Another Brilliant Commentary...

I was going to fold this into the one of the library threads, but it is so darned good it deserves to be free-standing. I mentioned i had coffee at George's with a guy two weeks back and how much i enjoyed our time together. While some bemoan the idea that chatting over coffee is time wasted, i have found it often to be eye opening and enlightening. Building relationships has historically led to growing Sun City and ultimately that sense of community that was our bedrock. Core values are important, at least to some.

This gentleman is 15 years younger than me, is a part-time resident and has an impressive work resume to his credit. Adding to his credentials is he believes Sun City's best days can indeed be in front of us, rather than behind us. And to be really clear; i asked approval to cut and paste his article from the Sun City Advocate's Facebook page. He told me i could use his real name but i elected to use his screen name; Boomer RC. Here are his thoughts on what is going on:
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Hello Advocates - I hope everyone is having a wonderful Easter weekend...

I have very much enjoyed watching the library situation unfold over the past several days, and would like to put forth some observations:

The first is the beauty of self-governance. I am reasonably convinced that our small community is impotent against shaping national and even state issues, but clearly, we can, and I am certain we will, influence the library decision and many decisions regarding our community moving forward.

Secondly, it is clear that a mistake has been made in communicating the library situation, and potential solutions, to the Board, the constituents, and the community at large. This highlights work that the Board needs to do in educating RCSC management regarding what issues should be brought to the Board (strategic) and which issues can be dealt with internally (operations).

Thirdly, it is evident that the Board needs to develop processes and staff to be better positioned to respond to "lightening-rod" issues such as this. Allowing the rumors, innuendo, and unknowns to fester for days and days does the Board harm, the RCSC management harm, and the community harm.

Lastly, while I truly applaud the passion of our community, and the willingness to engage in self governance, I do believe that all of us need to reflect how many have responded with anger, accusation, and threats - without even having a complete story. It is possible to express your support of the libraries, and your frustration with communication without calling people names, threatening to go to Board members homes, or asking for resignations before we even know the full story.

Sun City is the greatest community on the planet, let's govern it, and ourselves to reflect that.

 

And who do you blame for that?

The consideration of shutting down BOTH, not just one library, without including the opinion of the membership was such a poor decision it makes me question every decision, previous and future, coming out of the board or management!

They screwed-up royally, I'm sure they know that by now.

The board needs to call a Special Session this week and end the insanity before a riot breaks out at the next Exchange! I'll be looking for the email Blast that puts this issue to end!

My god! Just when we thought we could start trusting our board and management! So much for outreach, transparency and communication!

 

"It is possible to express your support of the libraries, and your frustration with communication without calling people names"

Huh! No moron, retread, crap sandwich, idiots, freedumb, oh my, I could go on and on. Has your friend even read any posts here?

As far as "Sun City is the greatest community on the planet" I am positive a lot of folks would agree, and I am just as positive a lot more would not. We all know deep down inside, given money was no object, Paradise Valley, Scottsdale or Prescot would be the preferred choice.

Also. how kind of you not to use his name, even tho you had permission. Too bad all are not allowed that same courtesy.

Happy Easter ⛪ ☮️

 

Has been messed up for a long time. Guessing it took something most have a passion for. We all don't have the capability for active sports, but most like curling up with a good fiction book and escaping daily worries for a few hours.

 

I would agree Tom, time to get it right...and quickly. People keep asking about who has the authority to make decisions? The simple answer is management, because from a purely practical point of view, the RCSC enters into hundreds of them yearly. Frankly the board would be even more buried with the question of who we should be buying our cleaning supplies from?

That said, they certainly appear to have little capacity to understand how quickly members buttons are pushed when topics concerning them are made without being them involved. We've been telling members for years; 'it's your community, take ownership." As we are moving back towards the concept of self-governance, both the management team and the board have to become more aware of how those impacted will react and respond.

History has taught us; those moving here, love it, embrace it and make it their destination of choice. Those that don't, move on or out or in some cases continue to whine about it. I guess they embrace the philosophy; misery loves company. The reality is, those of us happy elect to be, those miserable wallow in their own pity.

 

I get it! I don't need to know where they buy their cleaning supplies from but for god's sake, are they that stupid that a decision that involves the entire community should be made behind closed doors? That is simply unacceptable!

They still have time to make this right before the April 8th Exchange, and if they want to avoid another September 13, 2021 meeting fiasco they better get their shit together! Call that Special Session and end this!

 

Call a Special Session or whatever, the Board, as I understand this, has the authority to pull the plug on this insane idea. There has been no contractual obligation formed so this should be easy. I am prepared to have Matt fill the room bullshit, but it comes down to, is he working for the Board and is this idea in the best interest of Sun City. Not an essay question.

 

I love your tiny bits of wisdom. I especially like it when you use large fonts and bold! It makes me laugh. I think I will do a survey on how my income class views Sun City. Like it or not most buy here because it’s what they can afford. What I see is a community that was awesome in its day and not so much now. Financial mistakes were made and will be at the expense of the residents. Did you know Bill that our assessment for a single is now more than SCW for a single? Our PIF/CIF is more too?

I applied for help from SCF and a questionnaire was dropped off for me to fill in. I had some questions, called and emailed asking to speak to someone. No response. I could not get there at the time as I was in a wheelchair. Kat said she would come and take me there. Very nice, however no way I was going to trust a person of unknown age and unknown medical knowledge to take anywhere at that time, plus if anything happened it could have been her fault. Not a wise decision. My questions were simple. So no help. I since found out there is $400k sitting in the fund.

My neighbor went to RCSC office a couple of weeks ago. His life partner of 47 years died and he wanted the 6 months due him for the card payment. They moved in around 2003 and paid their dues yearly. He had the death cert and was told to get a lawyer. I spoke with the office manager and she was going to take care of it. He then got a call that they would not refund. I called again, they called him again and said they would mail a check. A week has gone by and no check. The man is 82 years old! Good Lord! It took ten minutes at the DMV office here in Sun City to get the title transferred and my friend’s name was even not on the title. There is something wrong with RCSC when the DMV out-performs them.

I would love to move, however not everything is simple just because you assume it is. And poor Mr. Boomer. Hope he does not read GdV's new post.

 

Well said Dave, oops, i "doxed" you. My bad, but then again how many Dave's are there in Sun City...assuming that's even your real name (kidding bud). Anyway, your point is spot on, the board can and will kill this foolishness if the general manager doesn't. While many have gotten up in arms and ready to storm the gates, take a deep breath and let it play out. Self governance works and with the sentiments raging cooler heads will prevail.

 

Dave, you very well know that that is the only way to calm the situation down, but even an announcement before the Exchange isn't going to stop a round of angry questions on how they could even consider such a move without asking the Members!

 

OMG! Another former board member. Thx Bill. Doxing Dave gives me a lot of info I didn't have till now. I have no clue how many Dave's there are in SC, but not many who have served on the board and get as snarky as GdV in the Independent. ☮️

 

The only thing that amazes me is that Dave, who is the self acclaimed smartest guy on the planet, only recently and finally figured out how to subscribe to this site!

 

Well at least you are out of the weeds now. Hope you brought Roberts rules with you. Hey! What a coup for this community! The smartest man on the planet lives in the greatest community on the planet!!!!

 

Thank you BP for the kind reposting of the letter. It was most appreciated to read and empathize with. Love your comments and thoughts on the matter. As always thanks

 

Hippie, I too, am a former board member. So we are multiplying in numbers to voice an opinion.

Just keeping it real. I try to post questions and keep the rhetoric down. I guess staying on topic is the way to go

 

Already knew that. Again we disagree, you don't keep it real.

 

If by constant drivel that you spew out and your chronic complaints are any indication of your happiness, you had me fooled Hippie.

It appears all you want to do is attack, argue, and complain. I keep an eye open to watch for the “Happy” side of your commentary

 

I am not "happy" with Sun City now. Assessing the rest of my life which you know nothing about, is just plain arrogant. I have quite the sense of humor when not talking about Sun City. Former and current board members for some reason do not have the same concerns about Sun City that we common residents have. Starting a new forum about what people really think...from around the community. I have been encouraging folks to look at this site. Who knows who all those "guests" are viewing posts. Have a nice evening. ☮️

 

Hippie give it a rest please? I make a small comment and then am attacked for making an assessment about the rest of your life?

Give me and the rest of us a break

By the way, the thread is titled Urgent Need about the library. Not pity the Hippie

 

If by constant drivel that you spew out and your chronic complaints are any indication of your happiness, you had me fooled Hippie.
It appears all you want to do is attack, argue, and complain. I keep an eye open to watch for the “Happy” side of your commentary

There is Sun City and and separate from that is the rest of my life. Again we disagree. I am not looking for pity, just consideration from Sun City BOD, which obviously they have not done for 15 or so years. Something I am saying is bothering you so I must have hit a nerve somewhere along the line. Here is a quote from someone else who feels like I and many others feel.

"I can see the GMs point. If the libraries aren’t producing income for us, the heck with ‘em. We need $20 million and we need it fast. Clubs pay dues so that would be a better use of space. If those silly people who want to read, the RCSC could go into the rent an eBook reader business. More income, yay! Plus it looks for good on his resume that he saved us all that money. Big win all around. After we have corrected the deferred maintenance, we can run our own library system. Surprise decided to that their population of 150,000 was large enough to support the expense. We can just jack up the dues to cover the cost.

If those silly people who want to read, the RCSC could go into the rent an eBook reader business. More income, yay!

Big win all around.

Can you hear how angry I am about this?"
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