Due to an abudance of letters to the editor we received after last editionâs cover story âMarines seek exemption from Lifestylesâ announcement fee,â Happy Trails is skipping this edition to make room for these letters.
It is agreed the Lifestyle Magazine quadrupling the $20 cost for the extra paragraph is steep for non-profit service/groups. Perhaps a semi-annual raise should have been considered before going quarterly. These are all service/groups that a portion of/all are residents in SCCAH advertising in Lifestyles magazine. If the cost of printing and mailing has gone up so tremendously, then Administration and the Board should have figured that into the mix before they decrease our Association Fees by a dollar.
With this being said, I would like to address an issue in Commandant Loforte statement. He needs to know the Marines are not ââŚthe only group dedicated to the United States of America, Sun City, and the greater Huntley areaâŚâ as quoted. This was a quite inclusive statement. Most of us appreciate everything the Vets have done for us and our Country. Our local Valor Quilt Ladies honor Veterans regularly throughout the year and many members of this group are residents in SCCAH. But other Clubs and Special Interest groups within SCCAH also have associations with National Service groups who service County and Local needs without reciprocation. I would like to give a few examples in addition to the Valor Quilt Ladies.
The Lions of Sun City Huntley, also an International service group, serves people throughout not only our community, county, country but the world. The work they do through ongoing fundraising support many with sight, hearing and diabetic needs.Â
The Sew n Sews Charter Club is affiliated with a nationwide group known as Project Linus. These members serve through the Northern Illinois Chapter having disbursed 13,000+ blankets. The blankets are given to local Children Hospitals for injured and critical-care children 0-17 years of age. SnS have several other areas of service within their Club and recently developed a Community Service group, which are working with the McHenry County Linus group servicing our own area children with blankets along with working with SCCAH, Village of Huntley, Police and Fire Departments assisting comfort to people in need.
The German Club has and International group which affiliate with DANK, a national network of German Associate Member Societies with membership spanning across the majority of the U.S.!
These are just a few other people involved and serving the USA, SCCAH and VoH to create a better environment for everyone. Â We may not have fought in combat, but there are others doing work on all levels of the SCCAH/VoH Community.
Respectfully submitted
Carole L Bowgren
Neighborhood 12
As you noted the alleged increase in printing costs in my opinion could have been handled in a number of ways. In my opinion, this cost issue relates to all Special Interest groups, not simply the Sun City Huntley Marines. In fact, placing us 26 clubs in a separate category is wrong. The Boardâs mission is to provide a quality lifestyle for residents in a fiscally responsible manner, by offering exceptional facilities, activities, programs, and services, while managing and enhancing our common areas and assets with respect for our environment. I do not see how any Special Interest Group is hampering the boardâs mission. In fact, it appears that top management and the Board have a negative special view by charging anything at all for advertising that is free for Charter Clubs.
Currently, LifeStyles, with glossy high end paper and quality printing, resembles an expensive commercial fashion magazine. While I do not suggest the Lifestyles should be reduced to a shabby periodical, there are always opportunities for some cutting. However, if high quality is necessary, the cost increase should be levied on outside advertisers. Assuming every Special Group could place sensible inserts in the LifeStyles for free, the revenue lost would be $2080 per year. Currently there are 156 outside advertisers. It would simply take an average increase of $1.33 per month to cover the revenue loss and resolve this whole issue.
I was somewhat disappointed that my words may have offended some readers. I was misquoted, âI never said the only group dedicated to the United States of America, Sun City and the greater Huntley area.â
What I did say was âWe are the only Military group.â At no time was it my intention to compare our group with any other Special Interest or Charter Group. I was interested in describing our specific mission and contributions. I realize that many members of other Sun City clubs are Veterans or non-Veterans and are patriotic and dedicated to the United States of America. Our position is representing the Sun City Huntley Marines and the pride we have for being Marines.
In no way are we downgrading Special Interest groups. In fact, many Marine members are participants in the fine work and support done in many Special Interest Clubs. We have special appreciation to those who support our current Armed Forces. And I will always appreciate the quilt that I received several years ago.
There are many clubs who have members that support the USA, Sun City, and the greater Huntley area. And since their major contribution to the community is associated with a specific area that doesnât require a specific membership requirement, they are classified as a Charter Club. Open to all and not subject to certain fees. In the case of the Sun City Huntley Marines, our major and only mission is to provide an interchange for fellow Marines and to help our community show patriotism for our Country.
The issue here is not who is better, the issue here is the need for more proficiency in wise cost reduction goals and responsible revenue actions. Moreover, the real issue is why we are treated âSpecialâ in a negative sense. Why are we and other Special Groups charged anything at all while itâs free for Charter Groups and possibly some outside groups?
Sincerely
Anthony Loforte
I really don’t see why the Marines seek exemption from the “additional information fee” for resident interest groups concerned with putting more information in Lifestyles. They are not the only group that does a service for the community nor are they the only “one of a kind” group. The Encore Chamber Orchestra is the only music group listed. Every year, they perform a free holiday sing-a-long concert during the holidays for all residents. The expense of buying music and their own instruments is not provided. An average music score is about $70 and instruments cost thousands of dollars. The support groups provide emotional and physical support for residents dealing with health issues and grief. All the groups provide camaraderie for people with similar interests and/or needs. So no, the Marines don’t need an exemption. They aren’t any better or doing more than any other group. Instead, the community management and board of directors should rethink what they are doing by asking for this money. They need to use some common sense and show a little compassion for these groups that do so much for our community.
Esther Bell
Sun City resident
