About the RCSC Lawsuit...

Cynthia:

Following are two opinions of mine with the caveat that I am not an expert on anything--particularly law. First, I believe it would be a true service if Anne would clarify for us the nature of the long promised class action suit. If the suit is asking the court to decide if the RCSC really governs under Title 33 of the AZ Statutes, Rev. or under Title X as they contend, then it is both incorrect and misleading to state the court's future opinion as current fact.

I think the board has been asked before about why they don't make available video of their meetings, but I do not recall the response. In my opinion taping the sessions for broadcast at a public access channel available through Cox or for later streaming from the RCSC web site would certainly be within their technological capability if there was a will. One good thing that would come of it would be some relief from a few board members using their "Bully Pulpit" to verbally lash out at Anne Stewart on a regular basis and from the President's inappropriate handing off of the microphone to members during member comment session to join in the bullying. I can understand their frustration, but their reaction to Ann Stewart is borderline defamation and would have to stop if broadcast to a wider audience. I cut and pasted a portion of the rather long definition of the noun and verb usage of the word slander below:
...
1.
make false and damaging statements about (someone).

synonyms: defame (someone's character), blacken someone's name, tell lies about, speak ill/evil of, sully someone's reputation, libel, smear, cast aspersions on, spread scandal about, besmirch, tarnish, taint;

 

Perhaps some positive happenings are discussed too. A public access channel is not required. Webcam broadcasting is simple with a video tape to watch later online. Those who do not own or use a computer can view it at the library. Some cities have a channel on vimeo or youtube for that.

 

It will be interesting to see how the candidates for election this year feel about making the meetings available via YouTube or through a direct link to the RCSC web site. Making meetings available is so widespread today that it is a real anomaly in finding a community or organization who doesn't or could but is opposed to the concept. Maybe a new board will be more amenable. We'll see. Some ideas move glacially slow in Sun City. All communities and almost all organizations have documentary or legislative authority to hold meetings in "executive session" to discuss sensitive issues, potential lawsuits, advice from counsel, personnel problems etc and rightfully so. However, our RCSC ups the ante considerably and virtually operates in total secrecy with all issues being discussed privately--not just the aforementioned. They title them differently. Here we call them "closed sessions." It's one of Anne Stewart's continuous gripes. It's an area where some of us who disagree with many of Anne's "opinions" can find agreement. It is so secretive here that we know not what is even on the agenda much less what was decided.

 

I'd personally love to see the monthly meetings video-taped and played on our own youtube channel. I'm not sure I understand what the reluctance is and hopefully as we elect new board members this year we will find candidates who comprehend the value of this kind of promotion/openness.

In fact, for those planning on attending the candidate forums, perhaps that is one of the questions that should be asked.