Sun City watchdogs

November 08, 2011 |

As Sun City’s self-proclaimed RCSC watchdog, I believe Anne Randall Stewart is completely ineffective. Although I am sure she means well, she is, in my humble opinion, causing much more damage to Sun City than benefit. I have had more than one report where folks have decided not to purchase in Sun City because they did not want to live in this community because of Ms. Stewart’s incessant, public false accusations, paranoid assumptions and unfounded claims about RCSC, the Board and Management.

There are effective RCSC watchdogs in Sun City, however. Unlike Ms. Stewart, they attend RCSC board meetings and board/member exchanges regularly, they serve on committees, they take the time to share their concerns with the Board and Management directly and appropriately, they obtain the facts and they work as a team seeking a viable and reasonable solution. These watchdogs are extremely beneficial to Sun City homeowners and residents.
Interestingly, some of these effective watchdogs include RCSC Board members and staff. Although I am somewhat uncomfortable with tooting my own horn, the RCSC management team has done an excellent job for Sun City residents, so I do believe that some “apple polishing” is long overdue! Here are some facts:

• In the past 5 years, General & Administrative total wages, taxes and benefits have been reduced by 21%, over $280,000 annual savings even with increased costs in workers’ compensation and medical insurance. Total overall overhead at RCSC reduced by 16%, with more than a $330,000 saved annually.
• The bowling division’s net operating excess over the last twelve months is twice of what it was 5 years ago ($133,080 vs. $69,422).
• The food service division’s net operating excess over the last twelve months was $63,169, versus a $231,649 net operating deficit ten years ago, an almost $295,000 annual improvement.
• The contracting of golf maintenance will create more than an estimated $250,000 annual savings in the golf division, despite the numerous and excessive well repairs and additional water purchase required as a result of the break downs in several of our wells this year.
• The 2012 Proposed Budget slates to spend $1.4 million more (not total) in repairs and maintenance than was spent five years ago. This shows the ground we are making up for in all the deferred maintenance from the past, which is vital to our long-term success. When I came to RCSC in 2007, one of the first things I stated concerned me greatly was that very little was being spent on repairs and maintenance and it was vital that RCSC increase its repairs and maintenance. An organization such as RCSC must maintain its assets properly or it is a certain death sentence or an unbearable financial burden for Sun City homeowners in the future. The money being saved in other areas has gone to correct this imbalance.

I fell in love with Sun City when I first came here as a 16-year-old visiting my Great Aunt and Uncle. My Dad always told the story about our first visit to Sun City as me dragging my feet coming in and dragging my feet going out, which was so true. I loved Sun City then and I love it today! As a result, I have made Sun City my home since 2006, as does Assistant General Manager Jim Wellman who was unfairly and erroneously portrayed in Anne Randall Stewart’s last letter to the editor as well. I am extremely proud of RCSC’s management team and thank them for their dedication, commitment and integrity. I invite any Sun City resident to contact me directly (jek@sunaz.com or 623-561-4600.) I appreciate any and every opportunity to communicate with RCSC cardholders directly.

Jan M. Ek, CMCA, AMS, CPFM
RCSC General Manager