The recall of RCSCW Governing Board Member Lou Mancuso is unfair, misleading, and doesn’t pass the “smell test.” All evidence points to this recall being engineered by the management of RCSCW staff as evidenced by the “Special Edition of the Rec Center News” insert into the weekly Sun City West Independent. This insert parroted the reasons that were listed on the recall petition that an employee of the Rec Center circulated (even though they are a resident, it still has the appearance of being a conflict of interest). This insert was printed on both sides (an added expense) with the same propaganda as the recall petition. If the recall was not engineered by Rec Center staff, then they should have allowed Mr. Mancuso to have a rebuttal on the reverse side or aided in getting his message into the community. Every opportunity has been taken for the staff to discredit and stifle Mr. Mancuso’s rebuttal.

In talking with other member/owners in our community the two prevailing concerns were that they don’t want their dues increased nor do they want the community open to the public. I agree with both statements, however, I have listened several times to each RCSCW Governing Board Workshop meeting from April through June, and attended the June regular GB Meeting. I have found no evidence of either.

Just one example of incorrect information on the petition which the Rec Center has continually disseminated is that Mr. Mancuso would like to “Change Clubs tax status from 501(c)7 Non-Profit, to 501(c)4, For Profit [emphasis added]. This opens all SCW clubs and all facilities to the general public for a fee.” As per the IRS website, organizations falling under 501(c)(4) are “civic leagues and social welfare organizations and local associations of employees.” They further list examples of these types of organizations that may qualify. First, 501(c)(4) is non-profit – all twenty-nine designations under 501(c) are tax exempt. Our RCSCW is a 501(c)(4) organization and they are not mandated to be open to the public. So please tell me why if the clubs were (c)(4) they would have to be open to the public?

Other evidence. . .Also, in several of their monthly e-news they had headlines, “Divided Board pushing major changes in chartered clubs, possibly opening to public; changes could impact Owner Member Dues.” I didn’t see evidence of a divided board pushing major changes. Mr. Mancuso just wanted to form a committee to explore ways for the Village Store to remain open and to continue our community Craft Fairs, possibly under the Rec Center’s (c)(4) umbrella. The Rec Center has continued putting out this propaganda to resident member/owners but they have not allowed Mr. Mancuso the same platform to have his rebuttal. Just this week an email was sent to all Chartered Clubs from the Recreation Manager stating:
“Please also be aware that Chartered Clubs are NOT to be using club email databases or other club materials/lists to distribute codes, voting reminders or any other political information.

Clubs or individuals caught engaging in this activity will face repercussions up to and including suspension from your club and/or suspension of members privileges.”

If you would like to hear what Mr. Mancuso has to say, he has set up his own website: https://www.myscwhome.com/recall. It would behoove you to check it out. Mr. Mancuso was evidently on a Long Range Planning Committee a few years ago and by virtue of being on the committee he is guilty of wanting to purchase Hillcrest Golf Course and the acreage at the end of Deer Valley Road? Please, he is just one vote on a board of 9 people. Our Governing Board has said that their role is to set policy and Rec Center staff’s is to carry it out. Where is our GB in all of this? Rec Center staffs seem to be calling all the shots on this one. If you want only board members who rubber stamp RCSCW staffs’ wants, then you should vote “yes” on the recall. If you want someone who asks questions and want to represent the owner/members who elected him, then you should vote “no” to not recall Mr. Mancuso!

Thank you to Debby Phillips and Ronnie Hoover whose letters to the editor in this week’s Independent spurred me to write this. Unfortunately, it isn’t timely for those voting by phone or absentee. If you didn’t read them, you should. National politics have now arrived in SCW.