Nov 21, 9 am start time.

Pack the House!

 

Yup...nothing puckers the old you know what better than a vocal crowd unhappy with an action.

This is exactly how Sun City has worked the past 64 years.

 

If a petition is in order, I think it should be a referendum petition to repeal the decision to put the PAC at Lakeview. Of course, the motion has only passed the first reading and would need to pass the second reading.

I would not sign any of the recall petitions but I might sign a referendum petition about the placing the PAC on the lawn bowling greens at LV.

 

I wanted to let everyone know that recall petitions have been issued for all 9 directors. When I spoke to the couple who requested the petitions, they explained that the Board lacks integrity and provided many examples of the Board behaving badly. They were very nice and civil but firm in their commitment to follow through and follow all the rules. They were exasperated by the Board not following its own process and the obvious tactics employed by the Board to limit member input in order to implement individual members agendas. They also pointed out the many inconsistencies in Board statements.

I also wanted members to know that there will be a peaceful and civil protest outside of the November 21st board meeting (on the sidewalk). Many members are not in favor of building a special purpose windowless theater on the lake to take advantage of the view when the Board does not even have a site plan for the Lakeview site. I have yet to find one person that thinks the Board's plan is a good one.

Also, the Board has submitted an article to the Independent newspaper justifying their decision that will appear on Wednesday (unless they retract it). The article will claim that the ASU survey, town halls, the SAC and the architect all fully support their decision. They will undoubtedly claim they were elected to take action. I am also aware that others are submitting articles with their views which, in my opinion, appear much more reasonable than the views of the Board. I continue to be a proponent of having a master plan before embarking on spending over $35 M.

Many members are outraged by the audacity of a board that shuns member input. Homeowners on the lake were not even consulted about the decision to build a theater there! Many members have commented to me that the Board is following a script and doing as little as possible to sincerely engage the Members in how their money is spent. Regrettably, I can see where this script has a bad ending. Here we go again!

On a more positive note, things are finally starting to get fixed.

Best Regards and God Bless,

John

 

Board issues statement today. My problems with the statement is as follows:

The board is requiring the building to be specifically designed as a single purpose sloped floor theater even though there are much more cost-effective options using a flat floor multipurpose with retractable seating.

Bell has adequate parking, but traffic is a problem. And traffic is not a problem at Lakeview - Spare me.

Sundial is an ideal venue but even though it is a world class performance venue it is heavily used for nonperformance events. Meanwhile, our flat space utilization is very low but our ability to reallocate space is "very limited". A colleague and I did a high-level estimate of the cost of converting Sun Dial into a theater/flat space facility with retractable theater seats, most of the PLayer's cluns requirements and the total cost was .... Less than $4M with 550 retractable theater seats. Let's do the math - a $14m +++ theater with 300 seats that requires duplication of expensive sound and lighting equipment or a $4M multipurpose theater with 550 seats that already has the expensive sound and lighting equipment installed. Seems like a no brainer to me.

But hey, two members of the board had this decision locked and loaded two years ago.

Best regards and God Bless,

John

 

The response was weak at best. The first box in the table and corresponding response from the architect - ?????

Issue
Member proposal to build the PAC on Mt Webb

Response
Very costly option and will negatively impact the park.


Also, the reason for rejecting the retractable theater seats is due to ADA compliance . . . . . so couldn't you accommodate ADA compliance in another manner in conjuction with the retractable seating? Not all seats in a sloped theater are ADA compliant. Closed minded because I believe you are right with your last statement.

Unfortunately, this response says 'we didn't "hear" you and don't really care what the community thinks', and will just ignite those that filed the petition more.

And look how easy it is to get an "Update" out quickly when you need to . . . . .

 

The architects are just dying to tear up our Lakeview. Next generation, the next generation will never know of the refreshing natural beauty of this spot. We are getting bamboozled. Everyone should be upset.

I still feel southeast corner of Bell would be good. I don't agree with traffic pattern or not be centrally located. That is not factual, especially routing cars out easily. We are getting steam-rolled. Lakeview will turn into an urban mess over there. If I owned a home on the lake, I would not be too happy right now. An entire rework and masterplan of Lakeview without PAC sitting at lawn bowls could work, if they listen to community here. We need to slow down and stop the train until more thought out plans on every section in SC is looked at. I am so worried about that natural lake park setting being torn up. You will have a large obstruction that sits there all day, everyday. I encourage all good residents here to speak up.

 

Let's see, that's a Thursday but what time?

 

Please come even if you don't want to speak, rather support those that are speaking in agreement with you.

Thursday, Nov 21, 9 am - Sundial - don't forget to sign up to speak if that is your desire.

 

The BOD may be correct when they say "We allow Member comments", but I do not
believe they actually listen to the comments when they have already made their
decision. The email blast attempting to explain their decision on the location
of the PAC was hastily drawn up after they heard of the members backlash to
their decision of where to build a new PAC.

Just a few comments;
"The PAC design will enhance the visual connection to the lake and include walking areas and
landscaping for community use."
How will the PAC design location enhance the visual connection to the lake?
A two story building on the lake in my opinion is not aesthetically pleasing.

"Renovating 50+-year-old buildings involves challenges with asbestos, outdated codes,
and infrastructure like power and water lines."
Is the BOD saying there is asbestos issues at Mountain View? If so, why haven't they been
dealt with before this? Any redo of Mountain View will still have to deal with the
asbestos. Outdated codes can certainly be dealt with when remodeling the existing PAC.
If infrastructure is an issue, why hasn't it been dealt with before this?

"Shuffleboard needs will be considered in the programming process, with the ultimate location
determined holistically."
What does "determined Holistically" mean? What does "the programming process" mean?

"The Lakeview West site offers strong infrastructure for front-of-house and back-of-house access.
Current planning includes a 300-seat theater with ADA access."
Are they saying the only place they can have ADA access is at Lakeview?
Is there no ADA access at Mountain View and if not, Why not?


It's pretty apparent that the BOD has made their decision and with the email blast
they are saying "this is what we are doing whether you like it or not".

They will get away with this unless there is a massive member turnout at the
November 21 meeting. This requires a turnout as large or larger than there was for
the library issue.

Just my opinion.

 

That was an issue of concern a long time ago and we were told there is no asbestos in the MV building!

Just another lie and lame excuse!

 

Regarding all of your points made, the only one that I'm not in favor of is a peaceful and civil protest outside the Nobermber 21st board meeting on the sidewalk. Just as impactful - my point of view - would be a room full of Members. PACKED! The staff having to bring out more chairs like they did for the Library issues. Again, my opinion. Jean Totten as One Day at a Time

 

I have been saying forever that our Sundial Recreation Center already has a beautiful auditorium. It has a stage! Curtains! Room for expansion on the backside! A place for ADA seating! A place to put retractable chairs! A foyer that could be spiffed up! A box office window! Restrooms in place!

Others argue back to me that we can't take away Sundial Auditorium because that's where the Men's Club holds Bingo; where the Arts and Craft Fair is held; where the fall-winter Wednesday night entertainment shows are held; where line dancers meet.

So - how about constructing a flat floor space that will accommodate those events/clubs instead of utilizing the beautiful auditorium that we already have? To my knowledge, no studies were ever done on this. Couldn't the present auditorium at Mountain View become a huge, flat floor space?

Or, if RCSC is so determined to build a new building, then put one up on the corner of Hutton/99th at Bell. And start a massive re-examing of all the current floor space that is not being used and get it filled! (We really don't need another building to maintain, though.)
Jean Totten as One Day at a Time

 

The answer is retractable seating is fully ADA compliant - we met with the top company in the industry and confirmed this.

 

I do not buy the bull and did some clandestine research. An addition on the back of the Sundial stage and retractable seating could be completed for less than $4M which would provide the Players (and other performing groups) 95% of what they are requesting. No parking issues and little disruption to ongoing operations. The center could remain open during construction. No duplication of expensive AV equipment. And, I hope you are sitting down, the retractable ADA compliant seating would accommodate an audience of 550 with easy drop off and pick up at either side of the building. Bingo could still accommodate over 1,000 players in the Sun Dial when the seats are retracted. No homes would be impacted. The $14++M PAC building being pushed by the board may accommodate 300 patrons with no viable parking plan.

At the candidate forum on Monday I want folks to ask why this option, which costs $10M less, is not even being considered.

Best regards and God Bless,

John

 

Regarding the recall, two Board members are leaving at the end of the year, will the recall be completed by then and to what end? Where will nine new Board members come from to serve a few weeks. Is this absurd or is it me.

A new Board will be installed on January 1 that include members of the present Board. The question is are they precluded from serving because of the recall which only affected the 2024 Board or because the recall would make them permanently banned from serving on the Board? Could they serve in 2025 because the recall only affected the 2024 Board?

 

One Board member has been snowed then. And I should have known better, John, that ADA compliance was considered in the research.

Bottomline - we all know what's happening here. Very, very sad.

 

I have multiple times - the floor would get ruined by the retractable seating is one answer . . . . really??? Again, we all can see what is happening here . . . .

 

Good questions, Dave. At a minimum, the 3 new candidates would be a shoe in and then what - those 3 lobby and select the other 6 for one-year terms? Or will it be all 6 and only 3 appointments? Why recall all if they are just going to get back on?

Each Board members' vote on Thursday will be revealing in any case.

 

I feel this board wants to change everything for the sake of a change. Not good enough reasoning when you are so right, we already have buildings we can renovate. I wonder if this board ever thought of the quality of life situation that residents want. Just being able to go outside each day and enjoy our few open and lovely spaces for us to enjoy. Why is tearing everything up, and building large buildings going to enhance our quality of life. I live here in AZ because of the many sunny days, being able to go to Lakeview, walk the grounds, bring my relatives, and simply enjoy the easy and beautiful scenery we originally created. Messing with that, will change our way of living forever. No architect is going to listen and affirm this position. As residents we have to push back on this or we will loose the community for sure. We can build a PAC, but not in front of our lake park.