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The Sun Cities Independent recently asked RCSC to answer some questions regarding a resident’s allegations against the corporation. The questions and RCSC’s responses are listed below in their entirety. 1. I assume Anne Stewart has been barred from attending RCSC meetings and visiting the recreation centers. How did this come about? What did she do exactly to get herself barred and how did the RCSC come to the decision to do this? In regards to Ms. Stewart’s second suspension, which began on April 1, 2006 and ends on March 31, 2007, Anne Stewart’s incident investigation hearing held on January 30, 2006 revealed that she interfered with members participating in the annual corporate election and violated the following Codes of Conduct, which must be upheld by all cardholders: “Cardholders and guests must conduct themselves so as not to jeopardize or interfere with the rights and privileges of other members and guests.” “Cardholders and guests will not harass or accost any other members, guests, RCSC employees, Directors, officers or committee persons.” “Cardholders and guests will not interfere with management of the RCSC. Comments and complaints should be placed in writing and directed to the appropriate RCSC Operations Manager or the Board of Directors.” As a result of her continued, unacceptable behavior, Anne Stewart is suspended from corporate meetings for a year as per Code of Conduct #13: “Any cardholder who conducts himself or herself in an unbecoming manner or who breaks a RCSC rule or regulation is subject to disciplinary action.” 2. She claims she has been denied access to information and records that she has requested. Is that correct and why? Does that stem from her banishment from the RCSC? A portion of Board Policy #3 is quoted below and describes Ms. Stewart’s inability to review any RCSC records at this time, as she is not a property owner in good standing for at least six months. “G. The Board of Directors has the responsibility for Recreation Centers' files. Guidelines provide an orderly process for the inspection of Rec Centers' data by members who have a legitimate basis for the examination of records. The process serves to maintain the integrity of Rec Centers' documents while it provides access to record inspection by qualified persons. 1. The member(s) wishing to examine records must submit a written request which states the purpose to be served by the inspection; how the person qualifies as a person entitled to examine records; and an itemized statement of the specific documents to be examined. The member(s) must be a recorded property owner(s) in good standing for at least six months preceding the request for records. 2. The request must be made in good faith and for a specific purpose.” 3. She claims she is filing litigation against the RCSC in order for it to fall under Title 33 and she believes it rightfully should be. Is that the case? Has she or any of her cohorts brought that up with the RCSC? How does the RCSC feel about that and why is important for the RCSC to not be under Title 33? Title 33 is used to regulate homeowners associations and RCSC is a non-profit, private corporation, not a homeowners association. Ms. Stewart and the Taxpayers Association, represented by a non-resident, took their issues to the legislature last year and the Senate committee did not agree that RCSC should be regulated by Title 33. RCSC is regulated by Title 10, the state regulations for non-profit corporations. Sun City has a homeowners association; we [RCSC] are not a homeowners’ association. In regards to your inquiry, we have a question for you. Why does your paper keep referring to a group she says she represents without seeking proof that the alleged group actually meets accepted criteria for a group? She has admitted that there are no officers, no elections, no meetings and that she has appointed herself spokesperson. It would appear that her statements reflect her own views only. 4. Ms. Stewart also alleges she discovered RCSC board members conducting a secret meeting at one point and “exposed them.” Can anyone recall the situation she is specifying? Is this true and has the RCSC ever conducted such meetings without first notifying the public they are in executive session? We have no idea what Ms. Stewart is talking about; can you provide further specific information for our response? We believe our organization provides more opportunity for member involvement than any other entities. RCSC has 37 corporate meetings which members are encouraged and welcome to attend. Two meetings a month are more informal, one not even having an agenda so that members are free to bring up corporate issues of interest to them. The third monthly meeting is the formal business meeting where corporate information and actions are reported and members are again given the opportunity to ask questions of the Board and/or management and express opinions. In addition we have nine committees which meet monthly whose membership is made up of member volunteers. The golf operation also has greens committees who have regular meetings of members regarding the condition of the golf courses. Management also holds monthly “listening” meetings at each center to give members the opportunity to talk directly to management about any concerns they have. The financial information is reported at the monthly business meeting and quarterly in the SunViews. The approved bids, including the amount and the successful bidder, are also reported at the business meeting. Sensitive matters such as legal and personnel issues are generally dealt with in confidential executive sessions. I don’t know of another corporation which provides this many opportunities for member participation and input. 5. Ms. Stewart was also directly quoted as saying the RCSC “tries to keep her quiet and has done everything in its power to keep her from finding out any information” because they are “hiding something.” How does the RCSC respond to that? The opportunities for member input and questions clearly show that members have ample opportunity to ask questions and get answers. An organization that desires to hide things would not voluntarily conduct that unusually large number of meetings open to members. Her charge is a continuation of vague, generalized negative innuendoes which have no basis in reality. Perhaps some quotes from Anne Stewart would clearly demonstrate that she uses hyperbole and exaggeration instead of facts and truth. On the golf courses: “…ugly golf courses, weeds everywhere, fetid ponds.” “…wholesale slaughter of our trees.” On the Sundial lower level renovation: “What do we get for it? More toilets, showers and urinals a (“freezing”) block and a half walk from the spas to the showers (“cold kills the elderly…”).” She also predicted in 2001 that Sun City would “…become a cheap and shoddy version of a Del Webb community.” It is now 2007; was she accurate or an alarmist? Contact: Lindsay Frost, RCSC Communications Coordinator (623) 876-3060, ext. 3087; lfrost@sunaz.com. |
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Recreation Centers |
10626 W. Thunderbird Blvd. |
Tel 623-561-4600 |
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