December 15, 2004

Providing service to my community through communication.
This issue was distributed to 1292 subscribers!

Don't forget the big Holiday concert!
Anthem Choraliers!!
Thursday, December 16, 7:00 p.m.
Anthem Center

Free admission!!

Celebrate the season with Christmas and Chanukah favorites, and enjoy a special performance by the brand-new Anthem Dance band.

Join us for this festive celebration!!

An Open Letter to Our Residents

With regard to the criticisms, concerns and skeptical commentary about traffic issues editorialized by Ron Johnson in his electronic newsletter, “The SCA View-Journal” (December 9 and December 12), I think it’s time to bring some perspective to the allegations of secret agreements and a perceived interest in deceiving the residents.

A strained relationship with Del Webb began when a responsible, mature group of talented people voluntarily stepped up to deal with Del Webb’s attempt to unilaterally change the Anthem Master Plan in January, 2002. We, the residents, were about to be steamrolled by the Developer who wanted to change the character of Sun City Anthem in a variety of ways. The situation was compounded by the fact that Del Webb was facing severe financial problems which led to the acquisition of the company by Pulte Homes, Inc., not long thereafter.

It was in this context that the “Core Team” was organized, primarily because a large group of residents asked Favil West to take the lead in dealing with this issue. Shortly thereafter, he asked me to join him. The Team was composed of a cross section of about 20 dedicated residents, none of whom had any agenda except to protect their long term interest in living a comfortable life during their retirement years. The Team was not an extension of the Sun City Anthem Community Association, Inc. Board of Directors and basically operated only with the support of the many residents who officially endorsed the Team’s role as spokesmen during one of the several very large community meetings.

Part of the Core Team was selected to serve as a “Negotiating Team” that held many intense discussions with Del Webb representatives. Our purpose was to change Del Webb’s decision in such a way as to ensure a better design of the Anthem Master Plan than originally presented by Del Webb in January, 2002. We had no power to stop them, just to persuade them to redirect their plans. This team of six was composed of people who had emerged as community leaders by then: Chairman of the Lifestyles Committee, Chief of the Security Patrol, President of the Women’s Club, Chairman of the Properties and Grounds Committee, President of the Men’s Golf Club, and a resident member of the Board of Directors. All were experienced in dealing with complex issues, successful in their personal careers, and dedicated to serve the SCA community well. None came from the “dark side”, none were interested in secret deals, and all were willing to give up significant personal time to make our lives better.

Procedurally, the existence of the Negotiating Team was validated by 1700+ residents at a community meeting. The Team met numerous times with Del Webb representatives, sought residents’ input on and acceptance of the revised plan, and built a long term, positive relationship with Del Webb that continues today. No secret documents existed then or now; all of the agreements are stated in Chris Haines’ letter to the community in the early summer, 2002. (click here) This letter is a compilation of the commitments made by Del Webb during our discussions with them. We consciously agreed that those agreements would be communicated through the Haines letter since they made the final decisions about any plan changes.

Since the agreement was reached two years ago, several changes have occurred in the West Henderson area that interest all of us. I’ll not enumerate all of them here, but will mention a very important one: the sale of the property immediately west of SCA. Del Webb had expected to purchase that property and offered assurances about traffic issues with that expectation in mind. While no clear contingency was mentioned, it was reasonable for all to implicitly understand that absent a successful “buy” by Del Webb, no guarantees could be made regarding the road design in that area. To that end, we placed our confidence in the City’s approval processes, a situation that remains today. The City provided a possible road design and affirmed their control over such final decisions; Del Webb understood as did we. The Planning Commission AND the City Council would (will) have the final say. That requirement remains with one caveat: Del Webb is no longer part of that process.

Much to our joint surprise, Del Webb was an unsuccessful bidder. At that point, our contributions to Del Webb’s thinking became moot; the Team was unable to reverse the sale of the property and our efforts to influence the design of the roads returned to “square one”. Our sole source of support and understanding became the City Council and their planners with whom we had worked during the earlier, intense meetings with Del Webb mentioned above. Thankfully our relationship with the City remains solid and positive at this time. Between them and Del Webb’s influence, we’ve been able to hold good discussions with the Focus Group, led primarily by Favil West. Our residents enjoyed the benefit of those discussions at the December 7th meeting in Anthem Center. While some may not like the proposed road designs, the fact is that they are not yet approved by the City and are subject to residents’ comments if they wish to take that initiative.

In retrospect, I am confident that we, the Core Team and Negotiating Team, did an excellent job of working our way through some very difficult times. Del Webb made substantial revisions in their plans to change the Anthem Master Plan. Not all of the residents liked every part of the agreement, but taken as a whole, we were able to cause a very large corporation to change its direction, particularly significant during their time of very high financial stress.

In conclusion, I’d like to make some observations based on my experiences in Sun City Anthem. First, we cannot limit the use of the public roads in Sun City Anthem to SCA residents only. By definition, they are open to public use. Second, we cannot design and locate the roads in the Focus Development in West Henderson as we wish. We can only work to improve our ingress/egress to and through that area. Third, permanent, iron-clad agreements with the City and all investors in this area are virtually impossible to attain. Events beyond our control can and will change living conditions all around us. We can best protect ourselves by working with the decision makers to ensure our needs are well known. Keep in mind that we have and will continue to depend upon influence and persuasion to achieve our goals because forceful power and control are not options.

Finally, continued attacks on the integrity of our volunteer leaders serve no useful purpose except to split the community wide open. Such behavior may please the dissidents among us, but it only detracts from our outstanding lifestyle. Oh that such negative energy could be converted to positive efforts!

With that in mind, if any one of you wishes to make a difference, a positive difference, in the lives of SCA residents, then it’s time to make your interests known. How? There are at least five, perhaps six, SCACAI Board positions open in the May election not to mention several key standing committee openings right now. Here’s a chance for you to get more involved in dealing with community issues. Difficult challenges? You bet. But what a chance to lead the residents toward an even better lifestyle.!!! Call Terry DaSilva, SCACAI Office Manager, at 614-5802 to get started.

Best wishes,

Dick Sovde
Former Board Member
Core Team and Negotiating Team Member
914-0790

Sun City Anthem Women's Club
Special Interest Group (SIG): 9-5ers — Working Women
Monthly Meetings to resume
2nd Saturday each month, 9:30 a.m.
Buckman's Restaurant, 2600 Hampton Road

Established for the benefit of Sun City Anthem women that cannot make the events held during the weekdays since they work. It will give Sun City Anthem working women meaningful activities and social contacts.

Monthly meeting are re-starting January 2005 on the 2nd Saturday of each month (unless a holiday falls on that weekend), 9:30 a.m. at Buckman's Restaurant, ordering off menu.

This is a Special Interest Group under the Sun City Anthem Women’s Club, dues are $20 annually. All Sun City Anthem residents are invited.

Stella Giordano
492-9923

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S.C.A.C.A. “Members Only” Monday Nights

Monday, December 20, 2004

Appetizers
Spinach Quiche or Salmon Cakes with Remoulade sauce

Salad
Caesar Salad or Garden Salad

Entrée
Poached Salmon
with avocado sauce served with rice pilaf

or

Chicken Cordon Bleu
served with garlic mashed potatoes & vegetable du jour

Dessert
Fresh Fruit Compote or Root Beer Schnapps Parfait


$19.95 per person
4:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Member Discount Does Not Apply
By Reservation Only
614-5858

Boneless stuffed chicken breast, stuffed with fresh sage, prosciutto and fontina cheese w/fresh tomato sauce over pasta. As served
Monday, November 27, 2004
Photo by diner David Berman

Attention all Bocce enthusiasts!

The Sun City Anthem Bocce Club team and substitute registration information for the Spring 2005 Season, can be found on the bulletin boards at the Fitness Center and the Bocce Courts.

New players can obtain membership forms on the bulletin board at the Fitness Center. Registration ends January 15, 2005. Sign-up now and join in the fun.

The Spring 2005 Season, starts the week of February 21, and ends May 2, 2005.

Ralph Saccoliti

Address changes & Spam filters!

If you change your e-mail address, please let me know. When a message bounces as undeliverable, I will simply delete you as a contact.

Las Vegas will soon celebrate 100 years!

For current and continuing coverage of the year-long celebration, visit: http://www.lasvegas2005.org/

The Minuteman Foundation, Inc.        Tax ID # 48-1256766
2505 Anthem Village Drive, Suite E-480
Henderson, NV 89052

The Minuteman Foundation is the organization which provides the funding needed to support the activities of the Community Service Club. The Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) charity.

The Minuteman Foundation has received another donation to honor the 50th anniversary of Anthem residents Ansel and Ruth Gladstein.  Happy Anniversary!

Residents wishing to avail themselves of the Community Service Clubs services should call 614-5862

Services include:

• Transportation: We will drive you to the local market or your medical provider
• Equipment: We can loan you (on a temporary basis) a wheelchair, walker, or other durable medical equipment
• Home Maintenance: We can assist you in minor home maintenance chores such as:
  • Cleaning or replacing overhead air filters
  • Replacing smoke alarm batteries
  • Changing overhead light bulbs
• Home Assistance: Resource Directory of information on fee-based, discount, and many other services available to seniors. Volunteers will also shop & deliver groceries or medication to residents who are temporarily homebound.
• Support Groups: The CSC sponsors several support groups to assist the residents of Sun City Anthem. These groups are:
  • Living “Well” with Disabilities (physical mobility)
  • Alzheimer’s Caregivers
  • Bereavement (non denominational)
  • One on one guidance through Jewish bereavement protocol
  • Friends of Bill W. (for recovering alcoholics)
  • Home Caregivers (for those caring for a loved one at home)

In accordance with IRS regulations, the Foundation's Income Tax return for 2003 has been posted to its web site for public viewing. Click here.

Please make your dollars count, mail your check to:

The Minuteman Foundation, Inc.
2505 Anthem Village Drive, Suite E-480
Henderson, NV 89052

It's easy to make a financial donation to the Foundation with your credit card. Click here. All transactions are via a secure link to PayPal, a wholly owned subsidiary of eBay. Your donation may be fully deductible. Contact your tax advisor.
 

Chuck Davis
Co-founder and Treasurer
The Minuteman Foundation, Inc.