Coffee sessions focus on giving residents a voice

No one can say that the Sun City Board of Directors isn’t trying to communicate with residents.

The board recently expanded its written communication with residents through the Lifestyle Magazine and the community website, with more detailed reports on board meetings, more details in the staff’s weekly e-mail messages, and similar initiatives.

On September 12, the board added coffee and a donut medley to the mix, at a “Coffee With the Board” session in Prairie Lodge’s Fountain View atrium. This casual format was successful in a recent Board election candidate event. It worked, to a point, last week.

Five of the seven board members showed up (Bob McGouey and Steve Bytnar were absent), and about 25 residents came over the course of the 90-minute event. Board members present were Dennis O’Leary, Russ Howard, Vito Benigno, Marilynn Berendt, and Bob Wainscott. Berendt was especially happy. “I am very pleased with this event today,” she said.

Many of the residents who showed up were regular attenders of board and committee meetings. Some of the topics they brought up were not new ones, but were matters that have been brought to the board many times before. They included furniture and décor in the Prairie Lodge, communications in general between the board and residents, the “Talk to Staff” forms, and fees charged for rental of lodge facilities.

Many of the residents commended the board for this latest effort at communication, but a few others focused on issues and problems that they perceive need better communication.

“I thought it went well, and we appreciate those who came,” said O”Leary. “But most of them were repeat attenders, we had hoped for some new folks that we could meet. But I feel it is worth repeating, so we’ll have another one in a few weeks, and possibly a third time after that.”

Board members do not respond to questions or comments made by residents during comment periods at regular board meetings. Some residents have said they would prefer quicker answers and feedback to their input. The board said they set up the coffee sessions to provide a chance for open dialog with residents.

The next regular board meeting is next Wednesday, September 26, at 9 a.m. Board members also said future “coffee” sessions will likely be held on Wednesday mornings.

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