Barriers to an Open Dialogue I left the exchange meeting today feeling down in the dumps after being called disingenuous by a board member and laughed at by an employee of the RCSC. I appreciated another Board member who just said hey we disagree, and I really feel in my hearts of hearts a lakefront PAC will be a success. I didn’t laugh or scoff at her, I just listened. I then got up to respond and realized she had said everything that needed to be said – we just disagreed, and we were each looking at very different data points. Both of us sincerely believed we were advocating for the best of the community. I was fortunate enough to help facilitate several outreach sessions in which we had free flowing discussion involving agreement, disagreement, inquiry and genuine listening. At the end of one of those meetings I felt the participants had broken down all barriers to dialogue and could have continued discussing how to improve Sun City well into the night. In all our discussion we kept coming back to one single theme – we are first and foremost a community. Today, as I was listening to different speakers and speaking myself, I could not help but feeling we were talking to a bored board that didn’t listen to understand but listened to respond. I was shocked to hear the speaker that pointed out the GM’s sarcastic remark coming into the meeting. I listened very carefully to the GM’s response, and I believe he basically said his job was a living hell. That hit me like a bolt of lightning. Has this guy checked out? If so, how do we rebuild a community? Many members called for his firing, and I was not one of them. Under our bylaws that is a board decision. So how do we as a community break down the barriers to an open dialogue? That is the question. I have witnessed people with no agendas who just met come together and identify solutions, so I know it is possible. The energy was tremendous and is contagious. I will do what I can and will start by offering an outreach to Karen McAdams to have coffee at a mutually convenient time in what the National Civic League calls a safe space and have an open dialogue about the future of our community. In the meantime, I ask those directors (Preston Kise, Tom Foster, James Rough and Steve Collins that I know of) that attended the undisclosed meeting between management, board members and the architects last week provide a detailed written account of everything that was discussed. I would also ask that notes taken by the architects during the meeting be disclosed to the membership. Best Regards and God Bless, John Fast
Interesting take on the meeting John. Where i was sitting i couldn't see the facial reactions to your remarks, but the pinched faces aren't a new phenomena. Like you, i have talked to dozens of members in the past month, many of them lawn bowlers who are angry and frustrated. My remarks are more based on the past 21 years we have lived in the community. I have come to expect the last minute rush of motions and actions by outgoing board members. Today, many of their remarks were an effort to justify the actions they recently undertook. We can debate where a PAC goes, whether it will be successful or if indeed we even need a dedicated space with limited usage, but that wasn't even germane to the folly of what they did. Sorry, but the very thought this board or any board for that matter would try and push through such an important decision in a three week period is utter craziness. Oct 31, through Nov 21 was the time frame from showing us the results of Tri-arc's work product that was followed by two board votes. We've never conducted business that way, they know that as well as everyone else in the room. Beyond that is the idea we should just stick a PAC on a tiny corner of the 16 acre parcel and then figure out what goes there later on is even more bizarre. The Lakeview renovation should become a project where we build excitement, enthusiasm and energy the community will rally behind. And, to be really clear, get Mountain View done quickly so we can put that behind us. My message to members who are angry or frustrated; take a deep breath, relax and enjoy the holidays, everything changes after the first of the year.
I received a call from Steve Collins and he said he was at Lakeview for a foundation meeting and did not attend the meeting with the architects. Thanks, Steve, for your clarification and my apologies for assuming you were at the meeting.
I was at the same Foundation work session with Steve. Linda McIntyre has worked hard to get us the documents that a national nonprofit organization recommends. We were combing through them to see what changes, if any, needed to be made to fit SC Foundation. A bit tedious, but necessary. Anita and Kat were also at the same work session.
I listened to the entire exchange online tonight. I was happy with the directness and frankly candid comments on some of the past year or more missteps from some very prepared members. The lady who is an actual lakefront homeowner, had some good and succinct points. I again feel although the meeting may have been painful for some of this board, I do hope it may be a new day and hopefully a new year's board will understand that a full laid out plans that respect homeowners property needs to happen. I think we can incorporate a PAC, but I still feel that a big building in front of our lake will destroy the park-like peaceful setting we have always had there. I still feel Bell location would be better and not upset lakefront homeowners, the lawn bowling, and just the serene restful beauty Lakeview has always offered. We should give MV it's new fitness center, and build a PAC, but go back to Bell. Plenty of parking, easier in and out. Those architects could do it!
hi emily, I do agree. we have a large segment here of advanced seniors who don't have any extra money. these folks can't update aging homes, they have no money and are living on marginal circumstances. our current board keeps talking about building more buildings and things when you have a lot of folks all around that never-ever use the facilities. after snowbirds go home, many of these buildings sit here like tombs, and the struggling elderly folks are just trying to hang on. I wonder if SC needs to be thinking of more social service things for the poverty folks in here. just a thought, and a very good point you brought up about the increase in poverty. I think we have to be aware of the increasing poverty around us. maybe we should be talking about beefing up social services. God Bless, everyone.
I like to read some of our historical newsletters from the SC Museum. Did you know that in 1970s, we had 14 restaurants in Sun City! Yes, 14, plus ladies and mens clothing shops, gift shops, candy stores, coffee shops.... 14 restaurants and now we have nothing at all. Sad commentary on the state of our economy, and our culture. I lived near SC as a teenager. I remember all those lovely shops in that time. There was a lot of nice sit-down restaurants, like J Michaels, something you no longer can see anymore. Our community is looking very blighted now. Any thoughts on the subject? Have a good day!
For everyone concerned about the people who are living in dire straits, please consider donating $25 gift cards for the Sun City Foundation to give to the 60+ individuals who have met the criteria for assistance. The gift cards are best if they can be used for daily essentials in Sun City such as grocery stores or drug stores. I am sure an occasional restaurant meal would be a treat for the recipients as well. The gift cards can be dropped off at the Corporate Office at Lakeview or send a check and the Foundation can purchase the gift cards. Thanks everyone for your generosity!
Bill, I want to commend you for the words you said at the Exchange, particularly about not regretting your votes for the current Board. A good reminder of how bad it used to be when the Board exited the meeting after two minutes or the GM locked the doors when the meeting started. There has been progress!
I have been saying that for a very long time. Been coming here since 1980's, moved here to WB Village in 2001, then SC in 2004. Strip malls were full. Mom and I used to spend a whole day running around shopping when I came to visit. Some try to blame it on the internet. If that was true SCW would not have so many restaurants and shopping. It has been stated many times the actions of the boards since 2006 are a factor in what is happening here, and it's still going on. Libraries, PAC, moving Visitor Center, deterioration of MV Rec Center and more. I looked at homes for sale in SC, there were 477 NOT including pending/contingent.
Not the response to the sarcastic remark one would expect from the Leader of a multi-million dollar organization.
