The News of February 2010 - ISSUE #19
...an official publication of the Community Association
February Dates to Put on Your Calendar
CA Board Meeting
10th
9 a.m.
Rollins Theater
14th
St. Valentine’s Day
March 20th
FunFest Central Campus
March 22nd Shredding Day Behind Security Patrol On the Inside CA President’s Report.. 2 CA Schedule................. 2 CARE......................... 17 Club Happenings..... 6-9+ Consumer Affairs........ 12 Crossword.................. 15 Cryptoquote................ 13 Entertainment Corner... 3 Fiitness Corner........... 22 Golf........................ 20-21 Military Affairs............. 10 Movies........................ 23 Newcomers................ 23 Sudoku....................... 17 We Want to Know....... 15
Check out the CA website: suncitycenter.org
Annual CA Membership Meeting...
CA President Ed Barnes Noted That The New Year Brings New Challenges
By John Bowker Speaking at the January 6 annual membership meeting, CA President Ed Barnes listed a number of 2009 community accomplishments resulting from the work of many people in town. Among those was the golf cart path to US301 now being constructed by Hillsborough County following an extensive campaign by dozens of residents to convince the county commissioners of our need for this path. He went on to list nearly a dozen other improvements to our lifestyle that required the attention of many CA members. He then outlined some challenges we all face in 2010 but reflected on his confidence that, with enough participation by our residents, we will see each of them through to success. His first challenge, he said, will be to get more CA members involved in the decision making. He pointed out that there are now about 11,000 of us and the total number of members who cast a vote this past
fall to determine our dues structure and to elect our leaders was 777. He has appointed director Woody Nelson to study this issue in his role as CA Board Liaison to the Elections Committee. The next challenge Barnes listed was to determine what happens when WCI closes out their interests in Sun City Center. As you know, WCI has recently come out of bankruptcy and their business is now in the hands of financiers. They have already announced that their holdings here are for sale; they will not build more houses here. This leaves open the question of maintaining the appearance of the undeveloped properties, the medians on both Pebble Beach Boulevards and the median and shoulders of Sun City Center Boulevard (SR 674). Among his concerns, Barnes pointed out that the golf courses owned by WCI will be sold and since they are an essential part of our community for recreation and for aesthetics, the CA must be involved to the extent possible to be sure the
outcome is to the benefit of Sun City Center. A new “PR Group” has been formed with the task of communicating the unique character of Sun City Center out to the world. Paul Courter has been named to head that organization. Barnes ended his remarks by announcing there will be a review of the long-term plan for the Community Association. The CA is often likened to our “local government” in that so much of the lifestyle here centers on its facilities, events and decisions. We must keep it current with our needs and with county, state and federal regulations. Home Sale for 2009 CA Treasurer Neil Rothfeld announced that his figures show that, based on Transfer Fee receipts, 260 homes were sold in Sun City Center during 2009. That has resulted in the Capital Fund account now totaling $309,000. That fund is used for construction of new CA facilities and should not be confused with money needed for renovation or
replacement of existing facilities and, of course, has no bearing on CA operating expenses that are funded by our annual dues. Shredding Day Coming Mark your calendar for Monday, March 22 between 9 a.m. and noon. The CA is providing a shredding truck that CA members can use at no charge. It will be parked just behind the Security Patrol building on Cherry Hills Drive; you can watch as your own documents are shredded. In responding to an audience question that was generated by an article in one of the local weeklies, Lyn Reitz, the Community Manager, reported that the cost of all renovations at and around the Atrium Building pools came in at less than $750,000 and, in fact, came in $50,000 under budget! About 80 homes in Sun City Center and Kings Point have been affected by the corrosive dry wall problem. A local group, headed by CA Director Woody Nelson, is actively studying the options.
FunFest 2010 Bigger Than Ever By Phyllis Hodges H o w ’s F u n F e s t 2 0 1 0 (Spring Fling) planning progressing? We posed that question to Jane Keegan, the new chair for FunFest set for March 20 at the SCC Community A s s o c i a t i o n ’s C e n t r a l Campus (N. Pebble Beach Blvd.), and she’s bubbling over with enthusiasm. “This year’s committee is hard at work on the many aspects that are part of an undertaking like this. The overwhelming support of our clubs and area businesses promises to make our FunFest “Spring Fling” a great way for the community and surrounding areas to celebrate the arrival of spring,” she said. Keegan is especially excited about this year’s Health Fair. Early indications are that additional space
will be required for all the vendors who wish to participate. The Veterans Administration (VA) is among the newcomers. VA Mobile Clinic The James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital Mobile Outreach Clinic that will be onsite has three private exam rooms that will be open to all area veterans at no cost for general health screening and reviews of medication lists. Veterans should bring their DD214 or current VA card. In addition, someone will be on hand to assist veterans with enrollment for VA services. Veterans should bring past medical documents related to current complaint/illness if that information is not already in the VA’s electronic medical file. The clinic has the capability to document
any pertinent findings or recommendations in the VA electronic medical record. T h e M i l i t a r y O ff i c e r s Association of America (MOAA) and the SCC Men’s Club are sponsoring the VA’s participation. Questions about utilizing the mobile clinic can be directed to Frank Kepley at 642-0801 or Jerry Mahoney at 633-2879. Entertainment Judy Schings is making great headway lining up entertainment for the day. She reports that some popular acts such as Elvis (Bill Lindsey) and The Dukes will be returning, and HiLo, a country singing duo, will be new to the roster. She’s busily working to fill out the schedule which will also include performances by SCC CA clubs.
Help Still Needed John Bowker is organizing the group of 40 volunteers to greet guests. Anyone interested should call Bowker at 633-1427. Anyone else wanting to help but doesn’t have a job in mind can call Keegan at 634-9329 to talk about what is needed.
The VA Mobile Outreach Clinic will be a welcome addition to the health fair at FunFest on March 20 at the CA Central Campus.