https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-jul-30-na-young30-story.html Interesting blast from the past.
Interesting article E; i would have expected the writer to be a more on point with comments. It started with this; "In 1954, they began flocking to this strip of desert, 18 miles northwest of Phoenix." The reality was Sun City had more residents by the end of the first year (1960) than Youngtown did after their first six (1954-1960). Flocking was hardy a thing. As i continued reading, the implication by the author other age restricted communities (like Webb's Sun City) may be in similar jeopardy is foolishness. We know from our history there was no senior age overlays when either Youngtown or Sun City opened. We also know when the Fair Housing Standards Act was passed that allowed for communities to establish the 55 age overlay, Sun City quickly signed petitions by 75% of the residents and the legal protections was added to our deed restrictions and documents. Youngtown did nothing. The story adds to the reality of communities who cannot afford to reinvest in themselves suffer. Elmer Johns and his partner Ben Schleifer used the property owned by the Greer's and created a cheap place to live. The amenities were limited to a small club house and when Sun City opened with a shopping center, it became the closest one for those living in Youngtown. While being big doesn't necessarily make something better, having the money to grow and add to the available amenities and community infrastructure is critical. It also is a constant reminder time never stands still and we must evolve with the times. I get ripped for clinging to our history, but as always, our history is simply a teachable moment we all should pay attention to. Youngtown is the classic example why.
It's kind of startling to me to see how many areas of town now look poor and broken down. I remember going into Youngtown some 50 years ago when my family first moved here. They had a lot of charming specialty shops in there. I would frequent the stores with my family. The town had a Mayberry RFD feel to it. It actually was quite charming as a back up to our Sun City. What has really hurt us as far as the charm-effect goes, is that we no longer have those sweet little shops in here that residents could just wander around each day and frequent. It was truly more fun in the old days living around here. I know, cause I was there!
Nobody "rips" you for your love of history. It's the frequency and length of posts. History doesn't change. I went to the bank yesterday. That will never change. The issue is if we learn from history why are the same mistakes being made in SC for almost 20 years.
And, that is why I wish we could get new development and more companies to want to invest and come in here. It is probably not going to happen, unless we can get smaller owned businesses to come in here. I salute Boyer Bakery for making such a decision. I am hoping maybe the former Coco's will get renovated and someone like First Watch or maybe a nice sit down place like a Buona Beef. If Buona Beef came in here, it would be such a huge home run. They would make a fortune. There food fits our demographic here! Have a great day!
One of the biggest challenges in Sun City is the truth that the RCSC has literally no say in commercial development. Nor does any other organization in the community. SCHOA comes the closest with their business partnership program but that is like the proverbial pimple of the elephants behind. What we (RCSC and the community at large) can do is become compelling and complimentary pieces to the puzzle on where seniors chose to buy and live. That doesn't happen by accident. This organization hasn't thought or acted strategically for a very long time. Instead in 2024 they made one dumb decision after another. Pissing the membership off does nothing to build a sense of community. Nothing! I saw Emily's remarks about the library and who knew what. I have no inside information and at this point it doesn't matter. What we should all take away from the craziness is they (management and or the board) cannot do dumb stuff/bad decisions and expect the members to rally behind them. True story, in 1999 when we were looking for a home to buy, we found the perfect house, in Sun City West. It fit our every need and was well priced. The problem for me was i had been following the Sun City West/SWOOG infighting and having come from a setting where i fought with people for a living, the last thing i wanted was to buy into a community where internal strife was so obvious. The current GM claims 2024 was a great year because all the stuff they fixed (money they spent) and all the great events they ran. Good stuff, but the dumb stuff dragged us backward and in a very visible way. That has to stop and the path forward is through the membership. It always has been the way. John Meeker, in his oral interviews and in his journal both repeated the ultimate bottom line: The residents/members were his greatest sales force. If we can get that right, home sales will spike and business opportunities will grow.
Good info Eileen. I know when people talk trash about Youngtown on Nextdoor the residents get very defensive. They like their town. The people who speak ill of Youngtown are almost all Sun Citians. That in and of itself speaks volumes. They are trashing young families probably buying their first homes. Bill look how badly you attack me on a regular basis for years because I don't like SC like I did in the 80's. Those kids buying there are not crusty enough yet to be able to just ignore people like you. But of course, you will do your spin on that. First time I didn't vote. I and a lot of other folks I know don't think it matters anyway. The past 20 years kind of prove that.
Hi Emily, Youngtown is not what it was 40 years ago, so let's just say this. It has become a low income area for low income folks. Low income folks need a place to live too, but safety should always be a priority here. I live close to YT. I kind of wish that the MCSO would think of buying the old Aquity Rehab building on 111th and T-bird. I truly think that SC and YT needs to have a very visible and active sheriff office near or at that location. I think having the presence of a sheriff office right next to Grand and these areas may help decrease the level of crime and criminals. I have written to the new sheriff, Jerry Sheridan, and I am hoping he may think of looking at this location to put another sheriff office. I know it may not turn some residents on to have it there, but we do need a more visible prescence over here now. All ideas would be helpful for anyone on this blog. Thank you.
It was interesting reading the article, i had forgotten the mayor's name, Bryan Hackbarth, but he was not well liked. He even sounded like a jerk in the article. I remember the 2006 election that Mayor LeVault won easily and he has served the city well. No wonder he has been re-elected so many times. He's worked with Sun City and SCHOA on several issues we had in common. When we/you talk about commercial development and it's importance, Youngtown clearly has suffered from a lack of almost anything new being added (yes they added some new homes). Most of the centers are both old and old looking. It's always a challenge for smaller cities and communities to attract commercial businesses. Throw in the difficulty for Sun City with a portion of their residents leaving for the summer and making ends meet while losing 4 or 5 summer months presents even bigger challenges.
Safety should be a priority everywhere. I re-read a lot of your posts and it seems, or I should say it appears to me, that you have an issue with low-income people. Wow! Just looked at homes for sale in YT. Some very nice areas and homes. Same with El Mirage.
Hey Josie, Is there ever a day that goes by that you aren't a bully! Your personality disorder is showing! Grow up, and stop berating everyone on the site. I work to help the poor and your comments are totally out of line.
I don't know what your problem is. I was saying how nice Youngtown and El Mirage look from what I remember. As far as what you have said it's true. When you speak of low-income people it is never in a kind manner. Personality disorder? Show me your Psychology Degree please.
I love all people no matter if they are rich or poor. I take my Catholic-Christian faith seriously and am completely offended by your continually twisting my and other peoples words on this site. If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. You learned that in your Catholic school too. Stop going after people, twisting a word or comment someone makes and then offend someone. Also, don't write to me or comment to me anymore. I don't want to share with you. Please reflect on your words and stop going after people all day. It makes you look really bad, Josie. Please leave me alone and out of your conversation.
Back atcha Sister Eileen. You can profess to be an all people loving Catholic, but your words say differently. I am sure you love all people; you just don't want the "low income" folks near you, especially if their yards are not pristine. You and I have gone round and round about residents spending money in SC. I have no clue how long you have lived here, it would be easy enough to find out, but the things you mention that look "low income" have been that way for many years. There is another site you post on where you tout SCW and Grand. Why did you move here if you liked them so much more? You mention "low income" on that site as well, even when answering posts that have nothing to do with "low income" people. I just noticed that you and Carole (SunCityGal) use many of the same phrases "at" me. Could it be you two are in "Cahoots"? I have never been there, but I think it will be fun to visit and compare. I asked Carole to prove where I have used "vile language" and she can't. Bill repeatedly says I said I HATE SC yet when I ask for proof he can't produce either, now I am asking you to produce evidence of what you are accusing me of saying. Not necessary, but recommended. Blessings to you, and I hope you do not have to endure Bill and Dave's wrath because you are Catholic and Republican like I did.
Be careful broadcasting this. Dave may go on the attack, unless he was singling me out for my faith, which we all know would be wrong. Josie P said: ↑ Hmmm. Did you attend St. Gerald School and Church Services? NO because I was not a Katlick. Everybody else in the neighborhood was and consequently my family were outcasts. Basically we were shunned except for our next door neighbor Mrs. Hornet. When her two sons told her about the priest calling our family heretics, she called up the priest and told him to go fuck himself amongst others things. Lesson, never fuck with a 4’10” Italian mother as our family were best friends with hers. Geoffrey de Villehardouin, Dec 5, 2024 Christmas is coming so we can all celebrate a birth that didn’t happen then (Biblical scholars agree that Jesus was born in what we call May and the Wise Men showed up when he was three). The whole thing was a marketing ploy by the Church to convert the Germanic tribes to Christianity. The Church tolerated bringing indoors pine trees and candles to celebrate the winter solstice to secure more converts. Francis of Hippo (St. Francis) was the first to have a live nativity scene to help sell the story in Milan, Italy. The rest they say is history. Not sure if the Catholic Church will accept this, outside of the Francis thing, as it doesn’t fit the current story. HH, ask you can tell I was a big hit with the St. Gerald’s crowd when I was 17. Guess it’s my fault I read a lot and the priests called my family heretics. Merry Nordic Winter Solstice Fest and Happy New Year, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Diwali. That should cover my equal opportunity woke season greetings. Geoffrey de Villehardouin, Dec 4, 2024
Name one thing in those statements that not true. I read a lot and enjoy The Great Courses. I have nothing against Eileen, seems like a nice lady.