A Thoughtful Reflection On Our Community.

I don't hate Bill. We have gone over this a lot. I don't like when people say things that are not true, and will point them out. As far as hate all you have to do is look back on some of your early posts here and the Purely Politics Forum. The preverbial pot/kettle. BTW today is not Christmas Day, it's Friday. 12/27. I responded to nasty comments to/about me.

You are egging Eileen on with her wishes for some cute little shops for SC and hiring people at the expense of SC residents, making her think you agree with her. That's just not right. We all knew how you felt about that from the May 2024 exchange meeting. Personally, I think you enjoy stirring the pot and then sitting back to watch.

When you and I moved here this city was full of shops as you said in the meeting. Then it wasn't. Personally, I didn't like the change. You said we don't need those things anymore. Anyone who purchased/moved here after the changes knew what they were buying. Wanting to change it after the fact at the expense of people who have lived here for 20+ years is wrong. Should have bought somewhere else. It's not like remodeling a home using only your personal funds.

Just one woman's opinion.

 

With the availability of topics to discuss and address the future of Sun City, I would think the conversation be engaging, topical and interesting meaningful.
Having said that, I will continue with my thoughts on moving forward. The need to keep on task and the importance of maintaining the current topic is where I will try to focus.
The RCSC has no choice but to invest money in the centers needing remodeling. Not reinventing the wheel, just make the centers functional and safe. There is such a need for IT advancement, communication methods to keep the members informed and involved. The lack of information exchange between the members and the board is such a vacuum that needs immediate attention. While having a website that is updated, who is going to monitor the information to make sure it is accurate, correct, and accurate? Is this website going to include a blog for members to post to? A few of the questions to address as we look to making the new website user friendly.
How can the PAC be put on a back burner so as not to continue to spend money that I feel is better spent on other community needs? There is not an unlimited amount of money to throw at things that are just not fiscally responsible.
Which brings us back to creating a plan for short and long term planning. If a comprehensive growth plan is not put in place, then stop spending money on pie in the sky projects. Without a clear sense of direction in the form of a written plan, dollars allocated for projects should be stopped until everyone has the opportunity to see the suggestions for growth.
This is not naysaying, this is strictly my opinion for moving forward.
Marketing this community needs involvement by interested parties. I am sure there are many ways to market our community, but I still feel it will take an infusion of cash. One cannot try to pretend costs aren’t rising and this is going to have a profound impact on our future.

 

Wow Carole, I have been saying exactly what you just posted for a very long time.

 

As I review HOA fees collected by various 55+ communities the monies are collected monthly and quarterly. Although the assessment is not an HOA fee, it gave way to a new idea. It can be hard to gather the amount needed for a yearly payment for the cost of living here. What if the assessment was paid monthly? Better tracking of total monthly received and establish a quicker method of moneys collected, additionally
Time for the pain medichh

 

I guess so! (re meds) Are you talking HOA fee which is voluntary here or assessment fee?

 

Going from we to me is easy. Getting back to a we community is darn tough. That I believe is the crux of our dilemma. A we community involves a good deal of selfless give and take by everyone. That is very tough when our society's first question is what is in it for me.

The other branch of our dilemma is we are dealing only with the Parks and Recreation Department (RCSC). Their jurisdiction ends at the boundary line of RCSC property (Rec Centers, Golf Course, etc.) but they do have the contractual power to levy fees, so folks think of them as government. I prefer to think of the RCSC body as a governance body for the Recreation Centers of Sun City and nothing more or less. Our community has many more governing bodies including Maricopa County, SCHOA, and others. Each has different jurisdictional responsibility.

The real point here is that we should cut through the political BS and have an open and inclusive dialogue about how we can do better for our recreational wants. In my view recreation is never a need.

Best regards and God Bless,

John Fast

 

John, I think a goal should be to get to the crux of salvaging our community and rebuilding it to what it can be.
Recreation and what that entails is personal for each individual. This place needs leadership to bring it back to the community it can be for the benefit of the members. That doesn’t mean building a theatre when the infrastructure needs are immense and immediate. IT needs are so great one cannot even conceptually wrap one’s arms around it. I could start a list of IT needs and would still be writing at dawn tomorrow morning. Center updates, not a theater, are also a need. Two centers need brought up speed in regards to design and functionality. A downward walkway to get to the core offices is an accident waiting to happen again. And don’t trust the elevator or suffocate in it in the summer.
The self governance model looks good on paper, but until such time leaders put together a comprehensive roadmap for moving forward with distinct objectives and goals, with a focus on design and discipline of scope, this community is going to continue to flounder. So as positive as I would hope to be, getting the ducks in a row, build what is needed, leave the BS at the door and get practical with a favorable direction.

 

Carole since you know me and we have been friends for years, I know we are working on five and ten year plans, but then so did the Soviet Union and how did that work out? I can hear you laughing.

 

Gentrification, to be continued.

 

Dave,
So good to hear from you, it’s been so long. Yep, the Soviet Union has plans, all constructed by and for the same purpose, make Putin look good to Putin.
Unlike the Soviet Union, we have a chance to create a culture of inclusion and diversity for those that choose to participate. The first step is to acknowledge there is no need for a PAC. Not needed for this community. It may be a want by a select few, but not a need.
We need a forum for people to connect and communicate in a collaborative way to get buy in from the members and the board needs to acknowledge the needs that are outstanding. I said “needs” not want. An interactive website for the RCSC where folks can get answers, chat about where to find places or events happening locally in real time. Oooops,,started down that slippery path of stating what is needed in our IT community. Does anyone even have the slightest idea as to the cost to bring this community to within 20 year old technology? I am not talking today’s level, just get us into this century? Millions folks! Servers, databases, storage systems, offloading systems and capabilities. Yes,,we also want it interactive with virtual content and be user friendly. No AI, just the hardware in place then the app software to use. Not asking much am I? The needs are endless for the IT department.
Sorry Dave rambled on again about need versus want. To me, it is what makes the most sense.

 

Dave,
I understand your comment to imply that if we adopt a dynamic and flexible plan for the future we will be communists? I don't get it. Sorry

John

 

John, according to some people I am a communist along with being a socialist, fascist and a neo Nazi. The statement about the plan was a joke as I have known Carole for almost as long as I have lived here and she understands my sense of humor after all these years. Some of my humor is historical based and some legal as we both have extensive experience in the area, she is a graduate of paralegal school at USC and my JD is from the streets of Chicago as there was no paralegal school in existence in the early to mid70’s.

In the halls of justice, the only justice is in the halls. Graffiti in the holding cell in the criminal court building in Chicago.

 

Ha Ha! I assume you are in favor of having a master plan before tearing the place up?

 

John, I am in the PLEASE have a master plan arena. I have such qualms about proceeding with so many things at once without a clear understanding of where it is we are actually needing to go. So many wants and desires with no clear plan or roadmap to arrive at the destination.
There are a definite list of items needing immediate attention and consideration for the community. IT, Mountainview, Lakeview, just to name a few. I am also looking to the Bell Parking area for any future PAC. I understand there seems to be a desire to build a huge new project, but I still feel all of this needs to be in the right direction.

 

John, stop with the PAC already. Carole and I knew this was a dog over 10 years ago and nothing has changed our mind. We don’t know what Gen X wants but after spending a week with some, a PAC is not even on their list. It’s technology baby, coffee shops and bodegas with fresh produce and healthy choices. Granted there are the vegan people and their food choices. Listening I envision smaller Sprouts type stores like you see in NYC.

That’s what my research on the ground has shown. Digest this as you wish.

 

This is the most amazing website/blog/whatever you want to call it site I have ever been on. Not ONE thing has been accomplished here! Not ONE idea has been brought to fruition! One person keeps repeating the past ad nauseum, for what? Do a keyword search people! Hundreds of the same topics over and over. Another person loves to use foul language and degrade people because said person is so smart! Another degrades people thinking they have a degree in psychiatry.

It's a funny, funny place where one is admired and has minions who are afraid to contradict. The one person who you all admire said:

I could give two shits whether people like or dislike me.
I just shared an email with some close friends. I revealed to them, i have become jaundiced to anything they say or write. They simply don't care what a document says.
Year after year after year, no one was ever held accountable.
When i do things, get involved with stuff or even when i write, i don't really care if the things i am doing or saying is well received or if people like me. It's just never been a priority in my life. I don't have many friends, try and get along with people, but if we don't, that's okay....BPearson

Maybe some should take a step back and let others have a say, but then again social media is not a thing anymore. Facebook is used primarily between family and friends, Nextdoor is about coyote sighting posts, as well as complaining about people whose dogs happen to sneak out, and the new ND is so full of ads it's not worth it. If you look at TOSC only a handful have stayed the course. If you do a deep dive most come and go quickly.

Take a step back Bill. Your relevancy is over.

 

Current predictions for what the future generations seek is quite different from what we offer today. It has been suggested that the next generation wants local restaurants that are within walking distance. They prefer quaint places to gather rather than large venues. It has also been suggested these people prefer small gathering spaces rather than large open spaces being suggested. It seems to point to a more interactive, face to face kind of atmosphere versus large crowds and gatherings. Small businesses are supposedly the preferred place for spending money and for shopping to support local entrepreneurs. It has been suggested the current footprint favored by the boomers is not embraced nor desired by gen x or gen Y. So are there any plans for putting in local vendors in Lakeview? How about a coffee shop or small restaurant in Fairway? Those that are planning on attracting the next generation of buyers have already identified their desired services and right now, we don’t meet any of those expectations. What I just mentioned I have not seen suggested for the future. As far as a performing arts center? The next generation is more into small groups and outdoor activities not arenas that are not going to attract the future generations.

 

As usual, this person attacks the author of a previous post. Names that person as no longer relevant, yet attempts, once again, to make it all about them. Degrading all who post here is not in line with the credo associated with the original intent of TOSC. There are so many who would love to return to posting here, but the fact that they risk being attacked for doing so will keep them from returning. Even I was attacked when trying to show compassion and concern. When is it enough as to allow those truly desiring to share productive thoughts and ideas going to be allowed to do so without fear of personal attacks from this poster?

 

Bill Pearson is no longer relevant? My point exactly. He constantly points out when folk are correct in his opinion, and when we are wrong. The dude is not God! This post would be so much better off without him.

 

Carole you have 3 accounts here pick one, Amber, Carole Martinez or SunCityGal