In my last column I shared the brainstorming discussion that I had experienced during a social gathering of neighbors who were concerned about the continual increase in rates from service providers like Comcast. I floated the idea of having a designated person from our community to act as a liaison with common service providers.
The liaison would negotiate on our community’s behalf for discounted rates or packages of services. With approximately 5,000 homes, the Sun City community is a sizable customer base for providers of products and services in our area. I asked for your opinions.
Your response was overwhelmingly in support of this type of idea. One reader wrote, “Please know you can add us to the list of people who agree with your column.” Another reader said, “Count me in as a supporter for your idea of Sun City folks negotiating with Comcast (and other services) for group discounts.” Of course, not everyone viewed the idea as doable – “Your idea of adding a community liaison is not practical and is not in the purpose of a homeowner association.”
Some good questions also came in from readers – “How do you perceive this idea moving forward as far as choosing the appropriate liaison, the mission and strategy for moving forward, and the appropriate approvals from the community and its boards?”
A number of readers also responded with alternative suggestions which we should consider. For example, “I don’t know that it would take creating a position to accomplish the end-point. There may be enough savvy negotiators in the community that would be willing to joust with windmills for the benefit of all to make it work. Then we could hand it off to the management group (Wentworth) to maintain until the next round of increases surfaces, though that may be a re-occurring theme.”
From all the reader feedback received, I sense enthusiasm and interest in pursuing the idea further. The collective thoughts of our community could evolve the idea into an interesting journey in unexplored territory. I will try to schedule a date, time, and location for an open meeting where interested Sun City residents can gather to share questions, concerns, and recommendations. Stay tuned for the particulars. In the interim, keep your ideas and questions coming.
• Send your questions and ideas to: Sun Day, Frugal Forum Column, P.O. Box 7505, Algonquin, IL 60102, or, by email to: thefrugalforum@gmail.com
