I know, strange header and the oddity is it lasted for more than 25 years and was way more than an itch. It near on tore the community to shreds as the volatility was off the charts. There were two camps and people were squarely rooted in one or the other. The battle over incorporation began in 1961. The rec centers were in trouble financially and many residents argued it would be out of necessity we become a city. The other side of the ledger were those who saw it becoming exactly what they came from. The developer was caught in the middle but for the bulk of the fight, they wanted to see us incorporated. They just couldn't push too hard. I would argue this fight is the defining difference in what we now know as Sun City. Odd in that many people aren't aware it even took place. Our history books don't focus on the severity, they tend to mention it in passing. Too bad, because understanding how we came to be, only helps us grasp the significance of a community divided and how and why we came together. By the early 80's DEVCO had moved on and we were left to our own devices. The battle over incorporation got so heated, people's cars were keyed, threats of physical violence are on record and the acrimony was ever-present. Cooler heads prevailed and by the mid 80's any move to incorporate had died. Let me just say, thanks to those who stopped it. Had we incorporated, we would have become just another city; complete with a tax base, politicians and all the trappings that come with it. We would have been another Glendale, Peoria or Surprise (no offense meant). By staying free of the incorporation we were forced to enhance the whole idea of self-governance. Residents were put in the position of taking ownership and they did in so many ways. We know RCSC board elections were far more important then than now. A dozen or more people were vying for the 3 spots in many elections. Candidates had platforms that caused residents to vote for or against them. But there was so much more. The committee process bloomed and a dozen or more standing committees were created to insure there was a representative voice from the community. It was our checks and balance system and it served us well. Today as we go to the board meeting, we need pay attention. After 55 years, are we simply becoming a microcosm of the outside the walls? Has the board and general manager become the mayor and 9 city council members or do the members still count? For those who can't make it, i'll fill you in following today's meeting...and of course, i'll be as objective as ever.
This is the one thing that would force me to look elsewhere. Sun City is wonderfully unique in the respect that members do have a say. If it was just another mayor and their council then Sun City would no longer be attractive to me and many others. Incorporation would have meant a slow death of Sun City.
It will be interesting if "Mayor Ek" isn't present for this important meeting. (Note: The general manager was NOT in attendance.)
Glad you said that aggie. Though I did hear the board was buried with a flurry of worst case scenarios from the management team. Interesting!
It is different though Cynthia. We'll survive this nonsense and move forward being the better for it. From this action, we'll see more and more discussion about what is and has been happening within the community for the past number of years. It took me a while to come to grips with the how's and why but the fog has lifted and I have no intention of sitting meekly in the corner mumbling to myself (like some other directors have done). I hate being played, but it happens. I don't care if people have the right intentions, if in the end it's only to insure they get what they want. I said today would be a teachable moment and it was. Those who voted no explained why; those who voted yes simply told you because they could. And then of course there was the long reading of corporate documents...Really? I wonder who suggested he go down that road? Home sales won't stop, but there will be a cost to the community as a whole. The one man said it best when he stepped to the mic and said this: I was at a friends house for dinner last night. There were 8 other couples there and I asked how many would be coming to the meeting? To a person they responded "why bother, they'll just pass it no matter what we say." Sun City will be a better place when those of us living here begin to have a voice again. Today's meeting should be a wake up call to board member's and residents alike. There's a huge difference between doing the right thing and doing something simply because you can.
