardy.
Pope, a former member of the association's Finance Committee, can definitely "hold his own" discussing accounting issues, and looks at an association attorney as an advisor, rather than a person who should make a final decision for an association.
What is most refreshing is his attitude toward management; that in order for any individual to effectively manage a large non-profit association, all positions must be examined to define job descriptions, pay scales, and benefits as to how they apply to a current economy, and how such decisions affect the future.
In short, Richard Pope is of the belief that management works for us, not us for them.
This attitude is very different than the prior MACHINE "way of doing business" where once an individual or firm was hired or contracted, their advice and decisions must never be questioned.
Pope also believes that all Board members are equal, that they all should have access to management decisions, unlike the past where a president literally banned fellow directors from such activity.
Finally, Pope believes that if he is wrong, he will freely admit it.
Richard Pope is the future of Sun City Anthem; his addition to the Sun City Anthem Board represents a "passing of the baton" to a new breed of leadership that many of us must finally accept that without the inclusion of a new generation of leadership, our community will stagnate into decline.
Add this expertise to the warm and friendly attitude of new President, Rana Goodman, along with the common sense of Stephen Anderson, and the reinstatement of Forrest Quinn as treasurer, and I believe a bright future lies in our path...a "New Deal" ...
...which will become a...
....for all those in our community.
Got a comment? Send it to us at:
...and unlike past MACHINE leadership, he considers the words "that's the way we've always done it", is archaic as to how a large HOA should operate in the 21st century.
Pope is a businessman...and...
....he believes Sun City Anthem should follow the rules of successful business...
...that to maintain a quality lifestyle, increase property values, and guide a community toward success, requires constant examination and evaluation of financial expenditures that include, but are not limited to, employee payroll, benefits provided, examination of individual employee job descriptions in addition to all major projects with outside contractors...
...and insisting that efficiency combined with kindness toward residents, can be accomplished, while demanding excellence...
...encouraging those in the community whose working experience, can assist him with their expertise, allowing him to make proper decisions.
Pope is a retired CPA, is only 61 years old, and has owned and operated numerous businesses all over the United States.
That background translates into being able to recognize issues that those without such real-life experience, were unable to identify, properly investigate, and in many cases were unable to accept the fact that without adapting to the world we live in, subjects Sun City Anthem to financial future jeopardy.
Pope, a former member of the association's Finance Committee, can definitely "hold his own" discussing accounting issues, and looks at an association attorney as an advisor, rather than a person who should make a final decision for an association.
What is most refreshing is his attitude toward management; that in order for any individual to effectively manage a large non-profit association, all positions must be examined to define job descriptions, pay scales, and benefits as to how they apply to a current economy, and how such decisions affect the future.
In short, Richard Pope is of the belief that management works for us, not us for them.
This attitude is very different than the prior MACHINE "way of doing business" where once an individual or firm was hired or contracted, their advice and decisions must never be questioned.
Pope also believes that all Board members are equal, that they all should have access to management decisions, unlike the past where a president literally banned fellow directors from such activity.
Finally, Pope believes that if he is wrong, he will freely admit it.
Richard Pope is the future of Sun City Anthem; his addition to the Sun City Anthem Board represents a "passing of the baton" to a new breed of leadership that many of us must finally accept that without the inclusion of a new generation of leadership, our community will stagnate into decline.
Add this expertise to the warm and friendly attitude of new President, Rana Goodman, along with the common sense of Stephen Anderson, and the reinstatement of Forrest Quinn as treasurer, and I believe a bright future lies in our path...a "New Deal" ...
...which will become a...
....for all those in our community.
Got a comment? Send it to us at:
scaopinions@gmail.com
From Roseann Pica...to...Anthem Opinions
Congratulations to all the Board members, and I wish you all the “Best.”
I’m living here for 15 years and looking forward to the new leadership, ideas and plans that you will bring to our community.
THANK YOU all for volunteering your services!
Congratulations to all the Board members, and I wish you all the “Best.”
I’m living here for 15 years and looking forward to the new leadership, ideas and plans that you will bring to our community.
THANK YOU all for volunteering your services!
________________________
Sun City Anthem
Begins Phase 2 Opening
This is a condensed message sent to Sun City Anthem owners via eblast regarding the initial steps to reopen our community.
"Phase 2 reopening allows SCA to open fitness centers and pools, but not spas. Locker rooms, showers and all other common areas in the centers will be closed.
SCA now needs to work on the employee side of the equation and getting furloughed staff trained to return to maintain the facilities safely and effectively now that we are permitted to reopen.
SCA will reopen Anthem Fitness and pools and Liberty Center pools on Friday, June 5, 2020. Initially, hours will be 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Personal training, group exercises classes and massage therapy will remain closed until further notice.
Many residents have also been waiting to obtain or update their resident activity cards.
The Membership office will be temporarily relocated to Independence Center at the theatre box office beginning June 5, 2020.
Hours of operation will be Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. closing for lunch from 12noon – 1pm. Saturday hours are from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m."
Anthem Opinions received NUMEROUS inquiries as to details that were not adequately answered in the above notification.
We ask you to send your questions to the Board members for clarification, then send us a copy of your question and answers received in order that we may share it with our readers.
Their individual email addresses can be found by clicking on our Information Page "Sun City Anthem Board of Directors Information", or by clicking on this link:
Some current Nevada information regarding the pandemic:
The May 29th edition of the Las Vegas Review Journal reported that as of Thursday, May 28th, there have been 410 deaths in the state of Nevada due to the Covid-19 virus..
..42% of which (172) were in senior long-term care facilities.
The total population of Nevada is approximately 3,030,000, which translates to .0005% of the state's population attributed to Covid-19 deaths.
In addition, those who tested positive for the Covid-19 virus who subsequently perished, were included in the count despite any other factors that would have been considered.
A perfect example of this was the death of Mrs. John Glenn (not in Nevada) recently.
Prior to her passing, she tested positive...at the age of 100.
Read how Covid-19 deaths are counted in Nevada.
The May 29th edition of the Las Vegas Review Journal reported that as of Thursday, May 28th, there have been 410 deaths in the state of Nevada due to the Covid-19 virus..
..42% of which (172) were in senior long-term care facilities.
The total population of Nevada is approximately 3,030,000, which translates to .0005% of the state's population attributed to Covid-19 deaths.
In addition, those who tested positive for the Covid-19 virus who subsequently perished, were included in the count despite any other factors that would have been considered.
A perfect example of this was the death of Mrs. John Glenn (not in Nevada) recently.
Prior to her passing, she tested positive...at the age of 100.
Read how Covid-19 deaths are counted in Nevada.
________________________
2020 Sun City Anthem Governance
A "New Deal"
A "New Deal"
A new era for Sun City Anthem commenced on Tuesday, May 26th when officers were elected to the Sun City Anthem Board of Directors, promising a new and exciting look to our 21 year old community.
Lead by new president, Rana Goodman, and vice president, Richard Pope with Forrest Quinn returning to the Treasurer position alongside Wendy Linow as the association Secretary, look for change, real change...
...and with all the optimism in the world, Anthem Opinions, considers these choices so positive that we can't help but borrow a phrase from a time in our nation that needed strong leadership...
(and today, May 27th also just happens to be her birthday !)
What a woman !
___________________
Lead by new president, Rana Goodman, and vice president, Richard Pope with Forrest Quinn returning to the Treasurer position alongside Wendy Linow as the association Secretary, look for change, real change...
...and with all the optimism in the world, Anthem Opinions, considers these choices so positive that we can't help but borrow a phrase from a time in our nation that needed strong leadership...
"The New Deal"
For the next year we believe those words will ring true as their elections will bring new life to a community that has stagnated for years under a system often referred to as THE MACHINE.
This group (with one exception) is NO Machine; in addition to many other aspects of our community needing examination, I believe they are committed to revamping areas in the association policy manual by redefining the roles of directors and management, sharing responsibilities unlike the past, actively seeking advice from those in our community whose past expertise has long been ignored, doing so in an open manner where owners are well informed as to their decisions and why they were made, and encouraging new committee members in our community.
The best part ?
...striving to accomplish these goals by creating a happy community where a "one for all, and all for one" attitude will be the ultimate objective...
...that "politics" and secretive "personal agendas" will be things of the past.
Personally, I wish to send my best to a dear friend of 15 years, Rana Goodman, whose life history as a long time resident of Las Vegas will finally be recognized for the accomplishments she has made, despite the all too often condemnation by a blogger, whose poison pen, for years, did everything possible to discredit her at every opportunity.
Those of us who have been here for years will never forget her dedication to the City of Henderson for her contribution to the Senior Citizens Advisory Commission, a dedication that a blogger made every attempt to block her reappointment by circulating a petition claiming such reappointment was an outrage .... yet, through the Freedom of Information Act, was discovered to have been signed by only 8 individuals.
...or when she was considered for an officer appointment to the Women's Club, when current officers literally demanded she close her blog, Anthem Today, to gain the appointment...after which her conviction to free speech, refused to do so, and removed herself from consideration.
...or perhaps the worst insult, being approved as a member of the association Lifestyle Committee by its members, only to be humiliated as being the only person in the association history to ever be rejected by a Board...a MACHINE BOARD, whose president at that time was a woman named Roz Berman, the wife of the blogger, who had taunted her for years, and continued well into the 2019 Board election.
How did she react?
Rather than submit to the continual humiliation and pressure, she increased her commitment to the good of seniors by being responsible, along with the Vegas Voice, for tirelessly, at her own expense, making trip after trip to Carson City to change the guardianship laws of the state to remove the inequities of the system that "robbed" seniors of their dignity and assets.
Rather than submit to the continual humiliation and pressure, she increased her commitment to the good of seniors by being responsible, along with the Vegas Voice, for tirelessly, at her own expense, making trip after trip to Carson City to change the guardianship laws of the state to remove the inequities of the system that "robbed" seniors of their dignity and assets.
But still...she would continue to be the humiliated, and despite the continued insults, fought...and...ran for our Board in 2019, being elected the association secretary...garnering more votes than any other candidate in the election.
Now, despite those unkind years of adversity and insults, she finally, through hard work and dedication, and the strongest commitment to PEOPLE, has been granted the distinction she has earned for years !
She's now at the top....
The President of Sun City Anthem !
Anthem Opinions is proud to recognize her contributions to our community and the entire state of Nevada, and say to her...
Anthem Opinions is proud to recognize her contributions to our community and the entire state of Nevada, and say to her...
(and today, May 27th also just happens to be her birthday !)
What a woman !
In the days to come, we'll look at the other individuals of the new Sun City Anthem Board whom we believe, will make a "New Deal", a reality.
In the meantime, thank you Sun City Anthem for giving...
a
Want to send Rana a congratulatory email? Her email address is:
Got a comment as to your opinion of this new Board's officers?
scaopinions@gmail.com
Anthem OpinionsMay 27, 2020 at 9:03 AM
From Dorothy Yu...to...Anthem Opinions
Thanks so much, Dick.
Tears filled my eyes while I was reading about Rana’s strength without all these years insults and unfounded accusations.
I have been there and so happy being both of your friends.
Yes, what you two endured these years were incredible!
Thanks to both of your unwavering will get today’s result!!!
THIS IS THE LUCK OF ALL SUN CITY ANTHEM RESIDENTS!!!
Thanks so much, Dick.
Tears filled my eyes while I was reading about Rana’s strength without all these years insults and unfounded accusations.
I have been there and so happy being both of your friends.
Yes, what you two endured these years were incredible!
Thanks to both of your unwavering will get today’s result!!!
THIS IS THE LUCK OF ALL SUN CITY ANTHEM RESIDENTS!!!
Oh Dorothy, this time you made an old man blush !
Rana has gone through hell over the years, but she just keeps plugging along.
That's one the reasons I have so admired her.
I appreciate your kind comments about me, but today is "Rana Day".
What I may do in writing, is far surpassed by what that dedicated lady has accomplished in actions due to her caring involvement with people.
And my joy in a community's finally recognizing her, can't be described.
Rana is one of a kind.
Rana has gone through hell over the years, but she just keeps plugging along.
That's one the reasons I have so admired her.
I appreciate your kind comments about me, but today is "Rana Day".
What I may do in writing, is far surpassed by what that dedicated lady has accomplished in actions due to her caring involvement with people.
And my joy in a community's finally recognizing her, can't be described.
Rana is one of a kind.
-
From John Schmidt...to...Anthem Opinions
Just read your blog and I cannot tell you how happy I am.
Rana, the new president and David Berman so quiet !
How much joy can one person absorb in one day?
Nice going.
From John Ray...to...Anthem Opinions
Great to see most of the machine is gone !!
Now hopefully there will be some attention given to the payroll, bonuses, and money being spent when the machine people were trying to destroy our community.
Hopefully this also will be no dues increases, particularly with the money being saved on water, and reduction in work on the landscape because of the desert environment, thanks to the landscape and facilities folks.
Great to see most of the machine is gone !!
Now hopefully there will be some attention given to the payroll, bonuses, and money being spent when the machine people were trying to destroy our community.
Hopefully this also will be no dues increases, particularly with the money being saved on water, and reduction in work on the landscape because of the desert environment, thanks to the landscape and facilities folks.
2020 Sun City Anthem Election Results
The results are in and Sun City Anthem will have a "new sheriff in town"...
...thank goodness !
Due to the make-up of the new Board, it appears that "the machine" will have lost some steam in their engine as a result.
Looking at the current remaining Board members consisting of Rana Goodman, Karen Hadrick, and Forrest Quinn, and adding Richard Pope and likely Stephen Anderson to the "open minded" mix, appears that the Reformers will control the atmosphere of Sun City Anthem decisions during the 2020 year.
And with that hope...
We believe that competence and accountability will become a new standard, excessive spending will be highly scrutinized, and a new era of open communication will result...
...that the days of "I can do as I wish" will have been put out to pasture with the solid defeat of Candace Karrow, and a more caring, efficient, and fiscally responsible community will result.
The voting totals were as follows: (the top 4 being elected)
Stephen Anderson 2,356
Richard Pope 2,031
Wendy Linow 1,793*
Paul Perlstein 1,793*
Candace Karow 1,562
Nelson Orth 1,430
*The tiebreaker was a cut of the cards with Linow drawing a king and Perlstein, a Jack....
On a sad note, though our friend, Nelson Orth, was not elected, we wish him a sincere thanks for bringing up the problem-filled issue of Anthem Council during the election, and we hope the new Board will give strong consideration to naming him our community representative.
From David...to...Anthem Opinions
I wish that the comments about the election results in this blog were more mature and respectful.
It's sad to read this and see such poor choice of words.
Please think about how your words have consequences.
I look forward to a more congenial read experience.
From David...to...Anthem Opinions
I wish that the comments about the election results in this blog were more mature and respectful.
It's sad to read this and see such poor choice of words.
Please think about how your words have consequences.
I look forward to a more congenial read experience.
David,
In our opinion our comments were both respectful and honest.
They were words of anticipating positive change following the rejection of a member of the MACHINE by the SCA community, who brought our community more harm and dissent than could be imagined.
Karrow and her predecessor, Rex Weddle, were in our opinion, TOXIC to our community, and over the past 2 elections, that was recognized by many, resulting in humiliating low vote totals for both.
It seems obvious that you would have liked the results to have been different, but if you read Anthem Opinions regularly, you should know that we "pull no pushes" when it comes to the devastating effect the MACHINE has had on our community.
It has now been dealt a severe blow, and we make no apology for any role we may have played in bringing truth to a community that needed to know the damage they have made both financially, and morally in the manner in which they have done so for years.
There is little doubt that Sun City Anthem will now be a better place without the nuisance that the FORMER president has represented for years.
In our opinion, she will always represent an embarrassment to good governance...
...and we make NO APOLOGY for saying so !
In our opinion our comments were both respectful and honest.
They were words of anticipating positive change following the rejection of a member of the MACHINE by the SCA community, who brought our community more harm and dissent than could be imagined.
Karrow and her predecessor, Rex Weddle, were in our opinion, TOXIC to our community, and over the past 2 elections, that was recognized by many, resulting in humiliating low vote totals for both.
It seems obvious that you would have liked the results to have been different, but if you read Anthem Opinions regularly, you should know that we "pull no pushes" when it comes to the devastating effect the MACHINE has had on our community.
It has now been dealt a severe blow, and we make no apology for any role we may have played in bringing truth to a community that needed to know the damage they have made both financially, and morally in the manner in which they have done so for years.
There is little doubt that Sun City Anthem will now be a better place without the nuisance that the FORMER president has represented for years.
In our opinion, she will always represent an embarrassment to good governance...
...and we make NO APOLOGY for saying so !
-
From Marcia Kosterka...to...Anthem Opinions
To David:
It is glaringly obvious that you have chosen to criticize Mr. Arendt either without knowing all the facts, or have taken a one-sided approach to criticize those that have demanded that "machine" politics be replaced by a more democratic and honest form of governance.Homeowners were reduced to the source of some insane expenditures and they were not asked how they felt about expensive projects before a vote was taken.
Furthermore, at times, the owners were treated like "serfs in the royal kingdom".
I strongly suggest you talk to others in the community outside your circle of friends and verify the truth.
The new board will have a lot to do to reform governance in SCA to a kinder, gentler, and more transparent inclusive form.
You would be wise to educate yourself to the true facts.
_________________________
Reform or Machine
We'll Know Who the 2020 Sun City Anthem
Directors Are This Afternoon or Evening
Get ready because by sometime during this afternoon or evening the ballots of the 2020 Sun City Anthem election will FINALLY be tabulated and a new Board of Directors will be determined.
To say the least this has been one of the most confusing and contentious elections in the history of our community.
...and a continuing pandemic has been a contributing factor.
Unlike any other time, social distancing eliminated personal contact with the candidates other than a single "Meet the Candidates" meeting in Anthem Center prior to the shutdown.
The flyers the six candidates went to the expense of preparing all went for naught due to the inability of distribution.
The only means the community had to become acquainted with their qualifications was solely based on a one page summary of each candidate that is NEVER VETTED for any accuracy with the exception of a determination of being "in good standing".
The most blatant example of weakness of that process is a candidate, Wendy Linow, who purposely withheld a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filed in 2017, a vital criterion for determining suitability of governing the financial expenditures of an $8-9 million per year organization.
There was an expensive mailer sent by past MACHINE Board members vaguely touting their accomplishments, recommending MACHINE descendants.
To counter that postcard, an email was sent to members of the community that was VERY SPECIFIC that pertained to the negative records of the MACHINE's history, an email whose facts were NEVER DISPUTED.
Finally there were two "unofficial" sources where individual blogs made it clear as to which each favored for election.
First, there is the MACHINE BLOG....
...the one that never criticizes any action of a Board.
...never tells a full story other than what it wants its readers to hear.
...withholds vital issues from readers such as the MACHINE claiming a Chief Operating Officer's contract was confidential, when in fact it was public information.
...never publishes the voting records of past mistakes and incompetence...
...fully supported an ASSOCIATION PAY-ALL SELF-MANAGED RESTAURANT without sufficient study based on a 2 year old survey that never even mentioned the words "self-management".
...and is constantly caught in "fibs" that are never retracted, and whose comments are populated with primarily saying little other than parroting the author, and rarely giving any intelligent reasoning as to the contents.
MACHINE BLOG recommendations:
Candace Karrow
Wendy Linow
Paul Perlstein
Stephen Anderson
Then there is US...
...the one that did make every attempt to tell the full story, and whose comments represent intelligent thinking individuals, rarely being made without providing a reason as to why they were made.
...the one that brought to you how an association president continually insulted residents in public displays of demeaning comments, particularly publicly insulting the honor of our Asian community, as well as, by unprofessionally sending emails to individuals essentially saying "Who are you to question me in any way?"
...the one that brought to your attention that with one exception, an entire association Finance Committee resigned as a result of a lack of sharing information that affected community financial security and a public insult of it by a MACHINE and its members.
...the one that disclosed that a Chief Operating Officer's contract was public information, was in no way confidential, and that should have been available to any property owner, the contents of which were heavily STACKED AGAINST THE ASSOCIATION PROPERTY OWNERS.
...the one that sponsored and wrote a petition as to determining the true feelings of approximately 1,400 owners (800 online and 600 personally signed) who strongly opposed a self-managed restaurant due to a lack of planning and immense continual annual cost burden it would place on owners.
...the one that believes that positive and productive change to bring our community into the 3rd decade of the 21st century can only be accomplished by electing those who respect others, share thoughts and decisions with fellow Board members, as well as, the entire community with an open mind, and most importantly, ACTIVELY SEEK ADVICE from THOSE in the community for matters they are not familiar with or qualified to make a decision without such advice.
We closely examined the candidates and based on that criterion, we believed that only 3 of the 6 would be capable of accomplishing those objectives.
Our recommendations were therefore:
Richard Pope
Nelson Orth
Stephen Anderson
So this evening might well be the beginning of a new era of reform, or one of continued control by a MACHINE.
We shall see what the wishes of our community will be !
From Peter Brown...to...Anthem Opinions
Today the election becomes final; I will be there to help with the count.
Seriously, It takes effort and commitment to run for the Board or subject yourself to these various committees.
I want to congratulate Nelson and Richard for "charging" forward to change the way things are done at SCA.
My congratulations are sincere whether they win or lose!
Of course I am expecting and hoping Nelson and Richard will be able to join Rana on the Board.
Further, though I have issues with F. Quinn, he seems to be closer to my thinking then I thought and he is a huge upgrade from Coleman; Schuetz; Weil; Karrow; plus Hadrick who can see the light at times.
I think a Board of Rana, Richard, Nelson, Forrest and Hadrick would allow for real change and transparency!
Today the election becomes final; I will be there to help with the count.
Seriously, It takes effort and commitment to run for the Board or subject yourself to these various committees.
I want to congratulate Nelson and Richard for "charging" forward to change the way things are done at SCA.
My congratulations are sincere whether they win or lose!
Of course I am expecting and hoping Nelson and Richard will be able to join Rana on the Board.
Further, though I have issues with F. Quinn, he seems to be closer to my thinking then I thought and he is a huge upgrade from Coleman; Schuetz; Weil; Karrow; plus Hadrick who can see the light at times.
I think a Board of Rana, Richard, Nelson, Forrest and Hadrick would allow for real change and transparency!
After we pushed the "publish" key to this article, we received a copy of the recent article published on another blog that was authored by current SCA president, Candace Karrow.
It represented a sad and insecure woman who, for some reason, needed to get a bunch of things off her chest, prior to the counting of the ballots.
It was a first that surprised many that such a treatise would be published, even going back to 2019, criticizing a monthly magazine without specifically mentioning it by name, which was was obvious to many, The Vegas Voice...
...a fellow Board member affiliated with that magazine...
...and a 2019 candidate who was told by a now deceased employee, that his and other members of his team's campaign flyers were removed at the direction of others, that when security footage was revealed by an individual removing it, the individual doing so was not recognizable on the footage...and...refused to allow the candidates who made the accusation to view the footage.
The fact that "many people in the community were upset" when flyers were left at a door, was ludicrous. We saw no evidence of any formal complaint made, and as we approach our governmental elections, is a common practice that someone would not complain to any political organization for doing so.
It represented a sad and insecure woman who, for some reason, needed to get a bunch of things off her chest, prior to the counting of the ballots.
It was a first that surprised many that such a treatise would be published, even going back to 2019, criticizing a monthly magazine without specifically mentioning it by name, which was was obvious to many, The Vegas Voice...
...a fellow Board member affiliated with that magazine...
...and a 2019 candidate who was told by a now deceased employee, that his and other members of his team's campaign flyers were removed at the direction of others, that when security footage was revealed by an individual removing it, the individual doing so was not recognizable on the footage...and...refused to allow the candidates who made the accusation to view the footage.
The fact that "many people in the community were upset" when flyers were left at a door, was ludicrous. We saw no evidence of any formal complaint made, and as we approach our governmental elections, is a common practice that someone would not complain to any political organization for doing so.
Part Two of Three
Turning the clock forward to 2020, attacks continued with obvious reference to Anthem Opinions for discovering a recent 2017 bankruptcy of a MACHINE candidate, information that the candidate REFUSED TO DISCLOSE herself, and like the author of the blog she and HER MACHINE relies on for their information, who also REFUSED TO DISCLOSE his history of LOSS of a law license due to forgery, deceiving a client, and a state taxation department when he ran for a Board position a number of years ago, is, by any standard of decency, information a community is entitled to be made aware of BEFORE they place its financial future in their hands.
That MACHINE BLOGGER to which she relies on, a number of years ago, painted a former Board candidate as a racist for his activities as a California State Senator, who in 1978 sponsored anti-gay legislation that was passed by both legislative bodies in the State of California, subsequently vetoed by a governor named Ronald Reagan.
The blogger was never chastised BY THE MACHINE for bringing such information to HIS READERS (though the action had taken place 30 years prior to his running for the SCA Board...when attitudes were very different than they are today).
The information was welcomed by many, considered insignificant by others due to the number of years ago that it took place, yet it was disclosed.
Let me also remind you that former Board President, Bella Meese, talked him into first retiring here to SCA, then running for the Board. It was California State Senator, John Briggs who first salvaged her job when his state elected a Democratic governor, yet, after the information was disclosed DISMISSED HIM AS both a candidate and friend. She too lost that election, but quickly rebounded once she joined THE MACHINE, subsequently being responsible for using ASSOCIATION FUNDS to finance buses for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential campaign...the subject that later became knows as BELLA...GATE.
Turning the clock forward to 2020, attacks continued with obvious reference to Anthem Opinions for discovering a recent 2017 bankruptcy of a MACHINE candidate, information that the candidate REFUSED TO DISCLOSE herself, and like the author of the blog she and HER MACHINE relies on for their information, who also REFUSED TO DISCLOSE his history of LOSS of a law license due to forgery, deceiving a client, and a state taxation department when he ran for a Board position a number of years ago, is, by any standard of decency, information a community is entitled to be made aware of BEFORE they place its financial future in their hands.
That MACHINE BLOGGER to which she relies on, a number of years ago, painted a former Board candidate as a racist for his activities as a California State Senator, who in 1978 sponsored anti-gay legislation that was passed by both legislative bodies in the State of California, subsequently vetoed by a governor named Ronald Reagan.
The blogger was never chastised BY THE MACHINE for bringing such information to HIS READERS (though the action had taken place 30 years prior to his running for the SCA Board...when attitudes were very different than they are today).
The information was welcomed by many, considered insignificant by others due to the number of years ago that it took place, yet it was disclosed.
Let me also remind you that former Board President, Bella Meese, talked him into first retiring here to SCA, then running for the Board. It was California State Senator, John Briggs who first salvaged her job when his state elected a Democratic governor, yet, after the information was disclosed DISMISSED HIM AS both a candidate and friend. She too lost that election, but quickly rebounded once she joined THE MACHINE, subsequently being responsible for using ASSOCIATION FUNDS to finance buses for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential campaign...the subject that later became knows as BELLA...GATE.
Part Three of Three
The information regarding Wendy Linow was a horse of a different color...it took place only 2.5 years prior to her becoming a candidate for the SCA Board...and...in our opinion, was relevant due to it being RECENT HISTORY, and like the information the MACHINE blogger felt information was relevant for activities conducted 30 years ago, we disclosed it.
Perhaps Mrs. Karrow might want to learn something about the activities of those SHE PRAISES in addition those she condemns for providing readers information each felt relevant.
Then there was the accusation that "a resident sent out a disgusting email spreading lies" with using "illegal" mailing lists.
Mrs. Karrow, THAT IS A LIE, we used a list that was public, just as your MACHINE did by way of the US Mail. Perhaps you can prove your LIE?
We printed that "disgusting email" pointing out the history of YOUR MACHINE. The correspondence was 100% TRUTHFUL, that out of approximately 2,000 sent to residents of our community, only 6 asked us to remove their names, WHICH WE DID.
That accusation quickly disappeared when we PRINTED both the MACHINE mailer and OUR EMAIL sent to property owners.
Your MACHINE BLOG never bothered to print the contents of OUR EMAIL, yet, like you, made the same ACCUSATIONS.
Finally, what you PERCEIVE as unacceptable behavior of a candidate to ask honest questions, many of us PERCEIVE you as unable to handle them and instead, publicly humiliate people for asking them, a sign of an insecure individual who "can dish it, but can't take it".
Well, Ms. Karrow I received a number of calls on the MACHINE that printed your article, and the common denominator in ALL of them was this question:
"Was she talking about others or herself?"
The community will make that decision, Ms. Karrow, and whether or not it chooses to elect you, at least you were able to "expose: the real you...
...a woman filled with frustration who is incapable to looking at herself for the demeaning behavior shown others, considers herself beyond reproach with a dictatorial superior attitude toward them (including those with whom you serve on the SCA board), and is liked by few other than those associated with THE MACHINE.
The information regarding Wendy Linow was a horse of a different color...it took place only 2.5 years prior to her becoming a candidate for the SCA Board...and...in our opinion, was relevant due to it being RECENT HISTORY, and like the information the MACHINE blogger felt information was relevant for activities conducted 30 years ago, we disclosed it.
Perhaps Mrs. Karrow might want to learn something about the activities of those SHE PRAISES in addition those she condemns for providing readers information each felt relevant.
Then there was the accusation that "a resident sent out a disgusting email spreading lies" with using "illegal" mailing lists.
Mrs. Karrow, THAT IS A LIE, we used a list that was public, just as your MACHINE did by way of the US Mail. Perhaps you can prove your LIE?
We printed that "disgusting email" pointing out the history of YOUR MACHINE. The correspondence was 100% TRUTHFUL, that out of approximately 2,000 sent to residents of our community, only 6 asked us to remove their names, WHICH WE DID.
That accusation quickly disappeared when we PRINTED both the MACHINE mailer and OUR EMAIL sent to property owners.
Your MACHINE BLOG never bothered to print the contents of OUR EMAIL, yet, like you, made the same ACCUSATIONS.
Finally, what you PERCEIVE as unacceptable behavior of a candidate to ask honest questions, many of us PERCEIVE you as unable to handle them and instead, publicly humiliate people for asking them, a sign of an insecure individual who "can dish it, but can't take it".
Well, Ms. Karrow I received a number of calls on the MACHINE that printed your article, and the common denominator in ALL of them was this question:
"Was she talking about others or herself?"
The community will make that decision, Ms. Karrow, and whether or not it chooses to elect you, at least you were able to "expose: the real you...
...a woman filled with frustration who is incapable to looking at herself for the demeaning behavior shown others, considers herself beyond reproach with a dictatorial superior attitude toward them (including those with whom you serve on the SCA board), and is liked by few other than those associated with THE MACHINE.
-
From Peter Brown...to...Anthem Opinions
When I read this in the early AM the first thing that came to mind is the terms below as it relates to your psychology and a defense of the mind that won’t allow you to accept who you are and what you have done.
So you attribute your traits and deception to those you dislike or disagree with....
She didn’t accept one once of responsibility for the state of this community.
It is sad indeed!
Appropriately published on the sad little man’s blog.
“Projection and transference are very similar. They both involve you attributing emotions or feelings to a person who doesn't actually have them.
The difference between the two is where the mis-attributions occur.
Projection occurs when you attribute a behavior or feeling you have about a person onto them.“
____________________
Sun City Anthem "Machine" Set Back
by
Reformers Vote
In a vote of 3-3, the "reformers" of the current Sun City Anthem Board avoided a "Machine" attempt to lock future Boards into two decisions that would affect the financial well-being of the community, passing the decision to the newly elected Board that will be determined following the ballot count scheduled for May 22nd.
The measures that will be sent to the new Board are the Audit and Tax Returns.
A third measure, assessment credits, passed 4-2, with a reduction of $45.00 for the third quarter assessment, bringing the next assessment down to $257.50.
Following the decision, Board candidate Nelson Orth sent us the following statement:
"In a prior year, the tax return for SCA was audited by the IRS, which found discrepancies that resulted in a tax liability of approximately $1,400,000.
Subsequently, during the negotiations with the IRS, this tax liability was reduced to $144,000 plus attorney and accounting fees.
My point is that surplus funds have been an issue in SCA for over a decade, and there is still no agreement on how to deal with this issue. I believe that is one of the reasons why the Audit Committee has become such a secretive organization, and if we are to ever come to some agreement, we must open the work of the Audit Committee to all homeowners."
This issue became a point of strong contention between Board candidate Richard Pope and current SCA President, Candace Karrow, as we obtained correspondence between what Pope conveyed to the entire Board prior to the vote when the matter was placed on the Board agenda...
...and in our opinion, demonstrates the personality of an individual who we hope will be "sent to the showers" after the ballot count, namely Candace Karrow.
Mr. Pope merely made the following requests to the Board in his email pertaining to the audit, tax return, and treatment of the 2019 surplus:
2019 Audit
"I sent the Board a number of issues and comments regarding the accuracy of the 2019 Audit that I feel need to be addressed with O&H by the Board and Audit Committee prior to it being approved. Please vote NO on approving the Audit."
2019 Tax Return
"I sent the Board a number of questions on how the 90% Expenditure test was computed. Until O&H can substantiate why they used the amounts they did in the computation of the 90% expenditure test and the audit is finalized the tax return should not be approved. Please vote NO on approving the Tax return!"
Treatment of the 2019 surplus
"I have given the Board the IRC 1.528-9 which deals with the treatment of surplus funds by an HOA to avoid becoming taxable income.
I need to see a statement from O&H stating IRC 528-9 does not apply and the IRC section that does allow for the transfer.
The discussion on how to treat the 2019 surplus should not be made until the audit and the tax issues are finalized. Please vote NO on approving any decision on 2019 surplus!"
Mrs. Karrow, in her typical condescending and argumentative manner, responded to those HONEST inquiries as follows:
"I will answer some of your questions below in red but first I want to address the tone and demeanor of this email. Did you really want to insult the capabilities and intelligence of the Board, the Audit Committee, our CFO and our professional audit and tax experts all at the same time?
Richard, You seem to think as a candidate for the Board you have the right to commandeer this Board and tell us what to do, when to do it and how to vote. This Board has at least one year on the Board under our belts, and many of us much more. Maybe you should wait until the last ballot is counted next Friday before you try to bully the Board into doing exactly what you want. All feedback from residents is welcome but accusatory demands and edicts are taken as trying to intimidate the governing body.
Let's start with O&H. They are licensed CPAs in the state of Nevada that specialize in HOA audit and tax. They are considered the "Gold Standard" in valley for many, many years and we are very lucky to have them as our auditors. I am unaware that you are a licensed CPA in Nevada or that you have many years in practicing as an HOA specialist. And yet you demand statements from them as if they don't know their business.
The Audit Committee has two Board Members with years of business experience and two residents, Alan Frank and Mike Stone. Alan Frank has been on the Audit Committee practically since its inception and has shared his audit and tax expertise for all those years. Mike Stone is a newer member but has excellent credentials and is a great complement to Alan. These people have years of experience with our Association and yet, you demand they answer your questions before this Board is able to vote on the Audit and Tax Return. Alan and Mike deserve more respect and should be thanked for the many hours that they put in to make sure everything was correct.
The Surplus Question: Instead of getting on the Board and understanding how our Association functions, you are sending edicts of our CFO, the Audit Committee and the Board about how YOU want to calculate the surplus and see the financial statements presented. The 2019 surplus has been verified by Board Members, the Audit Committee and O&H. Do you really want the residents to wait many more months for the return of their over-payment because one resident (you) has decided he doesn't agree with a calculation that has been done and verified by our audit professionals for as long as I have been involved in this Association. I just want to remind you that at this moment you have no authority to "guide" this Board except as a member of this Association.
You and Bernie Horton felt disrespected on the Finance Committee even though the Finance Committee was and still is an advisory body with no authority to demand any actions from the Board. What you are doing right now is even worse, you are questioning these people's integrity, abilities, knowledge and dedication to this Association. You are suggesting that we are not meeting our fiduciary duty to make decisions on Association business because you don't agree with and want to control the outcome of these decisions. One thing you will learn IF you are elected to the Board that each Board Member has but one vote and that a Board Member cannot dictate, demand or harass fellow Board Members on how they vote.
As was said by a friend of mine, you can disagree without being disagreeable. I am returning this email in the same tone and demeanor that it was sent--so I hope you now know how some of we felt when we received it."
This email was made to a Board by a RESIDENT (who happened to be a candidate for the Sun City Anthem Board), a resident who has 35 years of relevant experience as a CPA, and responded to by a President of an association, who is NOT a CPA.
It is our belief that Pope was merely requesting the Board to respond to a number of questions that needed to be addressed prior to approval; that he was of the belief that the audit and tax returns prepared by O & H were not correct as to how the computations were made, and was asking to review the footnotes he had attached to show his concern.
As the actual Board meeting proceeded, prior to the vote itself, Karrow (without specifically naming individuals) repeatedly insulted a number of retired professionals in Sun City Anthem in her typical demeaning mannerisms, even going so far as referring to them as "armchair CPAs", whose views should be ignored.
It was obvious she was primarily pointing her frustrated anger to the above referenced individual who, like herself, is running for the Board, but included others making comments made at the meeting,
specifically by Bernard Horton, former chairman of the Finance Committee and Bill Brier, an active CPA.
Commentary that supported Karrow came primarily from former resigned MACHINE director, David Weil, current MACHINE lame duck directors Arthur Schuetz and James Coleman, and recent declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy MACHINE Board candidate, Wendy Linow...
...NONE OF WHOM ARE CPAs.
Kudos go to Board Secretary Rana Goodman and Director, Forrest Quinn, who steadfastly maintained that given the four days to make a decision was no where near the amount of time needed to bring the matters to a proper conclusion, and that the new Board should be charged with such matters.
Karen Hadrick, as we predicted, was indeed the "wild card"; at first stated she was "on the fence" with her vote, but in the end, voted with Goodman and Quinn, creating the 3-3 tie, and placing the matter in the hands of the next Board.
We believe she was eventually convinced to vote the way she did due to Community CFO Bing O"Peek's constantly answering "I don't know" to the numerous questions directed to him by the "armchair CPAs" comments.
O'Peek is also NOT a CPA.
Shortly thereafter, Schuetz, in what can only be referred to as "the kid who didn't get his way", immediately resigned from the association Audit Committee.
But there was more to come following the meeting !
David Weil, following in the footsteps of Scheutz, also resigned from the Audit Committee, making it a "daily double" in terms of MACHINE resignations.
And that...
...is the final conclusion as to what THE MACHINE had to offer to the Sun City Anthem community in the 2019 Sun City Anthem Board of Directors election...
...one resigned, two decided not to run again, and a third...
...well, we shall see if we will be forced to endure another two years of the worst behavior of any President in the history of our community.
We believe the "true colors" of an individual were clearly shown in both emails and actions of an association president in the manner in which she has continually disrespected members of the community, considers any form of advice to which she disagrees as a personal affront to her belief SHE ALONE SPEAKS FOR an entire Board, and is just another example of the poor MACHINE leadership that has been demonstrated over the years.
Karrow is representative of WHAT IS WRONG with Sun City Anthem and the need to RIGHT those WRONGS.
She represents A MACHINE way of doing business...
...always has, and arrogantly makes no apology for doing so...
...an era that will hopefully end when the ballots are counted on Friday, May 22nd.
__________________
Sun City Anthem Board Meeting & Agenda
Why Now ?
Crucial Vote Likely Depends on
One Board Member
If you read the recent Sun City Anthem eblast that was sent on May 14th and the letter sent to each owner last week, there were a few items that peaked the interest of those of us who take the time to read them...
...and ask a few questions !
The letter had an interesting highlight as to its purpose:
"review" certain items they feel are necessary to TAKE ACTION ON WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY"
We can understand the one item approving the Election Count procedures to May 22nd...
...but there were a couple of other "ditties" that smack of "WHY NOW ?"...
...when four days later a new Board will be seated and CAN and SHOULD BE....
...considered by a new Board at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting on May 26th.
...when four days later a new Board will be seated and CAN and SHOULD BE....
...considered by a new Board at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting on May 26th.
Why do the red flags go up?
Let's go back a year to a few days before the 2019 ballots were counted and the then Board decided to grant a THREE year contract to Chief Operating Officer, Sandra Seddon, that they specifically stated was CONFIDENTIAL, did not divulge it to the community on that basis, and locked the 2019, as well as, the current 2020 and 2021 Boards into an agreement that would cost Sun City Anthem property owners A FORTUNE to terminate if they chose to do so...
...and through the efforts of Anthem Opinions that were continually thwarted by management in revealing it was PUBLIC and numerous correspondence with the Nevada Real Estate Division, turned out to be a complete...
...and through the efforts of Anthem Opinions that were continually thwarted by management in revealing it was PUBLIC and numerous correspondence with the Nevada Real Estate Division, turned out to be a complete...
...a ...
...they refused to acknowledge, and to date, STILL will not make a part of the PUBIC records that each and every property owner is entitled...
...a...
...that if one does go through the procedure of obtaining its contents which can be obtained through the simple completion of a Document Request form, THREATENS ANY OWNER if shared with others.
It was a measure that "smacked" of pure MACHINE politics.
Now, a year later, they seem to be at it again...this time through a quirk in the law and a pandemic, allowing two individuals to make decisions on matters whose terms really expired on April 30, 2020 and another individual, the President, who once the ballots are counted, may be part of the other two departing MACHINE politicos, if not reelected.
In other words, allowing 33% of a Board who are "history" and one who may not be reelected....
...50% of a technically BOGUS board...
...to make the decisions for those who will be LEGALLY elected FOUR DAYS LATER once the ballots are counted, locking them into decisions, as the MACHINE DID A YEAR AGO regarding the Seddon contract.
And people still don't believe a MACHINE controls Sun City Anthem ???
So what are those two additional items?
..."items they feel are necessary to TAKE ACTION ON WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY"
Approving a 2019 Audit and Tax Return
&
Review / Approve future assessment credit
Why are these items so crucial?
Simply stated, they are the crux of why all but one of a community Finance Committee members resigned, and without proper scrutiny, make it impossible to determine a proper future assessment credit.
Voting on these matters are 100% MACHINE...and...100% unethical in our opinion, and are in no way so "crucial" that they should not be considered by a PROPERLY ELECTED BOARD that will EXIST FOUR DAYS LATER.
What will likely take place?
First, there are only 6 remaining Board members who may vote. David Weil's Board resignation became effective April 30, 2020.
Who do we believe will DEFINITELY vote YES to lock in the future Board?
MACHINE members:
Candace Karrow
James Coleman
Arthur Schuetz
Who do we believe will likely vote against these measures?
Remaining Board members:
Rana Goodman
Forrest Quinn
That means we have one "wild card" who can decide the fate of the next Board....
Karen Hadrick
And the question remains as to Hadrick's promise...
Will she KEEP HER ELECTION PROMISE TO REFORM, or become a MACHINE member of the Sun City Anthem Board?
Hadrick's vote "against" the measures would create a 3-3 tie and the matter would then go to the newly elected board.
We shall see on Monday at 10:00am.
We shall see on Monday at 10:00am.
I believe you acted appropriately!
I have my own list of my friends and acquaintances as my own contacts, not through any official lists!!!
Official Letterhead stationary should only be used for official business.