For Immediate Release:
07/03/09
RCSC Board responds to Stewart's inaccurate and false claims
While the RCSC Board of Directors (“Board”) realizes that this response will not convince Ms. Stewart otherwise, we feel it is important that the residents of Sun City be provided with accurate information. Yes, the communications coordinator and administrative staff assist the Board with press releases and correspondence, be assured that no such communications are finalized without Board review and approval. Management has been and continues to be targeted and blamed for Board decisions and policies which is unjust and unfair. The Board desires that the RCSC cardholders understand and acknowledge that the Board makes the decisions and sets policy, and management simply implements such as required.
Rowboats were replaced for safety reasons, as the old rowboats were not as stable as the new flat-bottom boats. The old rowboats have been deployed to the golf courses where they will be used to maintain the golf course ponds. Interestingly enough, the total cost to each Sun City property to provide these safer rowboats was less than 7 cents and can be covered in our 2009 operating budget because of operating savings already acquired.
The concrete lining installed at Willowcreek is projected to save RCSC approximately 300 acre feet of water per year, which was lost through seepage previously. There are no dollar savings as the water allotted by the Arizona Department of Water Resources was and will continue to be pumped, however, the water will now reach the desired destination, which will be very beneficial to Willowcreek Golf Course. There have been numerous communications regarding the transition at the golf courses which explained and forecasted the temporary condition of the fairways.
The statement that the Board is leaving the door open for the possibility of anyone “pocketing” money undetected or that the board policies “create opportunities for fraud” is false. The Board approved up to $435,000 (based on a previous bid received) for the relining of the creek at Willowcreek, however, to the Board’s delight when the new bids were received, a company responded to the request for proposal (“RFP”) with a very good bid. Ms. Stewart provided a company she preferred and RCSC sent an RFP to that company per her request and they declined bidding on the project. The “phantom group” then took it upon themselves to get the company to provide a bid and presented it at a Board/Member Exchange meeting where they were informed that better bids were received. Regardless of what may be projected in the budget, bids are presented to the Bid Commission and are signed off by three Board members as to the bid that is accepted. No funds are spent until such has been completed and there is no opportunity for fraud or “pocketing” any funds as is falsely claimed. For your information, every check issued is signed by a Board Officer, which requires all documentation as to why payment is being made to be attached.
The Board recognizes that portions of the recreation centers have been closed and was very careful in providing the 2006 vs. 2008 comparisons to verify staff and cost reductions instituted by management in Gene Westemeier’s previous article. He compared 2006 to 2008 because the operations of the recreation centers were similar. In 2006, Bell’s fitness/pool area was closed for three months and Sundial’s pool/fitness area was closed for six months. In 2008, the Sundial pool/fitness area was closed for eight months and the Fairway demolition began in October, since Fairway involved only three employees who were moved elsewhere in the organization, the comparison actually gave the advantage to 2006. To provide a partial list of positions eliminated since January 2007, they include: Sr. Director Finance/Accounting, Director of Finance, Sr. Accountant, Communications Supervisor, Communications Assistant, Purchasing Manager, Sr. Buyer, Pro Shop Merchandise Buyer, Purchasing Assistant, Grounds Maintenance Manager, Assistant Grounds Maintenance Manager, HR Administrative Assistant, Food Service Manager, Food Service Assistant, and three Property Supervisors. To be complete, since January 2007, we have added a General Manager, an IT Application Support Specialist and an Accounts Receivable Collector. The fact is that we have less staff and less management today.
No one painted over the mural in the piano club in the “dead of the night.” The club was informed more than 30 days in advance. The Club Organization Committee (“COC”), which consists of RCSC cardholders only, advised the Board that they felt that the mural in the piano club room should be painted over because the club did not follow Board Policy 12A and the Board agreed. This is an example of management carrying out the direction given by the Board.
The Board is not sure with what expertise or experience Ms. Stewart claims that the golf courses maintenance “employs twice the necessary employees.” In the 2009 GCSAA report it states that the median budget for an Arizona 18-hole golf course is $1,335,000 per year, with $600,000 for payroll. In 2008, our total payroll with benefits and taxes, and including pro shop and range personnel as well was: Willowcreek/Willowbrook – $654,541 ($327,270 per 18 holes), North – $484,150, South – $501,328, Lakes East/West – $661,216 ($330,608 per 18 holes), and Riverview – $455,980. We operate considerably under the average, so foundation for these claims is unwarranted.
The Board invites RCSC Members to come and share with them their concerns and issues at the Board/Member Exchange meetings (generally held on the first and third Monday of the month) and the Monthly Board Meeting (generally held on the last Thursday of the month). Contrary to statements made there is no retaliation by the Board for voicing your opinion.
-RCSC Board of Directors