The recent recall election in Sun City West has been a very difficult time for our community.
Director Tim Hurley refers to a “dark cloud” that is beginning to dissipate. We look forward to the sun shining again in Sun City West. The two vacant positions on the governing board have been filled by veteran directors — Jim Sloan and Tim Hurley. Both have each served on the board for four years ending their service in 2020. Jim Sloan served as vice president and then president for two years. He was instrumental in the hiring of our general manager, expansions resulting from club space needs and the establishment of the CC&Rs Department. Tim held officer positions and is well known for his involvement with golf, having chaired the Golf Committee and then continuing as a member.
I have absolute confidence in the abilities of both individuals to be professional, responsible and objective directors. I appreciate their willingness to continue with service to our great community until next June 30. Their credentials are impeccable. The community will have an opportunity to choose new directors during the regular election process that begins the first part of November. Owner members interested in running for election to the board for 3-year terms should apply at that time.
The most important September task for the governing board is to finish the details of the tax issues for our clubs.
Recreation Manager Kasey Huhta met with club leadership the past few months to address the needs of individual clubs and guide them as they made decisions for the tax issues of each of their clubs. The board now needs to follow through with the changes in procedures to match the legal requirements of the IRS tax classes. Most of our clubs will remain social clubs as 501(c)(7), though a few have chosen 501(c)(3) status.
The closing of the Village Store located on recreation center property returns our clubs to hobby clubs. As this action was extremely contentious for our craft clubs, we are pleased that in a few months PORA, 13815 Camino Del Sol, will be offering a consignment arts and crafts gallery for use by individual artists. They will have an outlet for their excess product. Since the money flows directly to the artists and not through the clubs, artists are responsible for their own income reports to the IRS. This change protects our social club IRS status from receiving excess funds from outside sources.
We have had a rough start to the season, but with some heavy work this summer, we are ready to begin the task of governing for Recreation Centers of Sun City West. Thank you in advance for the support of our residents as we restore order to Sun City West and begin to welcome back our winter visitors!
Sue Fitzsimons
Recreation centers of sun city west governing board president
