Sun City Summerlin Board Secretary, Sue Papilion.
Sue.
While what you state below is for the most part a rational analysis, be reminded that basically in the beginning, that is when many of us moved into this CIC, the Boards had to copy from the very nebulous management system that was O.K for the developer, but not O.K. for the majority of unit owners. Whereas Del Webb saved and made money, by having their own sales staff their greatest selling instrument. They also did well in selling to buyers that here we had low cost golf and annual membership fees. They capitalized on increasing the size of long term drainage channels into huge perimeter golf courses that were even then, clearly excessive for an age-restricted community.
This provided the seller the opportunity to sell building lots attached to the perimeters at a very large premium. Nowhere in the deed was there any assurance of what later became an issue relating to a "VIEW".
Suffice it to say that after Del Webb left, the relatively forever diminishing in quantity small group of golfers, 'managed' to control on the books, the expenses of the operations while doing little to increase revenue.
Thus we have had reported "Operational Losses" from the operations of the Golf plus the Food & Beverages that have continued to grow, but are not really representative of actual costs.
Yes, I am being repetitive, but the facts are that succeeding Boards have failed, regardless of prompting by lay unit owners to address the problems which create the losses.
Regardless of whether it is called a Financial Plan or a Business Plan, I claim that the majority of prior and certainly the current Board have failed as 'Fiduciaries'.
Even when appropriately asked questions have been asked, the trend has been to avoid reasonable and accurate responses. We the CIC unit owners have been exposed to unwarrented liability risks
from at least three known situations.
At one time at an open meeting, even our outside auditor would not provide a direct response to whether our accounts included a contingency fund for any separation contracts with employees.
I understand that this auditor at one time agreed with our recently resigned Comptroller that the Rangers should be employees as was decided by the Board in 1998. So, why didn't the Board
make the correction for 12 years?
Why did the Board ignore taking the appropriate action against the McCanna\Bjonerud duo when they, in writing, threatened the Board regarding a pending action to dismiss the Exec Dir? This appeared to me to be a huge play to keep a key employee, the Exec Director from being replaced. Just what did this rebellious duo have in mind in such a forceful play?
Why did the Board vote to not investigate the problem of the 'missing documents' after the HR Director resigned and the key to the files was given to the Business Manager?
Why did the Board give the Golf Director, an additional task, Food & Beverages, along with a new title, Business Manager and a substantial raise, and then tolerate the continuing losses? Now that the function of managing the restaurants is being taken by hiring a new manager, will there be a compensating adjustment in remuneration?
Sue, all in all the message that I give is this:
All Directors must perform as 'Fiduciaries' and operate in the open unless they meet for legitimate purposes under Executive Session standards.
All Directors do not have to be in agreement on any specific issue before them; they should encourage the expressions of perhaps a minority differing view.
All Directors should be working together to stay away from interfering with the key employees by establishing at the Board level, clear written directions to the Exec Director.
Bottom line, I do agree that the time is ripe for some new Directors, and I believe it would be appropriate for a couple of the old ones who created, or tolerated, some of our current
problems, to be replaced.
We must have some changes.
Bernie Silver
=================================================================
I find all these emails and chats on the history of past disputes very interesting and I am sorry for all of you who had to live through these troubles that caused so much bad blood and anxiety between residents. But lets remember, that we all have one thing in common...we are retired and came here to enjoy the remaining years of our lives. So much anger and pompous chest beating is a waste of time, when we should all be happy to wake up every morning to another day of sunshine and enjoy the activities and our friends here in Sun City. I thank all of you who worked so hard in the past to help Sun City, but I think it is time to move on to the present. Last night's Resident Forum's presentation of the candidates is that future and gives us all a good choice of candidates to move SCSCAI toward the goals that are important to you. I thought it was a good turn out of interested residents and I was happy that it was very civil. Let's move on and be happy that we have live to see another day.
Sue Papilion
=====================================================================
