March 31, 2011 |
While Anne Randall Stewart calls herself the “watchdog for Sun City” she is costing Sun Citians dearly. Despite RCSC’s efforts to provide her with accurate information, she apparently cannot be bothered with the facts. Anne Randall Stewart continues to publish letters in the newspaper and on other public forums that are full of misinformation and false accusations which puts a very negative light on all of Sun City. Not to speak of the immense resources which are required to respond to her allegations and minimize as much damage as possible to RCSC. For the resources required to consistently respond to her, you and I, the homeowners of Sun City, pay with our social security checks, pensions and hard earned dollars as the expenses for these resources must be covered in RCSC’s operating budget, and therefore are paid for by the annual property assessments Sun City homeowners pay annually.
This self proclaimed “Spokesperson for The Sun City Formula Registry” who claims her group is “The Action of the Members” is taking from the very people she claims to represent. Are you aware that if you have ever signed a petition circulated by Noel Kasper or Anne Randall Stewart that you are apparently considered a member of her group? And are you aware that she reportedly speaks on your behalf at the legislature and claims to represent 4,000 Sun Citians? So who and where are these 4,000 members of The Sun City Formula Registry because they have not had a successful petition in years and you’d think that with 4,000 potential signers that would not be the case? Perhaps if you have ever signed such a petition, you would want to inform her to cease and desist representing you in any way.
Anne Randall Stewart’s baseless arguments that the RCSC should operate under the Planned Communities Act under Title 33 of the Arizona Revised Statutes could create some serious consequences for Sun City homeowners and RCSC Members. RCSC Members could no longer cast their vote by proxy and the additional costs of meeting notices alone (the Act requires notices to be “hand-delivered or sent by pre-paid U.S. mail”) would add conservatively $100,000 to RCSC’s annual budget. Any increase in RCSC’s operating expenses for such requirements would have to be borne by Sun City homeowners who pay their annual property assessments. Anne Randall Stewart’s groundless arguments regarding Title 33 (insofar as they can be understood) cost RCSC members money because she has, at various times, presented these arguments as fact to Arizona legislators. To their credit, the legislators would check out Ms. Stewart’s statements. This has required, however, the time of RCSC employees to research, accumulate and present the correct facts to the legislators to show Anne Randall Stewart’s arguments are false.
Along this same line, regardless of the facts, Anne Randall Stewart continues to claim that RCSC gets a “common area” property tax exemption which is afforded under the Planned Communities Act, which does not apply to RCSC. The property tax relief afforded the RCSC was acquired in a lawsuit brought in the Superior Court of the State of Arizona, whereby RCSC, the plaintiff, sought relief from Maricopa County, the defendant, in the values set forth on RCSC’s land and improvements. The final judgment and order signed on February 5, 1991 by Judge William T. Moroney, set taxable values on RCSC’s land and improvements and provided reimbursement from Maricopa County to RCSC for overpayment of property taxes through 1990. Anne Randall Stewart’s continuing ranting regarding this issue could bring unwanted attention to this matter and Sun City homeowners could have some adverse consequences with Maricopa County. Perhaps Ms. Stewart would like to pay for any increased property taxes on the RCSC property?
As created by Del Webb, the corporate documents do not require Member ratification of decisions made by the Board of Directors. The decision-making process is the sole reason Members elect a Board of Directors. The Board of Directors invites and appreciates the input of the Members which is evident in the Board’s willingness to change a previously determined direction as a result of such Member input. Members are given the opportunity to amend the Articles of Incorporation and Corporate Bylaws and Board Policies as well as elect the Board of Directors as set forth in the corporate documents.
Anne Randall Stewart’s recurring threat of Board recall is also very costly to Sun Citians as less and less Members are interested in running for the Board as a result. In our retirement, our golden years if you will, who wants to be accused of being a liar, a thief or a cheat who cares nothing about their community or their neighbors? Certainly not I and I would assume not you either. Fellow Sun Citians we must unite for our common purpose as responsible Sun Citians for the health and welfare of our beloved community we call home….Sun City!
Vance Coleman, President
RCSC Board of Directors