Log in

Letters

Tracy: Directors try to force amendment in Sun City

Posted

Coercion at Recreation Centers of Sun City Board of Directors Oct. 27 meeting? You be the judge!

Perception is reality. Allan Lenefsky, RCSC board secretary and chair of the ad hoc Bylaw Review Committee, made a disturbing disclosure prior to a vote. It was about the member circulation of petitions, etc., on RCSC properties. He explained he was strongly influenced by four other board members. They threatened to defeat all of the combined ad hoc proposed bylaw revisions if he did not vote with them!

Coercion is ugly, no matter how you write or look at it. I am disappointed the chair of the ad hoc committee, a former judge, bowed to the bullies and, more importantly, allowed it!

See the full meeting video at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=p5M_hi6FHR8. Regarding Article 9, Section 3-b (video time stamp 2:33.20). The revision proposed to allow members to circulate for signatures (petitions, proxies, recalls) within or on RCSC Facilities. A motion to strike this portion was made by Mike Ege, board vice president. Lenefsky said, “I’m going to have to discuss what my vote is going to be here. I am for this provision; however, because I have been told that there are four votes that will kill the entire bylaws if this remains in there, I am going to have to vote for the amendment to save everything else. I’m not willing to kill this 24=page document over this.” Then he said in January or February he would bring it back. He said, “I’m not  happy about my vote; I think it should be in there. But to save everything else, I’m voting to remove it.”

The vote to strike was passed 5-4 with Steve Collins, Kay Fimmel, Karen McAdam and John Nowakowski dissenting. Voting “yes” were Darla Akins, Dale Lehrer, Ege, Lenefsky and Sue Wilson.

Coercion is the use of intimidation or threats to force (or prevent) someone to do something they have a legal right to do (or not to do). Was coercion used to influence Lenefsky’s vote? You be the judge.

I hope this disturbing behavior is addressed and all formal action available is taken to reprimand the offenders. Sun City member/owners expect and deserve better.