The SAC...revisted.

So a person whose salary we pay is going to sue a couple that contributes to his salary. D’Luzansky was the instigator in the whole library debacle. What in the heck is going on here??? D’Luzansky should be gone IMO.

 

Hmmm? Is it to late to add a tenth name to that recall petition?

 

Bill likes history, so let's take a look at the recent history of our general managers and ask ourselves, "Has the Board been doing their fiduciary responsibility when they hired the last two general managers?"

Because the last two general managers were already employees of the RCSC, the first question is, "Was a search done within and among the RCSC prior to spending the dollars to hire a headhunter firm?"

Think about the hiring of Bill Cook. Was he hired because he was the best qualified, or was he hired based on the influence and recommendation of Jan Ek because Bill knew where all of her skeletons were buried?

As it turned out, we all discovered that Mr. Cook wasn't really a very good choice as he covered for Jan Ek's failed policies and we later discovered that we were 20 million dollars behind in our maintenance.

I know from first hand knowledge from a person who was actually in the room when the candidates for general manager were being interviewed, that there were some much more qualified candidates than Mr.Cook.

Next, let's take a look at Mr. D'Luzansky.

Here again, already an RCSC employee, "Was a search done within and among the RCSC prior to spending the dollars to hire a headhunter firm?"

It's sad that we, the Members, never get to see the resumes' of any of the candidates, because rumor has it, that Mr. D'Luzansky has a habit of changing jobs about every two years. I don't know if that's true, but it certainly would have been a red-flag for me if it was.

So...it doesn't seem that the RCSC has been very fiduciary when it comes to spending our money. Remember, a fiduciary responsibility is not only about money, but also an obligation to act in the best interests of another person or entity, rather than for one's own benefit.

Just think of dollars they've already spent on different architects for the Mountain View project (at least 3 in last few years) and we're still no farther down the road than we were several years ago! Think of the inflated dollars we now have to spend to complete that MV project, not to mention the costs to update our deferred maintenance.

Perhaps the next general manager really needs to be a person who has had a career as a general manager? Hiring from within has proven to be nothing less than nepotism.

I'm not implying that the aforementioned are bad people, only that perhaps they were/are in a little over their heads and underqualified for the job. The Peter Principle at its best, employees are promoted based on their success in previous jobs until they reach a level at which they are no longer competent, as skills in one job do not necessarily translate to another

And that's just my opinion.

 

I haven't watched the videos yet. I p

Or was this voted in the recent bylaw changes that allows the GM more power to do that?

 

Board Policy 32:

Any successful candidate for General Manager must be approved by the majority of the Board of Directors. The General Manager cannot be terminated without a majority approval of the Board of Directors.

The General Manager (“GM”) is responsible for the corporation’s entire operations and reports directly to the Board of Directors. It is the GM’s responsibility to implement Board decisions and initiatives in compliance with the Corporate Documents, as well as to maintain the operation of the corporation with senior management’s assistance. GM job performance review will be conducted annually by the President, with input from the Board of Directors.

GM’s key duties and responsibilities are as follows:

• A. The GM is charged to operate according to the published Mission, Vision, and Values statements.
• B. Responsible for leading and directing supervising all aspects of operations, communications, and personnel of RCSC. The GM is given the authority to make all management decisions to meet their responsibilities, including any and all expenditures, as long as such expenditures are maintained within the major categories of the approved annual budget. Major categories consist of Building and Infrastructure, Member Services, Food Service, Bowling, Golf, and General and Administrative. Transfer of budgeted funds between major categories must be approved by the Board of Directors.
• C. Utilize sound principles of practice and fairness for all Cardholders, homeowners, and employees in accordance with RCSC policies.
• D. Guide and facilitate strategic planning. Work with the Board to sustain financial stability. Assure ongoing fiscal ability to implement long-range plans for RCSC facilities and infrastructure. The GM’s primary goal is efficiently providing services to RCSC Cardholders.
• E. Promote infrastructure and facility enhancements to ensure that facilities are safe and aesthetically appealing and promote programs that enhance the overall Sun City AZ experience.
• F. Responsible for providing high standards of customer service and operation of RCSC facilities.
• G. Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal laws, the Restated Articles of Incorporation, Corporate Bylaws, Board Policies, personnel policies, and all other corporate rules & regulations.
• H. Develop and comply with personnel policy, standard operating procedures, and departmental policies and procedures.
• I. Provide oversight for the negotiation and control of all contracts, such as those related to construction projects, rental tenants, purchased services, facilities maintenance, and purchasing agreements.
• J. Develop and administer, along with Senior Management, statistical indicators to evaluate ongoing services, facilities, and personnel and direct new services as appropriate.
• K. Implement marketing for Sun City AZ and RCSC along with management.
• L. Provide supportive guidance to facilitate the timely and responsive oversight of employee coaching, recruitment, orientation, and retention.
• M. Assure appropriate record-keeping is maintained, including but not limited to, incident reports relative to safety, security, and environmental concerns.
• N. Attend meetings for RCSC and serve as a liaison between the Board, personnel, and Cardholders.
• O. Manage legal matters for the corporation.
• P. Responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of any and all Board and Corporate business where confidentiality is required.
• Q. The GM is authorized to resolve RCSC Cardholder and Sun City property owner issues, including but not limited to annual property assessments, preservation and improvement fees (PIF), capital improvement fee (CIF), transfer fees, late fees, lien fees, and interest charges.
• R. The GM shall meet twice monthly with the President and Vice President to update them on any and all issues of concern to the GM, President, or Vice President.
• S. The Board Coordinator reports to the Board President, not the GM.
• T. The GM and the Board shall use the Performance Matrix in the operations of the RCSC.
• U. The GM shall present a forecast session monthly to the Board prior to the Board Meeting of all expected changes planned in the next three (3) to four (4) months.

Management consists of employees designated by title by the GM.

 

I went back and watched the first (only?) time Faith spoke and there was nothing "inappropriate" in her remarks. My best guess is she got the letter for wearing the sign pinned to her shirt that said "No PAC at Lakeview." If you recall, signs aren't allowed. I guess she should have had a t-shirt printed with that on it. It is interesting to note, if that was the reason, lots of folks had them pinned to their shirt or worn around their neck.

Having sat through the mess of a meeting i had no interest to watch further.

 

New RCSCW general manager Stephen Erno is former Wickenburg Town Manager.
Imagine that!

Partial LinkedIn experience:

• Town of Wickenburg
Jun 2022 - Aug 2024 2 years 3 months
Wickenburg, Arizona, United States

• City of Chandler, Arizona
3 years 5 months
Neighborhood Services Manager
Jul 2016 - Jun 2022 6 years
Chandler , Arizona, United States

 

Reminds me of the fiasco meeting back in 2021 with locked doors and armed police, and when Cook was challenged he said, "because I said so!"

Are we hiring managers or dictators?

 

How does SCW do it? Seriously? Video conferencing for residents to attend board meetings, fabulous library no one is trying to close, 2 PAC's inside rec center buildings, plus check out this link to Capital Projects updates. No guessing here. Capital Projects | Sun City West Active Adult Retirement Golf Community

 

Redundant question.

 

Yes Tom a search firm was hired to do a search. I hope that answers your question.

 

Thanks John, I did know, that so it was never really a question, just an observation to point out that perhaps the Board isn't really working in the best interest of the corporation or Membership?

Although I wouldn't and didn't sign the petitions, it does concern me as to who I should or shouldn't vote for in the upcoming election?

 

You and a whole lot of other people. I am planning on contacting the Putman's. I don't like what's happening here and want to hear their side. I do know from the Independent that Chris and Anita want the PAC at Lakeview which makes me want to sign the petition.

And then there is the other part of me that says why bother caring at all? I have been watching and listening to neighbors who always went to board meetings until around 2008. They are all in their mid 80's now, still keep up with RCSC and HOA news but that's it. I went through hell with the SCF, then there was the library, then T-Bird, now PAC. At some point people will just give up wondering what difference does it make? No one listens anyway.

 

Yeah, I may only vote for two or three. I figure the less votes the others get, the better the chance for the ones I voted for to get elected.

And remember, those who do not receive at least 100 votes are not eligible to fill any vacancies, so those candidates would be gone!

 

I am in for 1 possibly 2.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Found out late yesterday 2 of my 85ish widowers had no place to go so we are off for dinner. Tivoli Gardens here we come!

 

RCSC paid 5hem $30,000 to conduct a search which my understanding is they placed an ad in a trade magazine and we ended up hiring someone who already worked for us. Then we had to pay a finder’s fee equal to a percentage of the hired person’s salary, usually around 10% I learned from a friend who worked for Korn Ferry before retiring. I’ll bet the figures for this fiasco are “buried” somewhere in the 2023 audited statement.

 

FYI, for your consideration when casting your RCSC director election votes:

EGE RCSC BOARD Service 2020 - 2022
Elected 2020 board directors were:
Barbara Brehm, Michael Ege and Darla Akins.
Only three candidates ran for three open 3 - year term positions. Votes received: BREHM 518, EGE 631 and AKINS 623.

Ege’s specific 2020 - 2022 among the positions he held as RCSC Board Officer and Committee Chair/Co-Chair and with whom he served.

2022
• Vice President: Michael Ege
• Sun City Foundation: Darla Akins, Michael Ege, Sue Wilson

2021
• Vice President: Michael Ege
• Technologies – Chair: Michael Ege | Co-Chair: Sheila Rooney
• Bid Review & Approval: Rich Hoffer, Michael Ege, Mike Kennedy, Dale Lehrer
• Sun City Foundation: Darla Akins, Michael Ege, Sue Wilson

2020
• Long Range Planning: Dale Lehrer, Chair | Michael Ege, Co-Chair
• Outreach & Communications: Michael Ege, Chair | Darla Akins, Co-Chair
• Bid Commission: Dan Schroeder | Rich Hoffer | Mike Kennedy | Michael Ege

Something to think about!!

Source: January 2020 - 2022 RCSC News Letter editions. View RCSC Press & Publications on website.

 

Today I finished watching the November Board meeting video. Kat, Chris and Anita all expressed how difficult it was to come to a decision to vote on delaying indefinitely the decision to put the PAC at Lakeview. I am still perplexed that people continue to proceed with the petition process after hearing their pleas to think of the entire community not just a person's personal viewpoint. Do people realize how hard these Directors work on our behalf? Aren't people grateful for their efforts and dedication?

I hear that Members don't trust the Board and things aren't transparent. I think they have tried to be straightforward with us. However I have always contended that the working session that they have with the GM after the Exchange should be open for Members to attend and observe. The fact that doesn't happen results in mistrust. Certainly it is nice to be able to brainstorm in private but it is obvious that just isn't working. When our City Council meets to discuss business, they call it Committee of the Whole, meaning the whole council. An executive committee or other committees made up of Directors could be held in private as long as there aren't more than four Directors in attendance. Is there anyone that agrees with me?

 

I disagree with that statement about transparency. I believe the board was aware re the libraries. Something that big does not stay under wraps for long, I do believe the GM initiated it, but the board had to know and if they didn't there is a much bigger problem. The T-Bird building didn't come out to the residents until AFTER a bid was made. How is that transparent. I can't remember who said the Grand Bldg. seemed to be done in the dark of knight. I can look that one up. Also, Anita and Chris both said in this weeks' Independent that they were very much in favor of the PAC at LV.

Executive sessions are for contract negotiations and human resource issues. I find it odd that in reference to two major issues people were "stunned" to find out a) we had $20 million in deferred maintenance, and B) no one knew how dire the situation is with our technology. If the board members were doing their jobs no one should have been "stunned" by anything. That's transparency.

I still have to finish watching the candidate videos, but I will say hearing Mr. Ege saying he would be fully committed to The Corporation as his answer to one question. A little while later he said he would be committed to the residents. That's a red flag to me. Also when prominent members of the community say who they are voting for (recommending) that will push people in their direction. Then we get the same minded people on the board over and over.

 

I will answer your last question first. No. I suggest you become familiar with the bylaws. Such meetings are never committee meetings.

I do not wish to get into a public disagreement with you, but I do disagree with your portrayal of the political reality. The reality is the PAC motion was rushed through a special session and never vetted with the members who were impacted most. The same thing happened with the library closures, the indoor pooch park and a variety of other major capital expenditures. The concerned members I have listened to have very valid points that the Board has perpetrated falsehoods, and they give very specific documented examples. Unfortunately, in my opinion, you give no credible examples and offer only your opinion and support for the small decision-making body you are a now a part of. What a difference a day makes.
I am still committed to a sustainable governance process where members matter and are truly engaged in the decision-making process. It involves intelligent leadership to manage the messiness and involves compromise on everyone's part. Call me a dreamer but I am not the only one. (Beatles - Imagine)

And Janet, the folks you mentioned did not vote to indefinity suspend the decision on where a stand-alone single purpose PAC if it ever comes to fruition will be located. To the apparent surprise of the rest of the Board, Director Collins motion, merely killed that motion for this session which ends December 31.

In closing, I am becoming of the view that you resigned from the advocates which represent all the members to become an advocate for a group of members that happens to be in control. In this regard I stand opposed. All members matter.

Best regards and God Bless,

John