As we’re now into the final weeks of the 2023 Arizona monsoon season, I was glad to see and read the excellent and very informative article in the Sept. 6 issue of the Independent about the “Falling Saguaros.”

So far, many locations in the West Valley have seen little to no rain, but that does not mean we’ve been spared the aftereffects of some of the storms that passed through our area.

On several occasions, very gusty winds brought down large tree limbs and even uprooted whole trees in many locations of Sun City West. Because of the relentless heat, with a plethora of high temperature records being set in July, August and now probably more in September, we unfortunately lost many giant saguaros, plus numerous cactus varieties (especially large agaves), succulents and even irrigated desert bushes also succumbed to the unrelenting heat. Labor Day weekend brought some welcomed relief, however.

What’s worthy to note, through all of this, is the excellent job being done by the Recreation Centers of Sun City West landscape maintenance team. Not only have they done a superb job in keeping the golf courses in great shape, they were many times on the spot to remove fallen cacti or downed trees from the Recreation Centers or the common areas along our roads.

Even through the record-breaking heat of the summer, the timely and judicious use of watering has kept our golf courses in great looking shape. While the PRIDES groups worked most Saturdays (suspended a couple times for the July heat alerts) to maintain the roadway landscaping, the support of the RCSCW team in trimming trees and removing over-hanging limbs kept the sidewalks free of obstacles for all walkers.

For those who may often wonder or question how our annual dues are spent, just drive along our major roads or visit any of the Recreation Center complexes to see how well kept our common area properties have been during some very difficult times of nearly unbearable summer weather. Yes, we live in the desert, but our living environment has been kept in top notch condition. Our assessment money at work, by some very hard working and dedicated people.

My thanks and compliments to the RCSCW landscaping maintenance staff for a job well done, even as the governor declared a heat emergency in several counties back in early August. We who lived here during the historic heat of this summer 2023 enjoyed the well-maintained surroundings, which will be in-place when the winter visitors soon start returning, only to find the condition of their yards’ landscaping in a possibly changed state, depending upon how well it tolerated this record-setting summer heat and sparse monsoon rains, even with their irrigation systems working.