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Darla Akins, Barbara Brehm and Michael Ege were qualified for the 2019 board election. They will be campaigning to fill three expiring seats now held by Ms. Akins, Jerry DeLano and Stella Van Ness.
RCSC members will have a chance hear the candidates and talk to them about their views during a final candidates forum. The first such session was scheduled 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4 at Fairway Recreation Center, 10600 W. Peoria Ave. The final form will be 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 at Marinette Recreation Center, 9860 W. Union Hills Drive.
Early online voting starts Monday, Nov. 11 through the RCSC web portal. Members can also vote with an absentee ballot or at the polling location on election day Tuesday, Dec. 10 at Lakeview Recreation Center, 10626 W. Thunderbird Blvd.
While there are three candidates for three expiring seats, the election is not finalized until the vote is complete, according to Mr. DeLano, the RCSC board president. According to RCSC bylaws, candidates who receive less than 100 votes are not eligible to fill any of the existing vacancies, he explained.
“If you feel that any of the candidates are not worthy of your vote or up to the task of being a board director, remember that you may vote for up to three candidates; you do not have to vote for anyone you do not feel is qualified,” he stated in a guest commentary (Sun City Independent, Oct. 16, 2019).
Darla Akins
Working to promote transparency and communication is one of Darla Akins’ goals as she tries to continue her board service.
She was appointed to fill a one-year term on the board. Ms. Akins served as co-chair of the Bowling and Lawn Bowling committees and is a liaison to the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum and the Sun City Home Owners Association. Ms. Akins is a 10-year member of the Sun City Line Dance Club, a five-year member of the Rock and Roll Dance Club and a two-year member of the House of Dance Club.
“I will work to keep Sun City affordable and appealing for all residents,” Ms. Akins stated in her campaign material. “I will work to keep our fees lower than other comparable age restricted communities.”
Ms. Akins has more than 30 years experience as a physical education teacher and coach. She earned a masters degree in elementary education and a bachelors in physical education. She taught K-12 in Glendale for 26 years.
Ms. Akins was elected Glendale Elementary Teachers Association and Arizona Education Association vice president. She also served six years in the Army National Guard and six years as a detention officer for the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Barbara Brehm
Using her abilities, experience and interest to serve the Sun City community is the reason Barbara Brehm is running for the board.
Her RCSC activities include being a Duffeeland Dog Park Club member, an Aqua Fitness member and a season ticket holder for Sundial shows. She is also active in the wider Sun City community. She sings in her church choir, attends an evening study group, is a local book club member and serves on her church relief society committee.
Ms. Brehm is also a regular attendee of Wednesday and Saturday movies shown at Marinette Recreation Center, 9860 W. Union Hills Drive.
She has extensive experience in property management over 28-plus years. Her management includes HOAs, strip malls, warehouses, downtown redevelopment with rehabilitation and restoration of historic buildings. She was also a recreation manager.
Ms. Brehm earned a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology at San Diego State University and has taken many professional courses, including contract and property law, at Western State College of Law. She has also taken finance and accounting courses at National University and graduate courses in public administration from SDSU.
Her certifications are from the Community Association Institute and the California Association of Community Managers.
Michael Ege
Using technology to enhance the Sun City experience is sprinkled throughout Michael Ege’s goals if elected to the board.
In Sun City he has been active in the Bell Metal Shop, the Vintage Vehicles Club of Sun City and as a business partner to the Del Webb Sun Cities Museum.
“I want to work with residents and community leaders to enhance interactions to create a more cohesive and united infrastructure,” Mr. Ege stated in his campaign materials.
He also wants to use technology to expand participation in clubs and activities. He wants concerts and spcial events live streamed so those who cannot attend can enjoy them. He also wants closed circuit cameras in club areas so members can participate from home.
Mr. Ege also wants to strengthen the Sun City brand. He plans to work with the Long Range Planning Committee to create a strategic plan for investing in the changes the community will face.
Mr. Ege has a 40-plus year career in management, engineering and industry. His work included building NASCAR race teams and various U.S. Army and naval weapons systems. He studied engineering at San Bernadino Valley College. Mr. Ege had a six-year stint rehabilitating Sun City tax lien abandoned properties.
A four-year Sun City resident, Mr. Ege is a Moorseville, North Carolina Citizens’ Academy and perfoermed work at the water treatment facility.
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